PODCAST: Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2 - Match Reaction

Spot on, right at the beginning 

We look like we have gone back to the days of worrying about the opposition rather than Klopp side turning up saying this is how we play you adapt to us. Last two games the tactics have been complete shithouse from us, sitting back and trying to contain teams and creating fuck all. 

In the past 2 games, the only real tests so far, the only time we've looked good was a short spell when we went one up vs Chelsea, we didn't get the second and started dropping off. They dominated possession. Then they got a goal, we stepped up the pace straight away, scored and then went straight back into contain them. 

Similar today after conceding we put some pace into the game got the equaliser and sat off and did nothing till Gabriel went off. Then equalised and instead of going for the kill we dropped off and didn't contain or counter much. 

We've done enough in the other games but not looked good. 

Don't like this at all from Slot. It doesn't fit the club. Whether people like it or not we've always been at our best running on emotion,  from the crowd to the players. It's hurt us at times but it's won us far far more. 

We play at snails pace and teams are happy to let us recycle possession as much as we want. Possession for possession sake nonsense 

I fucking hate Guardiola and Spain in general for starting all this shit. If you want to control a game fine, do it when you are 2 up and then drop off save energy and kill the game

Its insanely early in Slots tenure. It's a results game but I agree with the first sentiments even if its really harsh I think we need to be braver. With holding judgement is the right idea because it's so early and we have to be practical its just how it pans out. I'm made up with the results in what should be a turbulent transition but how we play is leaving me cold. It's not toys out of the pram, whinging because I want it all, just an observation on what I'm currently seeing and how I feel about it. Fingers crossed it's stage one of Slots long term plan for how he really wants us to play. 

Another thing how many times do we say "one of those days where the players are just off it". It's way too often, it's never just the odd player in a game either it's contagious you end up with just naming one  player who you think didn't let himself down.

I enjoyed the podcast, as I always do.  But I thought you were all a little bit more negative than I expected.  I haven't read any of the forums, so don't know what the general feeling is.  I can only judge it on what I saw, and although some of the performance wasn't anything to write home about overall, I felt you were a bit harsh.

A work in progress.

Realistically, I think we were looking for a top 4 finish this year.  I think we'll achieve it.

I’ve been listening to the podcast since the beginning and I’m normally in alignment on most things, so I’ve been surprised these last few weeks that I’m kinda frustrated by some of the views and the cloud of negativity that seems to be hanging around. It’s not that the points and perspective aren’t valid, but there needs to be a bit of counterbalance. 

2 minutes ago, Numero Veinticinco said:

I’ve been listening to the podcast since the beginning and I’m normally in alignment on most things, so I’ve been surprised these last few weeks that I’m kinda frustrated by some of the views and the cloud of negativity that seems to be hanging around. It’s not that the points and perspective aren’t valid, but there needs to be a bit of counterbalance. 

I blame @Paul. He’s normally the optimistic one, so when he’s critical it puts the balance out.

Just now, Jose Jones said:

I blame @Paul. He’s normally the optimistic one, so when he’s critical it puts the balance out.

I have a long standing history of blaming Paul for things that aren’t his fault, so I heartily concur. 

To be fair, to Slot, I read that we have conceded a goal to Arsenal within the first 15 minutes on the last 5 occasions we played them, and from memory we have had some stinkers against them in Jurgen's latter reign.

The consensus from Feyenoord fans was that he likes to get on the front foot, so let's hope this will come as the players get with the system, injured players come back and possibly we get some new blood in January.

5 minutes ago, sir roger said:

To be fair, to Slot, I read that we have conceded a goal to Arsenal within the first 15 minutes on the last 5 occasions we played them, and from memory we have had some stinkers against them in Jurgen's latter reign.

 

The consensus from Feyenoord fans was that he likes to get on the front foot, so let's hope this will come as the players get with the system, injured players come back and possibly we get some new blood in January.

I think we are desperate for new blood. Psychologically it's a boost. The team needs freshening.

So Slot has to win the league, clear of any potential points deductions or else he's just "boring us to death" and if we talk about positives to draw from Slot's early days we're actually having a dig at Klopp?

There were clear tactical issues yesterday, mainly bringing our forwards too deep, it allowed Party to join the midfield too often, which led to them having four pressing forwards and three in the middle, which led to some desperate, aimless, defending on our part. Arteta did well and they played well, we need to adapt to these things better. At half time we made some adjustments, but were still too inconsistent on the ball. Too many isolated moments and Nunez, despite the lack of service, didn't offer much himself. He still played well on balance, but he spent more time trying to create space for others than attacking the middle. 

