Topic: FACS Liverpool 1-1 Man City. City win 5-4 on penalties.

[markedasred]

Had a bit of a screen problem during the match, every time the camera panned to the spectators there was a massive red tinge to the picture.

[Phil M]

Had a bit of a screen problem during the match, every time the camera panned to the spectators there was a massive red tinge to the picture.

[Coolie High]

youre probably right mate. I do feel like I'm missing something when I watch him, I just can't believe that one of their key attacking players can still be so utterly awful when through on goal. You look at the likes of Sane and Silva who he's kept out of the team at different points and technically they both look miles ahead of him.

Miles ahead?

[hesbighesred]

Sterling is a well better player than Sane. Technically Sane might be better but as all round packages you'd easily have Sterling ahead of him. Tactically he is well better than Sane. Tenacity and will to win he's well better than Sane. Defensively he works so much harder than Sane.

It seems to be really underrated just how immense Sterling's pressing is. A player with his pace and fitness who also has the drive and workrate to harass for every ball is an incredible asset - he'd have been absolutely fucking immense after Klopp, who also wouldn't have given much of a crap about his ability to finish the kind of chances which aren't high percentage anyway, as opposed to his ability to both create and get into positions for the kind of chances that almost inevitably end in a goal. Not to mention that Sterling can do what he does in all three front roles. I mean, it's irrelevant now as he's gone and he's clearly not coming back but I suspect Klopp would donate one of his considerably enormous testicles to medical science in exchange for a player of Sterling's attributes, workrate and versatility.

[PoetryInMotion]

It seems to be really underrated just how immense Sterling's pressing is. A player with his pace and fitness who also has the drive and workrate to harass for every ball is an incredible asset - he'd have been absolutely fucking immense after Klopp, who also wouldn't have given much of a crap about his ability to finish the kind of chances which aren't high percentage anyway, as opposed to his ability to both create and get into positions for the kind of chances that almost inevitably end in a goal. Not to mention that Sterling can do what he does in all three front roles. I mean, it's irrelevant now as he's gone and he's clearly not coming back but I suspect Klopp would donate one of his considerably enormous testicles to medical science in exchange for a player of Sterling's attributes, workrate and versatility.

And, he is ahead of Sane in City's evaluation too. He was amongst their best players, along with Bernardo Silva last season and if City had to lose one of the two, that would be Sane. Now way are they giving up Sterling. He's their most versatile player as well.

[redk84]

saw nothing of the match apart from highlights....

seemed like we had some decent chances. salah maybe a bit annoyed with himself.

Glad we seemed as good if not better than them by all accounts and sucks to not win but hey.....got plenty chances to put it right over the course of the season

[Dubred]

saw nothing of the match apart from highlights....

seemed like we had some decent chances. salah maybe a bit annoyed with himself.

Glad we seemed as good if not better than them by all accounts and sucks to not win but hey.....got plenty chances to put it right over the course of the season

We pummeled them second half.  It really was a brilliant performance.  Just couldn't get the ball over the line.

We had 9 shots on target, they had 3.

[kaesarsosei]

I was nervous before the match based on the lacklustre performances before it. Obviously I would have preferred to win, but as it was it turned out nearly as perfectly as a final game before the league season starts could have. We got better as the game went on, our subs had no detrimental impact on the team and were much better than City second half. I mean even the slight sting of losing the shootout might not be the worst thing in the world motivationally too.

Really feel so much more positive now based on that second half alone and I fear for Norwich on Friday night, I really do.

[Dim Glas]

Sadio has been trolling Gini about his peno yesterday   

https://twitter.com/sxlang_/status/1158357245144522752?s=20

[PoetryInMotion]

Do they though?

The 6 games proceeding this one:

City 5 - 0 Liverpool (L)
Liverpool 4 - 3 City (W)
Liverpool 3 - 0 City (W)
City 1 - 2 Liverpool (W)
Liverpool 0 - 0 City (D)
City 2 - 1 Liverpool (L)

Within those City had a perfectly good goal disallowed and missed a penalty

The goal line incident in our loss last season is frustrating but otherwise there's not really much in it and they don't beat as often.

They had two goal-line incidents, one goal-line clearance and one shot that goes in off the post for them, while we hit the woodwork multiple times in two consecutive games against us, all decisive in terms of results.

