Spot on. I like Gakpo and he's a great goal scorer, but he's a striker with a wingers mentality.

Another CB is priority 1A and another attacker is 1B. Rio and Doak cannot be first off the bench.

I also thought we really missed Gravenberch today. As to the above post I think we'll see a different intensity in the team from here forward. It's so hard to manufacture stakes or want to from guys who play 9-1/2 months a year in a game that 100% is meaningless outside of the charity aspect. Last thing is Palace are the real deal and if they can hold that squad together they could finish top 8 or so. They have some serious guys.

Better team won for sure. Definitely not going to overreact to a Community Shield, but if I were, it would be based on trends that have continued from the end of last year up to today. Lack of effort/energy, sloppy D, meh chance making and attacking, Salah non existent too much, etc. Throw in a lot of turnover, changing of roles and adapting to a new style of play that will take a while to get used and actually work, and their is legit concern. And as Tksymm7 said, if you are going to attack that hard and up the pitch with your right and left backs, you are going to have drop a midfielder back somehow. They have been carved up on the counter or loss of possession all preseason and today. Teams will set back, force Salah to his right and Gakpo the left and strike on the counters.

As for today, Ekitike looked great on his goal, and then looked like Nunez on his misses. Losing Diaz, Jota (RIP), Nunez (all problems aside) and only replacing Ekitike so far isn't enough. Diaz could at least really create space and breakdown D and win one on ones while tracking back on D is going to be missed. I was hoping Rio would get in on some real competition today as we all know what his talents are. And again from Tksymm7, Virg was really sloppy and bad today for sure. But if he or Konate go down, big big trouble already on a shaky back.

I'm just glad no one gut hurt really, but there is real work to do.

I'm very worried about our opener this Friday. We are going to miss Gravy again due to that red card at the end of last year. Without him we have a big problem.

We brought in 2 very attacking full backs and we like to push both of them high up the field. In this situation, we really need our DM to 1) drop between both CBs to fortify the back and 2) cleanly move the ball up field to minimize risk in overloaded formations. Gravy is the only one who does both things at a high enough level to justify the approach.

Szobo and Jones were too sloppy today, often gifting the ball to palace in very dangerous situations. Macca was clearly rusty and to be honest, none of the 3 are big enough to compete in the air. Endo is strong enough defensively, but not skilled enough to help us control a game.

Playing conservatively/defensively is also quite dangerous given we aren't the biggest team anymore. Hopefully the attack can up their game on Friday and take the pressure off. If we score enough, it won't matter.

I think Maca can do Gravvys job, but not as well as him. I would start Maca and Szbo next week and tell Maca to sit back, clean up and distribute the ball. I agree Jones and Szbo were just too sloppy today and trying to be the same player. The can't do that with the way we play. One of them has to be responsible and sit back.

I think a full strength side is still elite and maybe the best team in the league, but we do have things to work on and areas to address before the window is out. Remember how concerned everyone was about the midfield going into last year? I think we'll be alright, but definitely need to lock in more across the squad.

Sorry for blowing this board up as well, but a positive I took from today was that literally all of the signings were awesome and absolutely showed out. It's just going to take some time to figure out how to use them with the old guard, so to speak.

Watched a video that broke down some of the tactical things Liverpool was doing and why they lost. The biggest shortcoming that was highlighted was the lack of counter pressing from Wirtz and Ekitike. We went from Szobo and Diaz/Nunez pressing like mad men to a much lower energy pairing. That will have to get a lot better over the course of the season.

I thought they were alright pressing and what not in the first half, but after half and especially when Ekitike went off the pressing or ability to turn them over went out the door. Gakpo simply cannot press at a high high level because he's not the best athlete, so when Eiktike goes off, you have Gakpo and Salah as your press guys followed up by Szbo and Wirtz. Not ideal. Points to the fact that they really need to get another forward at minimum who's athletic and can really move.

When we have a full midfield, you could throw Szbo out there on the left to get that athleticism and work out there, but you might lose some of the goal scoring.

I just watched the same one. Adam Clery is probably one of the best football analyst I've come across. Love his videos. If any of yall haven't watched any of his stuff check him out on YouTube.

He is a Newcastle supporter, but puts out a ton of content on Liverpool (and other big PL teams). There will probably be a spicy episode in the future when the Isak saga shakes out.

I thought the whole game fell apart when Slot pulled Hugo. He seems like a real gem from first glances. He almost feels like a hybrid of Firmino and Torres. Silky smooth in the build up, with all the physical tools to be a top goal presence. I'm really excited about the kid, and it's a shame this Isak transfer has stolen a bit of his spotlight (that might be a good thing though).

Judging by Slots post match comments you could tell he only pulled him to preserve his fitness for upcoming PL matches. He pointed out how he was really our only CF and if he goes down we have a big problem. Seems like Slot didn't care much for the community shield and made a business decision.

New bid for Isak has supposedly been made, but Newcastle still have no replacements signed. They seem completely incompetent in their player recruitment.

The Leoni interest seems to be ramping up. He seems to have a lot of potential, but he is very young and inexperienced. Big ask for him to come in and play any kind of meaningful minutes.

