Swansea may put Michael Laudrup in frame for Sir Alex Ferguson's job | Football | The Guardian
Why, didn't you have anything else to write about?
Monday, December 24, 2012
Liverpool 4-0 Fulham | Premier League match report | Football | The Observer
Liverpool 4-0 Fulham | Premier League match report | Football | The Observer
A good performance overall with some brilliant individual performances. Not least for Stewart Downing who finally scored in the Premier League for Liverpool after something like 50 games. More than that, his game was much improved and he narrowly missed scoring a second which could have been the goal of the game. Steven Gerrard showed his old self spraying passes all over with good positional sense and ball-keeping, something he has not been doing lately. This performance has been rewarded with suggestions of a new contract soon. Raheem Sterling was rested, his reward for a new and improved contract, but provided the Reds with an added attacking advantage the moment he replaced Suso. Lets hope Liverpool do as well against Stoke this Thursday and lay the ghost of mid table to rest, along with all others. This would be an apt Christmas present for their long-suffering fans.
A good performance overall with some brilliant individual performances. Not least for Stewart Downing who finally scored in the Premier League for Liverpool after something like 50 games. More than that, his game was much improved and he narrowly missed scoring a second which could have been the goal of the game. Steven Gerrard showed his old self spraying passes all over with good positional sense and ball-keeping, something he has not been doing lately. This performance has been rewarded with suggestions of a new contract soon. Raheem Sterling was rested, his reward for a new and improved contract, but provided the Reds with an added attacking advantage the moment he replaced Suso. Lets hope Liverpool do as well against Stoke this Thursday and lay the ghost of mid table to rest, along with all others. This would be an apt Christmas present for their long-suffering fans.
| Liverpool 4 | |
|---|---|
| Fulham 0 |
Friday, December 7, 2012
Barely through
Udinese 0-1 Liverpool | Europa League match report | Football | The Guardian
In a stultifying and generally boring match, Liverpool confirmed their advance to the next round of the Europa Cup competition. Although displaying good possession and play, the Reds' malaise in front of goal continued, being unable to convert numerous chances mainly through a poor final pass or ball. An audible sigh of relief permeated the support when di Natale's end of the game miss nearly consigned Liverpool to the heap rather than top the table. This just goes to affirm the need for more forward support come January. Meantime, winter hibernation and further concentration on moving up the Premiership, starting with a Carroll-less West Ham this Sunday, thankfully sparing us the usual cliches.
In a stultifying and generally boring match, Liverpool confirmed their advance to the next round of the Europa Cup competition. Although displaying good possession and play, the Reds' malaise in front of goal continued, being unable to convert numerous chances mainly through a poor final pass or ball. An audible sigh of relief permeated the support when di Natale's end of the game miss nearly consigned Liverpool to the heap rather than top the table. This just goes to affirm the need for more forward support come January. Meantime, winter hibernation and further concentration on moving up the Premiership, starting with a Carroll-less West Ham this Sunday, thankfully sparing us the usual cliches.
Friday, November 23, 2012
I think Brendan Rodgers is confused
Liverpool 2-2 Young Boys | Europa League Group A match report | Football | The Guardian
Young Boys 2
Liverpool 2
Young Boys 2
Brendan Rodgers again fooled around with his "European" Liverpool team with what was basically a second team. Afterwards, he complained of the players inability to manage the game properly. This increasingly irritating tendency to use made-up football jargon is beginning to sound a bit disturbing.
The purpose of putting out second stringers is presumably to give the hard working first team a rest. But he has to decide what he wants; qualification to the next stage at all costs or keeping the Premiership as priority. In the all-too-familiar scenario, critical personnel (read Gerard and Suarez) were brought in later in the game, although Gerard's presence was hastened due to an Andre Wisdom injury. This in an attempt to gain victory without taxing the first 11.
The question is, if The Europa League is no big deal for you, just play the second string throughout and be done with it. If on the the other hand, advancement is your main aim, then start the game with established regulars, ensure qualification and rest them all for the next game.
