Match Day Thread Crystal Palace v Liverpool

What was your unbiased opinion of the Lamella penalty he 'won' against VVD then?

 

I noticed in this game that we stood up to the physical side of the game very well, it looked like they might win that battle and then the game but we dug in which is good to see.

 

Watch how VVD switched on Benteke after 30 mins. Everytime there was a goal kick he just went over and won the headers. Before Matip was really struggling.

 

Erratic Mane almost cost us. Lucky boy.

 

Not rocket science this football is it?

 

maybe that sounds a little smart arse from me on read back.

i meant to say something along the lines that vvd did the right thing compared to the disaster at utd and it was an obvious switch to make given benteke was making matip look rubbish.

 

I like it that VVD enjoys a battle, he's fearless and likes the challenge of the bigger striker. Very happy with this purchase so far Klopp was right to hold out for his man.

 

This isn't rocket science either: that tactic only works if the attacking CF is too stupid or useless to realise it's happening. If VvD had swapped sides with Lovren at Utd, I'm pretty sure Lucky would have followed Lovren if he was getting no joy out of Virge. The CF gets to choose who he battles, not the other way round.
Our problem has been a lack of understanding between Trent and whoever is RCB. There's always a bloody big hole for a fast lad to exploit. Trent needs to pull in and cover better, especially when the RCB makes an aerial challenge.

 

Yeah its a fairly basic learning curve for the kid.

 

He did this better in the 2nd half and we helped him more with players tracking back. When I watch him he's always torn, his thinking seems to be that the CB will win that so I'm taking a step up so that I can attack and when the CB doesn't it gives the winger the edge on him. SAFETY FIRST YOUNG MAN, WAIT.

 

One of the area Andrew Robertson is better than Moreno is tracking back, and Moreno likes to commit stupid fouls in dangerous areas.

 

It's the same problem Moreno has - starting to get forward before the ball is safely under control.

 

Yes, TAA doesn't go quite as far but it results in the same problem.

 

The best thing about TAA is that he will make mistakes but he doesn’t shirk responsibility. He doesn’t go into hiding. He wants the ball still.

 

Good shout that, he worked hard to get a hold on the game vs Palace and had a much better 2nd half.

 

Actually if VVD had switched in the United game targeting Robertson is a different kettle.

 

We should have done that against United. In fact, my next door neighbour, a United fan who was at the game, said he found it incredible that we didn't, considering VVD won his first two headers against Lukaku.

 

Not from set pieces and goal kicks though.

 

He's a sound player and is getting better. His future is in midfield though, not at full back. You can see that Robbo, and Clyne too for that matter, knows where to be in any given situation. That's not to say he's Gerry Byrne or Chris lawler, but he's a competent, reliable full back. TAA just isn't, and neither is Gomez, whose future lies at CB next to VVD.