Can Jurgen Klopp's Teams Play the Diamond?
When many think of Jurgen Klopp they think of counter attacking football. They think of a team in yellow buzzing around the final third of the pitch in the hunt for the ball. They think of a 4231 formation. It's what he was famed for as he took a mid-table Dortmund side and transformed them into league winners. However, what some people may not know, during his early years at Dortmund Jurgen Klopp used to set them up in a …
Have The Fans Finally Given Up On Brendan?
Something happened after Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United a few weeks ago. Something that hasn't happened under the reign of Brendan Rodgers. The fans united and their voice became unanimous. Brendan Rodgers needs to go. Even during the dark days of last season, you could always find a big chunk of the fan base always ready to back the manager however depressing things became. The justifications were ever ready and waiting to counter the "Rodgers Out" brigade; "he needs …
The Curious Case of Bobby Firmino
Our transfer record under Rodgers has been filled with expensive mistakes and poor decision making with names like Markovic, Balotelli and Lovren all being proved as flops in their first season at the club. However, the general feeling was that we actually had a successful transfer window this summer with the free signing of James Milner and the signing of a goalscoring Christian Benteke looking like first-team quality. One signing that caught many by surprise was the signing of Roberto …
Injuries Could Temporarily Solve Our Striker Puzzle
Daniel Sturridge returned to Liverpool’s ranks against Norwich as a man under pressure. In fact, many Liverpool fans had pinned the potential successes of our season all on him, just as they had done last year with sad consequences. Liverpool’s squad for 2015/16 has been bolstered though by the incoming Benteke, Ings and Origi, which would have lifted some of the pressure of Sturridge had Liverpool’s attacking play so far not been so stale and laboured.
Despite the poor attack, …
Jürgen Klopp: The Sole Candidate
As Brendan Rodgers' tenure as Liverpool manager edges towards an unsavoury climax, I look to the man on every supporters' lips and why he'd make the ideal replacement.
Should the Liverpool job be made available, I expect it will be highly coveted and sought after. FSG, despite recent criticisms on decision making, are extremely generous and supportive owners (for how much longer remains to be seen). The club whilst not as financially strong as the current top 4, are still …
Manchester United vs Liverpool: The Autopsy
At the start of the season I thought I'd do a weekly tactical piece on the previous game. Primarily looking at the attack and how Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino were bedding in with their new teammates.
The United game was horrific to watch and although I tried I couldn't really find anything tactically to be positive about. Instead, my notes happened to be filled with negatives and I hate it because usually I find a few things that I …
Derby Disaster: What Next for Rodgers and Liverpool?
After watching the game on Saturday, many are wondering what next? Where does Liverpool go from there and specifically, where does Brendan Rodgers do now?
Many a Rodgers fan has seen their faith rocked by Liverpool's recent performances. Twitter erupted with anger and disappointed. Hordes have heaped themselves on the 'Rodgers Out' campaign after such a dismal display against, let's face it, a ridiculously average Manchester United side.
A better team would have hit Liverpool for four or five. It's …
Brendan Rodgers: "What are you doing?"
Stood in the middle of a bar in Huddersfield. United fans surrounding me, but my Liverbird proudly making it’s presence felt, or more putting on a brave face as I begin to believe a comeback was on the cards for a split second. Christian Benteke’s over head kick momentarily stunned the Mancs, maybe they believed too.
I don’t know if it was the excitement, the Carlings I had been forcing down or a cocktail of both, but something came out …
Pragmatism has doomed Rodgers' once magical Liverpool side
Clubs like Livepool, Man Utd or Barcelona have their own ‘way’, by which their club is meant to operate. These clubs have principles that define them; their identity empowers its players and managers to play a certain way, it strikes fear into visiting clubs, and it inspires jealousy in rival fans. Bill Shankly embodied the ‘Liverpool way’, and so when Rodgers was compared to him many laughed. It seems silly now, but the 2013/14 Liverpool did play the way its …
Are Liverpool still too reliant on Daniel Sturridge?
Eight new signings, near £90 million spent and it took a mere 4 games before it all started, yet again.
"When Daniel Sturridge returns we'll start smashing teams."
"We're just lacking Sturridge now, then we'll be putting teams away."
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Scrolling through Twitter I felt like I'd seen all of this before. I spoke about this last week, how the start of this season felt very familiar. Liverpool not being able to find a way …