There’s abysmal, and then there’s games like today. Let’s make it pretty clear here: Liverpool were shockingly bad going forward at West Ham today.
They weren’t much better at the back, but considering the possession the team had throughout the game, and the clear and half chances created, an attack with a bit more backbone could’ve won a very high-scoring game.
In past matches, Christian Benteke has been poor but there have been aspects of his game to defend. Namely scoring the two match-winners against Leicester and Sunderland. But against West Ham he was absolutely terrible, as were many of his team mates.
At this stage, given how poor most of these players have been, you’d certainly find it hard to blame Klopp for selling most of them. What is clear is that, if this season is to have any bright points, then we need to bring in some new players in January.
[ffc-gallery]Click to see our player ratings.[/ffc-gallery]
how does Benteke get 3? 0 or -3 would be more like it, biggest waste of money ever!
Absolutely disappointing performance. Achieving greater possession stats doesn’t win matches, taking your chances and scoring is what wins matches. We are really pathetic against any side that plays a physical game and employs high and/or long balls.
Lack of quality in the side is making the likes of Coutinho feel like they are untouchables. He can put in a half hearted shift and knows he won’t be dropped in the next game as there is no quality on the bench to replace him and do better. This is the same attitude we got from Sterling last season, but at least there were a few other options on the bench like Markovic, and Ibe to replace him with. Coutinho and Sterling used to fight for a place in the starting line up, or to come on as substitutes in the 2013/2014, when Suarez and Sturridge were dominating upfront, and the midfield mainly comprised of Gerrard, Henderson, and Lucas/Allen. At some point, before falling out with Brendan Rodgers, Suso was another young player Coutinho and Sterling competed with for places.
I hope Klopp has now seen enough of this disjointed play to change his mind about bringing in new players in this transfer window. If he doesn’t and persists with wanting to give the current dead wood a chance to prove themselves, then we will be lucky if we finish the season in the top half of the table