He looked a bit off the pace to start with but I think the quad substitution was the biggest problem. It took the team a good 10 minutes to be ticking over again.
1 Like
An animal whose left wing Bradley had in his pocket, not to forget. I think both will see minutes and it’s a matter of managing to sync Bradley’s minutes coinciding with Martinelli, and Trent’s minutes not.
1 Like
Not really, as he had to learn from his first defensive action or two, as Klopp explained after the game. Same with Gomez, who gifted Saka a chance early on, but generally did well as the game progressed.
I saw Bradley stepping back to give room to Martinelli, allowing himself to read him. I saw Martinelli not knowing what to do, and being on Bradley’s radar whatever he attempted. Then I saw Martinelli giving up and not even trying, opting for a pass back, effectively rendering him in Bradley’s pocket. Whether that took a few confrontations first to allow this development or not, I don’t really remember or care really, is only natural.
With Trent it was the opposite, tormented for any time he was facing him in the last few games vs Arsenal. And I love Trent to bits and think he’s one of the best players in the world (who else does what he can do?), that’s not a criticism, it’s just something he can’t deal with vs that specific opponent.
That’s why ideally, we’ll have Bradley when Martinelli is on, and Trent when not. Not the easiest thing to sync, needs some luck too, but hope we get it right.
Not sure if Klopp will be so afraid, but we’ll see.
Well played, well played. 
Anyway, obviously we disagree, and I don’t think that Klopp agrees with you for that matter, otherwise he wouldn’t have thrown Bradley in to stop Martinelli when Trent couldn’t deal with him in the cup game…
And also not sure how you would judge whether he’s “as afraid as I am” when the game ends…
I’m suggesting both will get minutes, so if both feature I’m “right”, and Klopp and I are similarly “afraid”. 
You will be “right” if only Trent features…
I think there are better games out there for both Trent and Robbo to get themselves fit to play full 90 minutes.
But like you said, we’ll see, what does either of us know, we’ll just have to wait and see. In Klopp we trust, whatever he chooses to do is fine by me.
We still talking about this?
It’s a new game and it’s new circumstances. We’ll have our idea from the start and see how the game evolves. Under Klopp, we have a pretty proactive, protagonist approach. That’s clear since 2015.
Where would we be if we suddenly changed every time Trent or another full back faced a quality opponent or had issues defending (problems can be individual or collective).
It’s good to have decisions to make. I’m just saying that I’m not expecting Bradley to play every game now. But understand after last night that the excitement went up a level or two (he did really well, also in a game in which we were mostly front foot).
1 Like
This is the most important match of the season. A win means that unless we slip up badly, City comes into Anfield on March 9 needing to take all 3 points.
2 Likes
Alisson
Bradley Konate VVD Gomez
Szoboszlai Mac Allister Jones
Jota Nunez Diaz
I’m a believer that if you are in possession of the shirt, and churning out MOTM performances, you keep it. Trent’s time will come again, very soon, but for me Bradley gets the nod. Trent will probably come on around the 70 min mark as he gets up to speed. Burnley will be a good game to start and find rhythm, as there will probably be more margin for error in that one. Martinelli has also given Trent a hard time, so Bradley gets the nod.
On the other flank it’s Joe Gomez. He has been doing very well indeed, and if Saka cuts inside on his left, that is coming into Joe’s stronger right side. I think he has the pace, strength and discipline to continue to do well at Arsenal. I would start Robbo against Burnley.
The other picks speak for themselves.
Edit
Huge game, one of the very toughest we have got left. If we manage to get all three points it will really help build momentum for the run in.
3 Likes
The rise of Bradley and performance of Gomez is allowing our regulars the time to heal properly. Neither side needs to rush back at the present. This will certainly aid us in the run into the latter part of the season.
AFTV is the one place to go, if one misses the Jerry Springer Show. What a hilarious bunch that lot is.
Oh…and smash them. They’re shit.
1 Like
There’s a lot of nonsense written in these pre-match threads. Perhaps I should participate more?
Any way Chelsea and Arsenal are different animals one is plastic the other is oil, Oh wait, those aren’t animals!
1 Like
An increase in your participation would lead to a corresponding increase in nonsense.
If you are at all concerned about our mental wellbeing you should desist.
Does anyone think Arteta will go all or nothing in this one? It’s basically their last chance to get involved in a title race.
A top manager would but Arteta doesn’t have to balls for that.
Yes, it’s as much of a ‘must win’ game for them as it is for us. Can’t see them sitting back at home, so I reckon they’ll probably try and attack from the start.
I don’t take them as lightly as many on here. There’s a reason they’re in the position they are in the league. The game could go either way and will be decided by fine margins.
Alternatively, the ref will hate us and give all the decisions to the Arse because it’s all a big old fix.
4 Likes
I don’t like underestimating a team like Arsenal.
They matched us at Anfield, and the cup game was just different.
Positive s are that we are on a very good run, and its a good time to play them.
5 Likes
They are the best team I have seen this year and most from what I’ve heard the most consistent. I doubt Klopp is taking this lightly at all!
However we all need a bit of fun and this funny ole game is a good place for fun!
Only 3 points will do. Remember…
Don’t you watch us?
1 Like
I only watch us and the team we’re playing against!
We can be better than them, or what I have seen of them, and we have done so for moments against them. I’d love to say we are better than them and I think we will be soon.