Regardless, I'm fine with a point there. Lessons to learn, so they need to get studying. 

14 minutes ago, Pidge said:

So Slot has to win the league, clear of any potential points deductions or else he's just "boring us to death" and if we talk about positives to draw from Slot's early days we're actually having a dig at Klopp?

 

There were clear tactical issues yesterday, mainly bringing our forwards too deep, it allowed Party to join the midfield too often, which led to them having four pressing forwards and three in the middle, which led to some desperate, aimless, defending on our part. Arteta did well and they played well, we need to adapt to these things better. At half time we made some adjustments, but were still too inconsistent on the ball. Too many isolated moments and Nunez, despite the lack of service, didn't offer much himself. He still played well on balance, but he spent more time trying to create space for others than attacking the middle. 

 

Regardless, I'm fine with a point there. Lessons to learn, so they need to get studying. 

Pretty fair assessment, not our best game . I thought we played too many long balls and didn’t mix it up . Both of our full backs had a game to forget even if one of them did have a hand in both goals. A point behind city after a tough week is ok so far.

Amazing we put up with Benitez and Houllier dog shit for over a decade, and now people are moaning about this? Pathetic, entitled fanbase.

55% possession away from home. Fuck Slot and this negative shit. Bring back Rafa 

We were very poor first half but no worse than we were in any of the games we've had at the Emirates in the last two seasons since they upped their level.

I can't take this thought on what Jurgen would have done. We had 7 shots on target in our last 3 trips there combined (compared to 19 for Arsenal) and although we fluked the FA cup game there last season we were totally outplayed by them.

I get they had injuries in defence and I agree we were shit first half but I can't be onboard with imagined thoughts as to what Jurgen would have done to them when he won none of his last 4 league games against them.

1 hour ago, Slotball said:

Amazing we put up with Benitez and Houllier dog shit for over a decade, and now people are moaning about this? Pathetic, entitled fanbase.

It’s because people have seen the whole of the moon, they don’t want to go back to the crescent.

We may never see the likes of Klopps best team again, at least not for a while. 

We had Roy Hodgson as our manager within our lifetimes.  What we have now should be more appreciated

I don't disagree with the sentiments expressed but maybe too much negativity? I started this season with no expectation of winning anything, hopefully qualify for Champs League and maybe a bit of luck in one of the cups. I have not changed my mind. We are work in progress. Slot is getting to know his squad, the players who can do a job for him and those that possibly need to make a future elsewhere. The players who are staying need to learn their new roles and it shows, balls into spaces where there is no player, players not picking up, overloads etc. It takes time and I don't expect to see the real Slot v1.0 team until 12 months from now. Then we should judge.

Remember, the only significant player added to the squad is a lame Italian.

6 hours ago, Numero Veinticinco said:

there needs to be a bit of counterbalance. 

I thought I did that *shrugs shoulders*

Not listened to the podcast, but going by the comments, who said romance was dead?

These are our standings after the first 9 games the last five seasons.

2019/20:

2020/21:

2021/22:

2022/23:

2023/24:

Then we can look at this season. The only time we have had more points at this stage of the season the last five years was in the title winning season. We have never conceded as few goals as we have this season, the closest was in 21/22 when we had conceded only 6 goals after 9 games. We have scored a few goals less than we usually do though. We have scored 17 goals this season, compared to 21, 21, 27, 21 and 20, but we have only had a better goal difference twice, in 19/20 and 21/22.
 

My point with all this, enjoy it, we are in a great position and nothing is more entertaining than 3 points!

Love the podcasts,  they get me through at least half my commutes each week. But I thought that first bit came across a bit spoilt and entitled. Winning isn't enough for the new manager who has been given no money to spend, and is getting to know his squad. It has to be Klopp 2.0. and that's almost certainly not going to happen. Almost like a red cafe slot in parts. Wins aren't enough it has to be swashbuckling entertainment. 

We were extremely poor for large parts of last year and expended huge energy trying to turn around games having fallen behind to shite. In the end we ran out of gas because of it. I was afraid this year getting a relatively unknown manager that we would bomb out badly. I'm delighted with the start. 

Sorry to be so critical as I really appreciate all the lads coming on doing the podcasts and I always look forward to it.

I always say 22 Poengs at this stage is fantastic. 

