Comments on: Editor’s Column: It’s not just the bad finishing, you know…

By: IW

IW — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 09:12:37 +0000

The team developed through the season, and started to execute the Klopp pressing strategy better and better, not leaving much room for other teams. As Klopp just recently said, it’s better to play this strategy perfectly otherwise you just cause yourself more trouble in the end.
This requires a lot of effort without the ball, and a tactical discipline and complete team effort that can be learned during games. Also this is very hard to keep up during the entire game, so better finish off your opponent swiftly. I think that was missing a bit seeing the nr of chances created. Injuries did not help, and not all players can play this strategy the same level, at least yet. Subs were also creating some adjustment problems, but in the end it lead the team topping the league. (My problem is by the time the teams learn to execute it Klopp will leave, and they start learning another sytem).
I also think that Pool has an excellent youth base, a bit similar to the Ferguson generation back in the 90s at United. Better not spending big money but rather build them in the team gradually. That will cost points but could result in a golden generation. But for now I see Jones and Quansah as mature enough as starters, and the others could come in the next years for more minutes.
That is also why it would be better to close off some games earlier so these guys get more minutes…

By: StEtienneAmen

StEtienneAmen — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 19:41:02 +0000

I think dropping Clark, McConnell and Danns was a big mistake. They had earned a right to be in the squad.

The returning starting XI players have failed to show up. A massive error in judgement at the business end of the season. And Klopp is talking about a layers being tired? He has made them tired by over-using the same players and making them chase games because of this stupid inverted fullback tactic.

Bob Paisley always said it was a simple game and should be played as such. Someone needs to pin this on the wall of the changing room.

By: IW

IW — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 19:25:09 +0000

Agreed, the composure is lost. And also expectations were too high. I was quite amazed reading the angry comments after the second ManUtd game. They were far from fair. Until the giveaway / equalizer there was total control, and again just like in the FA cup, the subs were not perfect. Still the staring team who asserted full control, got most of the critique and the others were kind of lifted. They indeed could not close off both games but still controlling most of it, in Old Trafford and that’s not bad. Just like the Brighton game, just need to be patient with a strong away opponent. (Intrestingly the subs came quite late there, did not risk to loose control) I think Klopp is right the they lost something with the ManUtd games, and I think it’s the patience to play a proper game, also with a slim margin. I think there is pressure on him also and he started to shuffle players and unlike him making a lot of subs at halftime. That also decreased confidence seemingly. I think he should just get back to his strongest most experienced lineup play with more patience and confidence and results will start to come again. Will that be enough? With a bit of luck, maybe.