[Hightown hope]

But Pagan, isn’t there a duty of care to the players? Of course, the big clubs are still able to field a team and include many world class players in their teams, but surely everybody wants to protect them from injuries in order that we can see them play as much as possible without causing said injuries

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[Hightown hope]

Not posted for a while, but thought I’d give my two pennyworth on yesterday’s game. I think a draw was a fair result, and I must admit, I was willing the ref to blow for full time from about 80 minutes as there was no way we were going to score in the latter stages. I thought the first half was just a fantastic game of football, despite once again VAR doing it’s best to make a farce of our game. Liverpool came out of the blocks at 100mph and thoroughly deserved their lead, but City clung on in there and scored a brilliant goal and probably just about deserved to go in level at half time. The 2nd half was much more cagey, though Jesus should really have scored with his header, but I think for the last 20 minutes both teams pretty much settled for the point.

VAR? What can one say? It’s been done to death, and I am conscious that because it went against my team it may seem like sour grapes, but it’s just not right that penalties are given for situations like that. I literally haven’t heard anyone say it is right, so why the f*** don’t the law makers do something about it? As Liverpool fans we used to give one of our worst defenders in living memory, Alberto Moreno, stick for defending with his hands behind his back. Perhaps we were wrong and he was ahead of his time! It’s farcical.

From a Liverpool point of view I thought Matip was excellent for his first game in a month, and I thought in the first half Gini and Hendo did the work of four men in midfield. I was relieved that Allison was in nets rather than Adrian and overall I thought our defence coped really well with City, considering how porous we have been this year. Concerned about losing Trent for a while though.

As for Bobby, well the bell is beginning to toll for him, I fear. He just looks so short of confidence, and for the first time is not playing with a smile on his face. He has always been my favourite player, but I think he is now undoubtedly No. 4 striker. He just needs some goals and maybe his confidence and therefore all round game will improve again.

But all in all, a fair result and one that still leaves both sides within reach of each other and the top of the table. Sorry it’s a bit of a lengthy post, but I’m crap at posting during the match (don”t know how you all do it!), so I have to put it all in one post after the game.

Hope everyone’s well, especially my City friend, Gary. Hope to see you soon, my friend!

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[Hightown hope]

I’m with you, 9. I see no reason to stop the football at the moment. With their regular testing etc, the players are as safe as can be, but more importantly, again as 9 says, the football is providing a welcome release for millions of people, myself included. God knows, there is little enough to get excited about at the moment or even talk about, other than bloody Covid, lockdowns and infection rates. I honestly believe that assisting the mental health of people is an important role for football at the moment. It’s all very well, Brian, to say that the situation is serious and that people should find something else to concentrate on at home, but why can’t football give them that something to concentrate on? If you’re on the 14th floor of a tower block in Salford, things would be pretty grim. Football is fun, it gives us something to read about, talk about and watch – why should you take this away from them?

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[Hightown hope]

‘Done and dusted now though hopefully the VAR officials learn from the incident don’t make the same mistake again.’

But 999, you just know they will – they’ve made mistakes ever since it was brought in, why should it change now?

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[Hightown hope]

Not the greatest performance but I’ll take the 3 points. But for me the main talking point ONCE AGAIN is bloody VAR. I’m absolutely baffled as to why this vehicle is being used to ruin the game. However, I’m fed up of it, so I’ll leave it there – at least until next week!

VVD, Thiago, Matip, Ox, Keita, Tsimitas all out injured – Liverpool lucky with injuries? Yeah, right!

Thought Gomez had a far better game last night which is encouraging, as he is going to have to step up in VVD’s absence. Mind you, he’ll have tougher games against better forwards than he faced last night. Gini seems to have not got above 80% so far this season, but I guess with Fab likely to be playing centre back for the foreseeable, his place is fairly certain in midfield, even with Thiago coming in.

