Everything Soccer

[GowerND11]

Great to see Arsenal bully an inferior side even with not getting the clean sheet. Ozil has actually looked good since his return. Great to see this momentum before the North London Derby. Also, wonderful to see how Spurs bungled that Chelsea game today.

 

[Rogue219]

Salah didn't score but he terrorized Watford's left back all day.

They are a better team with Trent Alexander Arnold at right back. Full stop. Love James Milner, he'll do anything for the team, but TAA makes the attack better. Period.

Van Dijk scores twice, Robertson 2 assists, TAA 3 assists. Last week Vidic says United has better defenders. Sure, pal.

United and Chelsea not in the Top Four would be fine.

Fabinho was made in a Brazilian lab. MOTM yesterday.

Gini Wijnaldum has been very good this year.

Bring on the Blue Shite.

 

[Emcee77]

Great to see Arsenal bully an inferior side even with not getting the clean sheet. Ozil has actually looked good since his return. Great to see this momentum before the North London Derby. Also, wonderful to see how Spurs bungled that Chelsea game today.

Arsenal remind me of Liverpool in Klopp's first season or two. People kept making snide comments about how Liverpool weren't actually better than under Rodgers in terms of results, but anyone who followed closely could see that they were actually significantly better. Similarly, Arsenal look dominant at times, and they play with so much more energy and intensity when they are at their best now.

Salah didn't score but he terrorized Watford's left back all day.

They are a better team with Trent Alexander Arnold at right back. Full stop. Love James Milner, he'll do anything for the team, but TAA makes the attack better. Period.

Van Dijk scores twice, Robertson 2 assists, TAA 3 assists. Last week Vidic says United has better defenders. Sure, pal.

United and Chelsea not in the Top Four would be fine.

Fabinho was made in a Brazilian lab. MOTM yesterday.

Gini Wijnaldum has been very good this year.

Bring on the Blue Shite.

I agree strongly on Trent. Klopp seems to have made an effort to work Milner in at fullback for two reasons: (1) to get him on the field more often for his leadership (and this was a factor in letting Clyne go to Bournemouth), and (2) so there isn't so much of a burden on a young kid like Trent. But for me, the reality is Trent should be viewed as undroppable now, a la Robbo. He has shown himself to be a critical part of the attack.

And yeah, let's hope that big win means LFC are back to their best for the run-in.

 

[Rogue219]

I agree strongly on Trent. Klopp seems to have made an effort to work Milner in at fullback for two reasons: (1) to get him on the field more often for his leadership (and this was a factor in letting Clyne go to Bournemouth), and (2) so there isn't so much of a burden on a young kid like Trent. But for me, the reality is Trent should be viewed as undroppable now, a la Robbo. He has shown himself to be a critical part of the attack.

And yeah, let's hope that big win means LFC are back to their best for the run-in.

TAA was also injured and just came back recently. Easing him back into things with the amount of fixtures on the slate was wise. I do think I would've liked to have seen him at Old Trafford vs Bayern Munich in CL, but you have to trust Klopp.

Having Gomez injured in the midst of all of this doesn't help matters. He can play virtually any position in the back four (9 career matches at left back).

 

[GowerND11]

Arsenal remind me of Liverpool in Klopp's first season or two. People kept making snide comments about how Liverpool weren't actually better than under Rodgers in terms of results, but anyone who followed closely could see that they were actually significantly better. Similarly, Arsenal look dominant at times, and they play with so much more energy and intensity when they are at their best now.

I agree completely. I heard a few rumblings of fans calling for Emery's head... How? He was given no money (Thanks Kronke) and is in his first year. The energy is there, the offense can score when in sync. Given a couple more transfer windows, and it could be Liverpool all over again.

 

[Rogue219]

I agree completely. I heard a few rumblings of fans calling for Emery's head... How? He was given no money (Thanks Kronke) and is in his first year. The energy is there, the offense can score when in sync. Given a couple more transfer windows, and it could be Liverpool all over again.

If these same people who want Emery gone are the same Wenger Out people from the past several years, they're completely nuts. Who would they want, Allegri from Juventus?

Regardless, give the guy time. If there was one thing Klopp was given it was time. And money.

Klopp brings in hard workers, players who are hungry and want to win. Emery has to change the culture at Arsenal and if he does the same thing, they'll be a force. The guys who just want to live in London and fake bake need not apply.

