Premier League 18/19

Feels good to not have to give too much of a crap about the "huge" match on Thursday. It really doesn't matter.

I'm glad that my suspicions seem to be correct that Klopp was playing the early season like an extended pre-season. Liverpool leaning in after everyone else shot their loads.
 
MCFC may be winning 1-0 but they look nervy as hell. That back pass to the keeper was almost the gaffe of the year. Beginning to wonder if the team is collectively psychologically fragile if they can’t immediately push their will on the other side and are high presssed. And with that Southampton just tied it up 1-1

Edit: and with that the 45th minute wheels come of Southampton’s bus...... sigh.... OG nightmares
 
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It's high noon on Thursday - luckily we got a guy for that:

h36sTRI.jpg
 
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Which is interesting, because it seems like an evolution from gameweek 1 to now is that Klopp has reduced the intensity (or rather limited the use) of the gegenpress over time. Presumably to save legs, which is smart.
especially during this ridiculous period of games this past week until next with like 4 games in such a short amount of time, it's required if we want to even have a chance against City this week.
 
Which is interesting, because it seems like an evolution from gameweek 1 to now is that Klopp has reduced the intensity (or rather limited the use) of the gegenpress over time. Presumably to save legs, which is smart.
I think they didn’t press much in week 1, really. West Ham just made the times they did extremely effective.

I don’t have numbers, but I think they actually pressed more in the Arsenal game than they had previously.

Alternatively, it could be that Klopp has drilled the guys enough that the players are only choosing to press when there is a poor shape that they can exploit easily. My anecdotal reading is that Liverpool is defending lower more often, but winning possession higher more regularly when they do spring the press.

I imagine the game against City will be a bit cagey, unless Pep decides to ignore his stated preferences v. LFC and go all out for win. Pep has clearly expressed his belief that attacking Liverpool in the Pep/City way is “suicide”, but he may decide to gamble. I don’t expect that, though. If I were City, with a marginally better talented side, I’d probably aim to not give up much and look to fight out the title over 7 points across the other 17 games.

That seems like the better gamble to me. Pep’s issue will be that his team is leaky in defense right now, so he may feel like he can’t play for the 0-0 like he could a couple of months ago. I think that was a bit of an abhoration or even apparition from both clubs. I don’t expect that Liverpool won’t score again given how City is currently (not) defending, so maybe he has to risk more.

On a side note, I found this article posted on Reddit. It’s a really decent, long piece that describes what happened to Arsenal in the last Liverpool match. https://spielverlagerung.com/2018/12/31/liverpool-annihilate-arsenal-to-close-2018/

Any student of tactics should forget whether or not he cares about either team, and just give it a read. It’s somewhat like something dummyrun would write, but with a more qualitative analysis of what each team was attempting tactically. It also offers some key insight into how the shape of teams (or positioning/quality of individual players) can heavily influence a team’s ability to break down the other team. Specifically, he hits on Fabinho’s early position being problematic and how Alisson’s superiority with the ball regularly neutered Arsenal’s high press attempts. Folks should check it out. Good stuff.
 
I think they didn’t press much in week 1, really. West Ham just made the times they did extremely effective.

I don’t have numbers, but I think they actually pressed more in the Arsenal game than they had previously.

Alternatively, it could be that Klopp has drilled the guys enough that the players are only choosing to press when there is a poor shape that they can exploit easily. My anecdotal reading is that Liverpool is defending lower more often, but winning possession higher more regularly when they do spring the press.

I imagine the game against City will be a bit cagey, unless Pep decides to ignore his stated preferences v. LFC and go all out for win. Pep has clearly expressed his belief that attacking Liverpool in the Pep/City way is “suicide”, but he may decide to gamble. I don’t expect that, though. If I were City, with a marginally better talented side, I’d probably aim to not give up much and look to fight out the title over 7 points across the other 17 games.

That seems like the better gamble to me. Pep’s issue will be that his team is leaky in defense right now, so he may feel like he can’t play for the 0-0 like he could a couple of months ago. I think that was a bit of an abhoration or even apparition from both clubs. I don’t expect that Liverpool won’t score again given how City is currently (not) defending, so maybe he has to risk more.

