It’s October 10th welcome dear listener to the latest edition of First State Kopites. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz and Justin today. With the second international break upon us, we are going to reflect on the last 3 Liverpool games. Spurs, Union SG and Brighton. Apologies to keep you waiting for the fume about the officiating at the Tottenham Stadium.
Part One - let’s look back at the 2-1 defeat at Spurs:
Let’s dive right in to the refereeing masterclass:
Jones red card (Kovacics)
Diaz goal that wasn’t - good process
Jota 2 yellows (Kovacics)
Hooper - refereed the game well said Max Rushden - beg to differ mate… Salah, Robertson cards
Gakpo goal was well taken - tackle on him could be the worst of the game
11 v 11 thought we were controlling it and about to take over the game
11 v 10 - lost a bit of control at the start of the second half but then were asserting ourselves until
11 v 9 - did absolutely great. Unlucky to concede but obviously a feature of the way Hooper had affected the game.
Part Two - Europa League training games:
Lots of fellas getting 45 minutes here - it was great to see Gravenberch, Salah, Diaz and Jota getting a nice run out.
Think we’d have had Endo for 90 if it hadn’t been for the Mac Allister meet up.
USG clearly a level below. Only question, will it take more than 3 games to lock up the group?
A word for their fans - really delightful
Part Three - an entertaining 2-2 against Brighton:
First 20 seemed a conscious effort to conserve energy and not give too much away (having had some recent bad memories at this ground). The set up with Pascal Gross as a third in the backline was a challenge for a while.
Absence of 3 potential game changers really showed here.
Commentators sure talked up Brighton. Didn't seem to me they created too much after 20, certainly not after 30. Felt like we started to get more of the second ball - almost got in a few minutes before we did - out of nothing they said. xG 2.2 to 2.5 (Understat). 2 attempts between 40 and 70 from Brighton.
The penalty - Gross literally drags him down and then acts horrified when the penalty is given. But Taylor is pointing to the second challenge.
More difficult game than Spurs I feel. Gravenberch chance was really big (53). Pressing was good in moments as was theirs. Gravenberch looks someone to be excited about. Andy Robbo seemed a little off, Gomes wasn’t great. Atko though Diaz was terrible, felt that was harsh. The set up with Pascal Gross as a third in the backline was a challenge for a while.
Taylor gave them fouls aplenty - 20 actually. Yes, he rates positive on big decisions but he gives so many of the half fouls against us (including the one that led to their second goal), and I’ve lost count of the number of games where the Liverpool player gets the first yellow (usually for less than he’s let go).
We will be back with a preview of the Everton game (and Toulouse). Thanks to Daz and Justin for joining me. And thank you for listening.
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