₦airaland Forum

solomonbrown64:
.... Bro, the outcome of that Liverpool game pained so many fans but it was the tactics used by the coach that made it seem like we could actually beat Liverpool. We might have superior technical players in midfield compared to Fabinho and co but ours couldn't match their fitness. On another day, the match could have ended in a draw and we would all hail Emery but that didn't happen.

.... Klopp already predicted that Xhaka would start and if Torreira was fit, I think he would have started too. So he could guess with a great degree of accuracy how we were going to set up against his team and according to Arnold, his prediction was correct. I think we pushed for the equaliser early the second half and we got punished as a result. Monreal who doesn't have the legs to run anymore was caught high up the pitch and since Luiz was already on a yellow, Salah was allowed to do his thing. Playing against Liverpool is difficult especially because of their front three and our ineffective fullbacks. Emery's plan was good and would have been the best way to beat Liverpool or perhaps get a draw but little mistakes ruined everything. He didn't want to change tactics quickly in the game since we were already trailing as that could back fire and the match could end in a cricket score and he also didn't want to ruin a working plan at 1 - 0, after all Liverpool had scored from a corner not open play. It's easy for fans to say he could have done this and that, but it's not easy in reality as Klopp is a very smart man in his own right.

... Regrets sure, but it wasn't as bad as it has been portrayed by some of the fans.

I never really expected much from the game. A point at Anfield is approx. 6points total.
My interest was to assess how much we have improved as a team. And I am quite impressed, especially with the development of youngsters like Willock and Guendouzi. They are not there yet, but the potentials are there.

A fit Torriera could have started though, he offers much in terms of intensity, drive and stamina. In all, I always leave a coach to his decisions. There are other reasons for selection which we can never tell; such as psychology, motivation and drive.

Roland17:
Nwanne, I was beyond shocked. We stood a very good chance if he played to his strength with tactical substitutions.

For me the formation at 0-0 was OK. We had probably clearer chances at goal but couldn't take advantage. At the start of second half at 1-0, introducing Lacazette would have given us more bite and urgency, forcing Liverpool to retreat, and check their advancing fullbacks. It would have allowed us to attack more especially from the wings where I think Liverpool are weakest defensively.

The goal was a little relief.

The game against Spurs will be another tactical battle, we hope Emery comes out tops this time around.

Roland17, Solomonbrown64

Good points you guys have noted. We need more quality discuss here bordered on facts and opinions rather than emotions and sentiments.

Better use of English too.

It is a thing of joy to have the headache of selection for any manager. It allows for more tactical fluency and exchange.

Torriera, Xhaka, Willock, Guendouzi and Ceballos are our main midfielders this season (at least so far) and to be honest I am quite impressed of the performances and development. Any three could start a game depending on the tactics and give us quality results. Though they all have their strengths and weaknesses, yet I think they compliment each other well.

Against Spurs, I would like to see a Xhaka, Ceballos, Torriera combo, with Auba, Laca and Pepe ahead of them.

On the Liverpool game, If only Emery had introduced Laca earlier- with score still at 1-0, which would have allowed Auba and Pepe move to the wings, and our fullbacks to push up a little and keep those Liverpool's fullbacks on check, game probably would have taken a different turn. Regrets.

Roland17:
Now that the dust has settled, I am going to write my own thoughts about the loss to Liverpool.

First off, I think the formation was good, in fact, if the team went into half time tied, it would have buttressed this thought. The problem was the player selection by Emery to carry out that formation. Considering Liverpool are renowned for pressing, I expected to see Torreira start in the middle of the park. Torreira is one of the most technically gifted midfielders in our team and he plays with intensity and intelligence. Our problem in the midfield was a carryover from the Burnley game where we lacked players who could break the press and carry the ball into Liverpool's half. Consequently, we spent a lot of our possession on our half and that made the press even more difficult to manage. Ceballos could not do much because he was either isolated at the top or was drowned immediately he received the ball deep in our own half, leading to numerous errors on the ball. Ceballos needs to improve his sense of awareness to avoid dangerous turnovers, especially against a good press. Xhaka was one player whose performance was confusing to me because he started poorly but in the 2nd half, he looked really sharp and energetic. I am sorry but I have seen enough to reiterate that Guen shouldn't be a starter for this team especially when we play teams that press relentlessly and this is because they expose a lot of his weakness which is at the detriment of the team. There are critical aspects of the central midfield game that he desperately needs to learn and quick. Is he talented? Absolutely and I love his intensity and willingness to stay in the thick of the action. Willock needs to get better with his ball control and technique an he will become dominant. I would like to see a game where we have enough ball carriers with the skill to break any press and move the ball into our opponents half. We are creating a very bad weakness that other teams are now taking note of and that is to press Arsenal into self destruct.

