Was at an 80s themed party in my shell suit so missed it live. Finally watched it back and was a lovely ode to the 80s pass and move, high pressure game…
Really refreshing to see our midfield functioning properly again, the balance seemed to be back. Despite some crazy calls for Thiago to be sold in recent years he showed the class and control we’ve been lacking, dropping him slightly back in the lcm role really helped him and us. Fabinho back up to fitness and showing how it’s probably a no.6 rotation midfielder we need in summer, not Bellingham. Oxlade was great, hopefully he kicks on now whilst others are injured, the key bit which I loved wasn’t anything in attack it was when he tracked Saka and cleared the cross - That has been lacking for some time and showed how our defense and midfield were moving back to being a cohesive unit again. I’m sure Klopp would have loved it as well.
Our midfield works best when it has a no.6, a deeper controlling no.8 on the left and a more attack minded further forward no.8 on the right… Now we need players to keep fit so we can progress from here and string together more results.
All around a great performance and result, especially considering little to no time on the training pitch due to internationals.
I often think with Mane that he’s at his most dangerous when he looks totally out of it. Like if he doesn’t know what he’s going to do then how are the opposition supposed to know. Different player after the goal and second half was vintage Sadio.
Jota was abysmal first half but like the rest improved 2nd.
I dont think his header to release Mane who went onto assist for Mo has been talked about enough. Superb knock.
I hope it’s a turning point for this season at Anfield, not just this game. Atmosphere was really flat up until the Arteta spat. Not for the first time this season either. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations but I didn’t expect atmosphere to be a problem after 18 months without being able to go to a game. Can’t really understand what it is but the Kop seems quiet by comparison with recent years. Post Arteta v Klopp the atmosphere was angry and intense. Best I’ve experienced since lockdown.
He has the ability to change the atmosphere with a single gesture, and should take advantage of it when he feels the team needs it. On rare occasions the KOP needs a jump start.
Football becoming more like international rugby with the price of tickets. Eventually it will reach that level with £100+ for standard tickets and the only people can afford are rich couples, tourists and execs taking their clients out for the afternoon
Was fun. Backfired, but fun to see him and Klopp so agitated and emotional. Heat of the moment stuff that makes football more fun. Also glad to see Arteta a bit emotional for once. He is sometimes criticised for being robot-like.
I sort of get it. If you are trying to develop a possession based game you have to get them used to playing under pressure. It’s difficult to convince them to deal with that sort of pressure only to then come to Liverpool and say “forget that, knock it long.” Getting smashed and losing confidence in the game plan is not the ideal situation either, but I dont think it’s much difference from us getting torn apart by City as a result of not quite getting the press right. When you’re trying to introduce something new there will be blips and I think in general it is probably better to deal with those, than undercut your message by throwing away the game plan as soon as you play someone who is going to provide you a challenge.
Thing is it didn’t look like they had ever done it before, same goes with Ponchettino at Spurs it looked that bad for 5 years. After a while you’ve got to better some of the passing was criminal and the press though good did benefit heavily from it. That Jota goal was comedy.
