Topic: CL: Liverpool 2 vs 0 Rangers TAA 7’ Salah 53’

[Bobinhood]

I was happy enough with that game. Could have used a couple of more goals and the last 5 mins was pretty mediocre, but 13 in 39 or whatever, fine. W easy to watch. 

[KirkVanHouten]

A win at home and all some people can talk about is Milner coming on. Jeez.

We look noticeably weaker defensively whenever he comes on. Elliott and Milner in midfield is suicidal. Especially if Fabinho is the 6. I assume it's due to personnel not being available but it's hard to watch. Rangers didn't have a shot on target until that double sub. Milner's been amazing for us so people shouldn't be vitriolic but it's not an exaggeration to say that subbing him on this season has given our opponents the upper hand on multiple occasions.

[Historical Fool]

fuck it lads, our squad needs refreshing as we’re looking a bit old, and hasn’t Ox been gone for ages?

[Lucas DuoFlush]

Really? Numbers on a screen?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3BB-w5K1Tg

You might let Jurgen know that when he instructs the players the tactics of the game plan, it's nothing more than numbers on a screen.

I feel like Trents interview that you just linked pretty much supports his argument?

[4pool]

I feel like Trents interview that you just linked pretty much supports his argument?

I don't think so. Trent said they were to play a 4-4-2.

There has never been a time when Jurgen plays a ridged system in attack. He wants players to press when they lose the ball. That requires breaking a strict 4-4-2. Same with a strict 4-3-3. But when it came to the little time Rangers had the ball, then we dropped back more into a 4-4-2.

[Number 7]

It was a decent win and their goalie saved about 3 other goals to be fair.

However, I thought they played like Klopp had given them a huge kick up the arse.

You can only beat what’s in front of you. But of course we have 2 very big tests coming up now so let’s see if the team has really turned the corner.

[Lycan]

Trent said we played a 4-4-2. With Jota off of Nunez.

Glad that people loved our 4-2-3-1 then.. 

So a 4-4-1-1 then. Anyway, who cares. It was something different and worth trying out. The main thing is, we won.

[ThePoolMan]

I was thinking before the match that given the attacking personnel we are and the compromised midfield we may as well try to outscore then. Looks like klopp decided to do something similar by fielding all four forwards. Would this tactic work against stronger opponents?

[Another Red]

It's no exaggeration to say that this was a result we've yearned for. A solid 2-0-win conceding few chances until late on; reminds me of another big European game we played under Klopp. Taking such a positive approach tactically was an encouraging sign for us given our recent struggles. It also made sense to rest Fabinho at home and start the likes of Nunez & Jota. We could've been more clinical but 2-0 was sufficient.

[ScottishGoon]

Well from our point of view that match went exactly as I feared it would in the pre match thread.

I'm so disappointed with how we are playing in these big games currently. Don't get me wrong, I expect to come to Anfield and be dominated, but we were just so poor/scared in possession it was nightmare to watch.

Not sure I agreed with the team selection, then when it was clear that wasn't working he was too late changing it. Don't think Tilman and Kent completed more than 5 passes to their team mates and Tilman especially should have been hooked after 30mins.

Don't think we managed to string 3 passes together as a team at all until the 80th minute after both teams made changes, and when we actually did we made 2 decent chances at the end.

Thank feck for McGregor or it could have been 5 or 6 at the other end. Hopefully we put up a better showing next game at Ibrox.

[TepidT2O]

Right, we need to bear rangers away as well and then hope that Napoli beat ajax at home.

That takes the pressure off the rest of the matches then.

[Mister Flip Flop]

Great to get the win and clean sheet but Rangers are possibly the worst side iv'e seen in the group stages so im not getting carried away.

[Persephone]

We look noticeably weaker defensively whenever he comes on. Elliott and Milner in midfield is suicidal. Especially if Fabinho is the 6. I assume it's due to personnel not being available but it's hard to watch. Rangers didn't have a shot on target until that double sub. Milner's been amazing for us so people shouldn't be vitriolic but it's not an exaggeration to say that subbing him on this season has given our opponents the upper hand on multiple occasions.

Agreed 100%, not sure why he persists with Milner at this point in his career hes not mobile enough to be effective. I'd rather see those minutes go to Arthur to get him up to speed.