They've had the rub of the green in everything in these two games, yet they 'just' managed to get through in both. Even if get half the luck they've had in those two games in the next two games with them & we're back to winning ways against them.

[tubby]

Thought City looked a couple of weeks behind us as far as pre-season fitness goes.  They faded really badly in that second half and I'm surprised Pep didn't make more use of his subs, unless the idea was to give his first team as long a run out as possible to gain more match sharpness heading into the season.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

City have only played 4 pre-season games [and the only quality opposition were Wolves] where as we've had 6 or 7, and we've played against quality opponents in comparison to who they've played

[Mr_Shane]

Maybe, but some of our players have just returned, Salah's aim need recalibrating. and as far as I am concerned, Whatever Firmino has been doing between the Copa america and now, may he continue to do it

[Kitch83]

Just back from the game/long weekend.

I would absolutely HATE to be a fan of any other team, what a fucking special lot we truly are!

[alonsoisared]

Miles ahead?

Technically, I think so. I think Jookie is right to say that tactically and certainly in terms of work rate Sterling is ahead of them but I watch him and see sloppy touches, an awful shooting technique and practically a missed sitter every game. I think it was the season before last in the league when City travelled to Spurs, he missed about 5 sitters and was getting slaughtered, but eventually scored a couple of tap-ins and he was a hero again. It's a lot easier to rack the goals up when you have a hundred chances per game rolled across the six yard box for you!

I don't know. I'm sure I must be wrong on this because everyone raves about him, I just don't get it. If you offered me Sterling, Silva or Sane i'd take him last.

Also he's a dickhead. Minus points for being a dickhead.

[PhaseOfPlay]

Thought City looked a couple of weeks behind us as far as pre-season fitness goes.  They faded really badly in that second half and I'm surprised Pep didn't make more use of his subs, unless the idea was to give his first team as long a run out as possible to gain more match sharpness heading into the season.

They should, they follow a different training model. They'll hit peak at the mid point of the first half of the season, and maintain until the winter break, then will probably see an upsurge after the break. Guardiola is a proponent of Tactical Peridozation. It's the same as us under Rodgers - clawing through games at the start, then hitting stride from the mid point onwards.

Klopp on the other hand, does it old school - get everyone to peak by the second week of the season (when he can), and then maintain for the rest of the season, using the break as a reset before doing a "mini-preseason" and starting again for the rest of the year. That plan didn't work too well before because of a lack of winter break, and in the first two seasons, because of a lack of a rotation squad. We have the two elements that work in Klopp's favour now.

[Morgana]

Not gonna lie, re-watching Stones and Walker engaging themselves, throwing their bodies around and clearing balls off the line made me well up in admiration for the sheer bloodymindedness of their desire to beat us. But I also wonder: They haven't got that many fans... well compared to us they haven't. What's motivating them? It can't be money. I think they genuinely love Pep and want to fight tooth and nail for him. They're probably also trying to secure their England first team spots, and see Gomez and Trent as direct rivals/threats to that cause.

Just some random ramblings upon reflection on the 'final' yesterday.

In other news, it's so fucking great to have Sadio back.

[farawayred]

They should, they follow a different training model. They'll hit peak at the mid point of the first half of the season, and maintain until the winter break, then will probably see an upsurge after the break. Guardiola is a proponent of Tactical Peridozation. It's the same as us under Rodgers - clawing through games at the start, then hitting stride from the mid point onwards.

Klopp on the other hand, does it old school - get everyone to peak by the second week of the season (when he can), and then maintain for the rest of the season, using the break as a reset before doing a "mini-preseason" and starting again for the rest of the year. That plan didn't work too well before because of a lack of winter break, and in the first two seasons, because of a lack of a rotation squad. We have the two elements that work in Klopp's favour now.

That's interesting, PoP, didn't know any of this. So, last year must had been devastating for Guardiola when they had the slump in December, when they were supposed to hit high gears. Too bad we couldn't take advantage...

[PhaseOfPlay]

That's interesting, PoP, didn't know any of this. So, last year must had been devastating for Guardiola when they had the slump in December, when they were supposed to hit high gears. Too bad we couldn't take advantage...

