Liverpool’s first goal is brought to you by The Three Stooges, Dier, Lloris and Davies.
As the ball breaks down the left, Firmino’s run is uninterrupted as Eric Dier decides to prioritize neither the cross nor the incoming attacker behind him. Bizarrely, the Englishman decides to instead double-check that Firmino is still on course for goal.
Salah in seconds decides that that the 6-yard box could get congested for him and decides to cut in.
By the time the ball comes in, Firmino has hit a cruising speed and Dier appears to have completely forgotten there was a red freight train behind him.
Neither Davies nor Dier knew exactly what had happened until after the event.
This is Mourinho’s fault, eh?
As long as Mourinho continues to leave our best defender (Toby) on the bench, continues to omit Sissoko, who provides by far our best defensive midfield pivot with Hojbjerg, plays Ndombele too deep and employs leaden lumps, Doherty and Davies, in both wing back positions, rather than another creative midfielder, who can at least pass the ball or beat a man, like Lamela, then he is open to criticism in my book H.
I thought the team selection was poor and ill-equipped to deliver the tactical formation or the defensive solidity demanded of it. Jose needs to go back and analyse our best defensive performances, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, etc. Toby and Sissoko were vital components of that defensive solidity. Play your best players in their best positions and if they make defensive errors then you have a legitimate excuse, otherwise you don’t.
Sorry, one more thing !! the thing that bothers me most, and has been happening for several years is this: Spurs, here’s your chance to take a forward step, to show intent, to show you mean business: Spurs, Nah, we’ll just bottle it again…. Every time.
It looked to me like when Son’s goal was disallowed their heads dropped and they didn’t believe they could win the game. I feel Davies should have played left back, and Toby should have been alongside Dier, not a completely new defence against the champions. First goal, just clear the ball, instead of waiting for Firmino to arrive and score, second goal, Hugo should have held the ball, third goal i can excuse young Joe. Our disallowed goal was a crafted move, Sonny was put through twice more, and their keeper also gathered the ball outside his area. It’s not all doom and gloom, but the most important thing for me is to instill a winning mentality..
Quite how Aurier gave Mane such a headstart is beyond me too. A catalogue of errors for most of their goals. I’m not sure how anybody believes any coach in the world could operate with a calamitous set of defensive players including Dier, Davies, Sanchez, Aurier and Lloris, supplemented by the legless veteran Toby and young blood in Rodon and Reguillon.
How many of Spurs’ defensive players would get into any of the teams above us, honestly. For all of the whinging about the way we played against City and Chelsea with a back 6, you can see why it was necessary given the squad that we have. Is the football tirgid at times, yes. But what are the alternatives with these players?
We have two excellent players in Son and Kane, a handful of good players and an abundance of bang average hangers on that few would want to buy from us at the best of times, let alone in current market conditions.
Something feels wrong with Toby or Sanchez not in a back 3 from the start with Dier.Not sure why Jose didn’t pick a 3 with more experience for this game. But mistakes happen, the league isn’t Jose’s objective this season so maybe its for the future.