January Football: This Time It's 2024ier

[Spikey M]

That's probably a foul on the 'keeper. Very obviously not going to be given though.

Nah, Vicario is just a weakling. For all his strengths, he either needs to bulk up or they need to protect him better at corners.

[niko_cee]

If I were a ref I would default give a foul the moment a set piece came in if an outfield player was standing on/in front of the 'keeper. Their only purpose is to obstruct. It's a weird feature of VAR that that situation has probably seen 'keepers become a lot less protected, previously always a foul now let's see what happens, and it is rarely overturned.

[Don]

That KDB-Doku linkup is a cheat code, fucking going to be unbearable watching these cunts against our high line.

[phonics]

There’s a fundamental flaw with the short goal kicks that once it stops being cool will shine through.

All these teams doing short goal kicks are also built around ‘winning the ball in the opponents third of the pitch’ so shouldn’t you be trying to force that possibility to occur multiple times a game rather than spending 90 to 120 seconds moving the ball around the back in the hope that one of them results in a good attack. You probably average 8 goal kicks a game. That’s 16 minutes of the game you’ve used. If the balls only in play for an hour. You’ve now spent 25% of the game in the hope it’s produced one to two chances and increased the chance of a massive cock up resulting in an easy chance for the opposition.

[Gray Fox]

Nah, Vicario is just a weakling. For all his strengths, he either needs to bulk up or they need to protect him better at corners.

Reminds me of De Gea when he first got here. Great shot stopper, but the next named storm might blow him away.


As for this pressing the goal kick/backwards passing thing. Most teams press is triggered when player X gets the ball. Usually this is the least technically capable player on the opposition. I'll use United as an example because I think they started doing this first. Harry Maguire. When he gets the ball from a goal kick he's usually in the LCB position. Let's say they're facing Brighton. De Zebri has coached them all week that as soon as he gets the ball, the press begins. Brighton now know to go and 'set the trap' into Uniteds left side and bunch in accordingly.

United now knowing this is coming, instead have Maguire take the goal kick short to the keeper. Brighton now don't know 100% what to do. You might get some disjointed pressing and as such an easier pass will appear. Now we're getting into the territory where teams are trying to counter this and maybe even counter the counter and it's getting quite silly.

We're a step short of ANALYSIS dictating we change the way kick offs are done. I even saw one team from the opening kick off boot the ball straight out for another teams goal kick, because then they could initiate the press quicker. Ended up scoring from winning the ball back too.

[niko_cee]

I was more interested in the possible spreading phenomenon of passing it back to the 'keeper from a position of being in possession and have him hold it until a sufficient number of opponents have approached within the designated range. Do any other teams do the funny pick up and throw the ball to each other thing from goal kicks that Brighton are absolutely committed to?

[Gray Fox]

Their stopping the ball under foot and standing on it to try and draw teams onto them seems to have stopped working so well too.

[niko_cee]

I've never been a fan but I think it's still working as well as ever as a system, it's just their midfield has been downgraded a bit with the loss of MacAllister and Caicedo and they also have loads of injuries to their 'explosive' attacking players so beating the press and breaking out is less effective. That said, for a while teams have stood off the ball receiver when they try to break out in anticipation of it being laid off quickly. They do seem to have developed a good line in direct long ball type passing from the goalkeeper, but most of their forwards, mainly Joao Pedro bless him, aren't really fast enough to properly take advantage.

[Waffdon]

Petrovic is a proper keeper. What a signing

[mo]

1750902102673514498

Saw this and thought of Baz.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The cat and mouse thing described above by GF is where it's all going. Neither side willing to improvise or compromise on their optimised instructions. Just think, if Perez gets his way we could be watching that happening in the Blue League every week while sipping a crisp Heineken from the comort of our living rooms.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watching Ipswich v Maidstone. Based on the first four minutes this really should finish at least 12-0 to Ipswich, so it's a marvel of the sport of football that it won't.

[Jimmy Floyd]

0-1 with one of the truly legendary FA Cup goals. Breakaway and a world class finish from a sixth tier journeyman. Haven't enjoyed a goal that much for a long time.

[niko_cee]

Was an absolutely outrageous finish. Think he overhit it which only ended up making it looked better when it didn't sail over.

[Kikó]

He hit it too well?

[Ben]

This is great.

[Ben]

An all-time hanging-on job from Maidstone here. Bodies everywhere.

They could do with about 30 seconds injury time on the board mind.

[phonics]

As someone born in the region it's weird that this might be the most significant result in Kent-based football in my lifetime.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The FA Cup remains undefeated. An absolute antidote of a game to everything about football I spend the rest of the time moaning about.

[niko_cee]

They can now look forward to a midweek fifth round tie. Magic.

Think I came across the Maidstone fans at a McDonalds on the A24 after they'd dumped Steyning out in an earlier round.

[niko_cee]

Half of João Pedro's goals this season feel like they've been penalties.

[Danny]

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[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wish.com Bruno then.

[niko_cee]

Only if you get things that are better off there.

[Gray Fox]

Time to break out the 1995 chants again I see.

[Gray Fox]

Watching Leverkusen to see what this Alonso team does and he's got them playing 3-4-2-1. Good amount of pressing and two marauding wing backs, one of which has almost a free role.

Great so far but the finishing has been comical almost.

[niko_cee]

Is it Leverkusen that Hincapie chap plays for? Does he look any good?

[niko_cee]

I see they failed to win so hopefully we can just get all aboard the De Zerbi express now.

[Shindig]

The binman in chief. Steven Gerrard.

[Gray Fox]

Is it Leverkusen that Hincapie chap plays for? Does he look any good?

Yeah he played. Wasn't overly troubled defensively mind you.


I see they failed to win so hopefully we can just get all aboard the De Zerbi express now.

The performance was actually complete domination, however whoever the chances kept falling to just kept missing them. Their best two chances falling to Frimpong(RWB) and then a glorious cutback, after PRESSING won the ball, that Wirtz fired straight at the keeper.

One of those, should have been 3/4-0 at least, but just didnt happen kind of days.

[Gray Fox]

Xavi leaving Barcelona at the end of the season, to much less fanfare than our German friend over here.

[phonics]

When judging players let's note that Granit Xhaka is currently the best midfielder in the world based on his Leverkusen games.

[Gray Fox]

It's also Bundesliga football. Nothing from there must be taken seriously. For every Kevin de Bruyne you get 3 Timo Werners.

