ECHO Comment: "Fears of Witch-hunt Against Liverpool FC"

[Barnfred 55]

That’s a bit of a revisionist take. At the Etihad they were already one down before Mane had been sent off and City had had multiple chances to go 2 up. Liverpool had got behind them a few times but City were by far the better side before and after the red card. The man advantage might have stopped Liverpool’s attacking threat but there’s still no reason why City should have run 5 in even against ten men.

At Anfield City were poor but still in the game at half time and could have been ahead after hitting the bar. What followed were moments of madness where Stones assisted Firmino with a routine clearance, a wonder finish by Mane, and a clanger from Ederson. City then showed they could unlock Liverpool easily almost levelling it. That without Silva playing.

They’ve taken 1 point from Spurs (fortuitously after being dominated in both games). 1 point from United. They could only draw with Chelsea at home. Their record against most of the top ten this season isn’t even that strong.

You should never bet against Liverpool and the devils club is easily capable of squirming past anyone but they haven’t done anything this season to suggest that they are deserving of the ridiculous build up they’ve been given. Beating Porto away is their only stand out result for a top team, the rest has been battering cannon fodder for big numbers. It’s the same team that managed to draw at home v West Brom, draw at home against us, lose at home to West Brom and lose to Swansea all in 2 months.

On paper they shouldn’t have even got here. Had they had a normal CL group (like Spurs or Chelsea) they’d probably be out, they had the easiest group potentially in CL history and then the easiest round of 16 possible.

Of course they’re capable of getting past City but this isn’t the all conquering team that the media make them out to be. Klopp has once again had extremely fortuitous circumstances this season and yet once again a more objective view would say he hasn’t taken advantage.

He is in a battle with a Spurs side not even at their own stadium and a Chelsea team in disarray for top 4 even after Arsenal have collapsed completely. He’s had favourable draws in the domestic cups and botched both. He’s had an injury free season when his rivals have carried long term injuries. He’s also had an extra year of two on most of his rival managers. Liverpool should be pushing City now for the league, and gone/going far in both cups. The fact they haven’t (again) should be viewed as a failure by Klopp except he’s got away with it because the media have convinced themselves they’ll win the CL. If they don’t it could all come crashing down for Klopp.

Mate.

I'm not bigging up Liverpool here (they have many faults) and neither am I being revisionist.

I was responding to a post saying City will ease through against them and I just don't think they will. Not saying they will lose, but I do think the RS are very capable of beating them.

In response to the revisionist comment, over the two games v RS, (in which they were up against 10 men for a third of the game time) City had 24 attempts, 14 on target and RS 23, 10 on target. Hardly one sided. Also quoted record against top 6 under Klopp, not just this season. Also specifically mentioned teams like Arsenal and City, and you conveniently ignored their record against Arsenal this season, presumably as it didn't emphasise your point.

I'm not trying to make Liverpool out to be anything they aren't. I'm just pointing out that, under Klopp, they are particularly effective against teams that play out from the back and like to control possession. They force defenders into mistakes. They didn't just happen by themselves in the Anfield game.

 

[wilfjacko]

This is embarrassing,
City will see them off.
Anyone fancy a bet.
Lurkers.xx

 

[paultheblue]

I Am just made up they have got a hard draw ,if they win they will still have two tough ties before they can lift the trophy.
I currently have a tenner a 16/1 on them to win the CL money I do not want to collect but I may invest another £10 now as the odds may have dropped.

 

[peteblue]

City will destroy them.......

 

[bluestevon]

Lets hope you're right mate.

Under Klopp, Liverpool have a good record against the top teams, especially teams like City and Arsenal. They were well in that first game until Mane got sent off. In the second they switched off and let City score 2 very late goals when they thought they were safe.

City may beat them and I certainly hope they do. But I can't see it being with ease. Not by a long way.

They 'had' a very good record prior to this season against the top teams mate.

Look at the league, a clear gap between top 5 and the rest, their results this season against the other 4 teams in that top 5.

away games
City 5-0 loss
Spurs 4-1 loss
United 2-1 loss
Chelsea - not played yet

home
City 4-3 win
Spurs 2-2 draw
United 0-0 draw
Chelsea 1-1 draw

7 games, 1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses, (6 points out of 21 available) scored 8, conceded 17

Throw in Seville for s'ts and giggles as they have progressed through to the QF stage of the CL, home 2-2 draw, away 3-3 draw

Absolutely nothing this season suggests they can over two legs beat a team like city.

 

[bluestevon]

Mate.

I'm not bigging up Liverpool here (they have many faults) and neither am I being revisionist.

I was responding to a post saying City will ease through against them and I just don't think they will. Not saying they will lose, but I do think the RS are very capable of beating them.

In response to the revisionist comment, over the two games v RS, (in which they were up against 10 men for a third of the game time) City had 24 attempts, 14 on target and RS 23, 10 on target. Hardly one sided. Also quoted record against top 6 under Klopp, not just this season. Also specifically mentioned teams like Arsenal and City, and you conveniently ignored their record against Arsenal this season, presumably as it didn't emphasise your point.

I'm not trying to make Liverpool out to be anything they aren't. I'm just pointing out that, under Klopp, they are particularly effective against teams that play out from the back and like to control possession. They force defenders into mistakes. They didn't just happen by themselves in the Anfield game.

