I agree - I'm not saying that we should never hoof it. But my issue is that we berate players who try to play positively each time they make a mistake. Mistakes will happen for every defender who passes it out - Joe Gomez is a classy player, if he misplaces a pass, are we going to tell him that he should have hoofed it instead? Chances are, he will be criticised and encourage to simply clear his lines. Over time, it discourages him from taking risks. I've seen it with a player like Barkely who used to play risky balls all the time but less so now, and I feel he has regressed a little. There were a few examples last night where we confidently played out from the back - Moreno, can, Sakho, Milner navigated out of tight areas in the bottom left of the pitch a couple of times.
I expected a loss to be honest. 2-0. But we got a crucial away goal which is a bonus as if worst does happen 2 leg and they score be extra time unless they score more than 1. Anyone see sturridge for 2 leg starting. Might be a good thing klopp has done to see where his attitude is at. Just hope he sorts himself out and wants to fight to stay.
Taken from Twitter: Lovren and Sakho together - conceded just 11 in 15.5 games (0.71 per game). 8 in 10.5 (0.76 per game) under Klopp.
But if they get it wrong and give away a goal.......? It's like extravagant flicks, Hollywood passes and speculative shots, you look good if they come off and a fool if they don't. It's getting the balance right. I'm not complaining- just discussing. I think we tend to overplay it a bit down the left side. Sometimes getting rid is the best policy, and contrary to the prevailing wisdom, it doesn't always mean it comes right back at you.
i think one thing we can all agree on from last night and the game last weekend is... spurs really bottled it in europe. We gave spurs a good chasing, we had better chances in that game yes but it was pretty equal. We saw dortmund beat spurs who rested players 3-0 and we got 1-1 and matched them well. spurs are a bunch of bottlers who thought it too hard so didn't try while we on the other hand gave it a good go.
That's the risk of playing it out from the back - the reward is that you keep the ball and build attacks, relieve pressure and bypass lines. Conversely, what if you try and hoof it and then the opposition get the ball and attack again, putting you under pressure? As you say, it's all about balance and there's pros and cons to each style - similar to zonal and man marking.
And also, I'm very impressed with the fitness levels of our squad - the pressing and intensity is visible for the whole 90 mins
Imo this boils down to this. thought process: CB: a) never let it bounce, b) never turn your back on play c) can you pick the next pass before ball comes. exceution: do you need 2 touches? can you play it faster and accurately with one.. never take 3 unless under zero pressure and can run forward with it. team play: does your team mate simply lay it straight back to you? does your team mate move into pace it is really that simple. every time you've these choices to make and as as opposing player I would be looking at sahko in particular and say i am going to press him hard every time cos he'll try not head a ball if he can chest it so that gives me huge time to get close and then he'l take a touch before passing it 90% of the time. and finally he will try a turn and that will allow me get a foot in. We must think really... whats the best play.. and klopp would say move it forward, get it to the goal and make a chance not pass it about back there. thus 90% of sahkos best actions are taking the ball forward at feet and delivering a good 10/15 yard pass to feet of an attacking player. chesting it down is only an option when you've the time to get it down and moved. turning you back on play is deadly dangerous in general... so for me the good risk is playing a good ball to feet where our attacker then has to make sure he can control and win a free at worst in opponents half verses the bad risk of chesting it down or turning your back on play trying to retain ball that you are under pressure with, losing it and coughing up a clear goal chance. But in the main sahko doesn't do that a lot. his biggest weakness is actually distance on headers, anything stopped to he seems to totally **** up and gets no distance on. I think this is his big weakness. and clynes too. when i nthe box you have got to get it high and wide and long. thats your job. clear the ball away.
It's just as easy to lose the ball trying to play it through the midfield. As I said above, imo it's a myth that the long ball always comes back at you. If you put the defender under pressure he can't always make a good first-time clearance and you can pick up the loose ball by pressing. It's percentages whichever way you do it. I'm not keen on our zonal marking, tbh. Never been a fan. This, definitely. The biggest, most obvious improvement made by Klopp, and a sound foundation to build on.
As i said they bottled it in europe.. i never said they bottled it in prem. they threw 3 cups away for 2nd place... thats quality bottling right there.
Block 206 mate Sure is!! I could do with a few pints beforehand to calm the nerves but because I'm probably driving its a no go.
Anything that leaves Adam Lallana the nearest "defender" to Mats Hummels is seriously flawed in my book.
Lallana wasn't marking Hummels, he was marking the zone. And lallana's role is to block runners. Hummels ran in between Lovren and Lallana. Both culpable IMO.
