Sevilla are no mugs, but Liverpool really needed a home win to remain comfortable. The away trips to Sevilla and Spartak will not be easy.
You MUST score penalties. Also, you won't get far in the CL by leaking two goals a game.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The 2017-2018 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
Sevilla are no mugs, but Liverpool really needed a home win to remain comfortable. The away trips to Sevilla and Spartak will not be easy.
You MUST score penalties. Also, you won't get far in the CL by leaking two goals a game.
Most Liverpool fans are singing that tune, and I agree I'm disappointed we did not sign a quality center half this summer.
On the other hand, Liverpool's defensive frailties stem as much from Klopp's style as they do from an underwhelming back line. I don't think Liverpool under Klopp will ever be any better than just adequate defensively. Which isn't to say I am against Klopp, but I do think that the idea that the addition of a couple better defenders will magically stop us leaking goals is fallacious. That's the price of "heavy metal football'.
Whenever fans complain, the lack of new signings in position x or y is always near the top of the list of grievances, but I'm not convinced that's at the root of Liverpool's problems here.
If you are a Liverpool fan, don't expect shutouts very often as long as Klopp is at the helm, especially in big games. He is an anti-Mourinho: exciting, charismatic and attack-minded, but also much more of a risk-taker. Liverpool will get hammered every now and then or concede heartbreaking late-goals.
Once, I used to feel a sort of calm, a zen like tranquillity, whenever Arsenal played a top four team. Not any longer.
Indeed, these days, I no longer reach inside to claim that calm when Arsenal play any team.
Today, they play Chelsea, and - closing in on half time, it is still nil-all.
Indeed, these days, I no longer reach inside to claim that calm when Arsenal play any team.
Today, they play Chelsea, and - closing in on half time, it is still nil-all.
Well, in a game that could not be regarded in any way as a classic - though Arsenal played well in the first half - Arsenal salvaged a point from Chelsea who played at home in Stamford Bridge; this is a point that I would gratefully have snatched before the game, and will accept with grace in any case; an eked out point is an eked out point - and it is on the board.
Final result: Arsenal 0, Chelsea 0.
Final result: Arsenal 0, Chelsea 0.
Arsenal finally remember how to play away. Played well, prevented Chelsea from finding rhythm.
Could have won it if Lacazette had more composure.
Overall a good result for both Manchester clubs.
Could have won it if Lacazette had more composure.
Overall a good result for both Manchester clubs.
Guess I'm not seeing MOTD this weekend!
I'm staying about 5 minute walk from Ajax's rather impressive stadium.
I'm staying about 5 minute walk from Ajax's rather impressive stadium.
Columbus got a creditable away draw against Vancouver yesterday, and a playoff spot is looking increasingly likely.
Liverpool also drew, not as creditably, though to be fair Burnley have started the season well and are clearly not easy to break down.
Liverpool also drew, not as creditably, though to be fair Burnley have started the season well and are clearly not easy to break down.
Actually, I think the final score flattered Manchester United; yes, points on the board and goals in the net are what counted, but Everton did not deserve to lose by such a margin. For most of the game, the sides were surprisingly well matched.
Agreed. Still, the match could have been over sooner if United had been more clinical in the first half.
Haven't seen Antonio Valencia score a goal like that since his Wigan days. Top drawer strike.
Another bad result for Liverpool. Another shocking defensive performance - though Liverpool's inabiltiy to score was the most distressing feature of the match.
It's a full-blown slump now.
Manchester United are in a perfect place right now - playing well, but also mostly facing poor to average teams, allowing them to build momentum and confidence.
It's fascinating to see how Fellaini and the the direct approach he represents - once derided as the ultimate symbol of the failures of the Post-Ferg era - has now become a Man Utd legend and the catalyst for many of their successes.
Man Utd are still one of the biggest, richest clubs in the world. But they are unrecognizable from the identity established under Ferguson.
It's a full-blown slump now.
Manchester United are in a perfect place right now - playing well, but also mostly facing poor to average teams, allowing them to build momentum and confidence.
It's fascinating to see how Fellaini and the the direct approach he represents - once derided as the ultimate symbol of the failures of the Post-Ferg era - has now become a Man Utd legend and the catalyst for many of their successes.
Man Utd are still one of the biggest, richest clubs in the world. But they are unrecognizable from the identity established under Ferguson.
Fellaini a Man Utd legend!? He's on good form right now, but let's not get carried away. I'd rather see him play far less, but he has his uses in a squad.
Remember that United consistently dropped points against far inferior competition last season. So far they've done a far better job of closing out those types of matches, but yes — sterner tests await.
Remember that United consistently dropped points against far inferior competition last season. So far they've done a far better job of closing out those types of matches, but yes — sterner tests await.
I still think he is wasted money. He's definitely not a Man U legend. Maybe he was at Everton.
Thinking of the league cup, the reality is that Liverpool can at best hope to compete on two fronts, so exiting that competition is disappointing but probably necessary if a top four finish and decent showing in Europe is hoped for.
The lame defending is not going to change any time soon, so the best I can hope for is that the front three start scoring often again.
Mourinho LOVES him. He's an effective player when direct tactics are called for - though also very dirty. I'll never forget watching him play USA for Belgium in the flesh once. Never in my life have a seen a player get away with throwing elbows as much as Fellaini does.
The lame defending is not going to change any time soon, so the best I can hope for is that the front three start scoring often again.
Mourinho LOVES him. He's an effective player when direct tactics are called for - though also very dirty. I'll never forget watching him play USA for Belgium in the flesh once. Never in my life have a seen a player get away with throwing elbows as much as Fellaini does.
Last edited:
Agree he is a dirty player. I'm surprised he doesn't get more cards.
Probably why Mourino loves him!
Also any club in Europe should have the option to skip the league cup. Otherwise you end up with some teams fielding their B team which doesn't do the clubs or the competition any favours.
As for teams like us it's a legitimate way into Europe as well as something that you could win.
Mourinho values a player's qualities in the following order:
- Physical size
- Willingness to blindly follow instructions
- Speed
- Cycnicism
- Technical skill
Never going to happen, the loss in TV revenue would be unacceptable to the suits. Though I agree that it's irritating to watch the big sides phone it in with B teams - especially when they get away with winning the competition by doing that until the semifinals, and then suddenly switching to their best XI - robbing the players that got them that far a chance to play in the final rounds.
Well even we made 10 changes in the first round!
But to be fair we don't know our best 11 yet!
3-2. Not a terrible result. But sounds like a good penalty shout went begging. I'll see tonight on MOTD.
Elsewhere the Manchester title race rolls on.
Blue or red? Well results would say it was a blue week.
Elsewhere the Manchester title race rolls on.
Blue or red? Well results would say it was a blue week.
- Status