There's a difference between a performance slump and a physical one though. And Tactical Periodization is an "ideal world" model of training. When all the elements are correct, then there's no better way to train a team. Conversely, when time is tight, it is also the best way to train teams. But when even one element is wrong (no rotation to the same standard, packed schedule of games, injuries to key players), then it is prone to being ineffective in performance terms, as it involves keeping key players together for the longest duration, with plenty of training days between games.

[PoetryInMotion]

Technically, I think so. I think Jookie is right to say that tactically and certainly in terms of work rate Sterling is ahead of them but I watch him and see sloppy touches, an awful shooting technique and practically a missed sitter every game. I think it was the season before last in the league when City travelled to Spurs, he missed about 5 sitters and was getting slaughtered, but eventually scored a couple of tap-ins and he was a hero again. It's a lot easier to rack the goals up when you have a hundred chances per game rolled across the six yard box for you!

I don't know. I'm sure I must be wrong on this because everyone raves about him, I just don't get it. If you offered me Sterling, Silva or Sane i'd take him last.

Also he's a dickhead. Minus points for being a dickhead.

I disagree with everything here except the last point, but I guess agreeing on that is enough 

[El Lobo]

To be fair I’d guess the same sort of thing gets chucked at Mo. But he gets so many opportunities because of his movement/pressing.

[alonsoisared]

I disagree with everything here except the last point, but I guess agreeing on that is enough 

that's good enough for me, mate

[PhaseOfPlay]

Sterling's a very good player. But he has deficiencies that would stop him being truly world class. But he's definitely next level to that. Country Class? Continent Class? Trading Bloc Class? I don't know. All's I know is he can't kick snow off a rope when it comes to power, but he plays on a team that puts goals on a plate for him, and he might not score as much in a different system, because he doesn't really make his own goals.

[Floydy]

Fucking stones acting the hatd man the helmet shouting st bobby when he went down in the box. Between Walker metal mouth ederson, sterling and stones im not sure who to hate the most. Bunch of mercenaries the lot of them

[Mr_Shane]

I agree with POP, Stirling is a good player. But one on one with Alisson and Alisson just goes and picks the ball off him like that without him even getting off a shot.

Stirling is a creator, but I would not trust him to take a penalty,  he lacks that killer-instinct to be a finisher

 

[So… Howard Philips]

I agree with POP, Stirling is a good player. But one on one with Alisson and Alisson just goes and picks the ball off him like that without him even getting off a shot.

Stirling is a creator, but I would not trust him to take a penalty,  he lacks that killer-instinct to be a finisher

I think Sterling's peripheral vision caught a glimpse of VVD bearing down on him and he shit himself.

[na fir dearg]

They should, they follow a different training model. They'll hit peak at the mid point of the first half of the season, and maintain until the winter break, then will probably see an upsurge after the break. Guardiola is a proponent of Tactical Peridozation. It's the same as us under Rodgers - clawing through games at the start, then hitting stride from the mid point onwards.

Klopp on the other hand, does it old school - get everyone to peak by the second week of the season (when he can), and then maintain for the rest of the season, using the break as a reset before doing a "mini-preseason" and starting again for the rest of the year. That plan didn't work too well before because of a lack of winter break, and in the first two seasons, because of a lack of a rotation squad. We have the two elements that work in Klopp's favour now.

interesting stuff thanks

[Sangria]

I agree with POP, Stirling is a good player. But one on one with Alisson and Alisson just goes and picks the ball off him like that without him even getting off a shot.

Stirling is a creator, but I would not trust him to take a penalty,  he lacks that killer-instinct to be a finisher

Ray Houghton was a useful player for us.

[PhaseOfPlay]

Ray Houghton was a useful player for us.

Ray Houghton was a prince among men, the dirty little Energizer Bunny whackjob

[Sangria]

Ray Houghton was a prince among men, the dirty little Energizer Bunny whackjob

It may seem like heresy to Liverpool fans, but I think that Sterling, while a player in the mould of Houghton, is a better version of that type. High energy, high intelligence, combines well with others. Wasteful, which was why I thought of Houghton, but like Houghton, he'll score enough if he gets enough chances. Even more versatile than Houghton. Of the players who've left us in the past 10 years, he's the only one I really wish were still here.

