The Soccer thread

[layzie 30,400]

I can't remember a drop off as big as this one, for any side let alone Liverpool. A team that was in contention for 4 trophies up until the last kick.

This team is finding new and creative ways to concede goals..

[Macca 16,174]

Man City in allsortsa!

[roy11 3,152]

Huge few days for United, chance of knocking out Barcelona and progressing, chance of winning some silverware - alternatively the universe could be evil and they lose both on penalties. 

[layzie 30,400]

Sad news with the passing of John Motson last night. The voice of football for many people over a very long period. 

[roy11 3,152]

Lock the thread again plz mods

[layzie 30,400]

Doesn't feel real. More like a dream or cheating.

[Dee Zephyr 18,242]

Almost 186…sheesh.

Edited March 6, 2023 by Dee Zephyr

[Macca 16,174]

10 hours ago, roy11 said:

Lock the thread again plz mods

Ouch!

Mind you, my Hammers are headed for relegation unless they get their act together!

They are sticking with David Moyes (for now)

But the Man Utd loss is being described as the worst ever (especially to a rival in Liverpool)

It's a bit like that 7-1 win to Germany over Brazil in the World Cup (in Brazil) Doesn't get forgotten easily

[roy11 3,152]

12 hours ago, Macca said:

Ouch!

Mind you, my Hammers are headed for relegation unless they get their act together!

They are sticking with David Moyes (for now)

But the Man Utd loss is being described as the worst ever (especially to a rival in Liverpool)

It's a bit like that 7-1 win to Germany over Brazil in the World Cup (in Brazil) Doesn't get forgotten easily

The funniest thing about that 7-1 game was that Brazil had more shots than Germany. 

Liverpool had 8 shots on target and 7 went in, sometimes the gods are just against you. 

[layzie 30,400]

3 minutes ago, roy11 said:

The funniest thing about that 7-1 game was that Brazil had more shots than Germany. 

Liverpool had 8 shots on target and 7 went in, sometimes the gods are just against you. 

They certainly were and even the reddest devil couldn't have competed with those gods. On stats and balance I would have said a 3-1 would have made more sense.

This is a one-off for Liverpool though, the high pressing and hard running that we've come to be known for was all back BUT this current team is simply not capable of sustaining it for the rest of this season. Still in the mix for top 4 but I'm fully expecting to have to scrap for every point we get.

[Macca 16,174]

11 hours ago, roy11 said:

The funniest thing about that 7-1 game was that Brazil had more shots than Germany. 

Liverpool had 8 shots on target and 7 went in, sometimes the gods are just against you. 

Just watched the 'Match of the Day' highlights and on another day, Man Utd might have scored once with their opportunities and maybe Liverpool only 3 or 4 times

In terms of goals scored, everything seemed to go right for Liverpool in terms of deflections and the way the ball was pinging around in their favour ... but they were the superior team of course

Defensively Man Utd weren't good and they got sliced up

In terms of CL spots (apart from Man City & Arsenal) United should be able to consolidate 3rd spot whilst Spurs, Liverpool & Newcastle will fight for the 4th spot

As for the Title, can the Gunners prevail? They are 5 points clear with 12 games to go so there's a lot to play out

[layzie 30,400]

One thing I can't figure out for the life of me is why Ten Hag didn't try to get Rashford 1v1 with TAA as much as possible. 

[layzie 30,400]

It's weird to look at the table and see that most teams have only played 26 games in early March. 

The games are going to come thick and fast, could cause some crazy upsets?

[roy11 3,152]

2 hours ago, layzie said:

It's weird to look at the table and see that most teams have only played 26 games in early March. 

The games are going to come thick and fast, could cause some crazy upsets?

I think that was part of United's undoing other night, especially against a high octane team! Injuries and some potatoes have reduced rotation for MUFC, they've played 22 games since the WC break, that's a game every 3.3 days and still in FA Cup/Europa etc.

[roy11 3,152]

12 hours ago, layzie said:

One thing I can't figure out for the life of me is why Ten Hag didn't try to get Rashford 1v1 with TAA as much as possible. 

the above post... AND this aha

[layzie 30,400]

Looking forward to a normal EPL season next year. The stop-start nature of this season (one hiatus unforeseen of course) has made it hard to get any continuity even as a fan. 

