Liverpool 3-1 Zenit (3-3; Zenit win on away goals) | Europa League | Football | The Guardian
From the first time I watched Liverpool play, and increasingly as telecasts became common and pandemic, the back pass to the goalie has always seemed cringeworthy. This has always tended to derail all the good effort of teams in the past. This Achilles heel came back to haunt Liverpool last night with Jamie Carragher at the center of the issue. It had to be, of course, with him playing in his 150th and possibly his last European tie. Thus, Jamie wrote himself into history by being the catalyst for departure from Europe in his last season.
In truth, this departure was already set in the first leg. The hero of the second leg, Luis Suarez, was culpable of at least 5 misses in Russia, any one of which would have swung the tie Liverpool's way. Not to say that the rest of the team was blameless, with defensive lapses being the norm of this team.
Positives from last night included Ossama Assaidi's display and the inspiring comeback of the team from adversity. Now we need to build on this release from European burden to chase back to the continent next year. And to finish above Everton, of course.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Flip-flop
Liverpool are not far from being a real force, says Brendan Rodgers | Football | The Guardian
Liverpool's credible performance once again led to journos reaching for their pen and paper. Brendan Rodgers comments of media creation behind the phenomenon of Liverpool being unable to beat opposition higher than themselves. Well, this is another one. One moment they stink, and now they are one step away from greatness.
Looking beyond this, there has been evidence of steady progress all season. i have always reiterated that Liverpool will finish strongly, as a result of a steady hand at the tiller and sane management at the club. Nothing spectacular, but work in progress, with more of the same the next couple of seasons, and then there should be great expectations. Although the Champions League is a realistic aspiration, inhabiting the Europa seems more probable.
One other thing, poor Cup performances have always been caused by managerial tinkering. Putting out a second string may be a logical force protection measure, but our reserves aren't really there yet mentally. Nevertheless, we are all tarred by the same brush, although misguided faith in the young uns should really be the fault of the manager, methinks.
Raheem Sterling is in a different place right now, having grown too fast. No appearances the last 2 times suggests some cooling off measure and I hope he benefits fully from this
Liverpool's credible performance once again led to journos reaching for their pen and paper. Brendan Rodgers comments of media creation behind the phenomenon of Liverpool being unable to beat opposition higher than themselves. Well, this is another one. One moment they stink, and now they are one step away from greatness.
Looking beyond this, there has been evidence of steady progress all season. i have always reiterated that Liverpool will finish strongly, as a result of a steady hand at the tiller and sane management at the club. Nothing spectacular, but work in progress, with more of the same the next couple of seasons, and then there should be great expectations. Although the Champions League is a realistic aspiration, inhabiting the Europa seems more probable.
One other thing, poor Cup performances have always been caused by managerial tinkering. Putting out a second string may be a logical force protection measure, but our reserves aren't really there yet mentally. Nevertheless, we are all tarred by the same brush, although misguided faith in the young uns should really be the fault of the manager, methinks.
Raheem Sterling is in a different place right now, having grown too fast. No appearances the last 2 times suggests some cooling off measure and I hope he benefits fully from this
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