TRon

Needs good players around him othewise he's exposed.

First requiisite for a defender, that's why he played an important part in keeping us up. He'd be a decent buy for a lower PL side.

Expecting a tough game FWIW. Birmingham have an ambitious owner and they have been tearing it up in the first division.

Not sure where the supply is going to come from. It's great to see some rotation, but that side looks a bit lopsided.

His running with the ball is great, no problem there, he can usually jink his way into good positions. But his final ball has been pretty rank, aye.

What makes me think they are all that good, is that every week I expect them to win...then they do. Even if they are 1-0 down going into extra time they'll score two bastard goals and take all three points. They aren't going to look great every week, but they are serial winners. I don't like it, but it's just a fact.

Well the truth of the matter is, our hands are somewhat tied with the PSR bullshit. I get why they might want to come out and explain it, but it's not what people want to hear, so not sure what good it will do them.

Thought some of his football was good on the ball, tbh we have missed that side of it. Love Tino as a defender, but Tripps is still light years ahead with the ball at his feet.

Would be quite happy to see him start against Brum tbh.

Agree. Would rather they just kept quiet and let their actions speak for them in the summer.

He's worth it tbh.

All I can realistically ask is that for once we actually turn up in a cup final and play how we can. After that the result either way will go with destiny. If we lose, at least we can hold our head up and say we made it a game worth watching. We might even win if we just go out and play.

We have a free week until the next game after this one, so I think we can go fairly strong. Probably worth giving players like Miley or Willock a run out though as we need them to get some match fitness.

There it is in black and white.

Wish I could believe that, but every single final I've ever witnessed it's looked like we are just happy to have got there, inevitably followed by a flat performance. Even last time against a relatively shit Man U we were comfortably second best, although we were missing Pope and that had an impact. I think against any other team but Liverpool we would have a 50/50 chance tbh, but even under Howe we've generally fucked up against them quite regularly. It's possible, I just struggle to actually envision us actually beating them over the course of the game, whether that's over 90 mins, ET or penalties.

I would imagine the Man U/Liverpool head honchos have already instructed the PL on that possibility. No chance that will be allowed to happen in England.

Willock would have been the obvious choice, but he's really looked lacklustre since coming back. Miley seems more of a Bruno swap out for me, not sure he's really suited to pulling out wide like Joelinton does. Never really seen him out on the left tbh.

Always thought we had the players to pull it off successfully, although I get that Howe prefers to play one way so we can build on our identity.

The alternative would have been to sell those players before they got to their final year. That begs the question would they have had the same success with replacements?

So who would you go with as Joelinton's replacement and how would you set up?

They are on course to win at least one trophy this season and will definitely be in the CL next season. So if they don't have the funds to replace them, it does call into question the fees being paid at present anyway. I suppose you could argue that Liverpool have the PSR headroom to spend whatever it takes, but just don't want to. Then that calls their ownership into question regardless.

It doesn't seem the worst idea seeing as Hall fancies himself as a midfielder anyway. It allows us to keep the balance of the team if nothing else. Might be better than shoehorning a right footed midfielder who doesn't feel comfortable there. Willock would have been the obvious choice, but he's really looked off the pace since his comeback.

If they can't, who can?

Tbf, Eddie's not a vindictive person, you really have to be a grade A cunt to get a fuck you handshake from him on a regular basis.

Problem is he keeps scoring them against cartel teams. I'm surprised they haven't organised a hit on him by now.