Everything Soccer

[aubeirish]

The inconsistency since Klopp took over is frustrating, but the Reds definitely seem like they are headed in the right direction. Just gotta start scoring more goals. They dominated the match on Saturday, and they could easily have scored 2 or 3 and put the match out of reach.

The inconsistency to me is not very surprising since it have been that way with this group of players for over a year. The input in a single game that a soccer manager has is very limited compared to a sport like football. Therefore, changes in mentality/philosophy take more time. I think Klopp have been superb so far. Even in the games we lost against lesser names, I thought we had more sparkle about our game. Really liking the style of play and the improved passion from the player. Finishing in the top5-6 would be fantastic, but I won't be disappointed if we don't. I think it's too much to ask from any manager considering the circumstances in which he took the job and the quality of the league in general.

 

[aubeirish]

Arsenal vs Liverpool was a really great game to watch today. I hope Ward gets the nod in the nets for the reds. Mignolet was pretty terrible out there.

 

[Cackalacky]

Arsenal vs Liverpool was a really great game to watch today. I hope Ward gets the nod in the nets for the reds. Mignolet was pretty terrible out there.

A total twat. Getting beat twice near post. F-ing set pieces.

 

[Emcee77]

Arsenal vs Liverpool was a really great game to watch today. I hope Ward gets the nod in the nets for the reds. Mignolet was pretty terrible out there.

Amazing game to watch, I agree. Both sides will feel like they should have won.

I have been a big Mignolet defender over the last few weeks (as has Klopp), but Migs made things hard for himself yesterday. That corner kick goal was appalling. Ward drew raves out on loan in Scotland. Might be time to give him a run out for LFC.

Liverpool could have put the game out of reach early if Coutinho had been out there. Ibe was mostly poor, I thought.

Joel Campbell was incredible. Wenger recently called him this year's Coquelin, in terms of being a guy who you thought might never make it at Arsenal but is having an unanticipated breakout season, and I agree. All over the field last night.

 

[GowerND11]

Really excited to see how Elneny adjusts to English soccer with Arsenal. Sorely needed with Coquelin out.

 

[NorthDakota]

Once Klopp recruits some players he wants I think Pool will be fine. Need a striker who fits what klopp does.

Lots of good players, but i can't see this collection of players accomplishing much.

 

[notredomer23]

Not a fan of Pool, but I really hope Aubamayang signs with them in the summer window. He is one of the most underrated players in the world and his style of play will dominate the Premier League.

 

[notredomer23]

Unrelated to that, 17 year old American Christian Pulisic scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund's first game in a friendly earlier this week.

 

[Emcee77]

Once Klopp recruits some players he wants I think Pool will be fine. Need a striker who fits what klopp does.

Lots of good players, but i can't see this collection of players accomplishing much.

Yeah the chemistry just isn't right. Whatever the problem is for Liverpool, I don't think you can pin it on any one guy. It just isn't the right group somehow.

Not a fan of Pool, but I really hope Aubamayang signs with them in the summer window. He is one of the most underrated players in the world and his style of play will dominate the Premier League.

He would be an absolutely perfect signing. I am hopeful Origi will grow to be that type of player, but he has a ways to go.

 

[aubeirish]

Thought the reds passed the ball pretty well today. Clearly more deserving than united, but such is soccer. IMO there is a clear gradual improvement in our play since Klopp has arrived which is encouraging. Also, it's clear that there are a few missing pieces to have a top4 squad. I'm confident Klopp and company have a solid plan for that.

I think there is a trend with the deals that Klopp has done so far. Grujic (6"3) and Matip (6"4)(agreement in principle). The amount of set pieces we loose is outrageous and I think that getting a little bit of height in the squad is a good way to improve in that particular area. I get very nervous every time we conceive a corner, and never expect us to score on corners. That's not how it should be.

 

[Emcee77]

Thought the reds passed the ball pretty well today. Clearly more deserving than united, but such is soccer. IMO there is a clear gradual improvement in our play since Klopp has arrived which is encouraging. Also, it's clear that there are a few missing pieces to have a top4 squad. I'm confident Klopp and company have a solid plan for that.

I think there is a trend with the deals that Klopp has done so far. Grujic (6"3) and Matip (6"4)(agreement in principle). The amount of set pieces we loose is outrageous and I think that getting a little bit of height in the squad is a good way to improve in that particular area. I get very nervous every time we conceive a corner, and never expect us to score on corners. That's not how it should be.

It's weird, man. The Reds are playing great football in most facets of the game right now, but they have two fatal flaws: can't score enough goals, can't defend set pieces. If they figure those two things out, they could start making noise. I'm still hopeful they do figure them out and win Europa League, although there are some really good squads in there this year. But like I said above, the squad just looks out of sync right now.