[Don]

Dennis Undav averaging more than 1 in every 90mins.

[niko_cee]

Hopefully some absolute mugs will want to pay a fortune for him in the summer.

Klopp to Barcelona?

[Baz]

Consider this #ITK if you wish but my dads mates been having cancer treatment and Klopp was IN THE SAME HOSPITAL

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sexualities and ILLNESSES, what can't Baz uncover?

[Gray Fox]

And it's not even christmas.

[Gray Fox]

Also, who is claiming the e-victory on Rashford?

[niko_cee]

Nice to know that VAR would have both ruled out Maidenhead's second and given Ipswich a penalty.

If ever there were a case for never using it again that's it.

[Shindig]

I was surprised our second got past the omnipotent referee machine.

[Don]

Seeing that big Nazi cunt in all our remaining games is gonna be more and more difficult. Up against his boy Wagner tomorrow, too, it's too fucking poetic.

[Luke Emia]

It’s all kicked off in the match between the Yam Yams.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is it the two sets of fans going at it or just Baggies kicking off? Very odd behaviour.

[Kikó]

It's scenes we don't want to see but I really want to see.

[phonics]

https://i.imgur.com/36ubpKX.png

Tee hee.

Meanwhile, the 'scenes' looked exactly as nothing as I thought they would be having gone to the Hawthorns quite a bit. I went to the FA Cup tie with Colchester last year and there were was the classic variety of 'people pretending they would scrap if it wasn't for this completely artificial barrier between us' stuff then. However that was probably also the coldest I've ever been so they were probably just trying to keep warm due to how boring the game was.

[phonics]

I'm now reading the BBC live blog and it's the most Helen Lovejoy 'Won't someone think of the children' shit I've ever heard.

[Giggles]

If Jonathan Pearce is commentating he'll have the pearls ground to dust by now.

[John Arne]

This lady commentator in the Liverpool-Norwich game is fucking awful. #BartonWozright

How the fuck do shit pundits like this, and the likes of Jenas, Owen and Dixon keep getting work?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Because people interesting and eloquent enough to be good football pundits fall into two categories:
a) also interesting and eloquent enough to have something much better to do with their time
b) be too outspoken in a way that will upset sponsors or challenge the tight TV broadcast formats.

[Gray Fox]

I'm going to miss this brand of football.

[Manc]

Conor Bradley is a revelation.

[Don]

To think we have the two greatest ever RBs the game has ever seen come into the team at the same time.

[Danny]

Always hated var :uhoh:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We're back!

[niko_cee]

5th round draw looks a proper borefest. Fucking Wolves away.

Maidstone unlucky to get just about the worst draw imaginable from the remaining options, apologies Wullie, and, er, TEG?

[Luke Emia]

God to see Antony has found his level.

[Kikó]

Welsh favella.

[wullie]

5th round draw looks a proper borefest. Fucking Wolves away.

Maidstone unlucky to get just about the worst draw imaginable from the remaining options, apologies Wullie, and, er, TEG?
Don't worry I was thinking the same for them

[phonics]

Im reading the West Brom match report and it reads like Henry Winter on some drug trip where he goes to Colombia and eats a weird root vegetable and licks a frog.


With the teams back in the dressing room after the warm-up, West Brom's distinctive 'Boiler Man' mascot was virtually alone on the pitch when he came to the Wolves' supporters' attentions. Their reaction was not positive, which was in line with much of the chanting as the players came out and the game began.


Wolves defender Craig Dawson continued to be booed every time he touched the ball deep into the contest even though he gave the Baggies eight years' excellent service and remained with the club for a year after their relegation from the top flight in 2018.

[Kikó]

Banter FC

[Dark Soldier]

What a club.

[Manc]

What's the argument for keeping ten Hag?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lack of a replacement? I've never liked him. He comes across as almost autistic, which I suppose most Dutch do but he's as bad as any.

[phonics]

I'm slowly realising that maybe I just never read BBC content.


Ha ha ha, excellent. A Newport fan holds the ball out for Lisandro Martinez, who goes across to take a throw-in - and then throws it away from the Manchester United player at the last second.

Monty Burns doing the liveblog now?

[Manc]

Lack of a replacement? I've never liked him. He comes across as almost autistic, which I suppose most Dutch do but he's as bad as any.

Conte would do a job.

[niko_cee]

Not a good one though.

[Spikey M]

It's the circle of life. Just as the smarmy, defensively sound, Mediterranians(???) inherited the earth from the cheeky, Cockney/Northern, Man-Managers. They have ceded it to the ruthless efficiency of Germanic North Western Europe.

Press my children. PRESS!

[Kikó]

Next in is Potter so we can replace one nerd with another.

[Shindig]

Get me a monkey's paw so I can will Steve Bruce into that hotseat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If it goes down the baseball trend (as everything else is) then in a few years the front office nerds will decide everything and the coach will just be a disposable mannequin to hand in the team sheet, possibly dressed in full playing kit.

[niko_cee]

Like Smallpockets?


It's the circle of life. Just as the smarmy, defensively sound, Mediterranians(???) inherited the earth from the cheeky, Cockney/Northern, Man-Managers. They have ceded it to the ruthless efficiency of Germanic North Western Europe.

Press my children. PRESS!

The actual shift has been from the negativity of the 4-5-1 era to the back yourself to win era which now dominates in sport.

[Spikey M]

Like Smallpockets?



The actual shift has been from the negativity of the 4-5-1 era to the back yourself to win era which now dominates in sport.

Or, has the Germanic press just been surpassed by ANGEBALL?!

No? Oh.

[niko_cee]

In many ways I suppose Angeball is the natural progression of how I, and I assume most people, played champ manager for years and years before tactic cracking came in. Fuck what the opponent is doing, just load up on as many forwards and attacking players as you think is feasible and get on with it. We've been collectively ahead of the curve for 25 years.

[niko_cee]

I was going to say earlier that Rashford seems to be 'ill' quite a lot, but now I see there are reports of PARTYING.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There's something not right about Rashford. The kids meals stuff, while admirable in isolation, was clearly part of some grand plan.

[Kikó]

He's got a load of yes men around him and his ego is obviously massive. We should have cashed in last summer after his embarrassing cup final appearance.

[Lewis]

I don't think you could have canned him last summer after having such a good season, but if the new structures have anything about them you would have to imagine that somebody is having a look at what he offers for his silly wages.

