Think 3-0 is a real possibility if the night is lively and Liverpool are up for it. And if it goes to penalties then they don't need to score a 4th, the crowd will suck them in for them from there. I actually think 1-0 at half time is ok...at that point it's a two goal game, assuming of course Barca don't score...which admittedly is a challenge....and of course, this is without anyone gaming a peno along the way....you know the usual suspects. Champs league is not a regular game....anything could happen yet.
Liverpool 2018/19
- Thread starter Adisa
- Start date
- Status
Barcelona are going to score at Anfield. With Liverpool going for it, they are bound to leave space on the counter and against the likes of Messi and Suarez, they are going to have some chances and you can't see them missing them all.
It's as close as being done, Liverpool and Klopp knew how important it was to score last night
It's as close as being done, Liverpool and Klopp knew how important it was to score last night
I'd agree with you there, they have nothing to lose at this stage and should go "gung-ho" but it will leave them vulnerable.
I don't think it's such an anomaly for this Barca to get blown at some point away from home. I mean is it likely? Of course not, but let's not act as if it hasn't already happened to them. In 2016 they lose 0-2 to Atletico, in 2017 they get blown out by PSG 0-4, then by Juventus 0-3 and in 2018 they blew a 3 goal advantage in Roma to lose 0-3 and flame out of the CL. Of course chances are slim but the way Liverpool created and dominated the game at times, I certainly wouldn't put it past Barca to blow a lead away from the Nou Camp.
Yeah you're right of course, their last few years have been pretty bad in the CL but this year feels different to me, like Messi is on a mission again.
He'll assertively press - this is how they play.
A lot of it is 'defending from the front' anyway. Maybe the MF doesn't always go in behind the front 3 or Bobby drops & they play more long balls. A lot of this depends on opposition & scoreboard situation.
It surprised me he changed TAA for the away leg, btw. Although Firmino is a big miss in the system I suppose. And he wanted more proper defenders as an insurance maybe.
Barca can play on the break to start & see what happens. They can also keep the ball. They also have a proper attack with Dembele to add some pace. Not your average Premier League opposition that will just get rolled back.
Could be dangerous for Liverpool to go all out until they have to. First goal at a reasonable stage & build pressure. If Barca score first, the thing is done surely.
A lot of it is 'defending from the front' anyway. Maybe the MF doesn't always go in behind the front 3 or Bobby drops & they play more long balls. A lot of this depends on opposition & scoreboard situation.
It surprised me he changed TAA for the away leg, btw. Although Firmino is a big miss in the system I suppose. And he wanted more proper defenders as an insurance maybe.
Barca can play on the break to start & see what happens. They can also keep the ball. They also have a proper attack with Dembele to add some pace. Not your average Premier League opposition that will just get rolled back.
Could be dangerous for Liverpool to go all out until they have to. First goal at a reasonable stage & build pressure. If Barca score first, the thing is done surely.
Barca will score at Anfield too
I still feel Liverpool might win the league this year, but the CL is gone for them.
Klopp is an absolutely terrific manager though, he's among the very best.
The only thing about Klopp that is his shortfall, he doesn't always play to win, he played at Barca with some naivety, Barca broke up the game when the game was in Liverpools hands at times (by diving, trying to aggravate the Liverpool players and so on) which Suarez was a key suspect, Klopp wanted to play with respect, with honour and play the right way. But you won't always win that way.
I think Barca really showed their experience, it was strange at times in the first half too Messi did nothing really, he seems to conserve his energy completely until the last 30 minutes.
Despite everything I think Liverpool are not far off a major title, where United are trying to fix things at boardroom level and at an operations level, also hiring an inexperienced manager... Liverpool have the right structure and they are 5 years ahead at this point.
This year is not Liverpools year though, even though they could still win the title, I have a weird feeling about the City vs Leicester game.
Klopp is an absolutely terrific manager though, he's among the very best.
