tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45591225866301264442024-02-21T18:30:02.264+00:00Red and ProudRational and passionate opinions on Liverpool Football ClubOliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.comBlogger461125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-31290722114269229802015-06-02T20:58:00.002+01:002015-06-02T21:00:06.091+01:00Where should Liverpool strengthen this summer?It is clear that, after a below par season containing more downs than ups, Liverpool need to strengthen in the summer transfer window if they are to compete successfully for Champions League qualification, which surely must be the aim again next season.<br />
<br />
But, where should Liverpool strengthen this summer? In this article I assess the areas of the Reds’ squad requiring the most work from Rodgers and his infamous transfer committee.<br />
<br />
<b>Attack: Complete re-haul required</b><br />
<br />
I think every member of Liverpool’s striking department should be sold this summer except for Daniel Sturridge.<br />
<br />
Mario Balotelli’s time on Merseyside has been an unqualified disaster from start to finish; he should be shipped out, probably back to his native Italy, as soon as possible regardless of the fee the Reds fetch for him. Fabio Borini has been lingering around like a bad smell for far too long and clearly doesn’t have a future at the club as much as he might like one. He too should be sold posthaste.<br />
<br />
I feel sorry for Rickie Lambert, who hasn’t been given a fair crack following his £4 million arrival from Southampton last summer. He has been unfairly treated, but, at 33, he isn’t a long term solution and the club should be willing to listen to offers for him, even if I suspect rumours that Jose Mourinho is interested in him are slightly wide of the mark!<br />
<br />
I also think that Raheem Sterling doesn’t have a future at the club, although that’s more due to his attitude and conduct off-field, particularly in contract negotiations, rather than due to issues on-field. The youngster has plenty of ability and potential, but clearly thinks that he’s far better than he actually is.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2ftPgoxff2Sod2VCtr0xIcR_zTYUEB9yEOcGLKbyntoJCoLmJI1GA-1J-LfxySDdX06U5ElCyC1k7a_pUlmS6GzcPa49lh1cwM0JUNgbZ4BuRqPJ1XVSY96HvNX2pitPszvK7WfZduc/s1600/sel+sterling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2ftPgoxff2Sod2VCtr0xIcR_zTYUEB9yEOcGLKbyntoJCoLmJI1GA-1J-LfxySDdX06U5ElCyC1k7a_pUlmS6GzcPa49lh1cwM0JUNgbZ4BuRqPJ1XVSY96HvNX2pitPszvK7WfZduc/s320/sel+sterling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sterling's attitude stinks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Liverpool offering him £100k a week was extremely generous considering his poor ability in front of goal, and for him to turn that down and then for his agent to say that Sterling would turn down even £900k per week simply serves to show that his future lies away from Anfield.<br />
<br />
He should be sold for as much as possible and the cash generated reinvested in refurbishing an attack desperately requiring additions. Even when Liverpool were scoring over 100 goals in 2013/2014, their attack required investment as Iago Aspas was the only back-up to the dynamic Suarez-Sturridge duo. Now, Liverpool’s attack is even weaker and many changes need to be made.<br />
<br />
Of course, Divock Origi will join the Reds this summer after immediately re-joining Lille on loan following his transfer to Liverpool last summer. The Belgian striker struggled last season and will take time to settle on Merseyside; we shouldn’t expect him to hit the floor running and instead he should be used as third choice striker.<br />
<br />
The priority should be signing another world class striker to accompany Sturridge up front most weeks (the number 15 works best in a partnership) and replace the England international when he suffers one of his all too frequent injury setbacks. Christian Benteke has been suggested as a possible signing, but paying Aston Villa’s asking price of over £30 million would be a ludicrous repeat of the ill-fated Andy Carroll transfer which should be avoided. If we can get him for roughly £20 million, then maybe he’s worth a punt, but certainly not at any higher price. <br />
<br />
I also think we need another striker of a similar sort of standard and quality as Origi in order to give options to Rodgers up front and replace Raheem Sterling potentially. If we can strengthen in these ways and end up with two world class strikers and two decent back-ups then we should score far more goals next season, bolstering our Champions League hopes significantly.<br />
<br />
<b>Defence: (Near) complete re-haul required</b><br />
<br />
The form of Liverpool’s defence tracked the form of the rest of the team (or, perhaps more accurately, the form of the rest of the team tracked the form of Liverpool’s defence) last season. They started awfully, improved exponentially, and then collapsed dramatically.<br />
<br />
There has been improvement, but more work needs to be done. First, Rodgers needs to figure out whether he wants to play with three or four at the back. Then, he needs to find reinforcements on both wings urgently.<br />
<br />
On the right hand side, Glen Johnson has finally left the club after his contract ran out, leaving the out of favour Javier Manquillo, who has a year left on his loan from Athletic Madrid, the only option assuming that Rodgers doesn’t view playing Can out of position in defence as a long term solution. Of course, Jon Flanagan could potentially come back into contention, but we cannot rely on him remaining injury free.<br />
<br />
That’s why the club have bid £10 million for Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne, who appears a really promising young British prospect with bags of potential. The Reds just must make sure that they don’t overpay for a Southampton defender for a second season running. £15 million seems a sensible upper limit in terms of what they should offer for the 24-year old.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXnKwE6UT7sROOVidqtgHDHBDYbGuNRWf-eFJ3ptTlaQRY2HV8zszM9tHc_x7xU2e3Vwr4sxNvtxmlErI2Bm_caOPq3NFrjeegfRgzn0m3e5mV_nwpklbg_PpbbgzC_ch_qB7Kq-nIWQ/s1600/clyne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXnKwE6UT7sROOVidqtgHDHBDYbGuNRWf-eFJ3ptTlaQRY2HV8zszM9tHc_x7xU2e3Vwr4sxNvtxmlErI2Bm_caOPq3NFrjeegfRgzn0m3e5mV_nwpklbg_PpbbgzC_ch_qB7Kq-nIWQ/s320/clyne.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully Clyne will not be the next Lovren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the left, meanwhile, Alberto Moreno did enough last season to remain first choice, although he struggles defensively and the injury plagued Jose Enrique is his only back up. Therefore, another left back should be second on Rodgers’ defensive shopping list.<br />
<br />
Some will also argue, with some justification, that changes need to be made at centre back. After all, Dejan Lovren was awful last season and Mamadou Sakho spent a lot of time on the treatment table. The only problem is, Liverpool have gone out and spent £20 million on a new centre back in the previous two summer transfer windows, and that’s something that the club just cannot afford to do every summer.<br />
<br />
Either we make a shrewd signing or two for low transfer fees to improve Rodgers’ options at centre back, or we persevere with the two players that we have invested so much in. I think Skrtel and Sakho should be first choice next season because Skrtel is our best defender and Sakho looked half decent during the Reds’ run of good form last season and has sufficient potential to make it worthwhile being patient with him rather than rashly spending loads of money on yet another centre back, money which could be more wisely invested elsewhere.<br />
<br />
<b>Midfield: Tinkering required if transfer budget allows</b><br />
<br />
Despite the departure of Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s midfield looks fairly strong. At the very least, it requires less attention than the defence and attack this summer. In the middle of the park, Henderson, Allen, Lucas, Lallana and Coutinho can all be called upon to fulfil various roles and functions in the side, while Jordon Ibe and Lazar Markovic offer options out wide, as does Moreno and Sterling if he, against the odds, stays at Anfield.<br />
<br />
