Match Thread: Chelsea v Liverpool

[Steveo]

Bayern won't pay anywhere near what we did.

But as the others have said above, I'd expect him to improve and be here next season. He is 22,he is a long term signing.

I'm still of the opinion that the team in background expected pain this season with all the changes with a view to having a strong team for the long term.

The last bit could make sense and backs up my own feelings that last season - despite Klopp leaving behind a strong 11 - 13 players we were well short as a squad…. but got away with some fortune. Arsenal’s repeated injuries and Man City falling off a cliff all at the same time as us with virtually no injuries at all across our strongest lineup - same 11 played almost every game.

That’s so rare and why 84 points hasn’t been enough for more than a decade.

IF what you say is true then we have been smart. On paper we have spent good money on what look to be very good technicians. Wirtz looked top class last season - Kerkez too - ditto Ekitike & Isak.

Maybe it is a little short term pain for long term gain. Hope so

[jr81]

The last bit could make sense and backs up my own feelings that last season - despite Klopp leaving behind a strong 11 - 13 players we were well short as a squad…. but got away with some fortune. Arsenal’s repeated injuries and Man City falling off a cliff all at the same time as us with virtually no injuries at all across our strongest lineup - same 11 played almost every game.

That’s so rare and why 84 points hasn’t been enough for more than a decade.

IF what you say is true then we have been smart. On paper we have spent good money on what look to be very good technicians. Wirtz looked top class last season - Kerkez too - ditto Ekitike & Isak.

Maybe it is a little short term pain for long term gain. Hope so

It's just my thinking. Because I don't want to belive they looked at the squad and though, yes, this is it. They must know we lack at CB and cm. I'm hoping we can put in a strong challenge but unfortunatly I think it's arsenals year. They have kept a consistency in their team and added depth to the squad.

I saying all of that, I don't think slot is helping himself with some of his decisions.
Constantly changing the right back position. Gakpo as a constant at the left side. Mó getting a free pass. Totally ignoring chiesa when he at least shows fight and quality when he gets on the pitch. Adjusting the positioning of grav which seems to be leaving us open to counters.

[CCTV]

The last bit could make sense and backs up my own feelings that last season - despite Klopp leaving behind a strong 11 - 13 players we were well short as a squad…. but got away with some fortune. Arsenal’s repeated injuries and Man City falling off a cliff all at the same time as us with virtually no injuries at all across our strongest lineup - same 11 played almost every game.

That’s so rare and why 84 points hasn’t been enough for more than a decade.

IF what you say is true then we have been smart. On paper we have spent good money on what look to be very good technicians. Wirtz looked top class last season - Kerkez too - ditto Ekitike & Isak.

Maybe it is a little short term pain for long term gain. Hope so

After 34 games in 2024/25 Cituae had 61 points & Arsenal 67 & LFC 82.

After 34 games in 2023/24 Cituae had 79 points & Arsenal 77 & LFC 74.

After 34 games in 2022/33 Cituae had 82 points & Arsenal 78 & LFC 59.

After 34 games in 2021/22 Cituae had 83 points & Arsenal 63 & LFC 82.

After 34 games in 2020/21 Cituae had 80 points & Arsenal 49 & LFC 57.

After 34 games, Slots LFC had comparable points with every other Premier league winners above, namely Cituae.
Klopp could have won in 2021/2022, needed to beat citaue. And in 2023/2024 that could have been anyone of the 3 in fairness in what was a var crazy season. Arteta/Saka might have won it in 2022/23.

The idea our final points total is down to the quality of last seasons team and squad is bollix.
We were on the beach quite literally in Ibiza celebrating, and dropped 10 points out of 12 in our last 4. Out of the CL & FA cup....

The improvement for Slot this year compared with last year, is that he has more 1st team players he will use more readily.
That's not a major dig at the players moved out, but a fact on Slots readiness to use those players.

In the 1st team its Trent out of his best 11 & Diaz too.
With their replacements being....
Frimpong (barely seen at right back yet)
&
Isak (barely seen at centre forward yet)

We have Kerkez in and Robbo still here, so stronger at left back.

