Author Topic: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3  (Read 6219 times)

Offline Corkboy

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Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« on: August 31, 2014, 07:08:44 pm »
Ladies and gentlemen of Rawk, we would like to take this opportunity to formally welcome you to the new league season. While the team was officially on the pitch during our first two games, technical issues meant that we were unable to bring you our regularly scheduled play. Against Spurs today, we were delighted to see the kind of performance that we grew to expect last season but never tired of. Snapping into tackles, running good lines, pacey breaks and slick interchange were all on view as we allowed Spurs to nervously win the possession stats while all the time looking like they'd rather be somewhere else.

Among the more protuberant displays were those of Ballotelli, who should probably have scored but showed his willingness to defend and help the team in a very impressive debut, Sterling who once again dominated the game, Henderson who dominated Spurs, Sturridge the provider, the list goes on. Your OP will make mention of one and leave the rest for you to feast on.

Alberto Moreno showed flashes of what a good player he is against City but ultimately had a bit of a mare. For him to come in today after getting done by Jovetic and defend like he did and link up shows some strength of character. But to also attack the fuck out of the oppo, being the furthest forward on occasion? That takes balls. For his goal, there should have been scorched tracks on the turf behind as he mugged England's Andros Townsend before charging at Lloris and dismissively swiping the ball into the corner. Boom. There's my calling card now say my name, bitches.

Offline Aristotle

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2014, 09:16:29 pm »
Today's game was really strange. I thought Spurs were a lot less convincing than they were in either of our games with them last season. Their insistence on using Bentaleb, whom I rate, in a disciplined role against us is just plain weird. You can get away with it against the bottom 10 but top 4 game is more a burnt child dreads the fire than it is learning by doing. They set up like the away side and were going to rely on individual brilliance over cohesion. Pocchettino is a very good manager, one who will do well with the foundations there. But today he found that his foundations were rather basic. Their pressing was more for show than effect. You got the time that we could easily foul our way out of trouble (and we did) because anytime we lost the ball there was never a chance to play the advantage. Sakho struggled especially in the first half but rather than isolate him in possession and Lovren out of possession every Spurs player seemed to be looking to the sidelines for inspiration rather than letting the game call the shots.

We were remarkably composed considering how offbeat we looked against Southampton. Maybe it was a case of just knowing how good we are and simply not caring about the occasion. I honestly don't know, but I'd like to find out. We were in complete control and we knew exactly how to set up the game and it worked a treat.

Balotelli was obviously the main EVERYTHING in the media's eye but he had a good game, a very solid debut and could've scored 3x if he'd taken his chances. He proved simply by presence how much better Sturridge is as part of a two than as the world's greatest solo act. He is at his most threatening when you don't see him coming. It proved the case in the opening 2-3 minutes. With Spurs caught up in the headlines, they had Balotelli in check but left Sturridge on his own. Sturridge whipped in a great cross which Lloris saved (and for my money that wasn't a "how did he get to it from so close!?" but a "why didn't he come for it in the first place?").

The first goal was a brilliant piece of play and showcased that we were simply more 'intelligent' in our play. I watched it live and I knew exactly what was coming. I didn't know how it'd come off but I saw it from a mile away. Henderson's simple pass to Sturridge was all that was needed. Vertonghen ever faithful to his image will remember the lashing he got in the media for not showing up against us at Anfield. So when the opportunity to rush out and close down Sturridge presented itself he was there sure as daylight. His support came from fellow Belgian Chadli who just got in the way, with Rose unwilling to give up a potential counter-attack for something as archaic as picking up your marker down the flank. In midfield neither Capoue nor Bentaleb covered the landing strip of space left behind by Vertonghen nor thought it worth to chase Jordan Henderson. Henderson spots both Mario and Raheem in the box, crosses it behind the defenders. Kaboul sees Balotelli come from the offside position (Balotelli's movement is actually quite smart as he makes himself known but drops off twice) and signals to Dier to mark Sterling and/or hold the line. Kaboul then drops into his own 6 yard box, Dier doesn't know where his own arse is and Sterling brilliantly slots it away on his own at the far post. It's an outstanding Liverpool goal but if I were on the other side I'd wonder how the hell my team let a 4v1 on the right wing become a 2v3 inside our own box.

