Match Day Thread Europa league R16 leg 2: Manu Utd V Liverpool

Just being deliberately ironic. It pisses me off that their fans are ****ing angels in their own eyes (and those of most of the media) and this business of Hillsborough chants, in particular. I never claim our fans are, but whenever United fans do it there's a ready made excuse of 'They started it!", however bogus, nd it's picked up and believed (willingly, in the case of the Daily Manc). They can NEVER be criticised without someone in their camp - including the media, FA, BBC Salford et al - throwing out a knee-jerk, usually fatuous claim that someone made an aeroplane gesture, or our fans used to sing it in the 70's so there, or that they're on some self-appointed mission to remember the dead of Heysel.

As said, it's never THEIR fault.

 

We got through!

 

Buzzing!

We struggled somewhat in the first half but the second half was thoroughly professional, and I come away from the game a little disappointed that we didn't win the game!

Standout performances - Sakho was near flawless, and Can. I thought Can was brilliant off the ball, poor on the ball in the first half but really stepped up in the second. It's clearly evident that he's the best MF we have at the club and will only get better. Coutinho was more confident once he got the goal.

Felt sorry for Clyne today - he was up against a tough opponent was roasted. Hopefully he can pick himself up next game. Henderson was really poor but I think Klopp said he wasn't feeling too well, and Sturridge doesn't look quite comfortable yet but he will come good. Wasn't too impressed with Lallana or FIrmino today.

All in all - we're through! It can't be a coincidence that we get a top European manager in and we reach our first European quarter final since Rafa . I for one can see Klopp's influence now - we've scored 16 and conceded 3 in our last 8 games which includes City and United twice each! Not only that, we look so much fitter. Even at 90 mins, we're playing with a lot of intensity.

 

No coincidence indeed. Klopp has turned us round.

Sahko was not flawless I saw two small errors in the entire game.

Can basically out worked the mancs and was still going at end whereas the manc were blown out.

 

That's why I said near flawless

Also, we came back from a goal behind again and we rose to the occasion. Spirit.

 

We also look far more solid defending set pieces.. For a good month or two now! Even up playing against some big sides (Fellaini today)!.. Just shows what a good manager Klopp is by being able to rectify weaknesses instead of merely identifying them.

 

BT Sports are ****

 

I'd thought about mentioning the use of that prese too. If opposition fans come in here using it, I get bombarded with requests to remove them. How can I do that if one of our own is using it?

 

I thought Lala was decent again, he had the same problem as Can first half (good effort but sloppy at times) but overall he was really enjoying himself. Lovren deserves a mention too. Both centre backs will be tough to move on current form so fingers crossed.

Clyne had a mare but he'll get over it. He's been decent enough this season that he's allowed the odd stinker. On the opposite side I felt Milner did a really good job in an unfamiliar position.

Can and Sakho were superb, Sakho finally looking like he's cutting out the headless chicken mistakes and Can has certainly found his feet. Well done to both.

Sturridge... well pretty much the same as the first leg. Lifeless and almost anonymous again. At the moment his future seems the most clouded....his body language poor, his play poorer. The injuries no doubt play a part in his confidence but it seems more than just a player struggling for form. We'll see over the summer how committed he is to the club.

 

I wouldn't mind Sturridge staying but he shouldn't be deluded in thinking that we need him more than he needs us.

I think he believes that.

We should go for that boomerang bloke from Dortmund.

 

Fair point - Lallana was decent, I'm just hoping he can show the level of performance in the first leg. That should be the level he needs to hit consistently.

Hmmm Lovren is an interesting one - I've seen so many differing opinions on his performance - personally, I thought he was ok, he did some good things and bad things. The good thing is our defenders are now playing as a unit, as are the midfielders. The system is showing signs of progress.

 

Thing is, we were in for him before he moved to Dortmund. Commoli was a big fan.

 

I'm not sure we want to sign a boomerang surely he'd just end up flying back to Dortmund all the time His price tag will be way out of reach now but I don't think Klopp will be looking at players like him anyway. I think he'll be looking for the next lad he can develop to that level.

Sturridge is a weird one. I think we'd be better off with him staying, he's such a talent. On the flip side we know Klopp will see "team players" being more important than individuals. If Studge isn't happy here then Klopp will say thanks and goodbye. I think the ball is in Sturridge's court now....if he stays fit and wants to stay then he'll have to be willing to put the work in. My own opinion is he'd be mad to go when finally he'll have a manager who'll make him even better and give him the love he seems to crave.

 

Klopp will get the next one I agree.. we need to stop thinking we can compete for the big name whos at the top of his game.

Milik is the guy klopp wants...

 

Spot on Donga, and here's a prime example of your point.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35840289

Notice the emphasis on LFC are being charged for "illicit chanting" as opposed to the club who's fans have made sick chants in both games.
But being goaded into singing the ****e is no excuse for doing it, last week's excuse by Uefa for doing **** all was that the ****e sang by the mancs wasn't included in the refs match report which has to be handed in a couple of days after the game, so did last night's ref break with protocol or were Uefa waiting to pounce on the morons from our side that took the bait and responded?

 

As I said above; if we start using that phrase then we can't complain when others do it.

I have no issue with the points being made, just the phrase in question being used.

 

Christ Almighty. It's a football game- what is wrong with people?

 

ironic that lovren was brough as a commanding cb, yet its sakho who seems to be more commanding, in his play anyway

 

Thats rogers bag though.. that one's gone and in the past with rogers where both belong.

Both are just players trying to cement a pot in klopps team. If klopp bins both fine if he keeps both fine.