1.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 20:38:55
It was a game all about tactics. Both teams wanted to win but Klopp outsmarted Poch.

Mane is a demon!

2.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 20:45:20
Interested to read your views Ed001. I felt, at the time, and probably still do that we weren't quite as in as much control as you suggest.
We were very poor in possession, not being able to put any real form of passing moves together, instead relying too much on the direct ball for Mane or Salah to chase into the channels.
I also feel that had Spurs equalised when they started to push in the last 20, we may have struggled to respond. I just couldn't see that we could switch our game to that degree, if needed.
Obviously, I appreciate your more educated view on the game but interesting how two people watching the game can have such differing views.
However, I share your opinion on Alisson. he oozed confidence, class and seemed to never be out of position and was my man of the match.

3.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 20:39:32
Thanks for all the season reviews tris. It’s something I really look forward to after the game.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate, that's what makes it all worthwhile doing them.}

4.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 20:49:31
Your motm Ed? Alisson for me, we would be on 7 if we had him last year.

{Ed025's Note - if you had coco the clown in goal last year you would have had a better chance lerchy....oh wait..you did.. :)

5.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 20:54:28
Very good read Ed1, I can't disagree with any of that mate. Just to add, I personally don't think this is like 2005, I think it's the start of many great things to come, what with like you say, us having a young team we're only going to improve.

Onwards and upwards, with Klopp, this team and our owners, we're capable of winning absolutely everything. It's always great to be a Liverpool fan but more so now, they've brought back that 'wow' factor. Bring on the future is all I say!

{Ed001's Note - it feels that way now but only time will tell.}

6.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 20:58:00
True reflection of what happened. Sublime!

7.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 21:18:20
Excellent mate. I like you am usually a nervous wreck, but I was so relaxed, couldn't believe it mate. Really like your point about 2005,it's been a hot topic between me and my mates wondering where we go next. It'll be an interesting summer that's for sure and I'm well excited to see what happens, not just at Liverpool but around the whole of Europe. Many thanks for your great reviews throughout the season, they have been very insightful and interesting, don't always agree with them 100% but nevertheless always an excellent read. I'm glad for someone like yourself that we won the cup, I genuinely feel your love for the club and it makes me respect you that little bit more. Thanks mate.

8.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 21:14:09
I’d agree with Ed001 there, hadn’t thought about the Poch point but could be right. Do you think he’ll move on Ed?
I’d also add nerves to the reasons for the poor quality of the game.
All the players were affected to varying degrees though Liverpool handled the occasion better. Spurs looked like nervous wrecks and that start only made them worse.
Awful game but a lot of European Cup Finals have been.

{Ed001's Note - I think he will try and get out yes.}

9.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 21:37:13
I said before the game that I hoped Kane would start as he was never going to be fully fit. We have seen before how Kane has rushed back from injury and it always takes him a few games to get up to speed. I was amazed that Poch hadn't learned from previous experience not to start him.

10.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 21:54:56
Honestly spurs could still be playing now and not scored. Pundits forget that our defence is as strong as our attack, that was game plan from the begining if we got the early goal. It was like a 'rope a dope' but for football, make Tottenham play and make them more tired while we just soak it up.

11.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 21:46:22
Great write up as usual Ed. Thanks for all the summaries this season. They have been insightful and very much appreciated.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate thank you very much for that.}

12.) 03 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 22:12:31
I was going to ask earlier why we ended so quick. Bundesliga have a mid season break, and less teams in the league and still finish after the prem. we’re playing midweek games a lot, especially at the end of the season, and have two cup competitions, where a lot of nations only have one (albeit some with two legs) .

Good job it was two English teams, would be a shame to see one that was fit and ready, and another that’s had almost a month out.

13.) 04 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 22:39:08
People have said Spurs played well 2nd half at Anfield but all of the chances they created were on the break. Even the goal they scored was a quick break from a free kick. When our defence was set they couldn’t make a dent.
I think Klopp has seen this and decided (to start at least) not to allow them any breaks and rely on our front 3 to do the damage. The early goal just meant we didn’t have to change that tactic and push for a goal.
I, like you Ed wasn’t nervous at all. I always thought if anyone was going to score a goal in the game it would be us.
Divock’s goal just confirmed the win but for me I was feeling it from 5 minutes in.

14.) 04 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 22:41:56
Excellent review Ed 100% spot on. I'm like you during a game pukey mc puke a lot is me but as you called it I was never worried about Spurs at all.

15.) 04 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 23:04:32
Thank you for that Ed. Hard to argue with any of it really. I think we're in a much better place than in 2005, but as you say, time will tell. It should be an interesting summer.

16.) 04 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 23:05:22
Thanks ED001,

A very good summary as per usual.
I must admit I too am very nervous before games. Also didn't sleep well the 2 nights before the final.

As deflated as the final turned out in terms of performance from both teams, Spurs mustered an increase in tempo somewhat in the final minutes of 5-10mins of the game and forced some fine saves from Alisson and nervy moments of defending. I do feel that had Origi not scored potentially Spurs could have scored in what time remained. Hence I thought it was a crucial goal at the most critical point in the game.

