robbo_11

Is this partly Willock either playing for a contract extension or to secure a transfer elsewhere?

Aye you're right Villa in the 23-24 season - Thiaw is the ready made replacement!

Agree, It's been a matter of time for him. I wonder when was the last time we had a defender score two in one match?

Shambolic defending from Leeds - Malen unmarked and all the time in the world to get that in.

They're coming off the back of a 5-1 against Nice on Friday night so should be high in confidence. They seem to mainly play 4-2-3-1, but there last couple of ECL matches have saw them change to a 4-3-3 so might make some changes. I'd take a draw here with some rotation to rest a couple of players.

Maineblue with the fishing rod out. Despite graphics shared on social media it wasn't offside, although the first angle Sky showed I'll admit I thought he was. The second angle from VAR looked a lot closer and we've got the rub of the green. In Europe you could argue the ball hitting Thiaw would be given, we saw similar against USG, but in the Premier League it isn't. Foden got his shot away then was caught by Schar, I don't think it was clear and obvious error so not sure why VAR went to review. We all have bias for our own teams, as @Fak has pointed out I can't imagine too much sympathy in Manchester for the Liverpool disallowed goal a few weeks back to stop you winning the league...

I didn't expect anything from the game, but happy we won. I was never in the 'Howe out' camp, but I think any rational person could look at the last two away games and reference poor performance, errors and just generally off the boil. The proof will be how we play against Marseille and Everton as you can't just rely on home form over the course of a season. The inconsistency needs to be resolved, but we also had our first choice full backs in the team which offered a lot more balance. It is Man City, but there are still moments we look vulnerable which were exposed yesterday. The moment Haaland was free between Schar and Thiaw before fluffing his lines (similar to Welbeck earlier in the season) and often once our midfield three was bypassed with a pass we'd have a 5v4 overload which led to their chances which on another day they score. I'm sure Howe will note these moments, even after a win, but these are consistent things which happen against us and to get to the next level we need to prevent them from happening. I think he nearly has our attacking play in hand and that is having certain personnel in position and those short, sharp passes in the middle third which relies on our wingers breaking into space.

For his shot with Nico O'Reilly coming across he only had one place to put it and Donna did well. The header he did well to hold back and then the space was created, another good save. I feel like he got more opportunities in this game and that is promising.

She previously worked with our DOF for the women's team so would suggest she is likely going to be the appointment.

Potentially he goes to Monaco or a Saudi club in January - I could see Ross Wilson being a bit more ruthless given he can opt to go on a free end of the season or we extend and he gets a pay cut from £120k a week. We either bring in another RB as Krafth is attracting interest from Denmark or other option is Leo Shahar as understudy to Tino.

A couple of moments today where he showed that he can run with the ball which indicates was likely supposed to be an upgrade on Joe Willock. Aside from that offered very little, but overall team performance was atrocious.

Assuming it was a concussion sub so might be missing for Man City match?

Is it Bilbao or Brentford they expect him to be in the match day squad?

You can tell him and Thiaw are getting to know each other better. A few moments where you could see them switch positions to either cover a Fulham runner or to look to get an early interception in. A few moments yesterday where he could have done better, but a few players looked to force the ball a bit too much resulting in errors. Overall he had an average game, but you could argue at CB they only really get the credit when the team has an off day and their performance stands out such as Thiaw yesterday.

Superb today.

It was getting beyond a joke at the match - they both literally grabbed him and was quite clear, but the ref just ignored it. More annoying was the foul given against Gordon when Traore shouldered into him. A few things didn't come off for him, but probably also the team had an inability to string passes together which in effect won't suit his game. A couple of times he went for the cute flick when simple option would have been better, but he will learn.

It is in these moments where Woltemade will chase back and try to make that tackle or drop into this space to make something happen. A couple of moments in the game today where he filled the gap and either made a run or short pass, but then he isn't breaking into the box if we recycle possession out wide. You'd like to think with our wingers improving and our midfield improving he should get there.

Extremely poor first half after a bright opening 5-10 minutes. The first goal was atrocious, slick pass to by pass midfield and really shouldn't be getting that much space between Botman and Thiaw. We've had plenty of chances, but just failed them - Burn in the first half from Bruno cross and then at the end, Bruno in the first half just past the post and the block about 6 yards out. Woltemade scored an unbelievable goal, well worked and nice to see Miley getting an assist. I felt we were better in the second half, but without looking clinical. We could have held on for a draw, but game management isn't the best and hasn't been so far this season. Joelinton - he didn't look like he should have been playing. Casual with the ball and just a yard too slow. Elanga - I'm not sure if he is a confidence player, but on current form should be benched. Gordon - poor performance, odd occasion he did well, but lack of end product is impacting our attack.

A brief bit of research into Wilson does show some promise. On his exit from Rangers his work on the development of their training centre and the integration, including success, of their women's team were lauded. They did win the title during his tenure at Rangers too. The fans felt he didn't push on after the title win on the recruitment front, but his contacts and ability to negotiate was highly thought of. His first role with Falkirk they had a decent youth academy that he would have played a part in. Interviews at the time show a modest start, but has ambition to be one of the best. The proof will come out over the course of the season, but cautiously happy with this appointment. We should have the infrastructure now to build on the success we've had and hopefully cement a top 5 place this season.

I think this is the key point as majority of fans expected him to leave in summer 2026. This didn't happen, but the manner it has happened leaves a sour taste - almost a double whammy since majority did not expect him to leave and the way in which he did it seemed out of character. He will come good eventually for Liverpool, but as a club we move on and hopefully learn from this. The game due to financial side of this at the moment is geared to direct the top quality players towards the 'Big 6'. I'm happy with Woltemade.

The context from the post match press conference implies that it will be 10 days before they know further so not short term as in a few weeks, but really won't know much more until that scan. The hope is it's not a 3 month plus injury. Shame for him, but hopefully he is back for November like Tino.

With his current game, we're getting more than goals from him. He was brilliant, some of his passing and laying off brings other players into the game. As his influence has increased against Arsenal and Forest you begin to see the opposition centre backs try and knock him about - he has gave a bit back which just goes to show his desire. Yet to see him open up and go on a mazy run, but in tight spaces on the pitch he can make things happen. Nice to see him alert to the Morato error, although he managed to recover and block. The penalty looked like it had gone over on the TV, but you just don't save those. What a great start and be nice with Wissa back to not put as much of a burden on him to do it alone.

Impressive again. Although he didn't finish them, he is in and around the box on set pieces so one of the chances he will put away.

I thought he was brilliant today. That moment in the first half where he waited before making contact and then coming away with the ball was class. Overall he was composed and some great reading of the game i.e. the block on Lewis-Skelly. I've been impressed with him and hopefully he can only get better.