Manchester City v Liverpool (Match Thread)

[skyebo]

I have very mixed feelings about the prospect of facing Atletico Madrid in the Champion's League again.

One the one hand, how satisfying beating them would be is an exciting prospect. On the other....well, speaks for itself really....

I know what you mean Sid.

[skyebo]

So positives

We got a point at a ground we haven't got any in the 3 prior seasons, tempered by the fact we're now a much better side and the opposition aren't anywhere near their levels of superiority of those 3 seasons

The 442 set up, although presenting them with an equaliser and almost a winner and almost completely nullifying our own best attacking threats showed the rest of the league a set up to almost completely nullify UAE FC's ability to create chances, with the right organisation, so that point could potentially be worth several more points between us and them in other sides taking points from them

Negatives

Could easily have got all 3 points had we continued to attack

Playing Mane and Mo out of the positions that have made them 2 of THE most lethal forward in world football makes us toothless and in Mane's case seemed to affect/confuse his decision making as he passed up 2 great opportunities to put efforts on target when coming from deep he's take on without hesitation when playing in his usual position

The goal they scored came from a lack of organisation/machine like familiarity because of the formation change

The goal they scored also came from their tactic of drilling the ball into feet to connect a run for the forward to immediately touch it out of feet and away from a defender who was too tight exactly as they did in the second meeting last season so the fabled analysis team again failed to recognise and properly prepare/brief for something we should have been expecting, like with 'the midfield that doesn't work' v Villa

It shows how far we've come when the BBC report on the match said it was us who were held to a draw, and not City, who were the home team.

[justme]

"had we continued to attack"

Both teams were shot to pieces physically.We have lost to man-city away on numerous occasions in the league over the past few years..
I would have taken a draw before the game. It was a good result.
Ninenteenx seems to think players are super human and can run around for ever and ever and ever.

[stevie harkness]

It shows how far we've come when the BBC report on the match said it was us who were held to a draw, and not City, who were the home team.

Well we are the champions, my friend.

[skyebo]

Well we are the champions, my friend.

Indeed Stevie.

[Nineteenx]

"had we continued to attack"

Both teams were shot to pieces physically.We have lost to man-city away on numerous occasions in the league over the past few years..
I would have taken a draw before the game. It was a good result.
Ninenteenx seems to think players are super human and can run around for ever and ever and ever.

I'm sure it's obvious to most people that particular part of my post refers to continuing to attack when 1-0 up, really threatening a second goal with just half an hour gone and it was literally a minute and a half after changing to a completely unfamiliar system that we conceded an equaliser as a result of the unfamiliarity

Aside from playing one of THE best forward in world football over the last 3 seasons as an orthodox LM for sixty minutes, equivalent to UAE FC playing Aguerro there, which of course would never happen for the obvious reason he is also such a forward, not a LM and one who also scores a lot of crucial goals for them, i don't like that as however fit and athletic you are, your body gets used to routine, we're complaining about fatigue, then we're putting a key player in a position in which he will be using his body differently and making more longer sprints forward and back than it is used to, when already fatigued, which for me is absolutely crazy

Despite now having 4 forwards of the required quality for 3 positions for the first time since Jurgen arrived, we played all four of them

If we want to talk about fatigue and the need to protect players, then we should be doing that as much as we possibly can ourselves and that isn't doing that

[dicko1969]

"had we continued to attack"

Both teams were shot to pieces physically.We have lost to man-city away on numerous occasions in the league over the past few years..
I would have taken a draw before the game. It was a good result.
Ninenteenx seems to think players are super human and can run around for ever and ever and ever.

Yeah this tbh
We started well
Kind of 442 formation.

But after Firmino went off we looked very tired the last 20mins or so.

A good point won.
2 points lost for city.

Let's hope TAA is back in 2 weeks.

Matip hopefully stays fit.

Thiago hopefully back.
(I bet he needs an op or something grr)

Oxlade back ?

Keita I hope he isn't going on international duty to come back injured. That needs managing. I bet his country play him x2 90mins then oh dear groin gone again ... see you in 3 months for next internationals lol.

Fabinho hopefully ready too.

Thank god Gini is still here. Mr 100%
Off the back of this deserves a new contract.

Tbh I'd like a new life in Barcelona.

[Steveo]

Well we are the champions, my friend.

Classic Queen...

“Guaranteed to blow your mind..”

25 secs in

[Joetan991]

what is the point having International Friendly during this Covid time? They should prevent travelling unnecessary

[stevie harkness]

what is the point having International Friendly during this Covid time? They should prevent travelling unnecessary

Yes, especially with so many matches to play.