We have Leoni in for Quansah, a 3rd/4th choice centreback swap. Sadly Leoni is out for the season.

We have Wirtz a 1st teamer in for Elliott, a lesser spotted player.

We have Ekitike in for Nunez, a lesser spotted player.

Jota has passed away. RIP.

Nyoni to a lesser degree & Rio to a larger degree seem to be highly rated youths in Slots opinion.

The same issues fans have with Slots squad this year exist as last year.
Fans want a CB/Guehi, 6/Zubi2.0 & a LWF/Diaz.

But Slots got more 1st teamers than last year.
And the ambitions of the club in the summer was to get a collection of players together to do special things.

Fifteen 1st teamers at Slots disposal.

Alisson

VVD Frimpong Konate Robbo Kerkez

Grav Sobozla Maca Wirtz Jones

Salah Isak Ekitike Gakpo

All fit, 11 starters and 4 substitutes off the bench.

7 Back ups from...

Giorgi, Bradley, Gomez, Endo, Nyoni, Chiesa & Rio

A 22 man squad with 2 kids included.
More likely a 21man squad with 1 kid included.

Elliott was unreal per minute last season for goals and assists, but didn't get many minutes.
Jota & Nunez both left LFC 3rd & 2nd to Salah for Goals & Assists per minute. Both per 112 minutes, and Darwin just shading it.
Both trailed Jones significantly for PL minutes last season.

(Chiesa currently is ahead of Salah at LFC, Chiesa per 77.4 minutes, Salah per 92 minutes. But Chiesa has had very few minutes at LFC.
4 goals & 4 assists in 619 minutes)

The ambitions of the club, require we are on it at the end of the season. Performances so far suggest we've not peaked yet. Salah wants a balloon door, the club want one for him and the era. The only way to guarantee that is winning the PL & CL.

Over to Slot & Co to figure it out.

[Kev0909]

Salah and baBoon Doors????? No chance if he was going to win it, he'd have won it already VVD has best chance when we won champions league

take a miracle to win the champions league like 2005 even then salah is not nailed on for it

if the miracle somehow, right now it is a miracle.... double... Isak and wirtz probably would have a big part to play.... maybe isak for the baboon doors

wouldn't even think about that, I'd think about getting through to the knock-outs and staying in the top 4 right now

Off subject is this the first international break that's done us in a favour? think we've needed it for once, can't remember the last one that was positive for us but I'm actually glad.

[redebreck]

Hi, does anyone else think the refereeing was a bit dodgy on Saturday?
I can remember at least two occasions when Chelsea players should have had yellow cards but didn't.
Zubimendi was one, when he took out one of our players with a high tackle.
Wonder if PGMOL are going back to their old habits.

[sydenham red]

Salah and baBoon Doors????? No chance if he was going to win it, he'd have won it already VVD has best chance when we won champions league

take a miracle to win the champions league like 2005 even then salah is not nailed on for it

if the miracle somehow, right now it is a miracle.... double... Isak and wirtz probably would have a big part to play.... maybe isak for the baboon doors

wouldn't even think about that, I'd think about getting through to the knock-outs and staying in the top 4 right now

Off subject is this the first international break that's done us in a favour? think we've needed it for once, can't remember the last one that was positive for us but I'm actually glad.

Intl break only helpful if the forwards find their shooting boots for their countries or we have players on injury list but due back when PL resumes. It won't help the squad work on the new formation in training. Arne has some tough choices to make, who to drop and if he could/should back to 433.

[Steveo]

Yep was thinking the same - BUT these breaks can disrupt other sides. Arsenal for instance. Also gives Slot a chance to talk to the Edwards/Hughes clusterfuck and ask WHO is targeting & prioritising players we don't essentially need before addressing the areas we urgently do.

Konate situation was known early doors this summer. That's before we mention the fact he is a liability - surely I'm not the only one who saw it years ago. If so - Go 'ed - Gis'a job...

