Exactly. We weren't suppose to be title challengers but we are because of the start we had. I'm very happy with a 4pt lead at this stage.
Difference is we have a full week between games. City got caught between games at intense time with a couple injuries.
The surprising point is the low expectations of some fans and being happy just to be amongst the challengers. But we should be where we are, even at the beginning of the season! We bought the most expensive defender in the world, the most expensive GK in England, and our expenditure this summer has been the second highest too. Not exactly a Leicester.So why are we so “unexpectant of a good season and at least challenging? When we have a top team and a good position in the league why not expect to win it? Like Klopp said in the prematch interview with Neville, let’s forget about the good previous years and the bad ones. This team needs to build its own destiny.
Not seen City play with so much intensity in a long time. They played like it was the biggest and final game of the season, so much energy and fire. It's how we played last year really which also left them open. If our midfield managed to string a few balls together, we would have had plenty of chances. Ah well. They deserved the win. Special mention to Lovren for some awful decision making and passing, but also TAA I thought was pretty poor at the back (wasn't supported very well tbh either from ahead of him). I also questioned Klopp taking Mane off for Shaqiri; said straight away to my family that that was our pace gone - the only player running at them and worrying them. Would rather have taken a midfielder off and had a go. Very little difference 2-1 or 3-1 in the grand scheme of things, but more of a chance of getting a result, he should have gone for it and been bolder imo. Like it's been said, still a nice little cushion for us with 4 points but it's all about how we respond. If we get a draw or loss in the next game, our wheels are truely off the wagon. If we get a win, we'll be fine. -edit- I should also mention how Lovren was the only f*cker speaking out about how we could be invincibles all season before turning up with that performance He really is a moron and should be banned from answering questions or making comments.
These would have been piss easy games before the match. Now some of those look slightly daunting. Leicester beat City (which beat us) and Palace beat the same team at the Etihad.
One of those where its just not your night. Citeh were decent but I felt a draw would have been a fair result overall. Never mind, we are top of the league. We just start again v Brighton
Mane had 2 chances to score missed them both its all well and good running at defences but if you flop once you get inside the box its pointless. Mane is an exceptional player but he needs 6 chances to score 1 goal. We lose these games because of the ****ty midfield klopp puts out and missed chances.
so. a) 10mm apparently from ball crossing line. b) mane was prob same from scoring first. c) sane was prob same from.missing his off post. let's just chill lads. fine margins and probably a bit of shape and structure beat us. so just cos ****s like palace and Leicester beat city when they caught them with injuries in the middle of a massive fixture like up means nothing. what will mean something is how we actually play on the day so.... start with next game and win it.
Lovren turned in arguably one of the worst CB performances of all time but the biggest issue we had is Klopp’s trusted midfield for such games. They give us no control whatsoever, awful in possession, aren’t press resistant (bar Gini) and none stand up when going gets tough. What frustrates me more is that this set up has proven to be **** over time, yet it’s still being used. There is plenty of evidence to support this as well so I don’t understand why klopp persists. Fabinho is now proving to be an important player IMO - he is brilliant defensively but he’s making a difference to our offensive play as well. Yes, he will occasionally give the ball away but fans need to accept that we have to take risks so we can enjoy bigger rewards.
Trent can no longer play right back after this season. That young lad can pass a ball and he needs to move into midfield. He is fearless and can play some slick passes into space. He can dribble and that was something lacking yesterday. His stint at RB should help him be more disciplined but if we are to lose Milner, Lallana after this season I do not see why we he cannot be promoted to the centre of the pitch. I remember @moreinjuredthanowen saying tried and tested but if we are being honest, when did these 3 midfield players ever win a big game? Liverpool 4 City 3.- Mid of Can, Ox and Hendo Porto 0 Liverpool 5- Mid Milner, Hendo and Gini (They did beat an okay Porto team) Liverpool 3 City 0 0 Mid Ox Milner Hendo The flat 3 had one big game IMO and that was the game where Ox got injured against Roma and we were left with only 3 fit midfielders. Ironically that was the game where we chose to bypass the midfield and play diagonals into Salah. As individuals they are not bad players but as a combination, they do not work especially away from home. Roma away lost Madrid CL lost PSG Away Lost RSB Away lost (Hendo didn't start) City Away lost PSG Home Won Napoli Home Won It is clear that when the pressure is on they hide and avoid any responsibility and this is a normal occurrence away from home. Guess this is a lesson for us and based on how our squad is structured, 4231 is the way to go until Keita can find form then 433 becomes a viable option in the big games.
@Lamborini thanks for finding the evidence to support my post!! There’s a myth that this midfield got us to the CL final which is simply not true.
Re. Trent - he struggled but our midfield provided little protection and he has Lovren next to him. Gomez is a big miss - defensively miles ahead of Lovren but he has the pace to cover, and his ability on the ball. City forced us to give the ball to Lovren because they knew he’s not gonna hurt them. It’s quite sad that there were two keepers on the pitch that had more bottle on the ball than our midfield.
You are welcome mate. Now let me keep the Lovren is bad evidence in the store as you will explode if I release my dossier.
Haha. As bad as Lovren was last night, we didn’t have a choice really given the injuries to matip and Gomez. So I can’t pin that on Klopp.
for me that's all fine but I only predicted what klopp would do. 433. I didn't predict that midfield as I had fabinho Henderson and Milner.
Klopp is wiser than you. remember that. He knew keita wasn't up to the intensity last night and imo he didn't think fabinho was either.