On a side note, I found this article posted on Reddit. It’s a really decent, long piece that describes what happened to Arsenal in the last Liverpool match. https://spielverlagerung.com/2018/12/31/liverpool-annihilate-arsenal-to-close-2018/

Any student of tactics should forget whether or not he cares about either team, and just give it a read. It’s somewhat like something dummyrun would write, but with a more qualitative analysis of what each team was attempting tactically. It also offers some key insight into how the shape of teams (or positioning/quality of individual players) can heavily influence a team’s ability to break down the other team. Specifically, he hits on Fabinho’s early position being problematic and how Alisson’s superiority with the ball regularly neutered Arsenal’s high press attempts. Folks should check it out. Good stuff.
I generally really like this publication. Also their use of jargon like "cover shadow" is a little odd at first but very concise. I was surprised not to see more commentary on Firmino's role. Seemed more like the 10 than the striker. I remember thinking they operated more like a 4-2-2-2 with Salah and Mane wide up top and Shaqiri and Firmino patrolling beneath them.
 
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I generally really like this publication. Also their use of jargon like "cover shadow" is a little odd at first but very concise. I was surprised not to see more commentary on Firmino's role. Seemed more like the 10 than the striker. I remember thinking they operated more like a 4-2-2-2 with Salah and Mane wide up top and Shaqiri and Firmino patrolling beneath them.
I agree. My oversight not to point out that flaw.

It has regularly looked like the infamous empty bucket.
 
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For the first time in awhile I think there is a title race on, obviously Liverpool still have the lead and advantage but the last two draws make them feel less invincible. If Kane and Dele were healthy Spurs at 5 points back might be worth a few dollar bet as the dark horses.
Who needs Kane or dele we have SON
 
For the first time in awhile I think there is a title race on, obviously Liverpool still have the lead and advantage but the last two draws make them feel less invincible. If Kane and Dele were healthy Spurs at 5 points back might be worth a few dollar bet as the dark horses.
You know what really gets my dander up?

The idea that anyone who doesn’t win the league this year has “bottled” something?

Let’s be clear, here. Early in the season, everyone rightfully was claiming that MC was the best team in PL history. Now, it’s a race to claim someone has shit the bed by the media. In all reality, it’s 3 teams playing at a pace that is abnormally great for the PL, and 4 if you count the team I don’t even want to mention in their recent turnaround.

Guess what? When you have 3 teams on a 90+ point pace this deep in, none of them can be construed as lacking the nerve/talent/heart/bottle/ whatever the fuck. But only one will win the title. And that doesn’t mean anything other than exactly that. One finishes first. It doesn’t mean anyone choked anything away. It actually means we’re looking at several teams that are exactly the opposite of bottlers. They are all full of character and talent.

Whoever wins this title will be the most tested, most deserving team in PL history. And right here, right now, I will tell you I tip my cap to whichever club comes out on top.

Anyone who has another opinion is being led by emotion or personal bias. I think a Liverpool edges the best 11, when healthy. I think City is by far the best squad. I think Spurs are the worst case of jock itch ever.

Who knows how it turns out. As I said at the beginning, Liverpool needs to target being a 90+ point team. After that, you just hope it breaks your way. If you’re beaten, you can be damn sure it went to a deserving winner. I’m copacetic about this shit. I’m enjoying this wonderful season and the wonderful football my team is playing. I hope it works out. If it doesn’t, I hope it works out next year. It’s idiotic from some fans how they can’t recognize that one team winning doesn’t mean there are a bunch of losers elsewhere.

Anyway...rant over. Not directed at the post I replied to obviously. Just wanted to get it off my chest that I’m extremely annoyed by how so much of the media and PL fandom want to create this narrative.

I mean, shit. Look at the PPG of these teams and tell me someone is bottling anything. If anyone is that kind of person with that kind of mindset, they can GTFO with that kind of shit.
 
You know what really gets my dander up?

The idea that anyone who doesn’t win the league this year has “bottled” something?

