[Mikus LFC]

One thing one can concede from yesterday is clearly how dependent Klopp is, on his front 3. It is worrying that, because there is a big drop in quality after that. And whilst as I’ve said City obviously have had more resources to get better strength in depth, particularly up top, I do think Klopp has had resources to strengthen this area more, or he could have developed some more of the squad into the first team. Our front 3 never generally changes apart from in domestic cup games like yesterday. That is not healthy. And going forward, it’s hard not to look at what happened with the burnout at Dortmund, and not be concerned in the longer term. In some ways to Klopp, less is more, which has obviously worked out well for the moment and developed a strong mentality. But could we potentially pay a similar price as Dortmund did, in the longer term?

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[Mikus LFC]

Or the FA should scrap replays.

As for the stronger team we could have played, I’ve already dealt with this in my post above with regards to the burnout of players and injuries to other players. Klopp does not have the luxury City had. That’s why I brought them into it.

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[Mikus LFC]

Klopp has had injuries to his reserve first team players such as Keita & Shaqiri. Matip & Fabinho are clearly rusty having come back from injury. And other players like Mané (currently injured), Salah and Firmino have been playing non stop for a long time, even playing through last summer in the AFCON and Copa America.

I don’t care how much these players are paid, they are still human beings. And Klopp is absolutely right not to drive them into the ground. People still need a break. City have the luxury of a deeper squad having spent a lot more than us in recent years.

And Klopp needs a break from games too.

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[Mikus LFC]

The FA Cup lost respect years ago, and the CL top 4 finished it off. The prize money is also pitiful. That’s the painful reality now. Also Liverpool, whilst way out in front in the league, still don’t possess the quality in depth that City have, as was shown today. So whilst it’s unfortunate on Shrewsbury, Klopp is right not to compromise the winter break. Some of our players have been playing non stop for well over a year now.

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[Mikus LFC]

I suspect Keita would have started had he been match fit. We missed energy in midfield. We missed pace at the back. We missed quality up top. Shaqiri still out? If we lose any of the first team, today showed we haven’t got much to draw upon due to the second string injuries, so had to play a few more of the kids. That area needs work in the summer.

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[Mikus LFC]

Might be 2-2 soon…

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[Mikus LFC]

You can see why we’ve kept clean sheets with the pace of Van Dijk & Gomez with the high line because they can get back. Lovren & Matip just can’t deal with it in the same way. Also this is why we haven’t particularly missed Fabinho – he just doesn’t have the pace. Would be at least 2-2 with better finishing in this game.

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[Mikus LFC]

Believe Lallana had a virus tonight. Milner still injured.

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[Mikus LFC]

Need to convert some of these chances earlier, but all things considered, that was a very impressive win tonight.

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[Mikus LFC]

But that’ll ding dang doo…

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[Mikus LFC]

Expected this tonight. We’ve been on autopilot for a while now. We can’t keep holding on to small leads. We’re missing too many good chances.

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[Mikus LFC]

Mané’s been playing non stop for well over a year now, including last summer in the African Cup. A pacy player like that was always going to pick up an injury at some point.

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[Mikus LFC]

Pep’s is a pretty devastating philosophy Brian. They are still the best attacking side in the league in my opinion as their “goals for” suggests. And you now could still easily finish the league with around 85 to 90 points which wouldn’t be a bad return for a supposed mini transitional season. And would £80 million on Maguire have made a worthwhile difference for that money? Think he was right to stay clear of him and rely on his own team’s strengths and adaptability of other players and save the money for later. It says a lot that the clean sheets are stacking up at Liverpool again since their two quickest CBs are together again in Gomez & Van Dijk. Such speed is a pretty important attribute for a CB these days. And Maguire ain’t got that.

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[Mikus LFC]

Think it’ll be Poch in the summer Ed. I know we both have our reservations but he’ll get them more organised, give them an identity, develop the youngsters, he knows the league and with better quality they’ll probably do quite well. Allegri more charismatic perhaps, but not sure his type of football is the answer. You’ve sort of been there with José. Can’t think of anyone else with the experience.

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[Mikus LFC]

Yeh Brian, my post is mainly rooted in jealousy as to what could have been. Though I do seem to remember Torres (when he was still at Atletico) say that it was instantly apparent that Aguero was top draw when he joined Atletico back in 2006 for £18 odd million.

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[Mikus LFC]

Not sure Sean, Rafa said it was a risk for the money and his age and experience or lack thereof at the time. Whether that was his personal opinion or it was a PR line to defend the clubs lack of buying power perhaps. Either way, given the money we blew, that would have been a pretty sound investment.

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[Mikus LFC]

Aguero incredible Brian. Still peeved Benitez passed up on him when he had the chance to sign him for around £18 million at a young age.

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[Mikus LFC]

May not have quite been as comfortable, but City always score and as I said, Sheff Utd didn’t have the players to really hurt City. Was always going to be a case of when not if tonight. City could easily now go on a long run themselves, particularly now Laporte is back.

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[Mikus LFC]

If you actually look who City have lost against this season, or dropped points to, it’s the usual suspects, or bogey teams they have tended to struggle against both this season, and previous ones, e.g. physical sides and very tactical sides that have the players to hurt them:

Wolves (twice) – physical team.
Crystal Palace draw – physical team.
Liverpool – high energy team with devastating players.
Man Utd – very effective counter attacking team.

And they lost to Norwich away, and drew to Newcastle, both shortly after a European game.

But it’s clear City are still capable of winning a lot of games for the simple reason that they always score (and tend to score quite a few at that).

So though Sheff Utd have been solid at the back, I don’t see a problem with City scoring against them. They’ll score, they always do as I say. And I don’t think Sheff Utd have enough to outscore them. Sheff Utd are more of an organised side than a side that can really hurt you. Look at the stats:

Sheff Utd may have only conceded 22 goals, but they’ve only scored 25! And they just don’t possess the players to pose a huge threat to City like the other teams above have imo.

So I see a relatively comfortable win for City. Similar to the 2-0 win at the Etihad in the corresponding game.

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[Mikus LFC]

Klopp conceded in the last game against them that you need 2 men on him.

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