Brendan Rodgers questions mental strength of Liverpool's youngsters | Football | The Guardian
This seemed to be the case the first hour of the FA Cup tie away to Oldham. In what is now a regular occurrence, Liverpool's second string failed to live up to expectations. Most of the young players drafted in to allow the seniors rest for the upcoming demanding Premier League programme failed to perform as expected. Of particular concern were Raheem Sterling, whose attitude must really be questioned, and Sebastian Coates. The midfield did not command and Daniel Sturridge failed to do a single thing right all night. The heroics of Oldham even masked a comedic second half free kick when the Oldham player contrived to fall over the ball and send it into touch with his attempt. And Brad Jones. Now we know why he is the back up. An atrocious spill lead to the second goal just prior to half time and he seemed shaky the whole game. Good performance by the subs but I think Brendan Rodgers needs to throw the book at some people. The 2-3 scoreline was a good reflection of another "I give up" moment this season for me. Congratulations on achieving mediocrity. Hope this kick up the backside works against Arsenal tonight.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Batman and Robin?
Liverpool 5-0 Norwich City | Premier League match report | Football | The Observer
What more to say except that they should be doing this every week. Good link-up play between the two strikers with what looks like the dawn of a new double-act. The commitment displayed by the rest was superb and Stewart Downing looks to have rediscovered his manliness.
We wait to see if this level continues with the forthcoming visits to Highbury and Maine Road. Or wherever it is they play these days. Meantime, we shall enjoy being 7th.
| Liverpool 5 | |
|---|---|
| Norwich City 0 |
What more to say except that they should be doing this every week. Good link-up play between the two strikers with what looks like the dawn of a new double-act. The commitment displayed by the rest was superb and Stewart Downing looks to have rediscovered his manliness.
We wait to see if this level continues with the forthcoming visits to Highbury and Maine Road. Or wherever it is they play these days. Meantime, we shall enjoy being 7th.
Monday, January 14, 2013
An Education
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool | Premier League match report | Football | The Guardian
This seems to be another lesson for Brendan Rodgers as he learns to correct his mistakes and for that we must be grateful. He has displayed why he is the Liverpool coach numerous times this season and let us hope that there will be future fruit from this expensive education.
Fabiola Borini has come back with more promise than before his injury and it was a heartening sight to note all three strikers producing great effect later in the game. Hope there is no false dawn this time.
If we refocus on this season as one of improvement then this becomes more palatable. The steady progress as reflected in the positional rise helps great promise. And if Alex Ferguson doesn't look at our position, then that's because he has too many problems to deal with. Time will come when the one-sided nature of yesterday's game will be a thing of the past, we hope.
This seems to be another lesson for Brendan Rodgers as he learns to correct his mistakes and for that we must be grateful. He has displayed why he is the Liverpool coach numerous times this season and let us hope that there will be future fruit from this expensive education.
Fabiola Borini has come back with more promise than before his injury and it was a heartening sight to note all three strikers producing great effect later in the game. Hope there is no false dawn this time.
If we refocus on this season as one of improvement then this becomes more palatable. The steady progress as reflected in the positional rise helps great promise. And if Alex Ferguson doesn't look at our position, then that's because he has too many problems to deal with. Time will come when the one-sided nature of yesterday's game will be a thing of the past, we hope.
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool: Five talking points| Jamie Jackson | Football | The Guardian
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool: Five talking points| Jamie Jackson | Football | The Guardian
Jamie Jackson has it right summing up this match. It seems that all the hard work and time expired sussing out Daniel Sturridge has paid off as he has slid seamlessly into the side, linking well with more than just Suarez.
What is inexplicable is why Liverpool played so badly, especially in the first half. From the surface, it looked a bad case of nerves, as too many of this side have never experience the cauldron-atmosphere of this match. Those that performed well were the "old" heads; Skrtel, Agger. Though this still doesn't explain why Gerrard was at the heart of some crucial mistakes, but that has been his form all season, blowing hot and cold.
It seems that Suarez was let out with a promise to behave well, and that took his edge off. Seems that everyone was on that level, as the first half ended more like an exhibition rather than a seething rivalry. I suppose that this is the finale of a media-fueled frenzy of minor and non-issues of the past.
Jamie Jackson has it right summing up this match. It seems that all the hard work and time expired sussing out Daniel Sturridge has paid off as he has slid seamlessly into the side, linking well with more than just Suarez.
What is inexplicable is why Liverpool played so badly, especially in the first half. From the surface, it looked a bad case of nerves, as too many of this side have never experience the cauldron-atmosphere of this match. Those that performed well were the "old" heads; Skrtel, Agger. Though this still doesn't explain why Gerrard was at the heart of some crucial mistakes, but that has been his form all season, blowing hot and cold.
It seems that Suarez was let out with a promise to behave well, and that took his edge off. Seems that everyone was on that level, as the first half ended more like an exhibition rather than a seething rivalry. I suppose that this is the finale of a media-fueled frenzy of minor and non-issues of the past.
Monday, January 7, 2013
A Handy Win for Liverpool
Mansfield Town 1 Liverpool 2: match report - Telegraph
There are bound to be loads of headlines punning Liverpool's win yesterday so I thought I might as well get on the bandwagon. It was a workman-like display from what was essentially a jittery second team (how many times have we seen this?) with a stirring fight back from the home team at the end. Of more legal note was Daniel Sturridge's first goal although it was quite apparent he was labouring from what we hope is just lack of match fitness. It was a typical cup tie with all the drama and the controversy now so much in attendance with every top class English game. On a more personal note, I have always scrutinized Jon Flanagan's appearances since I first saw a him play, this game was no different when a yellow card was awarded for a "dirty" foul soon after his appearance as a second half substitute. He has this mean streak which makes him the only Liverpool player I find distasteful to this day. This latest Luis Suarez controversy is not yet put to bed and I am sure we will all be reminded in the coming week especially with the United game up next. Funny why this sort of hype isn't ever attached to someone like Gareth Bale.
There are bound to be loads of headlines punning Liverpool's win yesterday so I thought I might as well get on the bandwagon. It was a workman-like display from what was essentially a jittery second team (how many times have we seen this?) with a stirring fight back from the home team at the end. Of more legal note was Daniel Sturridge's first goal although it was quite apparent he was labouring from what we hope is just lack of match fitness. It was a typical cup tie with all the drama and the controversy now so much in attendance with every top class English game. On a more personal note, I have always scrutinized Jon Flanagan's appearances since I first saw a him play, this game was no different when a yellow card was awarded for a "dirty" foul soon after his appearance as a second half substitute. He has this mean streak which makes him the only Liverpool player I find distasteful to this day. This latest Luis Suarez controversy is not yet put to bed and I am sure we will all be reminded in the coming week especially with the United game up next. Funny why this sort of hype isn't ever attached to someone like Gareth Bale.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Bye bye Joe Cole
Joe Cole completes his free transfer move from Liverpool to West Ham | Football | guardian.co.uk
After two and a half years, Joe Cole ended everyone's misery by moving to West Ham on a "free transfer". The improbability of that term is not lost on anyone when you see that he is being given a three million pound pay-off to go away. This was one of the stupidest deals ever made by Liverpool.
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