I'm not going to lie, its been what, maybe 3 or 4 games now where I see that the lads are pulling another lazy performance out of their hat and we concede the first goal or two inside the first half I just spare myself the pain and turn it off, I've suffered enough this season. I was about to do this today too.Seeing the manner we conceded the first two goals made my blood boil, especially the second one.
Special mention to Alisson. I feel so bad for this lad. The only player this season who played at a constantly world class level. At times the camera pans on him and he looks like he needs a bottle of whisky and a cigarette because he is so fed up of the bullshit everyone in front of him is pulling game after game. Without Ali, this season, we'd be battling it out with Everton in the relegation zone.
A third of the league has set up camp around the relegation zone. Doesn't mean they're all going to be relegated.
Sadly we have been relegated from going for 4 trophies to finishing outside the top 4, and he's been part of it. While you can tell me it's not his fault, well it's everyone's fault. Everyone that has contributed this season must be held accountable for why it has become what it has. He's conceded 6 goals in a week, and he would have been better off standing in the Kop itself rather than between the sticks for the last one. When he was the best in the world, he would have gone out and claimed that cross, and took everyone with him if needed, as he did against them in 2018. On Sunday, he just stood on his line and watch his international team mate nod the ball past him.
He has played literally every single league game for the past 15 months, so if anyone of them needs a break, it's him. It's not a case of either he plays or it's last man back you know, we do have alternative options available to save a shot, catch a cross, or kick a clearance out, without panicking.
I’m made up that Bobby comes on and scores. Brought tears to my eyes.
On the Robbo incident. Lino will get a warning and play on.
Robbo will get charged and a three match ban.
Just another underhand way of getting at us.
No it isn't. I expect the lino to get a lifetime ban. If the FA don't make an example of him, then FIFA will as he's on their list, and Collina won't tolerate his men lashing out at players. I don't see any contact from Robbo, so can't understand what he got booked for.
Even though he was only on the pitch for ten minutes, Bobby made a difference. Obviously he got the equaliser but I think it was saka who had the ball down the right wing for them and who is there to shrug him off and win possession back for us? Yep, Bobby. And that just summed him up for the short time he was on the pitch.
It’s going to be a sad day when he leaves. What a player he’s been for us.
When people say they see parts of gakpos game that reminds them of Bobby, I honestly haven’t got a clue what they’re watching.
Gakpo has decent close control (but still nowhere near as good as bobbys) but he comes across as lazy to me. Doesn’t press, doesn’t move and he’s far too easy to defend against.
I don’t know if it got picked up on the telly but there was a moment in the first half where Alison had the ball and hes looking to release it early as he often does and Gakpo is standing still on the halfway line and Alison bollocked him and Gakpo basically shrugged his shoulders. If that was mane or salah then they’ve both already turned running in behind for the pass or if it was Bobby he would have come short or moved into space to receive the ball.
Next season will be the time to judge him but first impressions aren’t great I must say.
They weren't with Firmino either when he arrived.
As for Firmino himself, he's gone from an automatic starter in a prolific front three to 6th choice in a struggling side, brought on as a last minute job. So he's off. Gakpo is his replacement. Like Firmino, he doesn't score many goals. Unlike Firmino he has time on his side, and now has 6 months to get up to speed, before taking up the role full time next season.
The result condemned us to another season of waiting for No. 20. Jürgen might be doing cartwheels at the idea of a week of training before the next game, but I'm not. It's only possible because we've already got ourselves kicked out of Europe, which people tell me we want every year. So therefore it's a race to salvage something from the season and secure Thursday night football next season. It's not much of a player recruitment tool granted, but that's the way of the world.