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A few thoughts from the match: Liverpool 3 Man City 0 - by Paul Natton

1. Get in!!!

2. How’s that “Your atmosphere is overplayed” line working for you this morning, City fans?

 

3. I hate that joyless dirge which has become our new CL anthem this season, but I tell you what: I couldn’t stop singing it last night. It certainly sounds a lot better when we’re twatting the “best team in Europe” everywhere while booming it out. Fantastic.

 

4. From the greeting of the coaches to the roar at the final whistle, the atmosphere didn’t dip below wonderfully manic even once (some dickhead damaging their coach excepted, of course; way to fuel a stereotype, soft lad).

 

5. The crude pre-match categorisations in the press of our game as some sort of wild-eyed, frenetic riot on a football pitch were rendered laughably idiotic by that first half display. It was the most controlled and tactically astute dismantling of a side at this level I have ever seen. Certainly, I don’t ever recall seeing Pep be so comprehensively out-thought before, nevermind his players out-fought and out-played too.

 

6. We set up with the most compact defensive shape I’ve seen from us post-Rafa and it shut down all the little half spaces that Silva and De Bruyne usually exploit to maximum effect, thereby negating their combined threat almost entirely. We then used that shape as a platform from which to attack collectively (rather than “merely” on the break) and scored three great goals.

 

7. In a performance like last night’s every player stands out, such was its quality. However, in the context of our organisation and focus, the trio of leaders in Virgil, Hendo and Big Games James stood out as they instructed, cajoled and barked at their teammates in order to maintain control, regardless of which side had possession.

 

8. In terms of Klopp out-thinking Pep and having a plan for every scenario, the above was clear every time Ederson got the ball. Milner would immediately start directing the midfield into place in order to shut down his precision deliveries into dangerous areas. Likewise, the way the team consistently backed up the clearly targeted Trent, despite making substitutions on his flank which had potential to disrupt our discipline, spoke of the highest quality coaching and drilling.

 

9. That said, the best plans in the world are useless if the men executing them lack the intelligence, composure, bravery and focus to ensure they are fully delivered. And in that regard, there wasn’t a single player who fell below stellar levels of performance.

 

But what about Trent, eh? He was quite obviously targeted by City, not least by the lightening pace and outrageous skill of Leroy Sané, and yet he didn’t just thrive; he dominated. At this level.

 

The lad is nineteen years old. Just let that sink in for a minute. This wasn’t a raw talent playing off instinct and aggression and having a semi-flukey and well-timed great game. This was a performance of maturity and intelligence at the very highest level under the most extreme pressure. 19!!!

 

10. The defending as a whole was clearly the work of eleven men. However, let’s not dismiss the other individual performances across our back line as mere collective aggregation. Andy Robbo is now clearly the best left back we’ve had since Steve Nicol and certainly the best in his position in the country, while Virgil’s class is universally - and rightly - acknowledged.

 

However, what about Lovren and Karius? Both put in superb performances last night with the widely derided Croatian having the game of his life. While it would be possible to question the keeper’s contribution in the context of zero (count ‘em!) shots on target from City, what about his decision-making and distribution?

 

He out-Ederson’d Ederson and that outlet ball to him at the back is a huge factor in our greater defensive confidence, while his high starting position dramatically helps our counter-pressing as it allows a much higher defensive line.

 

11. And what counter-pressing, eh? Bobby for Mo’s opener! Milner for Ox’s screamer! Sensational. Controlled aggression (the best kind - coach-damaging dickhead take note!) was evident all over the pitch in Red, not least in the three players attacking Mo’s sublime cross for Mané’s header.

 

12. The second half took in a different complexion to the first as we adopted an obdurate defensive shape and refused to budge. Yes folks, this was the much-questioned ability to hold on to what we have. Against City. In the CL quarter-final. To deliver a clean sheet!

 

We didn’t concede a single shot on goal either which is absolutely mind-blowing and throws into relief the received wisdom of a home first leg as being a disadvantage. Would anyone swap now, with a single away strike next Tuesday leaving City with a five-goal mountain to climb?

 

Don’t get me wrong, we’re not through yet and if any team can come back from such odds, it’s City. However, equally if any club can recognise the possibility of a second half renaissance from a three goal European deficit, it’s us.

 

13. So to that second leg: injuries are officially a worry now (although Mo was back out on the pitch smiling after the final whistle). We quite clearly need to rest some players in the derby on Saturday. However, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water and make a mess of that game. In my view, it’s still really important we go all out for second.

 

In City minds, we have just gone from the side they were keeping an eye on to their outright nemesis in the space of 90 minutes. We will need every little advantage possible if we’re going to win the title next season and so ending this season in City’s rear-view mirror is important. Plus, you know, let’s put The Mancs back in their cage, too.