[didi shamone]

Really? Numbers on a screen?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3BB-w5K1Tg

You might let Jurgen know that when he instructs the players the tactics of the game plan, it's nothing more than numbers on a screen.

He called it a 4-4-2 but also says its kind of a 4-2-3-1 with two 6s.

[Hedley Lamarr]

Nice, solid performance.  On another night we could of scored five, six, sometimes Keepers just have these strange nights where keep nearly everything out.

That said, while our pressing really got to them, that was one cowardly performance from Rangers.  They were playing a side that are quite fragile at the moment and didn't give it a go in the slightest (well, perhaps bar the last five minutes).

If they play like that at Ibrox I can see their fans getting right on their backs.

[BarryCrocker]

It was a decent win and their goalie saved about 3 other goals to be fair.

However, I thought they played like Klopp had given them a huge kick up the arse.

You can only beat what’s in front of you. But of course we have 2 very big tests coming up now so let’s see if the team has really turned the corner.

Their keeper had a blinder with the exception of TAA's free-kick. He was too far off his line which forced him to dive back towards the goal and therefore open up more space. Cracking placement by Trent all the same.

[Bergersrightwingviews]

Not to score from open play against one of, if not the, worst sides in the competition at Anfield is a bit disappointing.

Still, at this stage it’s just about getting points on the board however we can.

[Funky_Gibbons]

It’s numbers on a screen really isn’t it? Jota was clearly the one of the “2” who was more regularly dropping in to pick up the ball in deeper spaces. Whether it’s a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 is irrelevant.

I've never really understand the fascination with formation either. We have always played a fluid formation and only get into a set formation when defending after the opposition have beaten the press.

On the ball we only have a few players who stick to set positions (Centre-backs and DM) while the rest look for spaces or look to support the attack.

[G1-tiga]

Was a tonic last night. Went absolutely mad for Trents' goal and I'm made up for him.

Win next week up there and we're looking pretty good in the group, especially if Napoli win again.

Thought Darwin played well, hopefully he'll get a run now where he can keep getting used to this side. Henderson deserves a shout as well.

Went to work with a much bigger smile on my face the morning, on to Arsenal!

[Crosby Nick]

Not to score from open play against one of, if not the, worst sides in the competition at Anfield is a bit disappointing.

Still, at this stage it’s just about getting points on the board however we can.

We created enough decent chances from open play though. And as it turned out we didn’t need them so not the end of the world.

[redk84]

We made a difference to how we set up and Rangers gave us every reason to get comfortable in the game and implement what we wanted to do

I think we looked happy in this formation for the most part. Will need to play more in it and gain experience in different match conditions to test it more but so far so good.
We created a lot of good chances, more should have been put away but Rangers were a non-threat and the game was in control until the end.
Trent was much more conservative and had a great game. Lovely goal...and he just looked more at ease last night. Grew in confidence as the game went on and started spraying some ridiculous passes around just as a reminder to the qualities he does have that others do not.
Hendo looked good today also and was happy with his performance. Knew his role and used his experience, he and Thiago stuck together to hold that midfield. I'd like to see them both build on this performance going forwards

Nunez's movement and stature is causing problems to every defence he has come up against...I think he was unlucky with a couple of his chances and could have done better on others. Reminds me of Torres in how we plays and Suarez in how he started with some saying that he had trouble finishing (before he started finishing everything!)....best thing is there is another big presence there making room for others and is contributing to the pressure we're putting on opponents. If you attack with a non-threat the other team will grow in confidence...but we had multiple last night.

Salah I thought did well, had more space than usual and got a few shots off he would have liked to have done better on some...much like Diaz. He was a menace on that right hand side however...was a constant outlet for Trent too in behind
Diaz absolutely terrorised the Rangers defence all night long and has been such a refreshing addition to this team. He also will get better in time and I think we're all guilty of forgetting he has not played a whole season with us yet! Can only get better and happy with his progression so far

Each of the attacking players could have and should have scored, matip also. But this win for me is like the Ajax one. Kind of a reset we all needed again, decent performance and result and our CL group looks a bit better.
Now we get to see how we go on with a match straight after... Arsenal are high on confidence but that could play into our hands

[has gone odd]

There is some rumbling in this thread, probably others to, that we look worse defensively when Milner is on the pitch. I have to agree, last night as the example, but that is not entirely unexpected, he is probably in his last proper year as a top flight player.

