comment by The Duality of Van (Dijk) (U21747)
posted 1 minute ago
Those Gerrard-Torres days were just amazing

Pity Torres used to pick-up injuries so often, Ngog was the back-up for a large period too
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The season we came 2nd under Rafa and only lost two games Gerrard and Torres started 24 games together and we won 23 of them.

We just needed one more attacker of similar quality that season

Just checked and Keane was with us for the 2008/09 season - did not remember that at all, I thought he was with us before

Played quite a bit first half of the season. Rafa sacrificed him for power play with the owners.

Everything really clicked after he left though

comment by A hoe for Dominik Szoboszlai. A Szobwhoreszlai... (U2720)
posted 7 minutes ago
Played quite a bit first half of the season. Rafa sacrificed him for power play with the owners.

Everything really clicked after he left though
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I seem to recall some annoying draws after he left which cost us the title. We also drew a few after his rant which allowed United to catch us.

comment by Szoboss - Glory Days (U6997)
posted 37 minutes ago
I don't see how KdB isn't at least in that conversation.

He's been superb for a good number of years now, his passing and creativity would stand up to any of the other midfield greats, Gerrard included. In terms of assists he's already passed Gerrard and Lampard. Goals, his rate isn't as good as Lampard but better than most.

KdB also has a little bit of the X factor in that he shows up when they need a goal, has a bit of drive in him.

I'm incredibly bias here obviously but in each of these conversations I think Paul Scholes nailed it when he said that Gerrard could have done what he did at Utd, but he couldn't have done what Gerrard did at Liverpool. And I think that's probably true of most of the modern greats; Gerrard could have done at their clubs what they did, the reverse is more questionable.

But I do think KdB is at least worthy of discussion with these players. I obviously have no love for City whatsoever but KdB is a player you can't help but admire imo. I love football and he is a wonderful footballer.
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Discussion yes. He is a great player but people are now saying that he is only 2nd to Henry which is far fetched,

Annoying thing about that season is we dropped points against some absolute dross teams.

Two 0-0 draws with a promoted Stoke
Home draw with a promoted Hull
Loss to relegated Middlesborough.

Keane was meh but was madness to sell him whilst we were top given the lack of attacking squad options.

He was acting in good faith for what he thought was right but yeah in hindsight Rafa put his power struggle with the owners before the club.

Regarding the facts speech...something had to be said about Webb's Utd

his rant did what exactly, change his tactics, the players absorbed it and manifested into sh 1te? nah we just drew some games likely due to a poor squad outside the first xi

comment by Taki Minamino (U20650)
posted 34 minutes ago
his rant did what exactly, change his tactics, the players absorbed it and manifested into sh 1te? nah we just drew some games likely due to a poor squad outside the first xi
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I think the argument is that the rant (rightly or wrongly) demonstrated a pressure within the club. That the stress of leading was getting to the manager. And it spurred Utd on, they gained confidence.

Either way, after the press conference Utd won 17 of their last 20 games. And we went on our worst run of the season - dropping 11 points in 7 games.

Tbh, I'm with you - I don't think the press conference will have made that much difference. Utd just had a far superior squad - their fwd options alone were Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov and Saha. But history is written by the victors.

Yeah, had Rafa won the league with that squad then serious questions needed to be asked of Fergie. The difference in quality between the two squads was insane. Our first XI was up there with the best in Europe at that point but as soon as any of Torres, Gerrard, Masch, Alonso, etc got injured then we were in trouble.

I think that season was summed up in the fact that we did the double over Chelsea and United yet couldn’t bet stoke in both games.

Remember Kuyt having a goal chalked off for a very marginal offside in the home 0-0 with Stoke early doors. Had that been allowed we probably would have battered them.

That 2-0 away to Boro remains one of the worst games I have ever seen us play. Comparable to some of the Hodgson stuff. Seem to recall we had a lot of injuries and Rafa played Skrtel at right back which was a complete disaster?

That first XI in 08/09 was the best team I think we had in the premier league era that midfield was nigh on perfect and Torres was just an incredible number 9.

What Klopp had on his side is a better squad and he’s a much better manager than Rafa as much as I loved Benitez.

Winning everything while playing gorgeous attacking football, couldn't ask more of Klopp. If he wins the Europa that completes his trophy sweep at Liverpool I think, apart from Euro Conference I guess

If we win everything this season, not likely I know, does Klopp go out on a high? Then try for Alonso after he wins the bundesliga? Not going to happen but can you imagine?!

comment by Mo Salahhhhh 7-0 Egyptian King 👑 (U8829)
posted 5 minutes ago
If we win everything this season, not likely I know, does Klopp go out on a high? Then try for Alonso after he wins the bundesliga? Not going to happen but can you imagine?!
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Can’t see Klopp leaving this team has only just started.

Also the pinnacle would be the true treble for me, I’d rather than the proper treble than any quad including the Europa League.

Can't have Klopp gone and a new manager having to work miracles on a budget way below some of the clubs. Klopp is our equaliser in all this.

Yeah Klopps always been the main man and rightly so.

comment by Mo Salahhhhh 7-0 Egyptian King 👑 (U8829)
posted 24 minutes ago
If we win everything this season, not likely I know, does Klopp go out on a high? Then try for Alonso after he wins the bundesliga? Not going to happen but can you imagine?!
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Ancelotti extended his RM contract until 2026; if he keeps doing well then Xabi could well be his successor.

Which I'd be fine with btw...... as long as Klopp has extended with us

I reckon he signs an extension unless things suddenly go massively downhill, not just because he loves the current squad but I also think he'd like to aid the transition from our truly elite players that will take place soon.

His current contract ending in 2026 would coincide with VVD, Salah and Alisson either going/gone or being on their last legs.

Replacing them is already going to be a huge task, never mind also bringing in a new manager at the same time.

Rhys Williams going on loan at Port Vale. He could not get a game for Aberdeen.

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 52 minutes ago
I reckon he signs an extension unless things suddenly go massively downhill, not just because he loves the current squad but I also think he'd like to aid the transition from our truly elite players that will take place soon.

His current contract ending in 2026 would coincide with VVD, Salah and Alisson either going/gone or being on their last legs.

Replacing them is already going to be a huge task, never mind also bringing in a new manager at the same time.
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Not worried about Alisson, could easily have 7/8 years left at the top of his game but Salah and VVD have more numbered days for sure as outfielders.