 

[GowerND11]

If these same people who want Emery gone are the same Wenger Out people from the past several years, they're completely nuts. Who would they want, Allegri from Juventus?

Regardless, give the guy time. If there was one thing Klopp was given it was time. And money.

Klopp brings in hard workers, players who are hungry and want to win. Emery has to change the culture at Arsenal and if he does the same thing, they'll be a force. The guys who just want to live in London and fake bake need not apply.

And I think that's exactly what he has been doing with Ozil. Over the last week and a half, Ozil has responded. Will he continue to? We shall see...

 

[Rogue219]

Liverpool really need a true #10 on this team. They're excellent defensively but they need something in the middle of the pitch that's creative. Imagine Nabil Fekir on this team.

They've closed an 18 point gap with what might be the greatest Premier League side in history with an impressive net spend. 9 matches left and there is a title race. Should be interesting.

Liverpool are not scoring goals away. City has some injuries mounting again. Champions League in there for both, FA Cup for City. It's going to be a grind.

 

[Rogue219]

https://www.skysports.com/football/...city-respond-to-fresh-der-spiegel-email-leaks

Not a distraction based on their current form, but this isn't going away.

 

[NDRock]

Really impressed with Liverpool's performance considering how windy it was. Stuff of champions. Well done Klopp.

 

[notredomer23]

I like Klopp overall but he's the king of excuses.

The 3 and 4 spots are wide open IMO. Tottenham's falling. Man U has a brutal schedule the rest of the way. Arsenal only plays two remaining top half sides. Chelsea's probably out. Thinking top 4 finishes 1. City 2. Pool 3. Arsenal 4. Man U

 

[Rogue219]

I like Klopp overall but he's the king of excuses.

The 3 and 4 spots are wide open IMO. Tottenham's falling. Man U has a brutal schedule the rest of the way. Arsenal only plays two remaining top half sides. Chelsea's probably out. Thinking top 4 finishes 1. City 2. Pool 3. Arsenal 4. Man U

I think every manager does this kind of thing over there. Pochettino said Spurs were significantly better than Arsenal on Saturday. That's open for debate. Mourinho would blame everyone but John Wilkes Booth every time his team lost.It's deflection, and it's silly, but they all do it. Say something wonky and that's what people pay attention to. It's like being in Congress here in America.

City has an 8 day stretch of Spurs, at United and at Burnley in April. That likely determines who is champion.

 

[Rogue219]

Tea leaves pointing toward Jose Mourinho taking over at Real Madrid again this summer.

I enjoyed watching Ajax pound them yesterday and dump them out of the Champions League while Ramos had to watch it because he was booked in the first leg.

You'd think Real would want something new and fresh, but buying low on Mourinho sounds fine I guess.

 

[Rocket89]

All-time gut wrenching losses for PSG and Roma.

VAR is the new overlord.

 

[NDShark]

Ole is the man for the job. What a result! And why on earth would Real want Mourinho after Chelsea (despite winning the PL) and Man U? Ole is doing more with less accounting for all the injuries and using Mourinho's guys.

 

[Rogue219]

VAR is the new overlord.

The big clubs will benefit from it. Video won't stop UEFA and FIFA from being the corrupt bodies they already are.

Intent doesn't matter in this situations. It was a pen, and had the PSG defender not turned his back, it may have been different.

Cruel, beautiful game. 70% possession and they give up two wacky goals plus a pen. You could tell in the last 15 minutes of regulation PSG players were scared the gut punch was coming. That's the difference between a champion and a team still trying to get there. United has been playing with a nothing to lose attitude since Jose got sacked.

OGS has managed 17 games for United and they have been awarded 7 pens. That's the Fergie United of old we love so dear....

I say let him get through March and April before they put pen to paper. They're banged up right now and still have a lot fixtures left to play. FA Cup plus two more CL matches now. Maybe they already know and will get it done.

Real Madrid is going to be looking at Mourinho, Klopp, Pochettino. Klopp is reportedly already ruling out going anywhere. Pochettino probably wants United, but will they want him? And if not, does he jump to Real?

Shaping up to be a very fun spring.

 

[dublinirish]

All-time gut wrenching losses for PSG and Roma.

VAR is the new overlord.

PSG deserve everything they got. They are the most fake, blood money funded club in the world.

 

[ACamp1900]

PSG deserve everything they got. They are the most fake, blood money funded club in the world.

