Everything Soccer

[Emcee77]

https://twitter.com/cfbayern/status/947491309400592385

Damn, Goretzka to Bayern.

https://twitter.com/honigstein/status/947493719204401152

^fwiw, Rafa Honigstein thinks Keita and Goretzka would have been “box-to-box overkill” at LFC, and instead LFC should go for a “proper” DM.

My take on that take: I mean, yeah, but two things:
(1) Klopp does not really seem interested in buying a “proper” DM. He has used Wijnaldum, who has scored 99 goals in his career, as the deepest lying midfielder. So draw your own conclusions ...
(2) a “proper” DM from Klopp’s point of view, meaning a midfield destroyer who can also pick out and execute Gerrard-esque long passes to spring the attack, is one of the hardest things to find in soccer. If Rafa has someone in mind, I’d love to hear about it.

 

[IrishLion]

Rumor mill picking up off-the-record steam in Cincy that an “MLS-related” event is in the works. Final details/travel arrangments being worked on.

I can neither confirm nor deny these rumors.

 

[notredomer23]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Being told Philippe Coutinho doesn't intend to play for Liverpool again and is confident the deal with Barcelona will get done this winter. According to his entourage, a matter of a few days. More chapters to come</p>— Marcus Alves (@alves_marcus) <a href="https://twitter.com/alves_marcus/status/948524423098880001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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[NorthDakota]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Being told Philippe Coutinho doesn't intend to play for Liverpool again and is confident the deal with Barcelona will get done this winter. According to his entourage, a matter of a few days. More chapters to come</p>— Marcus Alves (@alves_marcus) <a href="https://twitter.com/alves_marcus/status/948524423098880001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Lmaooo oh man here we go again.

 

[Rogue219]

Goretzka's people haven't confirmed he's going to Bayern.

Barca have not made a formal bid for Coutinho, so anyone saying he's played his last match for Liverpool are his own people and no one else.
Liverpool is going to want Dembele money, and rightfully so, in January. The best scenario is the deal gets done now but doesn't go into effect until summer.

Klopp doesn't seem to use a defensive midfielder, and I have to think that Henderson could play that role. Keita is not a defensive midfielder, no matter how many idiots go on Twitter calling him one. He's probably played that position 20 times in his club career vs over 100 as a center mid.

If Liverpool were looking for a DM, Leandro Paredes or Ruben Neves would be the type to go for.

 

[Cackalacky]

I dont know what to think except that Liverpool are in talks with Monaco again over Lemar and Ceballos from Madrid has told Madrid wants to come to Liverpool. Seems like an awful lot of movement in the midfield is "trying" to happen. Rumors of Mitkaryian wanting out at ManU to go to Liverpool as well.

I would not be shocked if Coutihno leaves in January but who knows. I would like to think they have a replacement lined up before letting him go.

Klopp doesnt use a DM at all. The three midfielders pivot and cover based on the ball mostly. Obviously there are in game nuances but tacticly i see that all three have cover and pressing duties and attacking dutites depending on where the ball is on the field. Part of the reason they gave up so many goals is because there was no cover from the middies being out of position completely on counters and such.

 

[Emcee77]

Goretzka's people haven't confirmed he's going to Bayern.

True, I and a number of others on Twitter may have jumped the gun on Goretzka. I really hope LFC can still bring him in.

Barca have not made a formal bid for Coutinho, so anyone saying he's played his last match for Liverpool are his own people and no one else.
Liverpool is going to want Dembele money, and rightfully so, in January. The best scenario is the deal gets done now but doesn't go into effect until summer.

I agree on all counts.

I really don't see the rush though, from anyone's perspective, unless it's just that Coutinho's wife is sick of the weather in NW England. Coutinho is cup-tied to LFC in UCL and Barca have basically already wrapped up La Liga, so I don't get why they need him now, whereas LFC do need him to give them their best shot at a deep UCL run and top 4 finish. Makes no sense to move now. Only rationale I have heard that makes some sense is that Barca feel they need to get someone in so they can rest Iniesta more frequently.

Klopp doesn't seem to use a defensive midfielder, and I have to think that Henderson could play that role. Keita is not a defensive midfielder, no matter how many idiots go on Twitter calling him one. He's probably played that position 20 times in his club career vs over 100 as a center mid.

If Liverpool were looking for a DM, Leandro Paredes or Ruben Neves would be the type to go for.

Generally I agree, although I didn't really think of Henderson as a deep-lying midfielder either, until Klopp started using him there. It's kind of like when Mourinho would use Fabregas as one of the two in a 4-2-3-1, or when he uses Pogba in the same position now. It makes sense because of the exquisite long passes these players are able to hit, although they still seem like fish out of water from time to time. Pogba in particular is so much better in more of a box-to-box role.

I'm digressing/rambling, but I agree that Keita is not a DM. To the extent Klopp has a separate DM role, it has more to do with the player's passing ability than his defensive ability--it's really a deeper-lying CM than a DM. I don't think Klopp really wants or needs a true DM because he prefers to play a more flexible midfield three.

