Watched the Madrid game to catch up on the Scouse lads in Curtis and Trent and man, oh man, the fall-off from Trent is actually sad to see. I think hes checked out mentally from the game of football imo, he actually looks washed. A stone overweight and just no effort whatsoever. Shows how important the mental aspect of football is. Curtis, well that was a Curtis game if i ever saw one. He held onto the ball for way too long and cost his team a goal, but he also played excellently, progressing the ball and being press-resistant. If the lad had a brain and just moved the ball on a tad quicker, he would be world-class.
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They said wait 10 mins for peak Iraola ball but we witnessed that tonight. **** how unlucky is Wirtz? In a game of multiple MOTM he was outstanding. P.s Jacquet looks like the real deal, a young defender who can actually defend? I told you Scouse he wasn't coming to be backup; the kid is unreal.
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Heck it’s getting fun going the match once more …..
Yesterday’s admin-
Current total game unbeaten run:
P 5 W 2 D 3 F 9 A 6 CS: 1
2 Straight Wins.
Current unbeaten home total games run:
P 5 W 2 D 3 F 9 A 6
1 Straight Win.
First test in Europe, against one of the hardest sides on the Continent to play and beat, passed.
Not too shabby that Basque lad aye? First ever European game. Against an absolute master of the dark arts with more experience at the highest of all levels than pretty much anyone. Who lived up to his brand of horrible S/housery perfectly in a typical Atletico ‘performance.’ (I just laugh at them now whilst everyone around me last night was losing their collective bleep with them. It’s just pantomime watching the theatrics and rule bending to the point of breaking, at this point.). And walks away with a massive win to start the, hopefully, road to Madrid and #7 in fine fashion.
In so doing making L’pool the first team to ever have 4 successive wins against Atleti in UCL history. And giving L’pool their first come from behind victory since last October!!!!! Another massive, early box ticked off in the Andoni Iraola era.
Really, really good performance, in context of the stage, the opposition, and where we are in our development under Andoni that. That brought the best out of Anfield. That started on a slow burn as L’pool were slow out of the blocks first half. Very reminiscent of last season. Slow paced. Side-to-side. With the shape all wrong and big gaps all over which the Spaniards exploited the opening goal. Great from them. Shocking for ourselves to concede. But in amongst that, L’pool never stopped grafting and competing for everything. And when it did click, we continued to carry a real threat going forward. Then the equaliser comes. Which isn’t so much a great footballing goals as a great battling, forced goal with bodies everywhere the build up willing it to happen. And the next 15 turns that slow burn up a few notches to the Anfield European nights you live for. I thought they were superb after HT when Andoni had made the necessary tweaks. With the main thing that had Atleti’s heads go was the shear pace we went at them. And the relentless pressing to win it back. They just couldn’t cope. So composed on the ball playing out first half when we were in slow motion. But when we went I to fast forward, all out Iraola style, the couldn’t cope and were suitably humbled.
Outstanding individual performances all over the park. Not least from the CH, playing right full, who was everywhere and had the most South American assist for the chaotic opener imaginable. He’s gonna’ be an absolute bargain signing next summer if he continues his outstanding start in Red. AllyMac had his second superb game in a row. Back to the Mac Allister we all love and not the sham disgrace of last season who saved himself the WC. The pace from both Rio and Barcola wide scared the living bleep out of Atleti. Still not sure how Bradley managed to miss like. But it was beautiful watching him stream through knowing nobody had a chance of catching him. And Alex ran himself into the ground. This absolute myth that he doesn’t work for the team, isn’t a high presser, and lacks movement, was put to bed once more under the European lights. Isolated on his own up front, he gave that Atleti back line as hard a physical time as they’ll have all year. Another massive in his return to being one of the very, very best out there with another massive game of non-stop graft.
And talking of myths, people really need to stop adding to the jealous opposition narrative by narking at Wirtz. When you look behind the white noise, he’s been superb this season. Not only does no L’pool player work harder. His stats have been right up there. Football at the highest level comes down to such fine, fine margins. And he’s been exceptionally unlucky not to be sat today with something like 4 goals and 4 assists already this season. Which is seemingly all the weirdly narking voices at him look at when they try infer he’s not a growing influence/ difference make on this team. Again last night he should have been walking away with two assists and a MOTM performance. He’s doing absolutely everything right on the pitch. And when his luck turns, he’ll be unplayable. We’ve absolutely NO worries of Flo going forward.