[Macca 16,174]

@Dee Zephyr@layzie @roy11 @Grapeviney

Big match (Man City vs Liverpool) on at the user-friendly time of 10.30pm tonight.  Straight after the footy - ideal 😃

Next Saturday at 9.30pm sees Man Utd vs Everton

[layzie 30,400]

13 hours ago, Macca said:

@Dee Zephyr@layzie @roy11 @Grapeviney

Big match (Man City vs Liverpool) on at the user-friendly time of 10.30pm tonight.  Straight after the footy - ideal 😃

Next Saturday at 9.30pm sees Man Utd vs Everton

Really disappointing capitulation, did well to score first and keep things relatively even but we were by far the inferior team and it showed in the 2nd half big time. Defence got cut to ribbons, long way off it. 

[Macca 16,174]

35 minutes ago, layzie said:

Really disappointing capitulation, did well to score first and keep things relatively even but we were by far the inferior team and it showed in the 2nd half big time. Defence got cut to ribbons, long way off it. 

Yes Liverpool started well but Man City then just took over completely.  They are very very good and if they don't win the EPL title then they will see it as a failed season.  Can they catch Arsenal?  Or will Arsenal slip up?

But they are in the last 8 of the Champions league so they could break through and win that trophy

Liverpool's year under Klomp is an absolute head-scratcher!  Self satisfied?  They haven't looked hungry all season

[layzie 30,400]

15 minutes ago, Macca said:

Yes Liverpool started well but Man City then just took over completely.  They are very very good and if they don't win the EPL title then they will see it as a failed season.  Can they catch Arsenal?  Or will Arsenal slip up?

But they are in the last 8 of the Champions league so they could break through and win that trophy

Liverpool's year under Klomp is an absolute head-scratcher!  Self satisfied?  They haven't looked hungry all season

The game was a fair indication of we're Liverpool is at. All the metrics point to them being a mid table side at the moment. All of City's goals were typical well constructed City goals and to think they did it without Haaland as well, might have been 5 or 6!

Missing CL will be a big blow but the way I see it if a team like Spurs or Newcastle or anyone else get's that spot then they deserve it. Liverpool don't have a divine right to CL qualification. 

[roy11 3,152]

I think Liverpool decline started when Michael Edwards (Sporting Director) left.

Recruitment since then has made little sense.

Liverpool used to have a robust midfield that protected the attacking fullbacks.

Saw a tweet the other day which said ‘Apparently, in 8 of Liverpool's 14 defeats this season, the left sided forward has been MOTM’.  Poor TAA

[layzie 30,400]

6 hours ago, roy11 said:

I think Liverpool decline started when Michael Edwards (Sporting Director) left.

Recruitment since then has made little sense.

Liverpool used to have a robust midfield that protected the attacking fullbacks.

Saw a tweet the other day which said ‘Apparently, in 8 of Liverpool's 14 defeats this season, the left sided forward has been MOTM’.  Poor TAA

Yes Edwards was a huge weapon in beating our competition off the pitch. It remains to be seen how Julian Ward will go in the role, it's been a disaster on the transfer front. The midfield is way off it.

 

 

[layzie 30,400]

Frank's back!

[Macca 16,174]

Liverpool snag a draw with Arsenal ... could be costly for the Gunners as Man City loom large as City could win-out from here on in (schedule not tough)

Currently Arsenal are on 73 points with 8 games to play.  Goal difference 43.  With a tougher schedule

Man City on 67 points with 11 games to play.  Goal difference 48

Arsenal play at Man City on 27th April at 5.00am.  Season definer/decider? It will be a must watch regardless!

[layzie 30,400]

9 hours ago, Macca said:

Liverpool snag a draw with Arsenal ... could be costly for the Gunners as Man City loom large as City could win-out from here on in (schedule not tough)

Currently Arsenal are on 73 points with 8 games to play.  Goal difference 43.  With a tougher schedule

Man City on 67 points with 11 games to play.  Goal difference 48

Arsenal play at Man City on 27th April at 5.00am.  Season definer/decider? It will be a must watch regardless!

A must watch indeed Macca, who's your gut feel for the title? Can Arsenal hang on?

I'm intrigued with Newcastle and Tottenham's seasons, can they both sneak in for CL football next year or will United snag a spot? Time will tell.