Premier League 2023/24 Gameweek 34 - 20-25th April, 2024

[Lucas]

Mo Salah has previous for dropping off post African Nations. He's not the sole reason they have dipped but he's so massive to Liverpool and yet he's miles off it. I just think it takes a lot out of him physically and emotionally, really ruins his rhythm for his club.

You need your best players at this stage and he's literally bagged a couple pens in like the last 6/7 games. Not even been that pivitol in build up play either, looks so sloppy.

And I don't know how many more let off's and pardon's Darwin Nunez is allowed to have with his finishing but I tell you one thing, at least Firmino had the finess with hos touches and could trap a ball and tee it off nicely than have the ball just bounce off him and stop moves.

I have to say as well, Andy Robertson looks a shadow of the full back he was two/three seasons ago. Really has dipped his level for me and he's been arguably the best LB in the league for a while too.

There's some big calls for this Football club to make this summer now. If it was me, I'd probably take the money and replace Salah whilst he holds some value. Not sure holding for a year and going for free makes great business sense.

Edited April 24 by Lucas

[Dr. Gonzo]

1 minute ago, Mel81x said:

Arjen Robben went on to achieve things that I don't think we'll see Diaz do because like you said his end-product is non existent. 

Yeah that's because Arjen Robben was actually world class, while Diaz is a million miles from world class 

[OrangeKhrush]

Consistently inconsistent is how I sum this season up.  Howe plays 4D chess against himself, stubborn as a muel.  

We are in that end of season malaise

[Dr. Gonzo]

Just now, Lucas said:

Mo Salah has previous for dropping off post African Nations. He's not the sole reason they have dipped but he's so massive to Liverpool and yet he's miles off it.

You need your best players at this stage and he's literally bagged a couple pens in like the last 6/7 games. Not even been that pivitol in buikd up play either, looks so sloppy.

And I don't know how many more let off's and pardon's Darwin Nunez is allowed to have with his finishing but I tell you one thing, at least Firmino had the finess with hos touches and could trap a ball and tee it off nicely than have the ball just bounce off him and stop moves.

I have to say as well, Andy Robertson looks a shadow of the full back he was two/three seasons ago. Really has dipped his level for me and he's been arguably the best LB in the league for a while too.

If anyone's interested in Salah for a decent price this summer, I think we'd be mental not to sell. He's been rubbish since his return from the AFCON injury and is genuinely looking like one of our worst players out there. He'll always be a legend and I've got nothing but respect for the man for how he's played for us but... I'm increasingly believing he's well passed his best.

Nunez needs to be shown the door ASAP imo. I've given up all hope with him. He's aged me with his incomprehensibly shit finishing - I'm tired of watching him play for us.

In some ways, maybe the way things have fallen off for us so dramatically is a good thing in the long run. I think now nobody will question really any big changes Edwards & Hughes might want to make and I think there's a lot less pressure on Slot/whoever the fuck comes in after Klopp considering how the season's fallen apart.

[RandoEFC+]

Nunez for £85m will go down as an absolutely horrific investment. Rare for Liverpool. After he hammered that chance straight down Pickford's throat I think the away end joined in with the chorus of "you're just a shit Andy Carroll".

[Dr. Gonzo]

1 minute ago, RandoEFC said:

Nunez for £85m will go down as an absolutely horrific investment. Rare for Liverpool. After he hammered that chance straight down Pickford's throat I think the away end joined in with the chorus of "you're just a shit Andy Carroll".

Every Liverpool fan I know has completely lost patience with him and just us to eat the loss and move him on ASAP. Terrible signing.

Julian Ward must have been a United or Everton fan too. Came in, pissed away a load of money on some bad signings, then promptly quit and fucked off into the sunset. No idea where he's at now, but he probably shouldn't be working in football lol

[Rick]

3 minutes ago, RandoEFC said:

Nunez for £85m will go down as an absolutely horrific investment. Rare for Liverpool. After he hammered that chance straight down Pickford's throat I think the away end joined in with the chorus of "you're just a shit Andy Carroll".

I wanted to throttle him. I still do, he’s useless in front of goal. 

[RandoEFC+]

Wolves got fucked over again tonight.

 

Watch this clip 5 times and I bet you won't be able to work out why this goal got disallowed without opening the comments.

[Dr. Gonzo]

7 minutes ago, RandoEFC said:

Wolves got fucked over again tonight.

 

Watch this clip 5 times and I bet you won't be able to work out why this goal got disallowed without opening the comments.

Do the comments say it's because PMGOL just hate Wolves?

[Rick]

20 minutes ago, RandoEFC said:

Wolves got fucked over again tonight.

 

Watch this clip 5 times and I bet you won't be able to work out why this goal got disallowed without opening the comments.