Lucas is still a great sitting midfielder, while Allen did enough at times last season to deserve another season, if only as a back-up, and Henderson has the capability to step into Steven Gerrard’s role in the side, although I’m reticent to call him, or anyone else for that matter, Steven Gerrard’s replacement, because there will never be anyone like Steven Gerrard, who is a Liverpool legend unique in his footballing genius.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm53ZbVaPOZT6cc5FZevoj52I1Si695swz1hDfWuJwuRmE0Y205ttv_pn09ot4UltvyZQ41L1-HdjC_aN9KzleSl_GhqexasgzB_n75rVtwe64dlBTsLCUQaYJk_ELoKoeXw_CoSgwGDY/s1600/milner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm53ZbVaPOZT6cc5FZevoj52I1Si695swz1hDfWuJwuRmE0Y205ttv_pn09ot4UltvyZQ41L1-HdjC_aN9KzleSl_GhqexasgzB_n75rVtwe64dlBTsLCUQaYJk_ELoKoeXw_CoSgwGDY/s1600/milner.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milner is an experienced England international</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If there is surplus cash, which seems very unlikely, maybe Rodgers could bring in another option for the wings, but tinkering at most is all that is required in the Reds’ midfield. If we can bring in James Milner, who is a useful hardworking utility player with a surprisingly impressive number of assists, from Man City on a free transfer than that would be a great bit of business and possibly all that we need to do to enhance the midfield. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Goalkeeper: Back-up stopper required</b><br />
<br />
During the first half of last season, many, including myself, thought that Liverpool needed to sell Simon Mignolet and sign a new first choice goalkeeper, perhaps Petr Cech or Asir Begovic. However, after the Belgian proved his critics wrong by keeping 13 clean sheets and sharing the golden glove with Courtois and Hart, few are suggesting anymore that he needs to be sold.<br />
<br />
Brad Jones is on his way out of Anfield, though, so another goalkeeper who is good enough to cover for a couple of matches if Mignolet gets injured is required on the cheap this summer.<br />
<br />
<b>Conclusion: Big summer ahead for Brendan Rodgers</b><br />
<br />
In sum, Brendan Rodgers has a big summer ahead of him and should be very busy. He probably has a maximum of one season left to re-build the squad and achieve Champions League qualification. If he fails, he will be sacked; it’s that simple. It’s therefore vital that he completely re-hauls the Reds’ attack and makes important additions in defence, as well as tinkering with his midfield to improve it further.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-30605459826175670462015-06-01T17:05:00.002+01:002015-06-01T17:11:22.757+01:00Season 2014/2015 AwardsI look back at the highlights of a mixed season that included some title winning form at points but was ultimately bookended by disappointment by handing out awards for player of the season, young player of the season, most improved player of the season and signing of the season. I also pick my goal and game of the season.<br />
<br />
<b>Player of the season: Philippe Coutinho</b><br />
<br />
The little Brazilian magician Philippe Coutinho has seen his star rise even higher this season, as he has been by far and away the Reds’ best and most consistent performer. Stunning long range efforts against Southampton, Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers immediately spring to mind amongst his impressive tally of eight goals.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2qxyObeMBBVPXLUfc5gxgwrBafpxBVorm2QakCRBYTJ38oFyha3EkGdoZtbcdtXDpqgOAKpL5RKuZNEDc2bEWa5UvTSaGwCrYY6cGRJW3cF-J2QWIgvCxK-1sDoC2O-eklnF-62Nm_U/s1600/couts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2qxyObeMBBVPXLUfc5gxgwrBafpxBVorm2QakCRBYTJ38oFyha3EkGdoZtbcdtXDpqgOAKpL5RKuZNEDc2bEWa5UvTSaGwCrYY6cGRJW3cF-J2QWIgvCxK-1sDoC2O-eklnF-62Nm_U/s320/couts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippe Coutinho: worthy winner of our Player of the season award</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Those breathtaking moments of individual brilliance that capture the headlines are only the tip of the iceberg, though, as Coutinho is always at the Reds’ creative heart. When Coutinho doesn’t perform well, Liverpool don’t perform well either, almost without exception. That’s how important he has become to the Reds this season, and why it is such great news that he signed a new contract with no hesitations in February.<br />
<br />
If he can build on this season then there’s no reason why Coutinho cannot rival Luis Suarez in terms of ability and impact, although with considerably less controversy in all likelihood. I, for one, cannot wait to see Coutinho playing again next season.<br />
<br />
<b>Young player of the season: Emre Can</b><br />
<br />
21-year old Emre Can has emerged as a particularly promising young player this season. Signed from Bayer Leverkusen for just under £10 million last summer, Can initially struggled to get game time, only becoming a regular fixture in the starting line-up after he came on at half time against Burnley on Boxing Day and performed brilliantly as part of a back three.<br />
<br />
Ever since, Can has largely featured at right centre back, showing his flexibility and versatility, as well as his maturity and tactical awareness to be able to adapt to a relatively new position so quickly at such a young age.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ah9cHKUtPgZAGuGVnSDmGbMsYaKBKc2Rdvx2hdtdNMidvplM_aBbQhxKVAG9v_HVzuK6tTekX19AmFVTt6_qUXyQiJwI-dUnnbQVJrA1hRlYOkYXoSEsn_qgX-xKEAFSq1wBe13cxZ8/s1600/can+player.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ah9cHKUtPgZAGuGVnSDmGbMsYaKBKc2Rdvx2hdtdNMidvplM_aBbQhxKVAG9v_HVzuK6tTekX19AmFVTt6_qUXyQiJwI-dUnnbQVJrA1hRlYOkYXoSEsn_qgX-xKEAFSq1wBe13cxZ8/s320/can+player.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can celebrates scoring versus Chelsea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Admittedly, Can hasn’t faced fierce completion for the young player of the season award. Sterling’s form has taken a nosedive since his contract fiasco, Markovic has been hit and miss and, despite impressing when given opportunities, Jordon Ibe hasn’t played enough to be given serious consideration.<br />
<br />
Going forward, it would be good to see Can to move into midfield, not only because it would be beneficial for his development as a player, but also because Brendan Rodgers needs to sign a specialist right back to fulfil the role that Can has been filling in for in the long term. <br />
<br />
<b>Most improved player of the season: Simon Mignolet</b><br />
<br />
The improvement in Simon Mignolet has been scarcely believable. The Belgian was worse than useless at points during the first half of the season, but almost unbeatable during the second half. Previously meek and unassertive, Mignolet was seen as a liability at set pieces and poor with the ball at his feet. Now, he is far more confident in his penalty area and, although he still needs to work on his footwork, he has improved.<br />
<br />
Most importantly, his old shot-stopping ability has re-emerged, resulting in him keeping an impressive 13 clean sheets in the league, the same amount as Courtois and Hart, who have both had far stronger defences protecting them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZLELrSFE8yx7iCHhKbnxLdCagHBfVgWsF_IYf36OX3-155AyAIbPxPmHGBClg_BmW3aom0rSfbQeR2Dg9L-mErWMLdBaZodgq9Bor6BOCb8eeFGNMzL4g_OstW1xYcuciLoNb4h62eU/s1600/mignolet+improved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZLELrSFE8yx7iCHhKbnxLdCagHBfVgWsF_IYf36OX3-155AyAIbPxPmHGBClg_BmW3aom0rSfbQeR2Dg9L-mErWMLdBaZodgq9Bor6BOCb8eeFGNMzL4g_OstW1xYcuciLoNb4h62eU/s320/mignolet+improved.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mignolet is now such a better keeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hopefully next season he can build on the second half of this season and be on top form right from the word go so that he can help Liverpool have a better season and also enjoy personal glory by claiming the golden glove outright.<br />
<br />
<b>Worst player of the season: Mario Balotelli</b><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, there are far too many contenders for this award. Glen Johnson was awful, not putting up a fight for a new contract during another dire season. Dejan Lovren was extremely disappointing; many had high hopes for him following his big money move from Southampton, but he has failed to live up to expectations and many Kopites are now wishing Brendan Rodgers hadn’t tried so hard to sign him. Raheem Sterling has been rubbish for large parts of the second half of the season, primarily during his protracted contract negotiations, and many would now be pleased to see the back of him after controversial comments from his agent.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYFzLEjM6zBLUXKDSNRQ7kvKGBM8H_ApJcADv8B30N-dSRK6C3HE8yB95-Haxkj7u2qqnB7-UPir7JxWT9EBZqq9fk1QtatLHDiqbIpe1w13TuquoL6InwA7NygExLz2DZiSIIg6UzV8/s1600/bibo+bad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYFzLEjM6zBLUXKDSNRQ7kvKGBM8H_ApJcADv8B30N-dSRK6C3HE8yB95-Haxkj7u2qqnB7-UPir7JxWT9EBZqq9fk1QtatLHDiqbIpe1w13TuquoL6InwA7NygExLz2DZiSIIg6UzV8/s320/bibo+bad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balotelli has been a really bad signing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This award has to go to stupid Mario, however, because he has been consistently abysmal, rarely showing any signs of promise and, worst of all, having an attitude completely contrary to the ethos of the club. 4 goals in 28 appearances is a measly return on Liverpool’s £16 million investment in the Italian and, when the Reds really needed someone to step up to the plate and fill in for the injured Sturridge, Balotelli was found wanting again and again. The sooner the Merseysiders get rid of him, the better. <br />
