19 | Julian Alvarez - 2023/24

[bluethai]

He's a striker, it's him or Haaland, as simple as that. Today's game was more suited for him who can link up play and move around dangerously in the box to escape Van Dijk easily, unlike Haaland.

 

[nellyonthewing]

His strength is being in and around the box not stuck out wide or charging around in midfield. Its not his fault Pep played to his obvious weaknesses.

 

[SebastianBlue]

The Alvarez situation is strange. Pep is all about control of the midfield. We don’t have when he plays Alvarez there. But he has done this pretty much all season now.

I think it makes sense in some cases, even today, to be honest.

The problem is he needs to be on it for the midfield role to work. And if he isn’t, unlike players like Rodri or Haaland who still contribute to our play in there specific roles, even when they aren’t playing well, Alvarez not only doesn’t contribute, he actually handicaps the side. Our play is based on control, as you said, and if you are constantly giving away control to the opposition, that is going to seriously disrupt our system.

And that is what happened today. I am not trying to pile on, but I genuinely wouldn’t be surprised to see one of those meme stats kicking about later that Alvarez had the most touches prior to a Liverpool possession of any player on the pitch.

He has show he can excel in this role, today was just not an example of that and I actually put this mostly on Pep for leaving him on as long as he did. He wasn’t doing Alvarez any favours there.

 

[freshie]

Touch of an elephant. Shouldn’t be anywhere near the midfield

 

[Chak19]

Reminds me of Aguero, players are not up to his speed.

Did Aguero have Lukaku's first touch ?

 

[The Nature Boy]

Not seen a performance as bad as that for a long time. Simply cannot be played out wide.

 

[RayCTID]

Nothing has changed he does need a spell out of the side.

 

[KennyG]

Cash in on Alvarez and Haaland.
Oshimen is a Pep player

 

[hilts]

Shouldn't have started really but not his fault he is being played out of position.

 

[schfc6]

Very odd choice to start him, especially in this particular fixture.
A fit Grealish or Kovacic in there with Bernardo wide and we run that game.

 

[Wretched Vengeance]

I wish the fascination of crow-barring him in the team would stop.

It's not doing him or the team any favours. Haaland was poor today, but it has to be either Erling or Julian - not both.

 

[EdersonsSmiley]

Only half joking when I ask if he's shagging Peps daughter or something.

If De Bruyne and Haaland are fit he should be on the bench like last season.

 

[WallyA]

I said before the game picking him over Kovacic would kill us and I feel pretty vindicated right now.

However I don’t think Pep has ever made a tactical “overthink” that I haven’t thought was a totally fair decision when he’s explained it, so hopefully he is asked about the decision and his reasoning in the press conference.

You realize its as simple as:

Alvarez is a better goal scorer than Kovacic, we had Bernue, Rodri and Stones for control.

That will be his answer if ever asked.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Should never have been anywhere near that starting lineup today. Probably shouldn't be anywhere near it for newcastle or arsenal either but suspect he will be

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

I think we need to sell him.

It’s a square peg in a round hole thing.

Too good for bench, too good to be a deputy, absolutely nowhere near good enough to play anywhere but as a 9.

Is he better than Jesus or Torres? 100% is.

Is he better than Jesus or Torres for a squad role at City? Not at all.

It’s weird, but top teams are ruthless with this stuff and we don’t want to drop off trying to be stubborn, that’s how all top teams fail eventually.

 

[fuskarn]

41 touches
19 times lost possession
56% pass accuracy

should have been pulled at half-time.

 

[super_city_si]

41 touches
19 times lost possession
56% pass accuracy

should have been pulled at half-time.

Should have never started

 

[normskih]

Cash in this summer. How he gets picked every week is a mystery. Nowhere near elite level.

I disagree with you on this. The bottom of it is, he needs a rest. He is a top player when played in his true position, up front or just behind, not on either wing. However, who are we to judge Pep Guardiola?

 

[normskih]

In terms of performances, The Alvarez "experiment" hasnt worked against mid table sides, so why would it work against Liverpool at Anfield?

Pep sometimes has a habit of persisting with things until they start working, but I think it's time to give up on this one.

He’s only been here since 2016, if you haven’t figured out by now Pep is a stubborn buggar, you never will.

 

[nellyonthewing]

Feel sorry for him. A truly talented player hung out to dry to accommodate others.