22 Jan 2026 04:12:21
Ed1,
Would love your opinion on the system and performance last night!
{Ed001's Note - system worked, that is the only thing that matters really in cup competitions. It was, I would say, as close as possible to what Slot is looking for us to produce every game. Admittedly Marseille are not a particularly good or well coached side (De Zerbi is the most overrated coach in the game right now), they show all the issues we have struggled with most of the season - emptying midfield etc. But you can only beat what is in front of you.
It was an excellent European performance and a great result. We looked so much more solid without Konate as well. Gomez is a lot more reliable, especially in terms of positioning, he works well with van Dijk, which made a huge difference. Also helped that we always held one midfielder back at all times, usually Mac Allister, protecting the defence.}
22 Jan 2026 06:51:20
Macca actually played really well, credit to him. Gomez motm though.
22 Jan 2026 07:16:56
I was happy with with how we did last night but god almighty I wish Mo would use his right foot now and again!
One of the best goals he's scored for us was with his right foot from the tightest of angles yet he had a few opportunities to get a goal or two last night, the best one he tried using his left and it was just awful!
Agree about Gomez too, if he can just stay fit and maybe keep his place for a few games it might just help us through these last few months.
{Ed025's Note - yeah Salah was quite pathetic 2 Shoes..
22 Jan 2026 07:26:13
Agree Ed.
It's the system we've craved for months. Both fullbacks actually attacking ( not one inverting, or in a back 3.
Grav dropping into make it a back 3 in build up. And 3 back while attacking.
Some decent football and a solid defensive shape. Half assed press again
But surely slot will see the positives of this shape and stick with it.
Surely!?
22 Jan 2026 07:37:10
We played well and nullified them. Everyone looked sharp and energetic which was encouraging. The system worked too, hopefully take that into the weekend and gather some momentum.
22 Jan 2026 07:40:45
I would say kerkez was Motm.
22 Jan 2026 08:09:37
Think the biggest show last night was that passing through the lines and moving forward instead of side to side and backwards works for us and should be the way we play.
22 Jan 2026 09:40:03
We do play that way AAgenda but it tough to pass through the lines when the opposition has 11 players in their own box.
And that's the whole point. We always play well against teams that open up and allow us to thread those balls through the lines.
We played well last night and got the job done but we played better against Burnley and drew. We just had a bit of luck with the 2nd goal in particular and scored from a free kick. Otherwise all the same issues were there but people are happy with the result so they see a better performance.
We need to start taking our chances. It was a good finish from Gakpo but apart from that our finishing was woeful, we should've been out of sight by half time and that's been our main issue all season.
Good result but we need to be more clinical, on another day they defend the free kick properly and the ball deflects off the keeper and wide and we are 0-0 after being totally dominant getting nervy that we could actually lose.
22 Jan 2026 10:02:54
He did, PB. Macca was very good in the system we played. I thought Salah had his moments but just looked rusty.
22 Jan 2026 10:40:13
Easier to do that when a team actually actually comes out and plays against ye AA.
22 Jan 2026 11:21:56
I'm so confused that its taken this long to realise our leaky defence might need someone in midfield to sit back more. Though I would still think Grav is more suited than Mac though maybe grav has the ability to move a bit more than Mac.
Props for the better performance at least.
22 Jan 2026 12:24:49
the reason we struggle with a low block or 11 behind the ball is because we go side to side, slowly, very slowly, players not picking to go through the line instead, with a quick flick, teams opening up gives us space but its a slow pace of play and no risks that is costing us against blocks, fullbacks coming inside instead of staying wide is costing us, last night we played our fullbacks as they should be.
22 Jan 2026 07:13:36
Missed the game, what were the changes to the system Ed mate?
{Ed001's Note - he went to what was basically a 4-4-2 variant. No real press but a mid-block with the 2 forwards, Ekitike and Salah, dropping into the wide areas when defending. When attacking, it was mainly on the full-backs to provide width. There was always at least one centre mid sat in front of the defence as well - no emptying midfield, unlike them, who did empty midfield when they attacked which is a large part of the reason we were able to score.}
22 Jan 2026 07:27:58
Sorry Ed,
Meant to ask also :
1. What do we need to do to translate that kind of performance into the PL
2. Why have we not been able to this far?
{Ed001's Note - 1. Play a similar type of way, instead of reverting back to the usual.
2. Because Slot chooses not to try and play that way.}
22 Jan 2026 08:45:54
ed1 - the way people were talking on here, you'd be forgiven for thinking we were about to have a re-match with PSG lol.
{Ed001's Note - Marseille have been getting a lot of hype, no idea why, they are third in Ligue 1, which only has one decent team in it!}
22 Jan 2026 16:29:35
Yeah, Ed. OM have been scoring lots of goals this season and even scored 5 past SCO d'Angers (yeah, the mighty SCO d'Angers) on the weekend and prolly thought we were lambs for the slaughter with our form of late and thought we would fold if their fans screamed louder.
Only for them to get put back to reality that if you let LFC play the way they can play and you can't respond, you will get smoked. Overrated, indeed.
22 Jan 2026 16:55:16
Sean Dundee the reason were happy about the game last night was we looked like we wanted to win from the start and the performance showed that in all honesty the result should of been a lot bigger our finishing needs improving . but there were some very good performances that we have been waiting to see the confidence was there and i want to pick out one player Joe Gomez he has not played a full game for months he was very good and praise to Arne got his tactic shape and team right.
YNWA.