[Hightown hope]

My changes for the next game would be Rose in for Young, and that’s it. While Sterling was poor vthe other night, his pace should frighten Panama, and I think Rashford can be more effective coming off the bench. If Alli is unfit, then play RLC.

I’m at England v Australia cricket at Old Trafford on Sunday at the same time the football is on. Which will be more one-sided???

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[Hightown hope]

Oz – I think you’re being a little unfair to England and the style they play I wouldn’t compare to Man Utd’s style at all. I think they at least attempt tp play decent football, unlike a lot of teams in this tournament. I thought we did ok the other night, and one thing that did show up was that how ever much we may think the likes of Alli and Sterling like to dive, they are amateurs at it compared to many other countries. Don’t know if anyone saw the Columbia game, but Falcao took it to ridiculous levels. Has anyone actually been booked yet for diving?

Despite all that, I am enjoying the tournament. There have been some wonderful goals, some surprise results, and England haven’t depressed the whole country yet!

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[Hightown hope]

What a great result.

Sean – I think it’s been a very good competition so far. I’m really enjoying it. Will probably change tomorrow evening!

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[Hightown hope]

Messi has been as poor as Pogba was

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[Hightown hope]

How poor was Pogba? A true world class player should be bossing that type of game.

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[Hightown hope]

Ah, ok, do Spurs play their first few games away from home? Didn’t know that.

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[Hightown hope]

West Ham at home, Beni

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[Hightown hope]

Yeah, I get that, but he is a very good defender

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Anyone like to hazard a guess at the starting line up for the first game?

Mine would be Pickford, WB’s Walker and Rose, 3 CB’s Cahill, Maguire and Stones, DM Henderson AM’s Alli and Lingard Strikers Kane and Rashford

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[Hightown hope]

Pax – do you really rate him that high? So why did Poch not play him last season?

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I reckon Moura will be a success, but, yeah, that’s not a great record is it? Makes it all the more important to hang on to what you’ve got.

When we lost Coutinho in January, it was doom and gloom for many Liverpool fans, including me, but looking at it now, we have got Fabinho, Fekir and Keita for 1 x Coutinho and some small change. I’d take that!

Having said that, if we’d had Coutinho in Kiev last month, it could have been very different. Maybe not, of course, but we wouldn’t have had to bring on Lallana!

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While Arsenal are linked with Fellaini, we secure Fabinho and Fekir. Really like what Klopp is doing at Liverpool, and Chucky, it means you may not be able to call my team Salahpool next season. Think Fabpool has a much better ring to it!

Anyway, Klopp is due a failure in the transfer market, so they may well not be successes. Would like him to get a keeper though!!

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I kinda miss him, but then I’m not getting ranting emails all night from him! Trying to decipher his posts was always good for exercising my brain, and saved me having to do crosswords and the like

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Mav – do you not rate Aldy? Obviously not seen alot of him this season, but he is, or at least was, a class act, surely? Or is it just the price that’s putting you off?

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Sam Allardici is available!!

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Hi Jim – good to see you back! As far as the England squad, I agree with you when you say that Southgate has, by and large, picked the 23 best players. You could maybe quibble over a couple of names, but I don’t think there would be too many arguments.

As far as Henderson is concerned, I believe he is never going to be a sexy pick. He doesn’t do sexy things on a football pitch. But Liverpool fans, who watch him every week appreciate his worth, with certain reservations. He can be improved upon, undoubtedly, but as far as England are concerned he is the best we have available in that role, with the very arguable exception maybe of Eric Dier, who I much prefer Henderson to. Beni – I don’t altogether agree with your assertion that there is no point taking Henderson if he’s not starting and not captain. If he’s not starting, then presumably Dier, but if he gets injured or suspended…? That’s when having Henderson on the bench would be useful. He’s not going to change a game, but there certainly wouldn’t be a drop in quality if he replaced Dier.

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[Hightown hope]

Well what a fantastic weekend that was! Finally got home 4pm yesterday absolutely knackered, but it was worth it, regardless of the result. I was wary before I went of the reception we’d get from the locals, I was wary of the behaviour of a minority of Liverpool fans (having witnessed very poor behaviour in Athens in ’07, both towards each other, towards the locals and towards the opposition fans), and I was wary of what sort of city Kiev was going to turn out to be.

Firstly, I’ve got to say, Kiev is quite the ugliest dump of a place I have ever been to. Everybody lives in a high rise 1960’s style tenement block. we were on the 21st floor, and from our balcony, literally as far as the eye could see, there were just more of these apartment blocks. It looked like Salford, but much bigger. The river Dnipro runs through the city, so one would expect perhaps a nice waterfront with cafes and restaurants etc, but if there was one, we couldn’t find it. But having said all that, the people were very welcoming, very friendly, but maybe a little unprepared as to just how much beer the English drink. A number of the bars we went in to had run out of beer! If it had been Real v Juve say, they would have coped better, but I guess they just didn’t expect 30000 Liverpool fans to turn up at their party! But it was brilliant…the singing, the colour, the friendships made was just fantastic, and I just didn’t see one bit of trouble, either of a violent nature or even verbal abuse. It was all so good natured, even after the game. Mind you, I think the locals will be glad to reclaim their city after the 3 day party!!

The stadium was fabulous, even with a running track. The organisation from the security and the police was first class without being even slightly heavy-handed. There was a big police presence obviously, but they allowed people to have fun without getting involved. Perfect!

As for the football…well, next post, I think!

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And so the long journey home starts. What a great weekend only marginally ruined by our clown keeper! The fine citizens of Kiev can finally reclaim their city, while I’m coming home for some sleep and quite possibly some time in a drying out clinic!

Will post my thoughts on the events when I’m home.

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Seems I’m now sorted again, but now don’t come back till Monday afternoon! This game better be good!

Signing off now probably till I get back then I can bore you all again! This last week or two has been so stressful. I almost wish I’d missed out in the ballot and hadn’t qualified for a ticket

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Don’t fucking believe it. My flight along with 3 others has been cancelled. I am shellshocked

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