A dreadful result but how bad was the performance? Well a couple of The Anfield Wrap thinks it was really rather abject from Liverpool against Manchester City and that both players and manager should be expecting more and better.
Both the defence and the midfield three come under real criticism and the key decision of the game is discussed at length. Was Jon Moss right to send Mane off? Was it a terrible decision? Or just demonstrative of the balancing act referees have to go through? And what about Mo Salah’s performance and half time substitution?
To pick the bones out of all this and far more from the game for 80 minutes Neil Atkinson is joined by Philippa Smallwood, Mo Stewart and Stu Wright. We don’t talk about 5-0 reverses on The Anfield Wrap so this one is unique. It had best stay that way.
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Direct: The Anfield Wrap – Free Podcast: Liverpool Mauled By Man City
Klopp did mention post match that he felt the boys didn’t realise just how good the first half chances were. I agree if we are more ruthless the game is done before mane gets sent off.
Agree with City looking terrified to play Liverpool. They were properly nervous and our players didn’t quite realize it! Then soon as the tide turns City’s way they turn into the globetrotters. Hated seeing the City players laughing and joking while playing an uninterested Liverpool team off the park in the second half after watching them shaking in the beginning of the first.
But this passiveness is a problem, though. It’s as if LIverpool only have two modes: full throttle in your face world beaters / wet paper bag.
I find this argument that it’s Klopp’s style that makes us concede so annoying.
We’re renowned for conceding from set pieces. How does pushing forward come into that? It’s a dead ball. You regroup. If we look at City’s first goal yesterday then it’s simply poor defending and nothing else. Matip has completely switched off and so has Klavan. If a centre half isn’t screaming at his partner there then he’s just as culpable. I played there myself, if I was 1 foot behind the back line I’d be getting screamed at to get level. To say it’s basics is the understatement of the year. It’s unbelievably disgusting defending from both.
I would argue that 10% of goals conceded may be down to style but I’m not prepared to go further. We only have to look at the games last season. When Lovren and Matip played together we had two average to good defenders and our record was good. When Lucas or Klavan came in we conceded much more and dropped more ppg. The drop off is ridiculous. I think there’s a rule which should be adhered to or at least acknowledged – play absolutely shit defenders, expect to concede lots.
We also hear this stupid stupid idea that ‘he did ok against x. Well, it’s not me in defence i.e. someone who couldn’t perform to a standard in any game. These are pro’s and internationals. They’re gonna be good in some games. What shit (by league standards) defenders give you is a higher % of errors over the season.
I know why we have this narrative. It’s like anything, people don’t want to admit they’re wrong. When the window closed a lot of people felt sick with the realisation of where we were. Saturday wasn’t unique after the international break. It was purely an indication of what’s to come. We all mentioned this season was about a squad. This is what a squad looks like. You have to use your 3rd choice centre back.
When you’ve got £150m sitting in the bank then £20m should have been used to upgrade Klavan pushing him down to 4th place and the wait for Van Dijk in the long term. Klopp is optimistic but he’s been too optimistic here. He played Lucas before Klavan last season in games. Let that sink him. How much does he trust him? It’s an absolute fiasco and it’ll define our season. It’s annoying because it was obviously identified as an issue last season.
Finally, this thing we’re hearing – who was available is unbelievable. They had all summer to consider if we’re not going to put a bid in for VVD then let’s improve the back up. Does anyone seriously believe there aren’t players across Europe who fill 3 criteria 1) they’re better than Klavan, 2) They would join Liverpool, 3) they’re clubs would happily accept £20/£25m. Of course there are. There’s probably over 100. It’s just frustrating because we had hopes for the season. Does anyone think we can go on to win the league? I don’t. We’ll take the CL seriously and that means rotation. Too many points will be dropped.
Feel your frustration and all valid points
I’m glad you’re have the energy to state these points as I am tired mate.
Many fans elsewhere feel the same and I am not referring to the Twits of Twitterati.
Anyways Robin, I hope we see an improvement against Sevilla whatever the outcome.
While I can accept that the sending off changed the game, there’s still no way we should have conceded 5. It’s not like it was a defender was sent off and the defence had to be reorganised on the fly. City are good, but not 5 goals better.
Also, there’s no excuse for taking Salah off at half time. He was the only one consistently getting behind them in the first half, and despite being wasteful, he was frightening the pants off the shaky City defenders. Taking him off took the pressure off City, and removed our cutting edge. All of a sudden our second rate defenders are being overwhelmed by one of the most potent midfield and attacking systems in Europe, with no proper outlet to try take the pressure off.
Yet again, Klopp’s blind spot regarding defence has landed us a result easily avoided. While I still have faith that he will bring throphies to the club, he’s there almost two years, and if anything our defence is worse than when he arrived. Until he gets it sorted, we’re only going to flirt with success.
Great show guys. So much to comment but I’m going to The Review Show first (great says you!!. Haha)
What I loved the most of this show, was how well the 4 of you CONNECTed :-D.
Thumbs up Neil!!:), P