Virgil Van Dijk

[VladimirIlyich]

Yep. And upgrade the goalkeeper.

I actually think Karius has done well. I think Van Dijk has helped in this aspect but Karius stats are pretty favourable despite how he is viewed by a sizeable amount of our fans. An upgrade on Mignolet will most likely happen in the summer anyhow as he will leave then.

[Jairzinho]

Also reminded of Jez thinking about Big Suze’s monk boyfriend giving him a hug, and how safe he’d feel in his strong, oak-like arms...Peep Show Series 3.

Fuck off, you big monk.

[Babb'sBurstNad]

He's worth £75m just to get Southampton relegated.

[Ne Moe Imya]

He's good at the football, this lad.

[Anubis]

A study of calm, measured defence.

[G Richards]

Wins so much in the air. Solid. Composed. Good on the ball. Exudes authority. Spreads calm.

 

He’s crap!

[The Guest]

His confidence bordering on arrogance is something our defence has been crying out for, for a long time. He wasn’t phased by any of the crowd response at all. Everything is done at his pace. The fact he’s a fucking groc obviously helps.

 

The Southampton fans started singing you don’t know what you’re doing at Pellegrino when he took Ward-Prowse off. I’m guessing because of this view that we are shite at the back and they should have been launching balls into the box. In reality Matip and Van Dijk dominated everything aerially despite the fact they’ve got the best dead ball specialist in the league.

[Joey8FrogsLegs]

Very good performance today. Commanding in the air, very good one on one on the ground. Calm on the ball and good range of passing.

 

Early days, but looks good.

 

Priority now is to strengthen the midfield to offer more protection, even if I still think we need one more top quality CB.

[Captain Turdseye]

Loved the way the cameras caught him smirking at the boos from Southampton fans just as Karius threw the ball out in the build up to the first goal.

[Anubis]

The Southampton fans started singing you don’t know what you’re doing at Pellegrino when he took Ward-Prowse off. I’m guessing because of this view that we are shite at the back and they should have been launching balls into the box. In reality Matip and Van Dijk dominated everything aerially despite the fact they’ve got the best dead ball specialist in the league.

I think the chanting was inspired by his choice of the prolific Shane Long as a replacement. They seemed to regard it as akin to running up the white flag.

[Guest]

Wins so much in the air. Solid. Composed. Good on the ball. Exudes authority. Spreads calm.

 

He’s crap!

I agree, he makes matches so boring by ensuring we have the best chance of a clean sheet against cannon fodder.

 

He can go in the Summer.

[El Rojo]

I think he’ll be twice as good next season. As dominant as he was today, he still looks a little rusty.

 

Interesting contrast between the Southampton crowd and players today. For all the negative energy of the crowd, the former team-mates were like the kind of doormats who insist on meeting their ex for Sunday brunch, ignoring the constant texts being received on the opposite side of the table and the lovebites on their neck.

[therevivalist]

Karius did well today. At least one of the Southampton attempts would have gone in if it were Mignolet today, the close header he tipped over the bar. Karius should remain in probation till the end of season. But I doubt he can make it.

[Nelly-Szoboszlai]

Loved the way the cameras caught him smirking at the boos from Southampton fans just as Karius threw the ball out in the build up to the first goal.

There were a few times when he was shown laughing at the South Coast Everton (Copyright - Anfield Wrap) fans.

 

You need a bit of that.

 

I thought it was hilarious.

 

I'd like us to have a look at Lascelles at Newcastle. Looks decent. He's their captain. At 24. Rafa wouldn't give him the armband if he didn't have something about him.

[magicrat]

Karius did well today. At least one of the Southampton attempts would have gone in if it were Mignolet today, the close header he tipped over the bar. Karius should remain in probation till the end of season. But I doubt he can make it.

 

I would swap him in a heartbeat for the lad making his PL debut for the barcodes today,

That's the sort of performance I want to see from a Liverpool keeper,  

[Guest Kemlynreds]

He can go in the summer

[dockers_strike]

I would swap him in a heartbeat for the lad making his PL debut for the barcodes today,

That's the sort of performance I want to see from a Liverpool keeper,  

 

Now that is just silly in my honest opinion. If you cannot have a good game on your debut when can you but it does not mean he is going to be reliable.

