Liverpool Vs. Arsenal Easter Sunday 9/4/23 16.30 Sky Sports

[The Wengerbabies]

Must win.

If Saliba is out I say we go fuck it and go with

Ramsdale
White Gabriel Zinchenko
Partey
Odegard Xhaka
Saka Trossard Jesus Martinelli

[Mac76]

so when White is up the field and Zinchenko is wandering around aimlessly, it's just Gabriel? I like the guy but give him a chance :lol:

Funnily enough though, I was thinking about having all four attackers too, though instead of dropping Holding maybe leaving out Zinchenko, as he's pretty nonexistent as a defender anyway - either way it's a bit of a worry as Salah plays down that side

btw i do think people are being a bit unkind to Holding, sure he's no Saliba but both Wolves and Bournemouth (admittedly both at home) beat Liverpool and kept a clean sheet, it can be done without top class players

[Mac76]

oh and 3-0 Ox hatter

[HCZ_Reborn]

My feeling is clear, a result of any kind draw or win is not possible if we play Rob Holding.

The only way we can play with him in the team is to sit with 11 behind the ball and we simply don’t have the ability to play for a 0-0 draw. If we go for it with them he will be picked off because he won’t be able to deal with the pace.

I think we would be better off playing three at the back in a wing back system playing White, Gabriel and Kiwior and playing Saka and Zinchenko as wing backs. I’d drop Xhaka for this game as we need players with positional discipline so would play Jorginho and Partey. Odegaard in the hole and Martinelli just behind Jesus.

[Marc Overmars]

Monstrous game for us. A win would probably feel like more than 3 points given the magnitude of what it would do for our psyche.

Draw is ok but then it’s squeaky bum time.

A defeat would probably put the writing on the wall with trips to City and Newcastle to come.

[Letters]

If we win then I think we are going to go on to become champions.

…but I don’t think we will win :(

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

My god stop being such fannies. You'll win and you'll win well.

[Letters]

My god stop being such fannies. You'll win and you'll win well.

Look. You're shit. But...you've only lost one league game at home all season.
And our record up there is bloody awiful.

[Mac76]

Iit's the Big Day guys...

I've no idea how often he gets it right but Chris Sutton thinks we'll win 3-1

I do think we have what it takes, but it will be about our composure

Not having Tomi to deal with Salah is a bigger deal than not having Saliba IMO, given where Zinchenko plays and his lack of defensive skills Salah could have a field day

But like I said elsewhere, this will be about our being positive and seeking to boss the game rather than playing for a draw

I think the lineup will be a predictable one, I do think Holding will play and, despite his hat trick at Anfield before, I think Trossard will be on the bench as an impact sub

[Marc Overmars]

I think we might either pub ourselves a narrow win or get smashed to pieces. One or the other, nothing in between.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Whether I will bother to watch depends on our starting lineup, if as is likely Holding and Zinchenko both start I simply won’t bother.

[Mac76]

Whether I will bother to watch depends on our starting lineup, if as is likely Holding and Zinchenko both start I simply won’t bother.

Which basically confirms you're no kind of real fan

[HCZ_Reborn]

Which basically confirms you're no kind of real fan

Get fucked you sanctimonious prick :lol:

[Ollie the Optimist]

No win at anfield since 2012, only two points in last 9 visits there the last being in 2016.

Since that game we’ve conceded 22 goals and scored 4.

This is almost the toughest game of the season given our appalling record there and a point would be huge. A win could be title winning but I think this one is a don’t lose game rather than a must win.

And it’s mad how worried we are (rightly so) given Liverpool are 30 points behind!

[Marc Overmars]

Sadly Liverpool are still a very different proposition at Anfield to the one who’ve stunk the place out on the road this season.

I’m nervous as fuck. The title is so close but because of these games it still feels so far away.

[dostoy]

If Arsenal win then the confidence it will bring will be massive.

If Arsenal lose then confidence will drain away.

A draw is not bad but not good enough.

Holding will play as there is no-one else.

I also expect a much improved display from Liverpool.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I'm a bit disappointed we haven't addressed the Saliba situation better.

I've been one of Holding's biggest fans ever since he joined the club but the gulf in quality since he stepped in is just too massive to be ignored by any smart opposition manager.

