rgk_lfc

A couple of thoughts from an LFC fan, if you give a damn, that is Trent might lack defensive nous, but he is a unique talent, as TCD posts above. Salah and TAA were an attacking force to reckon with. With fully red-tinted glasses on, I believe they were on par with any PL right-hand side from an attacking perspective. At least I don't remember any other pair doing it day in and day out consistently for six to eight years. So, he will be a massive loss for us, no doubt about it. The fact that he was a local boy who came through the academy stings a bit more. I believe he will do very well in La Liga. He will be pinging balls to Mbappe, Vini, and Bellingham from the deep and racking up assists against most teams. At the highest level, say against Barcelona or in the CL against Bayern and PSG, I wonder how they will fare with four defensively weak players—Mbappe, Vini, Bellingham, and TAA. Most modern great teams accommodate a maximum of one. Historically, Madrid has been kind to attacking fullbacks who are defensively not the strongest - Carlos, Marcelo. We will see how TAA measures up against those. The one positive thing is that FSG has assembled the old data team—Edwards, Graham, Ward—and added Hughes. Slot has shown himself to be a tactically solid and adaptable coach. This is a big loss for us, but I think we have the right background team to find solutions.

Hakimi, Carvajaal, Vasquez, Nacho, Sarabia, Saul Niguez—their academy is not bad. However, they haven't produced anyone at Messi, Yamaal, or, for that matter, Pedri, or Gavi level in ages.

Congratulations!!! Howe tactically outclasses Slot on this day. Your players outfought us and wanted it more. The best team in the tournament won. Enjoy this day, week, and month !!!!

My understanding is that Amorim wanted more control on transfers. Arne Slott official title is head coach of Liverpool and not manager. As long as Edwards is at Liverpool, we will not be letting managers dictate transfers. We will see how that experiment shapes up.

I read a news article that summarized Mitchell's interview. I don't think he said anything wrong, but I wonder why your backroom staff is talking to the media so much. Edwards has been at LFC for over ten years now. I don't remember a single media interview or press conference he gave. When he left, he wrote a letter to the fans on the LFC website. When he returned, it was announced on our official website, and there was no welcome-back interview or anything. He got about doing his job. Hughes was present at the press conference introducing Arne Slott, but he was there to introduce Arne and tell everyone to direct all questions regarding signings to him. After that, we have not heard from Hughes either.

Agree. Add Mount to that list. Would not have paid the price they paid for most of the signings, but that is a young squad with potential.

I agree slightly with your point. Rice is a great player, but he lacks the passing ability and the ability to set the tempo that is critical at the highest level. He is no Kante from the defensive point of view and is no Jorginho/Pirlo from a press resistance and setting-the-tempo point of view. He is a very good player in his own right. Pirlo, at his peak, would look lost in Southgate ball. Rice was not the reason England lost today. It is all on Southgate.

Spain was stunned by the equalizer. I couldn't believe England's tactics after that. Handed the initiative right back to Spain.

By the way, kudos to Walker and Shaw for neutralizing Spain's threat on the wings.

There is a false equivalence when comparing Rafa's systems and Southgate's. Yes, both are defensive, but they could not be more different in terms of sophistication and strategy. Rafa's systems were about making the whole punch above the sum of its parts. Southgate's system, as of now, is anything but that.

India is playing Pakistan? Which sport?

Southgate and Gordon having a falling out and Southgate being an idiot is not mutually exclusive.

In a final appearance on his podcast, Marsch said he “wasn’t treated very well” by US Soccer during the manager hunt without elaborating. “You know, US Soccer had the chance to hire me,” Marsch told the Guardian in May. “They have nobody to look at but themselves, especially if that’s the question they’re asking. In the end I have the freedom in my life to do what’s best for me and myself.” https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/05/canada-coach-jesse-marsch-says-the-usmnt-lacks-discipline-after-copa-america-knockout#:~:text=In a final appearance on,the question they're asking.

He cried more when he missed the penalty than when Portugal was knocked out.

Southgate supporters always compare his record of reaching semis and finals to past managers. To be fair to Southgate, you can only beat what is before you. But is international football at its weakest in a long time? My first World Cup memory is Italia 1990. Sir Bobby Robson's England had to face the Netherlands, Ireland, and Egypt in the group stage. That Dutch team had Koeman, Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard. I remember that Ireland team being tough to beat as well. That tournament had Italy, Argentina, the Netherlands, and West Germany as the top teams. Every tournament from 1994 to 2012 had at least two teams which was so much better than the current versions. Or is it just me starting to grow old and grump.