The only thing about Klopp that is his shortfall, he doesn't always play to win, he played at Barca with some naivety, Barca broke up the game when the game was in Liverpools hands at times (by diving, trying to aggravate the Liverpool players and so on) which Suarez was a key suspect, Klopp wanted to play with respect, with honour and play the right way. But you won't always win that way.
I think Barca really showed their experience, it was strange at times in the first half too Messi did nothing really, he seems to conserve his energy completely until the last 30 minutes.
Despite everything I think Liverpool are not far off a major title, where United are trying to fix things at boardroom level and at an operations level, also hiring an inexperienced manager... Liverpool have the right structure and they are 5 years ahead at this point.
This year is not Liverpools year though, even though they could still win the title, I have a weird feeling about the City vs Leicester game.
Season finished for Keita. Such a shame, he's been good lately. And we're out of midfield options again just when we play decisive games each 3 days.
Anyone else got a sneaky feeling Rafa might all but end their title challenge tomorrow night?
Is this why when anyone transition-breaks against his team they are very quickly fouled?
Can see them dropping points at Newcastle who are always a tough team for top sides to break down.
If that happens Man. City can win title on Monday I think?
If that happens Man. City can win title on Monday I think?
If Liverpool draw, City will go 3 ahead of them if they win on Monday. It won't be officially their title but barring a crazy overturn of GD (like a +5 swing in Liverpools favour), it'll practically be theirs.
If Liverpool lose, City win the title by beating Leicester.
You mustn't watch much of Barcelona's games then because they concede plenty of chances.
fecksake. Respect, honour and playing the right way
Pull your head out of Liverpool/Klopp's anus maybe?fecksake. Respect, honour and playing the right way
Hardly, I grew up as a United fan, I'm talking about the CL game specifically here, the point is Liverpool tried to go toe to toe with Barcelona, they showed too much respect for the opposition, they didn't try to break up the play or anything during the game, which shows they are naive when it these games.
It's where someone like Mourinho would win ugly, like at Inter, or Chelsea, even in his Real Madrid games, run down the clock, frustrate the opposition, because generally you can't go toe to toe with Barca, especially not with a fully fit Messi. Pep knew that at Bayern when he played too, they had a really open game Pep wanted to play "good football" and it was end to end, a great game but again naive against Barca. You don't often see a big team who goes to the Nou Camp say "Ok let's just play good football and hope for a win" because you are playing at the Nou Camp against Barca and Messi.
Klopp hasn't played against Barca before so it is partially naive of him, and it was 3-0 sure, but they didn't lose because of players but they really didn't frustrate Barca at all, they had some good moments but it never felt like Barca were restricted in the game, they allowed them to play.
Sure you don't want Messi having free kicks from 20-25 yards but you still don't want him turning and running at you, nor do you want Jordi Alba getting forward. Again game management, and honestly that's the kind of game you need a Mourinho as a manager, Klopp and Pep won't win those over 2 legs, they don't want to play ugly.
Ramos last year too wasn't afraid to play that way, and that's partially a reason why Real Madrid have done so well they weren't afraid to be thuggish, run down the clock, play on the counter, control the game they had the best midfield and some of the best defenders in the world, but again weren't afraid to win ugly.
Showing too much respect to teams is where teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid will consistently get a small edge against Klopp/Liverpool now, players wise right now they are quite equal, but the way they play and manage the game is different.
Barca are happy to commit small fouls, slow down the game where needed, which Liverpool didn't really do the entire game, they picked their moments.
Barca used their experience, Suarez routinely tried to annoy the Liverpool players, Lenglet was happy to drag down Salah at times too, and you had Valverde bring on Semedo to bring some stability to the game, Klopp wanted to attack and he didn't really change anything or have a plan B, despite when injuries happened and he had to take off Keita.