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[Hightown hope]

VAR is a complete joke and ruining the game. I know Paxton and I were very vocal on this before it came in. I defy anyone to say that it has improved the game since it came in…its not…its made it worse, far worse

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[Hightown hope]

That 2nd one was a def penalty. What is the bloody point of VAR? Got 2 decisions wrong in that 1st half

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[Hightown hope]

It was outside, Mak

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[Hightown hope]

It was a borderline foul. Outside the area. End of.

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[Hightown hope]

Mav – now that really cheered up! No, I’m not Pax. I remember him well though…a Liverpool fan also and worked for a brewery, but I hope that’s where the similarity ends. Made a bit of a fool of himself more than once on the TT pages, I recall.

Thanks all for your words, I really wasn’t trying to elicit sympathy, more to show how football is a release, but many thanks anyway. I know steveo has it worse at the moment on the job front, and where is Chucky? Do we need to be worried?

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[Hightown hope]

Mak – I would be very surprised if Jurgen went as far as dropping or resting Trent, but his form is a bit of a worry. I hope it’s not a case of too much, too soon, and believing his own hype. I don’t think it will be as I get the impression he is too grounded for that, but there is certainly room for improvement, and what better time to show it than when Virgil is absent.

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Nice words, Mav. It’s a shame you’ve lost your joy out of football – I kind of know what you mean, but personally I’m finding it about the only release at the moment. Working for a brewery, my job and livelihood is far from secure, and I’m currently on furlough with the prospects looking pretty gloomy for November with our pubs in Manchester all closing indefinitely tonight as we move in to Tier 3. And I’m having to self isolate currently as one of my customers tested positive last week. So not left the house since Sunday, and imprisoned till next Tuesday. Still, I am aware there are a lot of people a lot worse off than me, so I am finding the footy a bit of release to be honest. While it does have the ability to hugely piss me off with things like VAR, Jason Pickford, England performances and Jose, I still love the beauty of a great goal or the comedy of an own goal like last night. Highly priced escapism, I suppose!

Anyway, roll on the day we’re allowed back in grounds. That will be a party, I’m sure.

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[Hightown hope]

Good win for us last night, and some encouraging performances. Thought Fab and Robbo were excellent, and bright cameos from Minamino and Jota once again. Big call to sub all our front 3 with 30 odd minutes to go, but it paid off. And once again, Hendo stiffens up the shape when he comes on at half time. If Fab is going to spend some time at centre back, then we really need Hendo on the pitch.

Adrian and Trent again sub par…..as well as Bobby. We have been playing with one full back so far this season – Trent needs to step up. As for Bobby, he’s been my favourite player for 2 or 3 years now, but he’s a shadow at the moment. It can”t be long before either Jota or Minamino get a chance.

Still, good 3 points, and most difficult game done. Would be a nice change to get the group done early, so we can rest some players in the latter stages.

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[Hightown hope]

It’s a conspiracy…award City all those penalties just to give them an opportunity to miss them (at least till KDB starting taking them!)

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[Hightown hope]

Mav – there’s not too many sides in the Prem that wouldn’t have Lukaku in their team at the moment, and i include Spurs in that (at least I would if Jose wasn’t their manager as he doesn’t like him).

PEA ‘best striker in the league’…mmm, not so sure on current form (which is what all strikers are rated on). Mane, Calvert lewin, Ings, Maupay even, Watkins even?? PEA ia a class player, no doubt, but I’d have Lukaku ahead of him at the moment…and don’t knock Serie A so much, I bet there’s still a few defenders around in that league!!

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[Hightown hope]

Mak – just for you!! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53900926

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[Hightown hope]

Arguably the worst England defence in years…Trippier out of position, Maguire out of form, Walker past his best, Trent not a great defender and the good old Eric!

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[Hightown hope]

How bad is Eric Dier? Mings, Gomez, even Keane and Stones are far better. Mind you, to be fair, he is up against a frankly unstoppable Lukaku

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[Hightown hope]

You’re right, Gary. 7-2 flattered Liverpool and that’s the truth. Villa missed sitters tonight and still scored 7!

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[Hightown hope]

Mak…I know ur a Gomez fan, and so am i but, fuck me, he’s crap tonight

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