Liverpool FC Thread #147:-Liverpool's defence must be fixed - Page 17

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 05:59 AM

Mohamed Salah is proving a lot of people wrong at Liverpool - including Jose Mourinho, Monchi and countless pundits

Mo Salah has the world talking. After 14 goals in 18 appearances since moving to Liverpool, it is little wonder.

The Egyptian winger's double against Southampton saw him break Robbie Fowler's record; his second of the day was his ninth in his first 12 league appearances, one more than the legendary striker managed.

The blistering start to his Liverpool career would not have been imagined by many.

In fact, when the Reds secured his signature, there were doubters. Even after a solid start within his first month, those doubters remained.

It is something the former Roma man has had to deal with throughout his career. After all, he was sold by Chelsea after just six Premier League starts.

He has quietened a lot of critics. Here is a list of those he has proven wrong so far.

Monchi

The Spanish transfer guru arrived in Rome this summer with a huge reputation following a successful operation at Sevilla. Helping discover a host of top Spanish stars – Alberto Moreno included – and renowned for driving a hard bargain, he was hired by Roma to overhaul their transfer business.

One of his first major acts, however, was to sell Salah to Liverpool for £36.9million. That Liverpool are certain they now have a bargain shows just how undervalued he made the Egyptian.

There are suggestions Roma needed to sell some of their top stars to balance the books, but Salah's efforts last season – with 15 Serie A goals – would suggest the fee was low. His performances this season make that astronomically so.

Jose Mourinho

Salah is in good company now. Sold by Chelsea with not much opportunity to shine under Mourinho, the winger joins Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku as players discarded too early during the Portuguese coach's reign.

Salah was allowed just six Premier League starts, and was not given more than a year to impress at Stamford Bridge. In his final half-season in West London, during the 2014/15 campaign, he featured for just 30 minutes in three league outings.

Mourinho, and Chelsea, have been proven wrong on their judgement.

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 06:06 AM

Jermaine Jenas

The former Tottenham midfielder, now a BBC Sport pundit, is one of the more sensible observers of the game.

But even he fell into the trap of underestimating Salah – despite a fine start to his Liverpool career.

After the defeat to Manchester City in September, Jenas mulled over his long-term future.

“He has been brilliant so far but, does Mo Salah even start for Liverpool if Coutinho is back in the team?” Jenas said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“You've got Adam Lallana to come in as well.

“Liverpool have been very good against the other sides in the top six for the past few years.

“The best way for them to defend is to get in the opposition's faces and press high up the pitch.”

Salah is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

Ray Wilkins

A former Chelsea man, there was little surprise Wilkins wasn't too enamoured with Salah, believing Liverpool should have spent the money on a centre-back instead.

“You’ve got to say, priorities. When you’re looking at what Liverpool have, they have a fantastic forward division. Can they defend? No they can’t,” Wilkins said.

“Van Dijk is the man, but they’ve already spent £34million on Salah from Roma. Keep that money and put it towards Van Dijk. They have enough forward options, I don’t think they needed Salah.”

Fourteen goals in 18 games, including several match-winning performances, would argue against that.

Steve Nicol

The European Cup winner is a regular voice of doom on ESPN with regards Liverpool, and he did so once more, believing the transfer fee was too high for a 'bit part player'.

“It is a lot of money, yeah," he said.

"It's a lot of money for Liverpool to buy a player, who, if everybody is fit, I don't think starts.

You play Coutinho on the left, you play Mane on the right.

"I don't think you play Salah through the middle, that means he doesn't start.

"As far as the squad, obviously Liverpool are in the Champions League yes, but for £40m?

"I don't think so.”

Salah has started every league game but one for the Reds since arriving.

Mina Rzouki

The football pundit, seen on BBC, BT, CNN and ESPN, told BBC Radio 5 Live upon Salah's signature that he resembled another Chelsea 'flop' in Juan Cuadrado, and also questioned the player's football intelligence.

She said: “As much as he's good, direct and has a lot of pace about him, I'm not convinced of his footballing IQ.

“I do think he's a player who tends to run forward then look second, which irritates me, somewhat.

For me, he's another Juan Cuadrado - and as much talent they have, they have the pace, the technique, the running with the ball - it's just channelling it at the right moments and making the right decisions.

“I don't think that's what they have.”

Cuadrado has just three goals for Juventus this season, and never notched in a Chelsea shirt.

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 07:59 PM

Pulis sacked by West Brom

Tony Pulis has now been sacked..

who's next...

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 08:03 PM

City to rival Liverpool for Van Dijk?

Let’s kick things off with a little transfer story. There are a few floating around this morning and January is edging ever nearer.