Although they played really well and the 3-0 probably wasn't fully deserved Barcelona took their chances, part of it was game management. I strongly doubt Liverpool will see another CL Semi-final for a while now, it's not easy to consistently get to those stages of the tournament, they do have a young squad though, Salah is 26, Mane is 27 they aren't at their peak years yet, I just don't see them repeating what they did this year.
(Talking about breaking up play here by the way, committing fouls that suits you such as Messi turning at the halfway line) Same as Lenglet committing a foul in the corner before Salah could turn him. Not talking about committing a foul where it leads to a direct free-kick.
Plus certain players like Van Dijk were lost in the occasion too and really were stuck ball watching for 2 of the goals.
Last edited:
Life has a strange way eh. As much as I enjoy this whole thing, this is how they must have felt when United were winning. Even after a loss, you'd be afraid they might conjure up something and win. Can't say I enjoy it. I understand why the Liverpool fans went completely marbles.
We're dropping points tomorrow.
Feel free to look through my post history, I prefer not to buy into the tribalism aspect of the sport honestly, Liverpool are doing very well in recent years, as are City, can't really ignore that objectively.
I don't watch as much of the sport as I used to (+4 hours ahead) and in a Muslim country now meaning I rarely get to see games due to kick-off times and that its a Friday-Saturday weekend now.
If saying that Klopp is a brilliant Manager, same with Pep then I'm not really sure if that makes me a fan, same as saying Hazard, Kane, De Bruyne, Pogba are top footballers. I'd prefer to look at things objectively honestly away from parts of bias that tribalism gets you, same as nationalism I just try to stray away from that.
On the United front the club is currently in disarray and needs a major fix, still follow though them as I have done for 26 years.
Now you know how City have felt most of the season.
Prophet Rafa to put an end to your titles hopes mere days after Suarez scored the opener in the CL and celebrated as if his life depended on it?
No, I won't have it. The footballing gods are not that cruel.
Uh huh.
It'd be nice if it happened, but picking between City or Liverpool is like picking between your arms and legs.
There's no real difference between the fixtures though, Leicester and Newcastle don't have much to play for now, both safe, and both can't really get Europa League football.
The benefit to the Newcastle fixture is that Newcastle are at home, and they can dig in for a draw, Liverpool have only had 3 days between the games so they might be tired, City are at home, there was no CL and they were fully rested, but Leicester could surprise City (no disrespect to Newcastle).
I'd still prefer a Newcastle win, it'd be nice if there was something for Leicester or Newcastle to play for though.
I mean hes got a point. Ive always felt ALL english clubs are naive as hell in the Champions league. We hate diving, play acting, wasting time all the ugly shit and thats exactly what the spanish teams especially do against us. Its because the refs fall for this shit. So knowing this wouldnt it be appropriate if English clubs did it back?fecksake. Respect, honour and playing the right way
Not saying necesarrily it was happening in the liverpool vs barca game, but just in general it seems to happen whenever English clubs play in the CL
I don't think it's anything to do with it being Benitez, just that we'll run out of steam.
Steven Gerrard, Ashely Young, C. Ronaldo, Carvalho, Terry, Suarez, Diego Costa etc English football has had its fair share of controversial figures. Also, let's not pretend going over the top in a physical sense is something to be proud of either. I would say the Spanish big two went too far in the leak Classico period in terms of cuntishness but this point is really overstated. As if that's why English teams keep struggling in Europe. That you have Salah and Mane while Barcelona have Messi and Suarez has nothing to do with cleverness.
Where the English clubs have lagged is technical and tactical ability/intelligence.
I got a feeling they draw or lose tomorrow. I can smell it. The Fat Spanish Waiter is going to dish up something special I feel.
Pretty much this. a lot of 'nice guys' all over our squad, that's killing me. I really miss a Suarez-type player.
About the bolded part, that caught my eye too. there were periods in the game he went literally invisible, wasn't in sight in any of their attacks. damn intelligent he is.
Liverpool generally are poor after a CL game especially away from home.