[Kikó]

1751688009290780695?t=_bA589OR0E2z4fVuQAMFRA&s=19

😂

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:D

[Ben]

Incredible. :lol:

[niko_cee]

That is good.

Oh no . . .

:D

[Kikó]

Arteta to leave as well now?

https://twitter.com/sport/status/1751704197274145175?t=4twm_7PB0ZTf22EL7db8pQ&s=19

[phonics]

According to the #TierOnes it’s just Barcelona journalists making stuff up and he’s about to sign an extension

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

New Barca manager surely.

[niko_cee]

Most of Barcelona's fans are now Girona fans.

I have to I don't really understand why Xavi has jacked it.

[randomlegend]

According to the #TierOnes it’s just Barcelona journalists making stuff up and he’s about to sign an extension

I mean it probably is that, but I can't see that anyone remotely reliable has reported anything about it. Unless "Team news and ticks" is Ornstein's burner.

[phonics]

Most of Barcelona's fans are now Girona fans.

I have to I don't really understand why Xavi has jacked it.
The clubs such a carnival that the most successful manager of the last decade decided that managing a team with Messi in it was more bother then it was a worth.

[Gray Fox]

I have to I don't really understand why Xavi has jacked it.

Rat leaving the sinking ship. They've used many a FINANCIAL LEVER, have some high potential players, but still have many issues to plug. He's getting out while the getting is reasonably good.

[niko_cee]

I assume MotD were downplaying the extent of the serious disorder in the West Brom game because going off what they showed it seems perplexing the game was stopped for that amount of time.

Almost as perplexing as the stat that Wolves haven't won at West Brom since 1996. Nearly 10000 days?

[Don]

I too got the kleenex and lube out for some tasty scenes but all I saw from the vids is some group pushing. I need a Millwall-West Ham game before I categorically declare the art dead.

[Shindig]

I got myself wondering if any fan's feigned a 'medical emergency' in an effort to shift the momentum of a game.

I'm sure it's more likely there's a load of match-goers that are massive steampots.

[Lofty]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68125606

Kyle Walker has publicly apologised for his 'mistake' of pumping two kids out of an instagrammer side chick whilst married, bit mental he's made a statement really.

[niko_cee]

:D

Yeah, you're more into second life territory than extra marital affair/mistake there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Does that sort of public statement mitigate what you owe in the divorce settlement? It's obviously not genuine. Bad, bad man.

[niko_cee]

I'm going to say no.

Divorce when you're minted/have a well paying job is messy shit.

[niko_cee]

Also, if you believe dear old Kyle's version of events the mistress woman has either done a right number on him or he's the most potent man alive. 2 dalliances, 2 kids? The second one being particularly lol:


In early October 2022, Kyle travelled to London for groin surgery and met Lauryn.

He said: “It wasn’t intentional or premeditated but I slept with her. A lot was going on. It’s not an excuse. I’d ruptured my groin, I had a World Cup to get fighting fit for.”

But then he received the bombshell news that Lauryn was pregnant again.

[Clunge]

Good effort with a ruptured groin.

[Don]

Wife needs to be a bit more understanding of Mens Mental Health.

[Ian]

Also, if you believe dear old Kyle's version of events the mistress woman has either done a right number on him or he's the most potent man alive. 2 dalliances, 2 kids? The second one being particularly lol:

Wasn't intentional? What, has he fallen into her?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Footballers talk about absolutely everything in football terms. Extramarital sex = handball. Death of a loved one = a 2-0 defeat. 'Of course, we're disappointed'.

[Yevrah]

The story has gone from the Beeb link above now. What's gone on there?

[Spikey M]

Atleast it wasn't a German Shepherd. Progress.

[niko_cee]

The story has gone from the Beeb link above now. What's gone on there?

The link never worked, it had a 1 on the end of it or something. It's still on their website, but it's plummeting down the most read charts.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68125606

Edit, now I see it is working. Wasn't earlier. :cab:

[Boydy]

I don't get why footballers get married and have kids so young. Leave that shit till after you retire at 35 or 36. I suppose they're generally not the brightest bunch though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Same reason they get tattoos, it's because they only work about 3 hours a day, are desperately bored and need something to spend all their money on.

[Baz]

I stand with Kyle.

[thommo]

Of course you do, you've got a perfect template now for an apology to the missus when you knock up your office lackey.

[Boydy]

Same reason they get tattoos, it's because they only work about 3 hours a day, are desperately bored and need something to spend all their money on.

Probably. Clubs should be taking better care of them from a younger age. Make them get an education or some shit alongside their training. Send them to hospitals to visit sick kids. Send them to schools for community outreach.

[Jimmy Floyd]

One of my hopes for a Labour government is that the famed 'independent regulator' will come in and start regulating the fuck out of how clubs carry on. Such an immoral game in pretty much every respect.

[Spikey M]

I don't get why footballers get married and have kids so young. Leave that shit till after you retire at 35 or 36. I suppose they're generally not the brightest bunch though.

Because women aren't stupid. If they've managed to bag a footballer, they need to baby up ASAP so they secure access to "the bag" for life.

[Giggles]

The FAI CEO, who lives in London, has told any candidates for senior manager that they must live in Ireland while they have the job. You couldn't make it up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That kind of job (CEO of a national FA) must be one of the best corruption gigs going in the western world. Millions in FIFA money coming in every year, almost zero accountability for what happens to it.

[Giggles]

That kind of job (CEO of a national FA) must be one of the best corruption gigs going in the western world. Millions in FIFA money coming in every year, almost zero accountability for what happens to it.

Seems it very much was until this week. Though it remains to be seen if he can weasel out of it again this time.

1750928864639893807


It's going to be glorious if it ever all properly comes out.

[Kikó]

Probably. Clubs should be taking better care of them from a younger age. Make them get an education or some shit alongside their training. Send them to hospitals to visit sick kids. Send them to schools for community outreach.

I think young men generally like to have sex even in relationships whether they're a footballer or not. He's just got dumb excuses for his infidelity.

[Lofty]

Also probably a combination of the restrictive lifestyle they need to lead to reach the top in other areas, and also slags just chucking themselves at them. If you already have problems resisting those kind of offers it's goodnight vienna. My mate said when he was at Blackburn and him and the other lads who had turned pro went out clubbing they were being ushered past the queues and had girls all over them, some just straight up offering them a grope etc. And they were fucking nobodies. I imagine it's turned up to 11 if you're a household name.

