To me the last few weeks in particular this have confirmed that in football the key thing is desire and passion. However talented the team is or the players or the passing or the system they will be trumped by a team playing with desire. The sheer passion and will of our team (and of Spurs tbf) was a joy to behold. No true football fan can fail to be moved by both these matches.
Think Barca's problems are the same now as they were back when they were 'The' powerhouse. Over reliance on Messi, a dodgy GK (although he's better than Valdes) and lack of a competitive league to keep them on their toes. The fact that La Liga is so predictable means that teams like Real and Barca rarely have to innovate or change their ways. Prem clubs have to constantly think of something new to out manoeuvre the rest of the league.
You are forgetting Xavi and Iniesta, two world class players, Apart from Messi, they do not have anyone in that calibre now, although Suarez is a very clever player. Since their departure, Barca´s style has changed to being more dependent on Messi. I am sure there will be a lot of angst among the 100,000 or so Barca members who will no doubt blame the President; Bartomeu, who has overseen this decline. and the appointment of successive coaches, who whilst adequate in securing La Liga titles and numerous Copa de Rey trophies, are not at the same level as Klopp, Poch nor Pep. I suppose the best thing now is for Barca to join Manchester United in licking over their wounds.
The question for Liverpool fans is can LFC follow in the footsteps of Real Madrid and secure a hatrick of wins in the CL without once winning the PL? It is do-able as your team has yet to reach its collective peak in the present cycle of rise and fall,
lads ive already said its none of the above. ter stegen is not dodgy. the fact is busquets is just about slowest player on planet now. he is goner. put rakitic and Vidal beside him as 31 years olds who are also slowing down.... well irrespective of anything else You already carry messi in terms of work rate off the ball so in the end we blew that midfield off park twice. Barca put on a second right back... twice... they had no answer in midfield.
I do agree that we wanted it more than Barca, and our lads have incredible mentality and determination - however, we should acknowledge that we are a brilliant football team on ability alone. We have real quality from front to back which is really up there with the best in the world. We have beaten champions from France, Germany, Portugal and now Spain. Not only beat them, but we deserved to beat them. Hard work and determination will get you so far, but combining that with underlying footballing ability is what has taken us to the next level. 4 recent signings which underline the above - Alisson, VVD, Fabinho and Salah. They have all added footballing ability, they are amongst the best in their respective positions as well as being leaders, who take responsibility on the pitch.
Robbo has been a great signing as well. Not only is he good in his position but he’s a feisty little ****er as well. And we badly needed some bite. Trent has been a revelation as well.
I’ve tried not to criticise any of our players in a while because what we’ve done / are doing is nothing short of remarkable. But I simply cannot praise Lovren or even accept him as a LFC player. He needs to be sold.
I think that would be a legit argument if Real were not coming off a ridiculous amount of CL wins not to mention being way ahead overall as they are in the same league I think your onto something with the over reliance but I don’t think the league is really a factor imho I think it is more a pressure thing For many a World Cup New Zealand werenot able to win the thing (ru) seems crazy now but they just used to balls up at the wrong moment Weird