[thegreatelephant]

simple stuff

 

organisation

 

yes

 

 

[Ne Moe Imya]

His confidence bordering on arrogance is something our defence has been crying out for, for a long time. He wasn’t phased by any of the crowd response at all.

 

Haven't really had anyone like that since Suarez left. Arguably Sturridge, I suppose, but certainly nowhere near the defense.

 

Getting it back now is so, so important for our approach to the next couple of seasons. It's my favourite thing about Keita, the absolute arrogance with the way he plays. So we'll have a defensive leader and a midfield leader with that characteristic next season.

[Carvalho Diablo]

Haven't really had anyone like that since Suarez left. Arguably Sturridge, I suppose, but certainly nowhere near the defense.

 

Getting it back now is so, so important for our approach to the next couple of seasons. It's my favourite thing about Keita, the absolute arrogance with the way he plays. So we'll have a defensive leader and a midfield leader with that characteristic next season.

100%

 

Would still love to see another centre half and central midfielder brought in too though. More leadership, organisation, communication, confidence, stability and swagger.

 

I think Lascelles would be a great buy.

[The Guest]

Haven't really had anyone like that since Suarez left. Arguably Sturridge, I suppose, but certainly nowhere near the defense.

 

Getting it back now is so, so important for our approach to the next couple of seasons. It's my favourite thing about Keita, the absolute arrogance with the way he plays. So we'll have a defensive leader and a midfield leader with that characteristic next season.

Under Ged and Rafa we didn’t need that type of defender. We were rock solid and had some great players there. Since the change in style of play which happened under Rodgers we’ve really needed a Van Dijk CB. I reckon they thought that was Lovren and even tried Can there but it became pretty evident straight away neither were going to be that. On top of that it’s the first time since Hyypia was here that I’m not flapping when we concede corners or wide free kicks. If I feel like that then the other players must be getting that vibe as well which can only be good.

[dockers_strike]

Under Ged and Rafa we didn’t need that type of defender. We were rock solid and had some great players there. Since the change in style of play which happened under Rodgers we’ve really needed a Van Dijk CB. I reckon they thought that was Lovren and even tried Can there but it became pretty evident straight away neither were going to be that. On top of that it’s the first time since Hyypia was here that I’m not flapping when we concede corners or wide free kicks. If I feel like that then the other players must be getting that vibe as well which can only be good.

 

Is correct. What I do not understand is why none of the players in our defence act as a leader. I mean how much of a personality do you need to tell your teammates to hold the line get out or just launch it. Seems basic stuff to me. When I was on a pitch I was always barking out orders and I am sure plenty of lads playing park football are like that. In fact I hear them when I am down the park and there is a game on so do not know why professionals cannot do it.

[The Guest]

Is correct. What I do not understand is why none of the players in our defence act as a leader. I mean how much of a personality do you need to tell your teammates to hold the line get out or just launch it. Seems basic stuff to me. When I was on a pitch I was always barking out orders and I am sure plenty of lads playing park football are like that. In fact I hear them when I am down the park and there is a game on so do not know why professionals cannot do it.

It’s a very good point. I personally think it’s a combination of factors. I’ve played for a few amateur sides down the years. One thing I would definitely say is I always felt more comfortable shouting when I knew people thought I was decent. When I tried to play at a higher standard and found myself out of my depth I just kept my mouth shut even if I knew people on the pitch or at half time were talking absolute shite. People won’t listen to you if they don’t rate you.

 

I reckon the fact our defence hasn’t had a really good centre back that’s guaranteed to start since Carragher who the whole team respects means that side of someone’s game hasn’t emerged. When you make mistakes like Lovren and Matip have done then the last thing you want to do is start telling people what to do. You’re best concentrating on your own game. If you watch the centre backs though I’d say recently they do shout but there’s just not that authority there.

 

I’d say the other thing is that it’s cultural. I think English centre backs in general from the top of the game down just bark more. It’s seen as a fundamental part of the job.

[1892-LFCWasBorn]

https://twitter.com/empireofthekop/status/962967086820708353/video/1

 

 

[magicrat]

Now that is just silly in my honest opinion. If you cannot have a good game on your debut when can you but it does not mean he is going to be reliable.

 

True, it was a bit silly but having yet to see Karius make a jaw dropping save I would happily roll the dice for that Dubravka lad. Can't remember when I have seen a keeper play like that in a debut game. He was outstanding in every department