This is true, and Brendan's post-match prickliness was a tad embarrassing. That said, had we tried to play them at their own game, knowing we only needed a draw and they a win, I fear we'd have still come short. Overall it proves that champions need to play more than one type of football, however entertaining, to win leagues. This we cannot do yet, and the fear is that even if we now become CL regulars, we had our best shot this season when several top sides were going through transition. One thing is for sure - we need all attackers to be on song - take note Suarez and Sturridge - for the last two games to score as many as possible for an extremely unlikely goalfest. No point with any tactics now.
I for one, still have very high hopes we will win the title- IF- and only if we get 6 points from our last two fixtures. (which I think we will). I don't think City can go to the end of the season without dropping points- they've looked very inconsistent the last month or so. They should be the best team in the league- but they don't look to have consistency. We beat Palace and Newcastle- I'd give us a 3 out of 4 chance of winning the league still. Drop points either place... yeah, it's over.
As I said above, they've done it a lot so no luck involved in the tactic. However, to claim they weren't lucky today is a joke! Or are you claiming that Mourinho foresaw Gerrard's slip?
He didnt need to foresee it. He just needed to keep you out and take the chances that came chelseas way... Which is exactly what he did.
You could argue that it's BR's tactics for the centre-backs to split, thus leaving that gaping gap at the back after Gerrard lost it.
They were crap. To think he had one of the best attackers in the world surrounded by the likes of Alonso, Ozil, Di Maria, Benzema, Higuain, Modric etc. they were a really poor team. They may have scored X amount of goals in La Liga against the rubbish but when it came to the top teams they never stood toe to toe with them. Always had to resort to playing centre backs like Pepe in midfield to try and stop other teams playing and stifle the game. He was never thinking how he could get the best out of his attack, he was more concerned with stopping the opposition, which just wasn't good enough for a massive club like Real Madrid.
It's a statistics game. It's not luck. Until the first goal (and indeed even afterwards)- we looked the more likely team to score. Replay that game 10 times- with Chelsea defending with 10 men- and Liverpool attacking with 8- over half the time you'll get a draw (would have been good enough for us) - and the rest of the time- with one team winning- we'd probably have the slight edge. Not luck... but statistically- I'd say more oft than not- we would have taken points. (can't prove I'm right or wrong... just intuition and an educated guess from watching the game). We didn't get points though. Can't change the past- and I actually think Chelsea had the right tactic- had he attacked us he would have lost... he did the best he could, even though it was set up to drop point more oft than not. Statistically he had more chance of getting points playing how he did than if they attacked. Time to move on- Chelsea got points, we didn't. Season not over- City have a chance back in the title- I still have faith City will drop more points.
I think we could have still got an equalizer if everyone wasn't trying to be a hero in the 2nd half. We wern't a team- we were 11 players trying to score a goal and occasionally supporting each other in the box. Also: CITY WILL STILL DROP POINTS!
Are you telling me that Liverpool have NEVER gone into a game with negative tactics in mind? EVER!!! You should look at today's game in a more positive way. Chelsea felt they couldn't match you,and settled for negativity. Oh,and you can't win them all.
Even Barcelona struggled to break down Chelsea when they defended like this in the Nou Camp, and they probably have the most creative/best attacking players on the planet. The big thing was going behind, a draw would've been fine. Once we went behind we were always going to struggle to get back into the game.
I would love to say no but at some point in our history we probably have. But this is not just a one off is it. They did it at OT , What was it? 3rd or 4 th game of the season? And have done it many times since esp in Europe.Sure at this end of the season you could argue the result justifies the means but not for me. Would much rather lose than play this bland boring negative style of football. But it's more the fact that chavs have spent millions upon millions on top quality players ( and there is little argument they have quality all over the pitch and on the bench, even with several top and expensive players out) It's more the fact that Maureen is regarded as some tactical genius for putting 8,9,10 men behind the ball. It's more the fact that the press will laud this victory and prostrate themselves to the 'special one' As much as most football fans hated and grew bored of united always winning, the one thing no one could deny is the fact that they never ever played like this. Sure they defended deep at times but they broke in numbers and always looked to score. I find it somewhat baffling that the united WUM's come on here praising Maureen ( poss in hope that he will be there next manager) for a performance like this ...are you really telling me that this is the type of football you want to watch?
I don't think Rodger's ever does... but certainly Rafa did, and Woy knew no other way. Rodger's current Liverpool squad don't ever play negatively... not to say that they might in a two legged tie next season if we were 2-0 up against Barcelona in the first tie... That is exactly how I feel- Jose played the only way he could and still get points. As I said above... statistically- if he had attacked- 9/10 we would have won. Playing how he did- I feel we still had a very good chance at getting a point or more. As it is- this was that one game out of 10 where he won against us playing negative football instead of drawing or losing. It was bound to catch up to us eventually... we squeaked through a few where we were pushing our luck. Eventually we'd lose one.
Football is a results business unfortunately mate. And as much as I despise Chelsea Football Club and all their ******ed fans you have to give credit to their players & manager. They came to Anfield and never really looked like conceding. It wasn't pretty to watch but it was effective. They got the clean sheet they were looking for & 3 points as a bonus.
Yes, but Barcelona arn't Liverpool... they don't have the likes of SASAS and Iago Aspas in their ranks! I only accepted defeat today when Aspas came on. Before that I thought we still had a chance to score. Does anyone know if we have scored a goal this season when Aspas was on the field? I think he's our bad-luck charm. (or our desperation striker) /annoying- in my FM2014 games he got sold to Stoke and has an annoying habit of scoring hattricks against me.
Yeah I know but for me football is a very expensive entertainment business too and I cannot find it in myself to praise such dire "football". We used to hate the Italian clubs in the past who used to play like that , why should we do it to Maureen.
I take your point re Chelsea's style. Are they the new Stoke City? For some unaccountable reason the press love Mourinho. I,on the other hand,find him unctuous,puerile,repetitious and predictably boring. I wouldn't cross the road to watch Chelsea play,even with free admission. Dismissing his tactical awareness,however,is to ignore the obvious. His cachet is high,and there are reasons for that. I think Rodgers does himself a grave injustice by whinging,Wenger style,at press conferences,etc. He's better than that.
If Everton can do us a favour it will be only fitting given the two clubs' relationship over Hillsborough. Hoping.
You forgot hypocritical (19th century defending?) Rodgers was obviously frustrated with the chavs unwillingness to play football. I'm sure he's smart enough to realise whinging isn't what he's about. It's not over yet..still top of the league...2 games to go. Biggest nightmare is chavs actually bloody winning it. At least if city win it they play good football.