Now they're demoralised after Barcelona and barely have time to prepare for this game, plus it's a night game at Newcastle in their last home game of the season.
I feel it's more likely they draw/lose than win this game. If they win this game I'd be surprised.
Now they're demoralised after Barcelona and barely have time to prepare for this game, plus it's a night game at Newcastle in their last home game of the season.
I feel it's more likely they draw/lose than win this game. If they win this game I'd be surprised.
Not this season they're not
Liverpool vs Barca isnt over yet. Because 90 minutes is alot of time for some thing to happen. Teams as good as Barca have conceded tons in matter of 10 mins. Bayern vs Manchester United final, AC Milan vs Liverpool CL Final, City vs Spurs QF, Paris vs Barca, Barca vs Roma and so on.
Ofcourse liverpool need to be at their best as a team and as a club, get some luck too. Lets say if liverpool gets lucky first goal in first 10 mins it will leave them with 80 minutes to scored 2 to draw or 3 to go through. Idk if liverpool can score thise goals or not but if liverpool can outrun, out-possess Barca at camp nou then Barca wont enjoy the tie that much at anfield.
Knock out matches are very different from league matches you feel more pressure and players give more effort in these games.
Ofcourse liverpool need to be at their best as a team and as a club, get some luck too. Lets say if liverpool gets lucky first goal in first 10 mins it will leave them with 80 minutes to scored 2 to draw or 3 to go through. Idk if liverpool can score thise goals or not but if liverpool can outrun, out-possess Barca at camp nou then Barca wont enjoy the tie that much at anfield.
Knock out matches are very different from league matches you feel more pressure and players give more effort in these games.
As much as I'm enjoying the idea they'll end up trophyless, I can't shake the feeling they'll end up with at least one of them. Just to be one last kick in the nuts that has been this season.
Which is pretty much everything needed to be a world class or top player/team. Depressing isn't it.
Also English sides do usually look slightly more naive or inexperienced most of the time (the gamesmanship side of things, the ugly sh*t), with less confidence and a weaker mentality too against the top European sides, which was touched upon in posts above. It's not always the case, but it's hard to find many examples of English mental dominance as well as technical ability/intelligence being better. A slight inferiority complex unfortunately.
I'm so positive today aren't I
Their game against Fulham wasn't the best and they had a whole day more to prepare for it that for the one vs Newcastle.
But they will be desperate to win and may overcome the fatigue for tomorrow's game. I can see them being tired against Barca though, especially in the last 20 min of the 2nd leg.
Why are these Scouse nutters claiming Messi dived and then punched Fabinho in the incident which lead to Messi scoring the free-kick on Wednesday night? Fabinho blatantly blocked him, ffs, and it wasn’t his first frontal block of a third-man Messi run in the game either. I recall a blatant block by Fabinho on Messi in the first half which the officials either didn’t see or ignored.
We’ve struggled a lot with Spanish sides under Klopp, although the selection and lack of subs was just as much a hinderance yesterday. We played well enough but it’s fine margins and TAA fit Gini in midfield instead of Milner and Firmino up front is probably our best side with a fully fit Gomez at CB. Problem is our depth has gotten us this far but in certain areas particularly attack it’s just not up to the standard required.Which is pretty much everything needed to be a world class or top player/team. Depressing isn't it.
Also English sides do usually look slightly more naive or inexperienced most of the time (the gamesmanship side of things, the ugly sh*t), with less confidence and a weaker mentality too against the top European sides, which was touched upon in posts above. It's not always the case, but it's hard to find many examples of English mental dominance as well as technical ability/intelligence being better. A slight inferiority complex unfortunately.
I'm so positive today aren't I
If we made better decisions Barca’s dark arts wouldn’t have mattered as much. Anyways we have 2 important games coming up all we can do is win them both and see where we are come Tuesday night. It could be ecstasy or it could be despair.
- Status