The less said about the absolutely clueless officials the better. It takes a special breed of referee to make PL refs look competent. But last nights absolute
managed that spectacularly. Unbelievable how he was just making new rules up his went. UEFA will probably give him the final now ….:
Another really enjoyable night out with Andoni’s Reds. Loved the Atleti lad walking on the ground by the way who had black marketed out ‘Alvarez’ with a cross, and wrote ‘El Mercenario’ above it! To say they don’t like him is an understatement.
Onto Fulham and three-in-row for Andoni’s fast developing gang.
Up the European Royalty Reds!
Yesterday’s admin-
Current total game unbeaten run:
P 5 W 2 D 3 F 9 A 6 CS: 1
2 Straight Wins.
Current unbeaten home total games run:
P 5 W 2 D 3 F 9 A 6
1 Straight Win.
First test in Europe, against one of the hardest sides on the Continent to play and beat, passed.
Not too shabby that Basque lad aye? First ever European game. Against an absolute master of the dark arts with more experience at the highest of all levels than pretty much anyone. Who lived up to his brand of horrible S/housery perfectly in a typical Atletico ‘performance.’ (I just laugh at them now whilst everyone around me last night was losing their collective bleep with them. It’s just pantomime watching the theatrics and rule bending to the point of breaking, at this point.). And walks away with a massive win to start the, hopefully, road to Madrid and #7 in fine fashion.
In so doing making L’pool the first team to ever have 4 successive wins against Atleti in UCL history. And giving L’pool their first come from behind victory since last October!!!!! Another massive, early box ticked off in the Andoni Iraola era.
Really, really good performance, in context of the stage, the opposition, and where we are in our development under Andoni that. That brought the best out of Anfield. That started on a slow burn as L’pool were slow out of the blocks first half. Very reminiscent of last season. Slow paced. Side-to-side. With the shape all wrong and big gaps all over which the Spaniards exploited the opening goal. Great from them. Shocking for ourselves to concede. But in amongst that, L’pool never stopped grafting and competing for everything. And when it did click, we continued to carry a real threat going forward. Then the equaliser comes. Which isn’t so much a great footballing goals as a great battling, forced goal with bodies everywhere the build up willing it to happen. And the next 15 turns that slow burn up a few notches to the Anfield European nights you live for. I thought they were superb after HT when Andoni had made the necessary tweaks. With the main thing that had Atleti’s heads go was the shear pace we went at them. And the relentless pressing to win it back. They just couldn’t cope. So composed on the ball playing out first half when we were in slow motion. But when we went I to fast forward, all out Iraola style, the couldn’t cope and were suitably humbled.
Outstanding individual performances all over the park. Not least from the CH, playing right full, who was everywhere and had the most South American assist for the chaotic opener imaginable. He’s gonna’ be an absolute bargain signing next summer if he continues his outstanding start in Red. AllyMac had his second superb game in a row. Back to the Mac Allister we all love and not the sham disgrace of last season who saved himself the WC. The pace from both Rio and Barcola wide scared the living bleep out of Atleti. Still not sure how Bradley managed to miss like. But it was beautiful watching him stream through knowing nobody had a chance of catching him. And Alex ran himself into the ground. This absolute myth that he doesn’t work for the team, isn’t a high presser, and lacks movement, was put to bed once more under the European lights. Isolated on his own up front, he gave that Atleti back line as hard a physical time as they’ll have all year. Another massive
in his return to being one of the very, very best out there with another massive game of non-stop graft.And talking of myths, people really need to stop adding to the jealous opposition narrative by narking at Wirtz. When you look behind the white noise, he’s been superb this season. Not only does no L’pool player work harder. His stats have been right up there. Football at the highest level comes down to such fine, fine margins. And he’s been exceptionally unlucky not to be sat today with something like 4 goals and 4 assists already this season. Which is seemingly all the weirdly narking voices at him look at when they try infer he’s not a growing influence/ difference make on this team. Again last night he should have been walking away with two assists and a MOTM performance. He’s doing absolutely everything right on the pitch. And when his luck turns, he’ll be unplayable. We’ve absolutely NO worries of Flo going forward.
The less said about the absolutely clueless officials the better. It takes a special breed of referee to make PL refs look competent. But last nights absolute
managed that spectacularly. Unbelievable how he was just making new rules up his went. UEFA will probably give him the final now ….:Another really enjoyable night out with Andoni’s Reds. Loved the Atleti lad walking on the ground by the way who had black marketed out ‘Alvarez’ with a cross, and wrote ‘El Mercenario’ above it! To say they don’t like him is an understatement.
Onto Fulham and three-in-row for Andoni’s fast developing gang.
Up the European Royalty Reds!
Theatre of Dreams83
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paul joyce
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Alexis MacAllister says he was told by Liverpool last season that "the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract which makes me very, very sad." He said he had options to leave in the summer.