Liverpool fans got a closer look at Virgil van Dijk on Saturday when the Dutchman visited Anfield with Southampton. He didn’t cover himself in glory for Mo Salah’s second goal, but other than that he wasn’t bad despite the scoreline.

It’s expected that Liverpool will return to try to sign the 26-year-old in January, but the Daily Mirror are reporting that the Reds will face competition in the shape of Manchester City.

City were admirers of Van Dijk in the summer and Pep Guardiola has admitted that they could look to recruit a new defender in January after John Stones’ recent hamstring injury.

Van Dijk did have his heart set on a move to Anfield in the summer... but could that change? Perhaps so - especially if Southampton choose to do business with City instead of Liverpool.

January is going to be interesting.

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 08:04 PM

Sturridge set to make January departure?

The Daily Mirror - and Darren Lewis - has another for us this morning.

Daniel Sturridge is, according to the report, thinking about leaving Liverpool in January to ensure he is in England’s World Cup squad next summer.

It’s true that Sturridge has become something of a fringe player under Jurgen Klopp, and that could impact on his World Cup chances.

But will he push for a departure? And who will go for him? At what price?

Letting him go would, in my opinion, be a mistake in January - unless of course, Liverpool get a replacement.

But we shall wait and see..

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 08:05 PM

Coleman targets Liverpool duo

Chris Coleman has now been appointed as Sunderland manager.. and it has taken less than a day for him to be linked with moves for Liverpool’s Welsh contingent.

According to the Sunderland Echo, Coleman wants Danny Ward and Ben Woodburn to join him on loan at the Stadium of Light.

Ward hasn’t been able to force his way into the side this season, so perhaps another loan - or sale - could happen in January.

Woodburn too has struggled for game time this term - but Liverpool will be very careful with the teenager, such is how highly they rate him.

What about Harry Wilson? He’s a player who could certainly leave on loan in January.

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 08:09 PM

Klopp explains Moreno comeback

Really interesting quotes on Alberto Moreno from Jurgen Klopp.

He has been telling the club website about just how impressed he has been with Moreno’s comeback this season, as the Spaniard defied his critics to establish himself as Liverpool’s first choice left-back.

“I never had something like this, I never had it to be honest,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.

“This season is not a surprise, the surprise is how he dealt with last season. There was not one bad word in the whole season.

“Yes, he was in my office, yes, he asked what he could do better, and we spoke about the things he had to do better.

“On the other hand, Milly played really well and he’s a machine, he could play every two days, so there was not a lot of reasons to make the change then he had no rhythm.

“I felt that it was unfair after the season, I thought, ‘Damn, we didn’t use him often enough’.

Before the season, he came to my office and asked again and I told him we get another full-back but it was not the plan for Milly to be in the full-back race again so you decide what happens - and he decided it.

“He’s now a much better defender, that’s how it is, he’s a brilliant footballer.”

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 08:10 PM

Salah named in Gazzetta Team of the Week

Mo Salah continues to receive the plaudits back in Italy for his performances since leaving Roma for Liverpool in the summer.

The Egyptian scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season during the 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday and was named in the European Team of the Week by Gazzetta Dello Sport for his performance.

NI KI · 20-11-2017, 08:15 PM

Xabi Alonso will be back at Anfield after Liverpool announced they will face Bayern Munich in the second official Legends game at Anfield next year.

The club's official charity, LFC Foundation, have confirmed the fixture, which will take place on Saturday, March 24 2018.

Robbie Fowler will captain the Reds while Ian Rush will once again act as player-manager.

The highlight for many supporters will be the return to Anfield of Alonso, who will play for both teams.

Among the other Liverpool players confirmed to play are Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, Luis Garcia and Daniel Agger.

Bayern, meanwhile, will line up with stars such as Giovane Elber, Owen Hargreaves and Luca Toni.

Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the first Anfield Legends match earlier this year, which they won 4-3 in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 50,000.

Ninety per cent of the proceeds from next year's match will go to the LFC Foundation, which aims to create life-changing opportunities for children and young people. The additional 10% of the funds raised will be donated to Bayern’s charity 'FC Bayern Hilfe e.V'.

Fowler said: “After the success of the first official legends game we are really looking forward to playing Bayern Munich next year.

“We hope to create another fun, entertaining yet competitive game for all our fans at Anfield, while helping to raise vital funds for the club’s official charity.”

BTGH · 20-11-2017, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NI KI

Coleman targets Liverpool duo

Chris Coleman has now been appointed as Sunderland manager.. and it has taken less than a day for him to be linked with moves for Liverpool’s Welsh contingent.

According to the Sunderland Echo, Coleman wants Danny Ward and Ben Woodburn to join him on loan at the Stadium of Light.

Ward hasn’t been able to force his way into the side this season, so perhaps another loan - or sale - could happen in January.

