Lovely close header against Arsenal. He can still do it. I quite understand the doubts - he's got to deal with that - but he's such a quality forward I don't quite want to give up on him just yet.
Red Tuesday
- Thread starter rurikbird
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Lovely close header against Arsenal. He can still do it. I quite understand the doubts - he's got to deal with that - but he's such a quality forward I don't quite want to give up on him just yet.
I look at the matches against Hoffenheim, Arsenal and Sevilla, and compare that to matches like Burnley or Leicester in the Cup, and it's clear to see that chances we create with Firmino in that central role, and Salah and Mane running beyond him, are of far higher quality.
There is undue focus on Firmino's shirt number and starting position - it is tolerably clear from all measurable statistics that he has much more in common with attacking midfielders than a traditional 9. And while we fret about not having a goalscoring striker, Salah already has 4 goals, just 2 behind the leading scorers. Does it matter if he doesn't play as a 9, as long as he is on hand to snap up the best chances we have in the box?
Apparently it matters to some.
MATCH FACTS
Spartak Moscow and Liverpool's only previous Champions League encounter was in the 2002-03 first group stage. Liverpool won both games 8-1 on aggregate, including a 3-1 victory in Russia.
Spartak Moscow have won only two of their past 17 home games in the Champions League (D5 L10). They've also kept only one clean sheet in their past 18 games on home soil in the competition.
Spartak Moscow have won only five of their past 36 Champions League games (D6 L25). They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 11 outings in the competition.
Spartak Moscow's last 19 Champions League goals have all been scored from inside the box.
Spartak Moscow have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League only once in their 11 previous appearances, in 1995-96 (quarter-finalists).
Meanwhile, this is Liverpool's 10th Champions League campaign, and only their second appearance in the group stages in the past eight seasons. They have not reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2008-09.
Liverpool have failed to win any of their past six Champions League games (D3 L3), their longest run without a victory in the competition. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their past eight Champions League games.
Liverpool have won only one of their past seven away games in the Champions League (D3 L3) - this coming against Debrecen in November 2009 (1-0).
Liverpool had 17 more shots than their opponents Sevilla, the biggest positive differential that did not lead to a win on matchday one of this season's Champions League (2-2).
Spartak Moscow striker Luiz Adriano didn't have a single shot on target but conceded more fouls than any other player on matchday one (6).
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino was the only player to miss a penalty on matchday one (out of six attempted).
Spartak Moscow and Liverpool's only previous Champions League encounter was in the 2002-03 first group stage. Liverpool won both games 8-1 on aggregate, including a 3-1 victory in Russia.
Spartak Moscow have won only two of their past 17 home games in the Champions League (D5 L10). They've also kept only one clean sheet in their past 18 games on home soil in the competition.
Spartak Moscow have won only five of their past 36 Champions League games (D6 L25). They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 11 outings in the competition.
Spartak Moscow's last 19 Champions League goals have all been scored from inside the box.
Spartak Moscow have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League only once in their 11 previous appearances, in 1995-96 (quarter-finalists).
Meanwhile, this is Liverpool's 10th Champions League campaign, and only their second appearance in the group stages in the past eight seasons. They have not reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2008-09.
Liverpool have failed to win any of their past six Champions League games (D3 L3), their longest run without a victory in the competition. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in their past eight Champions League games.
Liverpool have won only one of their past seven away games in the Champions League (D3 L3) - this coming against Debrecen in November 2009 (1-0).
Liverpool had 17 more shots than their opponents Sevilla, the biggest positive differential that did not lead to a win on matchday one of this season's Champions League (2-2).
Spartak Moscow striker Luiz Adriano didn't have a single shot on target but conceded more fouls than any other player on matchday one (6).
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino was the only player to miss a penalty on matchday one (out of six attempted).
Would have been Gomez if he wasn't suspended. Like I said Robertson?
Who is going to tell @FoxForceFive that he locked the wrong thread?
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