Tiresias

Terrible defending all round.

Ritchie in CM is not a good idea.

Commentators seem to think Shelvey was nursing a bit of an injury albeit didn't look neccessarily game ending

I don't think any of the midfield know who is meant to stay deep to help the defence in case of counter attack, as such none do and there is a huge gap between the lines. Few counter attacks and our cbs could easily be bypassed as they were all on their heels trying to get in position and noone available to snuff the danger out or pressure the player breaking with the ball

Not terrible but Arsenal look shite and our defence looks almost like a world class defensive coach is missing

It's almost like he only played about 4 times last season I really hope he's as good as he looks like he could be but too early to be relied upon as a 1st team starter in a sane world. Albeit same with Shelvey cos he's a frequent liability Our defence has quality and our attack has some promise but our midfield is where we will be found out, unless Longstaff really is as good as he is hoped to be. (I think he is good but still early days)

Brucey has given the midfield more license to get forward so plenty of space between them and the defence who then get caught backpedalling madly with Arsenal get a counter. It's not necessarily a criticism, bruce is entitled to want us to be more attacking but i fear for that defence and been a few times with way too much space in front of the defence

Not really a new problem mind, Perez used to be running around trying to press high on his own for years and just look like a headless chicken, one of the reasons he got a lot of flack to be honest but must have been told to do it cos he was a willing runner

Come on Miggy no need

Forgive my ignorance, is Lejeune injured or Bruce not like him cos he likes to play out the back?

I'll be watching but pretty numb to caring whicherever ways it goes. Still my club I just won't give Ashley any more money and actively going to non-league team near me.

To be fair could be read sarcastically

It says something that Neil Warnock's side are at the bottom of that. High press is going to cause more fouls. I agree it's worth saying that their brilliant football isn't some wide eyed idealistic footy, it's built with cynicism as well but not exactly going to be telling next generations that guardioloa's teams were a bunch of dirty cloggers either

I agree with that of course, but it's the refs job to manage the fouling in a game and persistent fouling needs to be clamped down on, but does anyone really want their team not to be a bit cynical with tactical fouls? Can you defend at the level City do without some skirting at the edge of legality?

A manager who wins things not telling his team to be all sweetness and light giving opposition players gentle cuddles? What a shock! I mean seriously, it's not exactly a secret what for instance Busquets role was in his Barcalona. It's not like he's sending his team out to break opposition legs either. Says more about Pellegrini that tbh whom I've never had anything but respect for previously but claiming Guardioloa side is dirty and that's why you got thumped 5-0? Need to be a bit street wise.

Just plays into every obnoxious southern stereotype of newcastle doesnt it, bunch of unsophisticated romantics who dont want any success just a bunch of local boys running around a lot will warm the cockles of every geordie heart

Sounds like some organised crime shit tbh obviously want to make a name for themselves or something

To be fair should have qualified, I have seen him play like that and that's when he puts in good performances, but it's certainly not always the case and have seen a few like today where he just doesnt seem to be on it

Villa ran out of juice in second half which tbh isn't very impressive.

If sissoko had the head for the game he'd have everything but everytime he is in a good position he takes 5 seconds deciding what to do while the defence gets back in position and then makes the wrong decision. Been a few times where a first time ball (or even just sharper reactions) would ahve put someone in

I can't believe it didn't occur tot eh rule makers that havign VAR check absolutely everything is going to be an absolute pain. Surely it should only be used now and then for absurd ref calls. Maybe like tennis/cricket and the captain has 3 chances per game to have a decision checked or something

Not really sure how they can do it though, easy to say should be leeway for marginal offsides until your team concedes one marginally offside. Frankly though I would much prefer VAR if it was only used for shocking decisions, like if it's less than half a foot offside goes with referees call or something

Norwich seem to be like this all the time though from last time in league, sticking to their style of play while running straight into spikes. Daft to go to anfield first game of premier season and not try to defend even a little bit. You may catch a few teams cold but Liverpool clearly too good for that.

Isn't an embarassing loss to a relegation contender in an Arsenal opening fixture a tradition?

So much Midds post. Just signed for the publicity, no other club willing for a while because he is famously unprofessional, injured constantly and mediocre at best. Once in a while does something special but so what.