Could it finally be Liverpool's year?

[Happy Blue]

Just now, LFCMadLad said:

We should have put about 6 past Spurs to be fair 

I said before the season started you will be our main rival again   ..not convinced by Chelsea, they are not the same level as us

[LFCMadLad]

4 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

Putting pressure (something I'm sure you don't want) on a coach is ruffling feathers?

Tell me about something I specifically said (not like what Dodger invented) that's far fetched?

There's no pressure on Klopp whatsoever. The Liverpool fans absolutely adore the bloke and if we don't win the league then the Liverpool fans will still adore the bloke. 

He's been like a breath of fresh air and long may it continue, titles or not. 

[SirBalon]

14 minutes ago, LFCMadLad said:

Klopp HAS improved us season after season. 

Do you class 3 cup finals, including the Champions League, as well as qualifying for the CL in 2 consecutive seasons (something we hadn't done in a long time), whilst up against a a freak of a team like City, mediocrity?

 

T H A T    I S   W H Y    I     S A I D... THERE HAS TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT FOR THIS SEASON

So what would you say that the end of this season constitutes as an improvement on the last?

(this space for your answer): _____________________________ .

Where have I said that Liverpool HAVE to win the Premier League?

The question to the thread: COULD IT FINALLY BE LIVERPOOL'S YEAR?

Is a question to the members to debate if THIS IS A POSSIBILITY.

In my posts (that's, the ones written by me) I said that the RUNNER'S-UP spot can surely be the minimum expectation after the consistent improvement observed by Klopp season by season.  Surely that isn't over the top, is it?

How does any of what I said constitute having my feathers ruffled by Klopp?

For god's sake! 

I know you what it is....  It's you who doesn't want absolutely any pressure at all being put on your season.  But unfortunately in this particular world of high end football you can't just go around working freely by offering mediocrity in terms of final results (up and down motions) and not be questioned at least!  I'm not even saying Klopp should be sacked were he to finish fourth (for example). I'm only putting forward a point of reference in terms of something we all live by in life which is ACHIEVEMENT fuelled by EXPECTANCY. 

[SirBalon]

@LFCMadLad Oh, and mate... In my previous post all those capitals and bolder words aren't shouting or anything of the sort.  It's directed at those that seem to be trying to put words I haven't said in my mouth (in my fingers to be exact)

[Marc]

28 minutes ago, LFCMadLad said:

How can you be so certain City are focusing only on the CL? 

Everything Pep has said so far in press conferences etc suggests he's hell bent on winning back to back league titles (something City has never done) and the City fans seem to want that as well!

 

 

18 minutes ago, Happy Blue said:

Not true, he was employed to win everything!

Well said.

 

@SirBalon stating his opinion but writing as if it is a fact is a common trait in his posts and most lap it up. Pep was employed to win everything and Man City have a squad to compete on all fronts.

I think Man City will win the league by around 10 points. The starting 11s are close, but Man City's squad is far superior. If Robertson gets injured or needs resting, who is back up? Moreno Van Dijk gets injured? Matip or Gomez  Firminho injured? Sturridge or Solanke

[The Artful Dodger]

Pep Guardiola is bald. Do you deny this? 

[LFCMadLad]

46 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

T H A T    I S   W H Y    I     S A I D... THERE HAS TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT FOR THIS SEASON

So what would you say that the end of this season constitutes as an improvement on the last?

(this space for your answer): _____________________________ .

Where have I said that Liverpool HAVE to win the Premier League?

The question to the thread: COULD IT FINALLY BE LIVERPOOL'S YEAR?

Is a question to the members to debate if THIS IS A POSSIBILITY.

In my posts (that's, the ones written by me) I said that the RUNNER'S-UP spot can surely be the minimum expectation after the consistent improvement observed by Klopp season by season.  Surely that isn't over the top, is it?

How does any of what I said constitute having my feathers ruffled by Klopp?

For god's sake! 

I know you what it is....  It's you who doesn't want absolutely any pressure at all being put on your season.  But unfortunately in this particular world of high end football you can't just go around working freely by offering mediocrity in terms of final results (up and down motions) and not be questioned at least!  I'm not even saying Klopp should be sacked were he to finish fourth (for example). I'm only putting forward a point of reference in terms of something we all live by in life which is ACHIEVEMENT fuelled by EXPECTANCY. 

Who's offering mediocrity?

[SirBalon]

1 minute ago, LFCMadLad said:

Who's offering mediocrity?

Nah mate... Answer the question!

Is there ANY expectancy at all on Klopp's shoulders or is he allowed to be the only coach in charge of a top football club without any pressure whatsoever?

