S-Clarke

Liverpool dipped around feb last year and have never recovered. They are a long, long way off of that 'all conquering' side of 2019. This is not a 'blip', they have been throwing in performances like this for a year now. They've returned to their default level of averageness.

Smallbone and Tella are injured though, so Watts and Chauke are automatically promoted to their slots. Given we have no Moussa, Redmond, Tella etc then we are pretty stretched in the wide areas. I guess we could go for N'Lundulu and Adams up top, with Theo and Armstrong in the two 'wide' midfield slots.

Which is now much harder for clubs like us due to brexit. Basically, we're f***d.

Likely too expensive for us.

All footballers are the same. I'm sure we said the same about Wayne Bridge. $$$$ and that's the motivation. To be honest, most human beings are driven the same way.

I imagine we'll bring back the players who were on the bench tonight/got a rest tonight. The likes of Armstrong, Theo, Walker-Peters, Bertrand in from the start. I reckon Watts will get a start in the 4 alongside Diallo, JWP and Armstrong. Theo Adams up top. Back 4 - Bertrand - Jan - Jack - KWP Long left in the dressing room I hope.

Step forward Shane Long, this is your time.

There is self financing and then there is sitting back and not giving two hoots about your investment. Unfortunately Gao et co fall into the latter. Really need shot if we are to do anything long term. So frustrating.

Given the standard of our recruitment over the last 4/5 years, it is probably the most obvious explanation.

Good opening for a midfielder with Will out for a long time, so it's good to see him make a mark - albeit a short period

It would be nice if the 'owners' gave a shit about anything other than protecting their 'investment'. How about they put some money into the mix, just once....? maybe? Sorry, that's a silly idea.

He needs to find his form again first before he starts chatting 'Champions League' football. It's all rather depressing, but all rather inventible. Without owners who have any ability to progress the club this is the order of the world.

Looked good on the ball, picking up positions etc. Been wanting to see him for a while!

Did what was needed, game was never fully under control but we always had just about enough. Long is absolutely diabolical. He is finished as a top level player. I'd put N'Lundulu and my dog above him in the pecking order. Good around the place he may be, but a footballer he isn't.

The huge issue for us is that the fee will be nominal in the grand scheme of things (30m tops, surely), so there's no way we could go out and replace him with anyone close to his level. We'd have to delve into some obscure market for someone who may 'mature' into a Danny Ings, whilst in the meantime we persist with Long and Adams (I rate Adams, but he's not the same type of player who will hit Ings numbers). Big issue. Part of me is thinking we should just enjoy where we are at the mo, because we cannot sustain this without investment. Even more so now.

If he was going to sign he'd have done so by now.

I'd be surprised if we get anyone. This is the year to see some of the academy kids get more game time.

The last thing we need is an injury prone player.

Are they going to ever tell us WTF is wrong with him? Baffled, bizarre situation.

Questions need to be asked about WTF we let him come back on the pitch. Idiots. But feel so bad for the guy, he had actually performed pretty well and looked decent....he was always a good option for us, but now he's out of the equation for quite some time. I'd say half a year is a positive estimate.

That was 90mins I'll never get back. Why do these games always turn out to be some of the worst 'football' matches? Liverpool look completely shot.

He looked more physical to me, like he had worked on that side of his game. He was competing more off the ball, and winning the ball back on the counter press. It was one of the best games I can remember him having for us. Just typical for him to be knocked off by an injury. Was a bit innocuous as well which is worrying, doesn't sound like Ralph is expecting him back anytime soon either, another to the long injury list.

It was never going to be considered for VAR because the goal happened too far on in the play, it wasn't part of that phase. But we'll have to agree to disagree, it was a foul - more than one.

I know a lot is being made of the bench, which are fair points - no real depth, but I do rate N'Lundulu. He's got a nice touch, real physical presence and a decent turn of pace. He looks like he could be a real handful, and he's genuinely a 'young kid' we can bring off the bench who I feel can actually impact the game.

There are a couple of fouls in there in my opinion. Leicester certainly got away with that.