Liverpool FC: Regeneration

A decent month there and a great result against City. Let's hope you can take this little bit of form into November.

Cup Hero: Adam Phillips Impressed In the League Cup

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Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 9 games in all competitions this month, playing 4 and winning 3, securing their place in the League Cup semi-final in the process.

It was far from an easy month though, and despite the attacking power his team had previously shown, Jurgen Klopp was forced into a small tactical tweak against West Brom, dropping an attacking midfielder to a holding midfield role to break down a resurgent West Brom attack, and Liverpool stuck with that change in consequent matches.

It remains to be seen if this is a permanent tactical change, but it certainly offers some flexibility in high-pressure situations going forwards, and an otherwise youthful team in the League Cup was certainly more convincing with the holding midfielder than had previously been expected.

0-0 v Southampton
N/A
Dejan Lovren (7.7)

2-1 v West Brom
Henderson, Evans (og)
Jordan Henderson (7.6)

3-1 v Crystal Palace
Wijnaldum, Klavan, Lallana
Jordan Henderson (8.6)

3-0 v Nottingham Forest
Phillips (2), Mane
Adam Phillips (9.0)

Player of the Month: Jordan Henderson

Club captain Jordan Henderson really led by example this month, keeping the centre of his side tight and composed, and displaying the kind of level headed calm which was key to being able to see out results against potentially tricky opposition. With a goal and 3 assists in 3 appearances, Henderson was a true creative force in midfield, and inspired those around him.

Young Player of the Month: Sam Hart

Hart was pushed close for the Young Player of the Month award, but his consistency and composure in his two starts outshone even Adam Phillip's stellar League Cup performance to take home the award. Hart is really growing into a first-team slot, and Alberto Moreno may have a serious fight on his hands for that starting spot.

Fantastic month once again, if you could avoid dropping points to the likes of Swansea and Southampton you would be in a very good position I feel. But beating Palace and Forest to secure a semi-final appearance is fantastic, hopefully you can get to the final and then secure a piece of silverware.

A great mix of goal scorers, suggesting your squad isn't reliant on one man to produce the goods. This is nice to see, especially as a Liverpool fan who witnessed their team cling on to the exploits of Sadio Mané & Philippe Coutinho to grind out fourth place in real life for the past year!

Great to see the goals being shared around man!

appreciate the support team! <3 I know I'm shocking at commenting back but I do read and appreciate them all!

Red Hot: Origi was once again the pick of Liverpool's Strikers

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The footballing season has barrelled into 2017 at breakneck speed, and so far, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side have kept pace at the top of the table, as they dive into 2017 3rd in the league, only 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, and 5 behind 2nd-placed Arsenal.

Divock Origi was one of several stand-out performers this month, continuing his incredible form in what his proving to be a breakout season for the 21 year old, not even 12 months after he was voted into a team of the 'worst players of the season' last year.

Liverpool are in an excellent position, and are bound to be looking to strengthen their squad in the January window, ahead of what could prove to be a title challenge in 2017.

2-0 v Sunderland
Firmino, Henderson
Alberto Moreno (8.0)

2-0 v West Ham
Origi (2)
Divock Origi (8.7)

3-2 v Leicester
Mane (3)
Saido Mane (9.5)

0-0 v Burnley
N/A
Joel Matip (7.4)

3-1 v Middlesborough
Gomez, Lovren, Origi
Dejan Lovren (8.0)

3-0 v Stoke
Origi, Lallana, Grujic
Marko Grujic (8.4)

1-0 v Tottenham
N/A
Ragnar Klavan (7.5)

Player of the Month: Dejan Lovren

Origi may have been the attacking power, but Dejan Lovren's defensive prowess was a massive factor in Liverpool's success. His expert marshalling of the defence, and ability to quickly recycle the ball and start attacks from the back, gave Liverpool the foundation to build their attacking play from, and also confidence that they would not be without the ball for too long.

Young Player of the Month: Divock Origi

Origi was once again the standout performer of all Liverpool's strikers, and the youngster is consistently staking a claim for a permanent starting role at Anfield. Comfortable in any of the 3 formations Klopp has played with this season, Origi is a truly versatile striker who seems to produce the goods when they're needed the most.

The only stain on that month was the defeat against Spurs but you are still looking good for a spot in the Champions League at the very least!