Tell me it’s not the mini brush between the players on the side line. Please tell me it’s not that. Whoever was the VAR in that game should be shot dead. 

[LFCMike]

16 hours ago, Stan said:

Genuine question - do you think Klopp's announcement of leaving Liverpool mid-season was the right thing to do? 

It was literally about to be leaked which is why Klopp announced it when he did. 

As for some of the posts from Liverpool fans in here, talk about throwing your toys out of the pram. Last night was really poor but throwing words like 'disgrace' around about this season and talk of mass clear outs, I don't get it. We've fallen off a bit of a cliff the last few weeks, why I'm not sure. We got through the period where we had loads of injuries really well and you sort of expected us to kick on more when we got some of those players back but it hasn't happened, maybe some of them have been rushed back, I dunno. 

This season was always meant to be a transitional one and few expected Liverpool to be in the title race with a month of the season left. They've fallen away at the wrong time, just like Arsenal did last season but it's a learning curve. Look how much better Arsenal are at this point compared to the same time last year. There's not many left from the side that won the league with Liverpool so this is a new experience for many of them.

I still think the new manager has a really good base to build from. Certain people going to extremes again though wanting most of them sold.

[Dr. Gonzo]

30 minutes ago, LFCMike said:

It was literally about to be leaked which is why Klopp announced it when he did. 

As for some of the posts from Liverpool fans in here, talk about throwing your toys out of the pram. Last night was really poor but throwing words like 'disgrace' around about this season and talk of mass clear outs, I don't get it. We've fallen off a bit of a cliff the last few weeks, why I'm not sure. We got through the period where we had loads of injuries really well and you sort of expected us to kick on more when we got some of those players back but it hasn't happened, maybe some of them have been rushed back, I dunno. 

This season was always meant to be a transitional one and few expected Liverpool to be in the title race with a month of the season left. They've fallen away at the wrong time, just like Arsenal did last season but it's a learning curve. Look how much better Arsenal are at this point compared to the same time last year. There's not many left from the side that won the league with Liverpool so this is a new experience for many of them.

I still think the new manager has a really good base to build from. Certain people going to extremes again though wanting most of them sold.

I don’t think it’s throwing toys out the pram to want players like Nunez and Diaz out. Nunez in particular has probably been the player we have that’s damaged our title race the most. If he could put away 1/5 of the chances he’s wasted, we’d probably be sitting pretty. He’s just not improving - he’s got many strengths but his weaknesses are as weak as ever.

Not wanting us to persist with Nunez, Diaz and Gakpo isn’t wanting most of the team sold. It’s wanting rid of 3 players that just aren’t good enough.

[Danny]

Watching this Liverpool unravel is almost the same as watching Arsenal last season, except Arsenal fans were more understanding of their own team. This season was always meant to be a transitional season, no one truly expected Liverpool to win the league. Just like no one truly expected Arsenal to win the league, but when both teams come close to it and then fall at the last hurdle all hell breaks loose.

Clearly some bad performances have been put in, and I do wonder how fit/sharp the likes of Trent, Jones, Salah and Szoboszlai are. But the team have gone from a trophyless season where you finished 5th to a season where you won the League Cup and were in the title race until about 4 games to go. That is not a bad outcome overall even if some of the performances recently have been. It's evident that the squad is healthy, that you have a competitive team and that with a couple of additions you can step up a gear. Additions like a world class defensive midfielder, a winger or forward that can compete for the golden boot and better coverage at left back.

[LFCMike]

28 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I don’t think it’s throwing toys out the pram to want players like Nunez and Diaz out. Nunez in particular has probably been the player we have that’s damaged our title race the most. If he could put away 1/5 of the chances he’s wasted, we’d probably be sitting pretty. He’s just not improving - he’s got many strengths but his weaknesses are as weak as ever.

Not wanting us to persist with Nunez, Diaz and Gakpo isn’t wanting most of the team sold. It’s wanting rid of 3 players that just aren’t good enough.

Wasn't necessarily aimed at you, even if I do disagree with your opinion on those players to a degree.

The previous page mentioned 'the entire lot of them' being a 'joke', 'fed up with the lot of them', 'mass clear out' were some of the phrases used. How is that not throwing toys out of the pram? 

Edited April 25 by LFCMike

[Dr. Gonzo]

24 minutes ago, Danny said:

Watching this Liverpool unravel is almost the same as watching Arsenal last season, except Arsenal fans were more understanding of their own team. This season was always meant to be a transitional season, no one truly expected Liverpool to win the league. Just like no one truly expected Arsenal to win the league, but when both teams come close to it and then fall at the last hurdle all hell breaks loose.

