Everything Soccer

[nlroma1o]

I don't think we really disagree here. But doing it in practice and doing it in a Ligue 1 game are very different things. And technical difficulty aside, it's just fun to watch.

Hell yeah its fun to watch.

Madrid vs PSG in the round of 16 is going to be one of the best 2 game match ups of the year. Should bring all the skill and drama to the table that we love.

 

[ACamp1900]

Remember when at the start of the season I was like, "PSG may be the best team in the World this year" and some of y'all were like, "Dude ACamp, they're just some podunk team from France, calm your tits..."

Yeah, you 'member.

Seriously though, that has to be one of the best round of 16 match ups ever.

 

[NorthDakota]

Remember when at the start of the season I was like, "PSG may be the best team in the World this year" and some of y'all were like, "Dude ACamp, they're just some podunk team from France, calm your tits..."

Yeah, you 'member.

Seriously though, that has to be one of the best round of 16 match ups ever.

Cant wait for Pool to slap them 3-0 and 4-2 in the quarters.

 

[nlroma1o]

Remember when at the start of the season I was like, "PSG may be the best team in the World this year" and some of y'all were like, "Dude ACamp, they're just some podunk team from France, calm your tits..."

Yeah, you 'member.

Seriously though, that has to be one of the best round of 16 match ups ever.

If I remember correctly, I think Man U and Madrid collided in the round of 16 a few years back. And Chelsea and PSG have run into each I think twice in the rd of 16. But I think with how things have played out the last few years, this Madrid team is special, and clearly this PSG team is a whole new monster. Its going to be awesome.

 

[ACamp1900]

Cant wait for Pool to slap them 3-0 and 4-2 in the quarters.

Ignoring the Liverpool thing I'm not sure PSG survives this round. That's a beast match up for either of them and one of the teams that legitimately has the talent to win the whole thing is going out right now.

 

[Rogue219]

Poor Jose. He draws against Leicester and Burnley because City spends too much money on players during the transfer window.

The irony.

 

[NDinL.A.]

My club meets Saturday morning outside, so I'll check and see if the wife will drag the baby out in the cold. Might have to pencil it in for an indoor night game at the Fire pitch.

But again, I know I am coming off as a huge prick and that's not who I am at all, but in all honesty, it just isn't a difficult trick. Its backyard stuff we would practice all the time as kids. You just don't see it happen that much on tv during a game, so that's why its flashy and catches attention. But these guys at practice are messing around and doing dumb stuff like this every day. Manny (NDinL.A.) will back me up on this one, considering hes the only one on this forum that has played with me in the past.

It's true...that move is pulled off seemingly all the time nowadays. Nick (nlroma) definitely has the game to pull it off. No lie, I'm 43 and I just pulled it off in an indoor game last week (ask Frazier lol). It's just so much easier to try that flick than to try and stop on a dime, caress the ball on your first touch, turn and fire a shot.

In whiskey's defense, I will say that the velocity and height Cavani got on that shot was impressive. It's not easy to crush the ball like he did, so I give him credit for it. But Mbappe's turn near midfield, splitting the defenders and then showing world-class burst from there was easily the most impressive part of the highlight IMHO.

 

[Fbolt]

Concur-My son (13yo) receives the ball with the heel flick and has scored several times like that in games.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

In whiskey's defense, I will say that the velocity and height Cavani got on that shot was impressive.

That was mostly what impressed me, especially following Mbappe's ridiculous build-up. I agree that redirecting a cross with a heel shot isn't technically mind-boggling or anything, but I played very competitively up through high school and was never able to get that kind of power behind a back heel.

 

[Rogue219]

Reports that Virgil Van Dijk is headed to Liverpool for $75M. Record fee for a defender.

This is insanity.

 

[NorthDakota]

Reports that Virgil Van Dijk is headed to Liverpool for $75M. Record fee for a defender.

This is insanity.

Pool's last few big money moves have been baller.

