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The Mauricio Pochettino thread

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spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
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He has been rotating Milner in as cover for a fullback and utilizing his squad of midfielders for CL games. Plus obviously he played a lot of youngsters for their carabao cup games.

Also Lovren and Gomes have been filling in next to Van Dijk.

Liverpool vs Genk

View attachment 57928

Genk vs Liverpool

View attachment 57929


Liverpool vs Aston Villa

View attachment 57930


I have done a full analysis of Klopp's back 4 selection since the start of February this year - all PL and CL games (coinciding with the start of our own woeful run of form). The plain fact is that if his first choice back 4 are fit (Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson) then they play, with the only exception being the recent CL games against weak opposition in Ghenk.

Milner Matip van Dijk Robertson
Milner Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Milner Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertso
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Milner (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Gomez Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Gomez van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Gomez van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Milner Lovren gav Dijk Robertson (CL vs Ghenk)
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Gomez van Dijk Milner (CL vs Ghenk)
 

dudu

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2011
5,314
11,048
Losing two players to injury in one match is highly unlikely.

If it happens, you take off whoever is the most tired with the remaining substitution.

I’d rather we do that every game, get their fitness up quicker with more game time, and see it backfire perhaps 5% of the time, than doing what we’re doing currently - barely putting our new signings on the pitch for weeks at a time, taking an age to get their match fitness up, and seeing it backfire perhaps 70% of the time.

I am sure there is a right and wrong way to do things regarding player reintegration. I genuinely don't know what it is but id be interested to know what is the best thing to do for the player rather than the fans.
 

dudu

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2011
5,314
11,048
I have done a full analysis of Klopp's back 4 selection since the start of February this year - all PL and CL games (coinciding with the start of our own woeful run of form). The plain fact is that if his first choice back 4 are fit (Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson) then they play, with the only exception being the recent CL games against weak opposition in Ghenk.

Milner Matip van Dijk Robertson
Milner Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Milner Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertso
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Milner (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Gomez Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Gomez van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Gomez van Dijk Robertson (CL)
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Matip van Dijk Robertson
Milner Lovren gav Dijk Robertson (CL vs Ghenk)
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alexander-Arnold Gomez van Dijk Milner (CL vs Ghenk)

Interesting reading. Thanks for putting that together. It would certainly make sense that he is rotating players when he can (in games against weaker opposition in the CL) and playing his best team at all times during a period when they couldn't afford to lose a game (Feb to end of the year)

Let me ask you a question though. Who is our best/first choice back 4? Clearly liverpool have not had the injuries, suspensions or loss of form/ability to play two games in a week (Rose) that we have had.

Our back 4 in the league this season. Looking at it, is the changing around of the defense causing the problems or trying to fix problems?

KWP TA DS DR
KWP TA DS DR
KWP TA DS DR
DS TA JV DR - Vs Arsenal Vertonghen comes back in (plenty are happy with that) Sanchez moves to RB (plenty are not)
SA TA JV DR - We then take our Sanchez, experiment gone wrong, Aurier comes in
SA TA JV DR
SA TA JV DR
MS TA JV BD - Aurier missing after being sent off, Rose rested after Bayern Midweek game
SA DS TA JV DR - back five, top 5 defenders playing
SA TA DS DR - Vertonghen injured?
SA TA DS BD - Rose rested/out of form.
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
31,840
56,924
I'll sing his name for 90 minutes, but please let this be his farewell game.

The time has come Poch, 11 months of absolute mediocrity is too long. We've adored you, supported you, and cried with you for 5 years. Do the right thing and leave with your head held high.
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
14,566
19,651
I'll sing his name for 90 minutes, but please let this be his farewell game.