[Phil M]

Not gonna lie, re-watching Stones and Walker engaging themselves, throwing their bodies around and clearing balls off the line made me well up in admiration for the sheer bloodymindedness of their desire to beat us. But I also wonder: They haven't got that many fans... well compared to us they haven't. What's motivating them? It can't be money. I think they genuinely love Pep and want to fight tooth and nail for him. They're probably also trying to secure their England first team spots, and see Gomez and Trent as direct rivals/threats to that cause.

They know if they don't perform for him they'll be replaced. Stones only started 20 league games last season for example with Kompany there.

[PhaseOfPlay]

It may seem like heresy to Liverpool fans, but I think that Sterling, while a player in the mould of Houghton, is a better version of that type. High energy, high intelligence, combines well with others. Wasteful, which was why I thought of Houghton, but like Houghton, he'll score enough if he gets enough chances. Even more versatile than Houghton. Of the players who've left us in the past 10 years, he's the only one I really wish were still here.

Sounds spot on to me.

[RayPhilAlan]

I think Sterling's peripheral vision caught a glimpse of VVD bearing down on him and he shit himself.

Yeah, I think he was trying to draw Alisson and then slip the ball to the guy arriving on his left. At the last moment, VVD arrived from nowhere to cut the pass off, leaving Sterling with no option but the one-on-one, or as Alisson calls it, "Keeper's ball."

[Crimson]

Yeah, I think he was trying to draw Alisson and then slip the ball to the guy arriving on his left. At the last moment, VVD arrived from nowhere to cut the pass off, leaving Sterling with no option but the one-on-one, or as Alisson calls it, "Keeper's ball."

Seemed like he was expecting Walker to overlap on the right, instead of cutting in to the left.

[Geppvindh's]

Not gonna lie, re-watching Stones and Walker engaging themselves, throwing their bodies around and clearing balls off the line made me well up in admiration for the sheer bloodymindedness of their desire to beat us. But I also wonder: They haven't got that many fans... well compared to us they haven't. What's motivating them? It can't be money. I think they genuinely love Pep and want to fight tooth and nail for him. They're probably also trying to secure their England first team spots, and see Gomez and Trent as direct rivals/threats to that cause.

Just some random ramblings upon reflection on the 'final' yesterday.

In other news, it's so fucking great to have Sadio back.

Is the winter break really a factor? As it stands with the current scheduling, we'd not be playing any game between the 9th and the 23rd February (with hopefully no CL/FA Cup game in between). Last season, we did not play a league game between the 10th and the 25th of February, with Bayern home on the 20th.

[lfcrule6times]

Not gonna lie, re-watching Stones and Walker engaging themselves, throwing their bodies around and clearing balls off the line made me well up in admiration for the sheer bloodymindedness of their desire to beat us. But I also wonder: They haven't got that many fans... well compared to us they haven't. What's motivating them? It can't be money. I think they genuinely love Pep and want to fight tooth and nail for him. They're probably also trying to secure their England first team spots, and see Gomez and Trent as direct rivals/threats to that cause.

Just some random ramblings upon reflection on the 'final' yesterday.

In other news, it's so fucking great to have Sadio back.

I think it's also the fact that we're Liverpool. Teams and players just want to beat us no matter who they are. Just look at how many relegation threatened teams up their game against us. Don't get me started on keepers.

[God's Left Peg]

Ah shit, there goes my perception that he's a twat.
Fair play to him.

Yeah, I thought that

[God's Left Peg]

It's strange. I always thought of Manchester as a really left wing city but it seems that most of blue moon are tories from what they were saying about it. It's a good reminder that forums like that aren't necessarily representative of the fanbase as whole.

It says little about their political allegiances, they are just stupid and ignorant.

[rafathegaffa83]

I see Henry Winter has wrote a long piece in The Times criticizing the booing. Naturally, the comments section turns into a disgraceful conspiratorial mess about the club and national media not acknowledging Heysel

[classycarra]

I see Henry Winter has wrote a long piece in The Times criticizing the booing. Naturally, the comments section turns into a disgraceful conspiratorial mess about the club and national media not acknowledging Heysel

He's a jingoistic twat, who loved Purslow anglicising and whitening the club under the owl faced c*nt. He's a nauseating arse licker.

What a shock he can't empathise with rational dislike of the religion, nationalism, royalism and sectarianism of the national anthem