After the first game when he struggled I expected Arteta to have tried something different, pushed White back there and look for a makeshift rightback, which to me would have been better than gambling with such a pivotal position as CB

Now we are playing one of the best teams in the world ( though they are playing terribly) with an obvious weakness.

Well I can only hope Holding finds the player he use to be and Liverpool's attack continues being clueless.

[Mac76]

Christ there's an ice cream van outside playing the MotD theme, there's no escaping it today is there :lol:

[Mac76]

Sadly Liverpool are still a very different proposition at Anfield to the one who’ve stunk the place out on the road this season.

I’m nervous as fuck. The title is so close but because of these games it still feels so far away.

In some ways it feels like this is our biggest game since the CL final, so much riding on it, we need to grab the game by the balls and not let go, forget Holding, everyone else needs to do their job to perfection

I really wonder if this is the right game for Zin though, given the gap he leaves at LB, but I'm resigned to him playing, there's zero chance he'll play Tierney instead

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Zinchenko is essential in this one overloading the midfield in a way Liverpool could not deal with Stones doing it.

It's a risk no doubt but I think one we must utilise.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Zinchenko is essential in this one overloading the midfield in a way Liverpool could not deal with Stones doing it.

It's a risk no doubt but I think one we must utilise.

Their midfield is weak it isn’t much to worry about, it’s on the wings where they will be dangerous

[dostoy]

When you look at the fixtures left to be played this season, Man City should be favourites to win the league even 5 points behind.

[HCZ_Reborn]

When you look at the fixtures left to be played this season, Man City should be favourites to win the league even 5 points behind.

To my mind they are favourites (even if not with the bookies) and that will remain so even in the incredibly unlikely event that we win today. We obviously won’t but if we win today and beat City, we would be favourites (well not favourites, the title would be ours to all intents and purposes). So I guess in respect of the fact that it’s in our hands we are favourites but it means having to overturn our record of defeats (six in a row at Anfield and the Etihad)

[Letters]

We won’t win today, but if we do then I think that will carry us to the title.
If we lose, as I fear we will, then it’s not fatal to our title challenge but it will definitely hand the momentum to City

:(

[HCZ_Reborn]

Holding starts. 3-1 to Liverpool I reckon

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Expected line-up.

[Mac76]

Lineup just as expected, still worried about Salah v Zin, but hey COYG

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Jota, Salah, Gakpo.
Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Thiago, Milner, Firmino, Elliott, Tsimikas, Nunez, Matip.

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Trossard, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Walters.

[Mac76]

Klopp: "'ball retention...?'" :lol:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Jota, Salah, Gakpo.
Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Thiago, Milner, Firmino, Elliott, Tsimikas, Nunez, Matip.

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Trossard, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Walters.

The good news is Partey starts.

Hopefully he stays on throughout the whole game and keeps his record this season of not losing any games when he does 90 mins.

[Mac76]

The good news is Partey starts.

Hopefully he stays on throughout the whole game and keeps his record this season of not losing any games when he does 90 mins.

I agree, if we have to play Jorginho at any point i will be worried, he's good but if people think Holding's slow...

[Mac76]

Ramsdale looks nervous as f**k

[Marc Overmars]

Come on Arsenal. :pray:

[Mac76]

Come on Arsenal. :pray:

:gp:

[Mac76]

Really interesting thing I heard yesterday on the Arsenal Vision pod about how the Arsenal players walked out with flowers for Hillsborough in the Anfield '89 game, partly a ruse to quieten the crowd apparently :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Did we hit the post?

[Marc Overmars]

Haven’t managed to settle with the ball yet. Mostly Liverpool probing.

[Marc Overmars]

MARTINELLI!!!!!

COME ON

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

You have now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

MARTINELLI!!!

[Mac76]

Martinelliiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!

[Marc Overmars]

Need to defend properly now and keep the crowd quiet.

Can’t gift them anything silly.

[GP]

Lets fucking goooo!!!

[dostoy]

Yes I don't like all this celebration so early in the game,.

