And, we're off.....2016/17

[Lord Tyrion]

You're trying to look logically at this 😁. They are both northwest, go across a bit to Leeds which is just in the North and then go further across to Hull in the east. Go further north out of Yorkshire, reach the Boro and then you reach the NE. Put your head out of the car window when you are going north and listen for the change from tut Yorkshire accent to a NE twang. Then you know you've crossed the border.

Stop drawing proper lines across the country. Anyway our local news on the BBC has nothing to do with hull so that makes it official 👏

 

[Papas1982]

I know the question is not aimed at me but, have we not done both of what you've asked in very recent years?

but then if we'd been more pragmatic your question changes...

Sorry, maybe i should have said win the league.
I think most would agree that with a little more sense you could have won it with suarez.

I think wanting good football is admirable, but results are what matters. Sure globetrotting title winners may be more revered in history. But Teams winning leagues with poor football will still be remembered more than gallant losers.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Jose clearly meant what he said about focusing on the Europa League. Can't see the top four changing from how it is with the exception of City and Liverpool possibly swapping places.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I find it hilarious all this moaning about teams "parking the bus" or putting "10 men behind the ball" no team goes through a whole season playing great football in every match.
You can guarantee playing certain teams away from home, teams will play defensively or get ripped apart, it's nothing new.
On another note, didn't LPool miss a pen today or is that being conveniently ignored while discussing Soton's style of play

 

[fundy]

Jose clearly meant what he said about focusing on the Europa League. Can't see the top four changing from how it is with the exception of City and Liverpool possibly swapping places.

are Everton still going to finish above Arsenal?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I find it hilarious all this moaning about teams "parking the bus" or putting "10 men behind the ball" no team goes through a whole season playing great football in every match.
You can guarantee playing certain teams away from home, teams will play defensively or get ripped apart, it's nothing new.
On another note, didn't LPool miss a pen today or is that being conveniently ignored while discussing Soton's style of play

So called smaller teams have always gone to places like Old Trafford, Anfield etc and played for the draw and been ultra defensive. Wasn't that part of the argument way back when to change it to 3 points for a win? It's down to the home team and the manager to find a way to break a side down and have a plan B if they can't find a way to get in front.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

are Everton still going to finish above Arsenal?

Nope. Like most of the teams in the league they are now on the beach drinking sangria. Shame but there you go.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Nope. Like most of the teams in the league they are now on the beach drinking sangria. Shame but there you go.

We were jinxed by Homer :rofl:

 

[Pin-seeker]

I find it hilarious all this moaning about teams "parking the bus" or putting "10 men behind the ball" no team goes through a whole season playing great football in every match.
You can guarantee playing certain teams away from home, teams will play defensively or get ripped apart, it's nothing new.
On another note, didn't LPool miss a pen today or is that being conveniently ignored while discussing Soton's style of play

Not sure what your point is on the penalty.
Not a bad pen imo,good save from Forster.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We were jinxed by Homer :rofl:

Should have sent the brown envelope on time! I'd happily have predicted another result then

 

[fundy]

We were jinxed by Homer :rofl:

one of very few this year thats gone in our favour haha

 

[Fish]

Am I right in thinking that if we beat the mighty Boro tomorrow night we send them down!

So many twists & turns this season, more so between 3rd and 6th over the last few months, and a few more to come imo with only 5 points beteeen them all if Arsenal get a result away to Saints midweek, and with L'pool who have played 1 more game than everyone else, I can see that 4th spot holding out right to the death, even with the possibility of goal difference, but who's going to grab it?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Am I right in thinking that if we beat the mighty Boro tomorrow night we send them down!

So many twists & turns this season, more so between 3rd and 6th over the last few months, and a few more to come imo with only 5 points beteeen them all if Arsenal get a result away to Saints midweek, and with L'pool who have played 1 more game than everyone else, I can see that 4th spot holding out right to the death, even with the possibility of goal difference.

Better scenario is the mighty Boro go to Analfield on the last day of the season needing a win to stay up, they'll fancy their chances being a small club :rofl:

 

[Hobbit]

Am I right in thinking that if we beat the mighty Boro tomorrow night we send them down.

And you get to spend the night with the barmaid from The Pig Iron!

 

[clubchamp98]

Well yes, saints were fighting relegation for the first 25 years of my life lol.

But there are only a hnadful of teams who regularly play entertaining football. Teams would still play the same money, irrespective of the money. I always wanted saints to be in the top flight so i could see the best players, long before sky got involved.

At the end of the day it is tactics, we don't play like it all season.

It's all well and good wanting better when you're a top 6 club regularly, but there are times when ALL teams would be better off shutting up shop but do't and end up missing out on points as they don't have that tactic in their locker.

