[AjaxCunian]

Gakpo scores that and he's crucified, was in no mans land.

And he also lost Gakpo for the goal.

 

[saivet]

Gakpo scores that and he's crucified, was in no mans land.

And he also lost Gakpo for the goal.

Yeah, he was crouched down too - slow to react.

 

[Lash]

Gakpo scores that and he's crucified, was in no mans land.

And he also lost Gakpo for the goal.

I think it was unlucky for the goal, Dorgus stretch kept him inside - otherwise flag goes straight up.

First one, I agree though.

 

[Ekeke]

Weakest of our CBs today. Didnt cost us in the end but for the next match he's probably the one you might trade out for Yoro

Lets Gakpo stay goalside for the Gakpo goal. Just a lack of workrate to get back into the right position. And then was stooping down taking himself out of it when Gakpo has the headed chance. He'll never get an easier headed chance against a defender

 

[Snow]

Weakest of our CBs today. Didnt cost us in the end but for the next match he's probably the one you might trade out for Yoro

Lets Gakpo stay goalside for the Gakpo goal. Just a lack of workrate to get back into the right position. And then was stooping down taking himself out of it when Gakpo has the headed chance. He'll never get an easier headed chance against a defender

Salah came from behind and pushed away from Gakpo a second before the goal.

 

[Ekeke]

Salah came from behind and pushed away from Gakpo a second before the goal.

What are you trying to say? That he should let Gakpo stand in the middle onside as a player is inside our box and able to cross the ball towards him?

 

[DarkXaero]

He was not at fault for the goal. However he would've been at fault for Gakpo's missed header. He was good aside from that.

 

[Snow]

What are you trying to say? That he should let Gakpo stand in the middle onside as a player is inside our box and able to cross the ball towards him?

You said he let Gakpo stay onside. He didn't "let him". Salah was clever and went in behind him to block and push him from Gakpo like we see basketball players do. He was alone with both of them.

Gakpo was inside because of Dorgu's stretched leg.

 

[united for life]

He is a lot better at the center of the back 3. He was at fault for the goal. Failed to mark his man. But he’s had a good season overall and not a bad game today except for the goal

 

[Ekeke]

You said he let Gakpo stay onside. He didn't "let him". Salah was clever and went in behind him to block and push him from Gakpo like we see basketball players do. He was alone with both of them.

Gakpo was inside because of Dorgu's stretched leg.

No he deliberately stepped up before any of that. He steps forward while the rest of the defence doesnt. Thats what puts Salah and Gakpo in behind him in the first place. Then he's slightly ahead of Salah but behind Gakpo. If he never makes the positional mistake to allow Gakpo in behind him he can defend against both of them.

 

[Snow]

No he deliberately stepped up before any of that. He steps forward while the rest of the defence doesnt. Thats what puts Salah and Gakpo in behind him in the first place. Then he's slightly ahead of Salah but behind Gakpo. If he never makes the positional mistake to allow Gakpo in behind him he can defend against both of them.

How does he step up whilst the rest of the defense doesn't when he's the one furthest behind exactly?

He didn't step up, Salah pushed him and then blocked him.

 

[The_Midfielder]

He did good.
Liverpool were all over us.. but we defended great.
Good in headers.Agressive.

 

[Ekeke]

How does he step up whilst the rest of the defense doesn't when he's the one furthest behind exactly?

He didn't step up, Salah pushed him and then blocked him.

Okay I see the contact. Salah tries to bump him, he still looks in control though and it isnt very hard. You'd expect your CB to have a little bit of strength and its in no way a foul or the strength of a physical forward. I'll accept that he accidently moves forward because he is bumped. He shouldnt have allowed it.

Also I'm seeing people say Dorgu plays Gakpo onside with the slide tackle. Gakpo is never offside at any point, he's looking along the line easily judging himself based on Dorgu's position. Dorgu going in for the slide tackle allowed him to quickly run where the ball was heading and be able to tuck it away. Dorgu was always going to try and make a challenge and Gakpo had a simple job of staying onside, but did well to judge the timing of when to accelerate and still be able to meet a fast ball across the box that Dalot couldnt respond in time to being that he was closer to it.