There is a very long way to go and concentration is so important.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Not far wide from Zinchenko

[Mac76]

Liverpool fan shouting "get on with it you f'kin knob'ed" :haha:

[Marc Overmars]

Decent chance for Jesus but awkward to connect with.

[Marc Overmars]

Robertson in but fires wide.

Wake up lads.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Robertson drags it wide.

[Mac76]

Close from Robertson

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yellow for White.

[Marc Overmars]

White booked.

Bit harsh.

[Mac76]

White booked for a dumb foul

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Great header away from Holding.

[Mac76]

Xhaka caught dawdling on the ball

[McNamara That Ghost...]

JESUS!!!

[Marc Overmars]

JESUS!!!

COME ON!!!!

[Mac76]

Jesuuuuuuuuuuus!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mac76]

Robertson should be booked for that

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deliberate kick from Van Dijk.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Salah WTF? :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Salah was in but gets the finish wrong.

Bit of a let off. Can’t give him many more chances like that.

[Mac76]

Fuckup from Holding, lucky Salah didn't do better

[Marc Overmars]

Don’t get involved Xhaka FFS.

What’s the point? So dim.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Xhaka why do this?

[Mac76]

Xhaka losing it, the idiot

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-2 Salah.

[Marc Overmars]

1-2 Salah

:rolleyes:

[Marc Overmars]

I’d say Xhaka’s reaction certainly contributed to that.

Dumb.

[Mac76]

I’d say Xhaka’s reaction certainly contributed to that.

Dumb.

100%, like they're saying it roused the Liverpool crowd and the team, plus distracted ours

Stupid beyond belief

[dostoy]

The best way to keep the crowd quiet is not to get involved in things like that Xhaka.

He was stupid there and that contributed to their goal.

The crowd is up again now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Henderson smacks it over.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-2 HT. :popcorn:

[Marc Overmars]

HT

Mostly very good but lost composure at the end.

[Mac76]

Great for 40+ minutes but then Xhaka was a total arse and got them fired up

He needs to be subbed at HT, also if we had a replacement I'd sub White, on a yellow and a poor first half

[LDG]

When will Granit learn.

Be the wind up, bot the one wound up.

Up to their goal fucking brilliant. Best I’ve seen us play this season despite lack of chances.

Get them to calm the fuck down, but keep the tempo. Hard to do, but thats how you win

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Great for 40+ minutes but then Xhaka was a total arse and got them fired up

He needs to be subbed at HT, also if we had a replacement I'd sub White, on a yellow and a poor first half

Yeah, the yellow cards worry me more than anything really.

Hadn't realised we've not received a red card all season till the commentary mentioned it.

We need to finish this game with 11 men no matter what.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Robertson got the yellow?

[Mac76]

Sounds like some kind of trouble went on at the HT whistle if it was Xhaka we might be playing 45 mins with 10 men...

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Great start, but means nothing if we can't keep composure.

I'd take Xhaka off with about 30 mins to go and bring in Jorghino.

Still really worried about White's yellow.

Also Trossard should come on...and that should be for Jesus to take some gas out of the crowd.

We lose or draw this game at our own peril.

Our fate is firmly in our hands...we just need to be far more mature.

[LDG]

Ref is being a cock

[Mac76]

Robertson got the yellow?

Yes, three of their defenders booked now

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Linesman gave an elbow off to Robertson!

[LDG]

Great start, but means nothing if we can't keep composure.

I'd take Xhaka off with about 30 mins to go and bring in Jorghino.

Still really worried about White's yellow.

Also Trossard should come on...and that should be for Jesus to take some gas out of the crowd.

We lose or draw this game at our own peril.

Our fate is firmly in our hands...we just need to be far more mature.

Whites wasn’t a yellow. Awful decision

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

3-1 or 3-2... we'll need to score another or we're talking 2-2 or even 2-3 or more.

[Marc Overmars]

Come on Arsenal. :pray:

Composure please.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Arsenal. :bow:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Whites wasn’t a yellow. Awful decision

A truly awful decision but it was given.

I hope the ref takes another look at it and gives him some leniency.

[Marc Overmars]

Xhaka clattered but serves him right for dawdling again.

[Marc Overmars]

Giving the ball away so cheaply now.

