Welcome dear listener to the latest episode of the 6th season of the pod. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz, and Justin. And we are 3 for 3, as the Reds went to Old Trafford win 3-0 and we looked good. We will go into detail on the game, we will preview the United game and will look elsewhere at the weekend and what else is happening in the footy world.
Part One - United away:
xG might not be the most useful:
United 1.38 total, - Statsbomb - .98? - 0.08 at half time
Liverpool 1.78 total - 0.69 at half time. BUT xGoT 2.44 to 0.64.
Overall 30 to 31 touches in the opposition box (favors United) - 16 to 9 at half time.
BUT look at the position data - so interesting…..
First Half:
United set up differently - Slot explain the 7/11 press of last season and the 9/10 press (without the man marking)
5 minutes - so close to that iconic Scouser kisses the camera moment - VVD and Ryan fantastic movement.
At 35 - Caesmiro took the hit, but Mainoo, Mazouri, and Dalot positioning. One missed pass should not kill you.
42 - Luis Diaz interception - Casemiro falls down, thought Taylor would give a foul. Salah has Dalot backing off, Diaz first time shot.
Second half
56 - Mainoo dispossessed by the least noticeable of our midfielders (Alexis) sweeping movement and a first time finish - Szobo and Salah.
Game over at 59 minutes. Jota and Szobozlai chances didn’t even count for xG
Salah had a couple of great chances -
Game management - United had more chances, but it felt like we could step up a gear if we needed to.
Salah… unbelievable consistency. Fantastic Michael Cox article breaking down how his dribbles have fallen off while his assists have dramatically increased - now ONLY De Bruyne has more since Mo started in the league. 10 goals at Old Trafford - top 5 in goals at OT in the time he’s played?
We are just better than them, player by player. Harder challenges to follow (Slot)
Part Two - previewing Forest and Milan away:
Team selection - same again?
Forest - what to expect?
Less signings than usual?
Formation against a team with one of the lowest xGAs in the fledgling PL season (2.1) ?
Milan - what kind of rotation?
Predictions
Part Three - Elsewhere:
Everton - a real crisis?
Chelsea - ownership crisis?
Leicester - can’t be found guilty because they were relegated - what a wheeze
We will be back in just over a week with a review of the Forest game. Thanks to Justin and Daz for joining me, Paul. Thank you dear listener for joining us.
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