[Boydy]

Yeah, so sow your wild oats. Don't get tied down with marriage and kids.

[Lofty]

The women are actively looking to get pregnant though. I always theorised that Vardy married Rebekah despite her being older because she was absolute filth to keep him trapped until it was too late.

[Lewis]

I think the most straight-forward explanation is that a lot of them are thick and incapable of thinking two steps down the road. The difference is that whereas your local thick cunt would just be dumbfounded that any of this is even an issue beyond the immediate drama doing their head in, Kyle Walker has agents and Manchester City coaching him what to say with a retard-level understanding of Mental Health for good measure.

[niko_cee]

https://uk.yahoo.com/sports/news/thai-police-warn-liverpool-fans-074925012.html

:D


I am Xabi Alonso, I will be in charge of Liverpool next season, but I am short of money for my flights to Liverpool," said the message, written in Thai.

[Manc]

Has a manager ever wanted a job more than Gus Poyet wants the Irish (bottom) gig?

[phonics]

Current Brighton and Villa are why you don’t suck off teams after 10 games.

[Don]

Absolute Pakkie in Luton.

[Ben]

Looks like VAR has had another mare in the Everton game. Fulham defender handballed it on the line somehow no penalty.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Looks like VAR has had another mare in the Everton game. Fulham defender handballed it on the line somehow no penalty.

I'm sure the Everton fans will take it with characteristic magnanimity.

Elijah Adebayo firing a top flight hat-trick, there's hope for us all.

[niko_cee]

Current Brighton and Villa are why you don’t suck off teams after 10 games.

Not sure that's a fair call on Villa, they're still doing wildly better than expected.

Brighton are just chucking in a trademark disaster game, by way of recompense for doing the same against Everton last year.

[thommo]

Looks like VAR has had another mare in the Everton game. Fulham defender handballed it on the line somehow no penalty.

Never a pen, came down off the bar onto him. He almost did them a favour as it knocked it back towards goal, was cleared off the line eventually.

Weirdest 0-0 ever. Probably should have been about 6 goals in that game, long spells of dominance for us but Everton ended strongly and I don't know how they didn't convert from a couple of late corners.

[Waffdon]

Not sure that's a fair call on Villa, they're still doing wildly better than expected.

Brighton are just chucking in a trademark disaster game, by way of recompense for doing the same against Everton last year.

Exactly. Villa have been quality for about a year straight

[Shindig]

Aye, they're having a great season and could land themselves a Champions League spot.

[Waffdon]

Darwin Nunez’s pace in behind Silva and Disasi tonight is a scary thought.

5-2

[niko_cee]

Is that efforts against the post versus disallowed goals?

0-0

[Waffdon]

Not a chance this one ends a 0-0, especially if Gusto isn’t starting.

It is a massive game for Pochettino though. If he somehow won, top 5 would definitely be on. Especially if Villa start going in free fall.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Brighton, West Ham and Man U are the clubs we need to be looking at. Finish above a couple of those and Europe should happen. Conference League might not be the worst thing as we'd have a good chance to win it even if, as I expect, we're still toilet next year.

[Ben]

It is a massive game for Pochettino though. If he somehow won, top 5 would definitely be on. Especially if Villa start going in free fall.

Are there definitely five CL spots for England now?

[Gray Fox]

The likelihood of English winning all European competitions this year is strong. City should win the CL again. Liverpool, Brighton and West Ham only really have each other and Leverkusen as rivals to the Europa League and Villa should really be winning the Conference League.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My old mate Bert informs me that we're currently in a narrow third (13.625) behind Italy (14.000) and Germany (13.642) on the year. So I imagine we should pull ahead of both over the second half of the season, despite the best efforts of Newcastle and Man U to fuck it up.

[phonics]

https://i.imgur.com/NHxTfuY.png

Incredible stuff.

[Don]

Mad to think Chelsea being touted for top 4/5, if only there was a statistical measure that couldhave predicted this during their slow start.

[Waffdon]

Brighton, West Ham and Man U are the clubs we need to be looking at. Finish above a couple of those and Europe should happen. Conference League might not be the worst thing as we'd have a good chance to win it even if, as I expect, we're still toilet next year.

Of course. 6th will do at this point and is fairly achievable. I was just shocked at only being 9 points off of 5th when I looked earlier

[Waffdon]

Mad to think Chelsea being touted for top 4/5, if only there was a statistical measure that couldhave predicted this during their slow start.

They won’t finish in either as not a chance they win tonight. Away form is toilet and I think there’s one home game in the next six

[Jimmy Floyd]

Anything top 8 would be a result. I don't think we have a top 8 squad on paper. Budget yes, ability no.

[SincereTheRebel]

What js Frenkie de Jong doing this days? Thaat young Ajax champions league team and early Barca. He looked sensational. I dont watch Barca anymore.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My mate the Arab yesterday declared him to be the world's best footballer. I countered with suggestions such as Mbappe, Haaland and Bellingham but apparently not and received the full finger-jabbing-in-your-face experience usually reserved for when a Palestinian convoy has been carpet-bombed.

[Ben]

VAR audio will be played over the PA system from next season. I'm sure that will be a roaring success.

[phonics]

"Great Process. It's a Greaaaat Fucking Process"

[Pepe]

Making football more and more about the officiating and less about the game seems like a good idea.

Pro Referee 2025, coming soon on PS5/Steam/Xbox/Switch

[Adramelch]

VAR audio will be played over the PA system from next season. I'm sure that will be a roaring success.

That's could actually be great, because it'll probably mean they'll go to VAR less often so that they avoid the hate. Not the reason they are doing it of course, but it could be a nice side-effect.

[CJay]

My son is that difficult age (6) whereby he is suggestible and most of his football knowledge comes from his mates’ random utterances and his football cards. This has led to him declaring to me that Barcelona are his second favourite team (Liverpool first, naturally). The problem is that Barcelona of 2024 are really very poor. He’s about to come home from football practice to catch the second half of a so far dreary 0-0 at home to Osasuna. Will we see Oriol Romeu come on to see the game out in the second half?

From a football cards perspective Barcelona are still a top, top side, but the reality is very different.

[CJay]

Viaplay coverage btw is superb. Would love them to expand their offering.