[Mac76]

Xhaka slow again, take him off ffs

[Marc Overmars]

Haven’t got going yet. :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pelanty to Liverpool.

[Marc Overmars]

Liverpool penalty.

Holding. :lol:

Oh dear.

[Marc Overmars]

Ramsdale booked.

Heads have gone.

[Marc Overmars]

Salah misses

Wow

[McNamara That Ghost...]

SALAH MISSES IT!!!

[Marc Overmars]

Right

Get your fucking heads screwed on now lads.

[Mac76]

Salah :haha: :haha:

[Marc Overmars]

Desperately need a third goal.

There’s no way we win this 1-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fabinho booked.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

That penalty decision was disgraceful...the ref should be thoroughly ashamed of himself.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ramsdale saves from Salah!

[Mac76]

Ramsdale :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

We’re getting pumped here.

Haven’t had the ball in their half for ages.

[Mac76]

Saka's barely in the game, we need to get the ball to him more

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jones off, Thiago on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Jota off, Nunez on.

[Mac76]

I'd like to see Trossard on soon, also Tierney for Zin

[Ollie the Optimist]

That penalty decision was disgraceful...the ref should be thoroughly ashamed of himself.

kanaoute should have had about 5 yellows by now. How on earth the referee thought white was a foul & yellow yet kanoute on Xhaka was fine is behind me

[Globalgunner]

Mentality is our greatest weakness. No need to exhibit the heebee jeebees like this. Play the game as if its still goalless and try to win this last 35mins...and get Xhaka off FFS

[Marc Overmars]

Need to make a change before it’s 2-2

Would get Trossard on for Saka

[Mac76]

That wasn't a foul by Partey

[Ollie the Optimist]

Liverpool have 12 players on the pitch here

[Mac76]

We've got to make subs, Arteta's bottling it

[Marc Overmars]

We can’t just rely on sitting deep here. Asking for trouble.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Been a bit dominated in this half. :lol:

Need the subs now.

[Mac76]

What's Carragher talking about, Zinchenko's decision making is appalling

[Marc Overmars]

Get Trossard on FFS

[McNamara That Ghost...]

So close getting to Saka

Easy shot for Alisson from Odegaard.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tyler: If it's going to be Arsenal or Man CIiy to win the league?!

Who else will?

[Mac76]

Get Trossard on FFS

Arteta's returned to type, leaving them out there to sink or swim

[Mac76]

Zin fucks up again

[Marc Overmars]

Get some fresh legs on man.

We’re playing on the counter here.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fabinho off, Firmino on.

Jesus off, Trossard on.

[Marc Overmars]

Trossard on for Jesus :unsure:

[Mac76]

Finally, Trossard on for Jesus

[Marc Overmars]

Kiwior on for Odegaard

WTF? Begging for trouble.

[Marc Overmars]

Ramsdale saves from Nunez who was clean through.

[Mac76]

Nunez should have scored then

[Mac76]

Kiwior on for Odegaard

WTF? Begging for trouble.

Arteta bottling it

[Marc Overmars]

Arteta bottling it

We’ve been dominated and that change is like showing a red flag to a bull

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Trossard doesn't sleep.

[Mac76]

Xhaka :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Gabriel header right at Alisson!

[Mac76]

Saka stupid timewasting

[Marc Overmars]

Brilliant work from Saka there but no one to pass to

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-2 Firmino, shit.

[Marc Overmars]

2-2 Firmino

There it is

[Mac76]

Zin gets done, Liverpool score

Our two worst players, Xhaka and Zin, have chucked this game away

[Globalgunner]

Can we at least scrape a draw

[Globalgunner]

Zin gets done, Liverpool score

Our two worst players, Xhaka and Zin, have chucked this game away

If Xhaka leaves at the end of the season I wont be surprised if Arteta follows him to his new destination

[Mac76]

Irony of ironies, Zin now subbed for Tierney

[Mac76]

Martinelli messing about now

[Mac76]

A point is almost worthless,we need to win

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a save from Ramsdale!

[Marc Overmars]

Ramsdale with a stunning save

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-2 FT. Holy shit.

