Welcome dear listener to First State Kopites. It’s August 27th. I’m Paul, joined by Daz. Little different today - just focused on reviewing the Newcastle game - 3-2 to the Reds. Lot to go at - hope to bring some perspective to what ends up being a nice, comfortable:() win.
Short version Newcastle turned this into a battle - with the rhetoric beforehand and the actions of certain players. I was fearful for our team’s safety.
Context - 2 very difficult games against them and their tactics last season. I think it plays into the cautious approach. One of harder aways anyway. And then there’s Isak.
Theme #1 - More defensive woes:
Overall, their onslaught and carnage - words used by the commentator. Couple of chances around the 30 minutes mark, maybe 60 to 65 and then 85 to 95 there was lots of getting it launched.
A Hooper call every time they fell down - 62% possession and still lost the foul count 17-15. Forever the minecraft man (Ref Cam). How about we call it both ways was Virg’s clear message, but the cards for Liverpool were right, but they appeared a lot more latitude (Trippier, multiple Guimares fouls)
Kerkez - indefensible defending - aside from that was he OK?
Konate - the high line for the goal - the unfortunate deflection. Missed passes, the unnecessary push on Barnes.
Lots of long balls from us, weren’t winning enough of the second balls
Theme #2 - the major characters in the battle:
Some unhinged emotion out there - determined to intimidate Hugo Ekitike
Guimares (yellow for dissent, nothing for all the fouls), Burn (yellow for 2 nasty little fouls on Mo) and then Gordon seemed determined to inflict physical pain on us. Aside from kicking Cody Gakpo in the head, not so much from Joelinton.
Tonali - funny that he injured himself, needs a few lessons from Gordon.
Note on time wasting - at 30 minutes self-aware Geordie pointing at his watch.
Theme #3 - bright spots. The watch without the same jeopardy - Newcastle 0.98 xG
Another late winner against Newcastle.
At 2-0 it looked so under control until the high balls/long throws finally have an impact - before 55, we look so comfortable.
100th minute - best piece of footy, well if Curtis had connected with Mo’s pass in the first half it might have been that.
Rio, Ekitike, Gravenberch (his goal was not ‘out of nothing’), VVD, Dom! And Ali.
Might take time to see the very best of Wirtz but there are some signs
We’ll be back with a preview of the Arsenal game, and then a review of that match next week.. Thanks to Daz for joining me, Paul. And most of all, thank you dear listener for joining us.
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