BPF

[Rileybobs]

I'm not looking for an argument (there are enough people doing that already) but I would genuinely like to read opinions on what exactly Norris did wrong or what he should have done for each goal.

I ask because there ARE people on here who know far more than me about goalkeeping.

I’m not a goalkeeping expert by any means, but I don’t think my assessment below is too far wrong;

1.) Save the shot, with either your feet, body or arms. Do not, I repeat not, drop to the ground with your arms behind your legs and let the ball go straight through you.

2.) Poor positioning. Went to the front post when there wasn’t really a danger at the front post, leaving a practically open goal for any Liverpool player who was able to get their head to the ball.

3.) Beaten at his near post, when that was the only place a shot could have even threatened the goal.

He could maybe be let off the hook for the second goal in isolation, but all three goals were examples of poor goalkeeping and efforts that I would have been very confident of Pope denying.

Of course, I don’t expect Norris or BPF to be as good as Pope, but on the limited evidence to hand I’d be terrified if we were forced to give either of them a sustained run in the side next season.

[Herts Clarets]

I'm not looking for an argument (there are enough people doing that already) but I would genuinely like to read opinions on what exactly Norris did wrong or what he should have done for each goal.

I ask because there ARE people on here who know far more than me about goalkeeping.

The first goal was very close to him. He went for it with his leg and just deflected it into the net - I felt given the proximity to him he should have done better, using his hands would have helped. I will say he was not the only one culpable for this goal - JBG was slow to react to the run by Robertson and prevent the cross and Cork was asleep when supposed to be marking Firminho.

The third goal maybe a little harsh criticising him as it was a firmly struck shot from inside the box. However he was beaten at his near post and did seem a little slow to react to the shot.

[Bigvince]

Seems to be another area we have been really poor with recruitment in the last few years.

Yes we’ve only signed 3 England internationals, and a northern Irish international

[boatshed bill]

I’m not a goalkeeping expert by any means, but I don’t think my assessment below is too far wrong;

1.) Save the shot, with either your feet, body or arms. Do not, I repeat not, drop to the ground with your arms behind your legs and let the ball go straight through you.

2.) Poor positioning. Went to the front post when there wasn’t really a danger at the front post, leaving a practically open goal for any Liverpool player who was able to get their head to the ball.

3.) Beaten at his near post, when that was the only place a shot could have even threatened the goal.

He could maybe be let off the hook for the second goal in isolation, but all three goals were examples of poor goalkeeping and efforts that I would have been very confident of Pope denying.

Of course, I don’t expect Norris or BPF to be as good as Pope, but on the limited evidence to hand I’d be terrified if we were forced to give either of them a sustained run in the side next season.

i went back over the goals using your analysis;
My conclusion was that all 3 goals were results of very poor defending, 1st by Cork, 2nd by Mee, 3rd GK not quite tight enough to his near post, but left and right back together and failing to get a block in?

[onewillieirvine]

And a Danish International

[Rileybobs]

i went back over the goals using your analysis;
My conclusion was that all 3 goals were results of very poor defending, 1st by Cork, 2nd by Mee, 3rd GK not quite tight enough to his near post, but left and right back together and failing to get a block in?

All goals were also a result of poor defending, but most goals that are scored are due to an element of bad defending. The goalkeeper is the last line of defence and was anonymous for all 3 Liverpool shots on target.

[boatshed bill]

All goals were also a result of poor defending, but most goals that are scored are due to an element of bad defending. The goalkeeper is the last line of defence and was anonymous for all 3 Liverpool shots on target.

Admittedly not outstanding goalkeeping, but that was as slack as I've seen us defending for a long time.

[Rileybobs]

Admittedly not outstanding goalkeeping, but that was as slack as I've seen us defending for a long time.

Since the previous Saturday perhaps.

[boatshed bill]

Since the previous Saturday perhaps.

You are not far wrong there.

[tim_noone]

And a Danish International

Not Forgetting our Hungarian...Kiraly.

[boatshed bill]

Not Forgetting our Hungarian...Kiraly.

And a Scots international

[Spijed]

The second goal was purely down to the very poor defending, rather than bad keeping.

An unmarked free header in the box was absolutely criminal. Bad defending at best.

[ecc]

Hello everyone,

Thank you Rileybobs, Herts and everybody else. I really appreciate you replying to my question. It provides food for thought and a debate. For me that is one of the reasons for a forum like this to exist. I will look again at the goals with everybody's comments in mind.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Yes we’ve only signed 3 England internationals, and a northern Irish international

You should probably work out what “last few years” means.

[Bigvince]

You should probably work out what “last few years” means.

We haven’t signed any decent managers in the last few years either, but then again we haven’t needed to. Just like we haven’t needed another first choice keeper! Time will tell who we replace Pope with if and when he leaves.

[Bordeauxclaret]

True that. You only need 11 good players. The rest don’t matter.

By your logic we didn’t need to sign a good keeper while we had Heaton.

[Bigvince]

I understand your point, but we can’t afford 2 players for every position of comparable quality, when Tom Heaton was No1 and got injured, Nick Pope came in as an untried keeper at that level and exceeded all expectations, BPF could have done the same, but hasn’t.

[boatshed bill]

Yes we’ve only signed 3 England internationals, and a northern Irish international

Actually we only signed one England international, but made 2 others

[NewClaret]

Surely a sign he’s leaving? If we felt he could succeed Pope, he’d have played these three games?

[MACCA]

Surely wouldn't have done as badly as Norris has in the last 2 games.

I'm getting flash backs to Mark Kendall all those years ago.

Norris is very, very bad
I'd have saved Sheff Utds 1st and that is not a joke, terrible GK I'd expect any half decent amateur to save

[tiger76]

If Norris is our 2nd choice next season then we need to pray that Pope doesn't get injured or suspended, the lad is clueless a true rabbit in the headlights, time to get rid I'm afraid.

Why BPF didn't play today I don't know, he's had his moments as well, but surely if he's our preferred deputy for Nick he has to play if available.

Very worried about the goalkeeping department for next season if this is anything to go by.

[NewClaret]

If Norris is our 2nd choice next season then we need to pray that Pope doesn't get injured or suspended, the lad is clueless a true rabbit in the headlights, time to get rid I'm afraid.

Why BPF didn't play today I don't know, he's had his moments as well, but surely if he's our preferred deputy for Nick he has to play if available.

Very worried about the goalkeeping department for next season if this is anything to go by.

Definitely regressed in the GK department.

[Rileybobs]

Wow. How bad is Norris. Truly awful goalkeeping.

[tiger76]

Definitely regressed in the GK department.

We were never going to able to replicate the riches of Hart, Heaton & Pope, but just a reliable number 2 will do for heaven's sake, surely that's not asking for much as a PL club is it.

[Rileybobs]

The summer shopping list has certainly got longer.

[jojomk1]

If BPF is thought to be so bad why did he get rewarded with an extended contract at the beginning of this season

[boatshed bill]

If BPF is thought to be so bad why did he get rewarded with an extended contract at the beginning of this season

I think we need to be patient with him.
Perhaps taking a few beatings has dented his confidence?
Our coaching staff has the summer now to sort any problems out.

[jojomk1]

I think we need to be patient with him.
Perhaps taking a few beatings has dented his confidence?
Our coaching staff has the summer now to sort any problems out.

I agree

And realise that the heavy defeats were not down to him

But to "rest" him for Norris will have done any self confidence no good at all

[boatshed bill]

I agree

And realise that the heavy defeats were not down to him

But to "rest" him for Norris will have done any self confidence no good at all

With half the team "off form" it was a lose/lose situation.