EPL 2019/20 - Game Week 10
Liverpool played below their level when they visited Old Trafford last week and allowed Solskjaer to end their run of 8 straight wins for the season and 18 straight league wins in a row so that Mourinho's Chelsea record of 9 wins for a new season and Pep Guardiola's 18 wins are intact but the one point could prove crucial later on in the season. The point is (no pun intended), there was no better time for the Reds to secure all 3 points when they are at the peak of their powers and United at their lowest ebb. We all know that United will park the bus, try to steal a goal on the counter and close shop. Liverpool were not aggressive, lack conviction, not intense enough, there were not enough pressing and gave United too much respect. Not everyone knew that Liverpool v Man Utd is a derby and one of the biggest one. This is known as the North-West Derby and often a very intense one. The gap between the two sides this time is huge. Liverpool sit at the top while United are in 13th. Liverpool had 68% possession and 648 passes to United's 300. It could have been different had Liverpool gone for the initiative and an early goal. Solskjaer was trying to buy time and save his job as he kept talking about the future and he also said that they will bounce back to winning the league again and it won't be 30 years. That is arrogance as not even Guardiola and Klopp would say that about others.
Salah's failure to recover may have played a part but there should be no excuses but it puzzled me why did Klopp switched Mane to the right and Origi to the left? He may be using Mane to target Ashley Young but then you are also like making two changes to your own team instead of one. Once you let your opponent grow in confidence then they are settled and when you have two quick players like Rashford and Daniel James on either side, especially Trent Alexander-Arnold could be the weak link as though as fabulous as he is on the attack he is quite often vulnerable in defence. This caused Van Dijk to be taken out of his zone. Should Alisson Becker play instead of Adrian? There is no doubting Alisson's quality but he has been absent for quite awhile and may be a wee bit rusty. The United goal should not have been allowed. How could both the referee and VAR missed what was a clear foul with contact? Origi was clearly kicked. Mane's goal being disallowed was in accordance to the rules though even as he did not intentionally handled the ball otherwise it would have been a good goal before the new rules. Liverpool are a powerful European Champions and should have shown early to stamp their class and show who is the boss and remind United how difficult their job was but did not. Daniel James is the player that Liverpool should have signed. He is really quick and plays with intensity, a Liverpool type of player. With Salah out, he would have been a perfect replacement. Origi has his strength and has been valuable for Liverpool with his crucial contributions but he is not a Salah replacement.
Clearly Liverpool's defence need to improve and their midfield needs injection of creativity. Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Henderson could outrun and outplay almost every team most times but it was the introduction of Adam Lallana that made the difference and Lallana have not played since a long time ago. His touches, creativity, turns and runs with or without the ball caused United problems. Liverpool need to inject this kind of creative player into their midfield to bring them onto another level when the need arises. Kudos to Man Utd for a solid display. It was actually quite an appalling performance from the Reds in my opinion. Liverpool still lead City by 6 points which is not a lot. Last season they led by 10 points at one stage. There is a long way to go so the fight will again be titanic.
When City played Crystal Palace away last week, their away kit plus the Eagles home kit made them looked like neon tetras in a tank darting around.
Game Week 10
Champions Manchester City can close the gap with Liverpool when they host Aston Villa as the Reds do not play till Sunday. Raheem Sterling returned to sparkling form when he hit 3 goals against Atalanta at the Etihad and provided an assist. Liverpool will host a struggling Tottenham at Anfield but Tottenham made a statement of their own return to form with a 5-0 thrashing of Crvena Zvesda as Harry Kane hit a brace. The Red Devils hope to rediscover themselves when they visit Norwich at Carrow Road. Lampard and Chelsea will continue their winning ways?
