First State Kopites

Moving on from our blessing in disguise S5 E32

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It’s March 23rd - welcome dear listener to the latest edition of the pod. I’m joined by Daz and Sean. Reds lost to Man United on Sunday and we are now focused on a treble. We’ll look back on that game and the Sparta Prague last 16 tie in the Europa League. And before we are done, let’s take a pulse on how we see the rest of the season playing out.

Part One - the FA Cup 6th round - Manchester United 4, Liverpool 3

  • Well we always hate losing to them don’t we?

  • First 30 minutes were way too open - United had more shots (7) on target in a first half than they have for a long time.

  • Switched on end of first half - could have been 3-1

  • Second half, their weird formation made it seem like we were bound to score, but actually did not have many good opportunities (other than the ones Darwin created)

  • Taking Salah off at 77 with the game won…

  • While it’s still 2-1 bad things can happen. Right foot from Antony, felt like a stopped clock telling the right time moment.

  • Extra time - everyone looked very tired. Could not take enough people off.

  • Blessing in disguise? Can’t say yes for sure but 2022 experience suggests it could be

    • Part Two - Liverpool 11 to Sparta Prague 2 - aggregate score:

    • Four goals up in 14 minutes. Front foot attacking exploiting some very naive defending?

    • Liverpool should not be playing us said the coach, they should be in the champions league.

      • Part Three:

      • Quick word on officiating:

        • We talk about high bars when we choose to

        • They talk about intent as well - I thought IFAB had made intent irrelevant

        • Atwell on VAR - ‘they both came in high’

        • What are we feeling now:

          • Maximum of 15 games

          • Players returning

          • 10 wins in the League likely would be enough but there’s plenty of challenges left 

            • United, Fulham, Villa, West Ham and Everton away - 3 aways in 6 days (unless Arsenal beats Bayern Munich)

            • Brighton, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Spurs and Wolves at home.

            • Europa League - quarter final against Atalanta, with the prospect of Benfica or Marseille in the semis.

              • Atalanta not considered a difficult draw… 6th in Serie A. Playing Coppa Italia either side of our fixtures.

              • Elsewhere, Champions League draw…. FA Cup - 

                • City have to play Chelsea in the FA Cup. If they make it past Real Madrid, they will have no midweeks available.

                • Arsenal - Bayern Munich. Could easily see Arsenal winning this one.

                • International chat? Luis Diaz

                  • We will be back with a review of the Brighton game and a look ahead to the fixtures before the international break. Thanks to Daz, and Justin. And thank you dear listener for joining us.
                  If you enjoyed the pod, please share it with a friend. Follow us @FirstStateKopites on Twitter  – we only tweet and retweet from sources we think are credible. Music is courtesy of Hypenotic – they are a Welsh electro-pop band – https://hyperfollow.com/hypenotic

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