Liverpool FC Thread #158:- We are Liverpool. This means more.

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I think it's going to be a tough long season for Newcastle and Southampton

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Official Announcement

Chris Kavanagh will officiate Liverpool’s Saturday evening clash against Brighton this weekend.

Kavanagh has only ever officiated 17 games during his entire top-flight career and this will be his second time in charge of the Reds.

He ran the rule over Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Anfield in April.

Liverpool v Brighton
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Lee Betts, Simon Long
Fourth official: Craig Pawson

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James Milner followed up his relentless display against West Ham United on the Premier League's opening weekend with a record-breaking feat in Monday night's 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.

The Liverpool vice-captain converted from the spot on the stroke of half-time to give his team the lead at Selhurst Park and in doing so became the first player to score eight consecutive Premier League goals from penalties.

The 32-year-old, whose last league strike from open play was a left-footed finish against former club Manchester City in March 2016, moved clear of a bunch of four players who have netted seven top-flight goals in a row from the spot, including two former Reds...



And that's not all. Milner also extended his Premier League record as an undefeated goalscorer.

The LFC No.7 has not lost any of the 48 top-flight matches in which he has scored - the longest run in the competition's history.

The streak began with his debut goal for Leeds United back in 2002 and Monday's strike took his tally to 38 wins and 10 draws, moving him clear of Darius Vassell - the former Aston Villa and Manchester City striker - by two games.

Vassell retired in 2012 and the only player in the top five still playing in the Premier League is Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli, who is on a 33-game streak.

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Liverpool FC would like to wish Eid Mubarak to all Reds fans celebrating around the world! — celebrating Eid.

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Two down, 36 to go.

Liverpool have made the perfect start to the Premier League season, winning 4-0 on the opening day against West Ham and then defeating Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park in a tricky game.

Six goals scored and not a single goal conceded - so why would Jurgen Klopp want to make any changes at all?

Simply put, because he can.

The Reds boss has an excellent squad, and now has the luxury of tweaking his side for each game. Therefore he could mix things up for the visit of Brighton on Saturday.

The Seagulls will be extremely confident after a huge win over Manchester United and Klopp will be keen to ensure that his side continue their perfect start to the season.

Here's the changes he could make for the game:

Who will definitely start?



Liverpool defended magnificently at Crystal Palace and Klopp is unlikely to change the axis of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and goalkeeper Alisson Becker unless any injuries are suffered.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have started the season well and it's extremely unlikely that either man will be dropped or rested by Klopp.

Who should definitely drop out?

Well, nobody. Why should they?

Liverpool have started the season in perfect fashion, after all.

Who could drop out?

Klopp was critical of his full-backs after the win over Palace. Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson defended well, but going forward they struggled to impact upon the game.

Speaking after the game, Klopp said: “I was not too happy with our offensive play.

“The rhythm was not good, timing was not good. Both full-backs need to be involved much more and open up their game a little bit to give us more options.

“That wasn't too cool but we had three or four good situations around their goal, good passes in small spaces around and in the box."

In midfield, Naby Keita impressed again and James Milner put in another tireless performance. Gini Wijnaldum quietly went about his business, but with Fabinho, Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson all waiting in the wings, Klopp has options should he decide to freshen things up.

Up front, Roberto Firmino worked hard but struggled to make his presence felt - although he is still crucial to how the Reds play, dropping deep to give Mane and Salah space to operate in.

Who could come in?



If Klopp does decide to make changes, however unlikely, he has both Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne as experienced and able deputies to the younger duo of Robertson and Alexander-Arnold. Chances are that both of those men continue, though.

In fact, any alterations are more likely to come in midfield, where the captain, Henderson, could return to the side. Fabinho represents another option to Klopp, but after being left out of the squad entirely for Palace, it's less likely that the Reds boss would throw him straight in. Lallana could also replace Keita should Klopp choose to have more fresh legs.

Up front, if Firmino does require a rest - the Brazilian returned late from the World Cup and was suffering with cramp towards the end of the Palace game - then Daniel Sturridge and Xherdan Shaqiri are both quality options.

Sturridge could come in as a straight swap for Firmino, or Shaqiri could play wide and allow Salah or Mane to move into a more central position.

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The two pictures which detail Liverpool's changing tactics this season - and Alisson Becker's crucial role in that

After serene beginnings against West Ham, Alisson Becker realised what life at Liverpool is all about at Selhurst Park.

A sprawling near-post save from Luka Milivojevic; a smart stop from Christian Benteke's header; a couple of claims from those inevitable high balls fired high into the Croydon sky. All tasks completed with minimal fuss.

It wasn't just his efforts to protect his own goal which caused a stir, however. In keeping with the reputation crafted with both Roma and Brazil, this was the game to show the aspect of his game which formed the majority of his online highlight reels.

Alisson's ball-playing skills and distribution contributed towards a fair portion of the then world record £65million paid to the Serie A side, with the player considered alongside Manchester City's Ederson as the best in the world at that particular aspect.

The vision and technique was evident against the Eagles, with Alisson calm in possession and looking to launch attacks with intelligent, well-weighted balls.

A map of his passing on Monday night emerged, detailing how the Brazilian was successful with 21 of his 23 passes. These were not all five-yard side-footers to the centre-back, with several going far beyond 25 yards to full backs, midfielders and even forwards.



