Match Thread: Liverpool v Crystal Palace

[CCTV]

I think most of our squad has been criminally underrated.

Tend to agree. That's a few of our ratings of last seasons squad. A fair bit of consensus and some disparity over others.

https://forums.lfconline.co.uk/showthread.php?310978-Squad-and-manager-ratings-this-season

Fair enough but I guess when it’s seen listed as you did it - reads like we should expect Rio to eclipse Luis this season. Be great if he did but being realistic there is little to no chance of that happening

The kid rates himself & talking about Balloon doors. Slot seems to rate him but it is only preseason. If he's good enough, he's old enough.

Still think we could add an Isak & Rodrygo for attack.

Playing devils advocate…

We also have no replacement for Quansah - who despite being short at the top level was much needed to stand in… we have an older Virgil - an older Salah - Konate who - has never impressed me too much likely to walk in May (could question his commitment)…. I don’t see where we have upgraded on Diogo???? please explain. - and we have lost our second most potent threat in Diaz.

We have replaced Trent with a more attacking minded player who looks as likely to be targeted the other way. We have upgraded our left back position and added - at huge cost - Wirtz - who looks pure class - but as yet a little low on tangible end product.. As for Kelleher - yes we have added Marmadashvili… Looks a
good deal but time will tell.

How are we stronger than this time last year

Maybe give it a few weeks before surrendering

To date its
Giorgi, Frimpong, Kerekez, Wirtz & Ekitike in
&
Kelleher, Trent, Quansah, Diaz & Nunez out.

Guehi & Isak are known targets, with Rodrygo having been mooted earlier in the window.

If all comes to Fruition, or similar, it would be...

Giorgi v Kelleher

Frimpong v Trent
Guehi v Quansah
Kerkez v Tsimi

Wirtz v Elliott

Rodrygo v Diaz
Ekitike v Jota RIP
Isak v Nunez

[Red October]

Again, it obviously hinges on us signing Isak but I'd wager that

Salah
Isak
Gakpo
Ekitike
Chiesa
Rio

Would score more goals than

Salah
Nunez
Diaz
Gakpo
Jota
Chiesa

Especially when you add Wirtz into the mix!

I think we'll be far more potent this season.

Another point I think which might be missed is that you have to freshen up the team/squad as well. It's not simply that one group is better/equal to the other but that we needed new blood. How many times were we frustrated over the past couple of seasons that we didn't have something different? We relied on Salah to produce time and again. Also, Trent. Failing that we were lacking that creativity.

We've now refreshed the full-back positions (ideally we wouldn't have lost Trent). We've added potentially an amazing talent in the middle/No. 10 role, we've refreshed a striker/attacker role in Ekitike; if we get Isak or similar, we'll have more added a top talent in the striker/attacker role to complement Salah and Ekitike.

That's not bad going. I think to be complaining is very entitled really. We've done amazing business so far to be fair. Caveats notwithstanding.

[Kev0909]

That's not bad going. I think to be complaining is very entitled really. We've done amazing business so far to be fair. Caveats notwithstanding.

Not really until isak & guehi is actually here and signed, I'm not happy with the squad and options at CB and forwards when first game is friday.

At the moment we're way off and the bench / squad will look very weak if we don't get said players in, it needs sorting the season is about to start... not sure how anyone can say we're ready with the squad currently, and not to mention they're getting use to each other and tactics.

If we have a bad start first 10 games could be over already, that's how it is sometimes, look at the pts required before last season, criminal we've still only got 2 CB's ready and looking a bit dodgy themselves, and 3 senior attackers.... can't see chiesa staying and suddenly playing more and not being injured, same with Doak.

Simple as that say we do sign isak near enough deadline day way we're going... he's had no pre-season and will have to get use to the team,so that'll take a while... you better hope we do sign him though if we're going to count on Gakpo Ekitike Salah to all stay fit & be on form& play most games, especially the important ones so every game in the league / champs league ... Oh and the mighty chiesa in the wings.. if he's not broken his toe nail, and still here.

