Defensive deficiencies today. The whole defence and Migs kick out can be questioned but whilst Sakho had a great game v Man Utd he was the closest marker on all 3 goals so has to be partly accountable today.

Klopp was very animated with Benteke at the end

Ironically he looked about hundred times more animated than Benteke ever has in an LFC shirt. Our recent upturn in form before today has probably had a fair bit of playing for their LFC futures about it for some in the squad. Wasn't the best bit of press timing to say how our current captain might be on his way in this morning's stories. I'm no huge fan of Hendo as our leader but these things shouldn't be discussed until the end of the campaign.

I see how Utd are now hot favourites in the media to finish top 4. Good old fickle press from just two days ago after we'd knocked them out of Europe. Plenty of Football still to be played plus our two home games in hand.

The Liverpool teams these days are consistently inconsistent

In a way, I'm glad that result happened this season. Klopp can hopefully see that there a few players that need to be shipped out at the end of the season, namely Mignolet, Skrtel and Benteke.

The clearance for their third goal barely cleared 30 yards, as I've said before Mignolet is the worst kicker of a ball ever, not seen anyone who is close to being as bad as him.

The 1st half showed what we can do once we take a lead, that second goal was a brilliant team goal and we really should have added more before the half time whistle. Once Klopp gets his players in, we'll see more consistency.

One final point, we didn't seem to miss Henderson yesterday. From being one of the worst players under Kenny to becoming captain, it seemed as though he'd finally be a first choice in midfield for years to come, but he hasn't really done it consistently under Klopp. He was linked with Spurs recently, I'd like to see him stay but wouldn't be too unhappy if he was to go. Thoughts?

I seriously doubt we will be in the running for top 4. It's city, utd or west Ham.

Not convinced Henderson will go but his place in the first eleven is far from guaranteed. We have a new midfielder coming from Belgrade and given a choice out of Can & Henderson I would pick Can everytime.

I'd keep Henderson if he was happy to be a squad player, like you said he's not guaranteed a starting place and hasn't really shone under Klopp.

I don't think he has enough in his game to play in a midfield two. His passing is ok but it's not at a level required.

In the right set up he excels I just question whether this team is set up for his game.

Same with England where he really struggles to influence games.

Top 4: If West Ham, City and United are in the running then so are we - the Manchester clubs are no less inconsistent for a start. It may be a tough ask but to say we're out of it with 9 games to play and a game in hand on all three is defeatist. I'm not giving up hope just yet.

Henderson: Since Gerrard went, he seems to have taken on the playmaker role, spraying long passes about and sitting deeper. He's far better joining up with the attacks and creating space with his perpetual motion - that's what worked for him in 2013/2014.

We missed Milner yesterday from a defensive/experience perspective. We should have imposed ourselves on Mane who evidently was the key difference 2nd half. I'm sure Klopp's reinforced a few opinions after yesterday as well.

I would say West Ham have a better chance than us. They are far more consistent than us and if we are being honest are better than us right now.

On Henderson there is no role for him where he played 2013/2014. With Coutinho and Firminho that space is already occupied. He has to play deeper he just doesn't have the quality of passing to be effective.

I wanted City to beat United yesterday - as i almost always want MU to lose but ironically enough that result still gives us a sniff of top 4 cos if we win the game in hand we are only 4 points off and that is near enough not to give up yet. Obviously it is only an outside chance but while there is still the chance you do not give up

Hopefully JK has learnt from yesterday - putting Skrtel on was almost as if he felt the game was won and he needed some game time - the game was not won and we found out the hard way. I doubt it will happen again. Also JK seems to want to give Benteke chances and he messes them up every time - so I cannot see him getting as many chances in the future.

In theory removing Lovren wasn't the issue if he genuinely thought he was close to the edge. Not playing a fully fit Kolo instead of Skrtel was the error.

Benteke doesn't fit Klopp's style of play, he should be sold. Skrtel was only ever good when he had Carragher next to him. He's a poor man's Vidic otherwise, gets bullied by any striker that is stronger than him, he should be sold as well. I'd keep Lucas and Toure over them two if it came to it.