Mate Arsenal are closer to us than they are the top 4 this season, so yeah i would discount the results against a team that is in terminal decline and no one considers to be even close to the other 5 teams now.

Could they force city into mistakes, ofc they could - especially at Anfield, could they also keep city out the other end, - hmmm 8 goals conceded in two games suggests they can't mate

As for the city game when tey lost 5-0, they where absolutely mullered by them if you saw the game, they where playing all out to stay in it until the sending off, but no mistake city where always finishing that game the stronger

also, if city went down to 10 men against them, i can be almost certain they don't get absolutely hammered by 5 goals because of it

 

[Badge1878]

Have I got this wrong? Jurgen KLLLLLOP has criticised the decision of the Premiership to move the Derby to give them more time to prepare for a game & the chance to compete for a penalty inspired victory in a European Cup Competition they think is exclusively theirs?

I’d get it if the game had been moved from the Saturday lunch to the late Sunday. We’re not even good enough to win the coin toss, never mind a Derby, so what’s the problem? They’re a small team, it’s Woodison, it’s your cup final, we don’t even live in your city but we can hum a few words of a tune from Oaklahoma, we’ve got scarves galore & we pay in Euro’s. What do you want? Seems to me you lurking little mis-fits that if it’s not this year, the odds were unfairly conspired against you & perhaps, it really will be your year next season.

Or the next, or perhaps when that final piece of the jigsaw arrives, the year after.

 

[ToffeeTim]

I just watched Ian Rush claim Klopp is a better manager than Guardiola.

He actually said it.

 

[boris]

If you’d ask me to pick a tie for them I’d have picked this one.

City will win it quite comfortably imo, I think they’ll win home and away.

The bookies have city clear favourites to actually win the first leg at Anfield never mind the tie overall. They are big odds on to qualify.

 

[Sarnia Kevin]

Wow at the second leg,shocker.

Their Europa league final run had all the home game 2nd legs.

I could see this tie being a crazy 6-5 aggregate score,both managers love a defensive high line and both forward lines have electric pace.

City have to win the first leg because if they are behind for the 2nd leg it will suit a counter attack team like the RS.

Bayern Barca and Munich are through.

Hello, been on holiday?

 

[Barnfred 55]

Mate Arsenal are closer to us than they are the top 4 this season, so yeah i would discount the results against a team that is in terminal decline and no one considers to be even close to the other 5 teams now.

Could they force city into mistakes, ofc they could - especially at Anfield, could they also keep city out the other end, - hmmm 8 goals conceded in two games suggests they can't mate

As for the city game when tey lost 5-0, they where absolutely mullered by them if you saw the game, they where playing all out to stay in it until the sending off, but no mistake city where always finishing that game the stronger

also, if city went down to 10 men against them, i can be almost certain they don't get absolutely hammered by 5 goals because of it

We'll see. I'm not going to get into an argument defending tthe RS so lets leave it there.

The positive side to this is we play both of them at home before each tie.

 

[ToffeeDan]

What I've learned today:

Deluded Reds everywhere.. Klopp telling us the City DOF didn't look happy at the draw. Why is that Mein Fraud? He didn't want the lowest ranked team, away leg first.. I think he did.

Klopp moaning cos they didn't get Tuesday-Wednesday (plus the Derby moved - well that's the consequence of Wed-Tuesday you soft lad.

City will batter them (hopefully)

 

[Kurt.]

Mate.

I'm not bigging up Liverpool here (they have many faults) and neither am I being revisionist.

I was responding to a post saying City will ease through against them and I just don't think they will. Not saying they will lose, but I do think the RS are very capable of beating them.

In response to the revisionist comment, over the two games v RS, (in which they were up against 10 men for a third of the game time) City had 24 attempts, 14 on target and RS 23, 10 on target. Hardly one sided. Also quoted record against top 6 under Klopp, not just this season. Also specifically mentioned teams like Arsenal and City, and you conveniently ignored their record against Arsenal this season, presumably as it didn't emphasise your point.

I'm not trying to make Liverpool out to be anything they aren't. I'm just pointing out that, under Klopp, they are particularly effective against teams that play out from the back and like to control possession. They force defenders into mistakes. They didn't just happen by themselves in the Anfield game.

They.....


Lol

 

[Khalekan]

I just watched Ian Rush claim Klopp is a better manager than Guardiola.

He actually said it.

Nice try, Tim

But it ain’t April 1st yet

 

[macdog]

Have I got this wrong? Jurgen KLLLLLOP has criticised the decision of the Premiership to move the Derby to give them more time to prepare for a game & the chance to compete for a penalty inspired victory in a European Cup Competition they think is exclusively theirs?

I’d get it if the game had been moved from the Saturday lunch to the late Sunday. We’re not even good enough to win the coin toss, never mind a Derby, so what’s the problem? They’re a small team, it’s Woodison, it’s your cup final, we don’t even live in your city but we can hum a few words of a tune from Oaklahoma, we’ve got scarves galore & we pay in Euro’s. What do you want? Seems to me you lurking little mis-fits that if it’s not this year, the odds were unfairly conspired against you & perhaps, it really will be your year next season.

Or the next, or perhaps when that final piece of the jigsaw arrives, the year after.

Just getting the excuse ducks lined up well in advance. He has already conceded. City are through.