Messages

Liverpool have been wasteful all season given the amount of chances created.  The stats show the conversion rate is around 10th in the league.  But it's gone to new levels in the past 3 or 4 games.It's probably got into the players' heads now. Would like to see young Danns get a start or at least a chance to come on in the remaining games. The current front 3 don't deserve a start.  Unless he's carrying an injury or still recovering from injury, Salah looks done.  If he's not able to contribute anything during the crunch stage of the season then it is time to move him on.

I have to say Peter Drury wore me down a little yesterday. Repeatedly roaring "And Bakayo Saka" or "And Leandro Trossard" with every half chance. Maybe I should have put this in the gear grinding thread. 

They're all so shouty nowadays. More noticeable on the highlights on ssn. Painful

Fletcher very much like this.

And despite Villa's performances this season Emery never gets linked with the likes of Liverpool and other top teams.  Ok, he didn't do great at Arsenal, but he's a very good manager.

[Kelleher should have held onto the third as well instead of spilling it to the scorer]

Kelleher should have held onto the third as well instead of spilling it to the scorer.

A terrible performance from Liverpool way under par.

Yes i thought that too.  Allison is brilliant at pushing those shots out wide.

Liverpool v Atalanta heat map;

 

Absolute horror show.  Hard to know why they were so poor.  Combination of complacency and not ready for what Atalanta would bring?  The worrying thing is that Liverpool weren't able to turn it around to get to grips with Atalanta as the game progressed.  In fact it got progressively worse.  The now usual level of wastefulness didn't help in the first half.  Will be very interesting to see how the game goes against Palace and whether this is a one off or indicator of a slump in form.  Not a good point in the season to start losing form, but hoping that the likes of Jota, Trent and Allison coming back will give things a freshening up.  Salah and Nunes could do with some bench time.

Don't know if it's an issue of not wanting to follow Klopp. Maybe Alonso is being sincere in wanting to continue his work at Leverkusen. The cynic in me thinks it's more of a case of him bidding his time for the Real Madrid job, where his heart really lies.  Even if he did come to Liverpool, if he was doing a decent job he'd be forever linked to Real, which would be a bloody distraction.

Matip at the end of his contract. Would be highly surprised if he's kept on.  May well need 5 quality centre backs if Amorim comes in and wants to play 3. Would mean then a new centre back being signed.   

Would be delighted to get Amorim.  Very good reports on him.

If I was a Liverpool fan the thing I would be concerned about is will he have the same clout that Klopp had regarding new players coming in, players came to Liverpool not just because it's Liverpool FC but because they wanted to play for Klopp.
You may find now players might be more reluctant, though in fairness Liverpool are in a far better place now than when Klopp first came.

Amorim seems to be among the best available out there at the minute so I'm happy from that point of view. The club can only select from what's available.  Nobody is going to be a like for like replacement for Klopp. 

Would be delighted to get Amorim.  Very good reports on him.

Will be great to see Jota back. Hopefully he won't need much time to get up to speed.  The amount of chances that are being coughed up is crazy, while the opposition get one sniff and score!  Mo is off it completely.  Looks like he's lost his sharpness and burst of speed. But that doesn't explain why he's ballooning clear shots on goal. I saw online reference being made to him fasting for Ramadan.  That didn't seem to affect him too much in previous years!

Next year

Webby and O'Neill will be good craic.

Talent is there or thereabouts in comparison to any of the top teams , tactical awareness and balls to go for it aren't. The Monaghan game last year still breaks my heart thinking about it, it was cowardly. I haven't had the same interest this year and I'd put it down to that game.

The Monaghan game was infuriating because it panned out the same way as the Ulster final so we knew the script but we not able to change it.That lack of learning and know-how is annoying.

[The mentality to close out games from a winning position is what we're missing and it's leadership on the pitch that is needed in the last few moments.]

If there's one thing more depressing than losing in Croke Park it's the predictable over reactions from Armagh "supporters" to a defeat and the giddiness when we stuff a Division 2 team. 

The free takers, Grugan, Turbitt and O'Neill all left scoreable frees behind them. Had they went over it was a completely different narrative today.

Was it Declan Kidney of Munster that used to say don't get too excited about a win and don't over react to a defeat.

Overall, decent league campaign for Armagh. Blooded a corner back and corner forward who will start in the Championship. Plenty of competition for places. Some of the old failings still apparent in terms of closing out games against Division 1 opposition. Also we remain reliant on the older guys.

However, getting promoted quite easily with about 6 guaranteed starters from recent years on the bench for most of the league is a sign of progress.

The mentality to close out games from a winning position is what we're missing and it's leadership on the pitch that is needed in the last few moments.

Exactly. To close out tight games, players need to show for the ball, win it and make the right decision in those last 3 or 4 minutes.  That hasn't been the case for us.

[And what did he actually get it for?]

When did big Jeff  get his knighthood? And what did he  actually get it for?

I mean , he  never won Wimbledon or  an Olympic gold medal like those other  deserving  knighted folk.

Very good question.