Bukayo Saka spoke to Sky Sports after the 2-2 draw against Liverpool this evening. Here’s what he had to say.
On the mood in the dressing room …
It’s a bit disappointed. Credit to Liverpool, they’re a good team, but we just feel like we didn’t show our best selves for the full 90.
Is that about the second half?
Yeah, 100 per cent. I think first half we showed our qualities, we dominated. We gave them nothing, they only scored from a set piece. I don’t think they had another chance, I can’t remember one, but second half, yeah, we sunk back a bit and we weren’t at our best.
Why did it change?
I don’t know, I just feel maybe Liverpool started to have more momentum, they won more duels than us, they kept possession more than us and then naturally the momentum goes to them and we have to defend more.
Did losing Gabriel have a psychological impact?
Yeah, of course, he’s a big player for us but that’s not an excuse, we have to adapt and we have to do our best whoever’s on the pitch.
On missing games and coming back to make an impact …
Yeah, I hate missing games and it was really frustrating to be on the sidelines watching, but yeah I just had this game in my mind that I would do everything I can to come back for this game and yeah I was happy to be back out there today.
On the finish for his goal …
Yeah I try to keep the keeper’s guessing, I think it was a nice finish, I haven’t seen it back but it felt nice.
On beating Thierry Henry’s record as fastest to 50 goals …
Yes, he has every record, Thierry Henry, so it’s nice.
On an Henry-ish celebration …
Everything is Thierry Henry-ish. If you score, it’s Thierry Henry-ish. If you score it’s Thierry Henry, if you assist it’s Thierry Henry.
How he’s feeling …
I’m feeling good. I thought I could finish the game, but obviously the gaffer took me off, but yeah, I felt good.
You did.
Did losing Gabriel have a psychological impact?
Yeah, of course, he’s a big player for us but that’s not an excuse, we have to adapt and we have to do our best whoever’s on the pitch.
Fact 💯…..no excuses
Who else feels the ref gave every 50-50 decision to Liverpool in the 2nd half? I was tearing my hair out (I’m getting bald btw) every time he gave fouls to them that he wouldn’t give to us when something similar happened. The ref conspiracy is definitely looking quite true imo
I am convinced that the foul by VVD on Havertz in the first half, when he kicked out behind him, would have 100% been a card for us.
Interesting how the referees decisions and VAR involvement or not was applied subjectively through the 90 mins….depending on what may or may not affect the outcome at any given point.
So Dias kicking ball away….nothing.
VD kicking out twice….nothing
Raya booked for timewasting…..(See Dias above)
Assault on Gabriels back of knee. ( Just a free kick in more than one sense of the word)…he has to go off.
If you wanted to manufacture a draw for your paymasters, that is a pretty good script to follow.
You need to get out a bit more
We love you so much Bukayo
He’s a baller. Big game player.
Yet again we went into our shell. This is bad management
PGMOL are managing their wins against us very well IMO. Howard Webb has been a top manager from the moment he arrived.