KLOPP WINS THE TACTICAL BATTLE AT ANFIELD
Whenever the pundits talked about how great Pep has developed Otamendi, and Manchester City defence, I’ve always said aloud, “he’s never had to defend”
Well, Otamendi and the others have finally been asked to defend by Liverpool, and defend they couldn’t.
When the questions were posed, they had no answers.
But take nothing away from Herr Klopp, this was a german master class and a tactical lesson at Anfield, and who says City cannot be stooped?
High pressing, high energy, nuisance of a midfield, and when you have a potent attack that do not waste chances, Klopp showed us how City can be beaten.
Okay it’s just the end of the first half, and Liverpool tired out after 60 minutes – something they can’t afford to do at the Etihad – nevertheless for us neutrals, it was brilliant for us to see that City are not invincible, they can be ruffled and bamboozled, they can get lost on the pitch, and, they can be thoroughly exposed at the back, and comprehensively beaten.
It takes guts, determination and a will to win, from manager and players.
I finally saw today the frustration of Manchester United fans, and why they demand this Klopp brand of football; playing on the front foot, heavy metal, hip-hop, techno with high energy.
I wonder what Jose would have done were it Manchester United at home today.
And I agree with Jose that United still have a long way to go and not yet the finished article, surely United would have a go with the talent at their disposal on Saturday.
Congratulations to Liverpool, half way there and I believe they can go on to finish City at Etihad, but Herr Klopp would need 14 players, and even much more next Tuesday. They’ll have to do it without Captain Henderson though.
RONALDO SHOWS WHY HE IS KING
Every game, week in week out Christiano Ronaldo pushes himself to the limits, raising bars, breaking barriers and scoring unbelievable goals.
His second against Juventus in a Champions league quarter final against the most experienced back line on the planet and one of the most experienced goalkeepers right now, showed again why he is the man for the big nights.
So great was the goal that the whole stadium rose up to give Ronaldo a standing ovulation to salute the brilliance of the goal.
Some say it’s a shame he came during Messi’s era, but I say it’s a blessing that they have come at the same time, pushing themselves to unimaginable heights and breaking boundaries daily.
If there was any doubt that hard work pays off, this is the proof. Ronaldo has the talent, but could he develop that into world class material? He went even further, elevating himself through relentless hard work and dedication onto genius level, yes, only Messi, Diego and Pele
RAY TAKES A BOW- WHAT A LEGEND!
Football has been paying tribute to former England, Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan, Paris St-Germain, Rangers and QPR midfielder Ray Wilkins, who died today after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Capped 84 times by England and Captain on 10 occasions, he was also Chelsea assistant coach from 2008 until 2010, working alongside Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti.
Wilkins, worked as a TV and radio pundit, recently and has suffered poor health in recent years, with a double bypass heart surgery last year.
He died in hospital in south London, four days after suffering cardiac arrest.
I always loved listening to his objective analysis, a great listener and a lovely guy.
We pray for strength and fortitude for his entire family at this time.
ZLATAN TAKES AMERICA BY STORM AGAIN
Only Zlatan can play one game and win the player of the month award.
Only Zlatan can say “I will give them Zlatan” and deliver true to talk.
As his team went behind at home to the visitors, the crowd continues to chant “Zlatan” “Zlatan” and he made his entry, delivering as he always said he would.
Debuting at LA Galaxy with his team three goals down to two, Zlatan came off the bench to equalise and even score the winner! What an entry to American football.
He later said “They asked for Zlatan and I gave them Zlatan”
He talks the talk, but he also does the business and that’s where he is so different from many others.
Written off in England as past it by the press, he gave them Zlatan, scoring important goals and winning the League Cup and Europe League with an average Manchester United team.
An inspiration again, to what a person can achieve and become, if they truly believe in themselves.
Good luck Zlatan.