He might have also kept bodgers in a job and then he definitely wouldn't have turned into the player he is today
Match Day Thread Premier League, Cups & Euro Watch
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He might have also kept bodgers in a job and then he definitely wouldn't have turned into the player he is today
He'd have needed a time machine for that.
If he wasn't good enough at the time then he wouldn't have been good enough to have kept BRrod in the job in order to not get good enough for him to have to leave where he'd get good enough to keep him in the job if he'd still had it.
If you get my drift....
Not sure about that. Obviously he was nowhere near what he is now but he was still a step up from bentekkers. Rodgers might have got a few more wins.
Laporte absence is like Liverpool losing Van Dijk'
Since he joined City from Athletic Bilbao for £57m at the start of 2018, it has largely been 'Laporte and one other' at the centre of City's defence, although he has occasionally moved over to cover at left-back.
City's centre-backs since Laporte joined (Premier League only)
Who played? Games started together Win % Goals conceded per game
Laporte & Otamendi 16 88% 0.6
Laporte & Stones 15 73% 0.6
Laporte & Kompany 11 91% 0.5
Otamendi & Kompany 6 67% 0.8
Stones & Otamendi 3 67% 0
Stones & Kompany 2 100% 1
Laporte & Stones & Kompany 1 100% 1
Fernandinho & Otamendi 1 100% 1
Laporte & Otamendi & Kompany 1 100% 1
"Laporte is their gladiator at the back - City's leader and number one defender," said BBC pundit Chris Sutton. "So it is going to be interesting to see how they cope without their main man.
"He is for City what Virgil van Dijk is for Liverpool. Of course it is important that he can bring the ball out so well, but his main job is defending. He makes City more solid, and he gives them stability right through the team.
"Pep called Laporte the best left-sided centre-back in Europe last month for a reason. Losing him affects the dynamic of the whole back four, and he will be a massive part missing from their team."
Since he joined City from Athletic Bilbao for £57m at the start of 2018, it has largely been 'Laporte and one other' at the centre of City's defence, although he has occasionally moved over to cover at left-back.
City's centre-backs since Laporte joined (Premier League only)
Who played? Games started together Win % Goals conceded per game
Laporte & Otamendi 16 88% 0.6
Laporte & Stones 15 73% 0.6
Laporte & Kompany 11 91% 0.5
Otamendi & Kompany 6 67% 0.8
Stones & Otamendi 3 67% 0
Stones & Kompany 2 100% 1
Laporte & Stones & Kompany 1 100% 1
Fernandinho & Otamendi 1 100% 1
Laporte & Otamendi & Kompany 1 100% 1
"Laporte is their gladiator at the back - City's leader and number one defender," said BBC pundit Chris Sutton. "So it is going to be interesting to see how they cope without their main man.
"He is for City what Virgil van Dijk is for Liverpool. Of course it is important that he can bring the ball out so well, but his main job is defending. He makes City more solid, and he gives them stability right through the team.
"Pep called Laporte the best left-sided centre-back in Europe last month for a reason. Losing him affects the dynamic of the whole back four, and he will be a massive part missing from their team."
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Napoli injury blow
Liverpool are hoping to get their Champions League campaign off to a flier against Napoli.
The Reds will face Carlo Ancelotti’s side for a second successive campaign and if last year was anything to go by, the trip to the San Paolo will not be easy.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten 1-0 by a 90th minute strike from Lorenzo Insigne in a blow to their knockout qualification hopes in last year's group stage, though they went on to progress.
But there is good news for Liverpool this time around, with the Italian international being a doubt for Tuesday’s contest.
According to Football Italia, the star has been training alone ahead of the clash.
Football Italia are also reporting that Arkadiusz Milik is also set to miss the clash after suffering a setback.
Liverpool are hoping to get their Champions League campaign off to a flier against Napoli.
The Reds will face Carlo Ancelotti’s side for a second successive campaign and if last year was anything to go by, the trip to the San Paolo will not be easy.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten 1-0 by a 90th minute strike from Lorenzo Insigne in a blow to their knockout qualification hopes in last year's group stage, though they went on to progress.
But there is good news for Liverpool this time around, with the Italian international being a doubt for Tuesday’s contest.
According to Football Italia, the star has been training alone ahead of the clash.
Football Italia are also reporting that Arkadiusz Milik is also set to miss the clash after suffering a setback.
Or player or not, a injury is not good news.
I'd rather he played, makes for a better game.
Anything would be better than last year. It was a dire performance and game if I remember right
After Chelsea spent so much money on various strikers recently it is ironic that Abraham, who they sent out on loan so often, appears to be a decent striker.. Scored another two today so far
I for one am truly shocked that Manyoo have been awarded a penalty.
I all seriousness, I am actually shocked that this time it was converted
Watching recordings instead tbh
Games bit naff today too tbh
Glad we got the points today as we can’t really afford to drop any can see us losing ground on goal difference today which is why the three points were important
i have to ask - what law do you think they are breaking ?
The Laws of the Game