I don't know - I go to all this trouble making a nice thread and you don't even keep up. There's a game on Sunday as well, btw.
Quite an enjoyable cup tie in the conditions tbh, was entertaining. Hard not to love Nunez, if you think about how his career started with us, he’s listened, is learning and doesn’t look like he’s gonna look back - will be a top player for us for a long time I’d bet. Quansah is awesome and really embracing these opportunities, but I hope someone has a word about the too many touches for touches sake - was a couple of close calls today which aren’t necessary. Home tie and can park that one for the minute
While I was writing that Quansah is very assured, I was thinking that he might be a little too assured. His smart turn on the touchline might have looked good, but if it hadn't come off we'd have been slating him. If I was his manager I'd be having palpitations watching that. One of the great strengths of Virgil is that he knows when it's best just to boot it into the stands and regroup. No doubt Quansah has the footballing ability, but unnecessary risk-taking can be fatal at the top level.
Could say that about anything. Ali needs to stop passing it to our defenders in case he gets it wrong. Better smashing it up field. Defenders best not try and pass their way out from the back in case they pass it to opposition striker, better to just whack it long down the line. maybe but if an exaggeration but lots of things might not come off, but it’s risk and reward. I haven’t seen it but maybe thought with conditions and fact they scored from a corner just putting it out of play was riskier so wanted to keep it in and keep possession which sounds like it worked?
I didn't say any of that though. Like I said, Virgil doesn't take those risks, and he's the better for it. Playing to a system when trying to bring it out from the back is something that players are coached in, trying trickery in a potentially dangerous one-to-one situation is an unnecessary risk. It's probably ok when playing for the under-18's to showcase your ball skills, but at the top level you have to learn to make the right decisions for the benefit of the team.
Did he keep the ball or did he lose it? Would suggest if it was the former that he did make the right decision. Who knows if he just whacks it out for corner/throw then Bournemouth score and go on to win 2-1
A good win in the end in terrible weather conditions. We should have used it like Bournemouth did. Another aspect of luck of the draw because the weather was very nice in Liverpool What a goal from Nunez. He's maturing nicely. Quansah again showing he's ready for this level, little show off moment aside. I agree with saint that as a player looking to make his way into the team, he needs to be solid and stick to the basics, do the tricks when, if they don't come off, it won't be costly. He doesn't need to impress in that way.
the first thing is klopp has said that he wants the players to retain the ball and take these risks to create space. the second thing is i saw far too many lax plays by a lot of defenders that were sloppy efforts at engaging and defending. Thats a totally different thing to having an instruction to attmept to retain the ball rather than closing eyes and hoofing. Joe gomez made a massive amount of poor decisions last night. not clearing when a clearance was to be made. gluing himself to the line when he should have been out on the man for their goal to make a clearance. Bournemouth targeted our weakness at the back stick. tactically we either don't see the danger or are instructed to stay put and let it happen. I think theres two entirely different issues here that should not be conflated. People taking silly risks to retain possession and set up a break is down to klopp. he wants it we have to accept it. people just being lax and sloppy like szoboszlai making a pass back to a bournemouth player cos he's not looked is totally differnet.
Per the baby reds thread I have had this lad picked out for about 4 years now. We cannot be limiting talent. he can ping a pass like virgil, head the ball like virgil, run fast, be strong and is as calm as clam can be. If anyone hammers a kid for a mistake that leads to a goal it won't be klopp thats doing it so fans should see that. This lads already better than joe gomez is now purely because he's not second guessing himself.. Poor old joe is so error prone as he is worried about not getting the ball that he no longer makes the right calls enough of the time.
As with Trent the other week, Gomez clearance off the line directly stopped a goal so therein lies forgiveness from me for an otherwise average performance. Balance.
My original comment has been taken out of context, I'm not talking about any of the scenarios people are giving. There was simply one or 2 moments where he had all the time in the world but allowed himself to be closed and then try and turn the attacker - there is no need for that. That's all. Love the guy for the record, fitting in brilliantly.
****ing mint last night. Trying not to get too carried away - but getting carried away. Buzzing about him.