[SirBalon]

@LFCMadLad... Remember!  According to some, Guardiola has the pressure of winning everything in the world placed on his bald head.  What is expected from Klopp?

[LFCMadLad]

8 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

Nah mate... Answer the question!

Is there ANY expectancy at all on Klopp's shoulders or is he allowed to be the only coach in charge of a top football club without any pressure whatsoever?

It would obviously be nice to win something but to answer your question... No, Klopp, at this moment in time, is under no pressure whatsoever. Not from the fans, the board, the media, or anyone really. 

The difference now compared to when Klopp took over is night and day and for now, almost everyone connected with Liverpool FC is happy with that. 

[LFCMike]

I just hope it doesn't turn out that we're great all season, handing out hammerings left, right and centre but there's another team just a bit better than us to pip us to it like United in 2009 and City in 2014. I don't think I could take another near miss in the league!

[SirBalon]

18 minutes ago, LFCMadLad said:

It would obviously be nice to win something but to answer your question... No, Klopp, at this moment in time, is under no pressure whatsoever. Not from the fans, the board, the media, or anyone really. 

The difference now compared to when Klopp took over is night and day and for now, almost everyone connected with Liverpool FC is happy with that. 

Thats incredible then.  Absolutely no pressure whatsoever working in a high end job.  But yet you asked of Unai Emery at Arsenal that once he gets settled in that he should be expected to win the Champions League (something Wenger never managed) and of course the more mundane achievement of winning the Premier League.

But yet, Klopp, at Liverpool after (is it now 4 years?) a considerable amount of time at his club hasn't got any pressure whatsoever on his shoulders to improve season upon season.

It looks like Liverpool Football Club is a cushdy job to get for any coach.  Just qualify for the Champions League season upon season with the only pressure at the club being aimed at those in the board room to supply better players every time a transfer window comes along.  How times have changed in the world of football and the coaching side of it all...

If ever Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern or any club where if you're not willing to expect to compete to win you have everyone putting pressure on you from all angles.... I hope he never accepts any of those jobs!

I get that in your first season or even two or three seasons at a push if you've been doing what Klopp has and also taking into account what the situation was that you should be happy. But to suddenly have no pressure at all when you haven't won anything at all yet is amazing.

[SirBalon]

What's amazing is that it all depends on how the media see you in general and consequently the aura that's created in regards to an individual or a character.  Wenger for years was a media darling (in general) and permitted not to compete to win with very little questioning put on his shoulders and all sorts of excuses used as to why this wasn't occurring.  Jose Mourinho famously said of Wenger that he was "a specialist in failure" in terms of the media not putting any pressure on him while every draw and defeat at the hands of himself deserving of countless pages of speculation as to his worth.  Now, everyone knows I am no Mourinho fan, but he has a point on that one and what he meant with it and I get us Arsenal fans not enjoying the quip...  But that's the name of the game isn't it?

The question to the thread was could this be Liverpool's year and I asked it because they're looking unstoppable right now and coupled with the pressure of that other superior side (Man City) having their coach under the pressure of bringing home the Holy Grail that is the Champions League... I think this could be a brilliant chance for Liverpool, hence my thread question.

But to then not ask whether or not the minimum after all that's been seen from Klopp consistently improving to at least guarantee a runner's-up spot in the Premier League as something to improve on, then I have no idea where the targets lie if any at all.

[Stan]

Nah. No offence to the Liverpool fans either but it'll be fucking unbearable if they win it . It's been such a hoodoo for them not to win the Premier League for 26 years when lesser teams than them have done so when they actually do, whenever it may be, it's as if it's all they need to be 'complete'. I believe they've won every other trophy but the Premier League, domestically and European-wise?

As @Spike said above though, how good can this season be? Quite a few teams playing great football, almost how it 'should' be played, as opposed to a park-the-bus tactic. Man City, Liverpool & Spurs can be brilliant to watch more often than not. I don't believe Man City are only focussing on the Champions League. The criticism will be too much to bear with a side like that not to aim for (and be successful in winning) both the Premier League and Champions League. 

Man City are the best side in the league. For me they're stronger in depth than Liverpool and that can be key in the 2nd half of the season. Cream rises to the top; Man City like last season are the cream of the Premier League.

[LFCMadLad]

10 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

Thats incredible then.  Absolutely no pressure whatsoever working in a high end job.  But yet you asked of Unai Emery at Arsenal that once he gets settled in that he should be expected to win the Champions League (something Wenger never managed) and of course the more mundane achievement of winning the Premier League.