Then followed the first blatant new back 4 playing together for the first time moment. Adebayor nearly equalizes as no one is sure whether to back off or step up but the striker swoops it over Mignolet. Worrying but self-inflicted, not threatening. The rest of the game seemed to be us in control and Spurs trying to force a mistake without ever being ready or able to punish when they came forth. Having read my posts in last game's round-table Gerrard nearly set up Balotelli, who really should've scored but then quickly made up for it with a clever backheel to Sturridge that was saved. Balotelli, yet again, was involved in what would no doubt have been the most talked about moment, had it not been for Allen's penalty. He held off Kaboul effortlessly, released Sturridge who forced a panic of miscommunication between Dier and Lloris as the Frenchman booted the ball straight to Balotelli but his open-netted volley went far off goal. That Brendan laughed it off seemed to suggest he wasn't overly bothered.

We continued to dominate before the half. There was one chance that could've been beautiful. When Sterling's pass was cleared to Henderson who found Moreno on the far post volley could've been the stuff of legends. But also showed an added dimension to our attack play. We completely dominated the first half and were almost punished twice for not making the most of our superiority. First there was the Lovren weird bounce that he then toppled to Adebayor, ran after him, tackled and shrugged off.
We nearly Liverpool of 2009/2010-2012/2013'd when Sakho and Lovren both went for the header against Adebayor, only to lose the duel and set Chadli through. Luckily for us he didn't go to his left and Mignolet made a breathtaking, arguably game changing save. [*Edit: Looking at the numbers this, on the 42nd minute, was Tottenham's first shot on goal in the game].

Our second came almost immediately in the second. Sturridge had a relatively non-threatening ball on the left. Dier had him closed down and would've gotten the job done had Lamela's covering not been of the "Jesus is coming, look busy" kind. If you watch it again instead of closing Sturridge down he comes in with his feet flying first one, then the other as if he's blocking a cross that's never coming. It was another opportunity that Spurs created for themselves. They had a 3v2 against Sturridge and Allen. Instead of boxing them out they go at it like kids, so that before Allen touches the ball Dier, Lamela and (think it's Capoue?) all turn to face Sturridge facing away from goal. Allen turns, Dier unbelievably stupidly throws his hand in vain, catches Allen and the softest but self-inflicted of penalties is given, aided by the fact that Lamela stands square in front of the referee. But on that note kudos to Allen for being cunning enough to take the tumble because let's face it, no one thinks he's devious enough to fake it! Up steps Gerrard and well, he doesn't miss those does he? [No doubt helped immensely by my ritual of closing my eyes, biting my knuckles and squealing like a stuck pig] It's game over at that point and Spurs are in damage control mode rather than vendetta.

After that game goes into auto-pilot. We let them pass it amongst themselves, only pushing up when they start passing with intent. We closed them down easily as Gerrard took it a notch above, pressing up higher than before and more confidently. Sakho and Lovren grew into the game as both of them seemed to realise "hang on a minute, that's not Martin Skrtel/Kolo Toure!" and Gerrard felt less inclined and less responsible to hold their hands. His free reign let them meet the ball more effectively and allowed Gerrard to sway out of the way of Adebayor and Chadli, charged with closing him down.

Then came the third goal. I mean what a fucking goal it was, for so many reasons. It's easily goal of the season contender for us. It had everything you'd want in a memorable goal. It's the new guy. It's the new Tottenham tradition of coming off the bench to set up a Liverpool goal down the left, scored at the far post. It was the fucking FULL BACK. Moreno had drive, determination and technique to pull it off. It had Balotelli going at their backline shitting themselves that they let him score. It had Moreno outrunning the literally-all-he-has-is-pace winger Townsend. It had the "if I make a slide challenge it makes it look like I'm trying, right?" tackle from Dembele. It's off the frame of the goal a la Flanagan (and how thoroughly enjoyable is it to be able to use that as a phrase!) as Moreno runs over to the traveling fans. Then there was the celebration huddle. Gerrard and Lovren sprinting Rocky & Apollo Creed in Rocky III. Gerrard jumping on the group like an Arbeloa on steroids and Lovren shouting so loud it made the captain deaf for 14 minutes.
IT. WAS. BEAUTIFUL.