1. Salah (superstar)
2. Mane (baller)
3. Firmino (baller)
4. Lallana (Very good)
5. VVD (???)

 

[Old Man Mike]

Thank the Soccer gods. Damm does Klopp need that muscle to erase most of the near-net crap that they let happen.

BTW: Lallana when healthy is "Baller" too. Give him some time to get his game back to his elite standards. Then Klopp has "problems" fixing a line-up. (Salah/Firmino/Coutinho --- no arguments allowed --- "the five in back whoever they are, this number includes a (replacement hopefully) goalie someday soon). Then who are the other three? Mane? Lallana? Henderson? Can? Wynaldum? Robertson? the other guys I can't remember or spell?

For me, Lallana is the next guy chosen of that lot --- making perhaps a Coutinho/Lallana Engine room like DeBryne/Silva. I suppose that most people would have picked Mane, but I'm seeing the body language of a growing selfishness in that guy and maybe coolness with Klopp. If this is not true, then Mane, yes.

Then, who's the last midfielder?

 

[Emcee77]

Klopp desperately needs another athletic defender who can effectively defend large spaces while other players are pushing forward. That's VVD to a T.

Lovren also fits that profile; if only Klopp can stop him doing dumb stuff. He played what was genuinely the best game I have ever seen him play against Arsenal (all three goals conceded were dumb, but none his fault), so I wonder if Klopp's plan is coming to fruition here.

When everyone is healthy, LFC can put out this team:

Moreno --Lovren--VVD--Clyne (Trent is LFC's best attacking fullback, but probably third best overall behind Clyne and Gomez)

Hendo

Lallana -- Coutinho

Mane -- Firmino -- Salah

That team would be able to play awesome, explosive attacking soccer and suffocate opponents with withering gegenpressing. Fearsome.

 

[Rogue219]

Pool's last few big money moves have been baller.

1. Salah (superstar)
2. Mane (baller)
3. Firmino (baller)
4. Lallana (Very good)
5. VVD (???)

Benteke?

Here are Klopp's moves:

Van Dijk
Keita
Salah
Mane
Oxlaide Chamberlain
Wijnaldum

I'm very curious to see what happens with some of his "lesser" signings like Robertson, Grujic and Karius.

If they can tweak their midfield and get a proper keeper, they're right there. Keita is going to be a massive addition for them. With or without Coutinho.

Van Dijk will be an upgrade and will also help organize the rest of the back. He's probably going to be a future captain for them when all is said and done.

Everyone is fighting for second place this year, but it's a start.

 

[NorthDakota]

Benteke?

Here are Klopp's moves:

Van Dijk
Keita
Salah
Mane
Oxlaide Chamberlain
Wijnaldum

I'm very curious to see what happens with some of his "lesser" signings like Robertson, Grujic and Karius.

If they can tweak their midfield and get a proper keeper, they're right there. Keita is going to be a massive addition for them. With or without Coutinho.

Van Dijk will be an upgrade and will also help organize the rest of the back. He's probably going to be a future captain for them when all is said and done.

Everyone is fighting for second place this year, but it's a start.

Benteke worked out fine since they got their fee back....somehow.

Robertson is starting to look very solid. I'm still holding out hope for Karius as well. Grujic... who knows. Tough to go from a Serbian team into a top 10 wealth club.

Keita... my man... beyond excited. Coutinho is gone... I've accepted it, though if he somehow ends up at Pool another year or two I wouldn't complain one bit.

 

[Rogue219]

Benteke worked out fine since they got their fee back....somehow.

Robertson is starting to look very solid. I'm still holding out hope for Karius as well. Grujic... who knows. Tough to go from a Serbian team into a top 10 wealth club.

Keita... my man... beyond excited. Coutinho is gone... I've accepted it, though if he somehow ends up at Pool another year or two I wouldn't complain one bit.

Klopp wanted no part of Benteke. He loves Lallana, though. Obviously Firmino, who came in the summer before Klopp arrived.

Robertson needs to play and Moreno's injury has given him that opportunity. He's Premier League tested with bad Hull City clubs. Imagine if they had a healthy Clyne. He's very steady and reliable.