Clearly some bad performances have been put in, and I do wonder how fit/sharp the likes of Trent, Jones, Salah and Szoboszlai are. But the team have gone from a trophyless season where you finished 5th to a season where you won the League Cup and were in the title race until about 4 games to go. That is not a bad outcome overall even if some of the performances recently have been. It's evident that the squad is healthy, that you have a competitive team and that with a couple of additions you can step up a gear. Additions like a world class defensive midfielder, a winger or forward that can compete for the golden boot and better coverage at left back.

Yeah I think that’s probably how I actually feel but after watching a Merseyside derby where we looked useless up against a pretty shit Everton side & after the last few weeks we’ve had I’m pissed off and unable to give actual balanced takes.

[Danny]

Just now, Dr. Gonzo said:

Yeah I think that’s probably how I actually feel but after watching a Merseyside derby where we looked useless up against a pretty shit Everton side & after the last few weeks we’ve had I’m pissed off and unable to give actual balanced takes.

Completely normal mate, least you didn't go and punch a horse lol

[Rick]

@LFCMike If you’re gonna quote me, at least mention my name pal. 
 

You’ve been gone for a few weeks, missed out the collapse of this season. You’re back the day after a disgraceful derby performance (in which you’ll no doubt have been screaming and ranting about last night) straddling your high horse, yet again. I’m not commenting on your reasons to be away, but done come in here with a cocky attitude against the Liverpool fans who have been here, contributing to the forum through the last few weeks. 
 

The likes of me, gonzo & Mel have made plenty of comments, some of them reactionary. Well, I’ll speak for myself on that part, because I know that I let my emotions run away a lot when I watch us play. I won’t, however, apologise or come down from some of the comments I’ve made on particular players not being up to scratch.
 

Nunez has let us down, big time, with his complete lack of finishing ability. We would be in a much better position if he had even a hint of consistency. Diaz has next to no end product for all his efforts, Salah has outright called it a day on this season. And I won’t even start on the defence, and I dare you to try to defend them after the last few weeks. Been fucking woeful. 
 

Klopp is on his way out in a few weeks, and THIS is how he goes out. With a squad of playing having dropped off big time. Barely putting in professional performances. It’s been a disgrace from a lot of them. 

[Rick]

And like @Dr. Gonzo has said, I’m finding it hard to have a balanced take on these lot after how this season has sizzled out to nothing. In Klopp’s last season, after all he has given this club. 

[MUFC]

Not long ago many non Liverpool fans on here did question Nunez and if he is good enough. Quite a few on here said yes and threw round stats of how good his goal involvement is etc. It was quite obvious that he's not good enough. In the games against us this season. Anytime he was in promising positions and situations. Personally as a Utd fan I never had any fear as I knew on most occasions that he'd mess it up. Nunez for Firminho and Diaz for Mane. Two thirds of your front line replaced. For me the difference is night and day.

[Stan]

Must admit I was one who was adamantly backing Nunez to come good by now but he just hasn't kicked on. It's 1-2 decent games and then 4-5 lacklustre & underwhelming ones. When you're chasing trophies on different fronts, you need more just as a minimum standard. Need that consistency. Similar to Jesus at Arsenal - injuries have hampered him but they've been fortunate to have Havertz hit form at the right time to contribute. 

There comes a time where you have to look at other options - perhaps not to sell Nunez but maybe there's too much reliance on him which is adding pressure which then affects his performance. Having different/better options to rotate with and perhaps his and Liverpool's season pans out differently. Jota being injured less maybe would have helped.

 

Despite all of that, Liverpool could beat West Ham and it's not beyond the realms of possibility for Arsenal to lose and suddenly they're level at the top again. Obviously Man City have their games in hand, but it's interesting the difference in attitudes towards Arsenal and Liverpool in how one is totally out of the title race but one remains still in it, even though they could be level on points again after this weekend. 

 

[Rick]

Just to add. Yes, before the season, we would have all said 5th was about where we were hoping for, with a possible top four push. But expectations change throughout the season, and if we were to drop out of the top four due to basically every player losing form all at once, there would be questions to be asked. 
 

Not beating Utd despite having that many clear cut chances to score, losing to palace at home, getting schooled by Atalanta in Europe and now losing to Everton when we knew we HAD to win to have any chance of the title. This is a collapse and a half, and regardless of expectations before the season and how it ended up playing out, that is a lot to have to swallow. 

[Danny]

23 minutes ago, Stan said:

Must admit I was one who was adamantly backing Nunez to come good by now but he just hasn't kicked on. It's 1-2 decent games and then 4-5 lacklustre & underwhelming ones. When you're chasing trophies on different fronts, you need more just as a minimum standard. Need that consistency. Similar to Jesus at Arsenal - injuries have hampered him but they've been fortunate to have Havertz hit form at the right time to contribute. 

