1.) 21 Feb 2021
21 Feb 2021 17:02:28
I don't see how Liverpool can pull themselves out of this downward spiral without a few weeks off to unplug.

I think there is no single problem that is impacting Liverpool but instead many smaller issues which by themselves could easily be managed, but all together make it hard to see the wood through the trees.

The injuries have been an issue, but not as big an issue as some make out. For the most part Liverpool have been able to name 8 of their starting 11 from last season in most games. While summer recruits have been available to play for the most part (Thiago and Tsimikas have been available most of the season, even if Jota's injury has ruled him out for most of it) .

The injuries have made it harder to rotate but then at the same time players like Shaqiri, Origi or Tsimikas have started most games on the bench so they have clearly been fit but under utilised.

While for the most part Salah, Mane and Firmino have been fit all season but all of them seem to be struggling in one way or another. Mane and Firmino look shadows of the players they were last season, while Salah is still scoring, yet he seems to be carrying the burden and is shooting on sight from ridiculous positions rather than lifting his head and making the simple pass to a player in a better position. His greed is blunting Liverpool's attack.

The mentality doesn't seem the same as last season, Liverpool have had two very draining years, just missing out to the title then a fantastic campaign to win it, while dealing with the disruption of the C.V. Are they just mentally tired or are they coping with being champions rather than chasing it. We have seen with Chelsea many times that they play well when chasing the title, but seem to drop off once they are champions.

I want to tread lightly with the last point as Klopp is a man in mourning. 100% the death of his mother will have hit him hard, and frankly the way the journalists prodded and poked him throughout looks more than a little crass in hindsight. Did they know? who knows, I would expect some were aware and did it anyway to get a good soundbite.

Either way I think the way Klopp has managed Liverpool this year should be scrutinised. He's a million miles away from the sack. But at some point he should have realised that taking Fabinho and Henderson out on his midfield was creating a hole in the middle of his team and removing any sort of protection in front of his weakened and often playing out of position central defenders. That has clearly been a mistake. However, it is a mistake he has continued to make for most of the season, and it looks like only injury to Fabinho and Henderson is the only way that has been stopped.

Like I said given his current personal circumstances a certain amount of slack needs to be cut. Yet the fact remains that had he played Fabinho and Henderson in midfield and not defence then his forwards would have likely received the ball quicker and in more dangerous areas probably leading to a few more goals, while tithout a soft midfield the defence would have been less exposed and likely have not conceded quite so many.

2.) 21 Feb 2021
21 Feb 2021 20:39:37
I have said it previously and I am sure I will get pelters but Henderson is underrated and an integral cog of Liverpools recent success.
You can argue what he brings but what is indesputable is that they are worse when he does not play and this season when he has had to play out of position.
The same arguments were made with Carrick for years and I say the same, he was integral for us.

3.) 21 Feb 2021
21 Feb 2021 20:55:45
Underated? Wasn’t he player of the year last year?

4.) 21 Feb 2021
21 Feb 2021 21:17:04
“ I don't see how Liverpool can pull themselves out of this downward spiral without a few weeks off to unplug‘

I really wonder if I could care less so long they continue heading south 🤣.

5.) 22 Feb 2021
22 Feb 2021 02:27:39
"Thiago and Tsimikas have been available most of the season"

Shappy have you been paying much attention to them 2 this season? Or just talking nonsense out of ignorance? Both of them have had elongated periods out with injuries. Thiago got C.V. soon after signing for Liverpool. And after his recovery from C. V he got injured in the Merseyside derby which resulted in him missing most of the remainder of 2020. And Tsimikas has been also only been fit since the turn of the year. He has had 2 injury spells out.

{Ed0666's Note - go get em deeps

6.) 22 Feb 2021
22 Feb 2021 08:49:58
Shappy has a tendency to make things up you’ll get used to him 😂.

7.) 22 Feb 2021
22 Feb 2021 12:44:49
Wazza

I am very used to his novel-like posts😂😂.