The worst part was the TV replay from the angle behind Virg and in line with the back post. The VAR definitely had that angle which clearly shows that Robbo is not in Donnarumma's line. Nor does he interfere with him. The fucking linesman raised the flag but had no ability to see that angle. The inconsistency of VAR is mind-boggling.
I'm glad I'm not the only one not losing my head over this. You could go to the Etihad in the form of your life and still get humbled, let alone after two games against tough opposition with barely any rotation. It was slightly worrying how the performance dipped after the disallowed goal, but they started the second half a little better. Tough place to go and we have a terrible record there anyway. I'm more interested to see how we cope with long balls and low blocks after the international break. Up the reds!
Yes, this loss is far less concerning in isolation than being given the runaround at Palace or Brentford. The issue is that it is part of a wider slump in form. I'm working on an article today about how there are reasons for optimism over the next couple of months - I usually space the articles out through the week but I might go early with this one as it feels needed! For myself as much as anyone who reads it!
" If you offered Slot the chance to limit City to 0.81 np xG on their own patch while also having a couple of big chances at the other end, he’s shaking hands before you know it. " Hear! Hear!
Always tough to play away in the league. Add in the quality of the opponent and this was gonna be tough. However, as frustrating as the loss is, I was encouraged by the performance. While City had the greater control & threat, we limited their quality chances (for the 3rd straight match). Had the VAR had even a basic understanding of the rules and adequate vision, the match is then 1-1 and who knows what happens?
On the other hand, there were continued concerns. Yes, Ibou was poor for the penalty and Haaland's goal but the biggest issue w him is he's a liability on the ball in the build-up and in progression. City took advantage. Not paying Palace a bit more to sign Guehi earlier in the window is looking more and more like penny wise and pound foolish thinking.
Some of the other moves really hamper Arne's options. I try to stay positive on Kerkez but his signing made no sense in June and still doesn't (square peg). Love his attitude and I know he's young but, as with Guehi, there was a glaring need for a LB who was press-resistant and able to progress via dribble and carry (e.g. Cambiaso or even Ait Nouri). Lastly, I still agree with the decision to sell Luis to enable the funds to sign Alex. It will make sense in the long-term but, watching Cody instead of Luis is painful. He presents the same kind of problem as Darwin had ... he's only good at one thing and, if you take it away, he doesn't offer anything else, e.g. pressing, athleticism, hold-up, progression.
We're good enough to qualify for next season's UCL. Alex and Florian will settle & gel with their teammates at some point. Hopefully, that happens before the round of 16 in UCL so we can give that competition a proper "go".
Marginally better, I can’t think of anybody in the squad who is going to “slot” into that position in his absence and his potential departure as a legend at the end of the season. Slot really does need to get his thinking on, or the side faces more disruption whichever option is chosen
More worryingly is salah, he’s not playing well at the moment but what is going to happen when he goes to AFCON, who is going to step up ? Who can step up from present squad?….now that is worrying.
Thanks for getting this out so quickly.
For me the game was over as a fair contest after the disallowed goal.
Even my Man Utd friends thought it was a terrible decision.
Sky comms was worse than ever.
Seriously considering cancelling my subs and using those funds towards more sensible folks on Substack.
The worst part was the TV replay from the angle behind Virg and in line with the back post. The VAR definitely had that angle which clearly shows that Robbo is not in Donnarumma's line. Nor does he interfere with him. The fucking linesman raised the flag but had no ability to see that angle. The inconsistency of VAR is mind-boggling.
I'm glad I'm not the only one not losing my head over this. You could go to the Etihad in the form of your life and still get humbled, let alone after two games against tough opposition with barely any rotation. It was slightly worrying how the performance dipped after the disallowed goal, but they started the second half a little better. Tough place to go and we have a terrible record there anyway. I'm more interested to see how we cope with long balls and low blocks after the international break. Up the reds!
Yes, this loss is far less concerning in isolation than being given the runaround at Palace or Brentford. The issue is that it is part of a wider slump in form. I'm working on an article today about how there are reasons for optimism over the next couple of months - I usually space the articles out through the week but I might go early with this one as it feels needed! For myself as much as anyone who reads it!
" If you offered Slot the chance to limit City to 0.81 np xG on their own patch while also having a couple of big chances at the other end, he’s shaking hands before you know it. " Hear! Hear!
Always tough to play away in the league. Add in the quality of the opponent and this was gonna be tough. However, as frustrating as the loss is, I was encouraged by the performance. While City had the greater control & threat, we limited their quality chances (for the 3rd straight match). Had the VAR had even a basic understanding of the rules and adequate vision, the match is then 1-1 and who knows what happens?
On the other hand, there were continued concerns. Yes, Ibou was poor for the penalty and Haaland's goal but the biggest issue w him is he's a liability on the ball in the build-up and in progression. City took advantage. Not paying Palace a bit more to sign Guehi earlier in the window is looking more and more like penny wise and pound foolish thinking.
Some of the other moves really hamper Arne's options. I try to stay positive on Kerkez but his signing made no sense in June and still doesn't (square peg). Love his attitude and I know he's young but, as with Guehi, there was a glaring need for a LB who was press-resistant and able to progress via dribble and carry (e.g. Cambiaso or even Ait Nouri). Lastly, I still agree with the decision to sell Luis to enable the funds to sign Alex. It will make sense in the long-term but, watching Cody instead of Luis is painful. He presents the same kind of problem as Darwin had ... he's only good at one thing and, if you take it away, he doesn't offer anything else, e.g. pressing, athleticism, hold-up, progression.
We're good enough to qualify for next season's UCL. Alex and Florian will settle & gel with their teammates at some point. Hopefully, that happens before the round of 16 in UCL so we can give that competition a proper "go".
Do you know what the Xg for VVD's goal would have been?
The Xg figures are quite skewed because of the penalty, if his goal had counted we may have even shaded it.
Of course the game may have played out differently from then.
I don’t, no. I’ve checked my Liverpool goals database and the average for a set piece header from 7-9 yards is 0.12 so perhaps somewhere around there?
Marginally better, I can’t think of anybody in the squad who is going to “slot” into that position in his absence and his potential departure as a legend at the end of the season. Slot really does need to get his thinking on, or the side faces more disruption whichever option is chosen
More worryingly is salah, he’s not playing well at the moment but what is going to happen when he goes to AFCON, who is going to step up ? Who can step up from present squad?….now that is worrying.
He'd been better in the last two games, in fairness.
I suppose the issue/question might prove to be if they play better in his absence... which could prove to be the case.