PL 2021/22 Season

[spud_gun]

8 goals conceded in all competitions since the start of January.

Couple of those were in games against Cardiff and Shrewsbury

We're back to our best defensively and that's laid the foundation for our fantastic form

[Irishnev]

8 goals conceded in all competitions since the start of January.

Couple of those were in games against Cardiff and Shrewsbury

We're back to our best defensively and that's laid the foundation for our fantastic form

The diamond of Ali, VVD, Matip and Fab has to be the best in the world and you’d nearly argue 3 of them make a world 11

[spud_gun]

The diamond of Ali, VVD, Matip and Fab has to be the best in the world and you’d nearly argue 3 of them make a world 11

3 of the 4 are the best in the world at their position.

And that's before we start to discuss our right and left backs

What a foundation

[RedReet]

The ‘experts’ have had their say…

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58141017

Some didn't even have us in the top 4.

[Sus]

3 of the 4 are the best in the world at their position.

And that's before we start to discuss our right and left backs

What a foundation

Or front 3!

[Fredo]

We have the best back line in world football. Back 5, all world class. Add to that our midfield, Thiago is world class and, our forward line at least 3 of them are world class. We’re the best team in world football for me and have been for a while. Just need to show it and win the whole lot to say it loud.

[Buzzo]

I felt it was a classic 80's AC Milan type performance last night. How we controlled the game after we scored was very impressive. How we absorbed them playing well in the first half. We put in a top defensive effort last night and that is something we as supporters don't often praise. Even with Arsenal having a lot of the ball first half they didn't really create much, same as vs Inter last week.

It isn't as glamorous to support as a speedy break or goal but a huge part of the game and one we have become very good at compared to 3-4 years ago. It will be good practice for the game against City, who will have a lot of possession, who will create chances, who will ask us questions defensively.

[Fredo]

I felt it was a classic 80's AC Milan type performance last night. How we controlled the game after we scored was very impressive. How we absorbed them playing well in the first half. We put in a top defensive effort last night and that is something we as supporters don't often praise. Even with Arsenal having a lot of the ball first half they didn't really create much, same as vs Inter last week.

It isn't as glamorous to support as a speedy break or goal but a huge part of the game and one we have become very good at compared to 3-4 years ago. It will be good practice for the game against City, who will have a lot of possession, who will create chances, who will ask us questions defensively.

A lot of our games lately have been about managing them, slowing them down and keeping teams at bay, then a burst of pressing intensity which ends up in us scoring, then it’s back to managing the tempo again. Makes total sense judging by the number of games coming up.

[Fredo]

And the comparison to AC Milan is spot on. I was just thinking about that before you posted it. Typical Arrigo Sachi style of performance, perfect organisation and a pressing machine which basically suffocates the other team. Our back line are playmakers, controlling the rhythm, then a switch from nowhere puts the other team out of position

We’re ****ing great.

[RedReet]

It will be fascinating against City if we continue this approach or try to blitz them from the start as we have done in previous years.

[Shaggy]

It will be fascinating against City if we continue this approach or try to blitz them from the start as we have done in previous years.

I think we've won 1 of our last 7 Prem games against City, so I dare say we'll stick with this approach.

[RedReet]

I think we've won 1 of our last 7 Prem games against City, so I dare say we'll stick with this approach.

Have to say, I was shocked by this stat as our record against them is normally quite good, certainly at Anfield anyway. Just looked at the matches and there should definitely be a caveat, 2 of their 3 wins were when we'd already won the league with nothing to play for and when we played them with no CB's, so had to play Hendo and Fab there. Before that, Klopp won 4 out if 6 in the league, only losing once.

[Fredo]

In each of the games we played City at the Etihad (bar the one just after we secured the league title in 2020), we've dominated and created loads of problems, but we had a bit of a soft spot and we left ourselves open and they profited from it. If we carry on with the same style, which is based on defensive solidity and organisation, we'll be harder to beat and we could pick them off like we did to Arsenal.

It will be a tensed and great game, which I think, we won't really need to win in hindsight. A draw would be Ok.

[Buzzo]

In each of the games we played City at the Etihad (bar the one just after we secured the league title in 2020), we've dominated and created loads of problems, but we had a bit of a soft spot and we left ourselves open and they profited from it. If we carry on with the same style, which is based on defensive solidity and organisation, we'll be harder to beat and we could pick them off like we did to Arsenal.

It will be a tensed and great game, which I think, we won't really need to win in hindsight. A draw would be Ok.

I could live with a draw here. The loss with 7 to play will mentally be a tough one to process - either way.

[Fredo]

I can see us destroy them 2 or 3 nil though.