It also signaled the end of the game as a contest. We took off Balotelli for Markovic, (squad depth anyone ???) and Allen for Can. I thought Allen was very good in the game and played his part really well. A combination of his yellow card and stress free minutes for Can meant his inevitable departure. There were a few chances. Lovren's header from a Gerrard corner. The amazing dribble from Sterling after Can bulldozed past Dembele and the rest of the Spurs midfield as Sterling went past the entire Tottenham defence before being so shocked at the ease of it that it snapped his concentration and he passed it into Lloris' arms for consolation. Sturridge created 2 chances for himself with amazing footwork. If he finds a way to connect with his right foot like van Persie did in his final Arsenal season, he'll break 40 goals in a season.

This was as close to a complete job as you'd want. We did everything we had to. We finished off a team that media and so-proclaimed experts had tipped to push us for a CL spot with relative ease. We could've conceded twice to individual mistakes and we could've scored six. 0-3 was just as convincing and fair as a 2-6 would've been, only without heading into the international break on a clean sheet with the next game at home. We set up perfectly based on the players we had, what we had on the bench. In addition to those who featured we have Lallana, Coutinho, Lambert and in theory Suso. This was a typical performance from a Brendan Rodgers team in his 100th game as Liverpool manager - the best is yet to come.

All in all there's so much more to say about this game but I'll settle for an old adage that sums up today's game; "Can we play you every week?"


P.S. That guy that's totally past it because the first Liverpool player ever to score in 16 consecutive seasons for the club and is now the club's all time penalty scorer, beating Jan Molby's 42.
« Last Edit: August 31, 2014, 09:18:39 pm by Aristotle »
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Offline Hinesy

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2014, 09:57:16 pm »
That's a brilliant OP ;D
Yep.

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #3 on: September 1, 2014, 08:01:01 am »
That's a brilliant OP ;D

Was just posting the same - made me smile from ear to ear :)

On that showing there are three massively powerful sides in this league and the others (including Arsenal) are gonna have to try and hold on to them to stay in the mix. We just need consistency around that cutting edge, but I think it's inevitable that it'll come. The Can control from Lovren's cleared ball just ahead of our own D, span his man (Moussa Dembele, a player who is powerful and has bullied our midfield in the past) and powered up the field outpacing him and fending him off while carrying the ball, to feed Sterling, who did something wonderful, and then something equally wonderful in sclaffing his finish and reminding the world he's still human - for now.

I found that performance enormously heartening. Gonna enjoy the ride again - there'll no doubt be a few bumps along the way but my God, what a showing it was.
« Last Edit: September 1, 2014, 09:28:28 am by royhendo »

Offline Raul!

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #4 on: September 1, 2014, 10:16:25 am »
Like Aristotle with the Sterling goal, I got a similar feeling for the Moreno goal.  He defended stoutly and intelligently but a couple of earlier runs had given some indication of what he had in his locker.  Andros Townsend was left standing as if he was Andy Townsend (the 2014 version) and as he galloped forward, the shape of the game to his right made me think instinctively "this is on" and get out of my sofa, shouting "yes, yes, yes, yes!" as I did so.  And the feller buried it.  Just lovely. And his ability was highlighted by the few rather lumbering moments that poor Enrique had after he came on.  A bit harsh perhaps as he is coming back after a long injury layoff but Moreno was inspiring confidence as Enrique rarely has done in the past. Robinson's departure perhaps a bit surprising in the light of Enrique's uncomfortable cameo or too early to tell?

Lovren, other than one or two ropey moments, was good. Sakho was alright - both his performance and that of Lovren were affected more by a lack of having played together than I thought than any specific shortcomings in their individual games. Manquillo was better than Johnson as been of late so the back line four, particularly with Skrtel coming back, looks like it should be better than last year.

I'm now looking forward to: further helpings of midfield energy from Henderson, Allen and Can, enhanced opposition baffling by the likes of Sterling, Sturridge and, inevitably, Balotelli, some (wonder) goals from the Italian, more minutes for Markovic, where he can get his teeth into a game a bit more and Lallana's debut.

No question for me that we are a much, much, stronger squad this year.

Offline Hinesy

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #5 on: September 1, 2014, 05:26:19 pm »
As with the others this season, we're leaving both post match topics up, this is the Round Table for erstwhile tactical discussion and the other one is for more relaxed conversation and posts about head shaving.
Yep.

