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ECHO Comment: "Fears of Witch-hunt Against Liverpool FC" part 3

catcherintherye said:
This is probably true as well. City are really on the decline. I think Pep has made some bad decisions (not to sign a CB but keep buying fullbacks was one). Not converting Walker seemed another. I actually think LIverpool are on the same trajectory but probably a year behind, issues such as injuries really hit City but I don't see them coming back massively strongly. They would hope to sign someone like a Koulibaly that sorts their defence out.

As for Liverpool, they are growing older as a squad. Mane is 28, Salah will be 28 when the season starts, Firmino 29, VVD 29, Alisson 29 I think. Essentially most of their players are now getting to their late 20's. Spurs didn't replenish their quad and fell back a bit. I think the players they've brought in who are under 25 have realy struggled, Origi, Chamberlain, Minamino, Keita. All have flopped.
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All their best players are in their prime though and easily have 2-3 seasons at their peak left. Fabinho is young enough, so is Gomez and their two full backs. Their only real risk is having to replace all their front three at the same time but that’s a while off.

Unless the wheels fall off completely like they did in Klopp’s last season at Dortmund, Pep hits the jackpot with 2 or 3 class signings, or Mourinho gets it together at Spurs, I can’t see anyone challenging them next season.
 

Saint Domingo said:
Regardless of what happens this season they’re still extremely well placed for next year. City are coming towards the end of a great team with Aguero and Fernandinho year old and Silva leaving. Kompany hasn’t been replaced and if Laporte is injured that back line is terrible. They still haven’t got a single decent fullback despite 100s of millions being spent. They’ve got class in midfield with De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva but Pep seems to prefer playing combinations of Gundogan and Rodri who aren’t at the same level. Sane seems to be on his way out, and that leaves Sterling, Aguero and Jesus as their attackers with Mahrez inconsistent.

Even if Liverpool didn’t buy anyone, if they keep the same 11 together and don’t get an serious injuries (and continue to profit from VAR and their blatant doping) then they’ll probably win it again as the rest of the top 6 look completely hopeless.
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Absolutely spot on that fella. The fullback and centre back problems have been there for at least 2 years.
Everyone knew Kompany was on his way one way or another. Also the sheer number of games he has missed
through injury is huge. So not to bring in cover for him was big error. John Stones has not developed into the
player everyone thought he might and as you say, to the amazement of most City fans he persists in playing Gundogan.
Sterling's form dropped off badly immediately after his altercation with Gomez whilst playing for England and never returned.
David Silva goes at the end of this season but he has not been anywhere near what he was for the last 2 years. The
really good news is that we have a ready made replacement in Phil Foden who is the real deal. Pure class and he
will add to the team a lot. Sane is as good as gone and he is a big miss to say the least - a proper match winner.
However, the club will invest and bring in new talent. The only hiccup being the potential two year ban from the CL.
If its a one year ban then it shouldn't be to much of a problem. Two years will scare of the truly elite players.
As you say if Liverpool keep the same squad and continue to get the outrageous VAR decisions (and we continue to
get the exact opposite) and consistently get 'the rub of the green' refeering decisions then next season will be a continuation
of this season. United are a million miles away from being anywhere a near top side. Chelsea haven't go the squad to get
anywhere near the title, the same as Arsenal and The Special Once will continue to drive Spurs into the ground.
It doesn't bode well...
 
Saint Domingo said:
All their best players are in their prime though and easily have 2-3 seasons at their peak left. Fabinho is young enough, so is Gomez and their two full backs. Their only real risk is having to replace all their front three at the same time but that’s a while off.

Unless the wheels fall off completely like they did in Klopp’s last season at Dortmund, Pep hits the jackpot with 2 or 3 class signings, or Mourinho gets it together at Spurs, I can’t see anyone challenging them next season.
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Most of them are in their prime, but coming to the latter end of it. Most are approaching 30. They are one of the oldest teams in the league now. However they are favourites next year. I think this summer will be wild though, and it could be quite open come August.
 
Saint Domingo said:
Regardless of what happens this season they’re still extremely well placed for next year. City are coming towards the end of a great team with Aguero and Fernandinho year old and Silva leaving. Kompany hasn’t been replaced and if Laporte is injured that back line is terrible. They still haven’t got a single decent fullback despite 100s of millions being spent. They’ve got class in midfield with De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva but Pep seems to prefer playing combinations of Gundogan and Rodri who aren’t at the same level. Sane seems to be on his way out, and that leaves Sterling, Aguero and Jesus as their attackers with Mahrez inconsistent.

Even if Liverpool didn’t buy anyone, if they keep the same 11 together and don’t get an serious injuries (and continue to profit from VAR and their blatant doping) then they’ll probably win it again as the rest of the top 6 look completely hopeless.
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They need to hit the ground running though, don't forget that they will lose 6 players to the AFCON right in the middle of the season including Mane and Salah.
 

Simon Buttle said:
They need to hit the ground running though, don't forget that they will lose 6 players to the AFCON right in the middle of the season including Mane and Salah.
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I’d be amazed if they don’t suffer an extremely conveniently timed short rerun injury which keeps them out the squads but will have them back playing straight away. Will have to see if the AFCON even goes ahead dependent on the impact of Coronavirus which seems further behind in Africa currently but could be absolutely devastating.
 

If you’re a Liverpool fan and you want to make your views on the current situation known to rival fans on a rival forum why not sign up now and receive the free gift of being mercilessly mocked until you meltdown and are banned for racism/homophobia/knowing nothing about football/thinking a trophy is worth the deaths of thousands of people. Limited time only!
 
killenefc said:
If you’re a Liverpool fan and you want to make your views on the current situation known to rival fans on a rival forum why not sign up now and receive the free gift of being mercilessly mocked until you meltdown and are banned for racism/homophobia/knowing nothing about football/thinking a trophy is worth the deaths of thousands of people. Limited time only!
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Pointing out anything shameful about that vile club is just point scoring according to them.
 

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