BrickTop

Can't believe we're going to win the league in this. Shambles.

Keep Howe. This season will just be a footnote during his dynasty at this club.

No tripps no party (leadership, guile, organisation)

I understand going for Trippier, his leadership could be the difference in a match like this.

How on earth are they 3rd? Worst opponent I've seen at SJP this season. Having said that, we were superb. Deserved to be winning even before Osula's wonder strike. Motm split between Trippier and big Joe for me. Gordon didn't put a foot wrong either. It looks like the players are up for this run in.

As everyone knows (because Slot likes to tell them) Liverpool struggle against a low block, so if there was ever a game to sit in after going ahead it was this Oh well, at least Willock looked decent again and were didn't get anymore injuries. Onto the next one.

He's still got it

When the players in the dressing room are asked about who the best is at certain attributes Botman is still frequently mentioned post-injury. He is a very good player who is coming back from a spell of injuries. I'm pleased the club have taken the optimistic approach on this one, I see Thiaw and Botman as the future partnership.

What a game. Similar to the 4-3 vs Norwich back in the championship in terms of crazy last minute drama. Love this club. Hopefully this is the moment that brings everyone together and we can push on for the rest of the season.

Really miss this. I remember HBA mentioning it specifically when asked what it is like to play at SJP and how it encouraged him when attacking. Last time I remember it happening like it used to was probably the PSG game two years ago.

Confidence completely shot. Soon as we concede a goal the fear sets in. A few good results (and performances) can turn if around, but tonight certainly isn't it.

I'll admit I never paid much attention to him at Villa. Did he seem much better there? Seems he mainly played out wide for them too.

It's very doom and gloom this morning for obvious reasons. Both sides just cancelled each other out. A freak goal the difference. My only gripe is the lack of pressing and intensity in the first half. I understand a more measured approach this season when we're playing 2 games a week but if there's ever a game to roll out our trademark high press no room to maneuver approach it was this game. Having said that, my belief in Howe hasn't wavered. It isn't easy battling on 3 fronts and this is probably the most competitive PL campaign in recent seasons. I still don't think anyone else would be doing a better job. He'll turn it around, he always does.

Got played at our own game today. Our pressing/intensity is non-existent, really strange to go into a derby and not setup in the high intensity high pressing manner that we all know the team can do.

We're not playing well but there still isn't that much between the sides. Come out with a bit more energy in the second half and we can turn these over.

I like watching Willock play when he's on form. His fast, powerful runs with the ball get the team up the pitch and can get you out of your seat as a fan. He has a goal in him too. I think his attributes suit how we play and he can be a useful squad player in this set up if he can find some consistency. Id keep until the end of his contract barring an offer you can't turn down - we probably won't get much for him selling in January anyway.

Was he any good other than the goal? Or pretty anonymous like recent performances?

I'd have taken a draw tonight, a loss isn't that bad considering our points tally in the CL so far. This was not an easy fixture. Beat Everton and put tonight behind us. Broken record but I do wonder where we'd be in both leagues had Wissa not got injured. Don't think we lose this tonight if we didn't need to rest Woltemade.

Nice to see glimpses of the Willock we used to love watching a couple of seasons ago. Riding our luck at times but we're winning away in the CL - can't ask for much more than that.

I think Joelinton has been more his old self today and we've been better for it. No surprise getting our first choice FBs back has transformed us. Thiaw is Botman of 22/23 season.

Front 3 have been great and it looks like Woltemade is starting to understand what Eddie wants him to do. Really nice to see Trippier back doing what he was doing on the ball a couple of seasons ago too. I'd still have liked to have seen Ramsdale tonight - think it was the right opponent for him.

Given the circumstances - need to rotate, certain key players out of form, playing a side who out-pressed us at home last season and have started this season very well I think Howe made the right choice setting up to keep it tight today. I must say though we do generally feel a long way from the team of 2023 from an attacking perspective. A lot of the players who were so effective going forward for us back then like Gordon, Trippier, Joelinton & Willock are horribly out of form, the latter looking a shadow of himself today compared to a couple of seasons ago.

Is this maximum fine of 7 weeks wages legitimate? Seems farcical in a situation like this.

In spite of all this nonsense, imagine if Eddie's Mags go and bulldoze their way to a win against Liverpool in a couple of weeks Barnes x2 with Osula celebrating like he scored them

It is, but it's also probably just fact.