I like Klavan and I think he's earned the right to start with VVD so long as Matip is out. Lovren makes for a nice reserve, or you sell him. What happens with Joe Gomez?

Liverpool could be lining up Jack Butland at keeper with de Vrij and Goretzka on frees. Thomas Lemar could be coming this summer as well. If they intend to bring in de Vrij, it's all but certain Lovren is gone and Gomez will be a fullback.

Celtic see $7.5M from the Van Dijk sale.

 

[Emcee77]

Klopp wanted no part of Benteke. He loves Lallana, though. Obviously Firmino, who came in the summer before Klopp arrived.

Robertson needs to play and Moreno's injury has given him that opportunity. He's Premier League tested with bad Hull City clubs. Imagine if they had a healthy Clyne. He's very steady and reliable.

I like Klavan and I think he's earned the right to start with VVD so long as Matip is out. Lovren makes for a nice reserve, or you sell him. What happens with Joe Gomez?

Liverpool could be lining up Jack Butland at keeper with de Vrij and Goretzka on frees. Thomas Lemar could be coming this summer as well. If they intend to bring in de Vrij, it's all but certain Lovren is gone and Gomez will be a fullback.

Celtic see $7.5M from the Van Dijk sale.

Yeah, I quite like what Robertson has done while Moreno has been out. The thing I like most is how hard he works. The first goal against Swansea started with him pressing in the opposition half (which led to a bad pass, which led to Firmino taking the ball off Ayew, which led to the goal). He made a great lung-busting run in the Bournemouth game to draw a defender away from Coutinho and allow him to make that mazy dribble that ended in a goal. Those are things that don't show up on any stat sheet but that make a big difference.

Klavan is a tough one for me. I LOVE his composure on the ball and his distribution out of the back, but he makes some bad defensive errors sometimes. Not positioning errors but missed tackles, interceptions, loose balls and clearances. He is extremely composed except when he has to actually make a tackle or win a loose ball, and then sometimes he makes mistakes.

Is it true that De Vrij to LFC is on? I don't get that one. Long term plan should be partnering VVD and Gomez at CB. That leaves Moreno and Roberston as LBs and Clyne and Trent as RBs.

Assuming Can and Coutinho leave, Goretzka and Lemar would be amazing pickups. I was really impressed with Goretzka in the Confed Cup.

Butland is an interesting one. I am not sure whether Klopp is ready to move on from Karius or whether he still believes he can be a top-level GK. I do think Klopp likes Karius's mobility and ability to play sweeper-keeper, a la Ederson, against opponents who park the bus. Dunno how that will shake out.

Exciting times for Reds fans. We aren't fully cooked but it does feel like we might be on the cusp of something great.

 

[Cackalacky]

Yeah, I quite like what Robertson has done while Moreno has been out. The thing I like most is how hard he works. The first goal against Swansea started with him pressing in the opposition half (which led to a bad pass, which led to Firmino taking the ball off Ayew, which led to the goal). He made a great lung-busting run in the Bournemouth game to draw a defender away from Coutinho and allow him to make that mazy dribble that ended in a goal. Those are things that don't show up on any stat sheet but that make a big difference.

Klavan is a tough one for me. I LOVE his composure on the ball and his distribution out of the back, but he makes some bad defensive errors sometimes. Not positioning errors but missed tackles, interceptions, loose balls and clearances. He is extremely composed except when he has to actually make a tackle or win a loose ball, and then sometimes he makes mistakes.

Is it true that De Vrij to LFC is on? I don't get that one. Long term plan should be partnering VVD and Gomez at CB. That leaves Moreno and Roberston as LBs and Clyne and Trent as RBs.

Assuming Can and Coutinho leave, Goretzka and Lemar would be amazing pickups. I was really impressed with Goretzka in the Confed Cup.

Butland is an interesting one. I am not sure whether Klopp is ready to move on from Karius or whether he still believes he can be a top-level GK. I do think Klopp likes Karius's mobility and ability to play sweeper-keeper, a la Ederson, against opponents who park the bus. Dunno how that will shake out.