<br />
<b>Signing of the season: Emre Can</b><br />
<br />
This award is tough to decide as well, mainly because Brendan Rodgers invested the £70 million from the sale of Luis Suarez in a way that, with the benefit of hindsight, was far from optimal. £20 million on Lovren and Markovic? £16 million on Balotelli? £26 million on Lallana? £4 million on Lambert?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8SOxoxbMA2gjekyVKhRWJlBRRf0UDTM8zPHAF2l0wPNHc_BBOWhp0tQ2dTn8ZauRIqKi1cZEft78wSBmca03UHmZyrWI0tow4I3K8QC7jzST5zVBdm_DQG3EAvCBCWGdMJSZ0idTL5c/s1600/can+best+of+bad+bunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8SOxoxbMA2gjekyVKhRWJlBRRf0UDTM8zPHAF2l0wPNHc_BBOWhp0tQ2dTn8ZauRIqKi1cZEft78wSBmca03UHmZyrWI0tow4I3K8QC7jzST5zVBdm_DQG3EAvCBCWGdMJSZ0idTL5c/s320/can+best+of+bad+bunch.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can's been the best of a bad bunch of signings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A lot of money was wasted on average players; some of them, such as Markovic and Lallana, may have potential to develop and prove their worth in the future, like Jordan Henderson has, but nobody can deny inflated transfer fees were paid to secure their services, primarily because sellers knew that Liverpool’s coffers were swelled by the sale of Suarez to Barcelona at the start of the transfer window.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, Can was the pick of a bad bunch. For £10 million, his signing represented value and he has also consistently put in pretty decent and promising performances. Lallana has also been encouragingly good at times, particularly when linking up with Coutinho, but has been blighted by injuries and is yet to hit top form. Therefore, the signing of the season award goes to German Emre Can.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/reds-ease-to-win-at-white-hart-lane.html" target="_blank">Best game of the season: Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Liverpool</a></b><br />
<br />
The fact that Liverpool’s best game of the season came only three games in demonstrates how disappointing the rest of the campaign was in comparison. Nonetheless, the 3-0 win at White Hart Lane was probably one of few highlights from a poor season, as Liverpool celebrated Brendan Rodgers’ 100th match in charge in style.<br />
<br />
Balotelli put in his best performance in a Liverpool shirt, while Sterling was also impressive, scoring the opener earlier on and spurning an unbelievably easy opportunity when the game was already won, prompting Rodgers to amusingly say, “Raheem ran into the box like Ricky Villa and finished it like Ricky Gervais!”<br />
<br />
Gerrard added a second from the spot soon after the break, while Moreno scored a great goal after marauding down the left wing in a manner reminiscent of former Spurs star Gareth Bale. It was a game that gave us hope that the Reds’ poor early season form was just a temporary blip that would soon be overcome. It also made us believe that our summer signings would be better than they turned out to be.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42TGf5mhI5Zsx26O8wrj0AHLBfOn5jlCV5zYtaKd91LDVowGOcmaqhzrVsLTyD3m3zSBKTAiJjygB1nlTsg9TiPv0gAH8svs-Jf_APTb2zP451EzRnw0L2OVtBDDjALClXYGQYdKJcL0/s1600/terrific+trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42TGf5mhI5Zsx26O8wrj0AHLBfOn5jlCV5zYtaKd91LDVowGOcmaqhzrVsLTyD3m3zSBKTAiJjygB1nlTsg9TiPv0gAH8svs-Jf_APTb2zP451EzRnw0L2OVtBDDjALClXYGQYdKJcL0/s320/terrific+trio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite the terrific trio we'd hoped for</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For giving us that false hope, Tottenham 0-3 Liverpool is our best game of the season. <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/a-brief-polemic-about-stoke-shambles.html" target="_blank">Worst game of the season: Stoke City 6-1 Liverpool</a></b><br />
<br />
The less said about this shambles, the better. Suffice to say, Liverpool were abysmal defensively and performed in a shameful way on Stevie Gerrard’s last ever match for the club. We can only hope that it doesn’t set the tone for next season.<br />
<br />
<b>Goal of the season: Coutinho vs Southampton</b><br />
<br />
This was a stunning strike. Made all the better as it was literally the first bit of the game that I saw as I sat down on my mate’s sofa after arriving a little late to watch the match, Coutinho’s wonder goal was out of this world and set the Reds on their way to a vital 2-0 win against a competitor for Champions League qualification.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/65Fu5TdtwI4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/65Fu5TdtwI4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Receiving a simple square pass from Markovic, Coutinho cut in and curled a cracking right footed effort into the back of the net off the underside of the bar. It was a world class goal to add to his burgeoning collection of superb strikes.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-8541482509408343862015-06-01T15:13:00.001+01:002015-06-01T15:22:02.510+01:00Two steps back: 2014/2015 Season ReviewIt feels like Liverpool took two steps back this season. The club took one giant leap forward in 2013/2014, beating everyone’s expectations as they finished second and still had a mathematical chance of winning the title on the final day of the campaign after managing only a lowly seventh place finish the season before.<br />
<br />
Hopes were high heading into 2014/2015. With Champions League football back at Anfield, the Reds were back where they belong and ready to take another tilt at the title too. That was the theory, at least. In reality, Liverpool’s 2014/2015 season, bar a brilliant but unfortunately comparatively brief resurgence post-Christmas, was one characterised by frustration and disappointment.<br />
<br />
In the league, the campaign started slowly. An unconvincing home victory over <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/sterling-and-sturridge-strike-to-sink.html" target="_blank">Southampton</a> on the opening weekend was followed by a comprehensive defeat at <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/classy-city-cut-above-poor-reds.html" target="_blank">Man City</a>’s Etihad Stadium and, although a <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/reds-ease-to-win-at-white-hart-lane.html" target="_blank">3-0 win</a> at White Hart Lane, which included a superb individual effort from new signing Alberto Moreno, raised Reds’ fans hopes that Rodgers’ team would soon re-discover last season’s form, the month of September soon doused any residual optimism; the Reds failed to register a Premier League win, requiring a late Mario Balotelli winner to beat <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/liverpool-late-show-sees-off-ludogorets.html" target="_blank">Ludogorets</a> at home in the Champions League and only reaching the fourth round of the League Cup after a marathon penalty shootout against <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/penalty-madness-as-poor-reds-progress.html" target="_blank">Middlesbrough</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3WyWjYGka_bVPz4aXn-DOvNeedKA65eEiR0ygenWcxxg6Xga-1nQGwpqlOQc_119h4EeDALumvJK65Gu-54XeDDUpPgDig_Ovoi3Q8ZSqfcig8qGtunIEw2vSWDJ63_xTpBXrwGmlT0/s1600/moreno+goal+vs+tottenham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3WyWjYGka_bVPz4aXn-DOvNeedKA65eEiR0ygenWcxxg6Xga-1nQGwpqlOQc_119h4EeDALumvJK65Gu-54XeDDUpPgDig_Ovoi3Q8ZSqfcig8qGtunIEw2vSWDJ63_xTpBXrwGmlT0/s320/moreno+goal+vs+tottenham.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a great goal from Moreno early on in the season</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Things were seriously not looking good for Liverpool. They badly missed the firepower of the departed Luis Suarez and the injured Daniel Sturridge, and Rodgers quickly realised that his £16 million gamble on Italian maverick Mario Balotelli wasn’t going to pay off. At the back, meanwhile, Liverpool’s defence was leaking far too many goals, as Dejan Lovren, a £20 million summer signing from Southampton, failed to justify his hugely inflated transfer fee.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/reds-humbled-by-madrid-masterclass.html" target="_blank">Real Madrid</a> showed up in Merseyside in the middle of October and gave Liverpool a footballing lesson as they beat the Reds 3-0, with all three goals coming in 20 devastating first half minutes. It was hoped that the return leg in Spain a fortnight later would be a watershed moment when Liverpool’s season would finally turn a corner. With <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/reds-feeling-blue-after-cahill-and.html" target="_blank">Chelsea</a> visiting Anfield on the weekend, Rodgers picked a reserve side in the Bernabeu and, against the odds; they put in a fantastic and resilient performance, only <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/rodgers-vindicated-as-reds-reserves.html" target="_blank">losing 1-0</a> in the end.<br />