I thought the back 4 did reasonably well considering the opponents and the fact that the midfield continued to burden the back 4 with the responsibilities of building our offense. They did this by constantly returning the ball to the defenders even when they could foray into Liverpool's half and this only invited more pressure. Someone mentioned Miki would have been good for this game and I have to agree especially in that diamond midfield. The first goal we conceded was quite debatable and I am shocked VAR did not seek to review that goal because there was a lot going on inside the box before Matip connected with that header. That being said, the back 4 still held their own in the first half. I think Emery agreed the formation was working but he failed by not making personnel changes very early and that cost us. Emery needs to understand that you don't have to build from the back every time. This is because it makes us quite predictable and invites unnecessary pressure especially when you consider that we still don't know the basics of playing from the back in his 2nd season now. There has to be a balance between building from the back and straight-up kicking the ball out. For those who heap a lot of blame on Niles, I would tell you that his major problem is lack of concentration but we are not doing him any favors by playing him as a RB and every time he comes up against wingers, he is decimated. I am excited and looking forward to the return of Bellerin and the slow integration of Teirney and Holding into the rotation.

Considering our formation, I thought Emery would have taken Auba off early in the 2nd half because the style did not suit him. The same formation with Lacazette and Pepe would have caused more damage in my opinion because Pepe can play off Laca who is great at holding the ball and linking the midfield. We looked dangerous every time we had an opportunity to counter Liverpool and a special mention to the individual brilliance of N. Pepe who had a great game and was our best player. He still has a lot to learn about making quick decisions and not being over-elaborate in a play. He is a touch of quality who is not afraid of attacking his opponents. Emery failed in the area that had been his strength and that is a tactical substitution. I was beyond petrified that he waited until the 80th minute to introduce Lacazette. We looked dangerous and had a healthy possession of the ball when we had Auba/ Laca/ Pepe all on the pitch and this means we should have switched to a 4-3-3 early enough before going down 2/3/

All in all, I hope we can dust off this performance and give Spuds a run for their money next week by getting all 3 points. Losing to Spuds is never acceptable and a bad performance will definitely pitch Emery against the fans.

#COYG

This was Emery's undoing. I was shocked too.

sod09:
you see your dad
Wengay 2.0

Another 20years of whining for you baby him be this so...

Thunder fire Emery. Sodiq fall on you...

#LivArs

Open the flood gates, let it rain...

solomonbrown64:
..... Lacazette for Ceballos

I'll remove Xhaka or Willock instead and move Ceballos deep.

Packing bus over. Formation has to change.

This formation has really allowed pressure, but then it's still 0-0.
Game plan.

sod09:
you will repeat this later

First eat poo. Silly ekuke.

sod09:
bloody self-servicer you must get sense by force. We will continue later

Anumanu wants to give me sense.
Chai! E nor go better for NL.

sod09:
your mumu never do
You wine and dine with amadioha and go to church on Sunday
Another proof of your madness

You silly mongrel, if I send beyond amadioha, you would be dead. Now run along...

sod09:
what do we call your Walcott-aguero caparison??

*comparison

May amadioha destroy those fingers. May he drain your brains.

You were warned.

sod09:
damn this is really serious than I thought the CGPA level of your madness is first class.
You are on your own league entirely

Your status here is legendary my friend. You're the most stupid- your posts, with those one liners that neither have beginnings nor endings.

ANGELINAX:
I am not understanding this formation

This formation, a 4-4-2 was what I actually suggested, though with different performers. Ceballos will behind Auba and Pepe. There are no outright wingers.

sod09:
lmao
Let me give you the chance to redeem your self, just admit you were stupid when you said we were missing giroud and you also sorry for comparing Walcott and aguero.

That I helped you fool yourself? Or that I exposed your inate stupidity?

sod09:
hahaha...spy360 the only deluded idiot that think Walcott is better than aguero and we are missing giroud
You better send the amadioha now because you must cry blood today. Normally I ignore or endure your madness but today, I'm having none of it

After your brain farts has been exhausted.

Amadioha fire them too.

sod09:
run along and shed more tears, I will surely remember you in my prayers your madness must be heal.
Ewu Kenya!!

*healed

Anytime your illiterate fingers quote and type nonsense for me again, may amadioha visit them. Anuohia.

sod09:

Mumu you didn't tell us we called you out from your madness, I'm glad you indirectly admitted how foolish you are

Hey! Comprehension issues again. Low lives na trouble. I can't cope with your level of stupidity. Simple masturbation could have solved this problem.

sod09:
lmao... your stupidity is just by default if not you won't be saying crap

It's because engaging an illiterate in discussion is really hard work. I know how low I have tried to meet your IQ levels and still failed. And this is just NL, in real life you must be technically insane.