This is with Grav & Maca still expected to start 90% of games too like last season and they burnt out, well grav did, now we're doing it with the attackers and CB's too? Fantastic.

[CCTV]

Its funny, we've gone from buying the league, which turned to concerns about too much change in the squad, to being way too short after Darwins sale, and calls for more new faces.

Given Slot & the clubs spiel this summer, think its safe to say he's not looking for a smaller squad with less options.

Guehi for Quansah would be an upgrade to 3 first team CBs.

Wirtz will be used in midfield for more than Elliott was used under Slot.
Grav MacA Jones Sobozla & Wirtz giving him 5 first team midfielders with Endo as cover.

Up front I think most can see Isak wants LFC and there's the Rodrygo rumour.

Looks like Isak has made his intentions clear.
Bookies favour Guehi to LFC and it seems they will be happy enough go cash in having won the community shield.
So maybe Rodrygo will end up being someone else instead.

[Red October]

Not really until isak & guehi is actually here and signed, I'm not happy with the squad and options at CB and forwards when first game is friday.

The caveats would be bringing Isak and Guehi or AN Other.

Allison/Mamardash
Frimpong/Bradley Van Dijk/Gomez Konate Kerkez/Robbo
Grav/Endo
Macca Szobo Wirtz /Jones/ Nyoni
Salah/Chiesa Gakpo/Wirtz Ekitike/Rio

First choice in Bold. We're a little short but right now we'd have Szobo who can rotate across the front, Jones is back-up, Wirtz could be used in many positions. Use a couple of the young lads for the last 15 minutes of games as well. When/if we bring in Guehi or other, we'll look a lot better at the back. Konate will drop to the bench so you can rotate those three first choice. Full-back we're looking strong now as Robbo is a strong second choice to have.

If/when we get Isak or other up front we'll be looking a lot better as Gakpo drops to the bench.

[Insidious]

At the moment we're way off and the bench / squad will look very weak if we don't get said players in, it needs sorting the season is about to start... not sure how anyone can say we're ready with the squad currently, and not to mention they're getting use to each other and tactics.

If we have a bad start first 10 games could be over already, that's how it is sometimes, look at the pts required before last season, criminal we've still only got 2 CB's ready and looking a bit dodgy themselves, and 3 senior attackers.... can't see chiesa staying and suddenly playing more and not being injured, same with Doak.

I think having some concerns is warranted. Our incoming business has been brilliant, but with the outgoings we are currently looking a little imbalanced - though we do have time yet before the window shuts and we know what a mad flurry the closing days can be.

One thing I'd say (and this is to everyone/in general - not aimed at you) is that if we look at the age profile of our incomings, we aren't just building a side for the next 60 games or so (I think we can play 63 games this season if we reach all Finals) but are more likely buying for the next 300-420 games or so.

I'd not be surprised if we are a player short by the end of the Summer window as we tend to avoid buying "just anyone" - and it may irk some fans a bit. I'd only be concerned if we go in 3/4 players short, though I remain confident we'll get most business done. I'd be surprised if we sold both Núñez and Diaz prior to an acquisition without a seriously sound plan in mind.

[Kev0909]

We'll just have to wait and see I guess

It's just been a long time since i've felt we're not ready for the new season starting friday.

[Red October]

We'll just have to wait and see I guess

It's just been a long time since i've felt we're not ready for the new season starting friday.

Hey Kev if it's any consolation you were saying this at this time last year :

Not the only one, I see very average all over to be honest, some players at the back, especially in midfield, and the attack wasn't exactly the best all the time either with a few players letting us down.

Miles off the top, other teams below making moves & gaining ground, whilst FSG just netflix n chill

[CCTV]

Dirty Red October....

I love you

[Insidious]

Hey Kev if it's any consolation you were saying this at this time last year :

Last Summer was something else in here, in general.