 

[criticalanalysis]

I like that he is quite proactive in closing the space and uses his athleticism but he does have moments of switching off. To be fair, that applies to the whole back 5 except I wish he can grow as more of a lynchpin at the back for us. Of course it doesn't help being moved to different positions and playing in such a volatile team.

 

[pocco]

I love it when players prove the doubters wrong (I was one for sure), but he’s definitely doing that now. When we signed him I read the likes of Van Basten and other Dutch football people saying that he’d simply never improved on the player he was at Ajax, and that’s why he hasn’t found a home anywhere. With that in mind, he’s got to be getting to possibly his best level now? He’s been very good this season.

 

[Rolaholic]

Best Dutch centreback in the PL

 

[Bastian]

Best Dutch centreback in the PL

My captain.

 

[TheRedHearted]

Gakpo scores that and he's crucified, was in no mans land.

And he also lost Gakpo for the goal.

I’m just utterly confused why you ( De Ligt) don’t jump for that? You at least throw off Gapko. I’m just confused

 

[ti vu]

Gakpo scores that and he's crucified, was in no mans land.

And he also lost Gakpo for the goal.

He can’t do nothing more in both situation. The issues lies with our defensive organization. The marking assignment has been a mess under Amorim. We may look to have number, but opposition often found a zone that they can single a defender for overloading.

For Gakpo’s header, Gakpo was behind De Ligt. De Ligt didn’t know exactly where Gakpo was in his blind spot. De Ligt only reacted to Fringpong’s cross. He misjudged the flight of the cross which was perfect for Gakpo to attack. During the sequence, at one point Dalot had his arm around Gakpo, but later decided to let go and just left Gakpo free to move around while Dalot rooted in place marking nobody. After Gakpo header, you can see De Ligt looked toward Dalot all puzzled. We don’t know the detail, but there always seems to be miscommunication and misunderstanding between our players when defending.

For the goal, the whole back line was disorganized after possession turnover. Dorgu was in RWB position, Dalot became RCB. De Ligt was shuffled left to LWB! Shaw at one point was telling De Ligt to cover for LWB, which means marking Salah! De Ligt was in no position to get on the” right side” to defend a cross toward Gakpo. His sole responsibility was Salah. Shaw and Maguire got pulled toward Ekitike and Wirtz. Maguire couldn’t get back into position, while Shaw completely got pulled out of defensive line by Wirtz. By the time, the cross came in, it’s a three man defender line that’s far apart between themselves with De Ligt being outnumbered with 2 attackers in his defensive zone.

Edit: I want to elaborate a bit more on how our defensive line has issue with adjusting to in game situation playing a back 5. Below is the screenshot of when Ekitike cut in from the left and had a shot.





It looked like a conventional back 4 like people often say to defend Amorim (the shape changes during game). Initially, it looked like we have the number to handle Liverpool attack. The issue is the line is very flat. Which means Ekitike was in a nice one vs one against Dalot and once he cut in, he had space and angle for a shot. The defensive line is also narrow and drawn to Ekitike leaving big space in our central left wing central area. We defended like a back 5 with a back 4 here. And Liverpool had Gakpo and Isak in Shaw defensive zone but Shaw was on the wrong side to defend against these two, and Salah coming from our vacant LWB defensive zone. Maguire was completely removed out of equation. If Ekitike chose to pass and found a Liverpool player over that side, it would repeat of Salah earlier chance at far post.

There is some individual mistake, miscommunication, but Amorim back 5 has been causing all kind of different problem for our own defensive players. Whether deep defending, quick attack defending, defending against ball over the top to bypass our pressing…

 

[Grande]

I love it when players prove the doubters wrong (I was one for sure), but he’s definitely doing that now. When we signed him I read the likes of Van Basten and other Dutch football people saying that he’d simply never improved on the player he was at Ajax, and that’s why he hasn’t found a home anywhere. With that in mind, he’s got to be getting to possibly his best level now? He’s been very good this season.

Yeah, he’s been our best defensive player head and shoulders so far this season.

 

[CMRobbo7]

He’s been excellent. Our player of the season so far. Just really reliable and puts in captains performances without the armband.

 

[Raoul]

Immense player who is only now beginning to hit full stride in his career. Leadership, calmness, maturity, and defending that's near world class

 

[Kostov]

The armband would suit him perfectly.