Let him play angry and let him leave next summer. As good as he has been he still gets caught ball watching as he is naturally inclined to go forward. Still probably him and Nyoni the ones who suit the role and Dominik is getting better at it.
paul joyce
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Alexis MacAllister says he was told by Liverpool last season that "the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract which makes me very, very sad." He said he had options to leave in the summer.
The one I worry about is Gravenberch who I said we probably should've held off before giving him that monster contract. As right now I dont see where he fits in what Iraola expects from his midfielders. He came on against atletico and stank up the place.
Scouseinthehouse
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paul joyce
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Alexis MacAllister says he was told by Liverpool last season that "the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract which makes me very, very sad." He said he had options to leave in the summer.
Pulling a Mo by trying to turn everything back onto the club ….. After his dad agent spent all summer hawking him around Spain. Where he’d happily be if he’d have got any bites.
But regardless, he’s started the season superbly, back to his dominating norm, which is the main thing.
That first half was diabolical, and those slating Kerkez as we watch Tsimikas in big 2026. He and Gravy had an absolute disaster class.
Edit: I saw someone online say this game could've been an email, and that fits the description.
Edit: I saw someone online say this game could've been an email, and that fits the description.
Last edited:
Theatre of Dreams83
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More worryingly your front line that’s cost a huge amount. Baring Isak look toothless and inconsistent
The midfielders dont suit what Iraola wants from them so unless they can get better over the season. That will be the main area that needs focusing. Anyway its 4 games in and ive seen more that I like than I dont dislike. No one said this season would be easy.
Scouseinthehouse
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Well that was a dire 90 minutes I aren’t going to get back. But having slept on it, I’m a lot more at ease with picking up the point when we’re going through a big transition like this. Than the aftermath frustration I was feeling last night.
Yesterday’s admin-
Title Countdown:
1 win down/ 26 to go.
6 points down/ 82 to go.
Current PL unbeaten run:
P 5 W 1 D 4 F 7 A 5 CS: 2
2 Straight CS.
Current unbeaten home PL run:
P 8 W 3 D 5 F 15 A 8 CS: 2
1 Straight CS.
Andoni Iraola current unbeaten PL run-
Total:
P 22 W 9 D 13 F 33 A 20 CS: 8
Bournemouth:
P 18 W 8 D 10 F 27 A 16 CS: 6
Liverpool:
P 4 W 1 D 3 F 6 A 4 CS: 2
Not much to say on the actual game save we both talked about this pre-season and expected there to be natural dips like Fulham that followed highs like Atleti. He’s having to change the whole mindset of the team from last season and that’s going to take time. Liverpool give you much to be annoyed about. Missed passes aplenty. Slow pace. Madly miss controlling simple balls and kicking it into touch. Shots not on target. A shape falling apart quickly, down to personnel which I’ll go into. But then, in the context of it all, you take the positives of a second successive league clean sheet and defensive that looked very solid. Continuing our unbeaten start to the season. Knowing aside from the big changes going on here, NO club is ever flowing until at least October. Not least in a WC year with disjointed pre-seasons. As witnessed with all the unexpected draws yesterday across the league. The first 5- 10 games of a season are ALL about picking up what points you can as fitness comes back and things start to gel. A dire outing but we take the point and move on. We’d have lost that game last year which is a positive step to take going forward.
Individually, nottin’ to write home about outside of Jacquet, who continues to really impress. Without whom we’d have lost the game after Alisson’s moment of madness. He absolutely run himself into the ground and was my man of the match. Really good, early signs in him.
But I want to mainly talk about what’s madly become an internet, and from some VERY lame pundits, issue for all the wrong reasons …..
The other player to come out with his head held high, is madly persona non grata with the internet masses. Who seemingly have decided he’s now going to be the scapegoat that we always have to have. Which you get coming from opposition fans looking for anything to ‘banter’ you with. But which is utterly bizarre when L’pool fans enable that and add to the current pile on
…..
Florian Wirtz is a GEM!
So many foolish takes keep being written. Just let Iraola settle and find the right midfield behind him and enjoy the show. He is an entertainer and key cog in this side. If it weren’t for others missing what he’s created already, and a bit more luck in front of goal, he’d be sat along the lines of 3/4 assists and 3/4 goals this season. Which paints a completely different narrative for the on-line masses who only look at G/A. Wirtz isn’t the midfield problem as Wirtz isn’t in the midfield per se given his advanced role under Andoni. It’s the balance of the double pivot behind him that’s all wrong right now and something Andoni has to work out. (*Whispers Nyoni. Trey!!!!! …..
