micmij

"I said to the boys before 'I don't think it's possible but because it's you I think we have a chance' - they are really mentality giants. It's unbelievable." That's just brilliant - he's not just telling them not to give up or whatever, but that they have the capability of doing something he doesn't even understand. How powerful is that!

Maybe Hightown Phil is thinking about Stéphane Sessègnon?

That was the old Ronaldo, he's played through the middle for at least the last season as he has lost his pace/engine. The main thing Real need to replace is guaranteed goals. I don't think Mane gives them that and I doubt Salah is going anywhere after signing the new deal.

Good stats, apparently - and VERY good with his feet. Zero information about this in the press over here - and we normally get some idea that something's going on beforehand. I should add - played every game for Brighton last season and is considered a significant reason they stayed up.

He looks a real Klopp-type player, doesn't he?

Agreed, most are looking pretty good. What would some of these guys cost?

Are you thinking of Ejaria? He came from Arsenal, didn't he?

Yes, and I wish he would be more positive with the ball mid-pitch. He often stimies whatever flow we may have - not sure that changing that is something that can be coached.

That's about a foot taller than Allen, isn't it?

No, not hateful at all - a bit jokey, really.

I thought Milner did really well

"In my dreams I win all games"

Particularly when it's THE worst option - lacks awareness at times and either puts those behind him under pressure or stifles our momentum going forward. Hopefully, it's just a lack of confidence at the moment.

Honest question, does it have another name?

But zonal marking doesn't work! Everybody knows that

I think the point is that (despite our woefulness on the pitch) we are still a massive name in terms of following, marketing, etc.

Totally - seems to be a guy that will leave no stone unturned in his pursuit to be the best that he can. Much like Carra, too, he seems to always pop up in the right place at the right time.

Agree with Flasher here, his movement in general play isn't up to scratch right now, either. There was a moment in the first half that summed it up for me. Milner (from memory) has the ball on the right near their box and cuts inside, Firmino makes an angled run to drag away a centre half, pulling the other centre half across to cover. This leaves Ibe high up the pitch with just his defender on him. Milner looks at him - I imagine thinking to himself, "Do something, there's an opportunity here", but he just walks (WALKS!!!) toward him and Milner has to kick out the ball to one of the central midfielders. He can make the run inside (hoping for a threaded through ball, or opening up the space outside for Moreno), or peel off his man to look for a cross to the far post. Ibe really should study what Lallana did when he came on. He attacked the spaces well, putting pressure on the defenders, laid on a goal and got his reward for his hard work.

His general mood in the press conference appears to be that of bewilderment - it's clear he wasn't expecting a performance like that. I thought the final comment was very interesting - "I would like to work with this team if it's OK for (with) you". It can be read a number of ways, but I get the feeling he thinks there's still a lot more potential to uncover within the squad.

It's beside the point, but look at it again - if Origi doesn't touch it, the keeper most likely makes the save.

I was in the UK for that League Cup Semi-Final at Villa where the kick-off was delayed for over an hour - at 3-3 and with about 5 minutes to go a message comes over the PA system that the last train was about to leave. I couldn't believe it!

...AND it could ruin the hair It's good to hear that the players are all as excited as the fans.

Great stuff! That photo with Firmino shows that you're just not trying hard enough with your hair - good effort mind you, he's just in a different class.

True, but I still think he needs to impose himself a little more - not a criticism, as such (as he's obviously following Rodgers' instructions), but I think he has the ability to pressure the opposition a little more with the ball and at the moment he's letting them off a little lightly. Thought yesterday that his opponent knew that if he got goal-side then he could have a bit of a breather. He may not be a flair player, but he's stepping up nicely. He's got all the physical attributes to be a monster of a player and he seems to be maturing, too. Good signs!