[Jimmy Floyd]

From my colleague's description of his 8 year old's football obsession, what struck me / appalled me was that his hero and favourite player is Cristiano Ronaldo. Why the fuck does someone who's been aware of football for five minutes idolise Cristiano Ronaldo, who probably peaked well before he was born? That would be like me idolising Gary Lineker, who was at Grampus Eight by the time I started watching the game.

The answer, apparently, is Messi v Ronaldo YouTube channels and you have to pick a side between those two, even now.

[CJay]

I think you would be shocked to see the number of Al Nassr Ronaldo kits that have flooded the young kids market in the UK.

My son merely knows him as the person who does the siuuu celebration, which is a fitting legacy.

[Pepe]

Globalization killed football. As a kid, everyone supported one of America, Chivas, Cruz Azul, or Pumas. It was with the galacticos nonsense that suddenly you had wankers claiming to be Real Madrid fans. The rest followed.

[Waffdon]

Disasi at right back with Madueke in front of him and Silva to his right. Poor bastard is going to be on an island.

[Shindig]

My nephew mentioned Messi the other day. I want to gaslight him into thinking Mario Jardel scored more than him.

[niko_cee]

My son is that difficult age (6) whereby he is suggestible and most of his football knowledge comes from his mates’ random utterances and his football cards. This has led to him declaring to me that Barcelona are his second favourite team (Liverpool first, naturally). The problem is that Barcelona of 2024 are really very poor. He’s about to come home from football practice to catch the second half of a so far dreary 0-0 at home to Osasuna. Will we see Oriol Romeu come on to see the game out in the second half?

From a football cards perspective Barcelona are still a top, top side, but the reality is very different.

Barcelona are better as a second team when they are shit. Was always big into Inter and Barcelona in the mostly lean years of the 90s.

[niko_cee]

In other football supporting tragedy news my nephew appears to have become a Chelsea fan, despite having no real reason to other than one of his div mates at school is apparently one. What a terrible life choice.

[CJay]

And yes, on comes Oriol Romeu to see the game out.

[Waffdon]

City game sounds like a pre season game

[Jimmy Floyd]

In other football supporting tragedy news my nephew appears to have become a Chelsea fan, despite having no real reason to other than one of his div mates at school is apparently one. What a terrible life choice.

Supporting Chelsea was amazing fun until 2003. After that it all felt pretty much bought and fake, except for the moments when we somehow backed ourselves into being genuine underdogs. The peak of that was the 2012 CL run under Di Matteo when basically everything went against us and we still won it, contrary to any kind of logic. I never felt much for Terry and Lampard. Drogba was the guy. Late developer, went mental, horribly underrated by rival fans at the time (though probably not now).

Nowadays at least the Russian stuff is gone but American capital isn't exactly any more lovable, the team is nonsense, and I'm old. Going to watch them is miserable as nobody likes the District Line and you have to sit among coke-addled losers.

[Gray Fox]

Just fucking win please.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You will. We are reliably shit when Palmer plays up top.

[Waffdon]

Well that’s just a penalty, isn’t it. Jesus

[Gray Fox]

Chalk that one up to VAR. Had the feel of one he'd give if it didn't exist but he's gone for the safety of no pen with the option to be told he's wrong.

[phonics]

Supporting Chelsea was amazing fun until 2003. After that it all felt pretty much bought and fake, except for the moments when we somehow backed ourselves into being genuine underdogs. The peak of that was the 2012 CL run under Di Matteo when basically everything went against us and we still won it, contrary to any kind of logic. I never felt much for Terry and Lampard. Drogba was the guy. Late developer, went mental, horribly underrated by rival fans at the time (though probably not now).

Nowadays at least the Russian stuff is gone but American capital isn't exactly any more lovable, the team is nonsense, and I'm old. Going to watch them is miserable as nobody likes the District Line and you have to sit among coke-addled losers.

I can only base this off 1998-2001 era before the internet era existed unless your family had a prior support.

https://i.imgur.com/uN0Lobx.png

Above was 100% Chelsea, below was Arsenal and the middle was Man United or Liverpool.

Above would be chelsea and below would be Arsenal.

As I said the other day, Kent is the largest place with zero football success I've known. If you couldf make a Brentford of Kent you'd make billions.

[Yevrah]

Facebook is awash with it too so I assume it’s in some way the parents doing as well.

[Waffdon]

Chalk that one up to VAR. Had the feel of one he'd give if it didn't exist but he's gone for the safety of no pen with the option to be told he's wrong.

I have no idea why they showed the correct angle at first which shows the clear knee collision and then didn’t bother afterwards.

The free kick against caicedo there was just as bad

[Luke Emia]

Well that’s just a penalty, isn’t it. Jesus

I never think he’s anti Liverpool I just think he’s a fucking terrible ref.

[Waffdon]

Playing a high line with Thiago silva at the back. This is going to be a fisting if they score soon

Left side is free the whole time as expected. He has to stick Gallagher over there or something. Madueke doesn’t have a clue

[Waffdon]

Chilwell has given the ball away 3 times already to let Liverpool run through on goal. Absolutely horrendous

[Gray Fox]

Jota has just mugged off two centre backs with absolute ease. Probably says more about the defending but even so.

[Dquincy]

Supporting Chelsea was amazing fun until 2003. After that it all felt pretty much bought and fake, except for the moments when we somehow backed ourselves into being genuine underdogs. The peak of that was the 2012 CL run under Di Matteo when basically everything went against us and we still won it, contrary to any kind of logic. I never felt much for Terry and Lampard. Drogba was the guy. Late developer, went mental, horribly underrated by rival fans at the time (though probably not now).

Nowadays at least the Russian stuff is gone but American capital isn't exactly any more lovable, the team is nonsense, and I'm old. Going to watch them is miserable as nobody likes the District Line and you have to sit among coke-addled losers.
The best Chelsea era was when they had no stand at one end of the pitch so it was just temporary hoardings. Chelsea has John Spencer and Graham Stuart leading the line iirc.

[Kikó]

Making football more and more about the officiating and less about the game seems like a good idea.

Pro Referee 2025, coming soon on PS5/Steam/Xbox/Switch

Fucking hell this. Who gives a fuck why they're making a decision, just get rid of var you cunts.

[Gray Fox]

Good lord.

[Luke Emia]

I’m always a bit wary of labelling youngsters as the new best thing and if they can sustain it. But, Bradley does look like he could be a player.

[Shindig]

There's something distinctly British about halting a game to get a decision right and then explaining yourself to thousands of angry bastards.

