We've grown into the game since getting more possession. Both Mount and Pulisic putting in good performances. Pedro and Pulisic constantly swapping sides but to no great effect though.

Very much an 80% Barca at best and yet in saying that we looked ok. Mount faded our late in the half. Kovacic and Jorginho play well together. 

Looked very solid in defence and we kept the ball well even if it was a bit slow. I've liked Jorginho and Emerson and their role in the build up. Pulisic and Mount looked promising also.

Tammy should have scored two.

 

The way we press them is great, pretty good first half. The players did well, we looked strong enough.

Our midfield is pretty good, I liked what I saw.

Very good first half from us. That must be Frank's preferred line-up, given the players at his disposal. It's a big game for Mount and Tammy and they've both done well. Pulisic looks a special player with a great attitude but his stats at Dortmund weren't that good and here we could see why. Three big chances to score and finished poorly each time. Considering we have 5 key players out, that was very encouraging, albeit against a Barca team lacking fitness and lacking their best players, which must be taken into consideration.

Pressing has been very tenacious, its probably the only benefit to not having hazard. 

We look solid enough at the back, and our we have moved the ball from back front very well at times. 

The only real issue is the final 3rd, which is of no surprise, i think we will generally struggle to score goals this season. Its not that we dont create chances, we just dont seem clinical enough, which has been the case for a coille of seasons now. Maybe someone like CHO, Tammy, or Pulisic will rectify this as the season progresses.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching that half, pressing Barca all over the park and creating good chances. Tammy should have two, Pulisic could of had one or two as well. The defence have been solid as well. Although it’s early in Barcas pre season they’re still better than the other teams we’ve played so far. It’s been a very good performance against what is still a very good side.

41 minutes ago, Sindre said:

That's a really poor challenge from Jorginho. Dangerous.

Chopper Harris would be proud of the way Jorginho took out Barca's new Liverpool fan.

Edited July 23, 20196 yr by Upsetter

Promising from Abraham, don't mind him missing because he will score goals, first touch and pace will get him a long way this season, if he converts 1 in 4 or 5, all good.

That was some sweet footwork from Abraham on the goal.

Broadcast isn’t available in the US unfortunately.  How are we looking at the back?  And it sounds like the Jorginho-Kovacic pairing in midfield is looking decent enough?

Looked OK, early on Barca put together some nice passing moves around our penalty area and opened up a few half chances but after a while they just eased off and started going through the motions. A couple of times Luiz enjoyed closing down Griezmann. Not really a big test for them so far.

 

The game has got a lot slower second half.

With the benefit of hindsight Christensen looked ok. 

I think Kovacic and Jorginho are an excellent combo. As good as any in the pl. 

And alonso is great in attack. Good decision maker

Michy my 3rd choice as striker or even 4th choice

Edited July 23, 20196 yr by ozboy

Good goal that

Excellent from Barkley, he's looked good pre-season.

4 minutes ago, ozboy said:

Michy my 3rd choice as striker or even 4th choice

Been our best striker so far in pre-season, who's he behind as 4th choice? Abraham, Giroud and...

2 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Been our best striker so far in pre-season, who's he behind as 4th choice? Abraham, Giroud and...

the dreaded false 9

3 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Been our best striker so far in pre-season, who's he behind as 4th choice? Abraham, Giroud and...

Pedro. Completely disagree he’s been best but it’s funny how you see what you want and or expect to see so I respect your view. 

1 minute ago, ozboy said:

Pedro. Completely disagree he’s been best but it’s funny how you see what you want and or expect to see so I respect your view. 

Has Pedro ever played as a false 9 in his career?

Probably not. 

3 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Has Pedro ever played as a false 9 in his career?

Yes for Barca & Spain

Screamer from Rakitic top left hand corner finishes 2-1. No clean sheet today but the first half performance was definitely our best of the pre-season so far.

 

 

Really enjoyed that, looked miles better than the last two games and against a 'proper' team too, albeit like most not 100% there yet.

Can't wait for the next one now at the weekend!