There comes a time where you have to look at other options - perhaps not to sell Nunez but maybe there's too much reliance on him which is adding pressure which then affects his performance. Having different/better options to rotate with and perhaps his and Liverpool's season pans out differently. Jota being injured less maybe would have helped.

 

Despite all of that, Liverpool could beat West Ham and it's not beyond the realms of possibility for Arsenal to lose and suddenly they're level at the top again. Obviously Man City have their games in hand, but it's interesting the difference in attitudes towards Arsenal and Liverpool in how one is totally out of the title race but one remains still in it, even though they could be level on points again after this weekend. 

 

I don't even think Nunez is a bad player, it's just hard to justify keeping him as a squad player when they've spent £80m on him. Separate to Liverpool I'm looking forward to seeing him in the Copa America this Summer under Bielsa.

[Dr. Gonzo]

12 minutes ago, MUFC said:

Not long ago many non Liverpool fans on here did question Nunez and if he is good enough. Quite a few on here said yes and threw round stats of how good his goal involvement is etc. It was quite obvious that he's not good enough. In the games against us this season. Anytime he was in promising positions and situations. Personally as a Utd fan I never had any fear as I knew on most occasions that he'd mess it up. Nunez for Firminho and Diaz for Mane. Two thirds of your front line replaced. For me the difference is night and day.

He does have good goal involvement stats and it wouldn’t be so bad if he was paired with a reliable goal scorer.

But playing him as our #9 in our front 3… he’s just not good enough. He’s good at everything but finishing - it’s 1 thing to be well rounded, it’s another thing to be well rounded EXCEPT being bad at the one thing you expect strikers to be above average at.

I’m just so tired of seeing him grinning after he misses yet another sitter. He’s more trouble than he’s worth imo.

[LFCMike]

53 minutes ago, Rick said:

@LFCMike If you’re gonna quote me, at least mention my name pal. 
 

You’ve been gone for a few weeks, missed out the collapse of this season. You’re back the day after a disgraceful derby performance (in which you’ll no doubt have been screaming and ranting about last night) straddling your high horse, yet again. I’m not commenting on your reasons to be away, but done come in here with a cocky attitude against the Liverpool fans who have been here, contributing to the forum through the last few weeks. 
 

The likes of me, gonzo & Mel have made plenty of comments, some of them reactionary. Well, I’ll speak for myself on that part, because I know that I let my emotions run away a lot when I watch us play. I won’t, however, apologise or come down from some of the comments I’ve made on particular players not being up to scratch.
 

Nunez has let us down, big time, with his complete lack of finishing ability. We would be in a much better position if he had even a hint of consistency. Diaz has next to no end product for all his efforts, Salah has outright called it a day on this season. And I won’t even start on the defence, and I dare you to try to defend them after the last few weeks. Been fucking woeful. 
 

Klopp is on his way out in a few weeks, and THIS is how he goes out. With a squad of playing having dropped off big time. Barely putting in professional performances. It’s been a disgrace from a lot of them. 

Of course I was angry last night, even draw against that lot in any circumstance is enough to do that. It was probably gone before last night though if we're being completely realistic.

I don't believe there was anything cocky about my post, I think i provided a pretty balanced view of why things might have gone the way they have. 

Nunez's finish last night was awful and he's fast running out of chances, even with those who have been the most patient with him.

I never believe that players down tools though, as you've suggested Salah has there. Certainly not in the situation Liverpool have been, players wouldn't do that. There's much more to it than that simplistic view. Fitness, maybe the weight of expectation of the fairytale ending for Klopp or inexperience of these situations (obviously not the case for Salah) are much more likely reasons for this drop off. Keep using extreme words to describe them though.

[RandoEFC+]

The most concerning thing for Liverpool last night wasn't the poor performance but the failure to match Everton's desire and commitment.

That was a bigger game for Liverpool. Everton put themselves 5 clear of the drop zone at the weekend and still have Brentford, Luton and Sheffield United to come where they can target the last few points they need to make sure. We could have been forgiven for having half an eye on Brentford at the weekend. Liverpool HAD to win.

Liverpool's players have been hiding in the last few games. I watch them a lot because my Mrs is unfortunately a Red. Against Atalanta, Palace and last night, they just crumbled at the first sign of adversity. Van Dijk giving goals away for fun and waving his arms at his team mates, Salah completely anonymous, Nunez and Diaz missing really good chances. Robertson must have fallen over the ball about 15 times last night. Long term servants and more recent signings alike have just hidden from responsibility which is very odd for this era of Liverpool.

This defending from Alexander-Arnold for the second goal last night epitomises what I'm talking about. Literally just straight up pussies out of it and let's us score. I don't think the words pathetic or disgraceful are out of place here to be honest.

 

That's not down to a lack of ability or a transition period, he just didn't fancy it on a night where Liverpool needed to win to keep the last slim chance of winning another trophy alive. It's just really strange.