I dont know what to think except that Liverpool are in talks with Monaco again over Lemar and Ceballos from Madrid has told Madrid wants to come to Liverpool. Seems like an awful lot of movement in the midfield is "trying" to happen. Rumors of Mitkaryian wanting out at ManU to go to Liverpool as well.

I would not be shocked if Coutihno leaves in January but who knows. I would like to think they have a replacement lined up before letting him go.

Lemar seems to fit the Coutinho/Lallana profile, as a guy who can play forward on the wing or also in a slightly deeper midfield role. He hasn't had a great season so far this year, but neither has VVD. I would love for LFC to get him in.

Klopp doesnt use a DM at all. The three midfielders pivot and cover based on the ball mostly. Obviously there are in game nuances but tacticly i see that all three have cover and pressing duties and attacking dutites depending on where the ball is on the field. Part of the reason they gave up so many goals is because there was no cover from the middies being out of position completely on counters and such.

Right and right. When LFC have the ball in their own end, Hendo drops back the deepest to help the back four play it out, but he also gets forward on the counter-press from time to time, when it makes sense based on where the ball is.

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">of course <a href="https://t.co/iPELGy4XBZ">pic.twitter.com/iPELGy4XBZ</a></p>— Tiago Estêvão (@TiagoEstv) <a href="https://twitter.com/TiagoEstv/status/949030015978606592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


lol

 

[Emcee77]

Lol.

Seriously, what a couple of strikes though. I love that kind of goal.

 

[dublinirish]

Lol.

Seriously, what a couple of strikes though. I love that kind of goal.

indeed! the old thunder bastard

 

[Cackalacky]

Liverpool v Everton in FA cup today. VVD first game?

 

[Emcee77]

I hope so! Klopp was very noncommittal earlier in the week. But he did say he is going to play a strong squad. I'd definitely like to see VVD start to bed in and get comfortable with the team.

Other players I'd like to see start:

-- Lallana. I hope he can play 90 minutes as he regains fitness and form after the injury layoff. If Coutinho goes, we really need Lallana to help fill the void.
-- Danny Ings up top! I love his work rate and application and I think he could be a great backup/alternative to Firmino as the center forward who starts the press and creates opportunities for wingers running beyond him.
-- Grujic, just so I can get a look at him. If Can goes, as seems all but certain, is there any hope that Grujic might be ready to take a similar place in the squad next season? Grujic has shown me flashes but nothing like the consistency or composure required to be a regular. I don't know if it's time to cut bait with him or if he's still cooking. He's still a young guy, so maybe he has to go out on loan? Not sure where we are with him.

 

[Emcee77]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Chelsea, Ross Barkley! <br><br>Full story �� <a href="https://t.co/yRzCCYobbd">https://t.co/yRzCCYobbd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeBarkley?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeBarkley</a> <a href="https://t.co/CvIInoMEIL">pic.twitter.com/CvIInoMEIL</a></p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/949325448978272256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So it did end up happening. He should have just gone through with it in the summer, then.


Bargain price for Chelsea, too. 15M sterling?? He was gonna go for 35 in the summer!

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/05/ross-barkley-chelsea-everton?CMP=share_btn_tw

 

[Emcee77]

Interesting piece, including quotes from Rio Ferdinand, about how defenders are now prized not just for defending but for being comfortable on the ball and in space (and at the same time attackers like Roberto Firmino are prized for their ability to defend):

Premier League defending isn't worse, as Ferdinand says: it's just evolving


This is the Klopp model of flexible football. Defend the length of the field, attack with all 10 outfield players.

 

[Emcee77]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="nl" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LFC</a> starting XI v <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EFC</a>: Karius, Gomez, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson, Can, Lallana, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Firmino<br><br>Subs: Ward, Klavan, Lovren, Alexander-Arnold, Wijnaldum, Solanke, Ings<br><br>Van Dijk makes his Liverpool debut, while Mane marks his 50th game for the Reds</p>— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaReddy_/status/949349904396308481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Rogue219]

VVD is a boss back there so far.

This team will miss Coutinho and should not sell until summer. Their midfield is crap without him.

 

[Cackalacky]

VVD with a late game winner in front if the KOP. Hell yeah.

 

[nlroma1o]

LFC got what they paid for in VVD. A game winner and massive wave of momentum going into the second half of the season.

 

[aubeirish]

Couts to Barça is a done deal. Makes no sense to want to move there in this window, but oh well that's what he wanted. He won't be able to play in the champions league for Barça... Liverpool offered more money and even the captaincy and he still wanted to move, so at that point you better take the money. Liverpool really played hard ball on him and rightfully so. You want him, you pay right now. 106 millions pounds up front.

People compare this situation to the Suarez situation, but I don't see it. Sure Coutinho is nice player, but he has nowhere near the impact on the team that Suarez had. I don't think Liverpool will drop one bit in quality as a whole after he's gone. That wasn't the case when Suarez left. Different manager, different times...