I just listened to this podcast from way back in November:
http://meninblazers.com/2015/11/19/mibpod-honigstein/

Rog from Men in Blazers interviews Raphael Honigstein about Das Reboot, his book about the German soccer revolution that led to winning the World Cup.

Fascinating stuff about Klinsmann in there. Basically, Honigstein is holding to his view that Klinsmann is a great high-level manager: great motivator, great ideas. But his implementation is poor and he can't survive without a great #2, especially to help with game-to-game tactics. In Germany, of course, that guy was Jogi Loew. U.S. Soccer needs a Jogi Loew. (I think someone else, maybe Hollywood, made a similar point somewhere back in this thread.) Anyway, I highly recommend the podcast, and now I want to find a copy of that book.

 

[dublinirish]

Das Reboot is an excellent read (as is anything by Raphael). He's probably one of the best respected football journo's in Europe. He reports on EPL for German media and BDL for English media.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Fascinating stuff about Klinsmann in there. Basically, Honigstein is holding to his view that Klinsmann is a great high-level manager: great motivator, great ideas. But his implementation is poor and he can't survive without a great #2, especially to help with game-to-game tactics. In Germany, of course, that guy was Jogi Loew. U.S. Soccer needs a Jogi Loew. (I think someone else, maybe Hollywood, made a similar point somewhere back in this thread.) Anyway, I highly recommend the podcast, and now I want to find a copy of that book.

I've read the same from several other credible sources. If you look at every place that Klinsmann has coached, they're dominating within a few years of his departure. He's apparently unmatched at changing culture and laying a solid new foundation for success, but he's tactically inept. It's sad that such a brilliant coach will likely never get the respect he deserves because his successors are always the ones who will be reaping the fruits of his labor.

 

[notredomer23]

Klinsmann's lasting legacy in my book will be youth development. Prior to him, there was no youth structure and barely any MLS academies. The US is going to be absolutely loaded in talent(for USA standards) a few years from now. Most talent they have ever had. It is just a question if Klinsmann will be around to see it. I can see him not making it past 2018 if we get knocked out early in Copa America or start of WC qualifying poorly. If we make it, I think he will manage to get to at least the round of 16 and for better or for worse, that seems to be the USA standard and he will keep his job. 2022, and it may seem stupid to look that far forward, but it could be really, really special for the USA. With or without Klinsmann at the helm, he will have played a big part of that.

 

[nlroma1o]

What a weekend in the EPL. Diego Costa just straight up pissin in the Gooners Cheerios. I love it!

 

[notredomer23]

What a weekend in the EPL. Diego Costa just straight up pissin in the Gooners Cheerios. I love it!

I love it except for the fact its Costa. Least favorite soccer player around.

 

[Emcee77]

I love it except for the fact its Costa. Least favorite soccer player around.

My feeling exactly. I don't know that I've ever personally disliked an athlete as much.

 

[Tejas]

Friggin Costa, he's such a dick. I hope someone breaks his nose.

Arsenal still should have put one in the net.

 

[NorthDakota]

Costa is a tool in all senses of the word.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Although I agree Costa is a dick, I hate Luis Suarez so much more than any athlete.

 

[GowerND11]

I watched the replay over and over, it looks like Per doesn't touch Costa. Anyone else see this?

 

[nlroma1o]

I watched the replay over and over, it looks like Per doesn't touch Costa. Anyone else see this?

You're watching the wrong angle then. He clearly makes contact with Costa. People hate Chelsea in general, and Diego just happens to be THAT guy on said hated team. When healthy and in form, he's brilliant, and tough as hell. He doesn't take shit from anybody. Especially Koscielny, who should have been penalized for shoulder charging Fabregas in the box. But Clattenburg was too scared to call it.

 

[Tejas]

I watched the replay over and over, it looks like Per doesn't touch Costa. Anyone else see this?

That's exactly how I saw it, Costa flops. He has to in that situation. I don't like it, but that's how it is.

I don't understand why Per makes such a desperate attempt to deny the opportunity when he knows he will probably be shown a red card if he messes up his tackle. Give Cech a chance to save, if he can't at least you still have 11 players to tie it up.

 

[Emcee77]

I watched the replay over and over, it looks like Per doesn't touch Costa. Anyone else see this?

You're watching the wrong angle then.

I think that must be it. I don't root for either team, but I watched the NBC Sports telecast live, and I thought it was a pretty clear red card, and so did the color commentators, and so did the studio analysts.

