How we got their doesn't matter, I literally used Liverpool as an example multiple times today.
On the bolded part - yes it does matter. You wouldn't have gotten those attacking metrics had you not cheated to get to that position.
Do you think Pep would play defensively with the current Arsenal team, do you think Klopp would or Sir Alex/Wenger etc..
There were several occasions where Fergie went to Highbury, Stamford Bridge and Anfield with a more cautious setup than other away games. It actually used to do my head in at Anfield as Liverpool were crap under Benitez and Dalglish and yet we still wouldn't take the game to them. But in those huge derbies, Fergie played the occasion rather than the opposition, and more often than not, it led to a title at the end of the season.
There's pragmatic and there's arsenal. All their xg yesterday came from 2 corners... And the wonder goal of course. They're a better team than that.
When for the honour of God did Sir Alex ever play with 1 defender? (by choice)
There was plenty of occasions where we were chasing a goal and threw the kitchen sink at it. Hell even last season Ten hag has a game where Bruno was playing CB just to try and win a game! I just thought pep managed the game badly in that second half and did lack abit of bravery.
I do think Pep should have make changes sooner but I don't think 1 defender was the solution unless of course you meant 1 CB in which case I totally agree. I'd have liked to see Foden and Grealish earlier and maybe sacrifice one of the back 4 (Dias cause he kept booting the ball into row Z) but def not 3. Pep is always slow to make subs and I guess it works for him more often than not. He's said he thinks subs are usually too slow to get up to speed of the game.
You have to admit there was zero point in keeping Dias on. He hasn't scored in 3 seasons. Our lads even stopped trying to block his shots in the end, and they did not have to respect it. Should have brought Foden on for him pretty much 10 minutes into the half. You complain about Arsenal cowardice, which certainly there is, but I dont see Man City as really throwing any caution to the wind. As soon as Arsenal completely turtled up...it should have been ...bring all your best attackers on. And that part was clear when Saka was taken off at halftime for Bennie.
Absolutely we might have posted at the same time, I'd have made that sub myself but probably for Lewis but I wouldn't have subbed 3 defenders for attackers or mids with the pace you guys have and despite him being error prone I'd never remove Walker, he was a big reason you couldn't get out on the rare occasion you tried. Thats kinda the thing with Kyle, you have to accept his feck ups for the net gain.
You definitely needed a couple of guys at the top of the box who are goal threats. Kovacic and Dias were lost (especially the latter). Could have kept Gvardiol and Walker, and taken off Akanji and Dias. And when Foden and Grealish did come on, it was for Doku and Savinho. Sorry, but City made it kinda easy for our defenders for most of those 45 minutes just ticking sideway passes and having shots way off. They were not even crossing to Haaland, who was very peripheral most of the game, other than his early goal.
Haaland isn't as good in the air as people think, and would win very little surrounded by Saliba, Gabriel and Kiwor once they came on. That only works if theres numbers of players who can win headers and Foden, Gundogan, and co. aren't it. Without Rodri in there one man isn't going to do damage against a big back 4 like that in the air, when they're all playing as CB's essentially. Sure it might have caused a bit of chaos or whatever but you'd defend that all day. They either have to play through which try as they did was really hard or rely on someone popping one in from outside the box which usually again is Rodri where Kova was skying them from and he's quite good from that range.
Totally agree
They're not an old team or past their peak. New manager for sure but he's come in to a better squad than people think and already has them playing well.
Pains me to say it but we've not been a challenging match for Liverpool for years, they've had a ridiculously easy start but. The easy start can be deceptive because it allows you to build momentum before the tricky fixtures start coming thick and fast.
'Soft' doesn't even begin to describe it. It's like they were allowed to choose their first five games and whether they play home or away.
They look great on the pitch, they are top of the league on every metric (despite having some easy games compared to City and Arsenal) Highest expected goals, best expected goal against and top for expected points. 2nd top scorers and only 1 conceded which was a worldie from CHO. Sleep on them at your peril especially cause of the easy start and the fact they're allowed gain momentum like they have.
Sorry about that,apologies