<br />
It was highly credible considering Liverpool’s starting line-up and form up to that point. It turned out to be one of far too many false downs, though, as things only got worse for the Reds, who crashed out of the Champions League after only managing draws in games that they needed to win against <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/european-fate-remains-in-reds-hands.html" target="_blank">Ludogorets</a> and <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/heartbreak-as-reds-crash-out-of.html" target="_blank">Basel</a>.<br />
<br />
Surprisingly, Liverpool’s turning point came in a manner perhaps nobody expected; a 3-0 defeat at <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/toothless-reds-punished-by-ruthless-red.html" target="_blank">Manchester United</a>. Obviously, it was horrible to lose so comprehensively at Old Trafford, but the result didn’t reflect the balance of play, as Liverpool, perhaps given a much needed kick up the back side by a few unexpected team changes (Brendan Rodgers dropped Simon Mignolet and played Raheem Sterling as a lone striker for the first time), put in an encouraging performance, which included 19 shots, eight more than their hosts. The difference proved to be the goalkeepers, as David de Gea put in a match winning performance, while Brad Jones was below par, if still better than Simon Mignolet had been up to that point.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbMvvLnz5UAbwzyoe-rBBeJSiP0TfBrY9hcJtVgFM_leNic9dn-apqK_cS8-rK5U_wi9Gd29VPwFLxVxTMFt-aM9yqLFiYGi_JkhvE67ZRMztEg5907Z9KW_YD3RCqaiMO2om9FF-wHI/s1600/de+gea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbMvvLnz5UAbwzyoe-rBBeJSiP0TfBrY9hcJtVgFM_leNic9dn-apqK_cS8-rK5U_wi9Gd29VPwFLxVxTMFt-aM9yqLFiYGi_JkhvE67ZRMztEg5907Z9KW_YD3RCqaiMO2om9FF-wHI/s320/de+gea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De Gea denied Liverpool victory, but things were looking up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From that point on, Liverpool slowly but surely improved, showing character to pick up a late point at home to <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/super-skrtel-saves-point-against-arsenal.html" target="_blank">Arsenal</a> and then securing wins over <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/reds-win-ugly-at-burnley-on-boxing-day.html" target="_blank">Burnley</a>, <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/lallana-comes-to-life-as-reds-smash.html" target="_blank">Swansea</a>, <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/magic-markovic-strikes-in-sunderland-win.html" target="_blank">Sunderland</a> and <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/borini-and-lambert-slay-villains.html" target="_blank">Aston Villa</a>. In fact, the Reds were producing title winning form; between the defeat at Old Trafford which started Liverpool’s resurgence and the crushing loss at home to Louis Van Gaal’s men, which unceremoniously ended their run of good form at the end of March, Liverpool won 15 out of 23 matches in all competitions, losing only twice.<br />
<br />
Those two defeats came in Cup matches against <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/reds-rue-missed-chances-as-chelsea.html" target="_blank">Chelsea</a> and <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/reds-crash-out-of-europe-on-unhappy.html" target="_blank">Besiktas</a>, as Liverpool’s focus narrowed to earning Champions League qualification and securing FA Cup success for Steven Gerrard after the news that all Kopites dreaded hearing, namely that the much loved skipper was finally <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/goodbye-gerrard-liverpools-greatest.html" target="_blank">leaving Liverpool</a>, was released in January. With the FA Cup final falling on Gerrard’s birthday, there would have been no better way for Stevie to sign off.<br />
<br />
To that end, Philippe Coutinho, a consistent performer whose star was quickly rising to prominence, scored stunning goal after stunning goal to secure Cup progress, firing in against <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/liverpool-late-show-keeps-cup-dream.html" target="_blank">Bolton</a> and <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/reds-secure-narrow-replay-win-over.html" target="_blank">Blackburn</a>, as well as against <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/coutinho-and-hendo-put-city-to-sword.html" target="_blank">Man City</a> and <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/reds-sink-saints-to-close-in-on-fourth.html" target="_blank">Southampton</a> in the league. The little Brazilian magician scored eight goals in total, becoming the focal point of Liverpool’s attack and easily taking the Player of the Season award. He also crucially penned a new long-term contract at Liverpool, meaning that Kopites will be able to enjoy his mercurial talent for years to come.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kaOmQWWUlPgOR77LghqEmXZ2BI-b2cvBJMbe0e3FUccXK1t-45vhhilsFRdxoRDq8_hCBeDzZsdubhi_vW4XKz5iWRparKdLdMmRFoOxgzENfVg_rtsZpypGJ9b8b4O7IsmtPVa8eMc/s1600/coutinho+scores+vs+soton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kaOmQWWUlPgOR77LghqEmXZ2BI-b2cvBJMbe0e3FUccXK1t-45vhhilsFRdxoRDq8_hCBeDzZsdubhi_vW4XKz5iWRparKdLdMmRFoOxgzENfVg_rtsZpypGJ9b8b4O7IsmtPVa8eMc/s320/coutinho+scores+vs+soton.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hopefully there's more of these Coutinho worldies to come</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another key performer was Simon Mignolet, who improved markedly, perhaps even miraculously, during the second half of the season after a woeful first half of the campaign which culminated in his demotion to the bench at Old Trafford and me opining that the end of his time at Anfield was inevitably nigh and that a new keeper had to be brought in promptly. <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/mignolet-or-jones-goalkeeper-debate.html" target="_blank">My predictions</a> of his demise clearly turned out to be greatly exaggerated, as he kept 13 clean sheets in all, the same number as Thibaut Courtois and Joe Hart.<br />
<br />
Frustratingly, however, Coutinho’s mercurial talent and Mignolet’s suddenly enhanced goalkeeping ability weren’t enough to revive the Reds after two crushing defeats in must win matches against Manchester United and Arsenal. Heading into the United match the Reds were in fifth, two points off their fourth placed rivals from down the M62 and six behind the Gunners, who had played an extra game. After <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/reds-lose-as-stupid-stevie-sees-red.html" target="_blank">2-1</a> and <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/what-went-wrong-and-where-do-we-go-from.html" target="_blank">4-1</a> reversals, Liverpool were seven points behind fourth placed City, who also had a game in hand on the Reds; fourth was now a pipe dream, and the success of the campaign now came down to whether or not Liverpool could lift the FA Cup on the final weekend of the season.<br />
<br />
That didn’t happen, as Liverpool were so shell-shocked by the abrupt halting of their magnificent run of title winning form that they never recovered, putting in a pathetic performance at Wembley against <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/rubbish-reds-crash-out-of-cup.html" target="_blank">Aston Villa</a> and deservedly losing. The way in which Arsenal dispatched Villa with such consummate ease in what was an entertaining FA Cup final on Saturday serves to show the worrying gulf in class between the Reds and the Gunners.<br />
<br />
Perhaps just as discouragingly, the players couldn’t even get up for Steven Gerrard’s final Anfield appearance and last ever Liverpool match, as they lost abysmally at home to <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/palace-poop-party-on-gerrards-anfield.html" target="_blank">Crystal Palace</a> and away to <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/a-brief-polemic-about-stoke-shambles.html" target="_blank">Stoke City</a> in their final two matches.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXnfvndHfMxilioEtgd4tgozGyxlYna66UYilpSJOdZiRTLPf6vRltPbuVlLy81bOJFeZ6cF0aTcCM2PkAEWAwMh03Zq2AunJ6za2gTofSrdzHmp2sNbES9AKarP0BknEJPdYOHdRxGQ/s1600/gerrard+walks+off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXnfvndHfMxilioEtgd4tgozGyxlYna66UYilpSJOdZiRTLPf6vRltPbuVlLy81bOJFeZ6cF0aTcCM2PkAEWAwMh03Zq2AunJ6za2gTofSrdzHmp2sNbES9AKarP0BknEJPdYOHdRxGQ/s320/gerrard+walks+off.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard deserved better from his last Liverpool appearances</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a really depressing way to end a yoyo season that had far more downs than ups and only confirmed that the club has indeed taken two sizeable steps back after appearing to have enjoyed such progress in the previous season.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-31877979817128471612015-06-01T12:18:00.002+01:002015-06-01T12:19:11.287+01:00A brief polemic about Stoke shambles<div class="MsoNormal">