Exciting times for Reds fans. We aren't fully cooked but it does feel like we might be on the cusp of something great.

VvD is confirmed. Jan 2 he can register and immediately begin playing. Great news.

I am guessing it will be him and Matip ultimately but in all fairness since Tottenham, Lovren and Klavan have played very well especially at home.

 

[Cackalacky]

Benteke?

Here are Klopp's moves:

Van Dijk
Keita
Salah
Mane
Oxlaide Chamberlain
Wijnaldum

I'm very curious to see what happens with some of his "lesser" signings like Robertson, Grujic and Karius.

If they can tweak their midfield and get a proper keeper, they're right there. Keita is going to be a massive addition for them. With or without Coutinho.

Van Dijk will be an upgrade and will also help organize the rest of the back. He's probably going to be a future captain for them when all is said and done.

Everyone is fighting for second place this year, but it's a start.

Dont forget how well Alexander Arnold and Gomez have played this year. Gomez is doing great for such a young one.

 

[Rogue219]

Dont forget how well Alexander Arnold and Gomez have played this year. Gomez is doing great for such a young one.

Initially we were talking about the "big money" transfers, but to your point, Gomez was signed under Klopp and TAA has come up under him. Both have been impressive at times.

 

[Rogue219]

Yeah, I quite like what Robertson has done while Moreno has been out. The thing I like most is how hard he works. The first goal against Swansea started with him pressing in the opposition half (which led to a bad pass, which led to Firmino taking the ball off Ayew, which led to the goal). He made a great lung-busting run in the Bournemouth game to draw a defender away from Coutinho and allow him to make that mazy dribble that ended in a goal. Those are things that don't show up on any stat sheet but that make a big difference.

Robertson puts in some very good crosses and the limited times he's gotten a game, he's been good. I don't know that it is his fault Hull was so bad and LFC fans moaned about that signing because he came from a relegated side. So did Gini Wijnaldum.

Klavan is a tough one for me. I LOVE his composure on the ball and his distribution out of the back, but he makes some bad defensive errors sometimes. Not positioning errors but missed tackles, interceptions, loose balls and clearances. He is extremely composed except when he has to actually make a tackle or win a loose ball, and then sometimes he makes mistakes.

He's been in good form as of late with Matip out. Hasn't really had much of a choice. He's a good back up to have.

Is it true that De Vrij to LFC is on? I don't get that one. Long term plan should be partnering VVD and Gomez at CB. That leaves Moreno and Roberston as LBs and Clyne and Trent as RBs.

Liverpool has been linked to de Vrij since Rodgers was manager. He'd come on a free and while he is strong when he's fit, he's not fit often. I don't know why they'd bid in January when they can have him for nothing over the summer. He turns 26 in February and is another tall Dutchman. Screams Klopp Center Half but I'm curious as to when and why.

Assuming Can and Coutinho leave, Goretzka and Lemar would be amazing pickups. I was really impressed with Goretzka in the Confed Cup.

I know Man United fans who say Goretzka is a must signing for them. He's wanted by some big clubs in Europe because he's really good and he'll be free come summer. Coup pick up for whoever lands him.

Lemar wants Liverpool by all accounts but it won't happen until summer. Big money move there.

Butland is an interesting one. I am not sure whether Klopp is ready to move on from Karius or whether he still believes he can be a top-level GK. I do think Klopp likes Karius's mobility and ability to play sweeper-keeper, a la Ederson, against opponents who park the bus. Dunno how that will shake out.

Karius made one mistake and was crucified by the Liverpool media and fans. Mignolet gets a lot more leash for some reason, at least from the press. They're going to have to sell Danny Ward eventually. He's too good to be third GK. Liverpool have been linked with Butland for a long time, maybe back to Dalglish pre Rodgers. Makes sense.

Exciting times for Reds fans. We aren't fully cooked but it does feel like we might be on the cusp of something great.