Woodburn too has struggled for game time this term - but Liverpool will be very careful with the teenager, such is how highly they rate him.

What about Harry Wilson? He’s a player who could certainly leave on loan in January.

Is Chris Coleman a progressive thinking manager? Why risk our players being "contaminated" by second grade managers who have antiquated mindset on football?

20-11-2017, 08:10 PM	#168
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	Salah named in Gazzetta Team of the Week Mo Salah continues to receive the plaudits back in Italy for his performances since leaving Roma for Liverpool in the summer. The Egyptian scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season during the 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday and was named in the European Team of the Week by Gazzetta Dello Sport for his performance. Last edited by NI KI; 20-11-2017 at 08:11 PM.

20-11-2017, 08:15 PM	#169
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	Xabi Alonso coming back to Anfield as Liverpool announce Legends game against Bayern Xabi Alonso will be back at Anfield after Liverpool announced they will face Bayern Munich in the second official Legends game at Anfield next year. The club's official charity, LFC Foundation, have confirmed the fixture, which will take place on Saturday, March 24 2018. Robbie Fowler will captain the Reds while Ian Rush will once again act as player-manager. The highlight for many supporters will be the return to Anfield of Alonso, who will play for both teams. Among the other Liverpool players confirmed to play are Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, Luis Garcia and Daniel Agger. Bayern, meanwhile, will line up with stars such as Giovane Elber, Owen Hargreaves and Luca Toni. Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the first Anfield Legends match earlier this year, which they won 4-3 in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 50,000. Ninety per cent of the proceeds from next year's match will go to the LFC Foundation, which aims to create life-changing opportunities for children and young people. The additional 10% of the funds raised will be donated to Bayern’s charity 'FC Bayern Hilfe e.V'. Fowler said: “After the success of the first official legends game we are really looking forward to playing Bayern Munich next year. “We hope to create another fun, entertaining yet competitive game for all our fans at Anfield, while helping to raise vital funds for the club’s official charity.”

20-11-2017, 05:59 AM	#161
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	Mohamed Salah is proving a lot of people wrong at Liverpool - including Jose Mourinho, Monchi and countless pundits Mo Salah has the world talking. After 14 goals in 18 appearances since moving to Liverpool, it is little wonder. The Egyptian winger's double against Southampton saw him break Robbie Fowler's record; his second of the day was his ninth in his first 12 league appearances, one more than the legendary striker managed. The blistering start to his Liverpool career would not have been imagined by many. In fact, when the Reds secured his signature, there were doubters. Even after a solid start within his first month, those doubters remained. It is something the former Roma man has had to deal with throughout his career. After all, he was sold by Chelsea after just six Premier League starts. He has quietened a lot of critics. Here is a list of those he has proven wrong so far. Monchi The Spanish transfer guru arrived in Rome this summer with a huge reputation following a successful operation at Sevilla. Helping discover a host of top Spanish stars – Alberto Moreno included – and renowned for driving a hard bargain, he was hired by Roma to overhaul their transfer business. One of his first major acts, however, was to sell Salah to Liverpool for £36.9million. That Liverpool are certain they now have a bargain shows just how undervalued he made the Egyptian. There are suggestions Roma needed to sell some of their top stars to balance the books, but Salah's efforts last season – with 15 Serie A goals – would suggest the fee was low. His performances this season make that astronomically so. Jose Mourinho Salah is in good company now. Sold by Chelsea with not much opportunity to shine under Mourinho, the winger joins Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku as players discarded too early during the Portuguese coach's reign. Salah was allowed just six Premier League starts, and was not given more than a year to impress at Stamford Bridge. In his final half-season in West London, during the 2014/15 campaign, he featured for just 30 minutes in three league outings. Mourinho, and Chelsea, have been proven wrong on their judgement.

