‘Thank God Klopp manned up and saw the light over Karius’

Ian Watson
Jurgen Klopp: Took Loris Karius out of the firing line

TEAMtalk readers debate who Jose Mourinho should choice between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata, while Loris Karius is compared to a former Man Utd keeper…

Mata or Mkhitaryan for Mourinho?

Providing both stay fit and on form who would you prefer Mhkitarian or Mata?

Midfield trio for now Herrera, Carrick and Pogba. Let’s say Martial and Zlatan in attacking positions, who out of the two would it be for the final position?

It would be Mhkitaryan for me all day long.

Scholsey

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Hitting his stride at Man Utd

I’d take Mhkitaryan any day of the week. I’m not saying that Mata isn’t a good player but there are a lot of reasons why I think Mhkitaryan is the better choice for United:

(1) Mata doesn’t know how to play the RM role as he constantly drifts in to the centre and suffocates space for our central players; Mhkitaryan tends to stick out wide until the last moments of an attack.

(2) Mata severely lacks behind Mhkitaryan in terms of strength, speed and dribbling abilities – three very important traits needed for any wing player in the Premier League.

(3) Mata is very good at finding an assist or goal however I think he gives away quite a few balls when he tries to play the killer pass because he doesn’t handle himself that well under pressure; I think Mhkitaryan has a certain coolness about him which invariably ends up with better results for the team.

Sympathy for the Devils

 

Reacting to Karius’s axing

Have never felt confident with Karius in goal, he looks a nervous wreck and flimsy. The goals he let in during his last two games were an absolute disgrace.

Migs whilst not really tested last night dealt well with a couple of solid attempts on goal and is clearly a much better keeper. Hope he stays in goal until FSG have a whip round in the Red Sox changing room and get us an even better keeper.

The very idea that Karius might turn into De Gea after more experience is hilarious, highly unlikely I’d say he is much closer to Taibi. At least Klopp has finally manned up and accepted his huge blunder, just hope we can make up the precious points lost.

timetogobr

John W Henry: Liverpool owner

Measure of FSG’s ambition

Hey lads, you know I’ve been thinking about the January window and it occured to me that maybe shifting expectations hasn’t just been a thing for us fans and the media but I wonder if FSG’s goals/mission might have been altered by the Klopp effect too.

If you guys think back to the summer, it seemed very much like this season was going to centre around a streamlined Liverpool. We trimmed the squad (and the wage bill), bought a few, we didnt spend only peanuts on players but as you all know we came out in the green. . which is kind of bizarre at LFC’s level of ambition/business. We were all a bit underwhelmed initially but it turned out to not only be great business but so far, we’re way ahead of the game.

Now given how our signings have generally worked out really well, if we were to continue with that philosphy we wouldnt really be signing anyone this window but given what Klopp said recently about the squad being light. . I am thinking that he’s got FSG’s attention and they are in. He obviously has at least 1 player in mind and I think he’s done enough to convince them to maybe move what I assume would be next seasons goal of expanding the squad to compete, forward.

I’m not suggesting that we’re going to go out there and sign Messi or Suarez back but I wouldn’t be at all shocked if we were to go out there and spend £60m in this coming window. Personally, I do think that one big-ish player is more likely and Pulisic couldn’t fit FSG’s criteria better, maybe our current needs too.

That said, if it’s possible that FSG may have revisited their own expectations on us, then it opens up a lot of doors and they aren’t all good. We could be running the risk of burning a little too bright like Rodgers and then have the bubble burst next season if things don’t go to plan.

Given the option , I would be willing for us to move up development schedule because my own philosphy there is to not wait til next seaosn because you never know when your “Suarez” type might leave and set you back. I guess my thoughts on things would be to take the shot but to remember in future that if we don’t hit that target thta we all have in the back of our heads , whether it’s the league title or CL football to not over-react.

MrMakaveli

Gianfranco Zola: Tipped to become Hull manager

Brum deal for Rowett

Absolutely shocking decision. Birmingham are seventh in the league. They could go third with if results go there way at weekend. He’s done a brilliant job there. As he did with Burton Albion before. Hopefully he’ll get another chance with a better team. Maybe Swansea, Hull, Sunderland? I don’t think he could do any worse that the current managers of these teams.

Aguerooooooo

Leeds learning to fight

The Reading win was deeply satisfying and we came out of it with more positives than usual. The boys got stuck in from the start and never gave the Reading midfield a chance to settle on the ball and play their attacking game.

Bridcutt, when he came on, was outstanding; breaking up moves and supporting young Vieira. His experience, as we have known, is is integral to the team. I thought Dallas put in a great shift whilst Sacko showed improvement, particularly in the first half. With Hernandez’s return imminent, it looks like our midfield troubles are going to be sorted out. It’s the striking department that is of real concern. All in all, that was a good solid performance although there were some anxious moments late in the second half before we sealed it.

We’re just about half way through the season so there’s a long. long way to go yet. I’ve been following this game long enough to know that nothing is guaranteed in football. We still short on resources which are needed to sustain our push for that coveted top six finish. A glance at the table shows how many teams are bunched around us waiting to take advantage of any slip up.

Full credit, nevertheless, to Monk and his staff. The work they have been doing is beginning to bear fruit. We need to build on this and remain focused without getting carried away.

tsm