A few thoughts from the PSG game - by Paul Natton

[tlw content]

1. How boss are last minute winners  at Anfield in Europe? Bobby The One-Eyed Pirate plundering the winner too. Is right. 

 

2. That would have been a total rip off if we’d come away with fewer than all the points because we dominated them. They just could not cope with our aggression or intensity. Whether it was Cavani absolutely shitting himself in a fifty fifty with Hendo, Neymar getting smashed by Milner early on or every player in a Red shirt covering every blade of grass - twice! - it was clear they just couldn’t get near us. 

 

3. The midfield was sensational once more. James Milner. Again.  What a player. He’s just ridiculously good. And Gini once more clever in his movement and use of the ball. However, let’s give the skipper some because Henderson was brilliant. If you’re one of these internet gobshites who constantly slags the lad and you did so tonight after that performance then I can’t help you, sorry. You’re too stupid to support Liverpool. That was a master class in dominating an opponent tonight and Hendo was at its heart. 

 

4. The pace of our back line was important tonight as we mostly kept their threat tamed. What struck me more than the speed in our defence though was their exponential progress. It’s borderline weird how good we are at the back right now. When are these lads going to stop getting better? In theory it must happen at some point, but I can’t see when because they just go from strength to strength.  

 

5. Seeing Sturridge back and scoring a big goal was both a surprise and a pleasure. Clearly he’s no Bobby, but I heard a few people around me surprised at his quick feet, clever movement and ball retention. I’m not sure who they were watching a few seasons back when he was ripping the league a new one, but at least he’s getting the credit now. I’m not holding my breath for sustained fitness, but that doesn’t detract from my joy at seeing him score because he’s boss. Long may his fitness be retained. 

 

6. Negatives? Mo’s sloppy passing, some poor luck with decisions and, er, that’s it. 

 

7. Nice to see Fabinho get his debut. Was it the full minute in the end? Shaqiri looked very hungry when he came on and I'm convinced all three will be vital squad members this season.  

 

8. Their players? Neymar was poor relative to his reputation and Mbappé was well shackled by Robbo. I thought Thiago Silva looked sublime though. One moment in the first half showed incredible reading of the game and lightening pace as he tracked Mané’s diagonal run to snuff out his threat. He’s a real footballer, him. 

 

9. I was going to praise their fans for their constant noise because no matter what the setback, they kept bouncing. But then I realised right at the end of the first half as The Kop quietened enough for me to actually hear them that they had a drummer with them! All that money and their fans just want to be Stoke. *Shakes head*

 

10. I said it after the Spurs game and I’ll say it again now, we have got a really serious team on our hands now. They are hungry, aggressive, fast, skilful and obdurate and in my view there are no limits to what they can achieve under this manager. Six wins from six and the promise of much more to come. Come on you Reds!!!

 

Paul Natton

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[JustTosh]

On 9/19/2018 at 12:39 AM, tlw content said:

 

9. I was going to praise their fans for their constant noise because no matter what the setback, they kept bouncing. But then I realised right at the end of the first half as The Kop quietened enough for me to actually hear them that they had a drummer with them! All that money and their fans just want to be Stoke. *Shakes head* 

 

 

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I’ve seen a lot of praise going to fans, especially coming from abroad, for being loud and sing throughout the match – no matter what. Great support they say. It’s bullshit!

Crowd singing “Liverpool – Liverpool” seconds after PSG equalizes when clock’s running out is support.  Crowd going “oh Andy Andy” when he finds the energy to make a 60 yard sprint late in a match is support. Cheering as though we’ve scored when Milner tackles Neymar is support. It’s all interacting with play and players, encouraging them to go on and take that one extra step.

Banging drums and sing the same song, same sound level, on and on and on and on, whether it’s a boring stale mate or and exiting show of brilliance in front of them? Well that’s simply not support, just boring. Anyone can do that, you don’t even have to see the game, let alone interact with it.

[dave u]

Good point that.

[aws]

That drum was as annoying as those fucking vuvuzelas by the second half.  

[Barnesey]

Those vuvuzelas got me into trouble in South Africa when I tried to blow a Zulu's vulva

[Nolongerathletic]

Same as that bloody drummer from Portsmouth...Jesus they hero worshipped him...never felt they needed him either as a vociferous lot!

 

Is correct though - this week for me.

Andy Robertson trademark bust a gut to put pressure on in both games again

Milners tackle on Neymar and one in last minute on that gimp Danny Rose at Wembley

Gomez cruncher on Moura

 

Long may this continue!

[Barnesey]

Their fans didnt seem too connected with the game. Any self respecting fan has a (perhaps brief) moment of reflection when youve conceded a last minute winner but they continued as if nothing had happened.