Topic: Half time: Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal

[Racer]

What a dull half zero creativity- I’d bring Gordon on for Milner and go for it

[west_london_red]

Do we really need Milner and Henderson in midfield agaist ten men?

Was gonna say the same, bring on either Ox or Jones but we need someone a bit more creative.

[Redsnappa]

Very bland performance first half.

Up another gear and we'll batter these.

[John C]

They can't break so we should take a few more risks around the box without worrying about losing it. We need to get behind them, we're trying to be too precise.
They're defending well.

Red was a tad harsh?

[Schmidt]

I've missed seeing Bobby nick the ball from behind players.

[cptrios]

Getting to a point now where I really hate seeing a man sent off against us.

[DTRed]

Really should be ahead here.

I'm actually enjoying being entertained by the Matip show.

They will tire and we have stronger bench options when coming on fresh. 2-0

[jillcwhomever]

They weren’t exactly dynamic with 11.

Their plan would be to stay in the game with the second game being at home, it's up to us to create more.

[AndyMuller]

They can't break so we should take a few more risks around the box without worrying about using it. We need to get behind them, we're trying to be too precise.
They're defending well.

Red was a tad harsh?

Nah, red all day that John.

[Barneylfc∗]

If Salah was earning £400k a week we'd be winning this

[DonkeyWan]

Look pretty toothless up front. Lots of huffing and puffing, no way to break down Arsenal. This could easily end 0-0, or horror of horrors, Liverpool get caught on the break.

Before the red cardit was a more open game, and there were some worrying signs. Milner was clearly being targetted and was having a tough time of it. In particular he was losing a lot of aerial battles, and balls were being played in behind him a lot, forcing him to turn and chase back a lot.

Arsenal were pressing high and causing a lot of discomfort to the midfield (thankfully the awful mistake by Henderson wasn't punished).

Then Xhaka gets sent off. I have to say, it didn't appear malicious, just stupid, a more lenient ref might have just yellowed him, but a red was probably right (depending on how clear you viewed the scoring chance to be).

Game has now turned into an attackers against defenders exercise. It would be criminal not to score here, before going to London for the return leg.

[Pistolero]

Short on ideas, craft, threat, creativity, spark and any opportunities of any note whatsoever.....apart from that, great half

[Bend It Like Aurelio]

Think we are moving the ball way too slow after the red card. Think we were on our way to score before, but the team lost the plot after. You can tell there was confusion with the interplay at times, leading to the sloppy passes.

Think Klopp will be more disappointed with this performance than any other. Think he will remind them to up the tempo, because this is a two legged tie.

[Fromola]

Any ideas why we are struggling so much to make chances at the moment?  We were scoring for fun up until the Wolves game but since we've struggled to create more than a couple of chances each game.

It would be good to put this to bed this evening but that's not looking likely at the moment.

We scored 3 against Newcastle, 4 against Shrewsbury, 2 against Spurs and Chelsea. Could have had more in those games. 1-0 against Villa and Wolves but did create good chances. Missed a pen and a sitter at Leicester among a million half chances.

Tonight we've looked toothless without Mo and Mane and with such a pedestrian midfield. It'd help if every single set piece didn't hit the first man. They're just going to dig in and defend.

[stockdam]

I thought we were a bit unlucky in the first 15 minutes as there were about 3 deflections that could have gone in.
I think the red card was a bit unfortunate as it wasn’t that bad……..stopped a goal scoring chance but it was a bit harsh.

As per the game at Chelsea, we have looked poor against 10 men. There’s no point having three defensively minded midfield players on so one or two need changed.

Our best attacker has been Matip.

We are missing Salah and Mane and maybe Keita.

If we don’t make changes then this could be 0-0. Let’s go more attacking.

[John C]

No, the red isn't harsh, just seem it properly. Not sure the Ref would have. Correct decision.

[jillcwhomever]

They can't break so we should take a few more risks around the box without worrying about using it. We need to get behind them, we're trying to be too precise.
They're defending well.

Red was a tad harsh?

I don't see the ref had much alternative he caught him good and proper.

[Caligula?]

They can't break so we should take a few more risks around the box without worrying about using it. We need to get behind them, we're trying to be too precise.
They're defending well.

Red was a tad harsh?

Denial of a goal scoring opportunity as per the rules, nothing harsh about it.

[JRed]

Nah, red all day that John.

