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Similarities Between The Way Klopp And Farke Operate And A Shock For AJ

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Did you watch the Champions League Final last night?

It wasn’t great for the neutral, was it?

Two teams that looked tired from almost the first whistle, Spurs were the better side generally but it was favourited Liverpool that did what they had to do.

There’s been a lot of debate about whether or not the handball penalty should’ve been given in the first minute and I can see both sides of it.

From next season the FIFA handball rules will change.

The changes mean that gaining control or possession of the ball and then scoring as a consequence of handling the ball will not be allowed – neither will a goal scored directly from handling the ball, regardless of intent.

Another change to the laws of the game means that if the player’s arms extend beyond a “natural silhouette”, handball will be given, even if it is perceived as accidental.

Sissoko’s arm was clearly beyond his “natural silhouette” last night but after initially hitting his chest, the French International gained a level of control as the ball rolled down his arm.

That’s next season’s rule though.

As I say, I can see it both ways and BT Sports’ resident referee agreed it was a stonewall penalty, I’m sure that Twitter’s referees, one in particular, will clarify for us all.

If I was a Liverpool fan like Michael Owen I would’ve been shouting for it and if I was a Spurs fan like Glenn Hoddle then I’d have been shaking my head!

Liverpool did what they so often have done this season. They dug in and won the game when they weren’t at their best. The Reds’ solid defence and outstanding goalkeeper kept Spurs at bay, with their opponents rarely able to make a telling pass in the final third.

Allisson’s ability to parry the ball into safe areas is more than just luck too. He does it far too often for it to be luck. It’s an underrated ability that has bailed Liverpool out more than just last night.

Spurs gambled on Harry Kane as Liverpool gambled on Roberto Firmino and neither appeared fit and both were unable to affect the game much. I remember Norwich once gambling on Robert Fleck for an FA Cup semi-final against Sunderland, with Flecky spending time in an oxygen “capsule” but it didn’t help us out either.

There is one interesting parallel between the success that Liverpool have had and that of Norwich City. The fact that both have enjoyed success with German Head coaches is no coincidence.

Both Jurgen Klopp and Daniel Farke have transformed their respective clubs by bringing the players, staff and most importantly, the fan bases together.

The difference for the Reds is that there was just a tad more available in the war chest than Daniel Farke had at his disposal. Klopp has been able to buy the best players and compete at the top end of the transfer market, of course, while Farke has had to develop and trust in youth due to Stuart Webber’s wallet only having a few coppers in it, by comparison.

Norwich have bought well on the whole, with Pukki, Leitner, Buendia (who I hear cost a bit more than the £1.5m we’re regularly quoted), Vrancic, Trybull et al proving the difference for City.

It’s the way that all these players are coached though that has made the difference for both sides though and I hark back to Webber’s comments a couple of years ago that “German coaching is way ahead of English coaching at the moment.”

I’m not trying to suggest that Norwich are going to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City next season, although if the standard matches that of this Champions League Final then I fancy us to finish top six(!) because money still does and always will, talk.

No, I’m just seeing parallels between the coaching styles of the two men I’m talking about and the obvious link is Germany.

In other news, I awoke to read the stunning news that Anthony Joshua was knocked out by Andy Ruiz Jr at Madison Square Gardens overnight.

This is the first fight of AJ’s that I haven’t bothered to watch and looks what happens?!

The heavyweight division showing once again that big punches change fights and men at this level are all big and most have at least a puncher’s chance.

By all accounts though this wasn’t a lucky punch from Ruiz. The Mexican overwhelmed AJ with flurries of punches, while he kept away from the much bigger Champion in the early rounds.

Despite being knocked down first by AJ, Ruiz rose and won the fight. It’s real Rocky style stuff.

Something appeared wrong and for the first time in AJ’s career, Eddie Hearn’s insistence on are-match clauses means that Joshua will get a chance to win his titles back in England next November or December.

What if he doesn’t win that fight though? The whole heavyweight landscape will change. Even if he does though, the likes of Deontay Wilder and the American Boxing Press will say, “Yeah but he only does it in England.”

It’s going to be a real test of character for Joshua and it’s going to be fascinating to watch.

The week has all been a little quiet this week in terms of Norwich City although the signing of Patrick Roberts looks excellent and timely.

The Pink ‘Un’s interviews with Stuart Webber are always worth a watch because he’s always so open and honest. Love that.

OTBC

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Editor - a forty something Canary, who has been following Norwich for 30 odd years. Family man with wife, kids, dog and a love of sport. Fan of Boxing, Vale 46, F1 and Rock.

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