As it is, only a victory against Udinese away will ensure qualification to the next round. What price that Brendan Rodgers fields a strong side for this game. A great opportunity let slip away.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Liverpool break Anfield bogey
Liverpool 3-0 Wigan Athletic | Premier League match report | Football | The Observer
Too many times this season Liverpool have been found wanting at home, especially against "lesser" opposition. It looked as if this trend was set to continue early on in the game, especially during a spell when Wigan took charge. Not to worry though, as Brendan Rodgers soon Sussex out the opposition game plan as reflected by the first half tactical replacement of Suso with Henderson. One thing that is increasingly becoming apparent is the ability of Brodgers to motivate his charges as seen by the changed outlook and increased urge after a dull first half. The Red men attacked the opposition with gusto resulting in total domination, with the game being over long before the whistle. What needs to be improved is the finishing ability as too many clear chances were wasted. Say what you may about Suarez, he is only human, and the visible tiredness was apparent later in the game. His substitution was no reflection on his ability, rather on the fact that he is not a machine. Nevertheless, a great second half left a dilemma as to who was the man of the match. Cue, Jose Enrique, who has revelled in the attacking midfield role with another successive superlative performance. Good on yer Red!
Too many times this season Liverpool have been found wanting at home, especially against "lesser" opposition. It looked as if this trend was set to continue early on in the game, especially during a spell when Wigan took charge. Not to worry though, as Brendan Rodgers soon Sussex out the opposition game plan as reflected by the first half tactical replacement of Suso with Henderson. One thing that is increasingly becoming apparent is the ability of Brodgers to motivate his charges as seen by the changed outlook and increased urge after a dull first half. The Red men attacked the opposition with gusto resulting in total domination, with the game being over long before the whistle. What needs to be improved is the finishing ability as too many clear chances were wasted. Say what you may about Suarez, he is only human, and the visible tiredness was apparent later in the game. His substitution was no reflection on his ability, rather on the fact that he is not a machine. Nevertheless, a great second half left a dilemma as to who was the man of the match. Cue, Jose Enrique, who has revelled in the attacking midfield role with another successive superlative performance. Good on yer Red!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Suarez is brilliant
Liverpool 1 Suarez 67
Newcastle United 1 Cabaye 43
Anfield 4th November 2012
Liverpool remain 12th after 10 games, having won only 2 games in the League this season. There is no cause for complaint on the performance, which at times is scintillating, only on the end product. After something like 25 attempts at the newcastle goal, there was only 1 goal to show, and that too from a brilliant individual act by Luis. One of the goals of the season. Suarez was so predominant, "mesmerizing individual display", that he ran Colocchini ragged, ultimately leading to the defender to vent his frustration studs-up. The words on the linesman's lips were quite clear, a straight red, though it was towards the end and did not have much effect on the game. This prompted Alan Pardew to march up to the ref at the end but as the Newcastle manager said it himself later, there was not much to argue about the intention.
Steven Gerrard's 600th senior Liverpool game did not provide much cheer for him and it was littered with mistakes and a generally indifferent performance overall. It was as if he was distracted from the task and occasion. Never mind, just being 600 is a reason to celebrate.
"Steven Gerrard was presented with an ornamental Liver bird in recognition of his 600th appearance for Liverpool before kick off, the captain becoming only the 10th player in the club's history to reach that impressive milestone.On hand for the presentation was Gerrard's former mentor in Liverpool's central midfield, Gary McAllister, and how Rodgers could do with the vision, command and experience the Scot brought to Gérard Houllier's team."
Read the full report by Andy Hunter at http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/nov/04/liverpool-newcastle-premier-league-report
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Best Dive Yet
Everton 2
Liverpool 2
Goodison Park, Sunday Oct 28 2012
On a weekend which started with debate about diving and foreign players, it seemed that professional footballers chose to close ranks and indicate that the problem is not limited to foreign players. Phil Neville should be applauded for taking the lead, though we do sympathise with the yellow card he garnered.
Luiz Suarez was in the news of course. His dive was more theatrical in nature and aimed at David Moyes in particular, for the pre-match comments uttered. The celebration of the first goal was remarkable both in its audacity as well as its execution. Moyes should have known that this type of baiting can only motivate Suarez more. It remains to be seen if this baiting will be repeated by other managers.
As a footnote to this diving saga, Fernando Torres was sent off for a second yellow for simulation against Manchester United.
