Not completely, but certainly won’t have the same solid defense they had over the past 2.5 years since he joined. Yep, Matip and Gomez are both good and work well along Van Dijk (both are right-footed), but there’s something about his leadership in the defence and reading of the game that helps lift everybody else’s game. He brings calm confidence to the team and with Becker out for a few weeks more, I think LFC are going to find it tough going. VVD plays out with his left quite nicely, not sure if Matip and Gomez do to the same extent and that will have implications on team formation and tactics, similar to how not replacing Kompany and Aymeric Laporte being sidelined for a lot of last season meant that City were quite inconsistent in defence. I’d expect LFC’s fortunes this year to be similar.
This was a masterclass in 2 on 1 defending by VVD, against Sissoko and Hong Min Sung when it was 1-1, and he gently guided Sissoko onto his weaker left foot. Sissoko missed the chance and Liverpool went on to win 2-1. Really can’t imagine many others being able to do this, maybe Kimmich (I think) at Bayern or De Jong (ex Ajax), or Kompany in his prime.
Saying that though, when I was watching the highlights on MOTD, it seemed a lot of Liverpool’s attack in the first half came through Robertson on the left.
for future ref I’ve started using Kodi for footy streams. You have to get an add on but the beauty is that it works on Smart TVs (android) and Mac/phone. It’s so mainstream that there’s loads of easy instructions for set up etc. It’s working super well and no ads/popups to deal with.
I still can’t believe Villa. Different gravy this season @nazoreth just catching up on the weekend - was slack.
I have hated your lot for relegating is when I was at Uni, lived with Villa fans. Always felt you played boring football, but I withdraw that statement haha.
@nedertron yeah we strengthened well. I’d take a mid table finish although our fan base has flown off the handle and think we’ll get top four. Numpties
Good think is that right now we could have an injury here or there and not be totally fucked
Second half was the game it was billed as. Maybe I’ve got my old gold and black tinted glasses on but I think we just about deserved to win. And I am purely saying that as we got the ball in the back of the net twice (one rightfully offside mind). Leeds play beautiful football going forward though.
