Purposely didn't post last night because I was quite angry but even after I've slept on it I feel no different so here we go.
So as always I'll start with the line up. I put in the pre match thread the team I wanted to go with so I was disappointed seeing Milner gini and Henderson in the middle. I honestly couldn't care less what results those three have gotten in the past, if you can't see the problems we have in midfield when those three all play together then you're just deluded. There is no balance or flair at all - which we then saw which I'll discuss in a minute.
So the game starts and for the first five or ten minutes I thought we were all over the place. We were quite clearly nervous which I was a little surprised at. City were forcing us into mistakes and had us under the cosh. We weathered the storm though and started to settle down and grow into the game.
We then should have taken the lead with manes effort that hit the post and then that bizarre goal line clearance from stones. How the F**k did that not go in? Even now I can't F***ing believe it.
I also think kompany should have been given a red too for that reckless challenge on Salah but the ref bottled it.
City score towards the end of the half which was a good goal by aguero but poor defending on our half. We just switched off and lost concentration. It felt at the time that goal was against the run of play, I didn't think city deserved to be in front.
Second half begins and it's obvious we need to make a change. We just weren't getting enough out of our midfield three. Milner was still obviously carrying a knock so he was the one to leave the field but personally I wanted to drag henderson off who I thought up until this point was abysmal once more.
Fabinho comes on as the 6 and straight away you saw the difference. Finally somebody who looks up and passes the ball F***ing forward. Somebody who isn't afraid to carry the ball a little bit forward either. To be fair to Henderson, he improved somewhat once he moved further forward too.
The equaliser came which I thought was a cracking goal from us. Really well worked and thoroughly deserved too.
City then score another which again seemed to come from nowhere and, again, just poor defending from us. It was the type of goal we used to concede regularly 3-4 seasons ago.
We huffed and puffed and despite having two or three pin ball like moments in the city box, we just couldn't find the equaliser and city took the points. Very disappointing result for us.
Becker - don't think he could have done anything for either goal but his kicking was dog sh*t. 5/10
Trent - inexperienced showed at the back at times. Played some nice stuff going forward though but crossing is still a little bit off compared to usual. 5/10
Lovren - I've said literally hundreds of times he isn't good enough for us. He's awful. Similar to Henderson he has his supporters but I honestly have no idea what the F**k they're watching. Another terrible performance from dejan and he has proven once more he is a liability who can't be trusted. You could argue that he cost us this game. 1/10
VVD - Did very little wrong. Solid as always. 8/10
Robertson - my motm. Thought he had Sterling in his back pocket once again. Considering how rapid Sterling is, he never seems to get past andy does he? Good going forward as usual too. 9/10
Henderson - Was hoping he wouldn't play. Yet another massive game where he doesn't contribue. This is a title decider and our captain is just non existent, it's actually embarrassing how little he offers us. Ive never, ever, seen Henderson give 'a captain like performance' ever. I'm just sick of him. The only compliment I can give to him is that once fabinho came on, he moved up the pitch and played a bit better. 3/0
Milner - Poor. Think he's still carrying a knock. 4/10.
Gini - Bits of flashes then goes missing. Frustrating. 4/10
Salah - Even though he didn't have the best of games I thought he was a threat still. 6/10
Mane - Same. He didn't have his shooting boots on but he still looked threatening at times. 6/10
Firmino - thought Bobby was quiet until the late stages of the game. 5/10
Fabinho - should have started. Head and shoulders above Henderson in the DM role. Made a massive difference once he came on. 8/10.
Shaqiri and Sturridge. Didn't have enough time to really contribute.
Klopp - not often our Jürgen gets it wrong but I think he did tonight. Thought the game was crying out for keita as well as Fabinho and the changes should have come sooner.
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