But yet, Klopp, at Liverpool after (is it now 4 years?) a considerable amount of time at his club hasn't got any pressure whatsoever on his shoulders to improve season upon season.

It looks like Liverpool Football Club is a cushdy job to get for any coach.  Just qualify for the Champions League season upon season with the only pressure at the club being aimed at those in the board room to supply better players every time a transfer window comes along.  How times have changed in the world of football and the coaching side of it all...

If ever Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern or any club where if you're not willing to expect to compete to win you have everyone putting pressure on you from all angles.... I hope he never accepts any of those jobs!

I get that in your first season or even two or three seasons at a push if you've been doing what Klopp has and also taking into account what the situation was that you should be happy. But to suddenly have no pressure at all when you haven't won anything at all yet is amazing.

It's bloody marvellous mate 

 

Oh and I never said Emery should be expected to win anything! I said it will be interesting to see how things turn out post Wenger after all the shit he got. Never once did I say Emery should be under pressure to win things because considering the strength of the opposition domesticly and in Europe, that would be ridiculously unrealistic at this point in time.

Back to Klopp... I think (along with nearly all Liverpool fans) think Klopp has done a remarkable job of making us competitive again. Getting to a domestic cup final, a Europa League final and a Champions League final within 3 seasons, taking into account the scalps we took along the way, is quite frankly remarkable. 

Now the focus will be improving our domestic league performance, so anything above 4th is an improvement. If we don't manage to actually overtake the freak that is Manchester City then that shouldn't be classed as failure (or mediocrity as you put it) because quite frankly we are not expected to because, well, they are very very good, have more resources, and have a bigger squad, with a manager that knows how to win things. 

Don't get so hung up on wanting to win everything Balon... It's very unhealthy. Sometimes you just have to be happy with what you see happening at your club and I'm happy with what I'm seeing happening at my club. 

If that ruffles your feathers then I'm sorry, I really am. 

 

[LFCMike]

I think it's wrong to suggest there's no pressure on Klopp and this side to improve drastically in the league. We should all expect to be much closer in the league this year. If someone has another season like City did last year then there's not much you can do about that though.

Liverpool should expect to be challenging for the league and be in the latter stages of the Champions League most years.

If we fall a little short in one or both of those competitions then it doesn't mean we have to be calling for change or anything like that.

[Inverted]

I think Chelsea will continue to improve and grab some big results along the way, but ultimately fall off at the tail end like Napoli 2018 or Liverpool 2017. One of City or Liverpool, probs City, will then go on to win it.

[Harry]

2 hours ago, LFCMadLad said:

It would obviously be nice to win something but to answer your question... No, Klopp, at this moment in time, is under no pressure whatsoever. Not from the fans, the board, the media, or anyone really. 

The difference now compared to when Klopp took over is night and day and for now, almost everyone connected with Liverpool FC is happy with that. 

Everyones happy with Klopp for sure but theres still an expectation of a top 4 finish (for example). If we came fifth I'm sure it would put him under pressure. 

[Harry]

1 hour ago, LFCMike said:

I think it's wrong to suggest there's no pressure on Klopp and this side to improve drastically in the league. We should all expect to be much closer in the league this year. If someone has another season like City did last year then there's not much you can do about that though.

Liverpool should expect to be challenging for the league and be in the latter stages of the Champions League most years.

If we fall a little short in one or both of those competitions then it doesn't mean we have to be calling for change or anything like that.

I pretty much agree. We were arguably second best to city last year yet finished fourth. A clear step in consistency is needed to put us on the path to competing for the title and there is some pressure on klopp to deliver that. But definitely no specific pressure to win trophies and significantly less pressure and expectation than Pep.

 

[SirBalon]

Is Man City’s first XI that much more superior than Liverpool’s first XI?

Or are we talking about a tale of two coaches?

[RandoEFC+]

Klopp has done the first half of his job better than anyone else could have in putting all the building blocks in place. Even if he can't turn it into a major trophy, that buys him time. 

If he wins nothing with this team he can still be criticised for that without it being unfair but his job shouldn't come under pressure because his overall job has still been a success.

Only if Liverpool stagnate for multiple seasons and win nothing should his position be questioned.

One thing to note though is that just because Liverpool were 6th best team or so when he took over doesn't mean he's massively punching above his weight. The size of that club, infrastructure, resources etc. are only bettered in this country by Man Utd (over time) and Man City (in recent years). Liverpool should be title contenders or at least constant top four finishers. What Klopp has done is not to take Liverpool above their actual level, but rather restore them to the position they should be in after years of poor management and underachieving. Not that that takes away from the job he's done but a lot of people perceive Liverpool as underdogs and overachievers under Klopp whereas I can't believe people actually think they should be competing with or below the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham.

