Jonty

Dave - despite the penalty miss (and he at least put his hand up while a pair of extremely experienced attacking players didn't take one), thought he was immense defensively, while also being better than usual going forward. Was also concerned about him moving into CB given the physicality of Jovic and Haller, but despite being smaller he held his own and made a number of critical challenges and aerial wins. HMs to Jorginho, RLC and Kepa. Also thought Luiz was very good other than the goal concession.

I tend to agree, although I think he's been similarly vague for sometime now.

Growing in confidence, seemed to break up opposition play regularly and had a few tidy passes and touches, and most importantly in a big game he stood up to be counted. He's definitely growing on me.

If we assume that Kepa, Dave, Rudiger, one of Emerson/Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, RLC, Hazard, and one of CHO/Pulisic are nailed on starters, then the only starting XI replacements we'll presumably be out for are a CB and a striker. If we re-sign Luiz (as I expect we will), then that comes down to only a striker. If Hazard leaves, we may be in for a new winger although Pulisic may be seen as sufficient, especially if Pedro/Willian both stay. If the club has to act on the assumption we'll be banned for 2 years after this window, the only regular squad players old enough that we'll need to consider replacing before then are Luiz, Willian, Pedro, and arguably Dave. Subsequently I still don't see us getting more than 3-4 (including Pulisic) new players in, and of those only 1 may be an automatic starter. If we do get Kovacic and Higuain back in (as I think Sarri might be keen to do), I really don't think we're going to be very active in the transfer market - we know Sarri likes a tight squad, and correct me if i'm wrong but he hasn't had too many complaints about the squad throughout the season. He seems to be of the opinion the issue is moreso getting used to the new system - bringing in a whole bunch of new players sets that project back.

I don't think Frankfurt are really capable of a gameplan involving parking the bus and hitting on the counter attack, AFAIK they are a very attack-minded team, so should be another entertaining game. If Hazard starts, as I assume he will, we should be more clinical in front of goal than the first leg.

Think this will be the first CL final in a long time I can't bring myself to watch - hope Liverpool do it though. Hopefully tonight's result at least bodes well for the Nations League, which i'm sure we'll all be desperately looking forward to after a month-long w**k fest over whoever wins in Madrid.

Ah apologies I misread your comment - my initial reference to individual class though was in the context that City is a great team because they have 2+ high quality players for each position (as you note), Liverpool is a great team because they play greater than the sum of their individual parts.

Other than the GK and Van Dijk (and arguably Fabinho and Mane, although don't think either were highly hot commodities), Klopp has assembled a team of non-superstars and made them greater than the sum of their parts - TAA from the academy, Robertson from relegated Hull, Matip on a free transfer, Henderson who was a punchline for his first few years at Liverpool, Shaqiri from relegated Stoke, Salah who was dreadful at Chelsea, Firmino from a midtable Bundesliga team, and Origi who was almost relegated last season with Wolfsburg. Whether they now have the best squad in Europe is personal opinion (and personally I think City, Barca, and Juventus have the 3 best squads) - but if they do it's because of Klopp making this team look better than it probably is.

Incredible, to do it without 2 of their front 3 shows this team isn't really about individual class like City, but is really about the brilliance of Klopp. Shame we'll be hearing about this 'Special European Night at Anfield'TM for eternity, but at least it happened to Barca. 10 years on from Ovrebo that is a silver lining. Come on Ajax.

Incredible collapse, reminiscent of a game a few years back at Loftus Road. Chuffed for Ake too, still think he could have been a decent squad player for us.

Not many players i'd wish it on, but would be a laugh if someone did Barnes' ACL again.

Don't think he's been great the last few games, however this certainly doesn't bode well for next season if Hazard leaves. Suppose we'll have Pulisic though.

edit: Double post.

Blimey what a game (and probably the best in the CL for just under 7 years) - Son is a cracking player and honestly I think i'd rather have him than Kane if forced to pick. Somewhat happy with the result - improves the chances that Ajax can get to the final, however also increases the chance of Spurs or Liverpool winning it. Tough one, the choice between City/Liverpool/Spurs/Barca to win the CL is like choosing an STD, Barca being herpes as it will be horrible but at least we won't have to see/hear about it as often.

I can't recall the exact games but believe there were a few earlier in the season where he got out on the field for a decent run - of course a small sample size but unfortunately that's all you tend to get with young players on the fringe. I haven't watched him play for Wales or the youth team, so granted there will be others with a more informed opinion.

Appears i'm in the minority of people who think he is critical to our team, after Hazard, Kante, Dave and Kepa he's the next name on the team sheet for me.

A bit off topic but personally don't rate Ampadu's potential to be a starter at this level, looking back I think Ake showed more promise at a similar age. Would be nice to see Gary get one or two final run outs as a goodbye - given the last league game of the season may be crucial for top 4, this is probably the only remaining game we can afford to throw him into without jeopardizing too much.

Don't think we were too bad to be honest, questionable whether Sarri got the decision to start Hazard as a false 9 correct, however with the form Higuain and Giroud are in, not like there are outstanding alternatives. Realistically without a 15-20 league goal a season striker we're going to continue scrapping around the edge of the top 4. There's a reason the two titles we've won since Ancelotti were with Costa at his snarling peak.

I'd say Kepa, with HMs to Kante and Dave, although really most of the team was a 5-6/10 with no-one really excelling or disappointing. CHO probably the least effectual.

pun intended?

With the following subs already penciled in: - Kovacic for Barkley, 70th minute - Pedro for Willian, 75th minute - Giroud for Higuain, 80th minute Team manages itself really.

A very poor, very jammy win. Couldn't have happened to a nicer manager than that sour-faced git Neil Warnock though, absolute hilarity.

Kovacic for me, HMs to Pedro, Luiz and Kante.

Thought he was the best player on the pitch today, largely due to a level of urgency and intensity i've never seen from him before.

I would pin the fault for Conte and Mourinho's demise overwhelmingly with the players. I think this is the exception - Sarri shares blame (for his inflexibility) with whoever is responsible for transfers these days (because they have been sh*te for a few years).