Fallen Angel

There’s a difference between conceding and realistic expectation. You don’t concede until it’s mathematically impossible to win. My realistic expectation was up early in March. We were struggling to beat teams and seemed incapable of registering routine wins, even against the relegation threatened sides. The 99 minute winner against Forest being a good example of how last gasp our wins were becoming. Arsenal and City were picking off such sides with relative ease. Obviously, you have far more chance of taking 3 points if your 2 or 3 goals up going into the last 10 mins and coasting, than if you chasing the game from behind or else level. It was at this point I thought it would be a step too far. Didn’t expect the full capitulation we’ve seen, but it was common sense we were more likely to slip-up given we were struggling to record routine wins against bottom half sides. Almost inevitable in fact. I pointed this on the Title Race thread and, was quite arrogantly told ‘Context isn’t your forte’. Laughable. Well, take a good look at the table, Chuckles, and explain the ’context’ I was missing.

Darwin Nunez, who has virtually cost Liverpool the title by himself with his countless glaring misses across the course of the campaign, is among those facing a fight to win over the incoming Slot. And rightly so as there is every chance he might not receive the loyalty displayed by Klopp. From an article today by Ryan Taylor

Nice one

That’s a key point - needing to come from behind repeatedly is exhausting - physically and mentally- it’s taken its toll. Of course the key is not to concede first over and over and need to chase the game. We really have been unable to register routine wins agains the PL fodder - that comes at a cost. Both in terms of points and mental and physical exhaustion. Gutted for Jurgen.

This. Gakpo s newborn is, right now, a better option than Nunez. More composure, better balance and infinitely more game sense. Does anyone think Pep and Mikel are sitting there self-flagellating, because they neglected to add some ‘chaos’ to their squad for the run in? Chaos is for relegation strugglers, teams whose only tactic is disruption; prevent the opponent from playing their game. Starting him is akin to throwing the big divvy centre-half up front for the last 10 when you’re behind as he might disrupt and cause panic. That’s not and never should be our style or aspiration. Horrible way to bow-out of the title-race, especially to those farm-animals. Thanks for the ride Klopp, you’ll always be a legend.

Last time I went to a derby there was 2008. Had free tickets as a mate worked with Moyes and he sorted out tickets whenever I visited home for some blue mates who’d return to the city for a weekend. Started in the Black Horse before KO. Blues giving it bifters, especially when the teams were announced - nothing to fear there aye etc. In the stadium in the Main Stand up in the sky near the press box, I was the only red as far as I could tell in the immediate surroundings. It was toxic and vile. I’ve been away so long, the nastiness has ramped up significantly. In short they were vile, grown men screaming complete bullshit throughout. One total he’ll end screaming ‘fuck off yer Norway cunts’ every 3 minutes or so - he was we’ll into his 50’s… Torres popped up and put them back in their box with a brace. Lovely Let’s have more of that tonight. Just get this scum soundly beaten - we won’t hear the end of it otherwise.

https://youtu.be/jwXFWtUMImw?feature=shared

They have zero-interest in eradicating social injustice - Starmer is a spineless Tory and a do-anything-for-power coward. Tony Blert 2.0

Just that one minor flaw for our striker then…

Puts it all in perspective. RIP and peace to the families denied justice.

Seriously - it’s been that long? If he had so much as a pinch of football intelligence and a dash of composure he’d be a world-bearer, but he doesn’t. If Klopp can’t instill some of the most basic concepts in a striker’s positioning and timing, I doubt anyone can. He’s destined to remain a cult-figure for some, and a complete waste of talent to others. Having a bull-in-a-china-shop up top is effective - when you’re a team fighting relegation with a backs to the wall approach. Might have a great impact off the bench to turn a cup games or a tight league match for title challenging side (with the caveat you can score against top 10 sides more than once in 1/2 a season), but not as a regular starter.

Nailed it.

You’re clearly right. Jota’s absence has cost us massively. For me, it’s the lack of composure that is costing us. if that Salah money is on the table again in summer - we have to take it. Jota and Danns are the only strikers who are safe - the rest are expendable.

it's a shame - if he harnessed his talents he could be a world beater. Right now he’s a luxury we can’t afford. Flashes of brilliance aren’t enough. I’d take a boring as fuck, one goal every 2 or 3 chances striker all day - they win you titles…

That team does NOT win the title - the efficiency of either Citeh or Arsenal will. A team struggling to beat relegation zone sides and requiring last gasp winners to do so, will always have days when it doesn’t go for them. A team missing a glut of chances and gifting opponents goals to let them back in (rinse and repeat) - don’t win titles. Not having Jota to lead the line has seriously cost us.

Great seeing Bilbao lift the Copa del Rey - lived there in the 90’s - love the city and the San Mames.

Sadly, it doesn’t need to - just a few more weeks.

This. They’ve taken 4 points off us this season - we had the chance to push them back but instead opened the door for them. Now they are efficiently dispatching teams. When you’re 2 / 3 goals up going into the last 10 mins you’re far less likely to drop points (from flukes, unexpected worldies or VAR stupidity) than when you are chasing the game or have a narrow lead. This is why efficient teams win titles…

Nice one …

His pointing could use some work too.

Haley’s Comet makes more appearances…

Good one - best wind-up all year …

Spot on. It wouldn’t matter much as if LFC raised it strongly and it resulted in a change of ref - the PL would make sure the replacement official was well aware his role was to teach our club a lesson…. Klopp must be exhausted making such an effort and not get his just rewards because the game is rigged.

The fall-out from whichever Manc club was involved, as well as in the press, would be off the charts, even if it was a dead-rubber game. Yet LFC sit meekly and accept it with scarcely a murmur. Doesn’t need to be Klopp - just official statements from the club before and after.

When was the last time a Merseyside born and raised ref was appointed to this fixture, or the Citeh fixture (home or away - league or cup games)?