[Red October]

It's just my thinking. Because I don't want to belive they looked at the squad and though, yes, this is it. They must know we lack at CB and cm. I'm hoping we can put in a strong challenge but unfortunatly I think it's arsenals year. They have kept a consistency in their team and added depth to the squad.

I saying all of that, I don't think slot is helping himself with some of his decisions.
Constantly changing the right back position. Gakpo as a constant at the left side. Mó getting a free pass. Totally ignoring chiesa when he at least shows fight and quality when he gets on the pitch. Adjusting the positioning of grav which seems to be leaving us open to counters.

Yeah, Slot has got tough decisions to make. I think he needs to drop Mo to the bench. How can he keep playing when he's done very little? He's a liability for us right now. Bring him on at 60 minutes for impact.

Attack
Isak - probably should start
Ekitike has to start every game I would think - we really missed him because of his stupid red card. Disrupted the team by losing him.
Chiesa -surely has to start. Been hungry and positive every time he's on.

Midfield
Grav - has been decent - we've seen glimpses of him marauding forward which is frustrating as it shows what he could do if he had a DM behind him.
Macca - needs dropping right now.
Szobo - probably needs to play Macca's role to protect back 4
Wirtz - maybe just play him. He will get up to speed eventually. He's shown glimpses. A lot of players are getting to know each other. He'll need time to build an understanding. It's better he does that with Ekitike and Isak rather than Mo who probably won't be here next year.

Defence
Frimpong - I say just play him at RB - surely that's what he's signed for even if he's more of a winger. He needs to get used to the position/team-mates
Konate - drop him like a stone - get Gomez is ASAP (as much as he's not a perfect solution either but hey ho)
VVD - holding things together right now for the most part
Kerkez - I say stick with him. He's got better despite having some screw-ups in every game. Think it's the pressure of big club scrutiny.

Marmardash - decent showing so far.

[sydenham red]

Yes, can he get isak,etikite and chiesa into a front 3 somehow? Gakpo and Salah to get 15-30 mins at end until/unless their form merits a start. And play the fullback for 90mins no matter who he picks. Kerkez may not be at the level we think he's capable of getting to but sadly robbo is near done despite his experience. Unfortunately if we don't play maccs then Jones has to play and isn't ripping it up either. Meanwhile we risk burning out dom and grav. Painfully short of added quality in midfield, no disrespect to Endo but hopefully Bajetic can come back in when fit and do a job somewhere.

[Steveo]

Yeah, Slot has got tough decisions to make. I think he needs to drop Mo to the bench. How can he keep playing when he's done very little? He's a liability for us right now. Bring him on at 60 minutes for impact.

Attack
Isak - probably should start
Ekitike has to start every game I would think - we really missed him because of his stupid red card. Disrupted the team by losing him.
Chiesa -surely has to start. Been hungry and positive every time he's on.

Midfield
Grav - has been decent - we've seen glimpses of him marauding forward which is frustrating as it shows what he could do if he had a DM behind him.
Macca - needs dropping right now.
Szobo - probably needs to play Macca's role to protect back 4
Wirtz - maybe just play him. He will get up to speed eventually. He's shown glimpses. A lot of players are getting to know each other. He'll need time to build an understanding. It's better he does that with Ekitike and Isak rather than Mo who probably won't be here next year.

Defence
Frimpong - I say just play him at RB - surely that's what he's signed for even if he's more of a winger. He needs to get used to the position/team-mates
Konate - drop him like a stone - get Gomez is ASAP (as much as he's not a perfect solution either but hey ho)
VVD - holding things together right now for the most part
Kerkez - I say stick with him. He's got better despite having some screw-ups in every game. Think it's the pressure of big club scrutiny.

Marmardash - decent showing so far.

Agreed on every single count. Probably the only way to get Wirtz up to speed quick. Gives the front line the chance to gel - leaves opposition with little clue what they face...leaves Mo knowing what he has to bring.. and the back line a better look and a better brain.