[Waffdon]

It’s only going to be worse at Wembley on the bigger pitch. The only reason Chelsea have mugged draws off these recently is because Reece James always seemed to be fit against them.

Aston Villa and Man City away before that game as well. Could on about 0-16 in the 4 games combined

[Dquincy]

Fucking hell this. Who gives a fuck why they're making a decision, just get rid of var you cunts.

Nah, you'd be complaining even more so without var. The majority would. Just too unaware to realise it.

[Luke Emia]

Could be a proper bumming here.

Fucking Nunez…

[Waffdon]

And that’s a penalty. Of course.

[Ben]

Lmao

[Waffdon]

Watching Gallagher near the opposition box must make defenders smile. My god

[Baz]

In other football supporting tragedy news my nephew appears to have become a Chelsea fan, despite having no real reason to other than one of his div mates at school is apparently one. What a terrible life choice.

My mate did that and has been an Everton season ticket holder for as long as I’ve known him (25 years) so it could be worse.

[Shindig]

Nah, you'd be complaining even more so without var. The majority would. Just too unaware to realise it.

Yep. All the bleating about 'we have the technology' when Lampard's goal against the Germans was disallowed led to this.

[Gray Fox]

I don't think I've seen a better half than that in years.

[Dquincy]

I don't think I've seen a better half than that in years.
...and without Mo Salah.

[Waffdon]

Yeah, some effort from Tierney.

[Jimmy Floyd]

VAR undoubtedly does result in more decisions being correct. Whether that's worth the pain is the question.

[Kikó]

Nah, you'd be complaining even more so without var. The majority would. Just too unaware to realise it.

No I wouldn't. If you can't even enjoy your team scoring a goal then it's literally a pointless sport.

[Waffdon]

Mudryk :D

[Luke Emia]

VAR undoubtedly does result in more decisions being correct. Whether that's worth the pain is the question.

By the measures yes. But that penalty for Chelsea is a prime example of it. Referee doesn’t give it because VAR will check it. Then because it’s not ‘obvious’ but realistically it should be a pen.

Not a mistake per se and doesn’t mess up the stats. But refs just don’t make decisions anymore unless it is stone wall and that’s what’s wrong with it.

[Waffdon]

We’ve been gaslit for years in thinking Sterling is a good player. A lazy bastard who rarely ever tries. His passing and ball striking is pathetic

[Gray Fox]

Whoever Chelseas #5 is, is getting obliterated by a kid who was playing for Bolton last year.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's Benoit Badiashile, who for all his defensive prowess should get a job as Indira Gandhi's bodyguard.

[Don]

We're the best team in the world again, Bradley is gonna retire Trent and Klopp is the greatest ever. The only new thing to come out of this is amazement at how the hairy Hungarian keep his lips so pert and moist. God I'd love to chew on them in a night of passion.

[Gray Fox]

I'm also not sure why 'Enzo' is playing no look passes when his midfield is being slapped up and he's 3-0 down either. But to each their own.

[Gray Fox]

Nkunku actually looks a player though.

[Waffdon]

Another centre back at full back. It’s like putting Van Dijk there. Pochettino the genius. Play narrow as fuck. Don’t have any pace on your full backs (until gusto) and allow the Liverpool wide men all the time on the ball.

6 away defeats out of 7. The one win nearly had Luton come back from 0-3 down with 10 to play. He doesn’t have a clue how to set up away from home. The good form recently has been wins over Sheff Utd, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Middlesbrough and Preston all at home. Grim

[Gray Fox]

I believe he just snapped the Van Dijk dribbled past streak.

[Gray Fox]

Okay, now you can bin VAR.

[Waffdon]

Tierney was never going to give a decision against Liverpool after klopp’s meltdown against him last time

[Baz]

Can we swap him for Chris Wood or someone

[Gray Fox]

Chris Wood doesn't offer that.

[Luke Emia]

He’s infuriating. The work and set up for that 4th goal is brilliant. But if he could finish we’d have won by 6 or 7.

[Gray Fox]

The lad is quite literally unplayable. The improvement from last year to this is vast.

[niko_cee]

Darwin Nunez’s pace in behind Silva and Disasi tonight is a scary thought.

5-2


Is that efforts against the post versus disallowed goals?


Close, just sub out disallowed goals for disallowed penalties.

[niko_cee]

I'm also not sure why 'Enzo' is playing no look passes when his midfield is being slapped up and he's 3-0 down either. But to each their own.

If Curtis Jones played for Benfica . . .

[Waffdon]

Really need the Chelsea injury crisis to hit Sterling and silva soon.

[Waffdon]

If Curtis Jones played for Benfica . . .

If he did he’d not even start for them. Klopp is just a genius.

[Don]

The man is giving us one more season, surely.

[Gray Fox]

If Curtis could get out of that habit of needing 4 touches every time he gets the ball he'd elevate to a whole new level.

[CJay]

Is there another top footballer who is as technically incompetent as Sterling? I can’t think of a comparison. Total lack of close control, inability to move the ball properly, slow at playing passes. He really is awful.

[Baz]

He was carried by Suarez and Sturridge, when he was still very young, but has never really looked “world class.”

[phonics]

Are there any other midfielders that scored 26 goals a season on average that were judged on that or just the ones that left Liverpool? He left a decade ago and you still act like Arsenal fans do to Van Persie. At least we can fall back on winning nothing for being gigantic bitches.

[Gray Fox]

Guardiola has done great work in running attacking talent into the ground and then moving them on to London clubs once they're spent.

[phonics]

Guardiola has done great work in running attacking talent into the ground and then moving them on to London clubs once they're spent.

This is a level of seethe never before known.

[Gray Fox]

No seethe here. Sterling and Jesus were amazing at City. Sterling has fallen off a cliff since and Jesus can barely stay fit. Sold them at the perfect time.

[Waffdon]

Sold Palmer knowing his performances would mean fuck all too.

Fuck off, Pochettino.

[Lewis]

I always thought the best attribute Sterling had was his movement/positioning/whatever you want to call it, which is why he suited City and why he seemed to score the same goal every week like some sort of goal-hanger hanging from wider positions. Expecting him to create and play-make is a bit like when people let Rashford think he can play.