Is used mostly to rest our stronger players legs in the last quarter of a game or cover injury.

[keyop]

Right, we need to bear rangers away as well and then hope that Napoli beat ajax at home.

That takes the pressure off the rest of the matches then.

That would be ideal. Ajax have a GD of -2 and we're on 0, so if we can stick a couple more past Rangers away and Napoli continue their scoring streak against Ajax, then we're probably home and dry even if we lost our final 2 games (a great chance for rotation).

Winning the group doesn't look like being a massive advantage anyway with many decent teams struggling in theirs. There's a possibility teams like Juve, Atletico, Barca and Chelsea might not even make it out of their groups, and if tricky teams like Sevilla and Ajax also don't make it, the knockout stages could look very different to a normal season.

[So Howard Philips]

There is some rumbling in this thread, probably others to, that we look worse defensively when Milner is on the pitch. I have to agree, last night as the example, but that is not entirely unexpected, he is probably in his last proper year as a top flight player.

Is used mostly to rest our stronger players legs in the last quarter of a game or cover injury.

Possibly last season Tyler Morton may have come on but getting games for Blackburn is probably better than the odd ten minutes against Rangers.

[lukeb1981]

There is some rumbling in this thread, probably others to, that we look worse defensively when Milner is on the pitch. I have to agree, last night as the example, but that is not entirely unexpected, he is probably in his last proper year as a top flight player.

Is used mostly to rest our stronger players legs in the last quarter of a game or cover injury.

It wasn’t just Milner it was also Elliott, I think once both came on we started to look exposed again. The lads upfront got in each other’s way a couple of times but that is to be expected, the constant switching of positions in Nunez runs were causing them problems- a few more weeks playing together and these boys will be much more fluid going forward. Made up for Trent - can’t be easy for a young lad to have to deal with this much stick after achieving so much in his career so far .

[KissThisGuy]

That would be ideal. Ajax have a GD of -2 and we're on 0, so if we can stick a couple more past Rangers away and Napoli continue their scoring streak against Ajax, then we're probably home and dry even if we lost our final 2 games (a great chance for rotation).

Winning the group doesn't look like being a massive advantage anyway with many decent teams struggling in theirs. There's a possibility teams like Juve, Atletico, Barca and Chelsea might not even make it out of their groups, and if tricky teams like Sevilla and Ajax also don't make it, the knockout stages could look very different to a normal season.

If we were to lose by more than 1 in Amsterdam, and they win the final game v Rangers and we lose our final game , goal difference doesn't come into it. We'd be out on the head to head.

[keyop]

If we were to lose by more than 1 in Amsterdam, and they win the final game v Rangers and we lose our final game , goal difference doesn't come into it. We'd be out on the head to head.

Bugger. That's my theory out the window 

[kavah]

Well from our point of view that match went exactly as I feared it would in the pre match thread.

I'm so disappointed with how we are playing in these big games currently. Don't get me wrong, I expect to come to Anfield and be dominated, but we were just so poor/scared in possession it was nightmare to watch.

Not sure I agreed with the team selection, then when it was clear that wasn't working he was too late changing it. Don't think Tilman and Kent completed more than 5 passes to their team mates and Tilman especially should have been hooked after 30mins.

Don't think we managed to string 3 passes together as a team at all until the 80th minute after both teams made changes, and when we actually did we made 2 decent chances at the end.

Thank feck for McGregor or it could have been 5 or 6 at the other end. Hopefully we put up a better showing next game at Ibrox.

Cheers mate, you’ll be sick of us by next week (I hope  )

[Schmarn]

Really enjoyed that performance and we were reminded of Klopp's genius in adapting our system overnight. As and when we are able to buy 2 quality midfielders we may revert back to the old system but there's no point killing ourselves without the personnel to implement it. With two midfielders shielding the defence we were much more solid defensively but surprisingly we didn't seem to lose anything in attack. In fact the system seemed to give Salah more room and it really played to Darwin's strengths.

Now the caveat is that it was Rangers and we have yet to see if it will work against better sides but it has to be better than playing a high line without an effective press. Arsenal and City could have shredded us. I have a sneaky feeling that we will turn Arsenal over now and if we do we'll all feel more comfortable about top 4 and a proper run in Europe.

