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Thought Pope was decent enough. And I don't think we mess with the back line now after a clean sheet - it's not perfect but it's probably the best we have.

 

The argument for me is that if we sit back against Liverpool, Dubs is better with his feet at close control in tight situations, whereas if pressing forward and you leave a gap, then Pope's sweeping is far better to close that gap down. And arguably also if we face a barrage from corners etc I'd trust Pope more.

 

I get why you could argue it either way, though.

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Wasn’t fucking about today. Punched away every cross and called into action with a great save over the bar. His long hoofs away did the job. 

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As others have said here, he’s an excellent shot stopper, and that save he made in the second half was massive. Had that gone in, the game would’ve ended differently. 

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However got it so right today with Pope today; don’t play out, do the basics, his sweeping up and shot stopping, when required, were top class today.

 

Dubs might be a tad unlucky to be left out; Pope showed why he was left out. Brilliant, play to his strengths and you get today.

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I feel even more pride and happiness for him seeing as he is from up the road from me and I know his family. 
 

The best thing about today. Is quite a few of our lot, and I include Pope in that. Will probably not be first choice next season. They might not even be here. 
 

It feels more significant somehow and like the time was right (finally). 

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Any footage of Dubs? Hope he was able to enjoy it despite the personal disappointment of being left out. But it was the right call, you have to play the opponent and Popes sweeping and superior height and shot stopping were more suited to Liverpools strengths 

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1 minute ago, alexf said:

Any footage of Dubs? Hope he was able to enjoy it despite the personal disappointment of being left out. But it was the right call, you have to play the opponent and Popes sweeping and superior height and shot stopping were more suited to Liverpools strengths 


He looked buzzing at the end. They all did. I think we have harboured a good enough team spirit during Howe’s time here. That things like this wouldn’t even be a ‘thing’. 

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He's inclusion for me was to deal with crosses, and he showed that in the final 20. Every corner, he came out with authority and got something on it (with reasonable distance). Just small things, but in grand scheme takes so much pressure of a defence who can be more mentally relaxed and switched on for rest of in-play game situations.

 

Genuinely amazed Liverpool did not take any long shots on in the game. Weird from them.

 

 

Edited by Sibierski

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I think Pope was much more confident because he was asked to go long every time. It made him concentrate on the 'keeping the ball out of the net' -part, rather than worrying about mistakes when playing it out. Eddie knew best, Pope was brilliant. Much more like 22/23 Pope.

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Got to give this man a lot of credit and Howe a huge amount of credit for the decision to play him. His sweeping from the off was perfect and that save with his forearm / edge of his hand was first class. Delighted he got that medal even if his powers are on the wane 

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Fucking class yesterday. Made the big save when required, but was off his line and judged everything to perfection. This is where Dubravka is weak and we couldn’t afford that yesterday. In a game where we weren’t controlling his possession his poor ability with his feet wasn’t really relevant. 
 

I have given Dubravka a lot of shit on this forum and on Twitter, a lot of it unfairly, so I’m not saying that as a dig at the bloke. He’s been quality for us this season. 

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