 

[nlroma1o]

That's exactly how I saw it, Costa flops. He has to in that situation. I don't like it, but that's how it is.

I don't understand why Per makes such a desperate attempt to deny the opportunity when he knows he will probably be shown a red card if he messes up his tackle. Give Cech a chance to save, if he can't at least you still have 11 players to tie it up.

Of course you see it as a flop. You're a Gooner. Per is the last defender, missed the ball, and made contact with Diegos left foot. You can't do that. Lets say Diego barely makes it and stays on his feet. He is still slowed down by the challenge and it would still be a red card. It doesn't matter if he stays up or down in this situation, because it was a poor tackle that's a booking no matter what.

 

[notredomer23]

Yeah it was definitely foul but Costa also embellished it(as he should). Don't really care either way on Chelsea. Costa is the least likable footballer around and is a red card waiting to happen nearly every game.

 

[GowerND11]

You're watching the wrong angle then. He clearly makes contact with Costa. People hate Chelsea in general, and Diego just happens to be THAT guy on said hated team. When healthy and in form, he's brilliant, and tough as hell. He doesn't take shit from anybody. Especially Koscielny, who should have been penalized for shoulder charging Fabregas in the box. But Clattenburg was too scared to call it.

I watched a Vine that had multiple angles, including a close up from the sidelines that looks as though Per missed him completely.

That's exactly how I saw it, Costa flops. He has to in that situation. I don't like it, but that's how it is.

I don't understand why Per makes such a desperate attempt to deny the opportunity when he knows he will probably be shown a red card if he messes up his tackle. Give Cech a chance to save, if he can't at least you still have 11 players to tie it up.

I agree, don't make that attempt when you know it's a straight red in that type of situation. Given the fact that Arsenal put a lot of pressure on Chelsea late in the 2nd half, having Giroud on would have really helped late.

I think that must be it. I don't root for either team, but I watched the NBC Sports telecast live, and I thought it was a pretty clear red card, and so did the color commentators, and so did the studio analysts.

Like I said, the angles I watched look like he doesn't touch him. With that said, don't go for that tackle because there is way more risk than reward. I also think that is going to be a foul whether contact is made or not. Much like some of the calls you see in other sports. The result looks worse than the cause.

Of course you see it as a flop. You're a Gooner. Per is the last defender, missed the ball, and made contact with Diegos left foot. You can't do that. Lets say Diego barely makes it and stays on his feet. He is still slowed down by the challenge and it would still be a red card. It doesn't matter if he stays up or down in this situation, because it was a poor tackle that's a booking no matter what.

Agree it's more than likely a foul no matter what, even with little to no contact. However, the flop just makes the call (wrongly) so much easier. FIFA has been trying to stop flopping, but here it wasn't penalized at all.

Yeah it was definitely foul but Costa also embellished it(as he should). Don't really care either way on Chelsea. Costa is the least likable footballer around and is a red card waiting to happen nearly every game.

But should he embellish the foul? Like I say above, FIFA wants to crack down on flopping, so that's a problem as well with this play.

 

[Tejas]

Of course you see it as a flop. You're a Gooner. Per is the last defender, missed the ball, and made contact with Diegos left foot. You can't do that. Lets say Diego barely makes it and stays on his feet. He is still slowed down by the challenge and it would still be a red card. It doesn't matter if he stays up or down in this situation, because it was a poor tackle that's a booking no matter what.

I understand why a red card was given. I thought "red card" as soon as it happened. I saw the replays and didn't see a touch.

Watched the replays again, and can see a touch on his left foot. Maybe. Video isn't HD, just some dude recording his TV. I guess I was looking for a little more when I was watching the game and didn't notice the touch on the foot. You won't convince me that the slight touch is what brings him down. His diving does.

 

[nlroma1o]

I understand why a red card was given. I thought "red card" as soon as it happened. I saw the replays and didn't see a touch.

Watched the replays again, and can see a touch on his left foot. Maybe. Video isn't HD, just some dude recording his TV. I guess I was looking for a little more when I was watching the game and didn't notice the touch on the foot. You won't convince me that the slight touch is what brings him down. His diving does.

I don't really know how to write this, but from my experience playing, and I've played my entire life and still play year round as much as possible. I will say that when you're playing, and you're anticipating contact. You'd be surprised how your body prepares itself for the contact. At full speed, and in some plays, it doesn't take much be knocked off balance. The way you position yourself for the impact/brace yourself for the impact of a tackle, that in the end may not make a ton of contact, can be miscalculated and it can appear to be a dive. I don't know if that makes any sense.

 

[Rocket89]

That Dele Alli goal against Palace, though.