From Hungary with love (Leipzig post-match)

This was much more like it. In some way it was a continuation of some improved performances of recent weeks (which were not rewarded with good results then), but also it felt like a breath of fresh air to play in a different competition, where teams might not be as inoculated to our style and the refereeing doesn’t make you want to tear your hear out or go on a murder spree.

In fairness Leipzig could have scored at least one, but we got a bit of luck or Alli saved us. There was a bit of much-needed fortune at the other end too with both our goals coming through clear 1 on 1’s after dreadful defensive mistakes from the opposition. The much-discussed midfield was fully in control until the substitutions with Thiago in particular getting lots of timely interventions without fouling and Jones as confident as ever with the ball at his feet. Defensively, Kabak went about his business with minimum of fuss and even Trent was a picture of concentration and alertness. I’m especially happy for Alisson whose split-second decision-making was back to being excellent after a hellish week. Finally about the subs, I though Shaq did OK but Ox was pretty bad yet again - but I understand the reasoning for it; we need fresh legs on Sunday.

Now let’s go and destroy some blue shite.

 

Sensational result all things considered.

Clean sheet.

Two goal lead.

Allison looking assured.

Salah and Mane on the scoresheet.

TAA looking back to his attacking best.

Can’t wait to have Mbappe as an impact sub in this team next year!!

 

I was watching the PSG game with one eye and can confirm that Mbappe is sensational and would look very good wearing Liverpool red next year.

Oh, and if Gini goes to THAT Barca, he needs his head checked.

 

One positive from all the injuries, if you can say that, is the development and valuable game time given to Curtis Jones. Incredible development and a fantastic talent.
From getting a few minutes to now being a difference maker in midfield.

The kid is gonna be a star.

 

I enjoyed that.

Bit concerned that we didn't score any self created goals.

Fingers crossed we are on the up again and settle the score with Everton.

Hopefully Fab is back and we can move Henderson into midfield.

 

PSG will probably make him the highest paid footballer in the World. He's the next Messi/Ronaldo.
22 years old and just about the best player in the World now.

 

Robinson catching a fresh one.

 

RBL played perfectly into our hands. You just don't get that level of tactical naivety in the PL. Playing three exposed CBs up against our front three was suicide. However we put them away with the look of a side who are strangers to injuries crisis' and lack of form, so that was really comforting to see.

Kabak impressed me, especially considering the young hottest CB in the world was flapping around at the back like a mad womans piss, whereas Kabak took everything in his stride. His passing is a bit telegraphed to Trent, and he needs to work on his distribution, but he looks an impressive defender, playing far above his years.

 

I stayed in bed and not watching until we were 2 goals up.

Thank me later.

 

Thank fuck for that...

 

I had it on while I was round at a girls breaking curfew. Now need to do that each time in case this was the secret to winning

(And yes I'm taking non jinxy pre-match thread starting as a key part of our victory)

 

We won and that was the main thing tonight - just fucking win. For that I am delighted for the team and the players - it will do their heads some good.

But there is so much in that performance that fills me with absolute dread.

• I thought we created very little in open play, and from what little we did create - again like so many of the games we have seen in the PL - the positioning and decision making up front was all wrong.  There was also too many passes back to Alli today - just way too many.
• The chances that Leipzig had - if they had fallen to any PL side in the top 13 - I reckon they would have put at least one of them away and for that we were lucky that they looked way off form tonight.
• I was so damn glad that he took Thiago, and Bobby off and not Curtis Jones - if he had done what he did on Saturday in terms of subs - I would not be surprised if Leipzig came back to get a goal or draw that game.
• Shaqiri - looks utterly fucked, and Ox looked slightly better than Saturday but he had some space to run into tonight, although he did give the ball away and his whole attitude does not seem right.
• What was also telling was that we looked kind of fucked after the 70 minute mark and some passes were straying all over the place, as we gave possession of the ball to them.   This makes total sense now in terms of our collapse against the likes of Man City and Leicester, - our regulars who have been over-playing are rightly exhausted this season and unfortunately because we cannot play a defensive game - we have to play that ball possession game and that can be exhausting.  
• I thought the Kabak played well and looked very confident tonight - which makes you wonder - had we sorted our shit out on the 2nd of Jan we may not have had to be playing this months game with our best central midfielders in defense.  But there is this part of me that worries Kabak is likely to do something to get sent off !!!
• On Thiago - I thought he did much better today - don't tackle opposition players but chase them and pressure them - just don't tackle mate coz you are incapable of doing that.

I am not actually looking forward to Everton - I know we will probably pick up some injuries from those savages - so given we have played much of the season without Keita - I would like us to offer him as a sacrifice for Everton - feel free to hack him down.

 

No fat lip or manager quitting.

What more can someone want?

 

Ox vs RB Leipzig:

 

Or his bank account at least.

 

He already is. Our recent slump coincided with him dropping out of the team.

 

Six more games in this comp. Boss

 

Jinxy and everything but all being normal, who would you want to avoid in the last eight? I've always thought PSG were a bit meh but now they look genuinely scary. I'd rather Bayern knocked them out, I'd be more comfortable having to play them or even Athletico Madrid than PSG. Everyone else bar those mentioned and City look beneath us.

I suppose the good news is how long it is til the next round. It's a month off. Squad will hopefully look a lot stronger