Yeah Skrtel was lucky to have other defenders around him. Pelle was quiet in the first half, 2nd half he dominated Skrtel,

Exactly, it's not particularly great strikers who do well against him, its anybody who has a bit of upper strength about them. I remember Altidore ripping him a few seasons back.

My thoughts, I am not in the slightest bit glad that we lost that game. klopp would know the score on that whether we held on to win that match or not.

My thoughts on Henderson I mentioned on the previous page, 1 really good season, plenty of rubbish performances and imo easily replaceable. Fine as a squad player, starter at times, captain - never.

I'm not happy we lost at all, but hopefully, with it happening this season, Klopp can get rid of players that are holding us back, in the summer and rebuild with his own players.

As for Hendo, you're right, I don't think he's captain material but there aren't any real leaders in the team. I'd have given it to Lucas but he wasn't starting regularly.

Seems a bit quiet on DS today. We must be on an international break...

But then I see posts like those in the Gary Neville thread, or Klopp getting criticised for expressing his love of football on the sidelines by someone who uses the emotions football causes to justify stupid opinions and predictions when pulled up and I'm then thankful for these quiet periods.

So our central defensive options next season will be Lovren, Sakho and Matip. I'd bring in another central defender and sell on Skrtel. Think I'd move on Toure too, based on his age/wages. I'd then go for someone like Subotic.

In central midfield, I like Can and Allen, although not the most creative have shown very good energy. Lucas is good to have in the squad. Henderson is the captain. I can't see him going, and we also have Milner. Grujic is coming in and should also be able to provide the energy levels of Can and Allen.

If a decent offer comes in for Henderson, I think the club should seriously look at it.

We potentially have Markovic coming back, and Ibe, Firmino, Coutinho, and Lallana at the club, I wouldn't look at options here unless it was for someone exceptional like Reus.

Sturridge and Origi have shown how effective they are. For me Balotelli needs to leave and I'd sell Benteke too. He has the ability to tear up the league but under Klopp we will never play to his strengths. I'd bring in another striker, and also use Firmino...

Goalkeeper- I don't think Mignolet is good enough. He's a good shot stopper, and did well with the penalty save against Southampton. He's always going to be a good shot stopper. I'd tell him he can be a number 2 or he can leave. I'd then look seriously at Ter Stergen if there's anything in those links...We need a goalkeeper who can command his area.

Full-back wise, we have some very good options, Clyne and Flanagan have right-back sewn up, and I like the look of Smith. Moreno defensively is reckless. He is young, so I'd keep him, but also look for another left-back.

So that's it for me, a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a striker and a left back. I'd have more people out than in.

Klopp's substitutions for me, we're what had the effect on Sunday, not 'tiredness' as Van Gaal has suggested,

I have more hope under Klopp than I do Rodgers, even with the inconsistency, and I'd like to see him given a couple of seasons to try and build something at the club.

I like the signings he's made so far in Grujic and Matip, and I think it's more about who the club moves on, than who they bring in..at the end of the season.

Here's a question
If Liverpool win the Europa League,and qualify for the Champions League - Does that mean the team that finishes 4th won't be in the Champions League ?

No. There can be a maximum of five teams from one nation in the Champions League.

4th will only miss out on the Champions League if Liverpool win Europa and Man City win the Champions League but finish outside the top 4.

Don't forget we have Ings too.

I did forget him, to my shame. He was starting to build some form and confidence prior to the injury too. I'd still ideally want another striker, so that we have have options that can play in the way Origi and Sturridge operate. I'd definitely keep Ings around because he's sort of like Origi in a way. Industrious, good movement and so on.

I'm not 100% convinced Sturridge is happy for whatever reason - I hope it's just because he's not finishing games and nothing more but something's not quite right.

It's a tricky one with Sturridge because of his injury record, but I'd like to see him play the full 90 minutes more often than not. I didn't like it when Torres was substituted after 65/70 mins having scored a couple of goals in a game, if he had finished more of those games he would have scored much more for us.