All we want is consistency from the officials
VAR is the worst introduction to the game of football we have seen. The players hate it, the fans hate it and probably the referees hate it too.
I can understand it being brought in for offsides and issues that are black and white, but not Foden’s goal. Even though I see the argument for it being a foul.
A soft foul on Fabinho was the cause and an issue that allowed Anthony Taylor to re-officiate the decision from a different angle. A ‘foul’ that may or may not have been given in another game, especially one that shouldn’t have been considered on the basis of consistency
The ref’s performance (which was pretty decent) was overshadowed by a call to go and review the decision again.
Something summed up perfectly by Bernardo Silva as he spoke after the game.
"“If from the beginning of the game you’re not whistling little fouls, and we saw it in this game that he was letting us play – which is good, which is fine – then if there is a goal you cannot whistle a soft one.”"
Formation changes in big games don’t usually work
Our Laura predicted the right 11 men starting in her predicted line-up, however she probably didn’t pick the tactics being used by Pep Guardiola.
A big game and he seems to change something that you must question his genius. Let’s get one thing straight, if we would have won, then there would have been praise left right and centre, so why should we question it based on a defeat?
City played well but seeing wing backs with Foden and Cancelo took the triangle play out of the game that often sees us move up the pitch with force. No overlaps and overloading on each side restricted our momentum and gave it to the opposition.
Kevin de Bruyne playing in a role that didn’t see him flourish was frustrating and the lack of substitutes when we weren’t dominating. Too much respect was given to Liverpool when James Milner was at right back and Harvey Elliot was in midfield.
We can’t prove whether a change in formation would have helped us return the three points. If it didn’t, then we could lay off the untouchable a little bit more.
Liverpool are still title challengers
We’ve certainly enjoyed the first ten games of the season where the opponents have been more indifferent than a school lunch meal (from what i can remember), with Liverpool now ten points off City following their win.
The next set of games will determine whether they are back in the mix for the title, if not the top four positions.
They won’t be able to carry that passion, fight and atmosphere into the next home games with Klopp’s words likely to be more complimentary in his pre match press conference against West Ham and Leeds United.
Should they win the next four or five will certainly put them in good stead going into the World Cup winter break. And, will set us up for an exciting few months after Christmas should they do.