EFL Cup Final Match Thread: Liverpool v Newcastle

[Red October]

Who knocked us out last year over 2 legs - remind me. What Behemoth?

You can get knocked out by anyone on the day. These things happen. At least we pushed PSG all the way. We were lucky not be about 5.0 down after the first leg to be fair.

We can't control Arsenal or City's trajectory. I think Klopp was unlucky to come up against such a City side. We could have had another one or two more titles in the bag. Sadly not to be. Let's hope we can regroup for April and get this over the line.

Also, I think we're 6 points ahead of this stage last season.

[jozza800]

Shows that this set of players are capable of challenging for (and hopefully winning) the league.

Had Jurgen not had as many injuries last season, we'd have had a really good chance of getting over the line. If Slot had used more of the squad that Jurgen HAD to use last season, we'd have far more left in the tank than we do at the moment.

We're not strong enough to challenge on all 4 fronts. And to be honest, outside of City (and even then) nobody is.

[Nineteenx]

You can get knocked out by anyone on the day. These things happen. At least we pushed PSG all the way. We were lucky not be about 5.0 down after the first leg to be fair.

We can't control Arsenal or City's trajectory. I think Klopp was unlucky to come up against such a City side. We could have had another one or two more titles in the bag. Sadly not to be. Let's hope we can regroup for April and get this over the line.

Also, I think we're 6 points ahead of this stage last season.

Klopp was ‘unlucky’ we were brazenly robbed of two titles by FAPGMOL every football fan capable of being honest about it knows that

[justme]

You can almost guarantee the ref for the Derby at the start of next month. will be someone like Shitwell and he will let them get away with kicking shit out our players. and give non-existent free kicks against us.
Reminds me of that tosser at the weekend.. he kept giving free kicks against Macca. when they were no such thing.
we deserved to lose. But if you look at his overall performance. he was so anti us.. it was ridiculous

[Steveo]

Shows that this set of players are capable of challenging for (and hopefully winning) the league.

Had Jurgen not had as many injuries last season, we'd have had a really good chance of getting over the line. If Slot had used more of the squad that Jurgen HAD to use last season, we'd have far more left in the tank than we do at the moment.

We're not strong enough to challenge on all 4 fronts. And to be honest, outside of City (and even then) nobody is.

I think we’d have won the league last season - just my opinion - but for the announcement by Jurgen. I feel like this season is his players trying to prove that point

[Steveo]

Has to be said tho - an element of players giving so much for the cause - is that they inevitably hit a wall at this time of year. When the squad was used it broke down - when the squad hasn’t been used (according to some) it seems to be breaking down.

People can paint it as they like - the underlying proof of almost every season since 2020 is one of an injury crisis and or a late dip . This is the clearest of clear indicators that we repeatedly lack the depth.

Why do we think that is?

[sydenham red]

Our 4 core midfielders plus Endo (i think) all picked for intl duty, all 5 countries have meaningful games. I'd expect macc,szobo and grave all 2 play 180 mins, but Jones less so. So will Arne use Jones and possibly Elliott as starters in the derby when they all return? Or will he resort to the tried and tested 3 despite the fatigue?

[jozza800]

I think we’d have won the league last season - just my opinion - but for the announcement by Jurgen. I feel like this season is his players trying to prove that point

Absolutely. I think it was more the emotional/mental toll it all took towards the end of the season, just as much as it was physically.

[CCTV]

Absolutely. I think it was more the emotional/mental toll it all took towards the end of the season, just as much as it was physically.

Salah and Trents return from injury had a big impact on our sides results at the end of last year.
Team was flying in their absence. Both returned and defensive issues returned.

Salah might win the balloon door this year. The comparisons between him and Ronaldo at Madrid are quite fitting. Big goals/assist numbers whilst being carried by the team off the ball.
Going off when he was out last year, scoring goals wasn't an issue. Underlying stats suggests when Salah is out the other lads stand-up and get a lot more chances to score themselves.
The stats this year suggest Salah is getting an even greater share of Xg than under Klopp.

[CCTV]

Who knocked us out last year over 2 legs - remind me. What Behemoth?

We do all get carried away in here and predict scenarios before the fact.

We have a great points lead in the league - it’s brilliant but we are 3 points ahead of last term - carrying 12 senior injuries - playing Thursday Sunday - and competing with a plus 90pt City and an 89 points Arsenal…

This season should not be viewed without at least factoring in the other realities. City have vanished and Arsenal have been unable to capitalise. How much of that is through their injuries OR simply a mental fragility - is anyone’s guess.

But we have many issues around the squad - and have had good fortune to have escaped any serious injury do date… Any title that arrives is mainly down to Klopp’s team & Slots stewardship all of it despite the owners NOT because of their inexcusable weak backing.

Eventual winners Atalanta.

Plenty of options in the squad and injuries over the season. Trent, Bradley, Konate, Gomez, Jota, Gakpo, Elliott...

The squad you blamed the owners for in September 2024,
Is now to Klopps credit and nothing to do with the owners...
No integrity