Steven Kelly – Football Scout

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are fun, but they need to be ruthless if they’re to make a title push

Liverpool and Brazil’s Fabinho insists he is still trying to settle into life under Jurgen Klopp and that his demands in training and matches are extremely intense.

After a so-called nightmare month of tough fixtures, Liverpool remain well placed in the Premier League.

They’ve had a few things go their way late in games. Tottenham were denied a clear penalty in the Reds’ eventual 2-1 win, Daniel Sturridge scored a breathtaking equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea, while Riyad Mahrez blasted his penalty well over the bar in the 0-0 draw with Manchester City.

That’s how it goes in the biggest clashes: the tiniest moment can turn matches for you or against…

Virgil van Dijk a 9/10 in gritting out Liverpool’s hard-fought draw at Chelsea

Daniel Sturridge scored a breathtaking goal in the final minute to keep Liverpool undefeated in the Premier League this season.

A fantastic late strike from Daniel Sturridge gave Liverpool a point on an evening when two clubs demonstrated thei…

Shaqiri 7/10 but Fabinho endures quiet full debut as Liverpool lose vs. Chelsea

Emerson and Eden Hazard answered Daniel Sturridge’s initial goal to beat Liverpool at Anfield and move on to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Craig Burley and Alejandro Moreno talk tactics behind Liverpool’s matchup with Chelsea this weekend after the Reds were bested by Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

The FC crew reflect on Alvaro Morata’s continued struggles and Eden Hazard’s inspired play for Chelsea in their come-from-behind win over Liverpool.

Liverpool’s winning streak to open the season came to an end with a 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. Both sides made substantial changes but it was the Londoners who seemed to deal with them better.

Positives

Xherdan Shaqiri had another fine game and the Reds have at least avoided extra fixture turmoil this autumn.

Negatives

Too many changes robbed Liverpool of their usual fluidity and rhythm while the absence of Virgil van Dijk saw their set-piece frailty return.

Manager rating…

Carabao Cup can still be important for Liverpool to show strength in depth

Craig Burley says football fans made a “pig’s ear” of the vote for the Puskas Award, which was won by Mohamed Salah’s goal against Everton.

Iran’s Carlos Queiroz believes Mo Salah’s incredible season with Liverpool gives children all over Africa something to inspire to and that they can be among the best players in the world.

Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri believes his side are not on the same level as title rivals Liverpool and that they have a lot of work to do after their 0-0 draw with West Ham.
The Carabao Cup has suffered badly in recent seasons, with even clubs outside the Premier League now choosing to field second-string teams. 
It’s a little more important to Liverpool, since they have won this trophy eight times — three more than any other club. There’s also the small matter of a six-year trophy drought, going back to this competition in 2011-12, with many supporters believing the club can’t afford to be dismissive about any silverware.
Virgil van Dijk paid lip service to the…

Liverpool to skip the Champions League? No thanks, Gary Neville – we’re contenders

ESPN FC’s Shaka Hislop says he doesn’t like what he’s seen so far from Liverpool’s strikers to start the season.
Jurgen Klopp sounded as nonplussed as everyone else when asked how what he thought of Gary Neville’s theory regarding Liverpool’s strategy for the season.
The former Manchester United defender-turned pundit had suggested Liverpool should forget the Champions League, “kick it into touch” and focus all their energies on the Premier League. Such comments were ill-timed at best and provocative at worst — though many supporters assumed the latter since relations between Liverpool and United are always…

Liverpool need to improve “top six” record in Premier League to see success

ESPN FC’s Steve Nicol looks ahead to Liverpool’s hectic fixture list in the next month but believes their squad will be able to cope.

Mark Ogden and the FC crew discuss Liverpool’s challenging stretch after the international break and the pressure to win trophies.
Liverpool get their first real examination of the season on Saturday as they face a “top six” side, Tottenham, for the first time.
There is almost a “super league” within the top flight in England now as the six clubs that finish above everyone has turned into a boring formality. Over the last nine seasons, 48 of the 54 available top-six places have been snapped up by the clubs currently considered the giants of England: Man United, Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Special attention…

Andy Robertson a Liverpool cult hero as Scotland captaincy continues meteoric rise

Mark Ogden and the FC crew discuss Liverpool’s challenging stretch after the international break and the pressure to win trophies.
The main concern for fans during the international break is for players to return fully fit though it’s still good to see your favourites do well for their country — and none more so than Andrew Robertson. On Friday he will captain Scotland. It’s only a friendly but it’s against one of the world’s best teams, Belgium.
Robertson’s rise in football has been wonderful to witness and an inspiration to young players yet to reach the upper levels of the game. His country of birth adds more magic from…

Alisson lands a 5/10 for error, Andrew Robertson excels in Leicester win

According to the ESPN Luck Index, Liverpool did not get the rub of the green last season but, often timid and occasionally lethargic on Saturday, the Reds rode their luck this time with a 2-1 win at Leicester.
Positives
Four wins from four is their best start in years and the last few games have shown they can dig out those extra points even when they’re hardly deserved.
Negatives
They’ll need to find their form sooner rather than later, as a tough September and October could find them out if they…

Liverpool fans giddy as Jurgen Klopp allows supporters to dream

Following Manchester City’s shock draw to Wolves, Liverpool fans and the Exploding Heads get a little carried away in crowning Liverpool champions after three games.
Some may frown upon Liverpool supporters’ excitement about the team’s 100 percent start to the Premier League season. Watford have also done it, after all.
Following a summer where the Reds were reluctantly shoved front and centre of the pack about to chase Manchester City, there’s almost a sense of relief underpinning the enjoyment of a good start.
There’s also the rarity to be considered. In the Premier League era, Liverpool have won their opening three matches in a mere handful of seasons. The…

Liverpool begin brightly but Klopp cannot underestimate Man United conquerors Brighton

While Virgil van Dijk may have solidified Liverpool’s defence, FC’s Stevie Nicol feels he brings far more intangibles to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

While Virgil van Dijk may have solidified Liverpool’s defense, FC’s Stevie Nicol feels he brings far more intangibles to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The ESPN FC crew answer your tweets on Barcelona’s biggest weakness, Luis Suarez’s future and if Liverpool have any vulnerabilities this season.
Liverpool have made a bright start to the season. Two wins, six goals scored and even more promisingly no goals conceded.
Their next game is at home to Brighton, and ordinarily few would anticipate any problems for a side being tipped for a serious title challenge this year. The Reds did after all beat Chris Hughton’s team 5-1 and 4-0 in last season’s encounters.
Such assumptions can be where your problems begin, however. Brighton have just beaten Manchester United 3-2, which will hopefully serve…

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