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Long range shooting is a very important skill in competitive football esp in important games for obvious reasons. It’s also a skill our team lacks big time. Even eden is terrible at that. but yeah, coutinho offers little more than that, perhaps the occasional key pass. He’s a bit like Eriksen in that he vanishes often. and he definitely needs that free role too. Does not chase or work for the team hard enough, so you gonna have to play for him. it might have been worse... we could be going after james Rodriguez should we be happy for the ban?!

Can’t disagree with that. That’s why for me, eden behavior and now wanting to leave put him outside of legend category. True but he was already playing well below his normal. Still hurt a bit, but it’s not like he left us at his prime or anywhere near that. Hazard wants to leave. He wanted to leave for real for years. Regardless of competition. So, that reasoning (compete at cL) does not make sense to me. There are no guarantees real will compete there in the next few years either.

You are right of course, but there are no friends in football. This is hardly his retirement, so he’s making a rival - all top clubs are or should be our rivals - stronger. And if we build a good team that can challenge cL in the near future, hazard will very much be a rival, despite all the history behind. While this is a fair move to him, it is also not good for the club esp during a ban. That’s why footballers aren’t and can’t be fans... he’s thinking about his career and himself, not the club. As he should.

Different formation, system, and tactics, so no not going to happen. Emerson is a very traditional LB. He was poor in the first half along with a few other players (against arsenal), but grew with the team in the second half. He defended well and even produced that great early cross for giroud. Does not look like Cl quality atm, but who does in our squad? Kante? The rest will need to improve or be improved on.

Yup and I think the position or arms and hands will become more important then. Perhaps the only thing they will be looking for since intention is gone. perhaps keeping arms behind will be a good idea then. Luiz is well trained in that.

Hah can’t believe there are folks here who think that was not a pk. stupid? sure, but one Very obvious handball. The position of his arm is calling for a handball all along... looks like it’s a basketball block... refs are instructed to look for that type of thing. Some defenders have even been putting theirs hands in the back and it’s debatable whether that’s necessary, but stick it out like that in the box and it Will be called every time, especially with new rules.

This is hard fought final. Every tackle counts. Every shot or pass has legs thrown in front. If folks can’t appreciate this, sorry.... this is also football and it happens a lot in finals. Quite a few WC finals just like this over history. liverpool is just a far superior team. And all their players are hard working. Even the stars track back and make runs without the football. Look at salah he never stops running. the unlucky part for fans is having a poor side like spurs in the final. They are the lucky ones to have made it. Should have been city had Laporte not fucked up.

Klopp will likely address the poor pool decisions in the back. They’ve been just kicking it upfield at times. game should improve in the second. Still as poor as pool was, Tottenham created next to nothing.

Yeah. The idea is prob to get Lucas on when pool players are more tired, but don’t think they’ve caused enough trouble to liverpool thus far. firmino is hurting pools midfield. And their movement off the ball has been bad. Still salah and mane look like they will score if given half an opportunity.

Tottenham May have possession but no shots on goal so far. Pool still more likely to score.

Don’t feel so good about Chelsea fans. We do the same to our players. Not comparing with Ramos, who’s an excellent dirty player, but Alonso comes to mind. Ivanovic before that, but that’s football. We are a fickle bunch.

Just watched that header again, absolute top finish! that took place when the game was still tight. And as goals do, it changed the game. Their players moved forward just a bit, their stance changed because then they were chasing. That allowed spaces to players that can use them well, like Eden and surprisingly enough Pedro who had a massive game. that assist to Eden for the fourth was just showing off..

A couple of us mentioned his good performances during the match and I honestly don’t think he’s got many weaknesses as a player, but then again I’m a fan. its really up to him as what tier he belongs. He could go all the way and become a top defender, but that depends on his ambition and desire.

And what a strong performance that was! My motm vote was him or giroud (eden would be covered ;)), but First goal wins as it made arsenal even more vulnerable...

There is something funny about arsenal, the club, and I don’t think it’s intentional. 😂

Eden had a strong game, but we had many strong performers today. Esp second half. Giroud and Pedro were really good with Kante right below. think it’d still be giroud as motm for me for the importance of the first goal... it changes games. The other goals were in counters.

Petr is keeping it only 4

That was freaking awesome! Giroud and eden on a counter. hahah fucking hate arsenal

Wow Pedro is on fire today

That was a very good play and a cool finish by Pedro!!! Kova, nice turn, to hazard to Pedro. Too quick for arsenal stoic defense. AC has been really good.

Good cross by Emerson, but that finishing was something else giroud forgiven for the first half display...

They are both pretty poor players at the moment. Tammy can still improve, obviously but a top tier is no longer attainable imo. as for the previous discussion, Diego did create chances, but by pressing the opposition and less by linkup play. Pressing too create chances, and we don’t press very well because we have players in free roles (plural).

The reason hazard is not the top player some people here wish he were isn’t because of his attacking numbers, or number of goals, or even number of key passes. Ironically the real reason has been mentioned here over and over again by many ppl... drive or the lack thereof. in a tough single-elimination game you only have 90min to influence it, and drive goes a long way. That’s why salah is able to do that and hazard can’t. They both have the skill, but only one has the drive. And then it’s logical that his dedication and desire would not be same in training either. say not spending a lot of time at the gym, or improving oneself at practice. Like learning how to shoot from outside of the box for example.

More like the 75m+ paid for a goalie

Yes it’s great if we can keep him as he’s got good potential. from a contract POV it’s really bad we are in a ban. He knows it and so does his agent/parent. Gives them a lot more leverage. The injury is really the only thing g helping the club atm, as bad as it may sound.