KLOPP AND TEN HAG CHANGE PLACES
As we approach the halfway point of the EPL season with Arsenal leading the pack by eight points, is the 22-23 campaign shaping up to be competitive? Fingers crossed that Man City doesn't win the league again! Anyone but, even the evil empire!! It pains me to say that Man United are coming into the mix while my beloved Reds continue to fall behind. My thoughts on the games I watched this past weekend.
UNITED vs CITY. The Manchester Derby, in the North West's second city, didn't get going until the second half. Before the interval, a disciplined United stopped City from playing effectively while looking dangerous on the break. Man City was able to up their game and dominate after the break. City's expensive folly Jack Grealish headed them into the lead. It appeared Man City's Derby dominance was going to continue. (BTW. Grealish is a very talented player but is he wasted under Pep? He will win silverware but may not develop in the same way as he would when he is the main man). Then the critical moment, United's equalizer. This goal illustrates 101% of how referees in England are destroying the game. Marcus Rashford may not have touched the ball but was he interfering with play? Without a shadow of a doubt, "YES"!!! In another set of circumstances, he could have been standing 10+ yards from the ball in an offside position and be penalized if he is in the goalkeeper's line of vision when a teammate shoots. On Saturday, he's just about on top of the ball!! What is wrong with this picture? Referee reform is desperately needed; former players on VAR, please.
Whisper it. I like Erik ten Tag. He admitted that he wouldn't have been happy had that goal been scored against his team. Erik knows! Howard Webb, are you listening? Ten Hag has United playing as a team again. His dressing room has to be a happier place without Ronaldo and Pogba. Controversial equalizer aside, it was another excellent performance by United. Marcus Rashford continued his rehabilitation, scoring again to win the game 2-1 and send the Old Trafford crowd into ecstasy. Man United are well into contention. Man City will live to fight another day. I still wouldn't bet against him. Question marks over Erling Haaland in the team continue to be rejected by the experts. The question should not be whether the team isn't as effective with him in the ranks but whether City has become too RELIANT on the big man. He may be going through a leaner spell at the moment; Haaland will still win games for them before the season wraps up.
BRIGHTON vs LIVERPOOL. This game reminded me of Liverpool's defeat in the Champions League against Napoli. Brighton was superb. Fast, skilful, energetic. The Reds somehow made it to half-time 0-0. Joel Matip, who looked very insecure throughout, was stripped of the ball in the first minute of the second half, and Liverpool was a goal down. Brighton ran riot thereafter. A 3-0 win. It could have been more. The Seagulls were very impressive, Liverpool was awful. Listening to moaning Liverpool (and Everton!!) fans on Radio Merseyside after the game, it wouldn't have mattered a jot on Saturday what formation or system they were playing. The Reds looked dead and lacklustre. It should be noted that Brighton, Fulham and Brentford are the three teams immediately above Liverpool in the table. Each has had success against the Reds this season through their sheer energy and enthusiasm. Napoli too! Liverpool 22-23 has little energy, it seems. This was their hallmark in previous seasons.
Later in the week, I will come back with thoughts about Liverpool's current malaise as they face up to another 'Big Six' struggler in Chelsea. In the meantime, Brighton showed that they are one of the best teams in the EPL. I like their Japanese wide-forward Kaoru Mitoma. He would look good in a Red shirt! Fast, positive and bags of energy!! With this discouraging defeat and United's continued rise, it appears that Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag are changing places.
TOTTENHAM vs ARSENAL. I keep hearing that the Gunners are the "new Leicester". They are a little more than that. It was a good game, with Arsenal deservedly winning 2-0. They were well on top in the first half, scoring twice with opportunities even more. Tottenham came into the match latterly, and Aaron Ramsdale made several fine stops to preserve the win. I would never have pegged Ramsdale as a top keeper. Compliments to Arsenal's recruitment department. Arteta's team now lies eight points clear at the top. They have been the best, most consistent team this season. Next weekend United comes to town. At Old Trafford earlier this season, the Gunners fell to their only league loss. They were the better team on the day, but ten Hag's United have shown they can scrap results every which way. An intriguing match in prospect next weekend.
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Elsewhere, Newcastle showed their mettle with a last-minute winner against Fulham. The Geordies cannot be discounted this time around. They even benefited from Mitrovic's two foot-penalty being called back. Chelsea scrapped a win to ease matters for Graham Potter. It was a disastrous day for Everton, with fan protests and a 2-1 home defeat to Southampton. To all those moaning Merseyside football fans …
???- Liverpool is not entitled to European football. Over the past few years, I've written many times; enjoy the good times while you can!
???- Everton is not entitled to stay in the Premier League. EFC does not enjoy the status of when the EPL was founded.
The Reds are at improving Wolves tomorrow night in the FA Cup. What will happen? God only knows!!! It cannot get worse, can it? YNWA