Match Day Thread Bordeaux v Liverpool - EL Group Stage Game 1

Expecting someone to pick on me omitting Flanno

I'd go with Studge to get the pacey direct approach back. Firmino doesn't seem to have much pace about him and I think he and Coutinho want to take up the same positions.

I left Flanno out because I think Clyne and Moreno offer more going forward. If we had a better attack and midfield then I'd pick Clyne RB and Flanno at LB

 

I'd be angry about that too, if it were actually true.

 

I would always start Coutinho behind the front man/men. he has the skill and vision to get the front line in.
I would play 2 up top as well with a diamond midfield. Henderson and Milner the middle 2 with Lucas/Can behind.
I know Milner isn't everyones cup of tea but you need legs and energy to have a mid 2 so they are the men.
the main problem I see is a lack of pace by our players, we can't (or won't) run behind their defenders to stretch them.
Sturridge, Suarez and Stirling all had pace and were willing to run behind and mess up the defenders positions. I'd like to see Ings given a long run in the side up top preferably with Benteke/Sturrage when fit or on his own as he is more mobile the big Ben.

 

Suarez didn't have pace but nor did he need it, he was ahead in his mind and clever enough to either take chances early or hold the ball up before beating the man into submission!

 

Shame we didn't push on to win that, but not a terrible result- especially as so many on here were taking their safety catches off expecting a stuffing.
We looked a bit more solid at the back, but that was nowhere near the stern test we'd get in the Prem, so I'll hang fire before I join in with those claiming that that's our best defensive set-up.

There's still a distinct lack of creativity, far too much space between the attackers in the last third most of the time, and a lack of understanding when they do get tight. However that lack of cohesion is understandable given that BR really doesn't have an idea what his best line-up is, and constant changing around just doesn't make for a cohesive unit.

Satisfied with the game overall, but we still look very ordinary.

 

So, how **** were we?

 

Not **** at all. Just not very good either.

 

For the record, I was saying that if Sakho wasn't going to play then Gomez should be moved centrally well before even the Man Utd game, I had said they could form a good partnership too. I also said we've lacked width since the first kick of the season.


PS...wonder if Gomez and Stones will form the future England CB pairing

 

I know you might find this difficult to comprehend, but I wasn't actually thinking about you when I made my comment.

The way it looks at the moment, if they both keep up their steady progress, Gomez and Stones will make a formidable pairing.
Not that I'm overly concerned about the national team. Perhaps we should sell half of our team and buy Stones?

 

I didn't think it was but can never be too sure #allaboutgerrez

 

#paranoia
#notalwaysallaboutgreez

My biggest fear about Gomez is that, if he does turn out to fulfil his potential, will we be able to hang on to him? I could see him the subject of the same sort of determined ardour as the Chavs showed to Stones. Good quality (and versatile) CB's aren't that easy to find.
Anyway, he's not quite there yet, so I'll worry about it if and when it happens.

 

yeah ok

 

Lovely goal from Lallana.
Did a lovely cruyff turn on edge of the box before that and got his shot away quickly which was nice to see, doing it in right area and having end product.

Him and Coutinho seemed to link up well from the highlights just saw.

Really poor defending for their goal, someone needed to be brave and put their head in there when the guy was doing knee ups. Stick your head in their, and you win the ball or get a foul.


Average age age of 21 but plenty of good prospects in there.

Shame Ings didn't get his goal from his lovely flick and shot.

 

Its true. Suarez isnt the quickest. He just had great feet was strong and had a great burst of acceleration

 

Didn;t see the game. Lallana must have put on mad Nivea beforehand for that aerodynamics innit.

Mate of mine was saying he rates our Adam, says he is as good as Hazard if he had a bit more pace. I just laughed him out the ****ing place

Good to have cou cou ca choo (_tinho) back, is he suspended for another game in the Prem or whats ??

 

Suarez wasn't slow though. He'd be about a 80 in FIFA terms.

As as has been said, Suarez was always on the move though so even in a race with someone as quick or quicker, Suarez usually was at half speed where as they were at walking pace which made him have the advantage. When you add that to the quick brain he had, made him seem a lot quicker than he really was

 

Not it quite see as good as hazard, but the guy has obvious talent. Just needs to stay injury free and be more consistent. He drifts in and out too much and does slow play down a bit too much at times. He likes being on the ball which is good as lots of players just want to pass on the responsibility but he needs to pick and chose when to like Coutinho does.

Coutinho alows it it down at the right times but moves the ball on quickly when needed. People judge Lallana harshly because of the fee but put that to one side and he is obviously a player than is more than just a squad option.

And coutinho is back for Norwich, was just a 1 game ban

 

Wasnt a bad nights work.
Like everyone else, I hope Gomez and Sakho get the opportunity to form a partnership starting sunday.
Fantastic that the average age was only just over 21.
Great to see Rossiter and Chirivella get 70 mins each and Branaghan a bit of time too.
Still need to make more of a connection between midfield and forwards and i agree with those saying two upfront is probably the way to achieve this.
Shame about Ibe, obviously having some downtime at the moment, similar to Sterling in early second season, I think he will get a bit of a break when Sturridge comes in and hopefully that will help him find his feet again.
Lallana had a few frustrating moments, but then does offer that something different, hopefully with more game time the good stuff will become more regular and the frustrating bits rarer.
Think ive managed to write exactly what everyone else has been saying without offering anything new whatsoever.

Would loved to have seen Teixeira tonight, but I have a feeling he will be leaving as per Suso as not getting a chance. (Obviously couldnt play as not in the squad.)

 

That was the killer (apart from his skill), he would not beat too many in a race but was usually first to react and reach the ball.

 

Yep, his anticipation is second to none.