I think most were happy with the team put out for this. It was the game plan that disappointed me. I understand playing an away leg a goal up. First instinct is to hold on to what you've got but we aren't Chelsea and we always look vulnerable when we give up the ba and sit deeper.
I couldn't see us conceding 3 in this game under any circumstances and personally, in Brendan's position I'd have been coming out hard and trying to force an early goal before playing our usual game with the balance of defence and attack.
We aren't a defensive side that can sit back and counter fast and effectively. We had our moments last year but on the back foot we look vulnerable.
Moreno was fantastic but I'd have preferred to see Manquillo and Ibe from the off. I thought he was very good early in the season and deserved more chances though coming into the game he did wouldn't have filled the young guy with confidence.
Only changes would have been Manquillo > Moreno and Lallana > Sturridge. It was a solid team and the tie should have been well over before full time.
Spot on with the conceding 3 bit. That was never going to happen. I was very disappointed that we could not get the one goal which would have put this to bed early. Just like other European games we were just not ruthless enough at home. Even v RM we could have been 2 up before they scored. We have played dreadful in Europe this season against teams we would have trounced last season.
I have a feeling that we are going to be like City for the next couple of seasons getting knocked out of CL early due to teams enjoying Anfield too much. If we cannot dominate Besiktas, Basle, Young Boys, Hearts, Anzhi, Udinese and Zenit how long before we can scare PSG, Bayern, any Spanish club, Juventus, Monaco etc?