Moving ahead, it is very apparent that luck was against Liverpool with regards to refereeing decisions. Liverpool should have on this match, though, the defence is an area where more work is needed.
Read the match report by Chris bascombe.
"Liverpool left with a point and a crate of evidence to support Brendan Rodgers’ swelling persecution complex at the hands of match officials.
Luis Suárez as the modern reincarnation of Little Lord Fauntleroy may take a while to pull off, but Rodgers felt aggrieved that a linesman’s flag wrongly denied his striker the status of Merseyside derby hero.
He was adamant it was a case of the sinner being sinned against, the disallowed 'winner’ in the fourth minute of stoppage time grist to the mill following a series of unfavourable decisions.
“I’m not going to keep going on about officials because it has been happening to us all season. But that one at the end was quite straightforward,” said Rodgers.
“It was a free-kick from deep and the ball was in the air for a long time and you could clearly see he was onside. When he put it in he was marginally level. It was a terrific finish and he could have had a hat-trick. He was not at all motivated by any comments before the game. He is motivated every day of his life.“I was bitterly disappointed at not getting the winner. It was a brilliant game and I thought we stood up well. I am so disappointed it didn’t count because it was an easy decision. “So, instead of being a brilliant win for us, we are left feeling frustrated. At the same time I am very proud because of the way my young team performed in a real cauldron.”
There was a certain irony that a booking for diving was given to anEverton player. “Do you want me to talk about Phil Neville? Don’t start me,” Rodgers tersely observed.
A captivating encounter was granted a suitably contentious final act. Quite where Suárez was heading after nudging Sebastián Coates’ header beyond Tim Howard is now, sadly, a matter for conjecture.
After his role in Liverpool’s first, most likely to go down as a Leighton Baines own goal, Suárez ran towards David Moyes and dived at his feet, evidently unimpressed by the Everton manager’s highly politicised assessment of his reputation. “It’s called Scouse wit,” said Rodgers when asked about the striker’s evidently pre-meditated response.
Moyes stated before kick-off he finds it hard to sleep after a derby, and he would have endured another restless night had the goal stood.
The passing of an opportunity to confirm the merit of suggestions that he now possesses a superior line-up may still cause some disturbance.
This was unfamiliar territory for the hosts. They are no longer perceived as punching above their weight, expected rather than simply willed to win such fixtures. Their inability to do so owed everything to a dire start and a failure to reassert themselves after their enforced half-time substitution and Liverpool’s shift in formation.
Everton ended a frantic first half level and in command but they were permanently undermined by the premature departure of Kevin Mirallas who, until then, was defining events.
Despite their early two-goal lead, Liverpool’s line-up was fragile. Although Raheem Sterling adapted swiftly to the intensity of the occasion, Suso and Nuri Sahin were dynamic in possession but a liability without it. Sahin had assisted Suárez with the opening goal on 14 minutes, prior to the Uruguayan glancing his header from Gerrard’s free-kick for the second. Leon Osman benefited from a tame punch to cut the deficit and Steven Naismith equalised after the right of Liverpool’s defence went missing 10 minutes before half-time.
Mirallas constantly attacked teenager Andre Wisdom until the Belgian’s ankle gave way just before half time.
Liverpool responded tactically, introducing Coates and abandoning the 4-3-3 Rodgers usually defends with a religious zeal, and it worked. It was as if the Liverpool manager began the derby clinging to his romanticism before realising pragmatism is usually more productive when the cut and thrust begins.
Rodgers said he had to change to counter Everton’s direct style. “My change was due to the fact that they had two guys of 6ft 3ins and 6ft 4ins up front and everyone kept smashing balls up to them,” he said. “We needed that extra body. It can be difficult, especially defending against a team that is very direct, putting loads of long balls into the box.”
There was more serenity after the break. Anxiety spread in the home ranks in the final stages, Liverpool retaining composure on the ball and benefiting from some reckless challenges.
They thought they had stolen the winner but Suárez left sporting his usual pose, both blessed and cursed. It was an afternoon that underlined why he is so endearing to his own fans, but why Moyes probably still refuses to utter his name without a mouthwash handy."
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