Post Match Reflections

[localny]

Great to start with a win

What happened to the pressing game?

We didn't look like the Liverpool team of last year, but it's the first game, lots of time.

A little concerned that a team that lost it's core dominated us, a team that lost one player. Not sure if that says more about us, or them.

Ming was amazing I thought, Raheem is filling the void, and Studger looked happy

But a win is a win and it's the first game, so plenty of time to fix any issues..

Too early for sky is falling talk, as it was great to make a come back.

 

[gkmacca]

I thought we looked pretty much like the Liverpool team of this time last year. The trouble is some expected us to look like the Liverpool team of last Spring. You'll have to wait a bit for that.

 

[peterhague]

We were incredibly shit in the second half.

I thought Allen was good. Criminal that Lucas started ahead of him.

I'm really looking forward to getting Moreno and Lallana into this team, and eventually Markovic too.

 

[localny]

Good point amigo.

 

[localny]

We were incredibly shit in the second half.

I thought Allen was good. Criminal that Lucas started ahead of him.

I'm really looking forward to getting Moreno and Lallana into this team, and eventually Markovic too.

Oh yes I forgot about them!

 

[peterhague]

I thought we looked pretty much like the Liverpool team of this time last year. The trouble is some expected us to look like the Liverpool team of last Spring. You'll have to wait a bit for that.

I don't think we were anywhere near as good as the team that won those first 3 games. That team actually exerted a fair amount of control and created chances.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Hopefully that is the last time we set up in a 4-2-3-1 with Lucas sat next to Gerrard.

Lucas offers absolutely nothing in attack at this point in career. The only thing he does is slow down the tempo, hold the ball too long and then pass it sideways. Apparently he isn't too interested in defending either. Late tackles, clumsy tackles, poor marking. He should be charged for admission today after stopping on the edge of the area and watching Clyne stroll by and then smash it in to the net all while Lucas stands their looking on and hanging Skrtel out to dry.

And Glen Johnson...please please please just fuck off.

I will pray every night before bed that Flanagan and/or Moreno are hurried through fitness and ready to go for Citeh.

 

[hookem14]

fans are singing that stupid Gerrard slip song at St James'... despicable

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

Fuck knows what Rodgers was up to today, for long periods it was reminiscent of watching games before he arrived, the ones where you sat there wondering what the fuck are we trying to do, a lot of it today looked clueless, aimless and lacking any urgency, Saints did play well so you have to factor that in but it was far from convincing whatever you look at it.

Also Lucas was fucking abysmal, just woefully shite, i don't mind him (as a squad player) but you can't excuse that shite we saw today.

Lovren is looking like a reassuring presence back there which is good news and Mig has save of the season wrapped up already.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

* Lucas and Gerrard don't work together. It's stupid to keep on trying this. Either one starts, or the other - not both.
* Lovren was very solid in his debut - here's hoping we have a dominant CB to partner with Skittles or Sakho.
* Sterling will soon command more defensive attention which will make the job on Coutinho (& Lallana) easier ... As we saw today, Soton's main emphasis was Coutinho ...
* Studge - keep him healthy, and he'll score 25-30 goals.
* Magic ... will be here in two weeks time?
* Credit to Mign on that save from Schneiderlin.

 

[Fabio]

Who got MOTM?

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

fans are singing that stupid Gerrard slip song at St James'... despicable

Despicable? lol, we would all take the piss to if the boot was on the other foot.

 

[refugee]

Who got MOTM?

Sterling

 

[Rafiagra]

Coutinho and Lucas stank the place out, with Johnson not too far behind. Good debuts from Lovren and Manquillo though.

We didn't play with any tempo or put them under any concerted pressure. Chasing down from the front was something Suarez was great at and no one we have has that tenacity. We're too quick to slow the game down and build again which isn't helped by the space between our front 3 and the midfield.

I don't think Gerrard and Lucas can play in the same midfield, it just ends up too deep and ponderous.

 

[Fabio]

Sterling

Can't say I agree with that

 

[peterhague]

Can't say I agree with that

Should have been Ward-Prowse.

 

[refugee]

Can't say I agree with that

Don't shoot the messenger.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

Or Tadic, Wanyama or Clyne.

 

[dmishra]

As someone said in the other thread, starting Gerrard and Lucas in the same midfield is a bad idea - just not enough energy.

I thought Manquillo was superb and had a brilliant tackle to deny Clyne from getting a second. Mignolet's shot stopping was superb as usual, but then his kicking was mediocre as usual as well.
Allen should start the next game. Coutinho should also make sure to drop deeper when there's a concerted effort being made to deny him the ball.

