Post Match - Man City

[Mostar]

@Linda_Pizzuti
Fantastic Carling Cup away win (and a clean sheet!) Tremendous work rate today, congrats LFC!

[el matador]

uh... ok.

[sean_lfc]

Very, VERY professional performance, reminded me of Rafa's Europe away games.

On top of that, we're the 1st team to go to their stadium and stopping them scoring at least 1 goal. Regardless of how we did it, we stopped them and reaped some big rewards. Mentally, they will be ****ed coming to Anfield in the 2nd leg. Mancini was desperate at the end, when Kolarov was skying balls from way out, I saw him mouth 'Cazzo', which means '****', he's under pressure and when you're under pressure you don't relax. They won't come to Anfield and get past us. We've got the upper hand. I'm well delighted.

[Norbs]

Which came first, Carroll playing poorly because of poor service or a lack of service because he's playing poorly? Either way, whether its his fault or not, his place in the side is pretty negligible, imo. He needs better service and he's only going to get it if we play Gerrard and Bellamy in wide roles. In many of the league games we've played so far I've noticed that forward play from the left is really slow but that's Carroll's prefered side to receive the ball (with his body open). Play from the right is quicker but he can't deal with a cross from the right with any where near the same sort of power. For that, Downing must share some blame for a lack of whipped crosses and, although not popular, Enrique must share some blame for holding the ball for too long and slowing the attack on the left.

[Mostar]

Stevie's goal


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhgMmghfFi4&feature=g-all-lik&context=G2c4e47bFAAAAAAAABAA"]Man city 0-1 liverpool Highlights Gerrard Goal in penalty - YouTube[/ame]

[Kenneth]

We were well on top though and they didn't gain the ascendancy by forcing themselves on the game - we basically gave it to them. Comparing the teams on paper is meaningless when one team - us - had a discernable advantage that was seemingly given it up voluntarily.

The took hold of midfield when they removed Balotelli and put Nasri in midfield. Previously we were bossing the middle with Henderson and Gerard forcing City's midfield so deep that Kun and Mario were isolated, with City pinging high/long balls that we mopped up comfortably. We didn't just hand them control of the game.

[BootRoom]

Nope, if we go out now the regrets will be about what happened at Anfield.

If the second leg is a hard fought, even game and we end up getting knocked out by the odd goal, or on away goals then the regret will centre around not putting Man City under the cosh when they were visibly struggling. Giving teams a chance to regroup and fight another day is dangerous; we haven't got a big lead and the tie is far from over.

[Norbs]

The took hold of midfield when they removed Balotelli and put Nasri in midfield. Previously we were bossing the middle with Henderson and Gerard forcing City's midfield so deep that Kun and Mario were isolated, with City pinging high/long balls that we mopped up comfortably. We didn't just hand them control of the game.

Balance changed when Spearing got injured. Henderson and Adam aren't as strong as a pairing of either player alongside Spearing

[Kenneth]

Which came first, Carroll playing poorly because of poor service or a lack of service because he's playing poorly? Either way, whether its his fault or not, his place in the side is pretty negligible, imo. He needs better service and he's only going to get it if we play Gerrard and Bellamy in wide roles. In many of the league games we've played so far I've noticed that forward play from the left is really slow but that's Carroll's prefered side to receive the ball (with his body open). Play from the right is quicker but he can't deal with a cross from the right with any where near the same sort of power. For that, Downing must share some blame for a lack of whipped crosses and, although not popular, Enrique must share some blame for holding the ball for too long and slowing the attack on the left.

It would be better if Carroll did the things we need him to do well, rather than us playing well for the benefit of Carroll. Controlling the ball while running, it's difficult I know, but he should be able to do it by now. Holding the ball up and finding a teammate when it's played to him with his back to goal; it's not going to work all of the time, it's not easy as a lone striker like tonight, but some of the time would be useful.

[cream]

When is the final, in 2 weeks?

[Norbs]

If the second leg is a hard fought, even game and we end up getting knocked out by the odd goal, or on away goals then the regret will centre around not putting Man City under the cosh when they were visibly struggling. Giving teams a chance to regroup and fight another day is dangerous; we haven't got a big lead and the tie is far from over.

City have a lot less about them tactically than we do. They'll come to Anfield with a hung ho approach and will pay for it

[Kenneth]

Balance changed when Spearing got injured. Henderson and Adam aren't as strong as a pairing of either player alongside Spearing

Ok, I don't think it did really, but fair enough.

[sean_lfc]

When is the final, in 2 weeks?

Nope, 2nd leg in 2 weeks.

[BootRoom]

The took hold of midfield when they removed Balotelli and put Nasri in midfield. Previously we were bossing the middle with Henderson and Gerard forcing City's midfield so deep that Kun and Mario were isolated, with City pinging high/long balls that we mopped up comfortably. We didn't just hand them control of the game.

They made adjustments, but our adjustments to their adjustments were to basically adopt an ultra-defensive mindset and camp out near our own box in order to hold onto what we had. We had barely any counter-play save the odd break from their corners.

[JHP]

When is the final, in 2 weeks?

Lets get through the second leg first.