I know that it’s been over a week since the last game of the
season, and I am aware that most Kopites wanted to instantly forget about it,
but unfortunately the good people at EE have messed about with my broadband
package recently, rendering me unable to share my thoughts about that Stoke
shambles. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was nice in a way, being away from the inevitable
internet inquest in the immediate aftermath; more heat than light is normally
generated in those circumstances, but, if only for the sake of completeness,
I’d like to comment on the 6-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that said, here’s my brief polemic about that Stoke
shambles:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Selection shambles<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kicking off right at the start, what on earth was Brendan
Rodgers doing picking six central midfielders and no recognised strikers or
wingers?! Surely Lazar Markovic, Jordon Ibe, Jordan Sinclair, or even Mario
Balotelli or Rickie Lambert, deserved a start. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They may not have performed much better than their
teammates, but they might have provided more creativity and width and
imagination. When you play four central midfielders across the middle and two
attacking midfielders in the form of Lallana and Coutinho up front, you’re
setting yourself up for a dire game going forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Dire defence<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things were far worse at the back, however, and, ironically,
a central midfielder played out of position was largely to blame. Culpable for
all three of the opening goals, Emre Can had his worst game for the Reds by
far. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arnautovic beat him far too easily down the wing for Diouf’s
two goals, the second of which was admittedly a good strike from the edge of
the box, but the first was purely a gift from Simon Mignolet, who, I think,
could have dealt better with Diouf’s second as well. Then, inexplicably, Can
headed a cross down perfectly for Walters to score the third. It really was
woeful stuff from the promising young player, but he shouldn’t have been
playing in defence in the first place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8klSHXIErcLdSrA5vh2-PMP3n4OTaWT6TgU7-PHQimYAvvmosFSW2W67LoDxReBv77LL2Sm4c7PPMTkWWYQlNBf6RWee6hRVHxR-2dzF9KCvQ9G2mJUhsxmrh2_lWxRNGpojUKLagzBY/s1600/can+vs+stoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8klSHXIErcLdSrA5vh2-PMP3n4OTaWT6TgU7-PHQimYAvvmosFSW2W67LoDxReBv77LL2Sm4c7PPMTkWWYQlNBf6RWee6hRVHxR-2dzF9KCvQ9G2mJUhsxmrh2_lWxRNGpojUKLagzBY/s320/can+vs+stoke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can clearly can't defend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was the last game of the season and his future next
season is clearly in his natural midfield position, so he should have been
given a starting berth there and the frozen out Manquillo given a second chance
at left back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sakho was rubbish for the fourth goal as well, giving away
possession far too easily, while Crouch had a free header for the sixth in the
86<sup>th</sup> minute. Stoke were good, and credit to them for a great game
and a fantastic season, but the only goal that they scored primarily due to
their skill was Nzonzi’s fifth from the edge of the box on the stroke of half
time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Letting down Stevie<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For Steven Gerrard to leave Liverpool on this shambolic note
is shameful. Liverpool’s best ever player enduring the club’s most emphatic
Premier League defeat in his final appearance is just awful. He scored a well
taken goal in the 70<sup>th</sup> minute in the only bright point to take, but
it wouldn’t have provided the skipper any consolation. He deserved so much
better from his teammates, and it is disgraceful that neither Stevie’s final
Anfield appearance nor his last ever match could motivate them to actually put
a shift in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXepFOER_4iV32RmaclFPmhuJnv6eZ4kbaf64lKoqzvJW8kLWMlqHdOtNAPP7ZAk44UOGrsDRS2MX4ntu2ctzgGnhOq98bWHEko3LWJ3iwx1KN8iFZwaUut63-oLuxjSBHo5fSCS2DeqI/s1600/gerrard+vs+stoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXepFOER_4iV32RmaclFPmhuJnv6eZ4kbaf64lKoqzvJW8kLWMlqHdOtNAPP7ZAk44UOGrsDRS2MX4ntu2ctzgGnhOq98bWHEko3LWJ3iwx1KN8iFZwaUut63-oLuxjSBHo5fSCS2DeqI/s320/gerrard+vs+stoke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard was let down by his teammates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They just looked like they were on the beach already and
wanted the season over and done with, which is not acceptable. They’re paid
over £50k a week most of them, the least they can do is turn up and put a shift
in, for the fans who parted with their hard earned cash to come and support
them once again and for Stevie’s final match. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, it was absolute and utter rubbish and the
players and the manager need to take a long hard look at themselves over the
summer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-57449582763884433972015-05-17T14:36:00.000+01:002015-05-17T14:36:00.042+01:00Palace poop the party on Gerrard's Anfield farewellCrystal Palace proved the party poopers as they beat Liverpool 3-1 in Gerrard’s final match at Anfield as a Liverpool player before he departs for the States in the summer. Goals from Jason Puncheon, Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray more than cancelled out Adam Lallana’s opener and gave Pardew’s men the win their performance deserved, as Gerrard’s Anfield career ended on a disappointing note.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, the most important thing was never going to be the result; it was always the farewell that Anfield gave Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, and the crowd didn’t disappoint, as the skipper revelled in the reception he received from admiring supporters sad to see him go but immensely grateful for the way in which he has carried this football club throughout his inimical career.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7xScBTQdTB4CD4ZZu_eUJmBP7nFkgCaMauwlHp9Yyx6A1uCfVTlwbHyYqeUd2FDg4eLgIEm1Z-l9d34_P2nyd9J4dGD0JOXvleQBw_EBGz4ED_TEaKh3b6Uobi84pzaZWJSaEr_ChqY/s1600/stevie+guard+of+honour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7xScBTQdTB4CD4ZZu_eUJmBP7nFkgCaMauwlHp9Yyx6A1uCfVTlwbHyYqeUd2FDg4eLgIEm1Z-l9d34_P2nyd9J4dGD0JOXvleQBw_EBGz4ED_TEaKh3b6Uobi84pzaZWJSaEr_ChqY/s320/stevie+guard+of+honour.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard high five's all the Palace players and the officials as they give him a guard of honour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The guard of honour given to Steven Gerrard as he walked out onto the Anfield pitch for the final time with his daughters was undoubtedly the most noteworthy thing that happened until Adam Lallana opened the scoring on 26 minutes. Before then, the match felt like a testimonial and was played at pre-season pace.<br />
<br />
Liverpool began the better, but ironically it wasn’t until Palace came back into the match that they claimed the lead. The visitors were settling down and beginning to threaten, when former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly sent a stray ball right into the path of the on-rushing Lallana, who eased past Scott Dann and finished past Wayne Hennessey to give the Merseysiders the lead.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEp2eNM0IOdGZhUU8DTi_v6ntsnbwYtBNCW6lYvMLlexMsOnhw4-w_uAVaMquZi4-EpY1HjexaORVdf4uCIwr9DXQ5z3W74r2dsrkhHwZ5J23JDakfChuYbsTHa92UYlqKjuuKJgBT90/s1600/lallana+goal+vs+crystal+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEp2eNM0IOdGZhUU8DTi_v6ntsnbwYtBNCW6lYvMLlexMsOnhw4-w_uAVaMquZi4-EpY1HjexaORVdf4uCIwr9DXQ5z3W74r2dsrkhHwZ5J23JDakfChuYbsTHa92UYlqKjuuKJgBT90/s320/lallana+goal+vs+crystal+palace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lallana celebrates his goal with his teammates</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It would have been harsh to describe Lallana’s goal as against the run of play, but at the same time Liverpool weren’t exactly peppering efforts on Hennessey’s goal. Palace, meanwhile, were growing in confidence, and their attack was in particularly good form, although admittedly Liverpool’s defence was woeful.<br />