The one worry was seeing the defence drop deep under pressure. It happened every game last season, and it happened again today. I can only hope that Lovren's addition will add some confidence to the unit and give them the courage to push out when the pressure is on.

 

[Rafiagra]

Out of any of our players, I'd have given it to Henderson

 

[Fabio]

Out of any of our players, I'd have given it to Henderson

Lovren for me

 

[DHSC]

We will have to work hard next week to track the runners from City's midfield. Good goal from Silva.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Can't say I agree with that

Scored and assisted ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

He did have one of his worst passing games in some time though.

 

[Fabio]

Scored and assisted ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

He did have one of his worst passing games in some time though.

One of his worst passing and pressing games for me. Effective though

 

[nealmac]

It should've went to one of 3 or 4 Southampton players.

As for the game itself, we weren't good enough. Simple as. The minute I saw Lucas in the starting 11 I knew it was going to be a disaster. And he was indeed awful. In fact our entire midfield was nowhere to be seen for large parts of the game. Gerrard and Coutihno weren't at the races at all. I was very disappointed with Coutinho after seeing him on fire against Dortmund. Henderson however was our saving grace in the middle, and Allen when he was introduced later on.

On a more positive note, I thought our defence looked really good. Great debuts from Lovern and Manquillo. Skrtel was also solid. Even Johnson who was poor throughout wasn't as bad as we've seen lately. He's definitely more comfortable on the left, although I'd take Flanagan over him without question.

Good performance from Ming too. He made a blunder early on but he more than made up for it later.

First game will always be tough no matter who the opposition is. We got the 3 points. We're out of the starting block. And we still have Markovic, Lallana and Moreno to look forward to.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Not making excuses but I thought Southampton was decent.

I thought that people who were predicting doom and gloom for them this season (relegation) were taking things a bit far even before today. Sure they lost a lot of key players but they seem to have bought well. Still not convinced on Pellè but Tadić looks the business. Not to mention some of their squad players from last season Yoshida, James Ward-Prowse, Jack Cork, etc. should slot in fine with bigger roles.

But anyway, back to today...I thought Southampton passed it very well in the second half. A lot of quick one and two touch passing that Liverpool were slow to react too. Clyne's finish was superb and if it wasn't for Ming LFC might have lost altogether.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Agree that Southampton are being underrated.

They'll finish comfortably still in the league. I doubt they'll make European places, but top 10 is feasible.

After we scored we tried way too hard, it's like we were determined to try to play like we did last season, but forced it too much.

The rest of the time we were way too static, & far too reliant on those quick or floaty crosses/through balls.

When it's a windy day that should be the last thing we'd do. Arguably we shouldn't be doing at all, it should the exception rather than the rule, or it's not as effective.

I'd argue we'll be better served playing a floor based passing game like we did shortly after brendan arrived, high tempo pressing, moving & passing, then switching up to through balls & long crosses when the opportunity arises.

 

[Portly]

We were lucky to win that game. Southampton were first to the ball every time. There was I expecting us to be playing a depleted team who had lost the will to live! I don't know what all that pre-season preparation is all about when we start our first competitive game looking so sluggish.

I don't know what it is about Lucas that makes managers love him so much. I agree that playing Lucas alongside Gerrard creates a big negative vacuum in the heart of the team, rather like when Benitez used to play Lucas and Mascherano together in home matches against humble opposition and lost points as a result.

The big plus point was that Lovren and Manquillo both had excellent débuts.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Despicable? lol, we would all take the piss to if the boot was on the other foot.

Would we really be bothered in a match that wasn't against that opposition though? I doubt it.

 

[Molbystwin]

Its great to win.

Great save by Ming at the end, i remain thoroughly unconvinced about his distribution and Vampiric tendencies however he saved out bacon there so fair fucking play...

Its sad to watch Stevies shadow... still he can provide leadership and passing ability.

Sturridge needs to show a bit more leadership for that matter, yes he scored but IMO was mainly woeful today he needs to give more.

Henderson is blossoming which is great news, on the whole im pleased with Lovren and Manquillo.

Lucas was extremely poor and im surprised Can wasnt played, Allen made a difference when he came on.

Its chalk and cheese from the vibrancy of last season but you cant expect top gear so early in the season, that said in all likelihood we will have our arses handed to us on a platter if we play as poorly as that against city.

3 points... good.