The Kopite View

Respect For Martin Skrtel

It seems that Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel could be on his way to Turkey after reports suggest that Fenerbahce have made an acceptable offer of £5.5million for the defender.

Skrtel’s imminent departure will end nine years’ service with Liverpool in which he made 319 appearances and scored 18 goals.

Skrtel was not everyone’s favourite and had many critics during his career at Anfield, but he deserves tremendous respect for his commitment and service to Liverpool.

In recent seasons Skrtel became Liverpool’s best defender, although most critics including myself will argue that it was because of the club’s receding lack of quality in the centre of defence over the years.

Skrtel always gave 100% for the club and was a big, strong defender, although he did struggle against big, physical centre-forwards at times, but probably his biggest criticism was his grappling with opponents when defending set-pieces.

Personally I thought Skrtel was a decent defender, but my biggest fault with him was his lack of communication with fellow defenders, especially over the years when he became more experienced, he never organised his defence, he just defended as an individual and that was my biggest disappointment with him.

But Skrtel deserves respect for his service at Liverpool because he gave everything every time he pulled on a red shirt and I’d like to wish him well for the future.

My Team To Face Arsenal Tonight

There is no doubt tonight’s game is a massive game for Liverpool tonight as they try to keep their challenge for a top four spot going.

This week is a particularly tough week for the Reds with Manchester United visiting Anfield next weekend after tonight’s clash with a very good Arsenal team.

Liverpool’s injury problems have been well documented but Klopp still has the players available to select a team capable of getting a result against Arsenal.

The addition of Caulker, signed yesterday should help ease Klopp’s defensive worries and with Henderson, Sakho, Toure and Ibe all returning from injury I would like to see the German select this eleven tonight –

Mignolet

Clyne                               Toure                    Sakho                                Moreno

Can                Allen

Henderson

Ibe                                          Firmino                                                         Lallana

Klopp will welcome the return of Toure and Sakho from injury and I think they will both start as it is a big ask to throw new signing Steven Caulker into such a tough game so soon.

I expect Clyne and Moreno to play their usual roles down the flanks, helping both offensively and defensively with their energy and pace.

I’m going to go for maybe a surprise choice in midfield by selecting Joe Allen beside Emre Can to anchor Liverpool’s midfield. I’m picking Allen instead of Lucas because he had such a good game at Stoke last week with Arsenal’s pace he is more mobile that Lucas.

I’m hoping Henderson is fit enough to start and if he is, then he can be the man pushing from midfield with his energy to support the attack.

I’d go for Ibe, Firmino and Lallana up front because their movement can cause Arsenal’s defence problems more than a static Benteke can.

Benteke Is Running Out Of Chances

Since Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield he has endured a nightmare in terms of injuries to his squad, but the number of injuries has presented big money signing Christian Benteke with the perfect opportunity to prove himself to Klopp and the Liverpool supporters.

But so far he has failed to do so, despite scoring the winning goal in two consecutive Premier League wins during the festive period.

Although Benteke has been scoring goals, his performances have been criticised, with many critics disappointed with his workrate and his movement.

The Belgian international was disappointing in the defeat at West Ham last weekend and dropped for the Capital One Cup Semi-Final first-leg at Stoke on Tuesday despite being the only fit striker in Klopp’s squad.

Klopp made Benteke his captain in a make-shift team to face Exeter City in the hope that the added responsibility to lead a young Liverpool team would inspire the big Belgian.

But Benteke disappointed once again and came in for a lot of criticism after another poor display that saw Liverpool scrape a 2-2 draw to stay in the FA Cup.

Benteke just doesn’t look suited to Klopp’s pressing style of play and he must be running out of chances to impress the German.

