Good game to go to given some of the performances this season!
Generally though we have been pretty good at home, but this felt like a step forward in that we actually were in control of the game.
Having Szobo next to Salah, and an improved Bradley certainly helped as did a fiery Mac Allister.
It still kind of leaves more questions than answers though. Last seasons team is very good, we already knew this.
How do we get Wirtz in the team without it looking less good though? Kerkez is less important, he’s young and new to the top echelon of football, so him being sub for a while (if that happens), isn’t a big deal.
Wirtz didn’t sign for Liverpool to sit on the bench though.
Wirtz is not a winger, in reality he compete with Isak and Ekitike in the lineup as long as we want the three of Ryan, Dom and Macca playing.. I dont get why Liverpool signed both him and Isak.
I suspect both are more long term as it would be expected that Salah is slowly phased out. I think it has also been mentioned that we were not going to sign Ekitike if it weren't for the loss of Diogo
Happy with the result but Andrew's 4th point is the main reason for optimism. Only 4 shots from the "danger zone" and 2 of them had ideal pressure on the ball. However, three concerns have me feeling more relieved at the outcome vs. happy with the performance.
First, we created very few promising chances (incl. none for Hugo) with the first goal coming from an opponent's mistake. There were many opportunities for shots that were squandered with poor decision-making in the sequence before an opportunity. Our attack is still not at the level required.
Second, we continue the baffling tactic of over-committing to attacks when leading 2-0. Malen's shot in the 70th minute was the direct result of Macca overcommitting vs. covering, resulting in a counter-attack. When Ryan dribbles by Villa's #10, Macca joins the attack. Why? We're up 2-0 and it wasn't a slam dunk opportunity as Villa had 3 behind the ball centrally and Macca had 4 teammates in front of it already. Had he dropped behind Ryan, Macca would have recovered Konsa's block or competed with Barkley to retrieve it, eliminating the counter before it started. This has happened in 3 matches where we were punished and you'd like to think we've addressed it by now.
Third, we continue to switch off defensively in key moments. I agree that Dom had a good match but he failed to do the basics for 2 of the 4 danger zone shots where we didn't put pressure on the ball. He doesn't pick up Rogers drifting into the 6 for his missed header (56th). He doesn't pick up Barkley who drifts into the danger zone his missed shot (78th). How do we lose our marks in the danger zone when leading after 60 min? On another day against better opposition, those are quality chances that test the keeper and some turn into goals.
Again, I'm more relieved than happy with the performance even if it was improved defensively.
Excellent points, mate. I was perhaps a little caught up in the joy of being present for a win. Equally, there were several positives.
"the baffling tactic of over-committing to attacks when leading 2-0" was very obvious from where I was sat. Thought that might have been a thing of the past but of course there haven't been many 2-0 leads of late!
Great that you were able to attend! Though my comments were mostly critical, I agree that, on balance, we made a step forward ... let's hope the result restores confidence
For the first time this year, I was happy about the midfield.
Ekitike is our no. 1 striker, he's adjusted quicker than I expected and looks right at home at this level.
Just for a bit of balance, is this somewhat of a false dawn? While I agree that the defence looked comfortable last night, is that due more to the lack of long balls than Robertson being back starting?
Good game to go to given some of the performances this season!
Generally though we have been pretty good at home, but this felt like a step forward in that we actually were in control of the game.
Having Szobo next to Salah, and an improved Bradley certainly helped as did a fiery Mac Allister.
It still kind of leaves more questions than answers though. Last seasons team is very good, we already knew this.
How do we get Wirtz in the team without it looking less good though? Kerkez is less important, he’s young and new to the top echelon of football, so him being sub for a while (if that happens), isn’t a big deal.
Wirtz didn’t sign for Liverpool to sit on the bench though.
Wirtz is not a winger, in reality he compete with Isak and Ekitike in the lineup as long as we want the three of Ryan, Dom and Macca playing.. I dont get why Liverpool signed both him and Isak.
I suspect both are more long term as it would be expected that Salah is slowly phased out. I think it has also been mentioned that we were not going to sign Ekitike if it weren't for the loss of Diogo
Happy with the result but Andrew's 4th point is the main reason for optimism. Only 4 shots from the "danger zone" and 2 of them had ideal pressure on the ball. However, three concerns have me feeling more relieved at the outcome vs. happy with the performance.
First, we created very few promising chances (incl. none for Hugo) with the first goal coming from an opponent's mistake. There were many opportunities for shots that were squandered with poor decision-making in the sequence before an opportunity. Our attack is still not at the level required.
Second, we continue the baffling tactic of over-committing to attacks when leading 2-0. Malen's shot in the 70th minute was the direct result of Macca overcommitting vs. covering, resulting in a counter-attack. When Ryan dribbles by Villa's #10, Macca joins the attack. Why? We're up 2-0 and it wasn't a slam dunk opportunity as Villa had 3 behind the ball centrally and Macca had 4 teammates in front of it already. Had he dropped behind Ryan, Macca would have recovered Konsa's block or competed with Barkley to retrieve it, eliminating the counter before it started. This has happened in 3 matches where we were punished and you'd like to think we've addressed it by now.
Third, we continue to switch off defensively in key moments. I agree that Dom had a good match but he failed to do the basics for 2 of the 4 danger zone shots where we didn't put pressure on the ball. He doesn't pick up Rogers drifting into the 6 for his missed header (56th). He doesn't pick up Barkley who drifts into the danger zone his missed shot (78th). How do we lose our marks in the danger zone when leading after 60 min? On another day against better opposition, those are quality chances that test the keeper and some turn into goals.
Again, I'm more relieved than happy with the performance even if it was improved defensively.
Excellent points, mate. I was perhaps a little caught up in the joy of being present for a win. Equally, there were several positives.
"the baffling tactic of over-committing to attacks when leading 2-0" was very obvious from where I was sat. Thought that might have been a thing of the past but of course there haven't been many 2-0 leads of late!
Great that you were able to attend! Though my comments were mostly critical, I agree that, on balance, we made a step forward ... let's hope the result restores confidence
A good win and badly needed.
For the first time this year, I was happy about the midfield.
Ekitike is our no. 1 striker, he's adjusted quicker than I expected and looks right at home at this level.
Just for a bit of balance, is this somewhat of a false dawn? While I agree that the defence looked comfortable last night, is that due more to the lack of long balls than Robertson being back starting?
Still, a win is a win, now onto the next game.