In fact, six of those passes actually travelled into the opposition's half, with fewer landing in the 'defensive' third (11) than the 'middle' and 'attacking' third (12), although all 11 in the defensive third were successful.

And while 16 of the 21 passes were received by the back four, two apiece went to Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, highlighting the range he possesses to find those further up the pitch.

An interesting discovery in itself, of course.

Yet a comparison between this game and his debut at Anfield, against the Hammers, hints at the different tactic Jurgen Klopp wants Alisson to utilise in different situations.



Like the Palace win, the South American stopper misplaced just two passes, making 29 of his 31 attempted.

Only three of those, however, aimed for the opposition's half; 27 of the 31 were in the 'defensive' third, with only one incomplete. Joe Gomez received nine passes - more than any other - with Virgil van Dijk second with five. In total, the back four received 23.

This suggests Alisson will be expected to play a far more controlled game at home, and a much more direct, counter-attacking system away.

That is not necessarily surprising, but does pinpoint what can be expected of the Reds this season, with a far more traditional controlling game at home, with efforts to break in behind quickly on their travels.

The importance of their new goalkeeper to that mentality has been shown in his wildly conflicting opening two outings.

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Usually, the sight of a new £40million man not making the matchday squad two games into the new season would set alarm bells ringing.

But outcry was minimal on Monday evening at the news Fabinho was deemed not even worthy of a place on the bench for Liverpool's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

Eyebrows raised? Of course. A complete surprise? No.

By the admission of the player himself and Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, Fabinho is taking time to adjust to the unique demands of playing in midfield for this Liverpool side having switched from Monaco in the summer.

It won't be easy. The season, though, is long, and there will be few concerns over the 24-year-old finding his feet, especially given recent issues with injury and illness.

And Liverpool's recruitment in recent transfer windows should be sufficient to earn the trust of the fanbase.

The experience of several such new recruits highlights the ongoing experience of Fabinho is nothing new.

Look at Andy Robertson last season.



After starting two of the first five Premier League games, he wasn't seen again in the top flight until December.

Having taken time to adjust, the Scotland international is now Liverpool's first-choice left-back.

The same gradual approach was afforded to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who eventually became a key figure in the Champions League run until his campaign was cruelly ended with a serious knee injury suffered in the semi-final first leg against Roma.

Klopp will only turn to players if they are ready, regardless of cost or experience.

In the old days, the sheer size of the transfer fee – only team-mates Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Naby Keita have cost more than Fabinho – would have perhaps forced Liverpool to thrust him straight in at the deep end, no questions asked.

Klopp doesn't need to do that, such is the depth of squad currently at his disposal.

There is, though, a bigger picture here. And one to which every Liverpool supporter – and player – must grow accustomed.

Fabinho wasn't the only one to miss out at Selhurst Park, with Nathaniel Clyne joining Dominic Solanke and the Besiktas-bound Loris Karius on the sidelines. Divock Origi also wasn't involved.

The Premier League grind, with the inevitable injuries and suspensions it brings, will make an almost fully-fit squad a welcome but rare headache for Klopp.

But even so, there will be plenty of games, and big ones at that, where a major name is left out of the 18-man matchday squad altogether.

Horses for courses will be the Klopp mantra. Everybody must be primed for the call.

To illustrate the point, Fabinho took part in training at Melwood on Tuesday afternoon - Roberto Firmino and Gini Wijnaldum trained away from the main group - and will be considered for a start against Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield at the weekend.

There would be no surprise if he was named in the first XI. That's the Liverpool way this season.

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Liverpool could face huge Champions League rule change this season - if they reach quarter-finals

Liverpool could find themselves featuring in Champions League games with video assistant referees (VAR) this season - providing they reach the quarter-finals.

Last year's beaten finalists will discover their group stage fate next Thursday, when the draw is made in Monaco.

But progression beyond that round - and then the last 16 - could see their last eight tie aided by the VAR technology, which caused plenty of controversy at this summer's World Cup.

The Times report UEFA were impressed by its use in Russia, and the club competitions committee is expected to recommend its approval when meeting next week.

Europe's governing body are seemingly concerned resources for its implementation would be stretched during a 32-team group stage, but would be far more manageable from the quarter-finals onwards, with only two games played per night.

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Divock Origi future

Liverpool remain in talks with Borussia Dortmund over the 23-year-old striker.

The Belgian is free to leave Anfield and hasn’t featured in either of the first two Premier League matches.

The Reds want to sell Origi this summer but have so far struggled to attract bids after demanding around £25m.



ESPN FC reports Dortmund would like to sign the frontman, initially on loan, with a view to a permanent deal.

Talks remain ongoing and it is hoped an agreement can be reached before the European transfer window closes on August 31.

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Karius set for Besiktas move

Loris Karius is on the brink of a long-term loan deal to Besiktas.

Liverpool have agreed an initial two-year loan for Karius with the Turkish club, who will pay a loan fee of £2.25m and are obligated to buy the keeper for a further £7.25m in 2020 if certain performance criteria are met.

The deal is set to be finalised this week.

Mignolet, meanwhile, is now set to stay as Alisson’s backup.