Liverpool vs Chelsea (2 - 2 LFC win on penalties)
A trip back to Istanbul, hey?!
The starting XI Kloppo went for surprised me a little. I'm a big fan of the Ox, but not a fan when he's out on the left. Driving through the middle is where he needs to be in my opinion. However, I trust Kloppo more than myself...
The first 45 wasn't fantastic from a Liverpool perspective, let's be honest. We looked a wee bit 'unsettled' at the back, and seemed to have this inability to mop up second balls. There were a few moments of note though.
Mané seemed to have broke VAR 5 minutes in. His overhead kick which was clearly screaming in the top corner was blocked by Christensen, the swine! Hendo was getting about fairly well for the first 25 minutes or so, making a few runs in behind to whip in crosses.
Did you see that pass from Ox to put Salah through on goal?...
Matip had a few tasty "you shall not paaaass" moments...but then equally put us in the poop with some sloppy balls and getting caught out of position a few times, so I have mixed feelings there. A bit of a shake up was needed, and we got it at half time with fun Bobby coming on for....nooooo 😖 Still, when he immediately sets up Mané for an equalizer, I can almost get over it.
We saw flashes of the danger our front 3 can cause early in the second half, and a bit of chaos in the Chelsea box when big Virg had his half chance saved at close range, but then the game kind of just passed by with neither team really threatening until the last 10 minutes.
These late offside flags are going to give me a hernia one day, but naturally I was chuffed to see Chelsea's second get ruled out. Chelsea cranked up the pressure after that, which Liverpool soaked up well. Just...
The magnificent Mané bagged his second during extra time (if that's what we still call it) after some well worked build up play and cut back from Bobby. Then the focus switched to Adrian. Was it a pen? I thought not but the replays weren't conclusive from their naff angles. 2-2 it went and we eeked through the remaining minutes with not too much of note apart from tired legs and a decent save from Adrian to make amends a bit with those who blame him for Chelsea's pen.
Talking of pens, how bea-uti-FUL were they?! Well practiced and precise, all of them! Adrian saves the day and we can all feck off to bed happy.
It was never in doubt on our return to Istanbul!
Player ratings...
Before you read on, let me be upfront and say there is no scientific or mathematical approach to these ratings...
...they're simply my opinion. Feel free to rinse me on Twitter @marvipan if you want to disagree 😇
Social Media Reactions...
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| Kloppo's final record being brought up again 😑 |
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| ...about time! |
When you cock up the starting 11, get outplayed in the first half, leave Trent & Firmino on the bench, play Ox out wide but still end up as a double European Champion 🏆 🏆— GoldenBoyTerry (@IlPhenomeno_) August 14, 2019
Love this bastard ❤️#LIVCHE #SuperCup pic.twitter.com/vd13m7KY8j
Coming up...
Southampton in just a few days time. Will we have the legs for it?! Damn freakin' right we will! This time it will be 0-3 to the travelling redmen!
YNWA
YNWA
