Evening all,
I have to be honest, as a fan, I absolutely hate the games against Liverpool. I find them far too tense to be even remotely enjoyable and it’s only after the final whistle that I appreciate what I just watched. Today’s game wasn’t great in terms of goals (mainly down to poor finishing from both sides) and it more than understandably tailed off after the break, but the tactical battle was brilliant as always. Few key points (apologies as always for length)
Klopp starting with the front four that he did was a really big call and it’s success was going to be based on whether they could blow us away in the first thirty minutes. Had it been for some better final balls they may well have done, partly down to how quick a tempo they started with but also us playing into their hands a lot as well.
In that first half hour they were getting behind our defensive line continuously. Not sure if people watched it with the crowd noise off, but Guardiola was screaming for the defensive line to push up. Sounds counter intuitive given they were already getting behind it, but the reason for it was there was too big a gap between Gundogan and Rodri and the centre defenders - they were passing between the lines and then exploiting the space. As soon as we pushed up and restricted that space, that stopped and Liverpool started trying to hit it long over the top instead, something we dealt with far better for the rest of the game.
The other issue was they cut out the passing channels to the midfield. I think part of it was nervousness about Liverpool’s front four and also mindful of the leicester game, but we restricted our own chances of doing it more by again being too negative in our mindset. The fullbacks stayed too deep, which restricted the passing opportunities, and we weren’t risky enough with our passing to create any overloads. As soon as the fullbacks pushed up and we started switching play, we were finding the space and that’s where the goal came from.
Klopp made his adjustments at half time to counter that and the rest of the game, both teams basically cancelled each other out aside from a couple of individual mistakes making opportunities. Added to that, the players from both sides were clearly spent after that first half. The same was true of the coaches - both could have made changes and gone for it but both had already changed system slightly already - it would have been too big a risk.
Overall though, it was great to see both coaches making attacking mentality changes to try and influence the game, both Klopp before hand and Guardiola during it and it’s one of those games which showed the skill on the sidelines a lot more than on the pitch (there were a few players on both sides who had off games). We’re blessed to watch them both plying their trade. I’m just glad as a fan it’s not every week, it’s too exhausting to watch!
For us, I think we’ll have to get used to it this season against a few teams - this is, and I hate the term, definitely a transition season and is going to be a difficult one. That’s for another article though!
Today’s game
posted on 8/11/20
Only watched the highlights
Can the two excellent additions make for a better season
If they stay fit ,for sure ,it should be better than last season
posted on 8/11/20
It is a transitional season for us and I'm quite pleased how our 'new' defence is starting to gel especially against a side using 4 forwards.
KdB, Sterling and Rodri poor imo plus Torres not really getting into the game. We needed Fernandinho's 'presence' in games like these and perhaps Aguero's experience.
I also thought Foden could have given us an advantage in the last 10 minutes, I hope Pep wasn't holding him back because England are playing a friendly next week.
Fact is City and Liverpool aren't the best 2 teams in the league at the moment despite the hype.
posted on 9/11/20
Yep, Fernandinho is the biggest challenge to replace. We can’t replace Silva like for like with either Foden or Bernardo (despite both of them being well suited to it) because having either of them alongside De Bruyne relies on someone as good as Fern to cover it, and there are very few players capable of it.
As a consequence, our entire midfield set up, including on the wings, has changed completely. Going to take a while to work out the best combo and even then, it’s not going to be as good as it was.
posted on 9/11/20
Can't help but imagine how different it would have been in front of a full stadium. Plenty to enjoy from a blue perspective. But wtf is it with City and penalties?
posted on 9/11/20
Thought we were going to be over run in the first 20 minutes. Second half City were the only team trying to win but didnt really seem to have the energy. No idea why Foden got ready but then wasnt used. The foul on Sterling in the first half could have been a game changer. I agree that i think we have a better chance of scoring from a free kick than a penalty.
posted on 10/11/20
Its going to be a long season. If liverpool had not bought Thiago I think they were going to struggle as their midfield is not up to it granted they were missing Fabinho.
It may be too early to say but Rúben Dias looks like a very good player. I also thought Gündoğan was your best player.In a season where control of football matches may turn out to be more important than going gung ho he will be a crucial player this season.
Also feel Rodri is getting better albeit still a soft touch but is slowly starting to dictate matches.
Definitely a transition season for your lot.
posted on 17/2/21
comment by Des Kelly (U21846)
posted on 10/11/20
Its going to be a long season. If liverpool had not bought Thiago I think they were going to struggle as their midfield is not up to it granted they were missing Fabinho.
It may be too early to say but Rúben Dias looks like a very good player. I also thought Gündoğan was your best player.In a season where control of football matches may turn out to be more important than going gung ho he will be a crucial player this season.
Also feel Rodri is getting better albeit still a soft touch but is slowly starting to dictate matches.
Definitely a transition season for your lot.
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Was just reading this article back and saw this comment again, couldn’t have been more spot on.