TRon

Given their turmoil and defensive weakness, we should be able to get a result there. But cup final apart we always seem to blow it against them. If we do lose I just hope Eddie sends them out with instructions to stop Ekitike at any cost. Please no more goals for the sniffy cunt.

Howe was desperate to get Ekitike long before he was even on Liverpool's radar. I can remember when we were first linked with him a lot of posters thought he was too scrawny to ever be a main striker. The only thing which stopped him coming here was he thought he was destined for the biggest clubs in the world, and tbf he's signed for two of them since then.

I think that applies to most of our players tbh. Bruno maybe the exception, but our final pass is quite often poor and that's because most of the players don't spot the opportunity early enough.

Well Joelinton is out for a few weaks so might have to temper that midfield with some Wolt-style veggies.

I think that's a fair point re the injuries, and we have to take that into account before handing out a bumper contract to Tino. I wasn't aware that Willock suffered from these as well, but he's certainly spent a lot of time on the treatment bench here. Might be a case of making the best use of him this season then selling in the summer.

He's got great feet, but unless he can hold off the PL bullies, he'll find it hard to make proper use of them.

I actually thought Ramsey and Willock's athleticism combined with their ball carrying ability played a big part in our performance yesterday. I am interested to see whether bringing Bruno back in will affect that against Liverpool since I think they will provide a similar challenge. Obviously Bruno brings a lot more invention and vision so it's an interesting decision.

Been brilliant since he came back into the side. I think Ramsdale's spell showed just how easy it is to take a top goalkeeper for granted.

Would be interesting if we took Ramsey and Willock out of the team because they were a big part of getting the result in Paris.

He's a player I've always liked. He has pace, can carry the ball into opposition territory, and in theory has an eye for a goal. I agree he's been very inconsistent, but I tend to give players with technical ability a bit more leeway. It might be moving him on is the right decision for a number of reasons but we should look to get a decent fee to reflect his ability.

Tbf, they dominated the first half, and while we came back well in the second half, they still crafted a few good chances. They are a very good side if they are allowed to play their game, but I felt we came back at them so hard it rattled them a bit.

I think he might still be done here because his contract runs out end of next season. Not sure he's done enough to earn a new one, or even if he still wants to be here. But he's a good player when he's up for it.

Which is great if that's how it transpires. Too often he's been passing to the opposition lately, but I really love the player, so I'm hoping it's just a transitional phase as we try to iron the kinks out of how we line up against teams who press with high intensity.

He's a proper defender, and tbh, that's what we've missed last few weeks. Someone to throw themselves in the way to get the blocks in when opponents get the chance to shoot.

Also when there is more at stake. It was a bit of a free hit yesterday, so while the rotation worked out, I want to see how the rest of the PL season pans out, because there are some hard fixtures to come.

Good call. In a season where knee sllides have become ten a penny, his are on another level.

The rest of the PL fixture will be a test. That's where we've struggled but we are still in with a great shout if we can string some results together.

Aye my bad we scored in extra time at the end of the first half. I was thinking at the time if we can keep it to 1-0 we will still be in it.

Just said that in the Thiaw thread.

He looked like he really belonged at this level, so did Botman and Burn tbf.

Tbf in the opening 20 mins and most of the first half it looked like we had no idea how to counter their pace and incisive passing, but they couldn't make it count. I was quite relieved we were only one down when the whistle went at half time.

Just need to see him put something on the end of his approach work, but that applies to most of the players tbf.

I know his contract length might affect it, but we really should ask for a decent fee for him. Just look at what we have had to spend to get players at his level.

Sort of agree, his final ball still seems to go astray a few times, but I hope with more games that will improve.

I mean if you get to the last 8 you are going to come up against a decent side like.