THAT WAS ONE LONG SEASON
So we are finally at the end of one seriously long roller coaster ride of a season.. Again something we will look at over the coming weeks.. And there is certainly plenty to look at..
Southampton away then to round things off and considering we have nothing to play for you'd expect plenty of changes (which the boss has come out and said I believe.. I don't read the press too much..) and a chance for some of the fringe and younger players to show us their stuff..
It was a bit like that last season where we went in with a similar set up.. Ali was in the net and the defence lined up with Joe at right back, Konate & Matip in the middle and Tsimikas on the left..
In midfield Milner played holding midfield with the young legs of Curtis & Harvey dominating play.. In front of them was Bobby in his false 9 role he made his own with Jota & Minamino either side..
Why go into so much detail you may ask.. Well we produced one hell of a footballing performance. Everyone was in their right positions and sadly we never revisited it again. Sure we only won 2-1 but when you consider the big guns that weren't on the pitch there was plenty to take from this outing..
Once again something we will look at over the coming months..
Quick Stat Check.. Liverpool have won 5 & Drawn 1 of their last 6.. The Saints have Lost 5 & Drawn 1 in that time..
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Thiago, Ramsay, Bajcetic & Keita are all ruled out for the season.. Robbo & Konate face late fitness tests but probably won't feature here. While Darwin Nunez is back in training and could well play a part
LIVERPOOL LINEUP
Ali, Gomez, Matip, Phillips, Tsimikas, Milner, Trent, Curtis, Harvey, Nunez, Jota
SOUTHAMPTON TEAM NEWS
The Saints look set to be without Perraud, Bella-Kotchap, Che Adams, Onuachu, Salisu & Larios..
DANGERMAN..Carlos Alcaraz.. I've been watching this lad a bit this season when the games are on SKY and he looks a really good player. A box to box midfield type with strength, skills and a real eye for goal too.. Consistency maybe an issue but one to keep an eye on..
Southampton are well renowned for bringing great talent through and discovering rough diamonds. This has been the secret to their longevity in the top tier.. Sadly for them it hasn't bared the fruits of their recent years which was usually enough to keep them up but if they can keep the majority of their team together they should bounce straight back. Poor managerial choices has cost them..
THE GAME
Once again we will go in like last season and with the line up a little uncertain it is hard to look at in detail.. Yet you'd expect a similar midfield and forward line as last seasons..
Southampton playing their last home game of the season and at Premier League level for a little while will want to go out with a bang you'd have thought.. With some players eyes on an instant return to the top they will want to shop window themselves..
Likewise the youngsters and fringe players for The Reds will want to put themselves firmly in Klopp's thoughts for next season after the poor one this time around.
So all in all it shouldn't have the feel of an end of season run out in preparation for a sun lounger on some distant shoreline.. If you're headed there though have a great time..
PREDICTION.. 3-1 To Them Mighty Reds..
We will opt for a win here as Klopp picks a more balanced team that likes to dominate possession.. With Harvey and Curtis in the team you know this will be the case..
It could be a chance too to play Trent in midfield.. He may not play.. Yet this could be the move we have all cried out to see with the back up of a solid back four.. A no brainer really.. His current tactical change is a slight positive but leaving that right back spot totally vacant leaves a lot to be desired..
Players in their right positions is the key here and quite obviously for next season too.. The set up has been shambolic all season if we are being totally honest which is why we are in the position we are now.
The forward line here too could be Nunez, Gakpo & Diaz which could be very exciting.. Again we will await the line up but all in all we should see a possession based attacking team that is fairly solid at the back down to its lack of playing time together..
Nunez will be looking to finish the season on a goalscoring high as will Harvey.. You wouldn't rule out a Jo-El Matip bullet header either..
OurLFC DANGERMAN.. Nunez.. With no real pressure on his shoulders he could thrive here if he starts.. He needs ammunition to fine tune his finishing at this level. With Harvey, Curtis, Trent, Diaz & Gakpo around he will thrive..
He also needs to work on dominating defenders again like he did against us in the Champions League.. He is quick and all action and the three of them (Gakpo & Diaz) need to gel. They are all still relatively new and once they master how our front 3 works we are going to see some major fireworks..
This is Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool Mark 2. The foundations are well and truly in place he just needs to trust in this and unleash it.. New signings will come in as players leave but the transition is in the latter stages contrary to national medias beliefs..
A few key signings that will push the others to perform added to an excellent squad and we may well have a season to remember next time round. The players will be hungry to put things right thats for sure..
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