For the most recent episode of Scouser Tommies, Jim Boardman and Jay Reid got together to discuss everything happening with the Reds, including a couple of 3-1 victories and the impending visit of one old foe, but is he really as old as he seems?
The victory over LASK in the Europa League, the first LFC game in the competition in what feels like ages, is still freshest in people’s minds. A significantly altered Reds team was sent off and fell down by a goal, but despite what some analysts appeared to imply, the club’s chances of qualifying for Europe this season were not over. The night was still young, just like the right-side of the Reds starting lineup, and Klopp’s team would return to Speke Airport before midnight with a 3-1 victory already secured.
It was crucial for Klopp to make those adjustments for that particular game rather than simply resting the players who might be more likely to be selected first. All of the starters profited from the extra playing time that Liverpool’s participation in this competition may provide.
Jay observed, “In the midfield, with Endo, Gravenberch, and Elliott, they’ve got to play,” adding:
“Endo needs game time and to get those legs working because he just joined the team. There were a few instances when he appeared a little slow and careless in possession, but you have to take into account the fact that he hasn’t actually played much since arriving”.
The 21-year-old Gravenberch signed just before the deadline, and after skipping out on international duty to procure a car and a place to live and to familiarize himself with his new club’s procedures, he was rewarded with a start.
After the game, he acknowledged that there were some sloppy moments, but Jay was still impressed given that it was his first start for the Reds and that he had played so little for Bayern:
“He left the game in the second half with, presumably, cramp, and that’s definitely a sign of his lack of recent games, but there were positives to take. Positives include his forward-thinking nature and his remarkable mobility for a boy who is just 6 feet 3 inches tall”.
Trent was still out, therefore Stefan Bajetic made his first start following a protracted injury absence at right-back. After a brief moment of shuddering at the prospect of who may have been stepping in at right-back if he hadn’t gone to Brighton, Jim reasoned that although it was a new position for Bajetic, with practice, he might become proficient in it:
Being his first game back, Jim said that “it was a strange one I thought to play Stefan there,” but added that he had the acting chops necessary for the part. He may lack experience, but he has the abilities and the quickness. It would be a shame to not be able to use this young man. Is this going to be his path to playing for us given that the midfield is so heavily filled with names and we have a lot of games?”
In addition to discussing the LASK game, there were many insightful remarks on the previous weekend’s game of two halves against Wolves.
These matches, which were also covered in the podcast, showed just how young this Liverpool team is as we prepare for the future without, hopefully, falling too far behind the competition. They also served as a reminder of why Luis Diaz’s absence was more of a problem than Sadio Mane’s departure last season.
A cat! will likely once again be yelled during the upcoming two home games against West Ham and Leicester in the EFL Cup, each of which will feature free team talks provided by one slightly mouthy opponent. David Moyes arrives back in the city and exclaims, “A cat, a cat, a cat!”