The Football Thread 2019/20: Barcelona will have 2-8 till next season to avenge this embarrassment

[gamerforever]

I think var has ruined the premier league and is the reason why its so crap this year.

I’m quite enjoying it tbh.

I think its impacting on the players psychological state. You can’t even celebrate a goal fully anymore, its a strawberry floating joke.

[Photek]

It’s true that I didn’t celebrate Lallana’s goal because I had celebrated Mane’s earlier that was chalked off.

I think VAR is a good thing and the FA have f**ked it but it’s not ruining the season.

[Tomous]

I’ve seen the “ruins goal celebrations” argument come up a lot. It’s interesting how this didn’t ever seem to be an issue in the likes of cricket or rugby over years, or at least I can’t remember it being so. It really shows how powerful a feeling celebrating a goal is. Americans criticise football for “boring 0-0 ties” and a lack of high scoring games when really, it’s probably one of the biggest factors in football being so popular round the world.

[Benzin]

Didn't stop the Palace lot celebrating when the Ayew goal got overturned against West Ham... Is it no different to when a goal was ruled out for offside but people celebrated anyway?

The referees were useless before VAR, nothing has changed in that regard... The implementation of it over those 50/50 decisions and the rules behind offside are where the problem lies...

[gamerforever]

I’ve seen the “ruins goal celebrations” argument come up a lot. It’s interesting how this didn’t ever seem to be an issue in the likes of cricket or rugby over years, or at least I can’t remember it being so. It really shows how powerful a feeling celebrating a goal is. Americans criticise football for “boring 0-0 ties” and a lack of high scoring games when really, it’s probably one of the biggest factors in football being so popular round the world.

Theyre both gooseberry fool slow sports thats why.

[Tomous]

They’re the Xbox of the sporting world.

Unlike football which is the all powerful SONY

[gamerforever]

Didn't stop the Palace lot celebrating when the Ayew goal got overturned against West Ham... Is it no different to when a goal was ruled out for offside but people celebrated anyway?

The referees were useless before VAR, nothing has changed in that regard... The implementation of it over those 50/50 decisions and the rules behind offside are where the problem lies...

Pay the referees double, train them better and make people want to referee as a living. Why shouldn’t they be paid £200k pa for what they do when the players make that in a week? Var is a joke. I was thinking of going to see us tonight, but really cannot give a strawberry float anymore. I hope we sell kane and reboot. This current crop are demotivated.

[pjbetman]

I think var has ruined the premier league and is the reason why its so crap this year.

I’m quite enjoying it tbh.

I think its impacting on the players psychological state. You can’t even celebrate a goal fully anymore, its a strawberry floating joke.

Not being able to celebrate is really really gooseberry fool, and i'm not sure if that's going to improve a great deal. We should've brought this in 20 years ago like other sports, and at least we'd have it streamlined and accurate. The way theyre shaping with it, we'll have another 2 or 3 seasons of shitty, slow decisions.

[Photek]

2 goals for Oxlade, 2nd a worldy.

[Corazon de Leon]

If Sabitzer hadn’t scored that absolute belter in the early match that would’ve been the goal of the game week so far - brilliant strike.

[Jenuall]

Yep, proper tasty one from the Ox there.

[Corazon de Leon]

Genk are pretty poor but Liverpool have absolutely rolled all over them. Good performance, especially in the second half.

[Photek]

Gini to Bobby, on to Salah who plays Mane in to dink it over the keeper. Quality.

[Jenuall]

Really well worked.

Genk are nothing special but it's still been a good performance from Liverpool. It was looking like Salzburg might have got something against Napoli as well which would have been nice but that seems to have slipped now.

[Photek]

Mo.

[Jenuall]

Nice, one more to match City and Spurs?

EDIT: I meant one more for Liverpool not Genk!

[Photek]

Yes but for Genk.

[KK]

Liverpool condemns fans for 'racist' Divock Origi banner

Liverpool have condemned a "racist" banner depicting Divock Origi that was displayed by fans before Wednesday's Champions League fixture in Genk.

Travelling fans unfurled a graphic banner depicting the Belgium striker's head on a naked body, alongside the Champions League trophy.

The club said it "acted swiftly to have the banner removed" and said the image "perpetuated a racist stereotype".

"This is completely unacceptable," a club statement said.

"Liverpool Football Club condemns the offensive banner displayed in our section of the ground, prior to kick-off.

"We acted swiftly to have the banner removed and we are now working with the local authorities and stadium team in Genk to identify those responsible.

"Any subsequent action will be taken in keeping with our sanctions process."

Origi, 24, spent nine years at Genk in the club's youth set-up before joining Lille in 2010.

He was named on Liverpool's bench for the fixture at the Luminus Arena, where Jurgen Klopp's side are seeking a second win of the Champions League group stage.

According to reports he was holding his massive penis, roughly the same length as the Champions League Trophy. For context, obviously.

[Photek]

I actually think it was a Genk sign, yes it was in Liverpool section but was exact same size, same background (white) as all their banners at their end, it was even hanging from same Tier...

[Corazon de Leon]

Really well worked.

Genk are nothing special but it's still been a good performance from Liverpool. It was looking like Salzburg might have got something against Napoli as well which would have been nice but that seems to have slipped now.

Looking at what's on offer in the group I'd be hoping to win out if I were a Liverpool fan - they're certainly capable of beating Salzburg away and Napoli at home, and I'll be amazed if they don't batter Genk again at Anfield. That was practically a friendly.