Was coming here to post that Fabrizio Romano posted that Liverpool's interest Giovanni Leoni and Marc Guehi is really ramping up. I think Guehi is happening, it's just a waiting game. Leoni I hope so as well, but they might have to over bid a bit to get him out of Italy. I really, really love both of these guys and want them to happen desperately.

Crispin Torque said:

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New bid for Isak has supposedly been made, but Newcastle still have no replacements signed. They seem completely incompetent in their player recruitment.

The Leoni interest seems to be ramping up. He seems to have a lot of potential, but he is very young and inexperienced. Big ask for him to come in and play any kind of meaningful minutes.

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Read this morning that Isak moved out if his house in Newcastle. What a mess on their part

I don't know why they won't take Liverpool's 130M, get PSR off their back and really try to build something. I understand you don't want to lose a player of that caliber, but you are Newcastle...you are on a long term rebuild, not a one year thing. Do what we did with Coutinho and really build something long term.

They have really put themselves in an impossible position. They have UCL this year and need the quality to perform well and maintain top 5 in the EPL, but they have completely fumbled this transfer window. Is Elanga still their only transfer? They have been turned down by a full rosters worth of players at this point. I feel bad for their fans and other players, but this a completely Newcastle made mess.

Is there a LFC supporters group in college station? Or at least a group of fans that get together to watch games? Some guy in the DFW supporters group was asking.

Tksymm7 said:

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I don't know why they won't take Liverpool's 130M, get PSR off their back and really try to build something. I understand you don't want to lose a player of that caliber, but you are Newcastle...you are on a long term rebuild, not a one year thing. Do what we did with Coutinho and really build something long term.

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I can't imagine it comes naturally to the Saudi Arabian Royals to sell a star asset because of financial rules. Or because that star asset it trying to strongarm them into doing it.

And there it is; Fabrizio Romano just reported that Liverpool and Palace are nearing a deal for Guehi for around 35M (which is a damn steal for how good he is). Leoni talks underway as well. Both players totally fine with personal terms, now just club negotiating.

On the other side this puts HEAT on Konate to get a deal done or leave, and I'd bet he leaves. I am fine holding him for another year as well and letting him go for free as long as we get Guehi and Leoni in. We need to depth.

Guehi would be fantastic for the rotation, but it's also fairly easy to imagine a back three of Guehi, Konate, and VVD with two wingbacks against certain setups.

I feel like Guehi is more insurance for VVD than competition for Ibou. His greatest skill is probably his ability to pass (His cross field passes are equivalent to those of Virgil's). I think Guehi really needs a physical beast like Ibou next him to perform at the highest level. He isn't the best in the air and needs a partner with real physicality to help him anchor the defense.

Crispin Torque said:

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Guehi would be fantastic for the rotation, but it's also fairly easy to imagine a back three of Guehi, Konate, and VVD with two wingbacks against certain setups.

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100% agree that this could be in the rotation of tactics for this season. We already sort of operate as a 3-5-2 with the ball, so actually playing an extra CB back there from the jump doesn't seem too far fetched.

On Guehi specifically, I do agree that he is more of your traditional on the ground CB who can really carry the ball and pass, and chew up ground in a hurry, but I believe he's just a very good overall CB.

Leoni on the other hand is definitely more aerial in nature because he's an absolute monster at just 18.

HERE WE GO: Liverpool agree deal to sign Giovanni Leoni from Parma. Agreement for 35M euros and what I would assume is a hefty sell-on clause. He'll be completing the medical and moving to the UK in the coming days.

I think this is a huge signing for an 18-year old stud.

We basically swapped this kid in for Quansah for a net profit of about 9 million pounds. Quansah is turning 23 this year, so he is less of a "prospect" now and more of a player entering his prime. Based on his current talent/age ratio, I think it was wise to swap him out for a younger model. He is a bit soft at times, and I'm not sure he has the grit to be an elite defender. He does have really good feet for a big man though so he can definitely be a very good player for a long time. I just don't think he was going to really challenge Ibou for a starting spot this year, nor would I be comfortable if we had to play a ton of games with him back there. Ultimately, we probably sold him at the right point. His value might have dropped a bit this year if he stayed in the squad, especially if we bring in Geuhi.

Looking forward to seeing what this young Italian can develop into. When I was a kid, Italians were the gold standard of defenders. He certainly looks the part. Let's hope he can soak up the finer elements of defending from VVD.

I am interested to see this kid in action. I think the physicality and aerial play will translate. Only thing I am cautious about is the foot speed and recovering against all the pace in the PL.

OregonAggie said:

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Is there a LFC supporters group in college station? Or at least a group of fans that get together to watch games? Some guy in the DFW supporters group was asking.

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Back when I was in town we had a group that watched games at Mo's. That was right before the pandemic though.

Leoni is officially a done deal. Signed a six year deal and completed his medical today. He'll be introduced tomorrow. I bet we see him in the matchday squad next week.

We're so back

I've missed this mug

We are back baby!

So happy to be back!

Going to be a very emotional day. Diogo's family will be in attendance for quite the ceremony pregame. Hopefully this is some closure and healing for both the family and team.

Happy Opening Day, Reds!