Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Mane destroys defences with his pace and vision, but he's not that good a passer.
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Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Mane destroys defences with his pace and vision, but he's not that good a passer.
A little ironic that you're watching them watching Klopp...
Hes's not looking like he will ever become consistent enough to be a top-top player.
I'd like to think that's easier to work on than pace and vision though so hopefully he can improve on that.
How about some lovely raaaaaaatings? Nobody below 6 or 7, and a very well-deserved victory against a very anaemic Arsenal side, who left their best player on the bench.
It's not really worth poring over the supposed mystery of our ridiculous inconsistency and the record against Top sides. There's little to be gained and no amazing insight. We play better against teams who give us more space and time, and who try and attack. Wow, fucking really?
As for the inconsistency, that is also no mystery. Great players are consistent. We don't have enough great players. Therefore we are inconsistent. Hope that helps. Anyway:
Mignolet (6) No clean sheet, as usual, but produced a couple of fine reaction saves, as well as his depressingly predictable aerial clowning, as he missed two punches. Came out unwisely for the goal, and almost invited the Welbeck finish.
Clyne (7) Very impressive in the first half especially, as he ran riot with Mane and a very right-sided Lallana, to run Arsenal ragged. Less dangerous after half time, but a big improvement
Matip (7) He's been shite for weeks, but this was better. Made some eye-catching passes. Several good headed clearances, but still missed a couple of easy interceptions, and is weirdly collapsible when a player turns and runs at him. Should have scored.
Klavan (7) He's not the quickest, or most gifted, but his physical presence was most useful, even if he should have cleared off the line for the Welbeck goal.
Milner (7) Wasn't given as much help as his opposite number, but still produced a far better display after a few moribund performances. Still needs to have competition and be able to have a rest.
Can (7) Got about the pitch quite well, given his lumbering style, and also made a few hefty challenges. Lucky not to be sent off, but gave us a physical presence
Wijnaldum (8) He's got a well-deserved reputation for being a homer, and that was the case here. After his putrid and gutless display at Leicester, he was immense. Always involved, huge work rate and a fine late goal
Lallana (8) This was a very fine display, after a poor period for him. He was effervescent, always available and really helped set the tone, with lovely control and passing, super vision and a ferocious work rate.
Coutinho (7) More signs of improvement after his goal and decent display on Monday, had a few good shots and, like Lallana, always turned to attack Arsenal when he received the ball. Helped with the opening goal with a fine header, and then missed a flick when Mane crossed, but that turned into a lovely accidental dummy for Firmino
Mane (9) What a devastating footballer. Arsenal had a collective bout of the shits whenever Mane turned and ran at them. We all know how invaluable pace is, but Mane allies that weapon to a fine brain and superb finishing skills. Wonderful.
Firmino (8) I thought he might score against Arsenal, and he duly did so. And set another up with a super pass. Arsenal gave him far too much time and space, and they paid dearly. It's no secret that he isn't a natural finisher, or that we need a far better player in the lone striker role next season, but this was a good display indeed, and very welcome after weeks of dismal mediocrity.
It's not really worth poring over the supposed mystery of our ridiculous inconsistency and the record against Top sides. There's little to be gained and no amazing insight. We play better against teams who give us more space and time, and who try and attack. Wow, fucking really?
As for the inconsistency, that is also no mystery. Great players are consistent. We don't have enough great players. Therefore we are inconsistent. Hope that helps. Anyway:
Mignolet (6) No clean sheet, as usual, but produced a couple of fine reaction saves, as well as his depressingly predictable aerial clowning, as he missed two punches. Came out unwisely for the goal, and almost invited the Welbeck finish.
Clyne (7) Very impressive in the first half especially, as he ran riot with Mane and a very right-sided Lallana, to run Arsenal ragged. Less dangerous after half time, but a big improvement
Matip (7) He's been shite for weeks, but this was better. Made some eye-catching passes. Several good headed clearances, but still missed a couple of easy interceptions, and is weirdly collapsible when a player turns and runs at him. Should have scored.
Klavan (7) He's not the quickest, or most gifted, but his physical presence was most useful, even if he should have cleared off the line for the Welbeck goal.
Milner (7) Wasn't given as much help as his opposite number, but still produced a far better display after a few moribund performances. Still needs to have competition and be able to have a rest.
Can (7) Got about the pitch quite well, given his lumbering style, and also made a few hefty challenges. Lucky not to be sent off, but gave us a physical presence
Wijnaldum (8) He's got a well-deserved reputation for being a homer, and that was the case here. After his putrid and gutless display at Leicester, he was immense. Always involved, huge work rate and a fine late goal
Lallana (8) This was a very fine display, after a poor period for him. He was effervescent, always available and really helped set the tone, with lovely control and passing, super vision and a ferocious work rate.
