Fantastic way to start ‘The Big 10’ final push. Beating one of the hardest opponents we play every season to start this pivotal week off in style as we build up to the mammoth game against
them next Sunday avvy.
Longer than usual missive for anyone that cares for my thoughts-
Yesterdays admin-
Title Countdown:
20 wins down/ 9 to go. (Adjusted from pre-season target of 30 wins.).
67 points down/ 26 to go.
Klopp Farewell Tour:
14 games down/ 14 to go.
P 14 W 11 D 1 L 2 F 43 A 17 CS: 3
1 trophy down/ 2 to go.
Current PL unbeaten run:
P 6 W 5 D 1 F 15 A 5 CS: 1
Current unbeaten home PL run:
P 27 W 21 D 6 F 68 A 23 CS: 11
I say this every time we play them. And why I thought the point down there was an excellent one gained in context when many were losing their heads at the mistakes made to let Brighton back in for a draw. Albion are one of the hardest sides we play. As they are so unorthodox in what they do they take you out of your comfort zone, make you constantly think as they swarm at you, often over loading from mad positions. With constantly rotating mad formations through the game as they seamlessly ebb and flow to what the game gives them. Breaking on you as fast as any side in the league. And they never, ever, stop grafting.
There's been a load of disingenuous, and frankly highly insulting, nonsense of late on-line/ across SM, comparing De Zerbi to Rodgers. When, in actual reality, he’s taken the wonderful groundwork Potter put in place down there on a whole other level. The biggest compliment you can give him, is he set’s his team up in such an unorthodox manner, that they force us to change the way we set up and play to combat it. All on a minuscule budget. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t personally want him following Jurgen. But that's down to his character. I just don’t think, from listening to him, he’d get us and what makes us click. And he’d say something that would rub us up the wrong the way. I don’t like the way he’s currently talking about his current employers and keeping options open/ looking for a bigger project et al. Very disingenuous of him. But make
NO mistake. He’s one heck of good, innovative football coach and his teams are a joy to watch. I mischievously called them mid-table mediocrity in the build up. But that’s being unkind on them and the brand of football they produce.
I thought they were excellent yesterday in a proper game of football that was a proper examination of our title credentials. If they work as hard, and play as honest as that against Arsenal and City at home, they could well take points off the pair. They patently targeted Bradley and Quansah first-half. And it was fascinating to see L’pool's response. You want to try tempt us into a trap by using Connor as the out ball when you press and overload that side? Sound. We won’t give him the ball. You want to pick on Jarell? Sound. We’ll drop Endo in and split the centre-halves, retaining possession and being far more patient in our approach playing out. Waiting for the best player by a Country mile on the pitch, Mac Allister, to pick our openings as he completely run the game the longer it went. They force us to really think about what we do and change our whole approach. It’s a proper game against Brighton which is to them and their managers credit. The way they broke first half and were on our box within three passes was City-esq. Really fun, exciting side to watch.
But then so are we. And we happen to have one of the best players of all time, in any era, in our ranks. Who missed a glut of chances. Gave the ball away for Brighton's excellent opener. Buy never hid. Never stopped working and getting into positions. Never let Brighton rest. And then he pops up with an outstanding winner to take all the points yet again.
THATS why you never lose faith in Salah and why you
NEVER take him off. (Lessoned learned from Utd. Although fitness was a natural issue there.). He just produces like very few ever have. That Mac Allister/ Salah combo yesterday was the game changer and a joy to behold. When Mo has his shooting boots on, all the best holding him back.
Shout out to Kelleher too. That was an outstanding save to box the win after he’d had nothing to do all game. He’s been ridiculous in Alisson’s absence and will justifiably feel he’s played a major part in bringing #20 home if this ends how we so crave.
And a big pat on the back to us. Far from getting nervy after Brighton's opener and Mo’s missed chances, nobody panicked and the atmosphere was a belter. As it has to be as we are only doing this together. So enjoyable being at the game when we’re all together as one.
Really enjoyable game of football and a
PROPER test passed.
The less said about the refs jaw dropping incompetence the better. I could write a book on his ineptness yesterday but he doesn’t deserve the effort.
‘The Big 10’ now becomes ‘The Big 9’ as we move on to the next battle Thursday.
Man is it super exciting aye? And, as much as I’d still have liked an Arsenal win and a 2 game lead over City, an excellent result for us nonetheless with the draw between them and our own destiny firmly back in our own hands.
Can’t ask for any more than that.
UTR!
FTT!!!!!
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