Match Thread Leeds V Liverpool

[Steveo]

We seem far too worried about what happens when we don’t have the ball. Ironically enough we conced goals like fuck when the whole box is packed with players. Being caught short is a problem if you’ve not thought of some sort of tactic like a midfielder covering gaps when full backs bomb forward. Something that was easily achieved with Henderson Fabinho etc. even mcallister did a good job of it previously. I just think we’ve lost the plot altogether tactically and now heads are down and infighting has started.

We have no midfield control. It’s something I cited after the Arsenal win. Teams can walk into deep areas without much work. Also we don’t have enough concerted control - control to move deep - then wide while maintaining shape - to tire them out. Teams seem to finish stronger than we do. Grav was utilised last season - it worked for a time - but it’s arguably confused how game now. Seems to be caught between two stools.

[justme]

We seem far too worried about what happens when we don’t have the ball. Ironically enough we conced goals like fuck when the whole box is packed with players. Being caught short is a problem if you’ve not thought of some sort of tactic like a midfielder covering gaps when full backs bomb forward. Something that was easily achieved with Henderson Fabinho etc. even mcallister did a good job of it previously. I just think we’ve lost the plot altogether tactically and now heads are down and infighting has started.

exactly so true every bit... maybe like people have said it's over coaching. we are expecting teams to sit deep so we are playing the perfect pass and it's way to slow.. and yep we seem to concede even when we have loads of cover in our box. the second goal this evening was a prime example.we had several players back and they still managed to find enough space to get a goal.

[eggy81]

We have no midfield control. It’s something I cited after the Arsenal win. Teams can walk into deep areas without much work. Also we don’t have enough concerted control - control to move deep - then wide while maintaining shape - to tire them out. Teams seem to finish stronger than we do. Grav was utilised last season - it worked for a time - but it’s arguably confused how game now. Seems to be caught between two stools.

100%. The counter press 19 loves to mention is a huge loss to our game at the minute. But something so beautifully co ordinated, as it is a high risk high reward strategy can’t be deployed to any great effect by a side that isn’t functioning supremely well. Agree we look slow and almost unfit to a degree but I’d wager it’s mental fatigue and pure brain fog that is influencing that more than physical fitness. Lads just don’t know what’s going on. That’s why we concede so easily and give up leads like tonight. Takes fuck all to knock us for 6.

[justme]

We have no midfield control. It’s something I cited after the Arsenal win. Teams can walk into deep areas without much work. Also we don’t have enough concerted control - control to move deep - then wide while maintaining shape - to tire them out. Teams seem to finish stronger than we do. Grav was utilised last season - it worked for a time - but it’s arguably confused how game now. Seems to be caught between two stools.

I think thats to do with what midfield is out there. Macca and Dom pressed and were quick off the front man last season. (not meaning to have a go at Wirzt again) but to get him into the game. we over pass.. we do control games . without really creating anything..we had something like 80% of the ball at one point.. last season Dom pressed and Macca dropped back with Grav.. Then Macca pressed and Dom dropped back. it was very fluid. always moving the ball quicker.. but with Wirzt in there. if you dont get the play right you are open to plenty of counter attacks.. Wirzt is not A Macca or Dom player.

[Kev0909]

Mentioning Kerkez hes been decent when hes played of late. Much better than when he first came in.. Ekitike looks an excellent acquisition and though i think Isak doesn't suit playing as a link up player deep if we get the ball in the right areas of the oppositions goal area. he'll get loads of goals

I can't really call Frimpong for obvious reasons, My only doubt is Wirzt. he loses the ball under so little pressure half the time..and looks slow..shame what happened to Leoni.. he looked composed for the time he did play.

Yeah seeing what i've seen Kerkez looked good today- pretty hard for him with Gakpo in front of him going forward, hopefully we get a LW at some point or try Ekiteke there and hopefully works well.

[eggy81]

Yeah seeing what i've seen Kerkez looked good today- pretty hard for him with Gakpo in front of him going forward, hopefully we get a LW at some point or try Ekiteke there and hopefully works well.

Gakpo just pretty much ignores him

[Steveo]

I think thats to do with what midfield is out there. Macca and Dom pressed and were quick off the front man last season. (not meaning to have a go at Wirzt again) but to get him into the game. we over pass.. we do control games . without really creating anything..we had something like 80% of the ball at one point.. last season Dom pressed and Macca dropped back with Grav.. Then Macca pressed and Dom dropped back. it was very fluid. always moving the ball quicker.. but with Wirzt in there. if you dont get the play right you are open to plenty of counter attacks.. Wirzt is not A Macca or Dom player.

Most likely yes. But a genuine number 6 would give the back line far more cover and allow us to play some more risk reward passing into the final third. This rarely happens Cause we know we are so exposed if they get to break. In effect this compounds the issue - because we over commit number into advanced areas and ends up wide open.

it’s all a bit shyte tbh