Liverpool team selection has done my FF a massive disservice. But I suppose when you have such a large squad it’s easy to swap players out for different internationals if your only playing Newcastle.
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The 2021-2022 Football Thread
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After previous false rumors of his demise earlier this week, super agent Mine Raiola has passed away at the age of 54. What this means for his numerous clients expected to change clubs this summer, from Paul Pogba to Erling Harland to Ryan Gravenberch, remain to be seen.
Chelsea will be fine as long as they keep Tuchel and load off LUGaku this summer.
Sure they will miss Rudiger but have the football sense to replace him.
Tuchel has been rock solid during this recent witch hunt.
This whole sanctions and new ownership is turning out to be a joke.
today THEY (Raine, EPL BGgov) are pouching the sale to be finalized may 31st,
and they new own must pay for a war they are involved in.
what happened to April 11th?
something tells me that Sir Jim Ratcliffe won't get the club for some dumb reason.
It looks like Abramovich might not be writing off Chelse's 1.6 billion in debt after all. All those years of success were a Faustian bargain, and the Devil may still show up to collect.
This is why ultra-rich foreign individuals or states are dangerous football club owners. They are ultimately responsible to no one, and are often beyond the practical reach of the law.
This is why ultra-rich foreign individuals or states are dangerous football club owners. They are ultimately responsible to no one, and are often beyond the practical reach of the law.
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Well said.
I have been reading about this, and I had hoped that this issue would be raised in the thread.
Villareal made it super uncomfortable on Liverpool... until Geronimo Rulli started channeling his inner Karius in the second half, handing out gift goals right and left.
Alisson has a real way of riding up to the razor's edge of penalties / red cards. His challenge on Lo Celso was reminiscent of his two challenges in the recent Ecuador/Brazil match where he escaped red twice.
Alisson has a real way of riding up to the razor's edge of penalties / red cards. His challenge on Lo Celso was reminiscent of his two challenges in the recent Ecuador/Brazil match where he escaped red twice.
Rulli was somewhat at fault for all three of Liverpool's goals, though Liverpool's intense pressure played a big role - it's not like they were Joe Hart-vs-USA-World-Cup-2010 levels of howler. Klopp's ability to rotate through Liverpool's five forwards in matches is like fumbling with a set of keys - even if a couple don't work eventually you find the one that unlocks the door. Keita is beginning to truly pull his weight in the midfield even though the fans always prefer Hendo (and the latter does all the shouting, pointing, and frowning that 'proper football men' love to see)...
I never expected Villareal to be anything other than a very tough opponent...I remember being knocked out of Europe by Emery and they did an excellent job of ratcheting up the energy and disrupting Liverpool's game in the first half - without the extreme negativity/cynicism shown by Everton when they tried to do the same previously. At the end of the day, Liverpool were able to carry a very high work rate through the second half and also stay mentally sharp while Villareal eventually flagged mentally and physically somewhat.
Re: Alisson - keepers get a lot of protection these days and they know it. Whether it be punching an opposing forward in the head while clearing the ball (Manuel Neuer at the 2014 WC final, for instance) or making last ditch tackles they typically get the benefit of the doubt. I suppose you could argue that this partially balances the diving by forwards, which is still an epidemic.
I am thrilled to be in the final but the two potential opponents are very different. Man City will be another high-speed affair, we know what that's like - it's a coin toss if both teams bring their best. On the other hand, Real Madrid can't run around like Man City and 'Pool, but are infuriatingly consistent at simply winning games because this or that Galactico player scores a worldie at just the right moment.
I never expected Villareal to be anything other than a very tough opponent...I remember being knocked out of Europe by Emery and they did an excellent job of ratcheting up the energy and disrupting Liverpool's game in the first half - without the extreme negativity/cynicism shown by Everton when they tried to do the same previously. At the end of the day, Liverpool were able to carry a very high work rate through the second half and also stay mentally sharp while Villareal eventually flagged mentally and physically somewhat.
Re: Alisson - keepers get a lot of protection these days and they know it. Whether it be punching an opposing forward in the head while clearing the ball (Manuel Neuer at the 2014 WC final, for instance) or making last ditch tackles they typically get the benefit of the doubt. I suppose you could argue that this partially balances the diving by forwards, which is still an epidemic.
I am thrilled to be in the final but the two potential opponents are very different. Man City will be another high-speed affair, we know what that's like - it's a coin toss if both teams bring their best. On the other hand, Real Madrid can't run around like Man City and 'Pool, but are infuriatingly consistent at simply winning games because this or that Galactico player scores a worldie at just the right moment.
Real Madrid: Poorly run, money comes from ????? No overarching tactical plan, a team of individuals, terrible fans. Yet they just win. Pure bullies.
Man City fail in Europe - again - in spite of their bottomless wealth.
Man City fail in Europe - again - in spite of their bottomless wealth.
Conceding two goals between the 90th minute and the 95th minute, and, at this level, (and thereby allowing your opponents to equalise, thereby handing them the momentum as you head into extra time) is inexcusable, especially when one considers the bottomless pit of riches and resources and wealth (courtesy of a state) that Manchester City have at their disposal and can readily draw upon.
Actually, I've no sympathy for them. None whatsoever.
And, it is darkly - and ironically - amusing to speculate that they would (possibly) prefer to be in Liverpool's shoes just now.
Why? I feel exactly the same about Liverpool and Real. All greedy money clubs.
Speaking of, Aaron Cresswell appears to be greedily accumulating red cards...send off very early against Frankfurt, who have also scored. it's not looking good for the Hammers.
Not a good night at all. We will push on after this to finish just outside the European places.
We've had decisions go against us all night. Chasing the game with 10 men. Not good at all.
Moyes also got sent off for kicking the ball at the Frankfurt coaching staff...so things are getting pretty chippy.
Thats what happens when you care. Some of our players weren't fully fit, but there were no better options. Its been a very long season with a smaller squad than those that will finish above us. But I'm still proud of the boys for what they have achieved.
Brighton ought to get some credit for being a pretty good team this season, but wow! Manchester United are a total dumpster fire. They're going to finish with a negative goal differential at this rate. Despite all this, they probably can't play themselves out of a Europa / Conference slot.
The Ralf Rangnick appointment is a colossal failure, even if he was hamstrung by the Interim tag. The players have clearly tuned him out completely. I really can't wait for the vast majority of the squad to leave.
The Ralf Rangnick appointment is a colossal failure, even if he was hamstrung by the Interim tag. The players have clearly tuned him out completely. I really can't wait for the vast majority of the squad to leave.
Mentally I think most of the team already have! Now if we could just string some wins together we could finish above them!
But can’t see us bouncing back from Thursday. Especially as we’re playing Norwich. Now they are down, watch them pick up some results!
Meanwhile Spurs are holding Liverpool.
Disappointing to stumble to Spurs, a team who are good but ultimately going nowhere. Liverpool will end up playing every single possible match this season, and despite the squad depth it is a huge ask to expect constant success.
Congrats to Man City.
Congrats to Man City.
The team has tuned out for sure, and while Rangnick has very accurately highlighted the problems he’s been unable to do anything about them during his tenure. I assume we’ll see a full rebuild under ten Hag.
I predict Man City also draw and things are back as they were. But a win and its good night PL.