Coutinho (7) More signs of improvement after his goal and decent display on Monday, had a few good shots and, like Lallana, always turned to attack Arsenal when he received the ball. Helped with the opening goal with a fine header, and then missed a flick when Mane crossed, but that turned into a lovely accidental dummy for Firmino
Mane (9) What a devastating footballer. Arsenal had a collective bout of the shits whenever Mane turned and ran at them. We all know how invaluable pace is, but Mane allies that weapon to a fine brain and superb finishing skills. Wonderful.
Firmino (8) I thought he might score against Arsenal, and he duly did so. And set another up with a super pass. Arsenal gave him far too much time and space, and they paid dearly. It's no secret that he isn't a natural finisher, or that we need a far better player in the lone striker role next season, but this was a good display indeed, and very welcome after weeks of dismal mediocrity.
Whilst in general I agree with your ratings, I think you might be suffering a bit from your (and most of ours) pro Mane bias, he was great today, but no better than Coutinho or Lallana, I'd have given them all 8, with Lallana edging it for man of the match.
I wanted to make a further special point on Can, who I've got on the back of a lot this season, but he was great today, and had a nice edge of gamesmanship (Sanchez foul and the fake injury) which no doubt helped us win the game. If he can always play like this in that position, maybe we do finally have cover for Henderson when he's out.
Can playing better isn't surprising. He takes weeks & weeks to find form when he's been out for any length of time.
This time he seemed to have taken longer, but he's still found it. I won't be surprised if he stays at this level for the rest of the season.
This time he seemed to have taken longer, but he's still found it. I won't be surprised if he stays at this level for the rest of the season.
I usually give out an extra point for attackers who score goals. Although arguably Firmino would then be a 9
In fairness, pre injury against Sunderland (I think) Coutinho was on his way to having that breakthrough season...and I've never been fully convinced he can hit the heights we all know he's capable of on a consistent basis at least. That injury really screwed him over. He's definitely struggled since he's come back, hopefully it's just a matter of time before he finds form again.
We hoped Coutinho's form at the first half of the season was proof he was developing into the world class player he often hinted he could be. It's equally likely he's already back his standard level rather than 'playing his way back into form'. I mean he's been back a while now... It doesn't necessarily matter. He's still a very good player surrounded by other very good players. Part of me thinks we expect too much from him. We wanted him to step up to replace Gerrard/Suarez, etc. Liverpool fans are used to having one world-class player to hero worship.
Hopefully I'm wrong. I'd love to see him back at his early season form but, in regards to his progression as a footballer, Coutinho generally flatters to deceive.
Hopefully I'm wrong. I'd love to see him back at his early season form but, in regards to his progression as a footballer, Coutinho generally flatters to deceive.
There user base should explain it, it's not that hard plus they have a very decent size of LFC supporting posters.
That's from the City or Chelsea game ain't it? Looks like either of their fans at the Annie Road where he scored them goals
That shot in injury time could have been better
Im actually really pissed off we won (sounds stupid and we need the 3 points so of course im glad we won buuuut.....)
It just shows what these glory hunting cunts are all about.
Big game on sky that will be all over the media they are all over it. Next week we fucking lose to Hull.
I actually hate them so much.
It just shows what these glory hunting cunts are all about.
Big game on sky that will be all over the media they are all over it. Next week we fucking lose to Hull.
I actually hate them so much.
I'm normally extremely sceptical about body language, but Lallana was quick to push away Klopp's arm over his shoulder after the game. Maybe he was still smarting from the criticism Klopp gave him earlier in the week. Whatever. It worked.
Clyne remains my most irritating player - he just bottles it. Amazing to think he scored against us. Why do we sign players after that kind of freak goal.
In general a fine performance, but same old same old - this side can't be trusted to do the same against Burnley. They simply have to win back our trust.
Clyne remains my most irritating player - he just bottles it. Amazing to think he scored against us. Why do we sign players after that kind of freak goal.
In general a fine performance, but same old same old - this side can't be trusted to do the same against Burnley. They simply have to win back our trust.
He was worried he wouldn't be able to overcome his zombie urges so close & would start chewing his bosses face off, so he pushed him away.
I hear you but I think the last thing a Liverpool player or fan is these days is a glory-hunter.
Yeh I noticed the arm on the shoulder removal. 'Twas subtle though so maybe there's nothing in it.
I'm happy we won. We're in a decent place regarding CL footy, which was the target before the season started.
Yes, its been some frustrating games of late but going in to work today with the Mancs drawing and us beating Arsenal.
Well, lets just say its been a very good day so far.
Yes, its been some frustrating games of late but going in to work today with the Mancs drawing and us beating Arsenal.
Well, lets just say its been a very good day so far.
Weve fucked it though H.
We practically had it sowed up.
Now we will have to be very very lucky to get top 4.
And if we do our squad will never compete in the league again. Its too thin for both.
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