Vs Manchester City (A): Post Match Thread

[Bender]

Coutinho Coutinho Coutinho ?your just too inconsistent

[kingfunk]

We seemed very low in confidence last night, Henderson, Sturridge, sterling, Moreno and lambert all had chances to put their foot through the ball in front of goal but ultimately opted for a touch too many or failed pass. Ballotelli should be a definite starter next week, you won't have to ask him twice to take a shot.

[Norbs]

Am i the only one hoping Glen Johnson is out for few weeks?
I hope we sign a better keeper than Mignolet. I don't think he's very good.

He was awful last night. Gave the ball away, was slow, out of position and a few weeks on the side is a good thing as we have two RBs willing to fill in. The annoying thing is that his injury comes at the end of the transfer window so looks like we're stuck with him.

On a positive note, Moreno and Markovic looked to link well instantly. I think those two will really improve our left side. If Sterling and Manquillo can emulate that on the right then we just need to get the balance right in the middle. Two from Coutinho, Gerrard, Lallana, Allen, Can and Henderson proves we've got decent depth.

[Norbs]

If I'm being critical, it's of Brendan Rodgers for starting Moreno away to the Champions in his first game. But I guess it was either him or Manquillo due to Enrique / Flanno not being fully fit.

A left side of Lovren & Moreno (both new) with Allen and Coutinho was always going to be an issue in comparison to Skrtel & Glen with Hendo & Sterling ahead.

Moving on from the obvious problems which City capitalised on, I think it was one of then where had we got the first City wouldn't have looked so cocky & full of swagger. They hadn't looked like scoring until we handed it to them on a platter.

Positives wise, we dominated large parts of the game against last years champions at their place. And that's likely the toughest game of the season out the way.

Onwards.

Had Rickie slotted the good chance he had away, then at 3-2 we had enormous momentum and could've snatched it. Margins were tighter than they looked, especially considering only 1 of their line-up was a new signing. Playing a settled team who happen to be Champions was always going to be a tough ask

[danperkins]

If Lambert had been playing for Southampton.. that would have been in the top corner. Since joining LFC it's like he can't kick the ball properly anymore.

[Norbs]

Pressure innit

[Tee]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but if we have one serious deficiency against the likes of City and Chelsea especially, it is the lack of power in our team (IMO of course). Both these teams are very strong, in particular in midfield, and make it very difficult for the likes of Coutinho. Perhaps Emre Can can address this in the future but at times it did feel like men against boys, with the greatest of respect.

[RedRum]

If I'm being critical, it's of Brendan Rodgers for starting Moreno away to the Champions in his first game. But I guess it was either him or Manquillo due to Enrique / Flanno not being fully fit.

A left side of Lovren & Moreno (both new) with Allen and Coutinho was always going to be an issue in comparison to Skrtel & Glen with Hendo & Sterling ahead.

Moving on from the obvious problems which City capitalised on, I think it was one of then where had we got the first City wouldn't have looked so cocky & full of swagger. They hadn't looked like scoring until we handed it to them on a platter.

Positives wise, we dominated large parts of the game against last years champions at their place. And that's likely the toughest game of the season out the way.

Onwards.

There was also the fact Moreno said to the press he really wanted to play. Btendan probably wanted to allow him the chance to impress as he seemed confident

[Tee]

It was a horrible mistake and I know it can't really be glossed over, but apart from that monumental cock up Moreno showed he will be a fixture at LB for a long time.

[Darkon]

I thought we played well yesterday. Controlled City for most of the first half, but fell a bit in tempo after the first goal (time to wake up Moreno!!). We came out well for the second half and pressed City far back again for some time, but lost the momentum and then City closed the game.

I thought it was good seeing us take the game to one of the two best teams in the league, and especially at home. I think we are playing well considering half the defence were changed, and our subsitutes were new players in the troup as well (Can, Lambert, Markovic) and we will only get better once the team melts together.

I think the result was a bit harsh on us, could have lost a goal less really, but City are just one of the most clinical tams in the league right now. I also think we played the best when Sturridge had a partner up front. We controlled the ball well before that, but created little, and it was noticeable how many more bit chances we got after Lambert came on.

Hopefully Mario and Sturridge will get to play together a bit.

[dizzycat]

Sturridge did look a bit isolated didn't he. That game shows how you get punished for mistakes against top teams. I thought we looked alright first half, but faded quickly after the second goal. It's going to be interesting what happens on Sunday against an in form team. Markovic looks the business though and am looking forward to seeing more of him. I'll treat that game as an early season wake up call.

[Havors]

Some positives, but totally toothless in attack which is not like us at all. Everytime we got the ball we slowed the play down and just started passing it around in front of the city players... far too slow and easy for them.

Sterling was too deep for lots of the game.
Coutinho struggled to find anyone willing to make runs in to space for them killer passes. Johnson needs putting down, should never start a game again imho.
Henderson was chasing shadows for most of the game.
What the **** Mignolet was doing for Agueros goal I dont know.
Still dont like Gerrard so deep his defensive qualities are pretty ****.

Allen had a good game overall.
Moreno looks very promising.
Lovren looked strong (even though he got left standing my Aguero).
Whole team looked pretty composed on the ball.
Markovic looks a tricky little customer cant wait to see more.

Not the end of the world, hopfully Rogers will use it to motivate the players because we havent got in to top gear once in the first 2 games.

[Tee]

Markovic looked class when he came on, natural instinct to go forward at pace with the ball rather than just stand there and go sideways.

There are some positives, but overall definite disappointment in that 2 of their goals should never ever have happened. We need to learn fast and respond in the right manner against Spurs.

[badpiggy]

Maybe Lallana will make a difference when he's fit. The great thing about Lambert is that he seems to take up great positions and he gets chances - even after two sub appearances for us, that's obvious. He'll deffo score a few for us. I like the Crouchie comparison someone made.

Markovic looked class. As did Moreno attacking although he does seem almost crippingly one-footed. I guess I worry that BR might have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to defending. Is it possible that for all our quicksilver passing and pace that Rodgers isn't as great at preparing a backline? Were the second two goals last night also individual errors or a systens failure? SG looks like he can still pick a killer pass as long as he has the time and space. but it's strange to see him back there without either the ability or freedom to rampage forward and get a few goals. He's not the threat he used to be. Rodgers made a great call moving him back but his next big call is to ease him out. Imagine the freedom Allen and Henderson would have if we had a genuine aggressive marauding DM - say like Essien for Chelsea in his heyday.

It's taken me a while to get him but I ****in love Joe Allen. He'll never do 90 mins it seems but what he does for 70 in terms of energy and passing is great. And aggressive passing looking to move the play forward. There is no place in this team for Lucas. Great guy. Great heart. No good.

I'm a Glen Johnson doubter. He seems to give the ball away all the time and make bad choices. There always seems to be loads of space down our right hand side as well with Glen nowhere to be seen. I don't understand the technicalities of defending enough to explain why this is. Is he paranoid about Skrtel doing something mad and falls back into A CB position?

[Tee]

Agree about Joe Allen, a long overdue apology to him from me. Whilst he certainly ain't no Xavi () he definitely is not as bad as I once thought he was and deserves every credit for his sheer workrate and quality. Well done lad.