Agree with a lot of the comments on here and first time I’ve ever found it with the pod, love it and always can’t wait to listen.

Slot is doing absolutely incredibly to be what most thought was an impossible job in replacing more than just a manager but a figurehead.

And Klopp was incredible for most of his time here but, we were rubbish most of his penultimate season and last season we won a lot of games without playing particularly well, and we didn’t beat any good teams and we were a soft touch at times including against Arsenal away.

I agree having come back to 2-2 they were there for the taking. But it’s a good point despite not the best performance and an incredible point.

Also even without playing well im feeling fairly relaxed watching us as you can see we are defending really well

Brownie and Paul need to get over Klopp. 

two love sick teenagers yearning for the hot chick that fucked them off

He's gone, he's not coming back, move on. 

I still enjoyed the pod, but i think you lads arent giving Arsenal near enough credit. We havent beaten them, at the emirates, in the league for at least 3 years, they've also finished ahead of us the past two seasons, and deservedly so to i might add. they fucking tonked us there last year, 3-1 wasnt it, and thats when we where on a really good run, of winning, and playing, what Brownie describes as entertaining football. but they outplayed us, out hussled us, and easily won the game. 

Yeah ok, the first half wasnt the most entertaining of games, but it was super tactical, hence why in the end, it took set pieces and old school long balls to unlock each others defences. 

Im with Usher, im of the thinking that Slot came in, looked at our defence and said to himself, we need to sort this out first and foremost, and then hopefully, he'll work his magic higher up the pitch. 

now stop your cryarsing over Klopp. That ship has sailed. you big marys!!!!

1 hour ago, chrisbonnie said:

Brownie and Paul need to get over Klopp. 

 

two love sick teenagers yearning for the hot chick that fucked them off

 

He's gone, he's not coming back, move on. 

 

I still enjoyed the pod, but i think you lads arent giving Arsenal near enough credit. We havent beaten them, at the emirates, in the league for at least 3 years, they've also finished ahead of us the past two seasons, and deservedly so to i might add. they fucking tonked us there last year, 3-1 wasnt it, and thats when we where on a really good run, of winning, and playing, what Brownie describes as entertaining football. but they outplayed us, out hussled us, and easily won the game. 

 

Yeah ok, the first half wasnt the most entertaining of games, but it was super tactical, hence why in the end, it took set pieces and old school long balls to unlock each others defences. 

 

Im with Usher, im of the thinking that Slot came in, looked at our defence and said to himself, we need to sort this out first and foremost, and then hopefully, he'll work his magic higher up the pitch. 

 

now stop your cryarsing over Klopp. That ship has sailed. you big marys!!!!

Interesting sentiment here that's worth thinking more about. Imagine the irony of this hyper intellectualising of football tactics becoming so grand the game actually regresses back to the point where there wasn't much of that at all. 

I'm a bit more worried about Robertson than you (Paul/Dave) seem to be. Has he lost a yard or two of pace? Is he not fully fit? Could age/playing time/intensity be catching up with him too? Either way, he doesn't look like he trusts himself when up against quick wingers. His reaction to the goal yesterday was worriying, instead of getting closer to Salah he constantly backed off him, and made sure other players (Diaz/Mac Allister) faced up to him instead. It put us on the back foot for the rest of the half.

On the 1-0; Robertson doesn't trust himself here either, and the second he drops 2 yards below Virgil and Konate, he srcrews himself (and the team). He needs to be in line with the defenders there (there's a discussion to be had on whether the CB's should be that high without pressure on the ball), him following the run of Saka gives Virgil a headache. I think van Dijk should be turning on the afterburners and TRY to get closer so that Saka MAYBE faces a more difficult finish, but the blame is 99 pct on Robbo.

Hopefully Robbo gets back to full fitness and it isn't a burnout/age thing. The signs aren't great though, and Tsimikas should be the choice in the tougher games for now.

Echo what alot are saying here. I listen to the all the pods, love the craic and they usually give an accurate perspective of where things are at in the short-term and also overall. Found today to be a hard listen tbh, just a small bit entitled. We all knew the transition from Kloppo to whoever was not going to be easiest. And we are blessed to be where we’re at in all honesty.  
 

As was mentioned Slot himself hasn’t been overly impressed with some performances. Imagine what could happen if he got to buy a player or 2 that suits his style of play!! 
 

Anyway keep up the good work, looking forward to the next one already!!