The time has come Poch, 11 months of absolute mediocrity is too long. We've adored you, supported you, and cried with you for 5 years. Do the right thing and leave with your head held high.
Even if we lose today poch won't be going anywhere.
 

olliec

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Jun 20, 2012
3,574
11,763
You can’t even give him the season at least to try and turn things around? We wasn’t shit against Belgrade and we already have one step in the knockock stages. What if we win today? Still Poch out? You think anyone is going to rejuvenate eriksen. I can see why Poch is playing him now. He’s obviously low on confidence and hoping he can pull through because If he does get out of this slump what an asset he will be. Do you really think eriksen wants to be this shit?
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
14,566
19,651
You can’t even give him the season at least to try and turn things around? We wasn’t shit against Belgrade and we already have one step in the knockock stages. What if we win today? Still Poch out? You think anyone is going to rejuvenate eriksen. I can see why Poch is playing him now. He’s obviously low on confidence and hoping he can pull through because If he does get out of this slump what an asset he will be. Do you really think eriksen wants to be this shit?
Think you have the wrong person mate I just responded to another poster by saying that he won't be leaving because he had mentioned he wanted it to be pochs last game, I'm not sure where all this shit has come from because I suggested nothing other than stating he won't be sacked.
 
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olliec

Well-Known Member
Jun 20, 2012
3,574
11,763
Think you have the wrong person mate I just responded to another poster by saying that he won't be leaving because he had mentioned he wanted it to be pochs last game, do I'm not sure where all this shit has come from because I suggested nothing other than stating he won't be sacked.
I deleted! Sorry was meant to quote @hughy but such a pain in the ass on the mobile phone to change the quote over
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
31,840
56,924
In terms of what not sacking him or that we are going nowhere.
Both. I have a lot of respect for Poch who has undoubtedly guided us to our best years in recent history, but it feels like we're in a doomed relationship where we're just delaying the inevitable. One good result away to a poor team in the CL, and a win against a newly promoted team at home isn't going to change that.

There isn't going to be a miraculous revival under Poch. Even in the event that he turns things around in the short term he isn't the man to guide us through to the next chapter. He knows that, we know that, Levy knows that.

This season isn't a write off, top 4 is very much still achievable, but we need new ideas, a new intensity and new belief. We won't get that under Poch.

Edit: @olliec read this post. It'll give a better idea of my feelings.
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
31,840
56,924
You can’t even give him the season at least to try and turn things around? We wasn’t shit against Belgrade and we already have one step in the knockock stages. What if we win today? Still Poch out? You think anyone is going to rejuvenate eriksen. I can see why Poch is playing him now. He’s obviously low on confidence and hoping he can pull through because If he does get out of this slump what an asset he will be. Do you really think eriksen wants to be this shit?
He's had 10 months to turn it around. It's incredible just how much the CL run of last season papered over the cracks for some fans.
 

olliec

Well-Known Member
Jun 20, 2012
3,574
11,763
He's had 10 months to turn it around. It's incredible just how much the CL run of last season papered over the cracks for some fans.

10 months isn’t a long time when you need to buy new players to rejuvenate the team. The guy hasn’t even had a chance to try his new signings out properly. I say give him the season at least he deserves that.
 
D

Deleted member 29446

You can’t even give him the season at least to try and turn things around? We wasn’t shit against Belgrade and we already have one step in the knockock stages. What if we win today? Still Poch out? You think anyone is going to rejuvenate eriksen. I can see why Poch is playing him now. He’s obviously low on confidence and hoping he can pull through because If he does get out of this slump what an asset he will be. Do you really think eriksen wants to be this shit?

Nope you can't give a WHOLE season to a manager these days. Maybe 10 years ago when we were shit, but now we're something different.
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
14,566
19,651
Both. I have a lot of respect for Poch who has undoubtedly guided us to our best years in recent history, but it feels like we're in a doomed relationship where we're just delaying the inevitable. One good result away to a poor team in the CL, and a win against a newly promoted team at home isn't going to change that.

There isn't going to be a miraculous revival under Poch. Even in the event that he turns things around in the short term he isn't the man to guide us through to the next chapter. He knows that, we know that, Levy knows that.