Hammered At New Year

The Reds went to London in high spirits

A New Year and two wins in a week to end 2015

But West Ham were looking for their first double over the Reds since 1963

And a win to start the New Year would be tough

Klopp was left with a threadbare squad for the visit

With a growing injury list

Lucas came in for the injured Henderson and Ibe for Lallana

This was the Reds’ final visit to the Boleyn Ground

And they wanted a win

But things went bad early doors

Antonio headed past Mignolet 10 minutes in

As the Reds complained in vain

That the scorer fouled Moreno to start the move

The hosts were rampant

And almost doubled their lead

Lanzini shook the woodwork

As Mignolet spectated

Then Valencia raced through

But Moreno saved the day

West Ham continued to threaten

And Cresswell’s shot was thwarted by Clyne

Just before half-time

The Reds almost equalised

Can shot

But the crossbar saved the Hammers

Liverpool started the second-half well

Benteke should have scored

But skewed his shot when he should have scored

But Liverpool’s hopes were killed soon after

Old boy Andy Carroll headed a second

And the game was over

Despite the Reds’ efforts

Coutinho danced his way into the box

Then Lucas’ header was cleared off the line

Defeat was sore

And not the best start to 2016

Positives For Reds Despite Another Draw

Liverpool went so close to winning their first game for new manager Jurgen Klopp against Southampton when Christian Benteke headed the Reds into the lead in the 77^th minute but an 85^th leveller form Mane stunned the home support and left them disappointed as they hoped the former Aston Villa striker’s goal would give them the win they craved.

Liverpool have certainly been consistent in recent weeks, but not in the manner anyone connected to the club wants as they find wins hard to find after drawing their 8^th game out of 9.

It has become a common theme to see Liverpool take the lead only to let it slip time and time again and Klopp mentioned after yesterday’s latest draw that the players don’t believe they can win at the moment with their lack of confidence.

There certainly is a lack of confidence in the team and it showed again after taking the lead yesterday with only 10 minutes to go and still not able to see the game out.

But although Klopp has many problems to solve, there were many good things about yesterday’s draw.

The team is playing with a lot more heart since Klopp’s arrival and no matter the result Liverpool supporters want to see their players giving their all and that is now happening with the German in charge and Moreno’s tremendous tackle on Mane highlighted the commitment shown by the players yesterday.

Klopp has inherited an average squad with no confidence and numerous injuries to key players but in his short time in charge he has installed a tremendous work ethic in the team and made Liverpool more solid defensively.

Liverpool looked more confident in possession against Southampton despite not creating many goal scoring opportunities.

Southampton are a dangerous team from set-pieces and apart from the equalising goal the only other time they threatened was van Dijk’s headed chance in the first half as Liverpool’s defence played well.

It is disappointing to lose the lead late in any game but there were more signs of encouragement in yesterday’s performance as Klopp’s influence becomes more noticeable with each game.

Just Like Christmas

Yesterday was like Christmas come early for Liverpool supporters as Jurgen Klopp appeared in his first press conference since taking over as manager from Brendan Rodgers.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss said all the right things and had Liverpool supporters buzzing with excitement. The major fact in Klopp’s signing is that this is the man that the supporters wanted and he is seen as major upgrade on Brendan Rodgers with his reputation and impressive CV.

Klopp has made such in an impact in one day and has unified the supporters already before a ball is kicked and his arrival could herald an exciting era at Anfield.

The German is regarded as one of the top managers in Europe and it is a statement of intent by Liverpool Football Club to bring someone of his stature to the club with many people assuming that the Anfield club can’t attract the best anymore.

It remains to be seen if Klopp can turn around Liverpool’s fortunes and bring success that the supporters crave but many believe that he can and his work at Dortmund can be replicated at Anfield.

It is just great to see Liverpool supporters walking around with a smile on their face again and that can’t be a bad start for Klopp’s career at Liverpool.

Owners Did The Right Thing At Last

So finally Brendan Rodgers has been sacked, the news comes with great delight to many Liverpool supporters but the owners must get the right man to replace him to make the decision worthwhile.

It’s not nice to see a manager sacked but it is also difficult to show too much sympathy when they will receive a tidy compensation package, in Rodgers’ case around £9 million.