Salah's failure to recover may have played a part but there should be no excuses but it puzzled me why did Klopp switched Mane to the right and Origi to the left? He may be using Mane to target Ashley Young but then you are also like making two changes to your own team instead of one. Once you let your opponent grow in confidence then they are settled and when you have two quick players like Rashford and Daniel James on either side, especially Trent Alexander-Arnold could be the weak link as though as fabulous as he is on the attack he is quite often vulnerable in defence. This caused Van Dijk to be taken out of his zone. Should Alisson Becker play instead of Adrian? There is no doubting Alisson's quality but he has been absent for quite awhile and may be a wee bit rusty. The United goal should not have been allowed. How could both the referee and VAR missed what was a clear foul with contact? Origi was clearly kicked. Mane's goal being disallowed was in accordance to the rules though even as he did not intentionally handled the ball otherwise it would have been a good goal before the new rules. Liverpool are a powerful European Champions and should have shown early to stamp their class and show who is the boss and remind United how difficult their job was but did not. Daniel James is the player that Liverpool should have signed. He is really quick and plays with intensity, a Liverpool type of player. With Salah out, he would have been a perfect replacement. Origi has his strength and has been valuable for Liverpool with his crucial contributions but he is not a Salah replacement.
Clearly Liverpool's defence need to improve and their midfield needs injection of creativity. Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Henderson could outrun and outplay almost every team most times but it was the introduction of Adam Lallana that made the difference and Lallana have not played since a long time ago. His touches, creativity, turns and runs with or without the ball caused United problems. Liverpool need to inject this kind of creative player into their midfield to bring them onto another level when the need arises. Kudos to Man Utd for a solid display. It was actually quite an appalling performance from the Reds in my opinion. Liverpool still lead City by 6 points which is not a lot. Last season they led by 10 points at one stage. There is a long way to go so the fight will again be titanic.
When City played Crystal Palace away last week, their away kit plus the Eagles home kit made them looked like neon tetras in a tank darting around.
Game Week 10
Champions Manchester City can close the gap with Liverpool when they host Aston Villa as the Reds do not play till Sunday. Raheem Sterling returned to sparkling form when he hit 3 goals against Atalanta at the Etihad and provided an assist. Liverpool will host a struggling Tottenham at Anfield but Tottenham made a statement of their own return to form with a 5-0 thrashing of Crvena Zvesda as Harry Kane hit a brace. The Red Devils hope to rediscover themselves when they visit Norwich at Carrow Road. Lampard and Chelsea will continue their winning ways?
Southampton v Leicester - So you thought the Saints will be troubled by Wolves last week at the Molineux after their dismal 1-4 defeat at home to Chelsea. Wrong. Southampton were unlucky not to have won. Leicester were impressive when they won 2-1 over a stubborn Burnley and remained in third. Southampton are short on goals while Leicester are flying. Brendan Rodgers continues with his revolution. Jmaes Maddison is exciting and Jamie Vardy has been flying and now has 6 goals and an assist. Vardy has the most amazing story. It was not too long ago that he was working in a factory and playing amateur football until he turned pro with Halifax Town. More than 2 years later he joined Leicester City in the Championship and 5 years later he was playing for Englanda and in less than 7 years he won the Premier League title and broke the Premier League record for scoring the most in consecutive matches and has scored against all the teams in the league in his time and especially good against the top six. Did you see his goal for England v Germany where he fooled Neuer? Its another test if they are top 4 material this season. 0-2.
Manchester City v Aston Villa - Crystal Palace fought and held on for only 38 minutes before Gabriel Jesus scored with a brilliant header in the 39th minute. 2 minutes later David Silva made it 2-0 and it ended that way. Seemed too easy for City but it was the way Raheem Sterling set up the second goal that you could see how far his game has come with that deft flick of the ball to Silva. He went on to score a hattrick with an assist to boot as City had Crvena Zvezda soundly beaten 5-1. Villa won a tough match with their young captain Jack Grealish having a great game. They were one down when he scored the equaliser and in 90+4 minute he created the winner. Jack Grealish is a very fine player and he was great in the Championship last season before promotion and he is showing it in the Premier League. He should be playing in the Champions League and also for England. Imagine Grealish playing together with James Maddison. City is still the team to beat to the title. Guardilio's waterpolo patterns of weaving passes to and fro, front and back and left to right, etc. as they wait for that moment when they see an angle or an opportunity to pounce and goal! It is this reason they are scoring 3 to 5 goals like eating breakfast. Only occasionally it may not work as they drew once and lost twice this season. He missed out narrowly to win Player of the Year but if he continues it might be his year. With Kevin De Bruyne, Silva, Aguero, Jesus Mahrez or Bernardo Silva, there is just too much work for the Villa defence. 3-1.