This season isn't a write off, top 4 is very much still achievable, but we need new ideas, a new intensity and new belief. We won't get that under Poch.
I get the frustration I think we all do but I just can't see levy getting rid of him partly because he is also Responsible for the mess and who else will come in and work with their hands tied probably very few certainly not the top managers.
I'm pleased but not fooled by the CL results we are fortunate to have played such a passive team twice that has allowed us to build our goal difference along with qualifying from the group but soon as we meet a good side we will be out anyway.
The league form is the conundrum only 2/3 wins still no away win since January goals conceded every game, it's going to take one hell of a run to try and get top four and that is unlikely given our poor we are even top six is a struggle I think so the team really need to start winning games if we are to avoid being stuck in mid table.
 

$hoguN

Well-Known Member
Jul 25, 2005
26,626
34,700
Basically keeping Pochettino guarantees no cl next season. It guarantees excuses and more players wanting out.

A change of manager has a chance to push us forward.

In that game of black jack I’m not happy to atick
 

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
6,647
27,841
Interesting reading. Thanks for putting that together. It would certainly make sense that he is rotating players when he can (in games against weaker opposition in the CL) and playing his best team at all times during a period when they couldn't afford to lose a game (Feb to end of the year)

Let me ask you a question though. Who is our best/first choice back 4? Clearly liverpool have not had the injuries, suspensions or loss of form/ability to play two games in a week (Rose) that we have had.

Our back 4 in the league this season. Looking at it, is the changing around of the defense causing the problems or trying to fix problems?

KWP TA DS DR
KWP TA DS DR
KWP TA DS DR
DS TA JV DR - Vs Arsenal Vertonghen comes back in (plenty are happy with that) Sanchez moves to RB (plenty are not)
SA TA JV DR - We then take our Sanchez, experiment gone wrong, Aurier comes in
SA TA JV DR
SA TA JV DR
MS TA JV BD - Aurier missing after being sent off, Rose rested after Bayern Midweek game
SA DS TA JV DR - back five, top 5 defenders playing
SA TA DS DR - Vertonghen injured?
SA TA DS BD - Rose rested/out of form.

That is a good question, and one that is indicative of the way Poch's reign has gone awry. He clearly doesn't know what his best back 4 is - in his 5th season with us. To be fair to him, we have had a few injuries this season, especially at RB (KWP tore his hamstring and Foyth, who was believed to be his first choice for RB this season had a fairly serious ankle injury in pre-season).

However, if I was in charge I would make clear and bold decisions.

1. I would not pick players who are looking to leave next summer.
I would have made it clear to all first team players at the end of last season that they commit their futures or will be sold or frozen out. This would mean I would not pick Toby this season. If the club and Jan did not agree a next contract quickly (his age counts against him) I would not pick him either. This clearly shows what a poor transfer strategy we had in the summer (and last summer). This would also count for Eriksen further up the pitch too.

2. I would not pick players who regularly have defensive lapses.
This rules out Rose and Aurier. Rose has been responsible for quite a few goals conceded this season, and befoe mid-week had offered very little going forwards as well. Aurier publicly wanted out last summer and did not get his move, and regularly has lapses resulting in goals, penalties or red cards. This would count against Lloris too (if he wasn't injured) as he has made a lot of mistakes in the last 18 months and has becoming increasingly inconsistent.

So my back 4 (in front of Gazzaniga) would be:

Foyth Sanchez Dier Davies​

My emphasis would be on no silly mistakes and stop taking risks at the back. Play a higher line to help the team press higher. We have a front 5 who will score goals against anyone, anywhere. And I would play that back 4 every game if they are fit. I would ask Levy to urgently get me a top drawer CB (aged 27-30) in the January window (if he is serious about CL qualification this season), and FBs who are aggressive, athletic and offer something at both ends of the pitch, and a top drawer DCM, in the summer (to turn us back into title challengers).

Overall my team would look like this most weeks this season:

Gazza
Foyth Sanchez Dier Davies
Sissoko Ndombele
Lo Celso Lamela/Dele Son
Kane​

Subs: Vorm, KWP, Sessegnon, Winks, Skipp, Lamela/Dele, Moura

Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose - which is a much stronger back 5 on paper - would all be surplus to requirements, along with Wanyama and Eriksen. Personally I feel most of those should have been offloaded either last summer or the summer before, and failing to do so has resulted in a very stale squad with players going through the motions.
 

nasescoba1985

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
847
3,058
I’m pretty much resigned to being pissed off come kick off as we know full well what team he’s going to put out. Rose, Eriksen and Winks all playing. GLC dropped despite playing an absolute blinder Wednesday.
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
21,904
78,639
That is a good question, and one that is indicative of the way Poch's reign has gone awry. He clearly doesn't know what his best back 4 is - in his 5th season with us. To be fair to him, we have had a few injuries this season, especially at RB (KWP tore his hamstring and Foyth, who was believed to be his first choice for RB this season had a fairly serious ankle injury in pre-season).