Let’s be clear, here. Early in the season, everyone rightfully was claiming that MC was the best team in PL history. Now, it’s a race to claim someone has shit the bed by the media. In all reality, it’s 3 teams playing at a pace that is abnormally great for the PL, and 4 if you count the team I don’t even want to mention in their recent turnaround.

Guess what? When you have 3 teams on a 90+ point pace this deep in, none of them can be construed as lacking the nerve/talent/heart/bottle/ whatever the fuck. But only one will win the title. And that doesn’t mean anything other than exactly that. One finishes first. It doesn’t mean anyone choked anything away. It actually means we’re looking at several teams that are exactly the opposite of bottlers. They are all full of character and talent.

Whoever wins this title will be the most tested, most deserving team in PL history. And right here, right now, I will tell you I tip my cap to whichever club comes out on top.

Anyone who has another opinion is being led by emotion or personal bias. I think a Liverpool edges the best 11, when healthy. I think City is by far the best squad. I think Spurs are the worst case of jock itch ever.

Who knows how it turns out. As I said at the beginning, Liverpool needs to target being a 90+ point team. After that, you just hope it breaks your way. If you’re beaten, you can be damn sure it went to a deserving winner. I’m copacetic about this shit. I’m enjoying this wonderful season and the wonderful football my team is playing. I hope it works out. If it doesn’t, I hope it works out next year. It’s idiotic from some fans how they can’t recognize that one team winning doesn’t mean there are a bunch of losers elsewhere.

Anyway...rant over. Not directed at the post I replied to obviously. Just wanted to get it off my chest that I’m extremely annoyed by how so much of the media and PL fandom want to create this narrative.

I mean, shit. Look at the PPG of these teams and tell me someone is bottling anything. If anyone is that kind of person with that kind of mindset, they can GTFO with that kind of shit.
And just imagine the race if Jose hadn’t screwed up the first half of the season for the team you don’t want to mention!!! OGS has them now playing with more confidence and panache than any of the other clubs, but the deficit was too much for them to overcome to make a real run at it.
 
It feels like you hate spurs more than city, United , Everton anyone really, just curious why that is ? They seem like mostly likeable over achievers to me .

You know what really gets my dander up?

The idea that anyone who doesn’t win the league this year has “bottled” something?

Let’s be clear, here. Early in the season, everyone rightfully was claiming that MC was the best team in PL history. Now, it’s a race to claim someone has shit the bed by the media. In all reality, it’s 3 teams playing at a pace that is abnormally great for the PL, and 4 if you count the team I don’t even want to mention in their recent turnaround.

Guess what? When you have 3 teams on a 90+ point pace this deep in, none of them can be construed as lacking the nerve/talent/heart/bottle/ whatever the fuck. But only one will win the title. And that doesn’t mean anything other than exactly that. One finishes first. It doesn’t mean anyone choked anything away. It actually means we’re looking at several teams that are exactly the opposite of bottlers. They are all full of character and talent.

Whoever wins this title will be the most tested, most deserving team in PL history. And right here, right now, I will tell you I tip my cap to whichever club comes out on top.

Anyone who has another opinion is being led by emotion or personal bias. I think a Liverpool edges the best 11, when healthy. I think City is by far the best squad. I think Spurs are the worst case of jock itch ever.

Who knows how it turns out. As I said at the beginning, Liverpool needs to target being a 90+ point team. After that, you just hope it breaks your way. If you’re beaten, you can be damn sure it went to a deserving winner. I’m copacetic about this shit. I’m enjoying this wonderful season and the wonderful football my team is playing. I hope it works out. If it doesn’t, I hope it works out next year. It’s idiotic from some fans how they can’t recognize that one team winning doesn’t mean there are a bunch of losers elsewhere.

Anyway...rant over. Not directed at the post I replied to obviously. Just wanted to get it off my chest that I’m extremely annoyed by how so much of the media and PL fandom want to create this narrative.

I mean, shit. Look at the PPG of these teams and tell me someone is bottling anything. If anyone is that kind of person with that kind of mindset, they can GTFO with that kind of shit.
I