The Liverpool FC Thread XIV

I didn't think our pressing was that effective first half tbh - it seemed Sevilla's tactics to play long which we dealt with comfortably. I think there were only a few occasions where we won the ball high up the pitch. Often when we won the ball the ref blew his whistle.

I'm not sure why we weren't as effective pressing as we were in the first half (maybe the long ball tactic backfired on them) but Sevilla passed the ball really well, their second goal was class. We just weren't able string a couple of passes really and resorted to hoofing the ball up.

Will Gotze come to a club with no European football? A club that has been consistently mid table for the last 6 or 7 seasons? It's difficult to be optimistic right now.

Thoughts on Liverpool winning the Europa League?

What the **** was that attempt by Sturridge at the end to try and get on the end of Milner's pass? He either has lost all of his pace (literally all of it) or he just doesn't trust his hamstring at full pelt. Either way, it was pathetic. It's a cup final ffs.

I feel bad for Moreno - yes he has defensive issues but we've known that.

I'm not surprised that Sturridge isn't 100% there in terms of his sprinting. It's going to take time considering how long injuries have kept him out. Frankly it might never come back - look at Torres who has had to rethink his game to a degree and worked for some time to get some pace back.

I feel bad for Moreno - yes he has defensive issues but we've known that. Rodgers is more culpable for coming into a new season with Moreno, an untested Gomez and Enrique who was never going to play. Unlucky that Gomez suffered such an injury and Flanagan didn't make it back as originally expected.

However if Moreno isn't on the pitch, we don't score that first goal. The run by Moreno moves the CB across to give Sturridge the gap to score. His attacking contributions (even if not directly regular enough) should not be ignored considering he helps us stretch the pitch. He helps create space for players like Coutinho. You put a defensive player behind Coutinho and Coutinho will look much worse and be less involved - Moreno always gives him an option. Let's not forget that Moreno turns 24 this summer - he's still got a couple of years imo to improve his defensive game. Very few fullbacks can do both attack and defend exceptionally well. There will be 15-25 games next season when we need an attacking fullback rather than a defensive one because teams are sitting deep against us. I'd be looking to rotate between 2 fullbacks - Moreno and someone defensive based on who we are playing.

Same.

It's easy to throw a player under the bus at times like this - and Moreno wouldn't be in my first XI next season if I could help it - but we are, fundamentally, all in this together.

We win together, we lose together. We must never stand still and always look forward. We need to improve, remain optimistic, hopeful. Otherwise what's the point in even following the sport?

We can't wait for a 24 year old fullback to sort out his defensive issues, we are better off playing him as a winger if he can't defend. He should already know how to defend by now, no excuses for that poor headed clearance and getting nutmegged yesterday. I can forgive him being caught high up the pitch because that is what's going to happen when a fullback goes forward but he is capable of other defensive cockups which happens regardless of whether he is high up or defending deep.

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I'm still a fan of Moreno - he might lose you the odd game but he'll also win you some games. I can't see us getting rid this summer when we're already a LB short but no doubt Klopp and the team will work extensively with him.



There were plenty of players who had poor headed clearances yesterday other than Moreno too. I guess that is my point - I don't think you can have just 11-14 players who win you a title on a regular basis (unless you are lucky like Leicester). When you open up to the numbers to 20+ players, are we really saying we'd rather have a defensive fullback instead of Moreno against a side like Bournemouth or Boro at Anfield?