Ahead of the visit of Liverpool this Sunday live in from of the television cameras, I had a chat with Scott Taylor from Back Of The Net and Next Gen Kopites to find out about the Reds season so far.
Q. How have Liverpool got on since we last played you?
Liverpool would have had twenty-seven games in all competitions since the Crystal Palace defeat back in November, winning twelve and drawing seven a piece. This was written before the game against Manchester City, but the problem has been inconsistency. Liverpool can go away to the Etihad and win 4-1, but travel to Watford and lose 3-0 and this is something why Liverpool are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League table. The Reds have also had a good cup run in the Capital One Cup and with the youngsters put in a very good showing in the two games against West Ham United in the FA Cup.
Q. What were your thoughts on that game?
It was the first defeat on Jurgen Klopp’s managerial career at Liverpool and doing so it ended the honeymoon period he had at the club. Although it is never good to lose a Premier League game, it did brings fans back down to earth in terms of the difficulty of the job he has to do at Liverpool. Since the 3-3 draw in May 2014, Palace have become a bogey side for Liverpool, with the Reds failing to win a Premier League game against Alan Pardew’s men. It was also no surprise that Yannick Bolasie scored too, he always seems to put in a good performance against Liverpool.
Q. What do you make of your business in the transfer window?
It was a very quiet January for Liverpool in which Jurgen Klopp brought in Marko Grujic and Steven Caulker, but I think fans expected a lot more business. There was also heavy links to players such as Alex Teixeira and Neven Subotic as well, but Klopp stayed to his word that he will let his current players have the chance. I think Caulker is a very under-rated signing. Before he went to Queens Park Rangers, he was an England international and had plenty of potential. As a fan, it is frustrating that he has not seen more game time.
Q. Has Jurgen Klopp had the impact you hoped for since he was appointed manager?
I think that due to Klopp’s success in Germany, people thought that he would have an instant impact at Liverpool. He has definitely changed the attitude of fans, who now seem to remain united after defeat, rather than constantly argue like they did under Brendan Rodgers. He has a great personality and is great for the Premier League as well, but giving Simon Mignolet a new five-year deal was definitely questionable.
Q. Do you expect there to be a lot of business in the summer as Klopp bids to make his own mark on the team?
Yes, definitely. Liverpool have already signed a pre-contract agreement with Joel Matip at Schalke, and it is safe to say he will not be the only addition in the summer. Klopp is expected to get rid of a lot of his squad players this season, with the likes of Christian Benteke, Joe Allen and Joao Teixeira heavily linked with a move away.
Q. You face a tough match up in the next round of the Europa League but do you think you can progress?
Liverpool versus Manchester United is arguably the biggest game in English football. Although it will be tough to get through, Liverpool have to be confident of getting through and winning this competition, as this is the only realistic way into the Champions League. One of the positives is that it is only a short trip down the M62, but with the second leg being at Old Trafford, Liverpool have to win the first leg at Anfield.
Q. What are your thoughts on Palace this season?
They started off the season in fantastic form with the addition of Yohan Cabaye playing a major part in that. However, they have had a dip in form recently, not winning in the Premier League in eleven games. Palace must look at the positives during this period, with the emergence of Connor Wickham being one of them, and with players such as Bolasie, Cabaye and Emmanuel Adebayor in the squad, fans should be confident they can fire them out of the bad form (hopefully not against Liverpool!)
Q. Name a player from each side that the opposition should be concerned about.
In recent form, you would have to say Connor Wickham for Palace and Phillipe Coutinho for Liverpool. With four goals in two games and his hold-up play suiting Palace’s style, Wickham can be a threat, especially with his power in the air. As for Coutinho, he has been in fantastic form this season and can turn on the style at any given moment.
Q. Your prediction?
With their recent record against Palace, I would take a point at Selhurst, but both teams will score. 2-2.
Q. Please tell us a little about what you do and share anything that you are currently working on.
I have been covering the Liverpool Academy for over three years now with content such as match reports, features and exclusive interviews over on Next Gen Kopites. On Monday nights at 7pm I feature on a football show called Back Of The Net which which you can listen online, via the TuneIn app or on 103.4FM Susy Radio.
LISTEN to the latest Back Of The Net Football Show on Susy Radio.