[Stan]

2 minutes ago, SirBalon said:

Is Man City’s first XI that much more superior than Liverpool’s first XI?

Or are we talking about a tale of two coaches?

yes. People especially talk about Liverpool's front 3, whic his fantastic of course and nothing should be taken away from them. But Man City have their front players and then some.

Salah Firmino Mane. Yet to see Shaqiri for Liverpool yet so can't really comment but good back-up I guess.

Aguero, Jesus, D Silva, Sterling, B Silva, De Bruyne (Injured now, I know), Sane, Mahrez. Ridiculous amount of depth there and the fact it's not a regular first XI just goes to emphasises how much stronger they are.

Fabinho & Keita have bolstered their midfield but then Man City have Fernandinho who has been superb for a number of years now. Gundogan can fill in too and both sometimes chip in with a goal here and there. I don't rate Henderson any more, even though he wasn't that highly-rated anyway for me. 

Defensively, perhaps it's equal. I really rate Robertson. Love his game. Van Dijk is a player that has strengthend Liverpool's defence in a big way. Kyle Walker is streets ahead of TAA even though the latter has a lot of promise. Stones/Kompany/Laporte are better than the other Liverpool options (Gomez, Matip, Lovren). Both goal-keepers just as good as each other. 

In summary, though, it's not just about first XIs. Don't think the rest of either squad can be discounted as it's not only first XI that plays each game. Whole squads have to be taken in to account and that's why Man City are much more superior.

[LFCMadLad]

1 hour ago, Stan said:

yes. People especially talk about Liverpool's front 3, whic his fantastic of course and nothing should be taken away from them. But Man City have their front players and then some.

Salah Firmino Mane. Yet to see Shaqiri for Liverpool yet so can't really comment but good back-up I guess.

Aguero, Jesus, D Silva, Sterling, B Silva, De Bruyne (Injured now, I know), Sane, Mahrez. Ridiculous amount of depth there and the fact it's not a regular first XI just goes to emphasises how much stronger they are.

Fabinho & Keita have bolstered their midfield but then Man City have Fernandinho who has been superb for a number of years now. Gundogan can fill in too and both sometimes chip in with a goal here and there. I don't rate Henderson any more, even though he wasn't that highly-rated anyway for me. 

Defensively, perhaps it's equal. I really rate Robertson. Love his game. Van Dijk is a player that has strengthend Liverpool's defence in a big way. Kyle Walker is streets ahead of TAA even though the latter has a lot of promise. Stones/Kompany/Laporte are better than the other Liverpool options (Gomez, Matip, Lovren). Both goal-keepers just as good as each other. 

In summary, though, it's not just about first XIs. Don't think the rest of either squad can be discounted as it's not only first XI that plays each game. Whole squads have to be taken in to account and that's why Man City are much more superior.

And that's exactly why talk of Klopp being under pressure to deliver the title is ludicrous at this stage. Even pushing City until the end would be an achievement.

As for the Champions League that Ballon referred to... Again to win it we would still have to overcome City (again) and that's before coming up against clubs such as PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid & Bayern Munich, who all have more resources than us. 

That's why I mentioned already that just getting to the final last season, whilst managing to qualify for it again this season was a remarkable achievement in itself. 

That's why Klopp is under no pressure whatsoever! Only if we fall off a cliff and find ourselves clambering around in 5/6 place whilst playing horrid, turgid football will he start to be questioned. 

[SirBalon]

38 minutes ago, LFCMadLad said:

And that's exactly why talk of Klopp being under pressure to deliver the title is ludicrous at this stage. Even pushing City until the end would be an achievement.

As for the Champions League that Ballon referred to... Again to win it we would still have to overcome City (again) and that's before coming up against clubs such as PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid & Bayern Munich, who all have more resources than us. 

That's why I mentioned already that just getting to the final last season, whilst managing to qualify for it again this season was a remarkable achievement in itself. 

That's why Klopp is under no pressure whatsoever! Only if we fall off a cliff and find ourselves clambering around in 5/6 place whilst playing horrid, turgid football will he start to be questioned. 

Do you think Pochettino is under any pressure to deliver a trophy?

Or better still, Mourinho?

By the way, that post was good. 

[Carnivore Chris]

Liverpool play some of the best football in Europe right now and they aren't getting results by luck. They look the real deal and it's something I've seen forming for a while now under Klopp. If Liverpool were to finally break their duck and lift the Premier League trophy this season I certainly wouldn't be against it, nor would I be surprised. They have what it takes without a doubt.