Brighton v Everton - The Seagulls will want to make amends at home after they lost to Villa 1-2 to a 94th minute goal but have to host a resurgent Everton that have beaten West Ham 2-0 where Theo Walcott was brilliant. He created the opener and then later rocked the crossbar with a superb volley. Problem is the Toffees are poor on the road. Brighton is not a team that lets you walk all over them. They are good for at least a point here. 1-1.
Watford v Bournemouth - Watford are still without a win after 9 games but took an early 6th minute lead against Tottenham but allowed their first win to slip away when they conceded in the 86th minute. Their visitors Bournemouth surprising failed to overcome Norwich at home. Though the Hornets have stopped the rot with two draw in their last two games, they still could not win and waiting for their first win of the season. Can they finally do it at home at Vicarage Road? They stand a better chance here at home against the Cherries than next week's visit by Chelsea. They will not be that bad as they held Spurs away. 1-1.
West Ham v Sheffield United - Pelligrini said he was happy with the Hammers' performance. I was not impressed. I thought West Ham were at times pedestrian. Even Declan Rice somehow felt disinterested when he failed to follow up after losing the ball which resulted in a goal. Sheffield United are a very well organised team, they are tough and has climbed up to 9th. They are certainly capable with some surprising results. The Blades are a typical English team and I was most impressed by John Lundstram who is surprising English. I thought he is Swedish. He has one goal and one assist and his consistent contribution makes him top of the chart. Sheffield United have good away form and West Ham could find it tough. 1-1.
Burnley v Chelsea - Though they lost narrowly at Leicester, the Clarets rained 13 shots at Leicester's goal. There was no lack of intent. Chelsea completely dominated Newcastle with 71% possession but with 16 shots could get only a goal to win. Chelsea have proved that they could win away from home but Burnley will be a real test at Turf Moor. Chelsea are winning points and fans. They have just came back from Amsterdam and won 1-0 against last season's Champions League semi-finalist. Lampard's team is brimming with confidence right now but still Burnley would be a different type of game. Lampard's babies could just find a way through. 1-2.
Newcastle v Wolves - Why Newcastle could beat Manchester United but Liverpool can't and then they held Chelsea well till the 73rd minute and succumbed. Wolves will be wary if they had learnt from last week's game at Southhampton. Wolves are doing better in the Europa as they have just won 2-1 away to Slovan Bratislava. The Magpies have only a famous win over Man Utd to remember. Wolves are back to their best and very good away from home too. Looks like a Wolves win for me. 1-2.
Arsenal v Crystal Palace - New manager, new players but same old Gunners at Bramall Lane. David Luis has just said they are going to pip Liverpool to the title. Arsenal are now 5th. The Gunners are weak away but just beaten Vitoria de Guimaraes in Europa thanks to Nicholas Pepe. Palace have little of the ball last week but it was Man City. Last season the Eagles went to the Emirates and won 3-2. So this is like a trick question especially so as a London derby. Arsenal will have the edge unless their bad habit comes back to haunt them because they have Aubameyang and Pepe. 2-1.
Liverpool v Tottenham - This Is Anfield and Liverpool must not waver. Forget about their 8th straight win of the season being halted by the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford or having the second most league wins in a row at 17. They need a good victory here to continue and build on the belief. Tottenham are in an almost similar situation as Manchester United even if they are in 7th and United 13th. They are not in good form but they are still a competent team. With City hosting Villa, only a win here will do to keep their distance of 6 points. The Reds must not repeat the same mistake or performance of last week. Sadio Mane will be the key player for Liverpool. His speed, power and control makes him a tricky customer for a Spurs defence that has already conceded 13 goals. Salah's return will take the load away from Mane and Firmino. It will be a different game to both of their European nights even if it is a repeat of last season's Champions League final. Spurs are back to their best as they thumped Crvena Zvezda (aka Red Star Belgrade) 5-0 with Harry Kane named MOTM as he and Son both scored a brace. So it will be battle Royale between Kane and Van Dijk. Liverpool also registered a good 4-1 away win at Genk.
