This team doesn't look so poor anymore.

Having Sturridge and Coutinho back makes a big difference. Also Firmino has just got it together. Last night was actually the best I've seen him play, his touch was excellent and skill to get away from players even better. Sahko being back is massive too, still frustrating that he can put it a world class performance, like last night and then the next game look like bambi on ice but maybe the run of games and settled first team place will do him good.

Lallana has been the huge improver for me. In the last 3 games he's been absolutely brilliant. I still think we need greater strength in depth in attack but Lallana has to stay for me and play week in week out especially on this form.

We didn't even play that well last night, we didn't have to.

We were good but not at our best and can play better.

In the last month our defending has improved a lot, you can see work on the training ground has been done and it's bearing fruit.

I still think Klopp will change a few players in this first team but the likes of Lallana, Allen, Lovren are giving themselves a chance.

Sahko still scares me. Could have easily given away a pen last night if Mata had gone down when he made a wild lunge in the box. He has that mad moment in him that needs to be cut out.

With the way Firmino is playing we may finally have got over not having to rely on Sturridge. We look a better team every time when Firmino is playing the false 9.

When people were saying we needed another striker in January I was unconvinced.

Origi is improving, Ings to come back into the fold, Firmino, Studge and Benteke is good depth and variety.

We don't need one unless we sell one IMO.

It's the wide forward positions we need to strengthen.

And ings is still to come lads.

comment by selbstgerechtein (U7048)
posted 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
When people were saying we needed another striker in January I was unconvinced.

Origi is improving, Ings to come back into the fold, Firmino, Studge and Benteke is good depth and variety.

We don't need one unless we sell one IMO.

It's the wide forward positions we need to strengthen.
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Agree with this.

We need two wide players. Ibe isn't ready to play every week, Coutinho is fine from the left but we need somebody who goes on the outside as an option also. The right we just have to shunt somebody in, out of position every week.

Couldn't believe we didn't replace Sterling and also loaned out Markovic with no replacement.

Marko can provide depth beyond Cout for us next season, we really need a nailed on starter for the right, although with the fluid front 4 we had yesterday I'm not sure they need to necessarily be a right sided player.

Assuming 6? Players for the three spaces behind the striker we would have Cout, Marko, Firmino, Lallana, Ibe and a new signing, beyond that you have the u21's ojo, Kent etc, and origi, Milner, Ings who could all occupy a space there just fine.

Striker I have long maintained we don't need, we have a DM already lined up, but could probably use another top midfielder, with possibly both lucas and Allen to leave, that would gives is 4 first team midfielders with Stewart and brannagan behind them (and Stewart is pushing!!!)

We have a new CB in, assuming toure is leaving that's us covered, lovren and sakho seem solid so we could perhaps move skrtel on to bring in someone on lower wages, but I'm not sure I would bother. Skrtel is a fine squad player and needed experience in the squad.

We probably need another fullback to give us 4, flannagan, Clyne, moreno and a more defensive left back would be great.

Given we have allegedly 100m to spend again this summer splashing it on those three positions (right attacker, midfielder, left back) would enable us to sign some top players and really strengthen the squad.

It also would take our signings to 5, given the two signed so far, which already runs the risk of upsetting the squad balance (again)

How we haven't learnt that continuity and a few top additions are the formula for success, rather than squad overhauls I don't know.

IRU - Move Skrtel on? Now we will have to listen to TOOR telling us how important Skrtel is and that you have made a ridiculous statement.

Lovren had a very good game last night. He was barking out the orders immediately after Daniel scored. Come time, I can see him becoming skipper. Jordan got the job too early, but, there were no other contenders at the time.

With the press reporting Jurgen's continual screaming at Alberto last night, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Joe Gomez. Has anyone got news on the lad?

Joe Allen last night, for me, cemented his place at least as a squad player. At the very least. His commitment was there for all to see, he got stuck in like there's no tomorrow, brilliant.

Martin Skrtel? I can see him following Kolo out the door in the summer.

JimmyTheRed

comment by (Kash) Coutinho Right Foot Curler - Justice4Gaza (U1108)
posted 2 hours, 10 minutes ago
IRU - Move Skrtel on? Now we will have to listen to TOOR telling us how important Skrtel is and that you have made a ridiculous statement.
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<fishingforTOORsmiley>

Also, gomez isn't the answer at left back, individually he was great there, but being right footed hampered our attack early in the season. He does look a prospect though for CB.

Gomez and Grulic need to be left alone to develop.

We need a first choice left back and a top midfielder to compete with Can, Hendo and Allen.

Keeper (first choice or just better competition, I'm sure we will sign one).

First team Left back

First team Centre mid

At least one first team wide forward, possibly two if Klopp jettisons Markovic which is a possibility after he has looked at him in pre-season.

If we sign a keeper it needs to be because mig is leaving, otherwise that's the door shut one ward who looks very promising

Joe Allen last night, for me, cemented his place at least as a squad player. At the very least. His commitment was there for all to see, he got stuck in like there's no tomorrow, brilliant.
______________
He had been properly motivated by Klopp when he came on.

I'm with R1.
Keeper my main priority.
Left back
Winger
CM

comment by Mamba - Wandering Wonderer (U1282) (U13041)
posted 1 minute ago
I'm with R1.
Keeper my main priority.
Left back
Winger
CM
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This is how I see it.

Although I wouldn't be adverse to seeing Toure & Skrtel moved on and another CB coming in.

Also, I can't see this Markovic staying. We do need a pacier option as a wide forward, but I don't see him as the answer.

We might also see a new striker coming in as Benteke doesn't feature much at all under Klopp. However, I would rather keep him until January to see what he can do. I'm not yet convinced he should be written off completely.

So a new keeper, a new LB, a new CM and a WF are what we need now for next season, but with prospective sales, we might need more than that.

Mamba, I don't think Joe ever needs any motivation at any time. Direction, yes, from Jurgen just before he came on, but motivation, no.

JimmyTheRed

posted 3 hours, 13 minutes ago
If we sign a keeper it needs to be because mig is leaving, otherwise that's the door shut one ward who looks very promising

---

Ward isn't a kid.

Klopp brought back to have a look at him but didn't deem him good enough to start in the FA Cup.

Doesn't look good for him really.

He's 23 in the summer and needs to playing regularly, which he clearly isn't going to be with us.

We absolutely need to replace Mignolet in my opinion.

We need a commanding keeper who can organise the defence. If we can get one who can also kick or throw a football with some sort of accuracy, then that would improve us massively. Quick accurate distribution would be fantastic for Klopp's system I reckon. Imagine a young Pepe Reina in our team.

Migs just doesn't have that in his character I don't think.