The Rounded Keeper - FPL Pub Talk & Matchday Banter 2020/21

[Mav3rick]

Let's not get Stem excited....

[hancockjr]

It's not like they didn't try to replace Lovren, it's just that the various suitors were really too much money and it's pretty unlikely that both your CBs get hit with season ending injuries anyway (Matip, Fabinho and R Williams are decent 2nd/3rd/4th choice cover for a month or so injury or rotation - it's only when VVD and Gomez are both out for the season that the decision looks short sighted).

Whether the club go big and lineup a Gomez replacement (in the starting XI) in January will be interesting to see, using Chelsea as an example, even an old war horse with a year left in his legs can make a significant difference in the short term.

Fabinho is Liverpool's 4th choice centre back - Surely only Chelsea can boast similar depth? They've just been very unlucky there. I think people still don't think of him as a centre back, but he's extremely good there. Philips is proving pretty good as well.

[Pirlo's Beard]

Let's not get Stem excited....

Yeah, if he ever comes back...

[Malrom]

Klopp is such a fraud. He moans about not being able to use his squad, too many injuries and so on but there's no reason whatsoever why Tsimikas, Origi and Minamino couldn't be starting tonight. The worst that could happen (if they lost) would be that they'd need to beat Midtjylland in R6 to go through. He just doesn't like playing less than his best XI in PL & CL games is all. And the domestic cups he doesn't care about at all, the sooner they lose the better it suits him.

We all wait for the time one so wise as you can be Liverpool's manager rather than the current "fraudulent" incumbent.

Maybe you didn't see his interviews after the Brighton 1-1? He attacked BT (and blamed them for Milner's injury) for televising them at 12:30 instead of 15:00. He called Chris Wilder selfish for being reluctant about 5 subs. He claimed that he'd like to have subbed Robertson off for Tsimikas "simply to protect the player" but couldn't because he only had 3 subs. And then he starts Robertson again 3 days later. Doubtless if Robertson picks up an injury tonight it will once again be someone else's fault, not his.

He's a fraud. He doesn't like not being able to play his first XI in the CL & PL and expects that everyone else should revolve around enabling that. Every other manager in a similar position accepts that there will need to be rotation in this difficult season. If Liverpool's squad isn't deep enough, who's fault is that? Who's fault is it that they sold Lovren and let Clyne go without replacing either? They can't expect to get away with so few injuries as they have had in the last 2 seasons forever.

I saw it and agreed with most of the content, but not the way or time it was delivered. Though I expect Klopp also didn't agree with that on reflection, that makes him honest though, not a fraud.

Aside from Murf's very valid points, the option was to play a further weakened team tonight, including none of the first choice back 5 by your suggestion, increasing the chance of a defeat, increasing the chance of a very hard game chasing the result, putting even more pressure on the other 8, and then if they lose having to do it all again at Midtjylland, a club who are good enough to be winning away at Atalanta. Instead they are increasing their chances of winning tonight, which will enable proper resting in R6 assuming top spot is not in doubt.

Probably a better description of a fraud is someone who purports to know more than one of the world's very best coaches.

to be one of the world's very best coaches doesn't make him likeable to me, he is a bad loser, I know that from interviews in Germany during his years at Dortmund.
To be fair, the above mentioned interview was by far not the worst!

[hayesag]

even an old war horse with a year left in his legs can make a significant difference in the short term.

Phil Jones might be available.

pick me gaffer

[Stevieste]

Already got 3 Villa players on the bench and cant trust man city players.

If i do it tonight i have exact funds to do

Sterling to KDB
Foden to Mahrez -4

[Mav3rick]

Let's not get Stem excited....

Yeah, if he ever comes back...

The mere mention of Phil Jones will summon him. He probably has a Google alert setup.

[Pirlo's Beard]

pick me gaffer

The many faces of Phil Jones.

Well, just the one face, repeated many times.

[hayesag]

Already got 3 Villa players on the bench and cant trust man city players.

If i do it tonight i have exact funds to do

Sterling to KDB
Foden to Mahrez -4

if you fall for the mahrez trap you only have yourself to blame

[Mav3rick]

Kelleher is MotM here.

