Match Threads Liverpool vs Spurs - Match Thread - Day 13

[Ionman34]

We were battered in the first half by a very, very good team, but managed to cling on by our fingertips. In the second half we were excellent and might have won it. I don't think people on here are fully cognisant of how good a team Liverpool are. They would have seen off any team in world football last night and we stood toe to toe with them largely. Tactics were spot on.
The issue for us are the games ahead, after two disappointing results. Beat Leicester, and we're fully on track to regain momentum and have a fantastic season. Anything else could take the stuffing out of us, and you could see the project easily falling apart if this style of football doesn't continue to be backed up with results. I have to say I'm a little worried about Saturday and Leicester aren't the sort of team you want to give too much of the ball to up front- their attackers are ruthless.

I watched them against Everton yesterday. Everton played with a solid defensive structure which totally nullified Vardy and Maddison, with Barnes the only player who looked like making something happen.

Basically they were toothless.

Leicester look good against teams that push up and leave space for them to exploit. Take that away and they really have not a lot. They have a plan A and that's it.

 

[hellava_tough]

Sorry that is a massive dive. You might get it but no way does that send Dier over. He is nudged in the back and somehow dives backwards, and hope VAR will save him. It didn’t. At the very least we can’t moan as our defenders, particularly Dier, do that stuff at every corner

It's a dive, I agree.

But it's a justified dive, because it signals to the ref that an opposing player has gained an unfair advantage over you, which would have otherwise been missed by the officials.

It happens all the time in football. It's just not something that gets discussed that often.

 

[allatsea]

Lol, some of the posts I'm reading this morning are both pathetic and yet expected.

When we laugh at the state of other teams forum threads, just take a look here to see as a fan base were no different.

We narrowly lost for the first time in 12 games to the reigning champions(at their place), in a game that their own captain said was their best performance of the season.

On another day with better finishing it possibly goes the other way imo as the chances we created were better overall than Pools.

Jeez some of you really need to get a grip.

We have now played all the supposed pre season title challengers and sit 3 points behind the leaders.

We are in a very good spot right now, and are still not the finished article.

We finished miles behind this lot last year, get some perspective for the love of God.

Brilliant post.

 

[Marty]

Yeah I agree, we may well fall short for the league. I think we may well get a pot of some description though which along with CL qualification I'd snap up all day long.

Even if all we won was the League Cup, a trophy and CL qualification would be the best season in the 32 years of my life, no contest.

The reactions on here after a narrow defeat away at the best team in the country over the last two years is just unbelievable.

 

[Ionman34]

Sorry that is a massive dive. You might get it but no way does that send Dier over. He is nudged in the back and somehow dives backwards, and hope VAR will save him. It didn’t. At the very least we can’t moan as our defenders, particularly Dier, do that stuff at every corner

Dier gets hit in the head by Henderson's shoulder, that's why he went down.

Whether it affected the Firmino run or not, it's an off the ball incident that is a foul all day long and should end up stopping play.

A foul is a foul, it doesn't matter if it is to the goal scorer or not.

 

[tony0379]

Got into the car this morning, first thing is to turn over Talksport to avoid the wankfest. AHH a bit Smooth FM I thought. 1st fucking thing I hear is "champions beat rivals" off you go ****

 

[King of Otters]

Me neither. If anything it shows we are getting under their skin. Ie. What Jose’s comments were intended to do.

We have properly got under their skin, and I love it.

Fucking tossers.

 

[tototoner]

Oh dear

 

[rossdapep]

Good. Even if it is a load of bollocks. He's helping us out with that one IMO. We've been on the end of being praised for playing attractive football and it often comes with a condescending 'but they don't win things'. Anti-Football is a bit OTT to say the least but i'm not too unhappy with it.

It's another small slice of bullshit that will help foster the kind of bloody minded siege mentality that sometimes helps good teams win things. Enough of being the stunning bridesmaid who everyone wants to get stuck across. If being an ugly old dray horse with a triple hairy flange turns us into winners then i'm hiding the veet

Exactly. Liverpool had the same. They had plenty of people saying they were weak, not good defensively and saying City were the best footballing side.

Every little piece of criticism or any comment made to doubt us will fuel this team and we have the best coach in the world to control that.

We're just getting started.

 

[Dannyspur]

Is a bit strange with him being our only other striker though, never know if Kane may get injured and have to come off. Don't really want to see us go back to the makeshift Lucas through the middle or anything.

I totally agree it is strange - I was being glib in posting what Jose always says.

 

[rossdapep]

Sadly I feel like last night may be season defining in terms of the title. I know its only 3 points and we played fairly well (in the 2nd half), but I reckon they will run away with it now. Was just a massive moment psychologically. Really need to just get ourselves focused and make sure we get top 4 and a cup which would be a fantastic season.

Conversely it could also be a classic case of winning the big game and thinking you be moved clear only to be unable to motivate properly for the smaller game and lose.

Liverpool have lost to Villa, drawn with Brighton and Fulham. Palace will be no walk over.

 

[rossdapep]

I watched them against Everton yesterday. Everton played with a solid defensive structure which totally nullified Vardy and Maddison, with Barnes the only player who looked like making something happen.