 

[hasanejaz88]

A bit lucky because it could've been much worse on him. The Gakpo shot off the post would've been harsh on him given the situation he was in with a one-on-one and a pacy Gakpo Infront of him. The header by Gakpo would've looked really poor for De Ligt. A picture of him looking up at a towering Gakpo heading the ball would've been shared to infinite against him.

 

[VP89]

This guy has been great. Some posters criticising are clutching at more straws than a masturbating strawman.

 

[Cutch]

Weakest of our CBs today. Didnt cost us in the end but for the next match he's probably the one you might trade out for Yoro

Lets Gakpo stay goalside for the Gakpo goal. Just a lack of workrate to get back into the right position. And then was stooping down taking himself out of it when Gakpo has the headed chance. He'll never get an easier headed chance against a defender

Eh, no. He's been easily our best defender so far this season and arguably our most consistent player. Maguire is still the one most at risk, most assignments wont be like away at Anfield where your box comes under siege for 90 minutes. We'll be more on the front foot against Brighton

Best Dutch centreback in the PL

Just to backup that point

 

[ScholesBrain]

did well except that Gakpo heading chance. He seems to have that momentary lapse of attentiion here and there

 

[AjaxCunian]

A bit lucky because it could've been much worse on him. The Gakpo shot off the post would've been harsh on him given the situation he was in with a one-on-one and a pacy Gakpo Infront of him. The header by Gakpo would've looked really poor for De Ligt. A picture of him looking up at a towering Gakpo heading the ball would've been shared to infinite against him.

If my aunt had balls she's be my uncle etc.. but details are so important.

If Gakpo scores from that 1 v 1 that hit the post, and he scores from that header to make a hattrick (both which could have easily happened) and we lost.

De Ligt would be crucified, EtH blamed for sending us back a 100 years with his awful signings, we should never buy Dutch players again etc. etc.

On the other hand, if he scored that header to make it 1-3 or even better, Maguire missed that header and he heads in for 1-2.. he would be crowned as Van Dijk's Superior and Jaap Stam's time as best Dutch CB in the Prem would soon be at risk.

The importance of nuance..

 

[massey]

The armband would suit him perfectly.

Yep make him captain.

 

[Ekeke]

Eh, no. He's been easily our best defender so far this season and arguably our most consistent player. Maguire is still the one most at risk, most assignments wont be like away at Anfield where your box comes under siege for 90 minutes. We'll be more on the front foot against Brighton

Just to backup that point

He has been our best but he was the weakest in that match, so no it doesnt back it up. Luke Shaw was better than him last game.

 

[Foolsgold21]

He was decent yesterday - but if Gakpo scores that late header, as he should have done, we would all rightly be pointing the finger.

Good player, having a pretty good season so far - I do really prefer him in the middle than as a RCB as he is clearly uncomfortable out wide against a bit of pace.

 

[Crimson King]

He was decent yesterday - but if Gakpo scores that late header, as he should have done, we would all rightly be pointing the finger.

Good player, having a pretty good season so far - I do really prefer him in the middle than as a RCB as he is clearly uncomfortable out wide against a bit of pace.

I think in games where we're expected to be up against it and defend deep it makes sense to have both MDL and Harry in the team, but the rest of the time it should be MDL in the middle flanked by 2 CBs who can play a bit and have pace

 

[VP89]

He has been our best but he was the weakest in that match, so no it doesnt back it up. Luke Shaw was better than him last game.

This is a wild take. I've seen your takes on which instances MDL was supposedly poor in and it simply doesn't stand up.

And no, Shaw wasn't any better.

 

[Kostov]

Weakest of our CBs today. Didnt cost us in the end but for the next match he's probably the one you might trade out for Yoro

Lets Gakpo stay goalside for the Gakpo goal. Just a lack of workrate to get back into the right position. And then was stooping down taking himself out of it when Gakpo has the headed chance. He'll never get an easier headed chance against a defender

That Gakpo chance looked bad, but so did Shaw's two brainfarts that could have led to goals if Liverpool were on their game. Yet you think Shaw had a better game?

 

[Oranges038]

I think he's been brilliant, Maguire will get the plaudits for the goal, but defensively he's been much better all season than both Maguire and Shaw.

