The case against the defence

[ozleeds]

He has tweaked plan A - we played differently against Spurs, West Ham and tried to against Man U.

We just don’t have the players whatever the plan. My point being I would rather lose playing how we do than lose parking the bus. Albeit I don’t like losing to anyone.

The reality is without a fully fit squad we are not good enough to compete.

Having such a thin squad is not down to Bielsa alone and he has spoken openly in his very polite way that of course he would like more players BUT they have to be better than those we have at present. All of which makes sense. We didn’t buy better (bar James) in the summer and left ourselves open to injuries to key players - when that happened we didn’t buy in January - that isn’t Bielsa’s fault.

If you read what Angus Kinnear said in programme notes or interviews back in August, September and more recently January it is clear that was a board strategy.

Those notes also recommended he fast-forward the under 23s hence no spending but hey that's worked well.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

In the areas we need reinforcing the U23 are not ready. Bate can’t be expected to cure the ills of the number 4 role with feck all around him and Allen is too young.

The players that are ready have seen game time but in the central midfield area they are two to three years away from being ready no matter how much potential they are showing.

In three years time one the cycle is complete and we are both planting seeds and bearing fruit great but not there yet.

Ergo they should have signed at least one good upgrade midfielder who can cover 4! and 8 or cover 8 and 10 but they didn’t so no point crying over it.

In the absence of Phillips who realistically do you call up from the U23 who is a reliable replacement?

Thankfully the game isn’t bei by shown live in the UK so I won’t be able to watch the ‘drama’ unfold.

What is Liverpool’s record score in the Prem?