Award: Mane Was Named African Footballer Of The Year

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Liverpool players Joel Matip and Saido Mane have both been honoured at the African Player of the Year awards this evening, with Mane being named African Footballer of the Year, and Matip coming 3rd for African Defender of the year, while both were named to the team of the year.

Saido has had an incredible start to the season, involved in 15 goals in 18 games so far, and providing a consistent, reliable outlet on the right side of Liverpool's attacking midfield. The 24 year old has gone some way to justifying the £34.5m spent on him in summer, and is looking to carry that form through the remainder of the season.
"It is a massive honour to be named Footballer of the Year, and it is brilliant to be recognised for my form so far, but for the club there is more work to do: I now want to take my game forwards, to take it to the next level to help this excellent club to progress."

He's had a very positive start to the season, with a great return of combined goals & assists. Let's hope for more from him!

A decent month there and it's nice to see that Mane and Matip have been credited with awards, good on them.

Off-Pace: Firmino has struggled to fit into Liverpool's side this season

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Spanish title contenders Atletico Madrid have turned to Anfield this week, launching a bid for Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino which values the Brazilian at almost £40m. The Spanish side are currently 2nd in the league, and seemingly view Firmino as the man to give them the edge over Real and Barca in the battle for top spot.

Firmino has started only 14 of Liverpool's league games this year, scoring just 4 goals in that time. Many have suggested that he has struggled to fit into the system at Anfield, and he has often been outshone by youngster Divock Origi, who has had an excellent start to his season. Liverpool also boast Daniel Sturridge and Saido Mane in their squad, and as such Firmino has found his chances limited.

The move to Spain may be exactly what the striker needs: Atletico's tactical system suits his fluid movement and eye for goal, whereas Liverpool this season have played with more structure than he may have been used to previously.

In his 18 months at Anfield, Firmino scored 14 goals in 45 appearances, picking up runners-up medals for the Europa League and League Cup last season, but failing to win any trophies. Speaking to the press this morning, Firmino stated "I have loved my time at Liverpool, and I would like to thank the fans and players and staff at this brilliant club for everything. Atletico are a fantastic team and it has always been a dream of mine to play in Spain, and this will allow me to do exactly that. You never know, fate might bring me back to Anfield one day!"

No, surely not Bobby? Surely?

Moving on: Isco and Morata were unhappy at their fringe roles with Madrid

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Liverpool fans had barely finished mourning the fact that Roberto Firmino completed his Atletico Madrid move this morning, before Jurgen Klopp unveiled exactly where that extra £40m was being spent; on Real Madrid starlets Alvaro Morata and Isco, as the two join up for a combined fee of £80m.

It sounds like a lot of money to lay out on two players, but it is worth noting that Klopp spent hardly any of the £60m budget given to him in summer, and so with the Firmino funds, had around £100m to spend in January.

24 Year old Isco joined Madrid for £23m in 2013, and made 97 appearances in the three years following that move. This season though, he has found himself limited to just 10 appearances, 5 of those coming from the bench. With a World Cup looming on the Horizon, and at almost 25, Isco decided that he could no longer be content with sitting on the bench at Madrid, and considered offers from a variety of clubs before committing to the Liverpool move.

"It is difficult for me to say goodbye to Spain" he told the media, "but I spoke with some players; Nuri [Sahin], Alvaro [Arbeloa] and even Luis [Suarez], and they all spoke very highly of Liverpool and the commitment that the club has to its players. I need to be somewhere that I can play regularly, and Madrid was not my chance to do that - I think Liverpool can be."

Fellow Spaniard Alvaro Morata is also making the switch to Anfield, just 6 months after returning to Madrid from Juventus. Kept on the bench in favour of Karim Benzema, Morata has scored just once in 11 appearances this season, but thinks that he can redeem himself at Anfield.

"I know fans will look at my record and think 'why this guy? He doesn't score!' but I am determined to set things right now - This is my time, and I think Liverpool is the right place for me to be. It will be easier with Isco, because we know each other and I think together we can help this club to win lots of trophies"

Liverpool fans will surely be hoping that the big-money signings pay off.

A massive shame to see someone of Firmino's calibre leaving Anfield, however you've brought in two fantastic players to replace him and I must say, I feel like there's been an improvement. Isco has been rumoured to join Liverpool for what seems like years in the real world, so it's nice to see you've actually gone ahead and pulled the deal off.