The way it is shaping up they could be challenging City in the next few years. Jose is moaning for more money, Chelsea may not bring Conte back, Ozil and Sanchez are set to leave Arsenal, Spurs will have to fight to hold Kante, Alli and others. These guys seem to want to play for Pep and Klopp. For me, Pochettino is the wild card. If he replaces Jose at United some day down the line, all bets are off.

,

 

[Rogue219]

Liverpool have reportedly agreed to a fee with FC Basel for centre-back Manuel Akanji.

He would join LFC in Summer of 2018.

If this winds up being legit, it would appear FSG and Klopp are not messing around. Hard for pundits to say they give up too many goals and for fans to say they aren't ambitious only to see then sign VVD and this young guy then complain the fees are too high.

Liverpool fans remind me of ND fans. Never really had a dog in the Premier League fight but I identify with LFC for that reason I think.

 

[Cackalacky]

Liverpool have reportedly agreed to a fee with FC Basel for centre-back Manuel Akanji.

He would join LFC in Summer of 2018.

If this winds up being legit, it would appear FSG and Klopp are not messing around. Hard for pundits to say they give up too many goals and for fans to say they aren't ambitious only to see then sign VVD and this young guy then complain the fees are too high.

Liverpool fans remind me of ND fans. Never really had a dog in the Premier League fight but I identify with LFC for that reason I think.

 

[Emcee77]

Liverpool have reportedly agreed to a fee with FC Basel for centre-back Manuel Akanji.

He would join LFC in Summer of 2018.

If this winds up being legit, it would appear FSG and Klopp are not messing around. Hard for pundits to say they give up too many goals and for fans to say they aren't ambitious only to see then sign VVD and this young guy then complain the fees are too high.

Liverpool fans remind me of ND fans. Never really had a dog in the Premier League fight but I identify with LFC for that reason I think.

Same, big time.

Akanji is another CB who perfectly fits the Klopp profile. It makes so much sense. Definitely seems like we will have to unload a CB or two to make room, though.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As you were🇩🇪 <a href="https://t.co/yygMv7xE05">pic.twitter.com/yygMv7xE05</a></p>— Anfield Express (@AnfieldExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnfieldExpress/status/946489541866778624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I don't know what to make of that. But he knew about VVD before it was announced ...

 

[Cackalacky]

Bild is reporting Goretzka will choose Liverpool and sign a pre-contract to join in July 2018, very shortly.
Neue Millionen-Attacke - Liverpool lockt Goretzka - Bundesliga - Bild.de

 

[aubeirish]

Bild is reporting Goretzka will choose Liverpool and sign a pre-contract to join in July 2018, very shortly.
Neue Millionen-Attacke - Liverpool lockt Goretzka - Bundesliga - Bild.de

That's big time if true. Him and Keita are going to be really good for a long time.

 

[fightingirish26]

Problem with Liverpool is that when their players are actually really good, they leave.

 

[Emcee77]

Bild is reporting Goretzka will choose Liverpool and sign a pre-contract to join in July 2018, very shortly.
Neue Millionen-Attacke - Liverpool lockt Goretzka - Bundesliga - Bild.de

Huge, especially since it appears that Emre Can wants to move on. (Still not totally sure why, since he is an important player for LFC. I heard at one point that he wants to be a first-choice DM, rather than a box-to-box mid, and he knows Henderson is Klopp's 1A DM for now? Doesn't make much sense to me, but maybe so.)

Problem with Liverpool is that when their players are actually really good, they leave.

Ugh some truth to this. Suarez to Barca, now probably Coutinho to Barca.

But South American players will always want to move to one of the big Spanish clubs. In general I think Klopp has a lot of players who are fully bought into what he is doing and want to stay and hopefully build something with him.

 

[NorthDakota]

Problem with Liverpool is that when their players are actually really good, they leave.

Some truth, but with the money they are spending now, it's looking more plausible to become more of a destination club, unless some big clubs want to pay insane money for some of these guys.

1. VvD.
2. Keita
3. Salah

I also wonder if Jurgen's style of play is more suited to up and coming guys still needing to prove themselves rather than established superstars? He asks a lot of his players physically.

 

[fightingirish26]

yikes, nike