Basically they were toothless.

Leicester look good against teams that push up and leave space for them to exploit. Take that away and they really have not a lot. They have a plan A and that's it.

It's a typical Rodgers team and it's why I don't understand why ppl would want him as our coach. itd just be Poch all over again but without the admiration.

 

[14/04/91]

Sadly I feel like last night may be season defining in terms of the title. I know its only 3 points and we played fairly well (in the 2nd half), but I reckon they will run away with it now. Was just a massive moment psychologically. Really need to just get ourselves focused and make sure we get top 4 and a cup which would be a fantastic season.

I really don't think they will. They are still the best side in the league but their squad is looking a bit thin, especially defensively. Matip & Gomez have never been reliable in terms of availability and that puts huge pressure on Fabinho who, for a midfielder, is a helluva centre half.

Yes they're still favourites but I can't them running away with it, the league is too competitive.

 

[14/04/91]

Personally I think 8/15 points from that run of games is decent. Honestly before the City game would anyone realistically have expected any more??
If we make it 11/18 on Sunday, that is a great return from a tough, tough run of 6 matches.

Just as important, we only conceded 3 goals which builds mentality and confidence. And 2 of those were from set-pieces which can be worked on much easier than were we getting ripped apart.

We're still having a fantastic season, we're still on course for top 4 and a better than average chance of a trophy. I'm sure Mourinho will be drumming this into the players - we're only just getting started, we can push on from here.

 

[slartibartfast]

Just watched highlights. Now sober and a bit calmer I think we were unlucky not to get a draw. We were the better team 2nd half and had the better chances during the whole match so we could and maybe should have won.
Still think those subs were a bit odd. Would liked to have seen Lo Celso stay and Bergwijn replaced with Alli sooner.
What I take from that match is we are playing well and can beat anyone. This is one match. A long way to go yet.
Keep the faith.

 

[Joely]

Sadly I feel like last night may be season defining in terms of the title. I know its only 3 points and we played fairly well (in the 2nd half), but I reckon they will run away with it now. Was just a massive moment psychologically. Really need to just get ourselves focused and make sure we get top 4 and a cup which would be a fantastic season.

Their record over the last few seasons is tremendous, lost so few games. At home, they'll always put away most sides either by completely brushing them aside or finding that extra bit just to get over the line against the better sides.

This season, they've not been as convincing away from home. Good away win against a Chelsea team who were maybe finding their feet and the heavy loss to Villa was a freak but likes of Everton, Brighton and Fulham didn't let them have it all their own way.

Also interested to see if fatigue plays a part at all with them. Been playing twice a week with an intense style and with Jota out for a while, gives them less options with regards to rotation. They may well sort it out and cross the line again but it's a weird season and not sure they'll have it all their own way like last season. Question is, is anyone ready to step up if the door is slightly ajar.

 

[The Scarecrow]

Even if all we won was the League Cup, a trophy and CL qualification would be the best season in the 32 years of my life, no contest.

The reactions on here after a narrow defeat away at the best team in the country over the last two years is just unbelievable.

I think it's the way we lost that's getting to people. After their first goal, I was certain we'd lose seeing how we had been playing until then. Instead we were so close to going a goal up, but after all a draw would be a great result for us, so I wasn't too upset. And then they scored. It was gutting, and I still feel it.

 

[slartibartfast]

Run away with it? Their away form is terrible and they were suicidal just last match as they dropped 2 points to the mighty Fulham!
They haven't lost at home in years so lets not make the importance of this result out to be a surprise or a sign of anything. They got 3 points. We didn't. Thats it. Onto the next match. Long long way to go yet.

 

[neogenisis]

We had the better chances over 90 mins, we should have won, we didnt take our chances and Liverpool did so thats it really.

 

[Haddock]

Throughout this day, my good mood has been interrupted when I remember "Bobby" the wanker scoring in the 90th minute. It's a shame we couldn't hold out, a 1-1 result would have been fantastic. On the other hand, Liverpool is by quite some margin the best team in the league, and that's even without their best CB's and best midfielders. It's not a shame to lose against them at their home ground.

I said after the Crystal Palace match that Mourinho has to tinker the setup a bit. I guess Liverpool isn't the match to do that, but regardless we've now had two matches in a row where our defensive approach has resulted in us falling deeper, and deeper, and deeper and eventually we concede a goal from a setpiece. This is an obvious tactical flaw in my mind. For large parts against Liverpool, we hardly strung two passes together. It doesn't matter who you play if you basically through away the possession and let them go at you.

I've felt that we've been much more aggressive in and around our own box earlier this season. But last night it looked like we just couldn't cope with Liverpool's press play down the flanks, which is natural, but also through the middle. Considering the amounts of matches Højbjerg and Sissoko play I wouldn't hold it against them if it's taking a toll. But this really is a key feature if we're going to succeed or not in these tough matches.

Atletico Madrid are notoriously defensive but they are aggressive as hell in certain key areas of the pitch. That's what we have to aim for.
If you lack that aggression and willingness to push back, you're just going to end up being choked against your own penalty box all match.