Starting to get a bit concerned that our telepathic defence has disappeared. Shambolic from VVD - not something you’d say very often. There was a naivete and sense of complacency from the boys when Leeds were on the attack. We were sloppy on the ball all over the pitch - Naby was a frequent offender, although he was good going forward. Maybe it’s good we got that out of our system in the first game because we won’t win the title if that continues. Realise it’s silly when we scored four, but we could also be more clinical - or at least Firmino and Mane need to be.
That all said cos I sound like a right moody git, Salah is well and truly back on form. He really does suit those big open games. I thought Andy Robbo put a lot of effort in. As I say, Naby decent going forward - gives us another dimension and saves us going wide to our full backs al lthe time. I thought there was a lot of confidence from our attacking players, particularly in the first half. They were trying things and being creative. Curtis Jones looked bright when he came on, even though I’d have thought Minamino was more logical given his form/the fact we wanted to kill the game.
Bring on Chelsea. Hopefully we can press them and capitalise on mistakes whilst their new players are still gelling. Hopefully VVD/Gomez can get back to their previous heights because I’m not used to watching Liverpool be defensively uncomfortable.
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We had a Penalty at the end Maria.
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Glad we got over the line. Salah was so sharp and hungry… Man of the match by a mile… Robertson was good. Mane needs to stop shooting like Balotelli… 3 points all that matters…
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I won’t make any excuses for our boys but Matchday 1 can always be a wildcard, if you like. Anything goes and quite anything is possible. Just going on form with how the restart ended, Southampton was one of the hottest teams in the league and Palace was dreadful yet they shocked Saints today. Now, with all that said…
We were absolutely bailed out at the end by the penalty. It was a stone cold pen, but we were bailed out. All the loose play at the back will get tightened up but we need much better focus across the entire back line. Midfield again struggled today and I’m not quite sure why. I personally thought Naby was our best midfielder in this match but others didn’t agree in the match thread so maybe I was watching something different. I’m not disappointed in any of our boys but I want to say aloud that both Ali and Bobby need to get their focus right, quickly, because if this team is to do anything this year, those 2 will have to be big parts of success. They’ve both been coasting since the restart.
And finally Mo. What more can be said? He’s leaner, his hunger is back, and he operated at a different level tonight than ANY other player on the pitch. He was absolutely sensational in all phases of the game.
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And Bobby just needs to shoot…on target!
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Preparing for the next game should be a right time for reality check…
I think there is a bit too much of an arrogance, within a group of guys that do not have it as an obvious trait. I feared a bit, that the myriad of acolades/recognitions may do so. Hard work is more becoming to our lot…
Play like we have today against Chelsea next week we won’t be coming away with three points.
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How could you possibly be happy after a really good, tense and exciting game with great goals from both sides and a Liverpool win? How could you be happy? Are you ever happy? Would you be happier with 5 new signings and a loss? It’s like seeing the pyramids and complaining that they’re a little dilapidated.
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We’ll get better but a win is a win and the 3 points are ultimately all that matter.
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Uff! That was close then. It must have been an exciting game.
I always thought Leeds were going to be a tough nut to crack. Bielsa is a top class manager and he has got his players well organised. I am so glad we got this first game out of the way and won it.
Leeds will be giving alot of teams a tough time.
We got the 3 points, that matters for now.
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I’ll speak for myself. Because happiness for me means enjoying the game, especially when we have won it.
And not be concerned and analysing every damn thing every second to find how everything should be Goddamn perfect. And trying to find flaws when there’ll always be some.
Maybe I am an idiot who’s not a true fan, but who cares, at least I am happy and smile and laugh after our every goal and at the end of the game.
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Even now, she’ll still get a rise out of you lol 
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What an unusual way to start the new campaign. Entertaining match.
Possession and pass completed were both less than Leeds. Those were abnormal stats for our boys. You have to give it to Leeds, they came out and played, and played well. Two of their goals were top notch. If things are just about the destination and not the journey, winning the match is all that counts. However, when looking about the journey, our boys will need to be better (Haa, just stating the bloody obvious).
The front 3 were amazing today. TV pundits and some on the forum were complaining that Bobby was invisible. I disagree. he was linking up in both 1st and 2nd half. Both Mane and Bobby were missing sitters…thank goodness that Mo was in one of those mood, and grab the chances. 2 pens awarded also helped.
The defensive mistakes were not simply the back 4 (our right flank was exploited many times today. TAA was clearly back from injury, and was labouring a bit), the midfield were not as solid to provide the defensive coverage.
There are some positives though from the centre of the park: TBH, I was surprised that Hendo started the game, instead of coming on as a sub, after being off for an extended period of time. Hendo was a lot more comfortable in the 2nd half. If I remember correctly, Gini had at least one important defensive tackle. Baby was excellent carrying the ball, however, he got pushed off by stronger midfield from Leeds a bit too easily several times.
Ali was a shadow of himself…Has he gained weight? He appeared not quite as lean as I remembered.
Oh, love the red ribbons each time when TV shows the PL trophy.
3-picks
- Mo: Totally on top of his game today and was in one of those mood. Trickery, shots, passes, penalties. It was actually fun to watch Sadio and him pinging the ball back and forth. Too bad that Sadio did not slot it into the net.
- Sadio: Massive threat throughout the match. Too bad that he did not add to today’s scorecard. He did had one giveaway in the centre of the park that almost caused a heart attack.
- Bobby: Linked up, controlled. Would love to see his confidence in scoring more often.
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I think it’s physical and mental fatigue rather than arrogance.
I think our pressing to needs improvement. It’s so easy for the other team to break out against us. It doesn’t help when our Fullbacks are so far advance all the time either. We get stretch far too often and that leaves a lot of space behind our high line. If we defend like that against Chelsea and Arsenal next two games we are gonna get kill.
Our attack is also very one dimension at times, too much long ball forward to the front three. We end up giving up possession too easy this way. I do think we need a little bit more creativity in our midfield.
The goals Leeds score we kind of have gave it to them. We need to be better in open play, and use the ball better.
We deserve to win today but the three points was a little fortunate.
On to Chelsea
YNWA
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I’m not a big fan of xG, but the stats suggest Leeds were a bit lucky to get the three they got.
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Alisson is getting worse.
Gomez was awful.
But…we are still great going forward.
A bit disappointed in the performance to be honest. No where near the level we want to be. But first game of the season so I’m just happy enough we got the win and the fact that Salah looks super sharp.
WTF was wrong with Van Djik though? Nothing like him at all.
Looks like you could do with Miss Hayek as a nurse…Ooops did I write the wrong thing?
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20 chara