F**k me la, there's some short F***ing memories on this forum. One defeat and the world is caving in. And like the only other game where we've lost this season, we were robbed by the officials. Alright we didn't play last night or against Luton but you don't play well every game and you don't win every single game - especially when you're playing a bunch of players that most on this forum don't rate anyway.
But the group is still in our control, we could easily be top of the League by the end of the month and we're going nicely in the League Cup. Quadruple is still truly on.
Like Luton, this was the biggest game in recent history for Toulouse. Of course their players are gonna be right up for it. This isn't just a cup final for them, it's a once in a lifetime game. This is the biggest club in world football coming to their ground. And they wanna put on a show for their fans and they did just that. They fully deserved their win. And yet, such is the mentality of this team and this manager, we should of still come away with a point from the game just like we did at Kenilworth Road.
I've seen people talk a lot about the attitude of the players, well their attitude is one of never give up. We go behind a lot, that's well documented and yet we seem to win our fair share of matches. We don't play the free flowing football we once did but we still usually come away with a result of sorts. And I'll say it again, had we not been robbed by the officials we would of had another result here. So the attitude of the players to go right until the final whistle is unquestionable in my eyes. We don't know when we're beat and that's something that is installed in them from the boss.
The game itself, like I said - Toulose fully deserved the win. And it is always difficult in games like this when you're making a number of changes like we did. We've seen it already in Europe this year that we've lost a bit of fluency because of the changes. Changes that are expected and would be heavily criticised if we didn't make. "Why's Jürgen playing our strongest XI against Toulose - it's only the Europa League". And then when he does make those changes, it's still heavily criticised because we struggle to play at our best. Some people boggle my F***ing mind. I also find it funny how some people have been nowhere to be seen in recent weeks when we have been winning but a couple of bad results and they're back out in force. Go F**k yourselves. There's no greater feeling than seeing the Reds win and yet some seem to revel in our misfortune.
Kelleher - personally thought he had one of his better games in recent times. The game against the two clubs at Anfield I thought was his worst in a Liverpool shirt but last night he seemed more composed with the ball at his feet and I wouldn't really fault him for the goals. I know some are blaming him for the third but he did what he was supposed to do which was push it wide of the post. If his defenders were alert then it gets cleared, they wasn't and Toulose had an easy finish.
Gomez - at some point this season this lad is gonna score. He's getting closer as the weeks go by, hitting the bar very early on last night. Done ok first half at right back but struggled when he was moved over to the left for the second. His versatility helps him get game time but it hinders him getting a run of games in one position. But for most of the season, he's been above good so one bad outting isn't the end of the world.
Matip - one of his worst performances of the season but of course he wasn't alone in that sense. Bit sloppy in possession. Not as commanding as he usually is at the back. And was out performed considerably by his younger, less experienced, partner.
Quansah - this lad is taking every opportunity he gets this year. He knows there's an opening for him in the squad and is putting his name in the hat for that opening. Matip may be off next summer, Gomez may not be the first choice back up centre half so there's an opportunity for somebody to stand up and say to Jürgen, I'm the cover to Konate & Van Dijk and young Jarell is doing it. Should have had his first Liverpool goal in France but was wrongly chalked off. I'm sure he'll get it soon.
Tsimikas - unfotunately the Greek Scouser has declined to a level that is no longer acceptable for us. While some "squad" players see these European games as a chance to push for a starting berth in the League games, Kostas looks more like he's insulted to be playing in these games. And I do feel for him in a way because he knows that no matter how well he plays, once Robbo is fit he's back to sitting on the bench watching with splinters in his arse.
Elliott - as is often the case with Harv, he worked his bollocks off for the cause. Runs around a lot, works hard but doesn't have the finese or guile to be the player he thinks he is. Should of scored yesterday but lacked the composure when it fell to him. Probably was the best player in a Red shirt yesterday just for his work ethic if nothing else. He was the one who looked like he was trying.
Endo - is the complete opposite to Szoboszlai on this forum. Whereas Dom gets man of the match votes just for tying his boots, poor Endo gets criticised for the way he ties his boots. And I'm not saying he played well yesterday because he didn't. He was shocking and probably should have been sent off for a number of late challenges. But it seems like people are zoned in on him waiting to be critical of him when they wouldn't be for other players doing the same things. I don't know why people are so intent on it either. When he was bought people were telling us it was a waste of a signing, so why are they surprised that he's not the new Gerrard?
Mac Allister - worked wonders for Jota's goal. I know Diogo will get all the plaudits and rightfully so but Mac's involvement in winning the ball back and laying it into Jota's path was top class. It's not the first time he's done that either this season, he done similar against Forest in the lead up to Jota's goal. Won it back, laid it on a plate for Mo and eventually Jota got the goal that day. Unfortunately that was about all he did in the game that was good. Needs to produce more.
Doak - felt sorry for him getting dragged off at half time as I thought he was the brightest of the front three in that first half. One really good effort that the keeper saved. I like that he's prepared to come inside but also go on his right foot to be a full back. He's still lacking a bit of maturity in his game but what do you expect from a kid who's still not yet 18?
Gakpo - one decent set piece early on for Gomez's header and then very little else from the Dutchman. But on the attacking front, there was little else from his strike partners throughout the game either with the exception of Jota.
Diaz - great news about his arl fella and maybe that relief meant his mind was elsewhere. Whereas against Luton he used it as inspiration to save us a point, yesterday looked more like his mind was elsewhere. And I wouldn't blame him if it was. Ultimately, football is just a game and what he's been through off the field recently is far more important than the result of a footy match.
Alexander-Arnold - didn't really do much did he? I know he got slaughtered for that wayward effort from miles out and didn't really grab the game by the scruff of the neck like a captain should. Defensively, we all know he's not the best and it was shown a few times last night again. I'd be happy to see him revert back to his old role as just a right back because teams are now expecting him to come into midfield. Just try and catch them off guard a bit.
Szoboszlai - another poor showing from him, wouldn't have known he was on the pitch or not yesterday.
Salah - see above. These three half time subs were meant to come on save us and if anything made us play even worse. Dunno if Mo just needs a break but he's been almost invisible for a couple of games now. Probably wasn't expecting to play as many minutes as he has in the Europa League this season.
Nunez - another sub who came on and had very little impact on the game. Whether it was poor service into the front men or just poor play from the attackers or a combination of the two I don't really know but overall our main goal threats were of no threat at all.
Jota - the one sub who did come on and make a difference. His goal was brilliant. And he did seem to give everyone a lift and a spark. But it wasn't quite enough on the team front, individually he was head and shoulders above anybody else though.
Overall, it's a disappointing result and performance but we'll bounce back from it and still progress from the group quite easily. Given it's Liverpool and we don't like doing things the easy way, the result shouldn't be so much of a shock.
A win over Brentford on Sunday before the international break and then a win over City before progressing to the next round of this European road trip before the end of the month will make this defeat all but forgotten.
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