[niko_cee]

There was one game early in his career, think it was against Bournemouth in the League Cup and he might have scored a hattrick [fact check it was 2] but he played as a 10 or false 9 or whatever you want to call it through the middle and he looked like he might have the ability to be a next level player. Bossed the game and carried a pretty poor maybe injury hit Liverpool side. He was obviously very effective for City, but it always felt like he was never trusted to play a really central role for the team - it was his job to kick it in at the back post etc, and then that sort of became his thing which becomes increasingly less impactful when you aren't playing in a Guardiola team, be it for England or Chelsea.

As an aside, he may not have been the best buy for Chelsea, but he's probably quite far from being the central worry that's grown out of Boehlyball. Most of the players they have signed look absolute shite, and I'm not sure good old time is going to see them get much much better.

[Dquincy]

Re Nunez, this is from the Sky Sports ticket thing.


Make that 11 shots in the game now for Nunez. This latest one is straight at Petrovic.

This means in his last two games at Anfield in the Premier League, Nunez has had 19 shots to a backdrop of 3.2 worth of expected goals.

He has failed to score in that time. Liverpool have scored eight despite that. Mad.

[niko_cee]

That MotD stat about him hitting the post/bar 12 times this season, next 'best' a bunch on 4, is mad. Even when he scored the other week it looked more like he'd just fluffed an attempt to hit the post.

Also, last Liverpool player to have 11 shots in a game and not score was Suarez. Keep the faith.

[Waffdon]

Hitting the woodwork isn’t unlucky though. He’s just got absolutely no composure whatsoever.

Another player who will look even worse without klopp’s mad style

[niko_cee]

I dunno, it is unlucky when you have a good effort saved onto the post. Also, that is quite a big statistical outlier. The penalty and the header not so much. Was it against Chelsea where Haaland scored and, I assume Sanchez, just flapped his wrist at something he really ought to have saved?

[phonics]

Nerds will perpetually try to apply themsleves to football because they want to be involved but they literally don't work because football is a good sport and it'll endlessly frustrate them. Fuck off back to baseball.

[Lewis]

There was one game early in his career, think it was against Bournemouth in the League Cup and he might have scored a hattrick [fact check it was 2] but he played as a 10 or false 9 or whatever you want to call it through the middle and he looked like he might have the ability to be a next level player. Bossed the game and carried a pretty poor maybe injury hit Liverpool side. He was obviously very effective for City, but it always felt like he was never trusted to play a really central role for the team - it was his job to kick it in at the back post etc, and then that sort of became his thing which becomes increasingly less impactful when you aren't playing in a Guardiola team, be it for England or Chelsea.

As an aside, he may not have been the best buy for Chelsea, but he's probably quite far from being the central worry that's grown out of Boehlyball. Most of the players they have signed look absolute shite, and I'm not sure good old time is going to see them get much much better.

He had the United defence (admittedly one anchored by Michael Carrick) all over the place in this (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30366041) match, but between Dave Gayer and his own crap finishing we got an 'LvG' Masterclass.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nerds will perpetually try to apply themsleves to football because they want to be involved but they literally don't work because football is a good sport and it'll endlessly frustrate them. Fuck off back to baseball.

Bill James was doing his baseball theses in a pork and beans plant in the 1970s because that is what baseball is. Where was the football equivalent? Did Barry Fry surge Peterborough up the leagues because he had the best data? Back then the nerds were sneering at the game. The nerds only came when the money came, specifically the American money, which, unlike oligarch or oil money, exists to make more money, and therefore feels the need to be in control. Control is not a positive state but a negative one. It describes a state in which you have eliminated randomness and risk and God.

Data is control. Eight year contracts are control. Recruitment departments are control. This is just the start. Control breeds more control. The Super League is control. No relegation is control. No unfriendly journos allowed in the ground is control. Netflix propaganda documentaries are control. You must have control: you must eliminate all variables, and neutralise the tyranny of randomness. You must kill God and take His job. You, unlike every other human being who came before you, know what you are doing. You are going to find the secret of man's red fire.

Then Nunez borks one against the post, and you're fucked, because it's a round ball and a square goal and it's not supposed to make sense. There is nothing you can control. Football is undefeated, and will remain so long after the nerds have fucked off back into their offices, something that is probably going to happen a lot sooner than we think.

[Lewis]

It would be nice to think that, what with football being a bit boring now, but the nerds appear to have been having more success than the non-nerd outfits in recent years.

[John Arne]

On what planet was Nunez given responsibility to take Liverpool's penalty? #KloppOut

[Ben]

It wouldn't have changed the result but Tierney really needs looking at. Daren't give anything against Liverpool all night because he's scared of gurney teeth having a pop at him again on such an emotional night. If he can't handle the fire, especially with VAR to back him up, he needs relegating to the Championship for a bit.

[niko_cee]

Each of the penalty incidents had the players throwing themselves to the ground, which doesn't help.

Gallagher's was an umpire's call, it looked like he was looking for it because he wasn't getting to the ball, but there was contact. Thought Jota's was soft to give in real time as he also just chucks himself down all the time, but get the feeling VAR would have actually pulled that one back due to the clear stepping on the foot which seems to be one of their major red flags. There's definite contact on the Nkunku one but again he goes down like the Steven Taylor Sniper has picked him off from the crowd and VAR seems desperate not to intervene absent one of its major trigger events [standing on foot, 'going over the ball', incidental ball to hand etc]. Maybe this is the VAR we want, or the best we're going to get, if they can perhaps just get away from trying to look for a 'handball' to rule out Jota's goal and do something about the super marginal offsides.

Tierney is just a straight up bad ref.

[Luke Emia]

This might come back to bite me with the cup final in a few weeks. But, Chelsea are absolute dross incredible that they can spend that much money and still be so bad.

[Waffdon]

Each of the penalty incidents had the players throwing themselves to the ground, which doesn't help.

Gallagher's was an umpire's call, it looked like he was looking for it because he wasn't getting to the ball, but there was contact. Thought Jota's was soft to give in real time as he also just chucks himself down all the time, but get the feeling VAR would have actually pulled that one back due to the clear stepping on the foot which seems to be one of their major red flags. There's definite contact on the Nkunku one but again he goes down like the Steven Taylor Sniper has picked him off from the crowd and VAR seems desperate not to intervene absent one of its major trigger events [standing on foot, 'going over the ball', incidental ball to hand etc]. Maybe this is the VAR we want, or the best we're going to get, if they can perhaps just get away from trying to look for a 'handball' to rule out Jota's goal and do something about the super marginal offsides.

Tierney is just a straight up bad ref.