[Pirlo's Beard]

The mere mention of Phil Jones will summon him. He probably has a Google alert setup.

Can someone beam a Phil Jones bat signal into the night sky?

[Smurphy Paw]

Already got 3 Villa players on the bench and cant trust man city players.

If i do it tonight i have exact funds to do

Sterling to KDB
Foden to Mahrez -4

if you fall for the mahrez trap you only have yourself to blame

True. Frying pan to fire move. If you’re going to take a hit make it for a certain starter, Stevie

[hancockjr]

Klopp is such a fraud. He moans about not being able to use his squad, too many injuries and so on but there's no reason whatsoever why Tsimikas, Origi and Minamino couldn't be starting tonight. The worst that could happen (if they lost) would be that they'd need to beat Midtjylland in R6 to go through. He just doesn't like playing less than his best XI in PL & CL games is all. And the domestic cups he doesn't care about at all, the sooner they lose the better it suits him.

We all wait for the time one so wise as you can be Liverpool's manager rather than the current "fraudulent" incumbent.

Maybe you didn't see his interviews after the Brighton 1-1? He attacked BT (and blamed them for Milner's injury) for televising them at 12:30 instead of 15:00. He called Chris Wilder selfish for being reluctant about 5 subs. He claimed that he'd like to have subbed Robertson off for Tsimikas "simply to protect the player" but couldn't because he only had 3 subs. And then he starts Robertson again 3 days later. Doubtless if Robertson picks up an injury tonight it will once again be someone else's fault, not his.

He's a fraud. He doesn't like not being able to play his first XI in the CL & PL and expects that everyone else should revolve around enabling that. Every other manager in a similar position accepts that there will need to be rotation in this difficult season. If Liverpool's squad isn't deep enough, who's fault is that? Who's fault is it that they sold Lovren and let Clyne go without replacing either? They can't expect to get away with so few injuries as they have had in the last 2 seasons forever.

I saw it and agreed with most of the content, but not the way or time it was delivered. Though I expect Klopp also didn't agree with that on reflection, that makes him honest though, not a fraud.

Aside from Murf's very valid points, the option was to play a further weakened team tonight, including none of the first choice back 5 by your suggestion, increasing the chance of a defeat, increasing the chance of a very hard game chasing the result, putting even more pressure on the other 8, and then if they lose having to do it all again at Midtjylland, a club who are good enough to be winning away at Atalanta. Instead they are increasing their chances of winning tonight, which will enable proper resting in R6 assuming top spot is not in doubt.

Probably a better description of a fraud is someone who purports to know more than one of the world's very best coaches.

to be one of the world's very best coaches doesn't make him likeable to me, he is a bad loser, I know that from interviews in Germany during his years at Dortmund.
To be fair, the above mentionde interview was by far not the worst!

Indeed, no-one has to like him. Fergie wasn't very likeable either. Apparently he's extremely unpopular with journalists in general. Equally though people who work with him rarely have a bad word to say. MAke of that what you will.

[Pirlo's Beard]

Kelleher is MotM here.

[Stevieste]

Already got 3 Villa players on the bench and cant trust man city players.

If i do it tonight i have exact funds to do

Sterling to KDB
Foden to Mahrez -4

if you fall for the mahrez trap you only have yourself to blame

True. Frying pan to fire move. If you’re going to take a hit make it for a certain starter, Stevie

So Sterling to KDB (C) and hope Foden and Cancelo get a least a point

[Joccki_10]

Ever since we brought on Labyad we were playing with 10 men.

Should have gotten at least a point, now need a win against Atalanta.

[Malrom]

Klopp is such a fraud. He moans about not being able to use his squad, too many injuries and so on but there's no reason whatsoever why Tsimikas, Origi and Minamino couldn't be starting tonight. The worst that could happen (if they lost) would be that they'd need to beat Midtjylland in R6 to go through. He just doesn't like playing less than his best XI in PL & CL games is all. And the domestic cups he doesn't care about at all, the sooner they lose the better it suits him.

We all wait for the time one so wise as you can be Liverpool's manager rather than the current "fraudulent" incumbent.