Switching to the Premiership, next season will for sure be interesting. If it is likely that Poch will leave Spurs, Chelsea - yet another change of manager with their Talisman leaving for Madrid, and both Man Utd and Arsenal going through a massive squad overhaul it is likely to leave again ourselves and City to battle it out. Pep will need to transition some of the older players - Kompany has already left, Silva Aguero and Fernandinho (arguably the spine and experience of the team) . We can hope that such changes/ new players bedding in will cause a change in dynamics. In contrast we look a settled young team looking for reinforcements for potential injuries and to improve squad quality. With the experience of winning a major trophy we hope that players will have a taste for more success.

Special mentions to ED001 for the concisely written match reports which are always an eye opening read, and for ED002 for providing credibal insight into transfer activity and the business side of
football to keep us mere mortals upto speed. I'm sure I speak for the masses when I say your efforts are hugely appreciated. Peace!

17.) 04 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 23:33:32
Thanks for the review Ed001. To answer your last paragraph I think it's the beginning of a lot of good things. But it's based on my assumption that Jurgen Klopp will stay and see out his 7 years with us. He's moulded and developed all these players and nobody knows them better. He can still get out a lot more from them if he is given and gives himself the time to do it. I feel happy for Mignolet, Sturridge and Henderson. They stuck around and got their reward.

I was thinking about these stadium rebuilds and renovations. It seems they are far more expensive than just the material cost. Managers have to work with two hands tied behind their backs (not being able to buy new players as in the case of Arsene Wenger and Pochetinno) and this results in team development grinding to a halt. And then players and managers leave. Wenger's team got dismantled and I'm sure the same will happen at Spurs if Pochetinno leaves now.

18.) 04 Jun 2019
04 Jun 2019 00:25:36
Thanks ed001. Summed it up perfectly for me. Loved reading your reviews all season. The amount of articles and added pieces of info this year hasn't gone unnoticed. love this site and its great to see the progress from when I started looking here 5 years ago.

Hope silly season doesn't cook your swede too much! Here's to next season. All the best mate.

Ynwa.

19.) 04 Jun 2019
04 Jun 2019 02:51:02
Great review Ed and likewise appreciate all you’ve put into these throughout the season.

Clearly once the first goal went in, Liverpool decided not to over extend themselves and so no aggressive press, no flying fullbacks pushing forward, and our attacks were largely focussed on getting the ball to Mane or Salah and hitting them on the break. The problem for the neutral viewer was Tottenham never really had a go either so so were left having to play long balls to bypass their midfield (who Fabinho and Hendo in particular shut out of the game), and Kane was no match for VVD or Matip. They never really looked threatening.

I agree not picking Moura was a big mistake, think they would have had far better chances trying to stretch the game and play quick passes to disrupt our defensive patterns than the dross they served up (apart from Son who was dangerous as always) .

I thought it was a terrible match for the neutral but well managed for the occassion by Klopp who’s shown his pragmatic side far more this season, with outstanding results. It’s just nice we can also do the 4-0 vs Barcelona when we want to turn it on!

Looking forward to next season, if we can keep Klopp and the core of this side for at least a couple of years we could well be competing for the PL and big ears on a regular basis once again.

20.) 04 Jun 2019
04 Jun 2019 04:47:38
Cheers Ed. Your reviews have been spot on all season and always a good read. Cheers for all the work you put into them and keep em coming. 🙂.

21.) 04 Jun 2019
04 Jun 2019 04:53:41
Thanks for the review Ed, great read as always. One specific moment I keep looking back to was around minutes 10-11 when the ball went back to Allisson, and he took all the time in the world on the ball before picking it up when pursued by spurs forwards. It felt like a very clear plan from very early on, that the moment we take the lead we sit back and frustrate spurs, keep our shape (with full backs staying put) and just look to counter with Salah and Mane. I was not feeling confident about the plan then but am so happy now!

{Ed001's Note - thank you to everyone for reading the match reviews and here's to next season's being full of lots of 10s *fingers crossed*}

22.) 04 Jun 2019
03 Jun 2019 22:00:25
You’ve had krusty the clown in goal all season Ed 😉.

{Ed025's Note - i wish i could argue with that lerchy..

23.) 04 Jun 2019
04 Jun 2019 06:28:58
Oh no ed025.it was our ali who cost the team at the death in Merseyside derby this year. oh. 😂😂😂.

24.) 04 Jun 2019
04 Jun 2019 07:32:42
Thanks for that ed1, seems Kane has a lot of power at Spurs.

25.) 04 Jun 2019
04 Jun 2019 11:57:18
Yeah, nice one ed01 for all your effort this season. The match reviews are always brilliant.

My highlight was the recent minus rating for a Barcelona player. Knew it was coming.

Thanks ed01. Looking forward to a busy summer and lifting the premier league next year.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate. I am looking forward to a break from the reviews over the summer to catch up on the other articles, hopefully. I try not to look forward to winning things, saves on being disappointed and makes it more exciting if they do happen.}