 

That said, we have enough quality and know-how to still beat Everton even allowing for changes. As with next Tuesday though, let's not take it for granted.

 

14. So as sore heads and throats recover from the mayhem of last night, where does this leave us? The short - and accurate - answer is nowhere yet. However, if any Red isn’t now completely tantalised by the possibilities of this side’s trajectory under Klopp then they never will be because it’s certain that the rest of Europe are taking note and marking us down as the team to avoid.

 

15. Come on you Reds!!!

 

Paul Natton

@OxtonSoulBoy


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Ace Paul, loved that.

 

I picked a combined city-Liverpool XI on the BBC sport website yesterday and (including the injured Aguero over Bobby) could only truly pick 3 reds, in Salah, Van Dijk and Robertson,

 

To say we’re greater than the sum of our parts when we play like this is a bit of an understatement and to put Robbo in that team 12 months removed from relegation with Hull City is pretty great too.

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It's worth bearing in mind that although Trent is only 19, the player he was up against in still relatively young at 22. He is going to be some player by his mid 20s. No wonder Sterling is considering his future.

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It's worth bearing in mind that although Trent is only 19, the player he was up against in still relatively young at 22. He is going to be some player by his mid 20s. No wonder Sterling is considering his future.

Yeah, but Trent though...
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I love the Weve conquered all of Europe song. Its a quick punchy terrace chant and so much more inspiring than FOAR. Just how people expect that to roar the team on I do not know. These results against City make the Mane sending off game and result all the more frustrating and shows what we can do 11 v 11. To put that into context City have only beaten us this season in a 11 v 10 game. It is such a shame that 20 or so dickheads attacking Citys coach have managed to take a gloss off our fine performance.

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Great report Paul, thanks. Couple of swats at the divvies who threw stuff at the coach, and then a great analysis of the match and it’s ramifications. It’s definitely not over, but you would have to say we can score there, and they will rightly fear that. Then with VVD marshaling a greatly improved defence, I can’t see a way back for Man City. We can’t assume that though, and thankfully Klopp will have them fired up.

 

As for the derby, they got a lucky draw against us earlier in the season and we have to put that right, but on the other hand I don’t want us to not rest some players. Tricky to find the right balance there, but I think Klopp will.

 

Big Games James? First I had heard that. Love it!

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Great report Paul, thanks. Couple of swats at the divvies who threw stuff at the coach, and then a great analysis of the match and it’s ramifications. It’s definitely not over, but you would have to say we can score there, and they will rightly fear that. Then with VVD marshaling a greatly improved defence, I can’t see a way back for Man City. We can’t assume that though, and thankfully Klopp will have them fired up.

 

As for the derby, they got a lucky draw against us earlier in the season and we have to put that right, but on the other hand I don’t want us to not rest some players. Tricky to find the right balance there, but I think Klopp will.

 

Big Games James? First I had heard that. Love it!

Stolen from RedKnight because, well, he is, isn’t he?
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It's worth bearing in mind that although Trent is only 19, the player he was up against in still relatively young at 22. He is going to be some player by his mid 20s. No wonder Sterling is considering his future.

There is a massive difference between 19 and 22 in football and all sport. Trent was absolutely outstanding.

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'Joyless dirge'??

 

Find that a very strange description of a song that has united our often divided support really well of late and helped bring back a better atmosphere.

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'Joyless dirge'??

 

Find that a very strange description of a song that has united our often divided support really well of late and helped bring back a better atmosphere.

Yeah, I hate it. Give me the Torres bounce or the Suarez song type of thing every time. Obviously there’s no obligation to agree because, you know, opinions.

 

However, as the piece implicitly acknowledges it has its place.

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Yeah, I hate it. Give me the Torres bounce or the Suarez song type of thing every time. Obviously there’s no obligation to agree because, you know, opinions.

 

However, as the piece implicitly acknowledges it has its place.

I think it is boss and it has been a long time since a song united and invigorated our tired repertoire like this one has but there you go - as you say, you know, opinions.

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I think it is boss and it has been a long time since a song united and invigorated our tired repertoire like this one has but there you go - as you say, you know, opinions.

 

Fight!

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And I’m too unarsed! Nothing to fight over anyway. He likes it, I don’t and it was great last night.

It was....it really was a case of the crowd carrying the team to the final whistle last night with mainly that song.

 

I reckon will potentially be even better in the away and if we then progress to the semi.

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Good read that Paul. TLW Content has nicked all your rep though.

 

As you said, our tactics were spot on in denying De Bruyne and Silva they needed to hurt us. Let’s hope we can repeat the trick next Tuesday.

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Good read that Paul. TLW Content has nicked all your rep though.

 

As you said, our tactics were spot on in denying De Bruyne and Silva they needed to hurt us. Let’s hope we can repeat the trick next Tuesday.

Ha. Dave’s always been a bad rep tart.
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