Maybe you didn't see his interviews after the Brighton 1-1? He attacked BT (and blamed them for Milner's injury) for televising them at 12:30 instead of 15:00. He called Chris Wilder selfish for being reluctant about 5 subs. He claimed that he'd like to have subbed Robertson off for Tsimikas "simply to protect the player" but couldn't because he only had 3 subs. And then he starts Robertson again 3 days later. Doubtless if Robertson picks up an injury tonight it will once again be someone else's fault, not his.

He's a fraud. He doesn't like not being able to play his first XI in the CL & PL and expects that everyone else should revolve around enabling that. Every other manager in a similar position accepts that there will need to be rotation in this difficult season. If Liverpool's squad isn't deep enough, who's fault is that? Who's fault is it that they sold Lovren and let Clyne go without replacing either? They can't expect to get away with so few injuries as they have had in the last 2 seasons forever.

I saw it and agreed with most of the content, but not the way or time it was delivered. Though I expect Klopp also didn't agree with that on reflection, that makes him honest though, not a fraud.

Aside from Murf's very valid points, the option was to play a further weakened team tonight, including none of the first choice back 5 by your suggestion, increasing the chance of a defeat, increasing the chance of a very hard game chasing the result, putting even more pressure on the other 8, and then if they lose having to do it all again at Midtjylland, a club who are good enough to be winning away at Atalanta. Instead they are increasing their chances of winning tonight, which will enable proper resting in R6 assuming top spot is not in doubt.

Probably a better description of a fraud is someone who purports to know more than one of the world's very best coaches.

to be one of the world's very best coaches doesn't make him likeable to me, he is a bad loser, I know that from interviews in Germany during his years at Dortmund.
To be fair, the above mentionde interview was by far not the worst!

Indeed, no-one has to like him. Fergie wasn't very likeable either. Apparently he's extremely unpopular with journalists in general. Equally though people who work with him rarely have a bad word to say. MAke of that what you will.

the same with Jose......

[hancockjr]

Not sure that Jose was as popular with staff (all of them, not just the players who were in the side).

[Malrom]

Not sure that Jose was as popular with staff (all of them, not just the players who were in the side).

you can't be everybod's darling...

[Mav3rick]

Well City and Liverpool both group winners, so the last game will presumably be all change for both and a rest for the first teamers.

[Ruth_NZ]

Aside from Murf's very valid points, the option was to play a further weakened team tonight, including none of the first choice back 5 by your suggestion, increasing the chance of a defeat, increasing the chance of a very hard game chasing the result, putting even more pressure on the other 8, and then if they lose having to do it all again at Midtjylland, a club who are good enough to be winning away at Atalanta. Instead they are increasing their chances of winning tonight, which will enable proper resting in R6 assuming top spot is not in doubt.

Probably a better description of a fraud is someone who purports to know more than one of the world's very best coaches.

I think you are wilfully setting up and then demolishing a strawman. Well done. But that's all you are accomplishing here.

I don't purport to know more than Klopp, the very idea is ridiculous. As it happens, I didn't disagree in the slightest with his team selection tonight, I understood the reasons for it (as you laid them out) and they made obvious sense. I have not suggested that he do any different, merely observed that he could have if the players' status was as dire as he has been suggesting.

What makes Klopp a fraud - and the only thing I am calling out - is the obvious contradiction between his comments and his actions. If Robertson needed "protection" at the weekend but couldn't be subbed, how come he plays 90m 3 days later when 5 subs are available? Klopp makes the case that all he wants is protection for the players - from Chris Wilder, from BT, from the FA - but in that case he should protect them himself. If not he's being duplicitous and wanting everything his own way, which is a nice way to say A FRAUD.

[hayesag]

Dont get the FRAUD comments . Doesnt every manager lie through their backside before matchdays? Why would u want to reveal which of your best players are going to play for definite and in turn give the opposition the upper hand. Its like saying this is my team and im going to play all out attack in a 2-4-4 formation. Come on now Ruth have a word with yourself. The way premier league managers act is no different to what we have to put up with from our very own politicians. Whether you choose to believe the bull crap coming out their mouth is another thing but calling someone a fraud for doing their job? nah you need to come up with a better term than that

[Smurphy Paw]

I made some of the same observations about Klopp at the weekend. FWIW I do think fraud is the wrong word, maybe disingenuous would be a better fit if only because it is less antagonistic when there are reasonable discussion points about how each manager approaches playing their squad; and approaches the media. There’s also a degree of shaping the narrative to suit - as suggested above, something that other top managers were wont to do: Fergie (Time), Arsene (I didn’t see it), Jose (where would we begin?)