). Florian Wirtz had NINE defensive contributions yesterday. From the advanced 10 role. The double pivot behind him, which should be the foundation for everything else to work, won FIVE of SEVENTEEN defensive duals. If that doesn’t tell you where the midfield issues lie currently, I don’t know what does? 
No, Florian isn’t showing what made him so sought after across Europes major clubs his time at Leverkusen. But that’s because the whole set-up right now is totally unbalanced. And he’s having to do WAY more work in areas he shouldn’t be, to compensate for the lack of security behind him. Yet again yesterday nobody in Red grafted harder than Wirtz. But he’s not going to effectively be that difference maker when most of that work is in the wrong areas. Get the balance behind right. With everyone in sync. And you unlock what we paid for.
Utd are a prime example with Fernandes. Last season, Carrick got the defensive platform behind him right with Casimero and Mainoo. Which allowed him to do what he does best higher up the park. And lead to him breaking the PL assist record for a single season. This season, with no Casimero, the balance is all over the show and he’s not been half as effective in that system. Bruno grafts his backside off like Wirtz. And like Florian, he’s already covering more ground, dropping deeper, helping defensively and making recovery runs that he shouldn’t even have to make. You’re currently asking a premium, world-class attacking talent to constantly compensate for a midfield structure that isn’t giving him the platform to succeed. THAT’S the issue here and people are looking at it all wrong and scapegoating completely the wrong player. Until Dominic, who was the worst player on the pitch again yesterday bar none, gets some discipline and starts adapting to the role being asked of him, he’s neither use nor ornament in the anchor role. His crossing was good again but everything else was horrendous. Running blindly forward when he shouldn’t. Not progressing the ball forward when he should. Not keeping position and disrupting the whole midfield shape. Until he starts using his brain to adapt, it’s going to be a struggle there. I personally think he’s far better at right back right now. But I don’t want Ronald out of the team. The less said about Gravenberch the better. His confidence looks completely shot after last season. Both need a LOT of coaching and hard training ground graft. The obvious change to make is to bring Trey in there who is far more defensively, and positionally, disciplined. Whilst still being front foot to progress it to Florian. Along with AllyMac who has started the season superbly and has the discipline and brains to be in a deeper two. Whilst still being similarly front foot in transition to break the lines.
It’s the biggest issue of all for Andoni to work out right now. And until that balance is fixed, we are going to continue to have days like yesterday. And in the bigger picture, the sooner Liverpool realise they need a proper No. 6, the sooner Wirtz will start looking like Wirtz.
You have to platform your best players.
Right now, Liverpool are doing the complete opposite.
It’s all a process. And we are at least picking up points as we figure it all out. Patience is what is needed and an acceptance that they’ll be days like yesterday until the get it down.
Onto ‘Spurs Tuesday and the start of the LC attack.
Up the frustrating, but unbeaten, Reds!
Yesterday’s admin-
Title Countdown:
1 win down/ 26 to go.
6 points down/ 82 to go.
Current PL unbeaten run:
P 5 W 1 D 4 F 7 A 5 CS: 2
2 Straight CS.
Current unbeaten home PL run:
P 8 W 3 D 5 F 15 A 8 CS: 2
1 Straight CS.
Andoni Iraola current unbeaten PL run-
Total:
P 22 W 9 D 13 F 33 A 20 CS: 8
Bournemouth:
P 18 W 8 D 10 F 27 A 16 CS: 6
Liverpool:
P 4 W 1 D 3 F 6 A 4 CS: 2
Not much to say on the actual game save we both talked about this pre-season and expected there to be natural dips like Fulham that followed highs like Atleti. He’s having to change the whole mindset of the team from last season and that’s going to take time. Liverpool give you much to be annoyed about. Missed passes aplenty. Slow pace. Madly miss controlling simple balls and kicking it into touch. Shots not on target. A shape falling apart quickly, down to personnel which I’ll go into. But then, in the context of it all, you take the positives of a second successive league clean sheet and defensive that looked very solid. Continuing our unbeaten start to the season. Knowing aside from the big changes going on here, NO club is ever flowing until at least October. Not least in a WC year with disjointed pre-seasons. As witnessed with all the unexpected draws yesterday across the league. The first 5- 10 games of a season are ALL about picking up what points you can as fitness comes back and things start to gel. A dire outing but we take the point and move on. We’d have lost that game last year which is a positive step to take going forward.
Individually, nottin’ to write home about outside of Jacquet, who continues to really impress. Without whom we’d have lost the game after Alisson’s moment of madness. He absolutely run himself into the ground and was my man of the match. Really good, early signs in him.