As for the CL, I may be alone in this but I'd rather see Napoli and Ajax draw their next game so we have a chance of winning the group if we win our remaining games. I'm not that interested in scenarios that allow us to scrape through if we lose two more games. We wouldn't deserve it frankly.

[El Lobo]

Great to get the win and clean sheet but Rangers are possibly the worst side iv'e seen in the group stages so im not getting carried away.

Easy to say after the event. They got to the Europa Final, played some good teams along the way and never got beaten by more than a goal away from home (as well as some impressive wins/draws). Went to PSV and won this season. So they're no duds, they've got plenty of experience in Europe.

[Barrow Shaun]

After Napoli I'm just happy with the win and clean sheet. We really need to go up there and be on it now. Ibrox will be rocking and we need to be right on it.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Solid, looked to have a bit more intensity and the defence seemed to be a bit more on the front foot rather than stand offish.

Rangers are really poor standard of opponent though so it's hard to get carried away but definitely a lot more positives. Need to build on this and put in back to back good performances, especially with the opponent.

Before this game and this change of formation, I was unsure of what our best team was in the circumstances - not sure how much this has done to dispel that. Can we take that into a game against Arsenal or City? I am unsure. But understood why he did it.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Rangers had three shots after Milner came on, two from the same corner and one that came from our RHS. Rangers also made some atatcking subs before then as well which probbaly explains why they looked more threatening as Morelos was shite.

[Xanderzone]

Hopefully we win at Ibrox and Napoli beat Ajax at home so we'll go into the last two needing just a point.

[NarutoReds]

Of all the words spoken by those associated with Liverpool in recent days, it was 10 that were uttered by Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst that best summed it up.

"Form is temporary and it can change in one game," said the Dutch coach inside the bowels of Anfield's media room on Monday evening when the conversation turned to his hosts’ current predicament.

-- Liverpool Echo --

[Son of Spion]

Not to score from open play against one of, if not the, worst sides in the competition at Anfield is a bit disappointing.

Still, at this stage it’s just about getting points on the board however we can.

Rangers got off very lightly with the 2-0. On another night that was another Bournemouth. Sometimes they all go in, other times they don't. I think there were lots of encouraging signs last night in that we created plenty of opportunities.

Also, once Nunez finds his full confidence he's going rip a few teams a new one. Luck hasn't favoured him as of yet, but that will turn.

[Mighty_Red]

Hopefully we win at Ibrox and Napoli beat Ajax at home so we'll go into the last two needing just a point.

Would rather they draw and still be in with a chance of winning the group. 5 pts is a great cushion. Either way, win our game first and the rest takes care of itself.

[Dougle]

Well from our point of view that match went exactly as I feared it would in the pre match thread.

I'm so disappointed with how we are playing in these big games currently. Don't get me wrong, I expect to come to Anfield and be dominated, but we were just so poor/scared in possession it was nightmare to watch.

Not sure I agreed with the team selection, then when it was clear that wasn't working he was too late changing it. Don't think Tilman and Kent completed more than 5 passes to their team mates and Tilman especially should have been hooked after 30mins.

Don't think we managed to string 3 passes together as a team at all until the 80th minute after both teams made changes, and when we actually did we made 2 decent chances at the end.

Thank feck for McGregor or it could have been 5 or 6 at the other end. Hopefully we put up a better showing next game at Ibrox.

Late changes notwithstanding but the last 15 minutes were even and you had 2 great chances. What do you think GVB is going to do at Ibrox next week ? Open up and have a go or, well what ? If he does the same as last night then it's another Liverpool stroll surely ?

[Barrow Shaun]

Late changes notwithstanding but the last 15 minutes were even and you had 2 great chances. What do you think GVB is going to do at Ibrox next week ? Open up and have a go or, well what ? If he does the same as last night then it's another Liverpool stroll surely ?

I was watching 4 Rangers lads do a post-match analysis on youtube and if their views are representative, he's on borrowed time, so I think they have to be braver and have a real go. Atmosphere likely to be white hot too, so we need calm heads and a classic away performance like of old, not like at Red Star a few years back.

[Samie]

Average positions they took up last night.