<br />
Lovren was given a torrid time by the twisting and turning Bolasie, while Can was erratic, and it was his foul that gave away the free kick from which Puncheon equalised. Having already called Mignolet into action with a decent strike on the half hour mark, the 28-year old striker caught the Reds’ Belgian keeper out with a free kick swung into the bottom corner of the side of the goal that he was supposed to be covering.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyGGo1OpT1-WBHTuReeOc5CTNyBzZJtCLjpjcdD8nmM20rZkPs_k_zoxcITXiAvE3VgtDMa1WOyxcqPdYFYf3Qr2geZ9YX9oVziwq5wW89-u9CTmYLEXGzZx-zo0tM7Zb6rDi2kJ7d_0/s1600/puncheon+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyGGo1OpT1-WBHTuReeOc5CTNyBzZJtCLjpjcdD8nmM20rZkPs_k_zoxcITXiAvE3VgtDMa1WOyxcqPdYFYf3Qr2geZ9YX9oVziwq5wW89-u9CTmYLEXGzZx-zo0tM7Zb6rDi2kJ7d_0/s320/puncheon+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puncheon, the man of the match, equalised for Palace on the stroke of half time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was shoddy keeping from Mignolet but no more than Palace deserved following a great response to going one behind. They only improved in the second half, too, while the Reds’ performance deteriorated, particularly defensively, where they were all other the place.<br />
<br />
After seeing a couple of good penalty shouts turned down by referee Jonathan Moss, Palace substitute Zaha gave the Londoners the lead only 22 seconds after replacing South Korean team mate Lee Chung-Yong, scoring with his first touch as he bundled home Bolasie’s cross after Congolese skinned Lovren all too easily.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyHRp1yjnRs8xlHY8t3LcTPsKVZsReOljs81j2__0KPANm2tv4FZiIJF7eJQtt3p1-UeQOGK5MNiIgw2tWPMRMMjMA8nUDVNc_xb7ck0Rdks6lNVmv1pMqZs_LBTNEIyTcHeFIZHzvEs/s1600/zaha+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyHRp1yjnRs8xlHY8t3LcTPsKVZsReOljs81j2__0KPANm2tv4FZiIJF7eJQtt3p1-UeQOGK5MNiIgw2tWPMRMMjMA8nUDVNc_xb7ck0Rdks6lNVmv1pMqZs_LBTNEIyTcHeFIZHzvEs/s320/zaha+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zaha's goal had a hint of offside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In response, Rodgers made two changes, introducing Lucas and Lambert. Unfortunately, it seemed to make little difference, and Liverpool’s defensive difficulties continued to remain their Achilles heel. In fact, only a minute after those subs were made Bolasie blazed against the bar after a defensive mishap from Moreno allowed him to cut in from the right.<br />
<br />
There were hopes of one final Steven Gerrard inspired comeback, and the skipper tried his hardest to make it happen, seeing Hennessey save his right footed shot well and curling a free kick from ideal Gerrard range just over the top left hand corner.<br />
<br />
It wasn’t to be, though, and Palace made sure of the three points in injury time with the help of a poor decision from referee Moss, who pointed to the spot despite Lucas’ foul on Zaha clearly taking place just outside the box.<br />
<br />
Glenn Murray stepped up and saw Mignolet save his initial spot kick but then turned home the rebound with relative ease before celebrating in front of the delighted away supporters in the Anfield Road end. There was also a hint of offside for Zaha’s goal, so Liverpool were slightly unlucky with the two goals that ultimately gave Palace the victory, but the Reds’ could have few complaints.<br />
<br />
Credit to them, Crystal Palace were the better side and fully deserved the win that almost spoiled the party. At the end of the day, however, it was all about that man Stevie Gerrard, and remembering his fantastic Liverpool career and celebrating it one last time at Anfield.<br />
<br />
He was given a memorable send off by the home crowd during the traditional lap of honour at the end of the final home game of the season, and the away supporters also stayed behind to salute Stevie as well in what was a sign of Gerrard’s universal appeal to football fans of all clubs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU8RPhi0bAgu7ZPjmp1ujCD2Xkxqy2KkNSCCAeuJ-hnaVlaOmgagSLmW6P_qmKzw2kY78RMFLCIDVRw0G0TAM1zSwo8xBTCdsK33V3ev5zxlNrUCnxviiKxNSSI8xlDG2bCbB-to7OcI/s1600/gerrard+goodbye+vs+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU8RPhi0bAgu7ZPjmp1ujCD2Xkxqy2KkNSCCAeuJ-hnaVlaOmgagSLmW6P_qmKzw2kY78RMFLCIDVRw0G0TAM1zSwo8xBTCdsK33V3ev5zxlNrUCnxviiKxNSSI8xlDG2bCbB-to7OcI/s320/gerrard+goodbye+vs+palace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard says goodbye to the Kop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There’s something compelling about his love for and loyalty to Liverpool that makes him likeable across the footballing spectrum, and he’s one of a kind that we are unlikely to ever see in the beautiful game again; a genuinely world class player who stays true to his beloved local boyhood club through thick and thin, sacrificing personal glory for its good.<br />
<br />
Stevie, you will always be our hero and we’ll never forget the many memories you gave us of the times of our Liverpool supporting lives.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-59092036941222165282015-05-11T10:35:00.001+01:002015-05-11T10:35:47.107+01:00Champions League chase over despite credible Chelsea draw<div class="MsoNormal">
Liverpool’s already extremely faint top four hopes were all
but extinguished yesterday afternoon, as they could only draw 1-1 at Stamford
Bridge, leaving them six points behind fourth placed Manchester United, whose
goal difference is also far superior to the Reds’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, there were plenty of positives to take from the
match against the newly crowned Champions. One of only four teams to take
points off Mourinho’s men at the Bridge this season, Liverpool looked the
better side, particularly in the second half, and, if there was going to be a
winner, it would have been the Merseysiders. Unfortunately, as is the story of
their season, they lacked a clinical front man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Reds’ lined up as a 4-2-3-1, as Gerrard and Henderson
sat deep in midfield, while Lallana, Sterling and Coutinho buzzed industriously
and productively behind lone striker Rickie Lambert. Glen Johnson also put in
one of his best performances of the season at left back, but it’s difficult to
understand why he’s still being picked when everyone knows that he will leave
at the end of the season. Surely Javier Manquillo, who at least <i>might</i> have a
future at the club, deserves a game.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After Liverpool gave a humiliating guard of honour to
Champions Chelsea as they entered the field of play, the match began quickly
and controversially. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfOyxexSrDn4vQz8BbrU69dvSaYbjD1Bm_3tEOYUHGDnz1JOEZyn9VZcfs-_1GRIcOjOulPx3EUocA5q7n3DKFFfBvbzZMquBUaYAfXeuINmhkhzp9H1ZSZngscnyMRh3p_4U7E-KHAE/s1600/chelsea+guard+of+honour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfOyxexSrDn4vQz8BbrU69dvSaYbjD1Bm_3tEOYUHGDnz1JOEZyn9VZcfs-_1GRIcOjOulPx3EUocA5q7n3DKFFfBvbzZMquBUaYAfXeuINmhkhzp9H1ZSZngscnyMRh3p_4U7E-KHAE/s320/chelsea+guard+of+honour.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This must have hurt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only a minute in, there was massive confusion as referee Andre
Marriner accidentally showed Jon Obi Mikel a red card and then a yellow card
following Fabregas’ horrendous tackle on Sterling, which was worth of a red.
Eventually Mikel pointed out the error to Marriner, who promptly booked
Fabregas instead. The silky Spanish midfielder was relieved it wasn’t a red.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, on five minutes salt was rubbed in the Reds’ wounds as
Fabregas, who should have been in an early bath by this stage, sent in a right
wing corner which Terry headed home to open the scoring after all too easily
beating Rickie Lambert in the air. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQfE5oxb39WjnrQtIzPzutmx7tHp3_h9xLoSY8KXEtlq7GXgcxMbcH4al8UJYtd2H-vzZ0IdGSmYdlV_IbJ0G_uLQWIajzEFljkLD8PnCrzRTg8YyskAKb8J2GtwRd4zTE-tWFQQ9xjY/s1600/terry+goal+vs+liverpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQfE5oxb39WjnrQtIzPzutmx7tHp3_h9xLoSY8KXEtlq7GXgcxMbcH4al8UJYtd2H-vzZ0IdGSmYdlV_IbJ0G_uLQWIajzEFljkLD8PnCrzRTg8YyskAKb8J2GtwRd4zTE-tWFQQ9xjY/s320/terry+goal+vs+liverpool.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a poor goal to concede</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chelsea’s defence have scored more goals
between them this season than Liverpool’s four main forwards, which is a
sobering statistic revealing the gulf in quality between the two teams.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the first half was a much quieter affair, but
Liverpool did come back into the match, Johnson striking into the side netting
after marauding down the left wing and Coutinho forcing Courtois into a save.
