Match Thread [FT] Liverpool 2 - 0 Rangers

[DMAA 3,658]

7 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

Morelos didn't get a sniff tonight.  Not his fault.  

When the ball did come to him though he was wasteful or easily dispossessed. The midfield was poor but our front three were also definitely part of the problem, offered nothing. 
 

 

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,809]

Still not sure how to process last night. No disgrace to lose to team like Liverpool but I just wish we were slightly more ambitious.

[buster. 5,257]

7 hours ago, PoohBear said:

Yeah, I agree. There was zero belief in the team that we could get anything from the match and we were just so passive. The match passed us by before we even realised we were in it. I want to see more passion and energy from the team, even in these difficult ties.

It was about damage limitation from the off.

 

Very similar to..... Barcelona 2 Rangers 0....from 2007.

Early goal 6th minute and even when it went 2-0, all we did was try not to concede more. Sir Walter didn't want to go home with a drubbing. I watched it on Spanish TV and the commentators couldn't believe that we still defended deeply at 2-0.

 

In defence of WS, he had 2 weeks previously kept a clean sheet against Barca* at Ibrox in a goalless draw. The only other team who managed it in the CL that season(KO rounds), were Manchester United and that would probably have been partly down to a conversation between WS and Sir Alex.

 

* starting XI included Ronaldhino, Iniesta, Touré, Xavi, Messi and Henry

 

 

Slight mitigation for GvB is that player availability has been all over the place and it has been difficult to get any consistency. Neither is Goldson plus other anywhere close to Cuellar and Weir.

 

Historically it was par for the course.

In the last eleven European games against English opposition, we have failed to score in NINE of them.

Leeds H & A 1992 being the exceptions.

 

1968 Leeds: 0-0 & 0-2

1969 Newcastle: 0-0 & 0-2

1992 Leeds: 2-1 & 2-1

2003 Man Utd: 0-1 & 0-3

2010 Man Utd: 0-1 & 0-0

2022 Liverpool: X-X & 0-2

 

Note

I suspect Sir Alex might have played in or attended all of the above matches

@gaspard

@Fat Eck

???

 

edit

Ferguson did play in both Leeds games (1968)

Didn't play in Newcastle games but was at the club (in the stand?)

Was at Leeds (A) in 92

MUtd x4, of course

Last night, yes

 

 

Edited October 5, 2022 by buster.

[Gonzo79 15,299]

I hope we're a bit more ambitious at Ibrox.  

[gaspard 562]

42 minutes ago, buster. said:

 

 

 

42 minutes ago, buster. said:

Note

I suspect Sir Alex might have played in or attended all of the above matches

@gaspard

@Fat Eck

???

 

 

Played both legs v Leeds 67/68 fairs.

 

Stein played v Newcastle 68/69 fairs, don't know if strawberry hooter was on the bench but probably was.

 

V Leeds in 92, again no idea, manure had been pumped out of Europe by then so he had a  couple of free nights so might have dragged himself out of the bookies to see a decent team.

[buster. 5,257]

1 minute ago, gaspard said:

 

 

Played both legs v Leeds 67/68 fairs.

 

Stein played v Newcastle 68/69 fairs, don't know if strawberry hooter was on the bench but probably was.

 

V Leeds in 92, again no idea, manure had been pumped out of Europe by then so he had a  couple of free nights so might have dragged himself out of the bookies to see a decent team.

Thanks Gaspard !

 

He was at Elland Road in 92, don't know about the first leg,

Saw him on TV at Anfield last night.

 

[buster. 5,257]

13 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

I hope we're a bit more ambitious at Ibrox.  

We will be, but within limits because you can almost see the fear in GvB.

 

He is under pressure (and players low on confidence/belief/patience).

It showed in his approach to the Dundee Utd game. After several gubbings he ditched the successful more attack minded set-up for diddy teams he had employed against Ross County and reverted to type.

 

God knows what the formation will be in Naples, 10-0-0 ?

 

 

Edited October 5, 2022 by buster.

[Rousseau 10,823]

I don't agree with this 'we're outmatched financially, so that's that' stance. 

 

Club Brugge beat Atletico 2-0 last night, to record their third straight win in the CL (Leverkusen and Porto are the others in their group). They are not on a level financial playing field. 

 

Brugge sold £50m worth of talent (three star players) in the summer, and replaced them with 4-5 players for £4-5m each. We're not far off that. Going by the rumours, we were in the market for the same player (Skov Olsen). (They did spend £13m on one player, who didn't play last night.) 

 

Brugge didn't go into the game against Atletico thinking, 'oh - Atletico have several £50m+ players, so we've got no chance'. No. They did the basics right, they set up to nullify Atletico's strengths, and, crucially, had a tactical plan to actually cause problems and score a goal. 

 

I would - and do - blame the manager for the majority of it. 

 

However, we did beat Dortmund and Leipzig last season. They are CL teams. Frankfurt held Tottenham last night in the CL. Again, Frankfurt are not so much better than us, and have taken a point from a side with vastly more financial resources than them. 

[Gonzo79 15,299]

3 minutes ago, Rousseau said:

I don't agree with this 'we're outmatched financially, so that's that' stance. 

It's definitely not a Rangers attitude.  

[Rousseau 10,823]

Moreover, Liverpool are rubbish this year. 

 

They've conceded against every side, except Bournemouth and a 0-0 Merseyside derby. 

 

Just ping the ball over Trent and it's a free shot on goal! 

 

I'm exaggerating, but still...