20-11-2017, 06:06 AM	#162
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	Jermaine Jenas The former Tottenham midfielder, now a BBC Sport pundit, is one of the more sensible observers of the game. But even he fell into the trap of underestimating Salah – despite a fine start to his Liverpool career. After the defeat to Manchester City in September, Jenas mulled over his long-term future. “He has been brilliant so far but, does Mo Salah even start for Liverpool if Coutinho is back in the team?” Jenas said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “You've got Adam Lallana to come in as well. “Liverpool have been very good against the other sides in the top six for the past few years. “The best way for them to defend is to get in the opposition's faces and press high up the pitch.” Salah is now one of the first names on the team sheet. Ray Wilkins A former Chelsea man, there was little surprise Wilkins wasn't too enamoured with Salah, believing Liverpool should have spent the money on a centre-back instead. “You’ve got to say, priorities. When you’re looking at what Liverpool have, they have a fantastic forward division. Can they defend? No they can’t,” Wilkins said. “Van Dijk is the man, but they’ve already spent £34million on Salah from Roma. Keep that money and put it towards Van Dijk. They have enough forward options, I don’t think they needed Salah.” Fourteen goals in 18 games, including several match-winning performances, would argue against that. Steve Nicol The European Cup winner is a regular voice of doom on ESPN with regards Liverpool, and he did so once more, believing the transfer fee was too high for a 'bit part player'. “It is a lot of money, yeah," he said. "It's a lot of money for Liverpool to buy a player, who, if everybody is fit, I don't think starts. You play Coutinho on the left, you play Mane on the right. "I don't think you play Salah through the middle, that means he doesn't start. "As far as the squad, obviously Liverpool are in the Champions League yes, but for £40m? "I don't think so.” Salah has started every league game but one for the Reds since arriving. Mina Rzouki The football pundit, seen on BBC, BT, CNN and ESPN, told BBC Radio 5 Live upon Salah's signature that he resembled another Chelsea 'flop' in Juan Cuadrado, and also questioned the player's football intelligence. She said: “As much as he's good, direct and has a lot of pace about him, I'm not convinced of his footballing IQ. “I do think he's a player who tends to run forward then look second, which irritates me, somewhat. For me, he's another Juan Cuadrado - and as much talent they have, they have the pace, the technique, the running with the ball - it's just channelling it at the right moments and making the right decisions. “I don't think that's what they have.” Cuadrado has just three goals for Juventus this season, and never notched in a Chelsea shirt.

20-11-2017, 07:59 PM	#163
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	Pulis sacked by West Brom Tony Pulis has now been sacked.. who's next...

20-11-2017, 08:03 PM	#164
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	City to rival Liverpool for Van Dijk? Let’s kick things off with a little transfer story. There are a few floating around this morning and January is edging ever nearer. Liverpool fans got a closer look at Virgil van Dijk on Saturday when the Dutchman visited Anfield with Southampton. He didn’t cover himself in glory for Mo Salah’s second goal, but other than that he wasn’t bad despite the scoreline. It’s expected that Liverpool will return to try to sign the 26-year-old in January, but the Daily Mirror are reporting that the Reds will face competition in the shape of Manchester City. City were admirers of Van Dijk in the summer and Pep Guardiola has admitted that they could look to recruit a new defender in January after John Stones’ recent hamstring injury. Van Dijk did have his heart set on a move to Anfield in the summer... but could that change? Perhaps so - especially if Southampton choose to do business with City instead of Liverpool. January is going to be interesting.

20-11-2017, 08:04 PM	#165
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	Sturridge set to make January departure? The Daily Mirror - and Darren Lewis - has another for us this morning. Daniel Sturridge is, according to the report, thinking about leaving Liverpool in January to ensure he is in England’s World Cup squad next summer. It’s true that Sturridge has become something of a fringe player under Jurgen Klopp, and that could impact on his World Cup chances. But will he push for a departure? And who will go for him? At what price? Letting him go would, in my opinion, be a mistake in January - unless of course, Liverpool get a replacement. But we shall wait and see..

20-11-2017, 08:05 PM	#166
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	Coleman targets Liverpool duo Chris Coleman has now been appointed as Sunderland manager.. and it has taken less than a day for him to be linked with moves for Liverpool’s Welsh contingent. According to the Sunderland Echo, Coleman wants Danny Ward and Ben Woodburn to join him on loan at the Stadium of Light. Ward hasn’t been able to force his way into the side this season, so perhaps another loan - or sale - could happen in January. Woodburn too has struggled for game time this term - but Liverpool will be very careful with the teenager, such is how highly they rate him. What about Harry Wilson? He’s a player who could certainly leave on loan in January.

20-11-2017, 08:09 PM	#167
NI KI Arofanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 168	Klopp explains Moreno comeback Really interesting quotes on Alberto Moreno from Jurgen Klopp. He has been telling the club website about just how impressed he has been with Moreno’s comeback this season, as the Spaniard defied his critics to establish himself as Liverpool’s first choice left-back. “I never had something like this, I never had it to be honest,” he told Liverpoolfc.com. “This season is not a surprise, the surprise is how he dealt with last season. There was not one bad word in the whole season. “Yes, he was in my office, yes, he asked what he could do better, and we spoke about the things he had to do better. “On the other hand, Milly played really well and he’s a machine, he could play every two days, so there was not a lot of reasons to make the change then he had no rhythm. “I felt that it was unfair after the season, I thought, ‘Damn, we didn’t use him often enough’. Before the season, he came to my office and asked again and I told him we get another full-back but it was not the plan for Milly to be in the full-back race again so you decide what happens - and he decided it. “He’s now a much better defender, that’s how it is, he’s a brilliant footballer.”

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