I'm no PSG fan but what makes them worse than a couple of pretty clear EPL examples in the same regard??

 

[ACamp1900]

Just read an article that Real are possibly eyeing Mbappe AND Neymar.... lol... so there's that too.

 

[Rocket89]

I'm no PSG fan but what makes them worse than a couple of pretty clear EPL examples in the same regard??

Both City and PSG have been accused of some pretty serious sponsorship fraud. I think PSG has been in trouble more and under investigation more for FFP issues. While Abu Dhabi isn’t perfect I think the human rights and workers treatment in Qatar is far worse. One club did spend $250 million for one player!

 

[dublinirish]

Both City and PSG have been accused of some pretty serious sponsorship fraud. I think PSG has been in trouble more and under investigation more for FFP issues. While Abu Dhabi isn’t perfect I think the human rights and workers treatment in Qatar is far worse. One club did spend $250 million for one player!

http://www.spiegel.de/international...-and-psg-pact-with-the-sheikhs-a-1236414.html

The Middle Eastern influence in world football is sketchy AF.

 

[KyfightingIrish36]

It seems like its been a while since Real went on a 2 or 3 hundred thousand spending spree.

 

[Rogue219]

It seems like its been a while since Real went on a 2 or 3 hundred thousand spending spree.

Get ready. It's coming. They aren't getting any younger. Neither is Barcelona.

I don't see how they don't offer deGea the moon this time around. My guess is they'll fax, email and text over the paperwork this time around. Hazard is all but there. If they will go for Mbappe and Neymar, they'll go for Kane and Ali as well. I assume they'll ask about Liverpool's front three. Aguero?

I think that spending spree is about to happen. They need the manager first. Mourinho, Klopp, Pochettino....they'll get someone.

I don't like United, but I really do find myself wanting them to beat City, Chelsea and PSG when they can.

 

[ACamp1900]

It seems like its been a while since Real went on a 2 or 3 hundred million spending spree.

fixed,... right?

 

[ACamp1900]

Get ready. It's coming. They aren't getting any younger. Neither is Barcelona.

I don't see how they don't offer deGea the moon this time around. My guess is they'll fax, email and text over the paperwork this time around. Hazard is all but there. If they will go for Mbappe and Neymar, they'll go for Kane and Ali as well. I assume they'll ask about Liverpool's front three. Aguero?

I think that spending spree is about to happen. They need the manager first. Mourinho, Klopp, Pochettino....they'll get someone.

I don't like United, but I really do find myself wanting them to beat City, Chelsea and PSG when they can.

This is where I lose more and more interest in the Euro game... this is ridiculous and only a select few clubs can even dream like this....

 

[dublinirish]

This is where I lose more and more interest in the Euro game... this is ridiculous and only a select few clubs can even dream like this....

a more socialist approach like the NFL might be better haha

 

[ACamp1900]

a more socialist approach like the NFL might be better haha

I would say if there is going to be so much money in Champions League then they will have to adopt some kind of leveling to the national leagues... we are already to the point where only a handful of teams have any real hope of winning and the gap will only widen as it is now. I touched on this last year and shared a list of teams that at least made the final four in UCL during the 80's, 90s and on into the early 2000s before the money so vastly widened things, it was wonderfully diverse... at some point seeing the same few teams in every UCL finals will backfire.

 

[dublinirish]

I would say if there is going to be so much money in Champions League then they will have to adopt some kind of leveling to the national leagues... we are already to the point where only a handful of teams have any real hope of winning and the gap will only widen as it is now. I touched on this last year and shared a list of teams that at least made the final four in UCL during the 80's, 90s and on into the early 2000s before the money so vastly widened things, it was wonderfully diverse... at some point seeing the same few teams in every UCL finals will backfire.

the problem is some leagues in europe - germany, holland etc have gone to a more sustainable/talent producing system (salary caps etc) but the likes of Real, City, PSG would never go in for that. The quicker they break away and form their own SuperLeague the better.

 

[Rogue219]

Ajax works with less than what West Brom gets for Premier League TV money. They're a feeder program for the big clubs in Europe.

UEFA needs to actually enforce FFP rules on the big boys. Especially the Citys, PSGs and Chelseas of the world.

 

[notredomer23]

UEFA needs to actually enforce FFP rules on the big boys. Especially the Citys, PSGs, Liverpools, Man Uniteds, and Chelseas of the world.

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