[Marc Overmars]

FT 2-2

Diabolical second half

[Mac76]

2-2

Liverpool goals by Xhaka and Zinchenko

[Globalgunner]

Arteta will lose this with his closed mindset. Ball still in our court but we can only afford I loss now...at City

[dostoy]

Arsenal will not be winning the league this season.

[HCZ_Reborn]

Arteta will lose this with his closed mindset. Ball still in our court but we can only afford I loss now...at City

Nope, remember they’ve got goal difference advantage

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Predictable, and unfortunately let down by the two hotheads.

Well done to Ramsdale though, if anyone deserved something from this game, it was him.

Now lets see how the rest of our soap opera season goes.

[dostoy]

Yeah win their game in hand, beat Arsenal job done.

Arsenal still have to go to Newcastle as well.

The only way Arsenal will win the league is if Man City cock it up.

[Marc Overmars]

Man City with Leicester next. :lol:

:rose:

[Mac76]

Arsenal will not be winning the league this season.

Yeah, it's gone now

Even leaving Xhaka's stupidity aside, if Arteta hadn't frozen and instead brought Trossard and Tierney earlier we'd probably have won that

And bringing Kiwior on for Odegaard was waving the white flag

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Nope, remember they’ve got goal difference advantage

Yeah, a draw is the worst we can come back from Citeh with.

And ee have nothing else to play for this season...quite sad, but we have only ourselves to blame.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Man City with Leicester next. :lol:

:rose:

No manager bounce. :bow:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Oh, the ref was awful in this game,he totally shat his pants in front of the Kop.

Pussy.

[Marc Overmars]

From where we were in the game, to crumble away like that is incredibly disappointing. Just kept inviting pressure for 45 mins straight and eventually caved in.

An incredibly lucky point.

City clear favourites now.

[HCZ_Reborn]

My attitude is very disappointed that we couldn’t hold on at 2 nil up. But I said right from the off I’d take a draw

Yes I think the mental strength went, but given they had both a penalty missed and Ramsdale had to make a couple of worldies we are lucky to get anything at all

Anfield has been an utter graveyard for us, and this is not just in the Klopp era….fun fact we lost at Anfield seven times in a row in the league before the Game on May 26th 1989.

[Marc Overmars]

That counter at the end with Saka through and Neville mentioned Michael Thomas. What a moment that could have been if the ball had been right. :(

[Mac76]

That counter at the end with Saka through and Neville mentioned Michael Thomas. What a moment that could have been if the ball had been right. :(

IKR, we had one or two other late breaks too but couldn't get it right

[HCZ_Reborn]

IKR, we had one or two other late breaks too but couldn't get it right

Well we’ve had our fair share of late winners this season (United and Bournemouth at home, Villa away).

[Letters]

My attitude is very disappointed that we couldn’t hold on at 2 nil up. But I said right from the off I’d take a draw

Yes I think the mental strength went, but given they had both a penalty missed and Ramsdale had to make a couple of worldies we are lucky to get anything at all

Anfield has been an utter graveyard for us, and this is not just in the Klopp era….fun fact we lost at Anfield seven times in a row in the league before the Game on May 26th 1989.
Agree with this.
I’d have taken a point before the game I think, but having been 2-0 up…
But sounds like it could have been worse and it’s certainly not fatal to our title chances.
Feels like it hands City the initiative but they’ve got a lot of games to play, they could slip up too.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's still in our hands too.

Broke the streak of losing here. Need to do it at the Etihad also

[Marc Overmars]

It's still in our hands too.

Broke the streak of losing here. Need to do it at the Etihad also

But then do we win at St James’ Park?

I don’t think so man.

We’re going to be pipped and I feel sick.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

But then do we win at St James’ Park?

I don’t think so man.

We’re going to be pipped and I feel sick.

Yeah I reckon so.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

But then do we win at St James’ Park?

I don’t think so man.

We’re going to be pipped and I feel sick.

I am not sure why everyone is overhyping a team than Liverpool dealt with convincingly and was almost buried in the 1st half by Brentford !!

Man City and the Brighton hame at home are my biggest worries....but honestly its looking really bleak for our fairytale.

This was the worst liverpool side we've met in ages and we caved to their 12th man!

This team really needs to grow up fast...just to predictable.

[Letters]

But then do we win at St James’ Park?

