Match Day Liverpool v Brighton, Saturday 25 August 17:30

[SALTIRE]

If Fabinho is fit for this one I can see him getting a runout. Looking good just now, and though Brighton can be tricky (especially at home Stevencc ), I think we should be good for a comfortable win.

3 - 0 Liverpool

 

[Pickleman1967]

Yaarp, can't see Brighton having any joy here, regardless of the tremendous W last week. They don't travel too well, Anfield is always a hard place to pick up points.

Liverpool 2 Brighton 0

 

[snortingfrogs]

Liverpool 5 - 0 Brighton

 

[Bilo]

Same eleven as our previous two.

 

[G.B]

You have to imagine Glenn Murray will add to his impressive tally of 1 gols against that defence. Barcelona legend Martin Montoya will obviously pocket Mane, leaving an overweight Firmino and one season wonder Salah with the scoring responsibility. Expect more disgusting diving from the Egyptian. 3-0 Brighton unless the referee falls for Salah's cheating ways.

 

[G.B]

3-1*

 

[snortingfrogs]

The Egyptian King does it again =)

 

[G.B]

The Egyptian monarchy was abolished in the 50's, meaning your statement is factually incorrect. How embarrassing.

 

[speker]

Er it was re-established last year , try and keep up.

 

[snortingfrogs]

3 games, 3 wins, 3 clean sheets.

 

[SALTIRE]

Not a great performance, but got the win. In previous seasons we wouldn't have.

 

[G-Dragon]

Imagine conceding a goal in premier league...could never be my team.

 

[SALTIRE]

Alisson is the new Grobbelaar. He's already so much fun to watch. He could easily play in our midfield!

 

[Redpelt]

Wijnaldum orchestrated that performance ,practically faultless in possession of the ball and determined in the tackle and I thought Henderson when he was introduced showed the kind of resolve we will need this season ,he won every loose ball ,closed down the play and even averted an opportunity for Brighton when a stray ball ping ponged its way around our back four ,if he is to wrestle back a place in the middle then cameos like this will go a long way.

Special mention to Gomez who imo once again outshone the big man alongside him ,some timely interceptions and never lost composure ,the kids shows a similar poise to that classy Dane we used to have at the back.

Moment of the match was obviously Firmino's deft touch for Salah to sweep into the far corner with unerring accuracy ,however,the biggest cheer from the Kop was reserved for our new custodian when he nonchalantly clipped the ball over the onrushing attacker, it was practically immoral in its execution.

I think if Klopp manages to balance the stability of our defense with the energy of our midfield whilst overseeing the return of the potency up front we shown last season, then this Liverpool team will be well on its way to becoming frightening.

Just so glad we have finally learnt how to close games down and utilize effective game management.

 

[SALTIRE]

Just so glad we have finally learnt how to close games down and utilize effective game management.

Indeed, we would've dropped points at Palace and in a game like that against a dogged Brighton in seasons gone by.

Delighted that Gomez has slotted in so effortlessly at the back so far. He and VVD are close off the pitch so I'm sure Gomez has been picking up many points from the big man, and it seems to be working wonders. Lovren will have a hell of a job getting back in the side when he's fit.

Matip too made an appearance (first since March!), I'm hoping he can finally stay fit too just for cover.

 

[Benji]

Brighton look quite good. Well done Chris Hughton. He's not done a bad job on Hove either.

 

[Bilo]

Wijnaldum orchestrated that performance ,practically faultless in possession of the ball and determined in the tackle and I thought Henderson when he was introduced showed the kind of resolve we will need this season ,he won every loose ball ,closed down the play and even averted an opportunity for Brighton when a stray ball ping ponged its way around our back four ,if he is to wrestle back a place in the middle then cameos like this will go a long way.

Special mention to Gomez who imo once again outshone the big man alongside him ,some timely interceptions and never lost composure ,the kids shows a similar poise to that classy Dane we used to have at the back.

Moment of the match was obviously Firmino's deft touch for Salah to sweep into the far corner with unerring accuracy ,however,the biggest cheer from the Kop was reserved for our new custodian when he nonchalantly clipped the ball over the onrushing attacker, it was practically immoral in its execution.

I think if Klopp manages to balance the stability of our defense with the energy of our midfield whilst overseeing the return of the potency up front we shown last season, then this Liverpool team will be well on its way to becoming frightening.

Just so glad we have finally learnt how to close games down and utilize effective game management.

I agree with all of this.

I thought your praise for Wijnaldum last time out was slightly over the top but I agree he was fantastic today, the only real down being that Henderson came on and showed that it's possible to do the role even better (with fresh legs, granted). They were both fantastic as you say. Another moment that caught my eye was young Trent Alexander-Arnold pinging a volley pass 30 yards to Salah who took it down not having to move an inch, that was technically astounding (and a feat I'm unsure he'd repeat too many times out of ten).

Gomez also has impressed me a lot more than I thought. However, I always thought a glaring weakness of his was that he often misjudges the flight of balls which can be very problematic for a CB and still a worry for me. But he's quick for a centre back, stronger than you'd think (especially next to the absolute mountain van Dijk) and obviously motivated to make the spot next to VVD his own. Lovren should still come back into the side for me when he's fit, but Gomez is certainly ahead of Matip in the pecking order and might very well overtake Lovren either way over the course of a season.

