We must have been watching a different player the last two seasons. Ever since the last 10 games of 22/23, when he was our best player in the strong finish to the season, he has been very good. He started last season excellently as well. Injuries are the only thing that has prevented him from fully establishing himself in the starting eleven.
Binomial's Jones hatred is definitely over the top. plus - Grav is impressing everyone and his dog in Slot's mf setup. Jones deserves a chance to get a run also.
Yes we definitely were. He doesn’t excite me 1 bit, never get the sense he’s going to do anything with the ball when he has it, he’s basic. 6-7 out of 10 in a lot of areas but 8+ in nothing. Caught up in the same old habits from 3-4 years ago and hasn’t really ever progressed.
Jones had moments the last 2 seasons where you could see his progression and he was impacting games. The issue is precisely that it’s moments and we can’t depend on his availability. The second, was his performances in pre-season. He seemed to regress and play far too conservatively when played more on ball. It may be struggling to adjust his game to what Slot demands - perhaps he’d be better in the Dom role. It’s a long season but it’s a cross road for both he and Harvey IMO and both are off to unfortunate starts.
Agreed - 100% If it was a cup game (or maybe even a home CL tie, I'd say give Nyoni or Morton a go, but a league game crucial to keeping up our pace -setting winning start going ..... If Jones is fit then he should play.
Not trying to start a big argument here - but it's only 4 weeks into the season. No-one is that tired yet that they can;t play 90 and 90 easily enough in a week. I don;t think we need to manage minutes with Grav and Dominic just yet. Endo, Mac and Diaz excepted as that journey is a problem. Start Grav, Jones and Sboz on Saturday. Start Mac, Jones and Endo or graveberch away in Milan
About that, definitely no more than 5. Remember a few seasons ago there were only 2, and it were Palace at home when Nunez got sent off and Brighton at home in the 3-3 when the junky looking fella got a hattrick.....the only 2 PL home games I could get tickets for .
As much as I like watching the game, every now and again for various reasons, I have to go the radio route. I’ve always loved listening on the radio and while it’s definitely not as good as TV, it’s definitely not a poor second. I’m not phenomenally disappointed when the radio is the only option, especially BBC Radio 5. For those in a similar position tomorrow and who have a VPN, 3PM GMT, BBC R5.
I do remember the odd game or two that was not broadcast, but I think with the amount of money now available, the stature of Liverpool and generally the ease of satellite transmission, I would imagine every Liverpool is now broadcast in the US and somewhere in the world. Blackout rules obviously for the UK. But even with round the clock broadcasting, there are times that you can’t make a TV which is why radio is very handy and imo very good. Then again have the radio rights been sold in the US? Sirius, maybe?
I was looking for PL on Sirius a while back - didn't find it - it probably didn't put the requisite effort (maybe I don't have the highest tier plan either).
guardian: After becoming Nottingham Forest’s first England international since 1997, Morgan Gibbs-White has another chance to show his quality on a grand stage. The No 10 uses his skills and intelligence to unlock defences but also possesses a serious work ethic, willing to chase down opponents in the hope of winning the ball back. He will occupy the same part of the pitch as Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, where the Dutchman takes possession and initiates attacks. Gravenberch is not a natural defensive midfielder; he is used in that role because of his ability to retain possession rather than for his love of the tackle. He has performed exceptionally since being placed there by his Dutch compatriot Arne Slot but Nuno Espírito Santo will be willing to test Gravenberch with the confident Gibbs-White. If Forest can disruptGravenberch they have a chance to keep their unbeaten run going.
the 3pm tv blackouts for PL games in the UK drive my family nuts. they listen to the radio while I watch and give them commentary the radio doesn't. if you have VPN, you can (eg) route yourself via Canada, sub to Fubo, and login to watch every single PL game we play. better than radio.
Slot pregame presser: "Harvey is of course a big disappointment for him but also for us," said the Reds head coach. "Okay, he didn’t play that much in the first three games but he played a lot in pre-season and showed himself really well. If he had stayed fit he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures, but now it gives a chance to someone else. "It's first and foremost a blow for himself but for also for us, availability is important in the stage of the season when we play seven games in 22 days. He will work as hard as always to come back in the best possible way." Slot had a more encouraging fitness update on Alexis Mac Allister, who was troubled with an adductor issue during the international break with Argentina and was limited to just a brief substitute role in the 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat in Colombia on Tuesday. "Macca was out in the last game but he trained with us yesterday," said Slot on Friday. "Harvey Elliott didn’t stay fit unfortunately so is out for a longer time but I am expecting Macca to be with us tomorrow. Nobody else is unavailable." New signing Federico Chiesa is still waiting to make his debut after arriving from Juventus shortly before deadline day last month, and Slot has hinted the Italian may have to wait a little longer to pull on a Liverpool shirt for the first time. "Federico has trained with the team now three or four times so we will see how he does today and which decision I make as we have more than 20 players, (it depends) on if I choose for a position or I choose the fittest at the moment," said the Reds head coach.
Which is most definitely a poor man’s BBC. Way too interested in the banter, the quick quip rather than the nuance.
Not saying that radio is better than TV, more that listening on the radio is, imo, a decent option. Plus even when it is televised, it can sometimes be that you’re unable to be in front of a TV, so that definitely works.
Unless they take a very generous view of traffic laws where you live, it’s been my experience the police tend to frown on watching video (no matter the source) while driving. They usually have few problems with you listening to the radio, however. (You should file this knowledge under “Useful to know”).
I like Jones, but I think he has limitations in his play. He likes to play in the area around him, and is strong in tight tidy spaces, but isn't someone who thinks big-pitch-picture. I dont really recall him spreading play all that much. Instead, he is great in small zones trying to unlock a defense, and puts in a solid defensive effort. For me, that's got a value in and of itself. His bigger weakness is he can sit on the ball too long if there's a lack of immediate pressure on him. Because he prefers to play in those small tighter situations when he gets the ball without pressure and has to figure out how to spread play and stretch opponents, he can sit on the ball and slow down attacks. Conversely, if he's under pressure, he'll play the ball quickly, pass and move, look to draw defenders and open space. Its an interesting situation--he's a player who does better the harder he's pressed. He's great at playing off instinct. His instincts are good. But if tasked to organize and take into account the whole playing field he gets in his own head and is less effective. my two cents.
Yup. Agreed 100% @Kawklee Everything you state is why I think he’d be more effective in the Dom role where he’d be reacting instinctively.