Offline DanA

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #6 on: September 2, 2014, 06:12:49 am »
A big step forward in terms of cohesion. Things once again clicked and while some of it come down to weaker opposition than City the previous week a lot came down to the midfield I think. And this was Gerrard with his long range passing uncharacteristically off. He did a great job shielding the defense though and numerous times did a good job clearing the box. He was damaging with his passing and played a good all round performance. Not once did he look a problem.

A lot of that I think comes down to the work done by Henderson and Allen (Can when subbed) in the midfield.  He was well protected and that combined with an improved performance from the AM position made the everything work quite nicely.  Sterling did a brilliant job, he's simply to quick, too agile and has too good a control to make out of the game like Coutinho was the week before and I think that helped make things flow.

Balotelli put in a performance that a few months from now would probably frustrate but at the moment it was just good to see him get quality chances and for things work well around him. It's understandable that there was a bit of rust in his first performance in red but obviously finishing will need to improve. Sturridge's performance was underrated, a real creative force and at times looked untouchable. The dribble and pass to Henderson sublime. There was a moment where he we've through 2-3 defenders to shoot wide and another cracking shot a lesser keeper wouldn't have save off Balotelli's back heel. Not to mention the cross in the first too minutes.

Still some teething problem at CB but so did Kompany and De Michelis. It takes time and continuity for a defense to work so we just need accept the odd positional mistake and hopefully chalk up wins while things settle. The good news is that we've come out the other side of a tricky start in an okay position. We've got a month (and 4 games) to get things right before Everton home and Basel away back to back and three days apart. Those two are crucial. Those two games aside though the only other really tough game before November is Real Madrid (at Anfield) three days before the first El Clásico. 

The fullbacks though for me were the surprise highlight. Moreno's goal sensational but to be honest I didn't expect anywhere near this much from the lads.  Manquillo in two games has 10 interceptions and 7 tackles, Moreno already a goal and 7 tackles, winning a massive 87.5%. A good start to say the least from both the lads and if they keep that up they will prove frighteningly good buys.
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Offline richmiller1

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #7 on: September 2, 2014, 06:28:40 pm »
These threads are consistently the best footballing read on the interweb for my money. That this remains true even when E2K's effort has been shamelessley siphoned off into its own thread says a lot for the quality for what has gone before. Top stuff as always.

I started watching this game about twenty minutes in thanks to a particularly grumpy 11 month old. Thanks to said grumpy (and now sleeping) 11 month old I also watched the game with Martin Tyler and Nail Quinn absolutely silenced. It was quite an odd way to take a Liverpool game in and as I logged in on here in the aftermath I was left wondering whether I had watched a completely different game from everyone else.

Yes the attacking play was in patches gorgeous, no dissenters anywhere on that, but what struck me most watching silently on the sofa whilst being kicked in the ribs repeatedly was how sound we looked defensively. We just completely snuffed spurs out and that was with them having no shortage of possession. Sahko in particular I though looked magnificent. So I was a little suprised to come on here and see Sakho and Lovren getting bagged in the immediate aftermath.

As it turned out that twenty minutes I missed saw the centre backs look a little shaky, which partially explains the difference in outlook but the rest i'm  putting down the lack of Sky's 'look how frail they are defensively' editorial line being rammed down my ear holes every thirty seconds. Even having now seen the offending 20 minutes in question i'm not changing my opinion. We looked as defensively sound as I can remember since Rafa's pomp.

The number of times Lovren, Sahko, Moreno and Manquillo extinguished an emerging threat just by attacking it on sight was a joy to behold. None of this lets how how things develop, back off back off back off back off malarky. And it worked. That was not a bad Spurs side by any stretch of the imagination and their confidence was high given the way they had started yet we let them create the square route of fuck all for about 80 minutes. The only half chances they found themselves on the end off were errors on our part. Only at 3 up with the game drawing to a close did attention start to drift and they get even close to looking threatening.

To acheive that level of shut out whilst looking like a warm knife through butter at the other end........ well that really is something.

The other thing I'll say about the defense is that they rendered the famous pottechino press largely ineffective through being so comfortable in possession and capable of fizzing passes into midfield that would take the pressing players entirely out of the game. It got to the stage where Spurs weren't even bothing to press up high in anything like the fashion they are used to. Indeed there were several passages where the backline deliberately retreated whilst in possession just to try and draw a few Spurs players into our half. It was a total victory in every respect.