There wil be a couple of posers for Klopp to think through. The front three were brilliant again. Firmino's rabona and assist, Mane's goal (Salah's assist), Salah's goal as he is back to his weaving best. Naby Keita's and Alex Oxlande Chamberlain's return were timely and offers Klopp a conundrum. When they came in at Old Trafford, they offered a different perspective to their game. Keita saw space and made that pass to Robertson who crossed low and Adam Lallala scored. Lallana opens up space with his skills and running. Ox hit two power shots but missed narrowly and he gave energy. At Genk, OX scored two fine goals. The first was when hre received the ball from Fabinho, he simply shot across low and quick a leaving the goalkeeper standing. The second was great work from Firmino who cut the ball low and across and Ox went in and hit it first time with the outside of his foot sending the ball under the crossbar and into goal. What a fabulous strike!
With Keita and Ox attacking instincts, Fabinho carried a heavier burden. There were not the usual protection of Henderson and Wijnaldum there. Liverpool conceded a soft goal and late in the 88th minute. No clean sheet again. You cannot afford this against Tottenham. Son will trouble any team with his runs and finishing. How will Klopp balance his midfield? Probably depending on the opposition or when the tweak is needed. The full availability of Keita, Chamberlain and Lallana who not only played recently and did so brilliantly and being among the goals is exactly what Liverpool needed at the moment. This is a tough tie but expect Klopp to make some changes. Tottenham may spring a surprise as Harry kane and Son are hot but Liverpool are pretty good at not losing and often finding new ways to win plus "This Is Anfiled". Another win for Liverpool. 2-1.
There wil be a couple of posers for Klopp to think through. The front three were brilliant again. Firmino's rabona and assist, Mane's goal (Salah's assist), Salah's goal as he is back to his weaving best. Naby Keita's and Alex Oxlande Chamberlain's return were timely and offers Klopp a conundrum. When they came in at Old Trafford, they offered a different perspective to their game. Keita saw space and made that pass to Robertson who crossed low and Adam Lallala scored. Lallana opens up space with his skills and running. Ox hit two power shots but missed narrowly and he gave energy. At Genk, OX scored two fine goals. The first was when hre received the ball from Fabinho, he simply shot across low and quick a leaving the goalkeeper standing. The second was great work from Firmino who cut the ball low and across and Ox went in and hit it first time with the outside of his foot sending the ball under the crossbar and into goal. What a fabulous strike!
With Keita and Ox attacking instincts, Fabinho carried a heavier burden. There were not the usual protection of Henderson and Wijnaldum there. Liverpool conceded a soft goal and late in the 88th minute. No clean sheet again. You cannot afford this against Tottenham. Son will trouble any team with his runs and finishing. How will Klopp balance his midfield? Probably depending on the opposition or when the tweak is needed. The full availability of Keita, Chamberlain and Lallana who not only played recently and did so brilliantly and being among the goals is exactly what Liverpool needed at the moment. This is a tough tie but expect Klopp to make some changes. Tottenham may spring a surprise as Harry kane and Son are hot but Liverpool are pretty good at not losing and often finding new ways to win plus "This Is Anfiled". Another win for Liverpool. 2-1.
Norwich v Manchester United - The Canaries kept a clean sheet at Bournemouth last week but have not won since beating City but at least have stop their losing streak. Can they repeat their feat versus City at Carrow Road again and will Teemu Pukki score again? United did well against Liverpool but have struggled against other teams. Remember, they lost to West Ham and Newcastle. Marcus Rashford showed and looked like he is back to his best against Liverpool. His running and use of space was outstanding. He is only 21 and against a Norwich side that has concede 21 goals, must fancy his chances in adding to his tally. Against the Canaries, United will be more daring to attack meaning that Norwich will have their chances to score as well. Teemu Pukki and Norwich may see this as just the game for them to turn around just like United did Liverpool. United finally won an away game at Partizan Beograd 1-0 but again with an unconvincing display. It looks like the Red Devils can win this one but please also think that City came here and lost. 1-2.
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