But I want to mainly talk about what’s madly become an internet, and from some VERY lame pundits, issue for all the wrong reasons …..
The other player to come out with his head held high, is madly persona non grata with the internet masses. Who seemingly have decided he’s now going to be the scapegoat that we always have to have. Which you get coming from opposition fans looking for anything to ‘banter’ you with. But which is utterly bizarre when L’pool fans enable that and add to the current pile on
…..Florian Wirtz is a GEM!
So many foolish takes keep being written. Just let Iraola settle and find the right midfield behind him and enjoy the show. He is an entertainer and key cog in this side. If it weren’t for others missing what he’s created already, and a bit more luck in front of goal, he’d be sat along the lines of 3/4 assists and 3/4 goals this season. Which paints a completely different narrative for the on-line masses who only look at G/A. Wirtz isn’t the midfield problem as Wirtz isn’t in the midfield per se given his advanced role under Andoni. It’s the balance of the double pivot behind him that’s all wrong right now and something Andoni has to work out. (*Whispers Nyoni. Trey!!!!! …..
). Florian Wirtz had NINE defensive contributions yesterday. From the advanced 10 role. The double pivot behind him, which should be the foundation for everything else to work, won FIVE of SEVENTEEN defensive duals. If that doesn’t tell you where the midfield issues lie currently, I don’t know what does? No, Florian isn’t showing what made him so sought after across Europes major clubs his time at Leverkusen. But that’s because the whole set-up right now is totally unbalanced. And he’s having to do WAY more work in areas he shouldn’t be, to compensate for the lack of security behind him. Yet again yesterday nobody in Red grafted harder than Wirtz. But he’s not going to effectively be that difference maker when most of that work is in the wrong areas. Get the balance behind right. With everyone in sync. And you unlock what we paid for.Utd are a prime example with Fernandes. Last season, Carrick got the defensive platform behind him right with Casimero and Mainoo. Which allowed him to do what he does best higher up the park. And lead to him breaking the PL assist record for a single season. This season, with no Casimero, the balance is all over the show and he’s not been half as effective in that system. Bruno grafts his backside off like Wirtz. And like Florian, he’s already covering more ground, dropping deeper, helping defensively and making recovery runs that he shouldn’t even have to make. You’re currently asking a premium, world-class attacking talent to constantly compensate for a midfield structure that isn’t giving him the platform to succeed. THAT’S the issue here and people are looking at it all wrong and scapegoating completely the wrong player. Until Dominic, who was the worst player on the pitch again yesterday bar none, gets some discipline and starts adapting to the role being asked of him, he’s neither use nor ornament in the anchor role. His crossing was good again but everything else was horrendous. Running blindly forward when he shouldn’t. Not progressing the ball forward when he should. Not keeping position and disrupting the whole midfield shape. Until he starts using his brain to adapt, it’s going to be a struggle there. I personally think he’s far better at right back right now. But I don’t want Ronald out of the team.
The less said about Gravenberch the better. His confidence looks completely shot after last season. Both need a LOT of coaching and hard training ground graft. The obvious change to make is to bring Trey in there who is far more defensively, and positionally, disciplined. Whilst still being front foot to progress it to Florian. Along with AllyMac who has started the season superbly and has the discipline and brains to be in a deeper two. Whilst still being similarly front foot in transition to break the lines.It’s the biggest issue of all for Andoni to work out right now. And until that balance is fixed, we are going to continue to have days like yesterday. And in the bigger picture, the sooner Liverpool realise they need a proper No. 6, the sooner Wirtz will start looking like Wirtz.
You have to platform your best players.
Right now, Liverpool are doing the complete opposite.
It’s all a process. And we are at least picking up points as we figure it all out. Patience is what is needed and an acceptance that they’ll be days like yesterday until the get it down.
Onto ‘Spurs Tuesday and the start of the LC attack.
Up the frustrating, but unbeaten, Reds!
Last edited:
Scouseinthehouse
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First time in 5 games this season they haven’t scored 2 in a game.
Goalscoring is the least of the issues currently.
Scouseinthehouse
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Camara will make you forget them January.
Ndukwe finally played for Lavante today BTW: which qualifies him for a permy. Option to bring him back in January.
Theatre of Dreams83
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Actually played better after City went down to 10 men and he could be more disciplined. When City had 11 he was all over the place and was getting played around at will first 20 mins. Him and Enzo won’t work in the long run
Not going to pretend ive watched the Camara lad play but you know who I would love the Sunderland lad Sadiki. I think he is Kante reincarnated. The lad is a monster in midfield, I'm surprised no one enquired about him in the summer.