However, we only won 1-0 (and short of a fantastic save late on it could have been 1-1) and there were negatives. Keita had his weakest game in a Liverpool shirt so far (which really isn't staying much, but still) and Firmino is having what the Echo called a world cup hangover. Whatever it his, he's woefully out of form. Mané wasn't very good today either. Indeed, in none of our three games so far our front three has been in full force. Nothing to worry about, mind.

 

[Redpelt]

I agree with all of this.

I thought your praise for Wijnaldum last time out was slightly over the top but I agree he was fantastic today, the only real down being that Henderson came on and showed that it's possible to do the role even better (with fresh legs, granted). They were both fantastic as you say. Another moment that caught my eye was young Trent Alexander-Arnold pinging a volley pass 30 yards to Salah who took it down not having to move an inch, that was technically astounding (and a feat I'm unsure he'd repeat too many times out of ten).

Gomez also has impressed me a lot more than I thought. However, I always thought a glaring weakness of his was that he often misjudges the flight of balls which can be very problematic for a CB and still a worry for me. But he's quick for a centre back, stronger than you'd think (especially next to the absolute mountain van Dijk) and obviously motivated to make the spot next to VVD his own. Lovren should still come back into the side for me when he's fit, but Gomez is certainly ahead of Matip in the pecking order and might very well overtake Lovren either way over the course of a season.

However, we only won 1-0 (and short of a fantastic save late on it could have been 1-1) and there were negatives. Keita had his weakest game in a Liverpool shirt so far (which really isn't staying much, but still) and Firmino is having what the Echo called a world cup hangover. Whatever it his, he's woefully out of form. Mané wasn't very good today either. Indeed, in none of our three games so far our front three has been in full force. Nothing to worry about, mind.

I think Keita has a concern over his fitness ,he seems to almost become bereft of energy as soon as we hit the 70th min mark ,whether this is just a case of adapting to the frenetic pace of the English league I don't know but I suspect his integration has been swifter than we all expected.

As for Trent's exquisite and instinctive pass ,I'm embarrassed to say I missed it ,it was one of those momentary lapses of concentration when you're distracted by someone in the ground and you instantly know you've missed something special by the ring of applause that envelopes you. I did however see it on MOTD ,but at the time of my posting I was oblivious to the quality. I also agree that Gomez has weak parts in his game but I think this season will be a defining one for the lad.

Firmino can drift in and out of games but his intuition and ingenuity are streets ahead of everyone else who shares that pitch ,he's far too clever a player to omit from the team.

 

[Redpelt]

In none of our three games so far our front three has been in full force. Nothing to worry about, mind.

Its all about tuning ,lest we forget, our triumvirate are never at their most fluent this early into a new season but come the end of September all three will be redoubtable ,its just a nice change to see the rest of the team falling into line with the undoubted quality they provide ,not in as much as digging them out ,but providing a solid plinth to afford them the time to raise their game ,or indeed click !

 

[Leo]

From what I've seen of Liverpool this season I've been very impressed and young Andy Robertson has come on leaps and bounds from when I first saw him with Hull having transferred from Dundee Utd. Could this be their year? Wouldn't surprise me.

 

[SALTIRE]

From what I've seen of Liverpool this season I've been very impressed and young Andy Robertson has come on leaps and bounds from when I first saw him with Hull having transferred from Dundee Utd. Could this be their year? Wouldn't surprise me.

Don't get my hopes up mate! Been burnt too many times!

 

[Redpelt]

Don't get my hopes up mate! Been burnt too many times!

As soon as I turned 40 I stopped packing a fire blanket to smother the impending flames that accompanied a defeat ,I'm now into my early 50's and thankfully fully fire retardant mate .

I now let the new breed that frequent Anfield do the the dance of the incensed whilst I watch the ensuing breakout of hysteria from the Kop.

 

[SALTIRE]

As soon as I turned 40 I stopped packing a fire blanket to smother the impending flames that accompanied a defeat ,I'm now into my early 50's and thankfully fully fire retardant mate .

I now let the new breed that frequent Anfield do the the dance of the incensed whilst I watch the ensuing breakout of hysteria from the Kop.

I'm in my forties myself, and have seen it all too. I am generally a patient sod (though overly optimistic a lot here will tell you!), and I think this is by far the best Liverpool squad in the PL era and finally with some good depth; however we are going up against possibly the strongest side of the PL era so it will be a difficult task.

I'm just trying to keep a lid on it for the time being. If we are still in the conversation come March and see where things stand in the CL; then I'll raise it up a bit. The signs are good so far, and we look strong all over the park, but we got to start turning some of those draws last season, into wins, which we are beginning to do. Keep it up all season, and it could be on for a good go at it. I hope so anyway!

 

[Redpelt]

I agree mate ,Its way too early to make any rash predictions ,this league season is still in its infancy,but I'm loving the resilience we're showing at the start of it.