Last defender stopping a goal scoring opportunity. 100% a red card

[RyanBabel19]

They can't break so we should take a few more risks around the box without worrying about using it. We need to get behind them, we're trying to be too precise.
They're defending well.

Red was a tad harsh?

100% a red every day.

You cant just boot a player, silly silly challenge and Jota was in on goal

[Lycan]

Can’t blame AFCON. This is what we do against packed defences. It’s where our limitations in midfield really show. All the attacks coming from the fullbacks and Matip. No threat in the middle. I’d like to see Curtis on for Milner.

Our corners are infuriating. On the rare occasion that we beat the first man, never seems to find a Liverpool head.

Bobby has been good. Those around him, not so much.

What's happened to us with them? We used to be brilliant at both ends under Klopp.

[RedForeverTT]

Minamino needs to be more incisive.

How many touches does he actually need to fire a shot on target?

[Mister Flip Flop]

Hard watch that and really exposes our lack of quality in the middle creatively.

[StL-Dono]

I've tried to remain pretty neutral on Minamino and give him the benefit of the doubt.  But I'm not seeing what he offers.  Especially in a match such as this.  And, I've seen enough of him just heading the ball nowhere in particular because about 95% of the time he finds the opponent. 

CuJo or Ox for Milner please. 

[Clint Eastwood]

What’s worrying is how lost our midfielders look when they’re up against a packed defence and have to create. Milner playing on the last man with his arm up asking for a cross, Henderson just shuttling the ball between CBs and FBs. Gini was the same too.

[vicar]

They can't break so we should take a few more risks around the box without worrying about using it. We need to get behind them, we're trying to be too precise.
They're defending well.

Red was a tad harsh?

He kicked him in the chest when he was bringing the ball down on his chest for a 1 on 1 v the keeper. Clear red all day surely!

[Sharado]

Minamino needs to be more incisive.

How many touches does he actually need to fire a shot on target?

He's also incredibly lightweight.

[smicer07]

What were you expecting them to do after going down to ten men?

Nothing. Which is what they've done. Boring as fuck.

[Caligula?]

I've tried to remain pretty neutral on Minamino and give him the benefit of the doubt.  But I'm not seeing what he offers.  Especially in a match such as this.  And, I've seen enough of him just heading the ball nowhere in particular because about 95% of the time he finds the opponent. 

CuJo or Ox for Milner please.

Hes a very good little player but I just don't think he's cut out for this league.

[PatriotScouser]

Hendo and Milner against a low block. Ugh.

[buttersstotch]

We were dominating them with 11 men, 10 men just makes it harder with this shape as they pack the centre out. These are the type of games me bought Thiago for - doesn't seem to be much point in Henderson & Milner midfield as it's a completely different game right now. Don't think we have played too badly but we do look a bit toothless up front.

Got to be going a goal up in this game with the 10 men advantage. Still think we will get this - almost all of our play is coming down our left right now, Jota barely seems in the game!

[RyanBabel19]

Minamino needs to be more incisive.

How many touches does he actually need to fire a shot on target?

Has he had a chance to get a shot away? One time he took the ball around a player and ran out of space. There hasn't been anything else

[Fitzy.]

Very bitty half of football. Several stoppages, untidy football and a compact Arsenal.

[rocco]

Looked better v 11

[Coolie High]

Hendo and Milner against a low block. Ugh.

Against any midfield is ugh at the moment, they’re not good when pressed either.

[Sharado]

They can't break so we should take a few more risks around the box without worrying about using it. We need to get behind them, we're trying to be too precise.
They're defending well.

Red was a tad harsh?

Its one of the most straightforward red cards you'll ever see.

[Fromola]

Matip easily our best attacker which says it all really.

Milner has been diabolical.

I feel for Milner. Several times now this season he's been hung out to dry in big games where he's just not up to the pace of the game. Spurs and Chelsea away recently and at right back at Man City. He shouldn't be starting these games anymore but he's getting Gini's minutes because we wouldn't replace him.

[lgvkarlos]

Was gonna say the same, bring on either Ox or Jones but we need someone a bit more creative.

Agree, would even rather put Konate up top and unleash trent.

[jillcwhomever]

It's our first game without Salah and Mane, let's see what the second half brings once he makes the subs.

[John C]

The hame was frantic before the red, Arsenal will be goosed, you could see even Lacazette trying to lead but thinking ffs stop shifting the ball and tackling me when I have it. Good stuff so far, get those 3 goals now