 

[Ekeke]

That Gakpo chance looked bad, but so did Shaw's two brainfarts that could have led to goals if Liverpool were on their game. Yet you think Shaw had a better game?

Yes. Shaw also had several good bits of defending, like covering Liverpool's breakaway in the first half when he was the last man. He was the best of the 3 in the first half. De Ligt didnt and Maguire cleared the ball most, with De Ligt having just 1 more than Shaw

 

[Davie Moyes]

He can’t do nothing more in both situation. The issues lies with our defensive organization. The marking assignment has been a mess under Amorim. We may look to have number, but opposition often found a zone that they can single a defender for overloading.

For Gakpo’s header, Gakpo was behind De Ligt. De Ligt didn’t know exactly where Gakpo was in his blind spot. De Ligt only reacted to Fringpong’s cross. He misjudged the flight of the cross which was perfect for Gakpo to attack. During the sequence, at one point Dalot had his arm around Gakpo, but later decided to let go and just left Gakpo free to move around while Dalot rooted in place marking nobody. After Gakpo header, you can see De Ligt looked toward Dalot all puzzled. We don’t know the detail, but the always seems miscommunication and misunderstanding between our players when defending,

For the goal, the whole back line was disorganized after possession turnover. Dorgu was in RWB position, Dalot became RCB. De Ligt was shuffled left to LWB! Shaw at one point was telling De Ligt to cover for LWB, which means marking Salah! De Ligt was in no position to get on the” right side” to defend a cross toward Gakpo. His sole responsibility was Salah. Shaw and Maguire got pulled toward Ekitike and Wirtz. Maguire couldn’t get back to position while Shaw completely got pulled out of defensive line by Wirtz. By the time, the cross came in, it’s a three man defender line that’s far apart between themselves with De Ligt being outnumbered with 2 attackers in his defensive zone.

Edit: I want to elaborate a bit more on how our defensive line has issue with adjusting to in game situation playing a back 5. Below is the screenshot of when Ekitike cut in from the left and had a shot.





It looked like a conventional back 4 like people often say to defend Amorim (the shape changes during game). Initially, it looked like we have the number to handle Liverpool attack. The issue is the line is very flat. Which means Ekitike was in a nice one vs one against Dalot and once he cut in, he had space and angle for a shot. The defensive line is also narrow and drawn to Ekitike leaving big space in our central left wing central area. We defended like a back 5 with a back 4 here. And Liverpool had Gakpo and Isak in Shaw defensive zone but Shaw was on the wrong side to defend against these two, and Salah coming from our vacant LWB defensive zone. Maguire was completely removed out of equation. If Ekitike chose to pass and found a Liverpool player over that side, it would repeat of Salah earlier chance at far post.

There is some individual mistake, miscommunication, but Amorim back 5 has been causing all kind of different problem for our own defensive players. Whether deep defending, quick attack defending, defending against ball over the top to bypass our pressing…

Great effort for the detailed write up. I especially agree with your last point about the back 5 setup still causing our defenders all sort of issues. This was particularly highlighted in the Brentford game.

 

[BorisManUtd]

He's been very good this season imo but has these moments where he switches off, doesn't follow players and they have clear position to score. I kinda feel for him and defence as they had to defend for whole half or more so you'll lose concentration at some point. We just let gave them the ball and hardly tried to keep it ever.

 

[KingEric04]

He's been very good this season imo but has these moments where he switches off, doesn't follow players and they have clear position to score. I kinda feel for him and defence as they had to defend for whole half or more so you'll lose concentration at some point. We just let gave them the ball and hardly tried to keep it ever.

He's been easily our best player this season. I see him as our future captain once Bruno leaves the club. He's only 26 and he probably didn't even enter his prime as a CB. He's probably our most consistent player as well (this season).

 

[Grande]

He's been very good this season imo but has these moments where he switches off, doesn't follow players and they have clear position to score. I kinda feel for him and defence as they had to defend for whole half or more so you'll lose concentration at some point. We just let gave them the ball and hardly tried to keep it ever.

Every defender has these moments, as they’re always bombarded with different options to track. But for every once De Light loses track of someone, Maguire does it three times, Yoro and Shaw does it five times, Dorgu does it eight times and Dalot does it fifteen times. That is a quality.