Gallagher hardly throws himself. He’s running through on goal and Van Dijk clips him knee knee on knee. It’s overturned if it’s the other way.

[Gray Fox]

Tierney is just a straight up bad ref.

This is the bones of it really. Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

VAR is stuck because it's a sheer 'judgement call' and the referee had made a bad one. They're then seemingly scared to get onto the headset and tell him he's got it wrong.

[niko_cee]

Don't think it would be in the new zeitgeist. Ruling on the field would stand either way. Earlier in the season, and for pretty much the entire history of VAR to this point then yes, all penalties.

In fairness to the VAR system, the MotD folk wetting their pants over the Nkunku one doesn't help. If you are setting the 'clear and obvious error' bar at those levels of contact then you are asking for a system which gives random decisions for very little. The Jota one is more tricky as that is also very minor contact, but because you can freeze it on the footstep moment I have a feeling it would have been referred if not given, which leaves you with a bit of a shit situation where different types of pretty incidental contact are treated very differently. Personally, I think it is a marginally better way to do it, but you are sacrificing 'certainty' or whatever and refs will have to get used to actually giving decisions again.

[Don]

Brav if we dicked them any harder, we would have been done for racially aggravated assault, no one cares if a refereeing decision went one way or another. Also, Chelsea aren't 6th on xPTS (in a secondary pack behind the top 3) for nothing, they're not too bad, we're just fucking sensational.

[niko_cee]

Don't worry, it's all going to fall apart. At least that's what Waff is telling himself.

Hopefully Klopp is Shankly and the next one is Paisley.

[Waffdon]

He's won 1 league title in 10 years. I'm not worried whatsoever about City not pissing it to the title.

Unless you mean when Klopp leaves then lol

[Waffdon]

The funniest thing about Liverpool’s dominance in recent years is that they’ve won the exact same amount of trophies that Chelsea have won in the same period - whilst being a comedy club throughout most of these years.

[Luke Emia]

The funniest thing about Liverpool’s dominance in recent years is that they’ve won the exact same amount of trophies that Chelsea have won in the same period - whilst being a comedy club throughout most of these years.

Let's be realistic here though in that there's probably 115 reasons why Klopp has only won one title rather than three in that period. There's also a hell of a lot of revisionism of just how bad we were when he took over. Just look at the team for his first game and it wasn't as if there were many out for that game either. I think sometimes things have been slightly overegged for him within the media when they have been talking about him the past few days. But, people seem to forget we had qualified for the Champions League once in 6 years before he joined and even that was pretty much on the back of Suarez being incredible.

Since he's been at the club there's only one full season in charge where he hasn't qualified for the Champions League and he's also the only manager in that time who has pushed Guardiola really close in multiple seasons since he took over. He's made mistakes in that period like not rebuilding the midfield sooner but if he had been able to spend what Chelsea, United or Arsenal have spent in the past five years I'm confident he would have won more.

[Manc]

His record in finals is abysmal.

[randomlegend]

He's clearly a very good manager and unlucky to have been up against Guardiola and his unlimited pot of ill-gotten-gains.

Regardless, it's hilarious that Liverpool have been good for the first time in years and they've still won comparatively fuck all. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving club.

[Waffdon]

Klopp definitely has been hard done by in regards to the transfer market. Definitely.

[randomlegend]

I mean they clearly have more spending power than most of the league, but their net spend is vastly behind United, Chelsea, Liverpool, probably even Arsenal.

The problem they have is their transfers in the early part of the Klopp era had an insane hit rate. That's what allowed them to compete/outcompete despite spending less. That hit rate is not sustainable and the bigger budgets will eventually win out.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think it's a case where the trophy count doesn't really matter, because everyone knows this was a great Liverpool side and will remember watching it. A bit like Brazil '82 or whatever.

[Luke Emia]

I mean they clearly have more spending power than most of the league, but their net spend is vastly behind United, Chelsea, Liverpool, probably even Arsenal.

The problem they have is their transfers in the early part of the Klopp era had an insane hit rate. That's what allowed them to compete/outcompete despite spending less. That hit rate is not sustainable and the bigger budgets will eventually win out.

That's it with the budget when someone like Keita(who was ok but nothing more) doesn't work out that's it you are fucked because you've put your budget into him even Thiago to a lesser extent because of the injuries as well. With City if Kalvin Phillips doesn't work out it's never mind let's just spend the same amount on a new player the next year. That is the difference in the spending power. Klopp would have never been able to just bomb out Cancelo in the way Guardiola did either because the funds just wouldn't be there to replace a player who cost as much as him and didn't work out.

[Don]

Trying to underplay our glory and his achievements :D

Get back in the fucking swamp please.

1752818323241283967

[randomlegend]

Second fewest games to 200 wins ever in the PL, you'll never sing that.

[Don]

This was the season we were meant to be finished too. Which reddit page came up with that, I need a wank.

[niko_cee]

His record in finals is abysmal.

That's always been the case, Dortmund were the same. More about the journey with Klopp and not the destination, as I believe is the clichéd parlance of the times. Should have been about 5 up at half time against Sevilla, fucked it up. Not sure they were the better side in any of the finals they've actually won, took a lucky/harsh early penalty to see off the Spuds, who felt like they dominated the game, and neither of the Chelsea finals were convincing. The Madrid ones were a bit meh, first they played pretty well but losing Salah and having someone in goal who would go on to pretty much never play for anyone ever again proved insurmountable. Madcap attacking football, which is what Klopp brings, has never really been the way to get ahead in any sport. It's always about the defence and the control, which they had for the season they managed to win the league.

[Gray Fox]

A mind boggling stat is the Classic Klopp XI of Alisson, Trent, Matip, Virgil, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino and Mane only ever started 1 game as such.

That game was the CL final against Spurs. That final was shite because Firmino and Kane were both rushed back from injury too early to play and both were terrible. It was also put some 3 weeks after the season had ended so nobody was properly match sharp. Liverpool scoring very early was the worst thing for the game too. They just sat back and let Spurs come at them and they didn't really do much.

The first Madrid loss was a shame. We turned up to that very much the underdogs to that Madrid team and up until Benzema scored we'd kind of smacked them in the mouth. Adam Lallana being the Salah replacement also just wasnt it.
Can't do a lot about the second one though. Dominated most of the game, but Courtois just wasn't having it.

I don't quite think we get the big fairy tale ending this year either, but knocking in a cup competition or two would be a fitting send off.