Liverpool FC Forum

Nice to see the 2 new lads get on the score sheet. No complaints about their pen either and thought the Kherkhez handball should have been another. They got at us a bit too easy at times and we didn't look threatening enough. 2.2 was probably a fair result. Pens now!!

Just NOT Salah's day...we totally sucked at pens right? PSG...then today

Two really bad pens from us there. Two unlikely sources as well. Ali saves so still in it!!

Shocking miss by Elliot. It's not the under 15's!!

When did we become so bad at pens? Well, at least maybe we'll avoid the Community Shield curse.

Team is definitely still a work in progress. It will take time and effort to gel this new squad.

Disappointing to lose any game but plenty of positives today. All the new lads played well which is a good sign. We just need to be more ruthless up front. A good run out ahead of Bournemouth next Friday.

It’s a friendly, not too fussed about the result.

We looked good in attack and once the lads get more time together then things should start to click.

But we looked weak in defence and short on options. Where is Gomez? And who is going to step in if we get an injury?

The thought of Robbo and Endo filling in for central defence is a not something to look forward to.

Not like it is a trophy that anyone counts. We played good in parts, still hope we get Isak.

Alot of positives and a few negatives. We look good going forward, move the ball quick in transitions. Negatives is we have a small squad, we looked tired early, and we didn't have enough options upfront when Ekitike came off.

I'm not advocating that we push the panic button or anything but we've deffo looked a bit iffy at the back right throughout pre-season and it was the same story again today. In fact today reminded me a bit of the Milan game in terms of how open we were down our flanks. Obviously we were missing Gravenberch but even so it's a concern.
Going the other way it looks very exciting, early days i know but it looks like i was well wrong about Ekitike, he looks like he's going to be a hell of a signing. Wirtz looks class as well. Maybe we'd be better served taking the Isak money and offering it to Everton for Branthwaite.

We really need another CH and we need Isak. We cant leave him hanging after all this. A CH should have been done long before now. Unless the plan is Robbo and Endo as cover which I hope not.

Why Slot felt Salah should play 97 mins is beyond me. He was poor today. Should have been subbed for Chiesa early 2nd half.

Not that bothered by the result but a few things could’ve been better today.

Defensively Virgil made 2 mistakes that cost us two goals. Very unlike him and he’s probably rusty having missed the last game with illness. Needs game sharpness is all. We got caught a few other times with either Frimpong or Kerkez sitting too deep and playing forwards onside. It’s a new back line and the full backs need time to gel.

Second half we dropped off probably due to tiredness. This meant less pressure on the ball and therefore more pressure on the defence.

Ekitike going off killed us. We were no threat after that and Endo offered nothing extra defensively today so the changes both blunted the attack and didn’t make us any more solid as was intended. Thought Salah and Gakpo were spent by about 65 mins. Surprised neither Doak nor Ngumoha got on.

Overall work to be done but positives to take. Wirtz and Ekitike looked class particularly first half. Kerkez and Frimpong look proper fighters too. And we didn’t have Gravenberch or a fully fit MacAllister. We move on I think we’re fine but do need at least one more each in attack and defence.

And a word on the opposition. Their fanbase were far more up for it than ours and far louder. Shades of the carabao final with Newcastle. I believe this energised their team second half whereas our lethargy mirrored our crowd. Not criticising as I wasn’t there myself… it’s understandable that game meant far more to palace than us. As the carabao did Newcastle. But it’s the second time our experienced players haven’t got us over the line at Wembley. Something for them to reflect on.

Have to say Salah and Elliot pens were poor, at least Elliot didn't blast it over. If we want the retain the title we definitely need Isak and a CB.

Apparently over the last week or so Mo has found himself embroiled in what's happening over in Gaza after George Galloway called him and other high profile muslim sports stars out for not doing what the likes of Muhammad Ali and the sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos did in the 60's. Mo ended up writing to FIFA or UEFA over it. Lets hope all that Gaza stuff was playing on his mind because he looked 42 today never mind 32, bit concerning that Arne didn't take him off actually, hope he's not scared of upsetting him.