The owners wanted a ‘yes’ man in and it didn’t work despite going close to winning the league a couple of seasons ago with Rodgers having his team playing some of the best football seen at Anfield for many years in the title run-in.

We as supporters enjoyed the ride that year and there is no taking away from Rodgers the impressive season he orchestrated, but he was fortunate with no European football to worry about and usually played just one game per-week making him able to concentrate on the league and able to play an unchanged team most of the time with the likes of Suarez, Gerrard, Sterling, Coutinho and Sturridge providing an amazing attacking threat.

But Rodgers failed to sort out his defence that ultimately led to Liverpool losing the title and the defensive frailties are still there to this day but Rodgers has also lost his attacking threat and losing players like Suarez, Gerrard and Sterling hasn’t helped but his money spent on new recruits has been a major disappointment.

The fact is Rodgers has lost his way and Liverpool needed a change of manager because the job became too big for him and his lack of experience working at a big club was showing.

Rodgers’ poor signings and failure to sort out his defence and struggles to score goals has eventually cost him his job.

The signs were there at the end of last season and the owners should have brought in a new manager then because it is not ideal to bring in a new manager during the season where he can’t sign any new players until January and has to work with the squad he has.

The news of Rodgers sacking being announced after yesterday’s Merseyside derby draw was another surprise, and it would have been better if the club waited until this morning to make the announcement.

However they need to bring in the right man and let him take control instead of bringing in another ‘yes’ man to run the team.

Most supporters would love to see Jurgen Klopp as next manager and I’d also love to see that, fingers crossed the owners get the man the supporters want.

Reds Dreading Derby

Tomorrow’s Merseyside derby is one that many Liverpool supporters are not looking forward to for the first time in many years. There has been little for Liverpool supporters to get excited about this season so far and a game against city rivals Everton is the last thing Liverpool need.

Despite Liverpool’s poor start to the season, they find themselves only a point behind Everton in the league table, but it is the poor performances that the Reds have produced that has worried Liverpool supporters and the lack of goals scored has been a major worry.

Brendan Rodgers is under immense pressure at the moment and most Liverpool supporters are desperate for the owners to bring in a new manager with most believing that Rodgers won’t be able to turn things around and don’t want to witness another poor season.

With names like Klopp, Ancelotti and De Boer mentioned as candidates to take over from Rodgers, supporters feel the time is right for a change and many want the change no matter the outcome of Sunday’s derby.

Everton have had a decent start to the season with some great results and performances like the win over Chelsea and last Monday’s superb 3-2 win and comeback over West Brom that have encouraged supporters ahead of the Liverpool clash.

Everton supporters are relishing the match and believe they can inflict more pain and suffering to the Liverpool supporters and Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool’s struggles against lowly Carlisle and a poor Sion side that saw the Reds booed off at the end didn’t give the supporters much confidence ahead of Sunday’s derby and the only encouraging sign for Liverpool supporters is that form doesn’t matter in derby games and hopefully that is the case tomorrow.

Relying On Sturridge Again Is A Big Mistake

It is a real worry for Liverpool and their supporters that their manager Brendan Rodgers is once again relying on striker Daniel Sturridge to produce the goals needed for the club to have a successful season.

After the loss of Luis Suarez the Reds’ boss failed to replace the brilliant Uruguayan and although he signed the likes of Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli he was depending on Sturridge staying fit and the result was that he hardly played at all last season with lengthy injury problems.

“Players like that make the difference,” said the Reds boss. “We haven’t scored three goals since he last started a game.

“He gives you a big opportunity to win games and compete at the top end of the table.

“He is a fantastic talent and now the job is hopefully he can stay fit.”

Rodgers is obviously delighted to have Sturridge back and scoring goals but if he is relying on the England striker staying fit then Liverpool supporters won’t be building their hopes up with his injury record.

Rodgers has spent plenty of money on strikers like Benteke, Ings and Origi but if he is still depending on Sturridge and not convinced with his signings then it is another example of his poor management.

We all hope Sturridge stays fit because he is a quality striker but Rodgers is making a big mistake relying on his fitness once again.