 

[Cackalacky]

Couts to Barça is a done deal. Makes no sense to want to move there in this window, but oh well that's what he wanted. He won't be able to play in the champions league for Barça... Liverpool offered more money and even the captaincy and he still wanted to move, so at that point you better take the money. Liverpool really played hard ball on him and rightfully so. You want him, you pay right now. 106 millions pounds up front.

People compare this situation to the Suarez situation, but I don't see it. Sure Coutinho is nice player, but he has nowhere near the impact on the team that Suarez had. I don't think Liverpool will drop one bit in quality as a whole after he's gone. That wasn't the case when Suarez left. Different manager, different times...

Well our team is much deeper than that team Suarez was a part of and we need production and creativity from the MF. Ox is playing better, Lallana is back, Hendo is struggling, Can is likely gone this year, not sure when. That team excelled with a legend in SG and had Suarez and Sturridge in their primes. They finished second with what 83 points. This year the way ManCity are going they may break 95 points. We need these guys to play well to preserve a top four finish.

Hopefully we can get Lemar this window (unlikely) and along with keita next year my hope is we will be flipping great. I actually love what FSG are doing right now.

 

[Emcee77]

Yeah I've never been convinced that Coutinho is really a player Klopp would have chosen, as he isn't a dynamic, energetic athlete who's particularly good in the pressing game. So there's a sense in which he isn't totally central to what Klopp is trying to do. But there's no doubt that he is our best player, he is our most creative player, he is ALWAYS taking responsibility to try to make something happen, and his record of scoring goals from outside the penalty box is second to none. So there's no doubt we will really miss him and it's not obvious who will play that creative role for us.

It's definitely a challenge for Klopp, although as Cack says, LFC are deeper than they have been in years past and Klopp has options. What it comes down to, for me, is that Lallana will have to get back to his best, and quickly. Also, Firmino may have to take on more creative responsibility. He does such amazing work as the point of the spear who starts the press, but I wonder if Klopp will look for someone else to play that role and use Firmino in a deeper role? Just a thought.

Also, this sucks:

Report: Gonzalez set to file one-time switch to play for Mexico – ProSoccerTalk

 

[Emcee77]

14 uncapped players called into annual USMNT January camp – ProSoccerTalk

Hopefully there are some winners in here. Many names I don't recognize.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

Interesting piece, including quotes from Rio Ferdinand, about how defenders are now prized not just for defending but for being comfortable on the ball and in space (and at the same time attackers like Roberto Firmino are prized for their ability to defend):

Premier League defending isn't worse, as Ferdinand says: it's just evolving


This is the Klopp model of flexible football. Defend the length of the field, attack with all 10 outfield players.

Idk if defending is in the Klopp model at all.

 

[Cackalacky]

14 uncapped players called into annual USMNT January camp – ProSoccerTalk

Hopefully there are some winners in here. Many names I don't recognize.

I know less the 10 of them. Maybe thats why we didnt qualify. Seems Jurgen didnt want any MLs guys and there is a whole World cup cycle generation forgotten. Glad to see Brooks Lennon getting mens team chance.

 

[Cackalacky]

Idk if defending is in the Klopp model at all.

They defend by pressing high up field and creating quick turnovers. Setting up a bus is not in his system at all.

 

[NorthDakota]

Question....where the heck is Sanchez supposed to play for City? They got a pretty good front 4 as is.

 

[fightingirish26]

Question....where the heck is Sanchez supposed to play for City? They got a pretty good front 4 as is.

Well he could play anywhere along the front line, and we seem to want two top quality players at every position. So it would be Sane/Alexis, Kun/Jesus and Sterling/Bernardo along the front 3. But with Jesus out with an injury leaving us one injury away from having no senior strikers, plus the need for rotation with 4 competitions, Alexis could play as a no 9 as well.

 

[NorthDakota]

So...a 29 year old with a couple years left at the top of his game wants to go to a team where he's going to play... half the time if he's lucky?

Soccer players are weird sometimes.

 

[notredomer23]

So...a 29 year old with a couple years left at the top of his game wants to go to a team where he's going to play... half the time if he's lucky?

Soccer players are weird sometimes.

City rotates so much. With all the competitions + injuries bound to happen he’s still gonna start a bunch or be first sub off the bench. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start over Sane too. I really like Sane but he’s cooled off a bit from his earlier form

 

[Emcee77]

Well he could play anywhere along the front line, and we seem to want two top quality players at every position. So it would be Sane/Alexis, Kun/Jesus and Sterling/Bernardo along the front 3. But with Jesus out with an injury leaving us one injury away from having no senior strikers, plus the need for rotation with 4 competitions, Alexis could play as a no 9 as well.

Right, this.

Plus, I'm sure Alexis likes the idea of being reunited with Pep at a club that's a contender to win any competition it's in. I think it's normal, once players who have established themselves as stars get older and start to see the end of their career on the horizon, for them to become more interested in winning more trophies in the few years they have left. I don't see anything weird in that.