It was a slap on the face for Lucas Moura not to have started the game. Loss for Spurs gain for Liverpool .
Waited until I put my thoughts down, I've watched the penalty a few times and did Mane kick the ball deliberately at sissoko's arms ? I'm sure that forwards have thought of this tactic as now the defenders are defending with this unnatural style of trying to keep their arms in to the body, running like this must impede the defender as seen for liverpool's 2nd goal The whole team need a good rest to physically and mentally recharge, a majority of the side have played non stop for 2 seasons and that includes those with time away from the team with injuries The need for 3or 4 quality players is evident but mostly one who can unlock packed defences as seen yesterday and the end of the season Lastly I am so proud of the club and and its achievements this last few years and looking forward to pushing g on next season .COYS
We managed you easily, you didn't cause us any problems until the end of the game. And even then there was nothing clear cut. We played in a way that won us the match and in this case it was keeping 2 banks of players and making sure you couldn't play. Not the most exciting way to win but that is one of the things we've changed this season. You played well but were never given the opportunity to play very well.
It's easy to say once you go 1-0 up after 2 mins and they have Kane and Alli on the pitch instead of Moura for at least one of them. The two situations combined was a recipe for disaster for Spurs. For Poch to say 3 weeks prep was undone after the first 30 secs says it all really, about him that is.
We played what we had in front of us and managed the situation. If we don't get that goal then we may have played differently and been more attacking. Once we have a goal now we know we can see games out.
It was a naive decision to play Kane. Most of us here knew it, why didn’t Poch? He was a passenger for the vast majority of the 90 mins, whereas Lucas running at them could have caused them far more problems.
I wouldn't disagree with that, but Poch's selection was just as much responsible for how ineffective Spurs were as how well you managed them. It was a massive mistake by Poch, not only with the selection but that he couldn't see what the consequences would've been if Liverpool had taken the lead (which is exactly what happened). It was naive to say the least.
The penalty is obviously highly relevant because it came so early. Completely changes the dynamic of the game. Once we eventually picked up the pace and went more direct we caused a few problems, as we have throughout our CL campaign. But it took us far too long to get to that stage, and we spent too long knocking the ball sideways between the midfield and defence. Part of that is because Liverpool press very well, which we have found really hard to deal with in the absence of Dembele and without a choice of out balls from the FBs, as Trippier can’t do on the right what Rose was managing on the left. But you can also argue that Poch should have made a change sooner, or started the game with different group of players.
I am sorry, but an iffy penalty awarded in less than a minute in a match of the magnitude was ' not relevant' you my friend are having a giraffe. It changed the dynamics of the match completely. It allowed you to play in a manner that you have been very comfortable playing, knowing that you don't concede many. It may not have changed the result - that we will never know.
Agree, but I'd also add that even if he was going to start with Kane, why go with Alli as well? One who's been out for 7 weeks, and the other who's been pretty poor for the last 8-10 games. Should've had Moura start for at least one of them. A player who can get behind a defence and doesn't lack composure. Moura, Eriksen and Son would've caused far more problems imo.
So what if there was no penalty and Liverpool had taken the lead at any point during the match? What you're saying is you weren't good enough to equalise?
Ok, without Kane or Llorente you lack the out ball, but I agree. The thing any defender hates the most is fast, skillful players running at them.
imo the problem you had with the out ball last night was that Alli , Eriksen & Kane didn't work hard enough to make themselves available allowing us to squeeze on the CM and defenders .
I probably wasn't clear earlier, but I mean't Moura, Eriksen, Son + Kane (or Alli). Btw regarding Llorente, did you see that at 2-0 on 87 mins, the ball was crossed into him in the 6 yard box iirc and he couldn't control it and it ricocheted out for a goal kick. Such a poor player lacking confidence. Had it been a better player, he would've had a chance at goal. And then at 2-1 with 6/7 mins to go with added time who knows.
Still say we should've gone with (midfield onwards): Sissoko, Eriksen Lucas, Dele, Son Kane All out attack, there'd still have been Nando and Lamela on the bench if any attackers weren't performing whilst Winks, Dier and Wanyama for if we needed to look at keeping the ball/ going defensive.