For Chelsea, Fabregas was by far and away their best player, making Mignolet
punch clear on the half hour mark, but he was also lucky to avoid a second
yellow after pulling Sterling back by the shorts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Liverpool eventually got a slice of luck, however, on the
stroke of half time when some shoddy Chelsea defending allowed Gerrard to
respond to his critics by equalising. Ivanovic picked up a silly yellow for a
foul on Lallana on the left hand by-line, giving Henderson the opportunity to
dink the ball into the box. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All it took for Gerrard to escape the attention of Mikel was
a bit of movement, creating space for him to deftly head home unmarked at the
back post. His subsequent celebration was muted, but Gerrard must have loved silencing
his Chelsea critics, who were of course out in full force again yesterday. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqb5PZn4ylxDIkaAkR1TMrneYGHj54RPeN0pG-KQxfwpbqGc21tyNFUQd2PkEJK848XHREsUAS_x-MJyVHi8zhcoM1mq4Gs2lgZKDBIe01z20W2zNpOnYSr3STdxBTTGX9LeA0AQDAgA/s1600/gerrard+goal+vs+chelsea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqb5PZn4ylxDIkaAkR1TMrneYGHj54RPeN0pG-KQxfwpbqGc21tyNFUQd2PkEJK848XHREsUAS_x-MJyVHi8zhcoM1mq4Gs2lgZKDBIe01z20W2zNpOnYSr3STdxBTTGX9LeA0AQDAgA/s320/gerrard+goal+vs+chelsea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard's response to scoring was restrained</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That equaliser was the harbinger of better things to come,
as the Reds built on the platform that it gave them during the second period,
in which they were much the better side. Soon after the restart, Lallana
unfortunately scuffed a shot across goal after neat work between Gerrard and
Henderson, while Coutinho also had a great chance after being set up by
Sterling, but shot agonisingly narrowly wide with Courtois beaten.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Willian responded with a couple of threatening strikes for
Chelsea, but Mourinho was so concerned that he chose to replace 19-year old
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who’d put in an accomplished performance on his Chelsea
debut, with the far more experienced sitting midfielder Nemanja Matic on the
hour mark. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Liverpool, meanwhile, made a couple of changes of their own.
First, Jerome Sinclair was brought on for Rickie Lambert to make his Premier
League debut. He did quite well, replacing the ineffective Lambert, who was
responsible for Chelsea’s goal and made little impact on the match, managing
only 15 touches during an average performance that failed to add credence to
claims earlier in the week that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/05/transfer-rumours-rickie-lambert-chelsea" target="_blank">Chelsea are interested in signing him</a> to
replace the departing Didier Drogba.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, with just over ten minutes left, Steven Gerrard was
replaced by Lucas. Initially, he was booed by the Bridge, but those jeers soon
turned into cheers as the whole of the ground promptly followed the lead of the
Liverpool fans and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to honour one of the Premier
League’s best ever players. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbbpxkhDz1iw2VqPHsSwPQ8g5w7-LMnWiOZfPXQbTozxRr6NxRoMF-fcia7woRKy1nxLpHXLxe5wo6Rw1N2aMhjrnTS0PYfbbYlgKySIWeCyFfPCh_DSeeSf4JiVL31RchXhsLhWJuKY/s1600/gerrard+ovation+vs+chelsea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbbpxkhDz1iw2VqPHsSwPQ8g5w7-LMnWiOZfPXQbTozxRr6NxRoMF-fcia7woRKy1nxLpHXLxe5wo6Rw1N2aMhjrnTS0PYfbbYlgKySIWeCyFfPCh_DSeeSf4JiVL31RchXhsLhWJuKY/s320/gerrard+ovation+vs+chelsea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bridge honours a legend for a few seconds before returning to mercilessly mocking him</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gerrard’s dismissive response, saying it was “nice
for Chelsea fans to turn up for once”, was classic Stevie.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The final minute of the match almost saw Coutinho grab a
dramatic late winner as the Brazilian’s deflected effort nearly wrong-footed
Courtois. Unfortunately, he reacted quick enough to avert the danger and ensure
that the Blues got a point that they arguably didn’t deserve on the balance of
play.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of the day, it’s disappointing to have the final
nail hammered into the coffin of our Champions League hopes, but most Kopites
knew it was already over. Moreover, it was pleasing to see the Reds put in a
decent performance at a difficult venue where few teams come away with
anything. Gerrard scoring one last time against his arch enemies Chelsea was
also great. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s hope he and the rest of the team can now give us
something to cheer about by putting on a bit of a show in the Reds’ final two
matches at home to Crystal Palace and away to Stoke City. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YNWA</b></div>
Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-35041278874762089462015-05-03T14:43:00.003+01:002015-05-03T14:44:14.145+01:00Late Gerrard header rescues Reds against Rs<div class="MsoNormal">
Steven Gerrard saved Liverpool with a last gasp winner in
front of the Kop for perhaps the final time as the Reds beat QPR 2-1 at Anfield
yesterday. It was a fairy-tale ending to an otherwise unremarkable
end-of-season encounter, which began with Coutinho opening the scoring before
Fer levelled for the visitors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stevie seemed to have missed his chance to clinch the points
when he missed from the spot on 77 minutes, but, as it turned out, thankfully he
wasn’t to be denied his opportunity to rescue the Reds one last time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the absence of the injured Balotelli, Rickie Lambert was
finally handed a starting berth, while Lallana operated behind the former
Southampton striker alongside Sterling and Coutinho as he made his first start
since returning from injury. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
QPR began the better and had the ball in the back of the net
only one minute in, as Fer bundled home a corner kick in front of the Kop.
Fortunately, the ball had already gone out of play so the goal was disallowed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, it was a big let off for a sluggish Liverpool side
that started slowly, allowing Caulker, Fer and Henry to have further
goalscoring opportunities which they thankfully squandered by failing to hit
the target. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
QPR’s confidence is at rock bottom levels, though, as they
continue to wage a losing battle against relegation. Their captain didn’t help
them out, either, as Joey Barton gave the ball away twice in quick succession,
allowing Gerrard to drag wide and Lambert to shoot straight at Green before
Coutinho netted the opener on 19 minutes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lambert squared the ball to the talented Brazilian, who, in
his infamous manner, cut back onto his right foot before curling the ball
beyond the diving Green. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l7lZSGaw7-ljpaN5eAxsA-G_s2hjHtQ9ttkIGp-2hki8b8JgfWg6DTqd4aD8ru3-HUu7CsE1VjoPHyU2Q-lf5o-ef0KhUhH6MF2lxmsiopvzh1AOhGIWUFA6uMMADfxL8OHmxcHAWhQ/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+qpr+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1l7lZSGaw7-ljpaN5eAxsA-G_s2hjHtQ9ttkIGp-2hki8b8JgfWg6DTqd4aD8ru3-HUu7CsE1VjoPHyU2Q-lf5o-ef0KhUhH6MF2lxmsiopvzh1AOhGIWUFA6uMMADfxL8OHmxcHAWhQ/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+qpr+home.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coutinho is a world class magician</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The number 10 has now scored in all three of his appearances
against QPR, and continues to look a cut above his attacking teammates. The
likes of Lallana and Sterling are undoubtedly good players who have a vital
role to play for the Reds going forward, but they aren’t world class like
Philippe Coutinho. If he keeps on developing at his current pace then there’s
no reason why he can’t have as big an impact at Liverpool as Luis Suarez.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Merseysiders were on top for the rest of the half, but
never really got out of second gear as the game had a typical end-of-season
feel to it. Skrtel headed Gerrard’s corner off target, the skipper shot wide
and Sterling scored but was flagged offside. Apart from that, it was fairly
uneventful stuff at Anfield. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five minutes after the restart Lallana squandered a good
chance to double Liverpool’s lead, but he snatched at his shot and the ball
fizzed wide at the near post. Even worse, Sterling wasted a glorious
goalscoring opportunity on 54 minutes, as, Ronny Rosenthal-esque, he skied his
shot into the Kop from yards out when all he had to do was tap home. I keep on
