What lol?? He admittedly started poorly which was understandable as he wasn't meant to start but after the first 15 mins or so, we started to boss the game and that was thanks to our left side - Robbo, Naby and Diaz. causing problems and regaining control, along with Fab. Kante and Kova always bully our midfields but Naby did a good job on Kante. Kova (as usual) had the run on Hendo. There were some poor performances - our entire right side struggled along with Mane. I had some reservations about Kev starting in goal but he was remarkable. It's a shame because Mendy is the one who is getting all the plaudits but Kev was just as good. He was a MOTM contender but it has to go to Diaz because it was probably one of the best performances you're going to see from an attacker without the goals or assists. He was electric.
How good were our penalties? Especially from the first 5. Trying to figure out which one was my favourite - Fab's cheeky panenka or VVD absolutely blasting it in the corner when Kepa even started on the same side
Was a difficult game. Chelsea, despite their recent form, are no mugs and they win stuff most seasons - was always going to be tough. Salah was dealt with superbly (again) by Rudiger but he still got through once and really should’ve buried the chance. All in all it was a great entertaining game with 2 sides really going for the win and momentum shifting between us throughout - hopefully can add another one or 3 by may
Demonstrated how much we need another LCM/ defensive mid for cover. Thiago can control games well, but he is so injury prone. Milner, Henderson and Thiago aren't getting any younger either.
It’s not surprise that the one time Salah got through it was from a more central position (and helped by a poor clearance). I’m surprised Klopp doesn’t switch things up against Chelsea especially mid game and put Salah through the middle and move mane wide just to try something new.
On Trent: was caught on his heels and walking a few times again - but also made some hugely important blocks and back post headers. Along with some beautiful passes and the ball to Mane for the disallowed goal, I wasn’t too disappointed. Actually thought Robbo offered very little end product wise which was unusual
I dont think salah suits.coming short like klopp wants his no 9. I'd rather swap the guy to lw and left him run in there than play him in the middle. Salah lives off broken play and rudiger is like a test batsman sticking a big leg out smothering spin. He goes in hard and fast and dominates salah. No coincidence the only run salah got was in broken play in the middle.
He looks shot through to me. The work rate back is non negotiable so if he can do that then don't run forward in striker slots looming for glory.
I totally agree but can’t help but think the instructions are different to what we expect - Klopp wouldn’t stand for it otherwise would he?
I was hoping Kepa would come on and concede in the last minute of ET. I've lost respect for that lad after his refusal to obey his manager that time. How many times yesterday did the ref have to repeatedly tell him to get back on his bloody line while he kept trying to stare down the takers? Should have booked him. Then the penalty saving "expert" doesn't get anywhere near any of them (well, one maybe) - and it was poetic justice imo that he was the one to **** it all up. The only happy Chelsea player after that should be Mendy.
Yeah I didn't feel for him at all, acting like a complete knob for every pen. Fabinho showed the twat what you get for that sort of thing Edit: Forgot about VVD as well - he was standing virtually on the post for his pen and he wraps it in the top corner of the side his stood!! Excellent work
look, give a lad 10 pens and one has to be "an shambles" the fact is both keepers laid down or over jumped for most of the pens. Konate's was piss and kepa should have stopped it but didn't. His antics were laughed at by us. I hated fabinhos pen. He knew he had the gobshite beat but all it look was a leg stuck up and that's saved. Business = roll it in the other side like jorginho did. Jota's pen actually was awful. it should have been saved too. compared this ****e to the ACON where there were notes on mendy's bottle and he was going to go the right way. I would rather get in players heads by looking at notes before the pen and standing stock still then bouncing about and not looking in the least bit set or knowing what to do. VVD showed utter distain for him. it was hilarious. Delighted for kelleher as his obviously biggest backer pregame but the truth was he was down before any of the pens were struck and most chavs only needed to stroke it home. He got one hand on one and one went under him. you have to stand up that bit longer and force them to hit the thing. I find keepers who do this (in the absence of a clue form research which way to go) at least have a chance of a player over hitting the ball and hitting the post or blasting one.
I agree that Kelleher was diving too soon - hopefully it's something he can improve on. I was thinking someone is going to have to miss, because neither keeper looks like a great save is forthcoming. The rest of his game is excellent though, and he's shown it several times. I agree with others that have expressed concern that he might want to leave, I think he's going to be way too good to be a number 2 for long.
The thing is his value as a club trained player and with medal collection actively ongoing he might be happy enough for another year. Pitaluga needs to step up next and we will see what we can do with him to enable kelleher loan.
