Riyad Mahrez - 2018/2019 performances

[JoeD]

Why does everyone seem to ignore how much Sane let us down the last time we played at Anfield?

Because they're frustrated and in need of a scapegoat?

Knowing Mahrez from his Leicester days and his penalty record, I was baffled when I saw him step up. Love the bloke but he ain't the one you'd choose to take a pen a this moment of the game, with so much at stake. Knew he'd miss it. He stopped to be the main penalty taker the last two seasons with us and Vardy was tasked to. That said, knowing his shy and introverted nature, he's certainly not the kind of guy who would take the ball of Jesus hands without being instructed to do so.

Saw your game, it was really tight but you pressed them hard and Atkinson is cvnt. It could've gone either way on a (lucky) goal but it is still no small feat to take a point from Anfield, considering Liverpool's actual form. Understand the frustration though.

As for Mahrez, he was pretty anonymous in the first half, much better in the second where he really went for it. Sure there were occasions when he was greedy but that's what you expect from a flair player. He's been certainly given a free pass in the last third to make whatever he deemed to be the right thing. For me it made sense that Guardiola let him on instead of Sterling who failed to make a decisive impact. There wasn't that much space in the final third and he was the only one to take on his direct opponent. Should never have taken the penalty though and I'm sure he'll have some sleepless nights about it.

I understand your disappointement but don't be too harsh on the guy and don't pay attention to the "body language" which I personally consider to be bullshit. He always had a laid back attitude but it certainly doesn't mean that he doesn't care. My personal take is that he has a lot to compute right now, torn between his former free-roaming Leicester way and the amount of tactical data Guardiola put in his head to adapt to a completely opposite style. That's what I saw at least. It will take some time but he will still come good, I think. Just maybe not this season though, a bit like Bernardo.

Anyway that was my 2 pennies on the matter, good luck for the rest of the season and in the CL.

 

[Mon Autre]

So you don’t think he wanted it?

You think it was against his will?

Pep said he wanted to take it in his press conference. I’m gonna trust him over you and Dax sorry.

Where did I say it was against his will? Going off what has been said since the game by the players and the manager (although some of it might different people trying to be a bit diplomatic and take the heat off eachother), it seems most likely to me that the manager makes the decisions (like he does everything else) and Mahrez was happy to enact that. All i'm saying is that once nominated by the manager (and if Pep is to be believed, off the back of him looking good taking them in training) then I would have thought the most professional way of going about things would be to carry out that instruction without fuss. I don't get the sense Mahrez greedily nominated himself because he wanted the glory and nor do i think he was forced to take it against his will. I think the management came to a decision and it was carried out without any resistance. Thing i'm most confused about is why Pep needed to apologise to Jesus because I can't think why anyone would have thought he was more entitled to take it than anyone else.

 

[west didsblue]

I think Pep deliberately took the heat off Mahrez by saying it was his decision after the fact.

I don't think he'll be taking another one any time soon

 

[domalino]

I feel like Mahrez isn't quite 100% part of the team yet, and you can tell, and that's one of the reasons people have reacted so poorly to his miss.

When he scored his goal against Oxford he ran off to celebrate on his own and that's not unusual in football, but at the time I remember thinking I couldn't remember the last time a goalscorer for us didn't immediately turn to the provider of the goal and acknowledge the pass or celebrate with them.

Quite often when he's played so far, he's ignored people in better positions in order to take a shot himself - including yesterday when Aguero and Sterling were wide open in the box but he shot at Alisson's near post instead. He's also often guilty of over-elaborate play which ends with him losing the ball and just generally being a bit frustrating. Their's just an air of individuality about him right now and we're used to everyone putting their ego aside to be cog in Pep's machine.


This seems pretty normal to me. He's used to being the big fish, he's the only person in the squad who wasn't part of last season so it'll take a while to fit in, and he's probably trying a bit too hard to prove himself as well.

I think he'll settle into the side, earn some credit with the fans and people will get over this pretty soon.

 

[TonyM]

Both Mahrez and Jesus need their teammates' support now and I thought I saw that from lots of them last night so I hope this incident will actually help forster more togetherness.

 

[Super Joey Hart]

Actually thought Mahrez was superb yesterday and that was shown in that he didn’t get dragged for Sane it was Sterling who bit the dust who shrunk once again at Anfield.

Was constantly tracking back and doing his bit defensively and thought he was as threatening as he possibly could have been considering he was often subject to 2 and 3 men closing him down. I want my players to have the bollocks to take potentially the biggest penalty kick we will have all season, he didn’t cower away he had the nerve to take it and that’s good enough for me. No one misses on purpose it’s just the way of life, Gabby has missed his last 2 and Aguero even missed 2 in the same game before now. Mahrez will be a fantastic player for us and some fans and their comments towards him after last night are somewhat embarrassing but even more so they’re disturbing.

Overall I’m happy with yesterday, this early in the season Liverpool’s legs looked totally gone, the drop off in quality when they need to rest big players is WAY higher than ours. Saw enough to know that it’s between us and Chelsea this season.

 

[mosssideblue]

I think Pep deliberately took the heat off Mahrez by saying it was his decision after the fact.

I don't think he'll be taking another one any time soon

Me too

 

[Project1]

Actually thought Mahrez was superb yesterday and that was shown in that he didn’t get dragged for Sane it was Sterling who bit the dust who shrunk once again at Anfield.

Was constantly tracking back and doing his bit defensively and thought he was as threatening as he possibly could have been considering he was often subject to 2 and 3 men closing him down. I want my players to have the bollocks to take potentially the biggest penalty kick we will have all season, he didn’t cower away he had the nerve to take it and that’s good enough for me. No one misses on purpose it’s just the way of life, Gabby has missed his last 2 and Aguero even missed 2 in the same game before now. Mahrez will be a fantastic player for us and some fans and their comments towards him after last night are somewhat embarrassing but even more so they’re disturbing.

Overall I’m happy with yesterday, this early in the season Liverpool’s legs looked totally gone, the drop off in quality when they need to rest big players is WAY higher than ours. Saw enough to know that it’s between us and Chelsea this season.

Strange how people see the game differently.

I thought he looked lost in the first half and couldn't get into the game. Improved later in the 2nd half but really expected to see him get subbed for Sane. The penalty is what it is and anyone can miss so not going to abuse him for that.

But as for superb yesterday if that was superb I would hate to see him really shit.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

I was disappointed with him missing the pen, it happens. But him being a greedy bastard going for goal with Aguero to his right was inexcusable. Aguero would have scored, but hey ho, doesn't matter now.

 

[BlueMoonz1977]

Sometimes it is good to be direct andtake a shooting opportunity when it arises. That said, if there is a teammate positioned where a passed ball opens up an easier goal chance then that pass should be made. In time this will be drummed into Mahrez