I don’t think so man.

We’re going to be pipped and I feel sick.

I’m not willing to throw the towel in yet.
There is something about this lot and City have a lot of games to play.
It will be sickening to miss out having been ahead so long.
It will be tricky reconciling that with the thought that we have massively exceeded expectations this season.

In brief :sick:

My bum is squeaky.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I am not sure why everyone is overhyping a team than Liverpool dealt with convincingly and was almost buried in the 1st half by Brentford !!

Man City and the Brighton hame at home are my biggest worries....but honestly its looking really bleak for our fairytale.

This was the worst liverpool side we've met in ages and we caved to their 12th man!

This team really needs to grow up fast...just to predictable.

A Liverpool side that beat City at home, tore United to shreds and have dominated us in recent years

Don’t get me wrong, I think we lacked any ambition second half. But even if you look at the four games against Liverpool preceding this season, one goal in four against them and twelve for them. A side we’ve taken four points from

[Mac76]

We should have won easily but committed suicide - Xhaka, Zin and being too late with the subs, all Arteta's chickens coming home to roost in one game

It's desperately disappointing but there you go, it's Citeh's to lose now, no question, we need to beat West Ham, get on track and pray for a miracle

[HCZ_Reborn]

We should have won easily but committed suicide - Xhaka, Zin and being too late with the subs, all Arteta's chickens coming home to roost in one game

It's desperately disappointing but there you go, it's Citeh's to lose now, no question, we need to beat West Ham, get on track and pray for a miracle

Won easily? I don’t know about that. As much as we withdrew too deep…I think you have to give them credit for the way they played. If we’d gone in at half time 2-0 maybe we would have won…it’s a really tough ground to get anything from. From their point of view they started poorly and worked their way back into the game. The defending wasn’t great today for sure, but it was them penning us back rather than us just inviting pressure on…that’s the way it goes when you play them at Anfield they are relentless. It says something that they are having a terrible season but still only lost once at home.

I get it I do being two nil up against any team and not winning is massively disappointing. But given you’ve spent the better part of a week chiding me for being relentlessly negative….telling me to enjoy what we’ve achieved so far. I put that back to you, we have come a ridiculously long way in a very short space of time. We’ve dropped 17 points since the season began from 30 games.
I considered city favourites before the game today (mainly because I expected us to lose) but because they get the bit between their teeth at the business end of the season and become relentless.

[Mac76]

If we’d gone in at half time 2-0 maybe we would have won….

Exactly, like I said we committed suicide via Xhaka, Zin and Arteta mishandling the subs, take thoae factors away and we'd most likely have done it, I'm sure Liverpool would have shown more spirit in the second half and maybe got one back, but I think we'd have held on and maybe got a third with better game management

I get no joy out of being right, but I've consistently said Xhaka isn't good enough and I've never joined in the Zin hype, in particular I highlighted his position before the game as a weakness and once they'd got going, if Salah been in better scoring form we'd have lost given the freedom he had on that side

[HCZ_Reborn]

Exactly, like I said we committed suicide via Xhaka, Zin and Arteta mishandling the subs, take thoae factors away and we'd most likely have done it, I'm sure Liverpool would have shown more spirit in the second half and maybe got one back, but I think we'd have held on and maybe got a third with better game management

I get no joy out of being right, but I've consistently said Xhaka isn't good enough and I've never joined in the Zin hype, in particular I highlighted his position before the game as a weakness and once they'd got going, if Salah been in better scoring form we'd have lost given the freedom he had on that side

Observing that Xhaka isn’t good enough is hardly a novel invention, neither is it that Zinchenko who is as much a full back as is Stones was going to have trouble with Salah.

I wouldn’t have played Xhaka full stop in this game, would have played Jorginho with Partey. Yes Jorginho is slow, but given Xhaka’s dawdling I can’t see it would have been a big loss.

Tad pedantic but I don’t think we would ever have won easily today. Even if it had stayed 2-0 it would have been shit a brick time….think this third goal to kill off the game would have been hard to come by, they don’t concede many on the counter attack especially not at home.

I think one of the arseblog people had it right (James) we should have won, but we also should have lost so maybe a draw is about right.