I told you Walcott is better than Aguero to give you and Pickabeau something to fool around with. Boy you never disappoint.

sod09:
says the madman that compared Walcott to aguero
Apoda radarada

Don't infect me with your brain cancer Biko. Carry your shite terrorism go meet your family.

sod09:
stop explaining to the guy his conversation reduces IQ.
I can believe an arsenal fan can really rate giroud to the extent of missing him when we have auba×laca

A dickhead always finds his mate. I wish you even have an IQ

kokanepyramid:
Giroud wasn’t the main striker at Chelsea, he was bought as a plan B.

Our main striker was bought as a plan B that should tell the whole story.

So why badge him with plan A responsibility? Blame the club for not signing top players, don't blame players punching above the weights just to keep fans happy.

The way we criticise is not fair. If Auba scores less than 20goals we can criticise him. But if Nketiah for example does 10 then we have to even praise him.

Giroud was never going to be like Henry both in style and productivity. Some what's the shiiit about?


Ramsey used to come under the same stick from silly fans till he went off to Juventus with a better deal and even prospect. Those silly fans who haven't achieved anything in life never saw anything good in him till he moved.

Now they want to start the same thing with Guendouzi. Guendouzi now is not Kroos or Modric but silly fans expect him to offer same quality. Such nonsense.

kokanepyramid:
I could say same for Chamberlain and Vermaelen, both have won the UCL outside Arsenal. Does that make them outstanding or above average players?

It’s yamayama talk like this that makes you Spy360.

You and sodiq are a combination of poor comprehension and sentiments.

Were Chamberlain and Vermaleen fully involved in the CL triumph?

Use sense Abeg or don't quote me.

You troll your own. Na your life be that.

sod09:
People come and see common sense from spy
Someone that didn't have a single shot on target at WC is what we are missing,you are very right we will always be different.
Na your type like wengay and his deadwoods

Lol

This boy self.

In that WC, Giroud was France's primary striker and he featured in ALL their matches. FRANCE WON THE WORLD CUP.

Chelsea signed Giroud then after.

Common sense seem strange to you my brother.

sod09:
he can't deny it na, he committed a lot of football abominations
I'm laughing real hard digging those old posts

What football abominations. I have common sense, that's the difference between us.

Giroud-
Chelsea has won the CL, Europa and even the PL more recently than us. Yet they signed Giroud, for 16m from us, and he killed us twice including in the EL finals.

Its common sense.

Silly fans want him to be like Henry, so because he couldn't measure up they want him dead. Silly fans.

Dreamswayne:
Spy360, your attention is needed here please...

Don't mind those hypocrites. If Sod and Kokaneprodigy can't support this club, they should bleep off just as Pickabeau did. It's more honorable.

When players do well and punch above their weights, praise them. That's what Guendouzi has been doing. When they mess up like Xhaka give them the stick. That's what fans do. Not these useless daily rantings.

solomonbrown64:
..... Then knowing Emery, he will put out a formation to counter theirs. We can't just start with that formation else Niles and Monreal will be roasted especially the former. Did you guys also notice that Pepe didn't track back enough last match? On a few occasions he watched as a Burnley attacker move past him a few times. I didn't like that but then he is still new as Auba was once like that but it just means that if he starts, we can't trust him to track Mane hence it will be risky to start with a back four or a formation that leaves the wings open when the fullback push up.

The wings aren't open; Xhaka and Guendouzi are there as cover, including when our fullbacks push forward.

It is only on the offensive that we would have problems, but then we do not have the quality to pin Liverpool down, we can only depend on breaking and countering.

solomonbrown64:
.... Yup, one of many tinkerings we will see during the game depending on the direction of the game. Protecting the wings and frustrating their attacking moves should be our first priority for the duration of the first half while taking our chances.

Liverpool actually employs a similar tactics in midfield which allows their fullbacks space to attack. It's also the middle three that follows up their pressing behind the front three.

Fkhalifa:
This will be good for 2nd half around 65th minute, that's if we leading or drawing the game, Starting that means our wings will be exposed..
Liverpool play more from wing than middle.

Wings will be covered with 3 DMs.

This tactical approach which is largely defensive will take care of assault from the flanks as well as centre, while maintaining threat up front. It's like taking an underdog status while remaining potent. Jose Mourinho would love this. Take a closer look.

My team Vs Liverpool...
4-4-2
................. Leno................
Niles... Papa... Luiz... Mon

Xhaka... Torreira... Guen

............... Ceballos............

... ...... Pepe... Auba. ......


Idea is to choke the middle to deal with Liverpool press, and leave speedsters upfront to hazzle their defence. Ceballos who is skillful and can see a pass is tactically placed behind Pepe and Auba.

2-3
We win.