In short, that really has to be the back four of choice moving foward.

Everything else has already been covered with far more eloquence than I can muster so I'll just finish by reiterqating what an absolute freak Sterling is. As someone pointed out recently, doesn't matter where on the pitch he is standing or what direction he is facing. Within two touches of receiving the ball he is driving at the opposition goal at pace. I'm swiftly running out of players to compare him to.

.....Oh and it probably goes without saying that, thanks to a certain nippy left back, said grumpy sleeping baby was awakened in a fashion that will probably leave her mentally scarred and me forking out for counselling for life. Mrs is not happy.

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #8 on: September 2, 2014, 08:58:20 pm »
Sterling.

Someone said in another thread earlier, but he is very similar to George Best in his heyday (might even have been Johnno.. if true thats a serious endorsement).

And I would agree.  I cannot recall a better dribbler at pace, intelligence, the ability to know where the ball will be, how to see a pass, strength on the ball for a slight figure.  The boy has absolutely everything. At 19 years old. His ceiling knows no bounds, how good could this wee fella become under Rogers?  In my opinion, he is already the most eyecatching talent in the League; and is probably ahead of George Best at that age.


But while he is the standout talent in the team, Sunday confirmed a lot of what was becoming apparent:

Henderson

Probably the get to midfielder in England now. The fella has energy in abundance, and now the talent is being talked about in the same way as his drive. An obvious Liverpool captain soon, and the fulcrum of our midfield for years to come.  Emlyn anyone?

Moreno/Manquillo

Well. What can I say. How on earth did we get these two lads, at their age, one on loan, from decent clubs?  Could they not see what I (even me) saw??  In slightly differing ways, these two young boys were massive. Huge performances. All I can say is that Manquillo gave the most assured complete performance since Arbeloa, or Finnan before that, and at his age and in his first proper game or two. Kudos to the boy.  Moreno? Different class. My man of the match. Faultless, defensively immaculate, in attack just breathtaking. His goal obviously was compared to JAR. But that's where the comparison ends. This boy can attack....  but his pace would leave Riise for dead.  More importantly though, he can defend as well. And he clearly has the character to learn, compute, develop (unlike the ginger Norwegian). Just listen to the manager's comments after the match.      Moreno can be anything he wants to be.  A left sided Lahm?  But even quicker?


Lovren

Just gets better every game.


Balotelli

What a very encouraging debut that was.  I get the premature feeling this lad is going to become the superstar he should always have been under the tutelage of Brendan.  This might be a marriage made in heaven for the fella, and if that happens we have a League winning striker about to get going.




As E2K said, this fixture last year had everyone (especially us LFC fans) sit up and have a double take.  This one has done the same. A slow start... and suddenly we are back in Spring 2014 again, but with even more in our armoury it seems.  Well, if it was game 12 (or thereabouts) last year, the delicious thing is we've roared in game 3 this term.  If we accelerate from here as we did after Spurs last season...there's only one inevitable outcome I feel, despite the 2 large hurdles we have to overcome.

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Re: Round Table: Spurs 0 v Liverpool 3
« Reply #9 on: September 3, 2014, 11:20:00 am »
Just a brief observation re the psychological impact of the Balotelli signing.

It was something that was so needed after an otherwise superb transfer window but nonetheless a window that would have fallen flat without that additional magical ingredient of a player up front with a touch of the X-factor. For the season ahead it was crucial and if not exactly a Luis S then it certainly needed to be someone upon whom the team and us can hang our emotional aspirations.

And so I wasn't that surprised to see that the signing and mere presence of Balotelli seemed to have as much of a galvanizing effect on the rest of the team and Sturridge in particular as it has had on the fan base. We all needed it quite badly  - and it does seem to have had the desired effect all round.

As for Daniel Sturridge it looked from the very start that his game was up several notches on his first two performances which would seem to suggest that as much as he desires to be the number one striker he certainly derives a big injection of reassurance, confidence and energy from knowing the striking burden is shared with someone of Balotelli's stature. No disrespect to Ricky Lambert but Ricky simply doesn't provide that injection. He's certainly got a part to play but centre stage ain't it.

Happy days.

 ;D