Liverpool v Besiktas Match Thread

[Shaggy]

well the commentator obviously gives a **** as he said he doesn't always look comfortable in possession. I think its perfectly fair to comment on. You are very protective towards Sakho mate. It's not even at the point where all Liverpool fans are convinced by him (I like him, looks very promising for the record) so its going to take the rest of the football world a while longer to cotton on. The better he plays for a consistent period of time, its no longer an issue.

It's not so much protective, I just find the entire notion of judging someone - judging a footballer - on how they look completely ludicrous. Watch where the ball goes, not what the player's arms are doing or whatever.

And his defending doesn't get enough props either - Sakho wins countless headers, almost every tackle he goes in for, and yet it seems to go unnoticed by so many. I think he's the most underrated CB in the league - insofar as everyone (non-LFC) I speak to thinks he's absolutely ****.

[McDermotX]

Sakho was the reason I made my first ever post in a MOTM thread yesterday.

A perfect game, save for a couple of small aberrations... He went for the same ball as Skrtel and gave away a dodgy free kick near the end.

Otherwise, he was imperious.

If I'd one criticism of Sakho last night, and I'm not talking about the limited number of progressive passes for him (which is just the bonus of Sakho), is that I think he could have covered the central position a bit better when Skrtel stepped up for the Ba chance.
Granted the problem stemmed with the indiscipline of the midfield duo, but Sakho was a bit slow to react to his partner stepping up when there's was no one else in attack for them.
Not a huge issue, and Ba left Skrtel for as well so his pace was I impressive, but the 'covering across' is something we've seen a lot from the back three in recent months, especially Skrtel when the other two push out.
But other than that he was close to faultless.

I do think some fans are a little too sensitive on mainstream criticism of Sakho FWIW, and there have been recent matches were his possession has been under duress, but he's playing well in the current setup and that's all that matters.

[McDermotX]

Yep Tyldesley said "he doesn't always look comfortable in possession". Ridiculous.

Then sounded surprised when Mama did one of his slide rule balls down the line for Moreno.

Anyone see that class bit of skill in the first half? Went unnoticed by the ITV plebs.

Could have sworn Tyldesey said something like 'nicely done by Sakho' if its the same move I'm thinking off ?
Could be wrong, not often I take notice of what he says.

[BobTheCharmer]

Could have sworn Tyldesey said something like 'nicely done by Sakho' if its the same move I'm thinking off ?
Could be wrong, not often I take notice of what he says.

Yeah he did. Provided it was the same bit of skill we are talking about. The best thing about Sakho is how likable the man is. It means you want him to do well.

[dom9]

If I'd one criticism of Sakho last night, and I'm not talking about the limited number of progressive passes for him (which is just the bonus of Sakho), is that I think he could have covered the central position a bit better when Skrtel stepped up for the Ba chance.
Granted the problem stemmed with the indiscipline of the midfield duo, but Sakho was a bit slow to react to his partner stepping up when there's was no one else in attack for them.
Not a huge issue, and Ba left Skrtel for as well so his pace was I impressive, but the 'covering across' is something we've seen a lot from the back three in recent months, especially Skrtel when the other two push out.
But other than that he was close to faultless.

I do think some fans are a little too sensitive on mainstream criticism of Sakho FWIW, and there have been recent matches were his possession has been under duress, but he's playing well in the current setup and that's all that matters.

At the risk of entering into a football debate, I thought the opposite was true.

When that move was in its very early stages, before Ba had the ball, I saw Sakho sprinting to get back and help out. He saw the danger and pre empted it. He was just beaten for shear pace.

[BigChief]

Could have sworn Tyldesey said something like 'nicely done by Sakho' if its the same move I'm thinking off ?
Could be wrong, not often I take notice of what he says.

That pass was the pass of the match for me. How it didn't out for a throw in was beyond me, even Moreno was shocked it was so nicely put on a plate for him.

Sakho's passing (and Can's) has an effect on the opposition who have to go from front foot to back foot within a space of seconds which as any footballer will tell you is mentally and physically draining. It seems to be tiring teams out, not sure if anyone else has noticed this.

Spurs and Besiktas are considered to be extremely fit teams yet they both looked dead on their feet near the end of our games with them.

[DannyMan2006]

At the risk of entering into a football debate, I thought the opposite was true.

When that move was in its very early stages, before Ba had the ball, I saw Sakho sprinting to get back and help out. He saw the danger and pre empted it. He was just beaten for shear pace.

He was catching Ba, but was coming from a wide position so it took him longer to get there. Ba was forced to take the shot slightly earlier than what he'd wanted. A yard or two further on and Migs can't get down to save the same shot, but had he waited Sakho clears the ball.

[DannyMan2006]

That pass was the pass of the match for me. How it didn't out for a throw in was beyond me, even Moreno was shocked it was so nicely put on a plate for him.

Sakho's passing (and Can's) has an effect on the opposition who have to go from front foot to back foot within a space of seconds which as any footballer will tell you is mentally and physically draining. It seems to be tiring teams out, not sure if anyone else has noticed this.

Spurs and Besiktas are considered to be extremely fit teams yet they both looked dead on their feet near the end of our games with them.

I've only seen one team look fitter than us this season and that was Chelsea at the Bridge. But that was pretty much down to us having a Gerrard & Lucas still on the pitch for 120 mins.

[RedReet]

Besiktas were a very good side I have to say, i was impressed.

He faded in second half, but Dan Gherkin looked good for them too.

[Cormack74]

Besiktas were a very good side I have to say, i was impressed.

He faded in second half, but Dan Gherkin looked good for them too.

Was that the very short haired left footed fella. No'7 I think? He was very handy. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.

[RedReet]

Aye, No. 7.

Article on here identified him as a threat before the game, which is why he probably stood out more for me.

[Cormack74]

Surprised they didn't give him more of the ball. He looked threatening every time he had it.