However, if I was in charge I would make clear and bold decisions.

1. I would not pick players who are looking to leave next summer.
I would have made it clear to all first team players at the end of last season that they commit their futures or will be sold or frozen out. This would mean I would not pick Toby this season. If the club and Jan did not agree a next contract quickly (his age counts against him) I would not pick him either. This clearly shows what a poor transfer strategy we had in the summer (and last summer). This would also count for Eriksen further up the pitch too.

2. I would not pick players who regularly have defensive lapses.
This rules out Rose and Aurier. Rose has been responsible for quite a few goals conceded this season, and befoe mid-week had offered very little going forwards as well. Aurier publicly wanted out last summer and did not get his move, and regularly has lapses resulting in goals, penalties or red cards. This would count against Lloris too (if he wasn't injured) as he has made a lot of mistakes in the last 18 months and has becoming increasingly inconsistent.

So my back 4 (in front of Gazzaniga) would be:

Foyth Sanchez Dier Davies​

My emphasis would be on no silly mistakes and stop taking risks at the back. Play a higher line to help the team press higher. We have a front 5 who will score goals against anyone, anywhere. And I would play that back 4 every game if they are fit. I would ask Levy to urgently get me a top drawer CB (aged 27-30) in the January window (if he is serious about CL qualification this season), and FBs who are aggressive, athletic and offer something at both ends of the pitch, and a top drawer DCM, in the summer (to turn us back into title challengers).

Overall my team would look like this most weeks this season:

Gazza
Foyth Sanchez Dier Davies
Sissoko Ndombele
Lo Celso Lamela/Dele Son
Kane​

Subs: Vorm, KWP, Sessegnon, Winks, Skipp, Lamela/Dele, Moura

Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose - which is a much stronger back 5 on paper - would all be surplus to requirements, along with Wanyama and Eriksen. Personally I feel most of those should have been offloaded either last summer or the summer before, and failing to do so has resulted in a very stale squad with players going through the motions.
I agree with the general jist of number 1 but it's much harder to put into practice. Why? Wages and team morale.

If in pre-season had have said to Rose, Aurier, Eriksen, Jan and Toby "sign up or your sidelined" then it would have caused a host of issues.

Firstly, sidelining them means you can't at any cost bring them back into the fold. But what if you get injuries? Well we saw that when both KWP and Foyth were injured, we played Sanchez and it was messy. Lo Celso got injured and Lamela now too, so what if Eriksen had been told to stay away? You can apply the same logic to all of them.

Secondly, team morale. Most of these players are close with the rest of the squad. Can you imagine the conversations and unrest that would start to fester. The dumped players will be slagging Poch off to the ones still playing and the ones still playing will be wondering why Poch has deliberately weakened the team and will be getting frustrated with results.

Lastly, salary budget. The salary of these 5 players probably sits around 400k per month. There's no way a club of our size can afford to just be throwing that kind of money away, neither can we just go out and buy a further 5 players on similar salaries.

It's one aspect I will stick up for Poch on. The criticism starts when he continues to have these said players start week in week out when we look much better balanced and energised with the new players.

I wouldnt banish Eriksen but he's behind both Lo Celso and Lamela to start.

I wouldnt banish Toby buy he's behind Dier and Sanchez.

I wouldnt banish Aurier but he's behind Foyth.

I wouldnt banish Rose but he's behind Sess and Davies.

We've got two months to go now before we can possibly offload some of these players so we should be able to manage the situation better.

I will be concerned if it's January and Poch is still picking these wantaways despite having all players available.
 
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