[TheRumourMill]

They're all bullshit merchants to varying degrees, the press conferences used to be a fairly reliable source of information, but they're full of half truths and often complete lies. Not that I blame them much, they're seeking to gain whatever advantage they can. The best information increasingly comes out of journalists and leaks. You can't trust everything you read on twitter, but I trust that more than I trust a manager in a press conference!

The honourable exception to all this is Bielsa, who will not only tell you which players he is going to play at the weekend, but will give you a 2 hour PowerPoint presentation explaining why

[hancockjr]

Yes, Bielsa is unique in many ways. Comfortably the manager with the most integrity ever seen in the Prem, making it ironic "spygate" (incorrectly) suggested the opposite.

Ruth
- Robertson (the only first choice defender) played 90 minutes as they needed to win, so that he can be rested next week.
- Klopp says players are being put through too much because it's true, injuries are up about 40% and not just at Liverpool, and resting is complicated and difficult in the real world. He does it, Mane last week as a single example among many.

[Ruth_NZ]

Yes, but whose fault is it if Liverpool's squad isn't deep enough? Theirs. If Tsimikas isn't a good enough stand-in for Robertson in a season which everyone knew would be difficult then they should have bought someone that is. If they sell Lovren for €15m and choose not to replace him then they need to accept the consequences, as Pep did when City didn't replace Kompany last season and then had Laporte seriously injured. They don't have a right to have that accommodated and there's a nasty smell of wanting/expecting everything to be arranged to suit Liverpool in Klopp's recent comments.

As it happens I think it's ludicrous that we don't have 5 subs when every other major league in Europe (and the EFL) have that. I just don't take kindly to all this "always the victim, never at fault" stuff. Imagine thanking the broadcaster for the injury to one of his players. I mean, seriously?

[TheRumourMill]

Yeah Klopp has been going on about this for some time, we had the same thing last year when he played a joke of a side against Villa in the Carling cup QF just before the world club cup, and did the same against Shrewsbury in the fa cup when he kept saying the winter break needs to be respected etc etc. He essentially uses the domestic cups to make a point, and frequently treats football matches in all competitions as a massive inconvenience from his job of, erm... being a football manager.

However, I do have some sympathy, as he's essentially in an impossible position. He can moan as much as he likes, but the inconvenient truth for Klopp is that his own employer is obsessed with creating as much money as possible, player welfare be damned. They take the broadcasters 50 pieces of silver every season, and are bound to its contractual arrangements. If they don't like it then they can not be on TV, but the bank balance would suffer too much to do that. Even worse for Klopp, Liverpool (along with the other top 6), are constantly trying to hatch plans for European super leagues, bigger club world cups, expanded champions leagues, and such like, which of course bring many more fixtures, but also much more money. Of course these extra fixtures that destroy player welfare don't count because they're money spinning ones, so that's fine.

Klopps left wing values are well known. And I do believe he is compassionate and cares for his players. Which must make for some uncomfortable night's sleeps as his club strives to turn domestic and European football into a closed shop to make the rich richer. It's either that or he's in denial about what is going on.

[Pirlo's Beard]

It's either that or he's in denial about what is going on.

Klopp in de Nile...

[eastcentral1]

You mean he can't walk on water?!

I agree with the general point that he is being rather disingenuous when it comes to this issue of scheduling. But to call him a fraud seems somewhat disingenuous in itself when almost all managers engage in deliberate charade and propaganda warfare.

[Lucky]

Just realised that in fanteam my two keepers are Martinez & Darlow. That's Stevieste levels of misfortune.

I swapped Mitrovic to Watkins for a -4 last night in that after seen he was dropped

Having just lost 3 players in FPL, i gurantee pep plays Cancelo, Sterling and Foden tonight amd leaves me missing 6 players weekend before its even started.

Did you consider that Kilman is no longer a guaranteed starter? We should go on the prayer mat to avoid any further injuries or Covid cases.