Serious question, would you rather be entertained all the time and finish top four every few years. Or be more pragmatic and come close to wining the league?

the problem at Anfield is all but the top teams just sit back.
You will never have a better chance than today to beat us at home at the moment we are very poor.
Liverpool might be in the top four but that's because the teams below them are more inconsistent than us.
we don't know how to open a team up who sit back, but Klopp just does not change anything until it's to late.
I just think if you had been a bit more attack minded you could have won.
Its very boring to watch. It's supposed to be entertaining but it's not, as there is to much money involved.
what the answer is I don't know.
We have not won the Leauge for a very long time it's sad but money talks.
Any fan would want his team to win anyway they can, but teams who just defend for the sake of it as you could not win the title or be relegated today just have a go.
I am just frustrated watching Liverpool struggle against so called lesser teams , there are NO pushovers in the prem.

Just to say anyone can miss a pen it was a great save.

 

[Papas1982]

the problem at Anfield is all but the top teams just sit back.
You will never have a better chance than today to beat us at home at the moment we are very poor.
Liverpool might be in the top four but that's because the teams below them are more inconsistent than us.
we don't know how to open a team up who sit back, but Klopp just does not change anything until it's to late.
I just think if you had been a bit more attack minded you could have won.
Its very boring to watch. It's supposed to be entertaining but it's not, as there is to much money involved.
what the answer is I don't know.
We have not won the Leauge for a very long time it's sad but money talks.
Any fan would want his team to win anyway they can, but teams who just defend for the sake of it as you could not win the title or be relegated today just have a go.
I am just frustrated watching Liverpool struggle against so called lesser teams , there are NO pushovers in the prem.

Just to say anyone can miss a pen it was a great save.

But as you start with.

You dont know know how to beat teams that sit back.

Most of your defeats have have come from small clubs countering you. When teams go at you and leave space you employ it it and win.

Weve done a number on you a few a few times this season and not once has it been from going all guns blazing.

As for us not having a go when we couldn't get relegated, that's irrelevant. Why should we give up our game plan and make it easier for you just because we're safe. We are still playing for top 10 and a draw against you is a good result in going for that.

 

[clubchamp98]

But as you start with.

You dont know know how to beat teams that sit back.

Most of your defeats have have come from small clubs countering you. When teams go at you and leave space you employ it it and win.

Weve done a number on you a few a few times this season and not once has it been from going all guns blazing.

As for us not having a go when we couldn't get relegated, that's irrelevant. Why should we give up our game plan and make it easier for you just because we're safe. We are still playing for top 10 and a draw against you is a good result in going for that.

well if we did teams would not do it!
Maybe when we have a full team out not today.
I never said all guns blazing just have a Go.
I am not really having a go at teams who play this way more at Liverpool/ Klopp for not coming up with a solution.
Its just very Groundhog Day for me.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

We were poor today, looked very average. In other games this season when we've struggled to break teams down at least we've created chances, today was pish poor.

Firmino needs to be central, he's wasted in the 3 behind. There was no need for can, Gini and Lucas today imo.

Good pen from milner ( I had him FGS.@12/1 ), a very good save from Forster though.

 

[clubchamp98]

We were poor today, looked very average. In other games this season when we've struggled to break teams down at least we've created chances, today was pish poor.

Firmino needs to be central, he's wasted in the 3 behind. There was no need for can, Gini and Lucas today imo.

Good pen from milner ( I had him FGS.@12/1 ), a very good save from Forster though.

Thats Klopps fault ! 70 mins before he puts on two forward thinking players.
spent most of the game arguing with fourth official.
If Sturridge is fit he should be playing when you know a team is going to sit back.
80% possession mostly in our own half.
just heard Phil Neville say the prem is boring and needs to up its game that's because millions are involved between places in the table.
This encourages teams to play for a point.

 

[Fish]

I think with 3 points from a home match being crucial to cement a position in the top 4 rather than hope others slip up and gift it you yesterday, I think we've pretty much seen everything of Klopp already and he's coming across as a one trick pony to me.

I don't think I've seen him make any critical changes in players or a formation early enough in a match to change things when it clearly isn't working, there definitely doesn't seem to be a plan B.

If you absorb your quick high intensity start to most if not all games for 25-30 minutes -ish, you can then settle and play you out, possible by mainly playing counter attack football, which Liverpool doesn't seem to have an answer to!

As with comments said above by others, you've been lucky that a couple of teams that you'd expect to be challenging a top four spot more than you have been even more inconsistent than you so your current position has been greatly helped, not so much outrightly earned imo.

As I've said before, I can see those clubs/teams addressing their situations but I can't see many changes happening to improve Liverpool enough to break into that top 4 with any degree of consistency.

I think of the current top 6 teams irrelevant of the current standings Liverpool are the weakest of that group and are not a long term bet to improve that (my) view of them, unless new owners came in with a different approach, and I'm not completely convinced that Klopp is the answer either?!

This summer will be interesting to see how some clubs react to winning through to the CL and see how much they strengthen there squads and see what players (and manager/s) go and who comes in.