saying it, but Sterling simply has to start scoring those before the club can
even consider paying him in excess of £100k a week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jordon Ibe arrived on the scene with just over 20 minutes
remaining and made an instant impact, getting to the by-line and cutting the
ball back for Lambert, who disappointingly missed the ball. It eventually fell
for Gerrard, but his shot was deflected behind for a corner, which was headed
firmly goalwards by Lovren but Green dealt with it quite well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the other end, QPR were also enjoying their best spell of
the match. Sandro’s effort was blocked by Lovren while Mignolet easily saved
Phillips’ shot from the rebound, as Chris Ramsey’s men came back into the game
and shocked the home crowd by equalising on 72 minutes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barton’s right wing corner found Fer and the 25-year old
Dutchman volleyed past Mignolet before celebrating by revealing a shirt with a
message of support for teammate Rio Ferdinand, whose wife Rebecca Ellison sadly
lost her battle with cancer this weekend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03u78H6F3EUXU8t8De7D_qOuCa15Lqnj8JGBjN04ERydHaJnuTjqrvtH0be8eHli_5Bk5ZhPaoLf1G3v4VjHElIGNw7MWpJUgTXMHJm4FPi8OsuWGQV4tDUBgC8U7U3bXXlCguOgnyyc/s1600/fer+goal+vs+qpr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03u78H6F3EUXU8t8De7D_qOuCa15Lqnj8JGBjN04ERydHaJnuTjqrvtH0be8eHli_5Bk5ZhPaoLf1G3v4VjHElIGNw7MWpJUgTXMHJm4FPi8OsuWGQV4tDUBgC8U7U3bXXlCguOgnyyc/s1600/fer+goal+vs+qpr.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fer shows his support for the Ferdinand family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
QPR’s resurgence was pleasing brief, however, and they
quickly self-destructed, as Nedum Onuoha soon conceded a spot kick after
dragging down Skrtel in the box. Green frustratingly guessed right to deny
Gerrard from 12 yards, but QPR couldn’t capitalise on the reprieve their keeper
offered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, Onuoha was sent off for a second bookable offence after
fouling Ibe. Then, Gerrard produced the goods to steal the points for the home
side. Finding space in the penalty area, Stevie swooped to superbly head home
Coutinho’s left wing corner, to the absolute delight of the vast majority inside
Anfield.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl6yDNXLsLJVUcKdvKysAaZXwYV583q6qQ_SCnGxpF7ve-oEKMVOXatUc1izblVbJx6TgfKmkZmel1mB0mH25eaHGa5Lry1P-KcnfNjikRwYnL3F4-H6tnwJPsVryQio-42uJWJkKA0M/s1600/stevie+goal+vs+qper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl6yDNXLsLJVUcKdvKysAaZXwYV583q6qQ_SCnGxpF7ve-oEKMVOXatUc1izblVbJx6TgfKmkZmel1mB0mH25eaHGa5Lry1P-KcnfNjikRwYnL3F4-H6tnwJPsVryQio-42uJWJkKA0M/s1600/stevie+goal+vs+qper.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo is just fantastic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was great to see Stevie peeling off in celebration of a
last gasp winner in front of the Kop one last time before he leaves for the
States, and he received a magnificent reception when he then left the field of
play to be replaced by Lucas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He’s inevitably not the same player that he was 10 years ago, but he’ll
always be one of, if not <i>the</i>, best Liverpool player ever, and certainly the player I’ve
most enjoyed watching during my 15 years following the club.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, his goal probably won’t count for much
because the Reds’ rubbish form has almost certainly cost them Champions League
qualification already, even though fourth placed Manchester United have now
lost three Premier League games in a row without scoring. Frustratingly, if
Liverpool had beaten <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/dull-draw-at-hawthorns-as-top-four.html" target="_blank">West Brom</a> and <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/tigers-bite-as-tame-reds-lose.html" target="_blank">Hull</a>, then they’d be sitting in fourth right
now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d prefer not to think about that now, though; revelling in
Stevie’s winner in his penultimate match at Anfield is much more fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YNWA</b></div>
Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-5111775428846218232015-04-29T11:13:00.006+01:002015-04-29T11:13:36.544+01:00Tigers bite as tame Reds loseLiverpool’s miserable run of form continued last night as they lost 1-0 away to Hull City. Michael Dawson headed home the only goal of the match (and of his Hull City career) eight minutes before the break to seal three crucial points for Steve Bruce’s side, who are now four points above the drop zone.<br />
<br />
Liverpool, meanwhile, are almost mathematically unable to finish in the top four, although most Kopites already knew that Champions League qualification was never going to happen anyway before kick-off at the KC Stadium. <br />
<br />
Roughly 1000 Liverpool supporters boycotted the match in protest at high ticket prices, leaving the away end half empty. Unfortunately, at points it seemed as if the players had followed the fans’ lead, as they never really showed up and certainly didn’t put a decent performance in, with the possible exceptions of Simon Mignolet and Philippe Coutinho.<br />
<br />
In the main surprising team news, Mario Balotelli retained his place in the starting eleven following a typically average display against West Brom on the weekend. Coutinho and Sterling started either side of him, as Gerrard missed out altogether after picking up a slight knock late on against the Baggies.<br />
<br />
Almost straight from the kick-off, Balotelli was producing his usual antics, needlessly squaring up to Tom Huddlestone after a routine foul. The Italian’s subsequent free kick was nothing to write home about, either, as it was deflected behind by Hull’s wall.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZ0RmImG2k22SZ4CFXmLAevqIMPeOrE6zyTmKi48u8K9jkJAfqDcaI8DU8LQycjF_ua3GFlsROgKLnkRfTGAtflqZWTQUcX50E8VTPYv6IaisTIy0Q0z5mSexVvfgPoxYjDU1lqMdtMo/s1600/bibo+shirt+pull+vs+hull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZ0RmImG2k22SZ4CFXmLAevqIMPeOrE6zyTmKi48u8K9jkJAfqDcaI8DU8LQycjF_ua3GFlsROgKLnkRfTGAtflqZWTQUcX50E8VTPYv6IaisTIy0Q0z5mSexVvfgPoxYjDU1lqMdtMo/s1600/bibo+shirt+pull+vs+hull.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If only Balotelli channeled some of this energy into his football</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coutinho went closer on 18 minutes, testing Harper with a decent effort from a corner kick won following a weaving run down the right wing by Jordon Ibe, but the hosts were creating the better goalscoring chances, Mignolet repelling goal-bound headed efforts from N’Doye, Chester and Elmohamady.<br />
<br />
The best the Reds could come up with in response before Mignolet was finally beaten by a header was a weak and pointless back-heeled effort by Balotelli, who was then largely responsible for Hull’s opening goal. The Italian was too slow in moving out at a corner and, although three of his teammates were offside, Michael Dawson was onside and thus able to head home Elmohamady’s ball back into the box.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8mJFzrC9CSl_nbHg0szhPoufaxTm6wQ78_VUPV6_xCK-e00OiVLjgkGTc57OSM-w2Ugw2V5Qt0fZ_sSToFGd-O1nHipiarTnheiYu8RBYNQc0WnQ5qTYaR4hl_78a4ly995WYVRF9_0/s1600/bibo+vs+hull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8mJFzrC9CSl_nbHg0szhPoufaxTm6wQ78_VUPV6_xCK-e00OiVLjgkGTc57OSM-w2Ugw2V5Qt0fZ_sSToFGd-O1nHipiarTnheiYu8RBYNQc0WnQ5qTYaR4hl_78a4ly995WYVRF9_0/s1600/bibo+vs+hull.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balotelli played Dawson onside for his goal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To make matters even worse, the number 45 then squandered a perfect opportunity to atone for his error in literally the last second of injury time, as he somehow failed to tap home from close range after some unusually excellent work from Glen Johnson, who marauded down the left wing, beating two men, before putting the ball on a plate for Balotelli.<br />
<br />
Admittedly his teammates weren’t exactly pulling up any trees, but Balotelli was particularly poor, and it still astounds me how he gets game time ahead of Rickie Lambert. The only explanation I can think of is that Rodgers wants to put him in the shop window so he can try and recoup some of the £16 million he shelled out for him last summer.<br />
<br />
The second half was perhaps even worse. Although Hull’s players, fans and manager were clearly anxious about Liverpool getting back into the match, they needn’t have worried, as the Reds never seriously threatened to equalise, let alone comeback to claim all three points.<br />
<br />
Henderson saw a couple of shots saved by Harper, but even after the introduction of Lallana and Lambert with 25 minutes left Liverpool looked incapable of truly testing Hull’s 40-year old goalkeeper. If anyone was going to make something happen, it was Philippe Coutinho, but the little Brazilian magician couldn’t do it all by himself, and he lacked back-up from a fairly mediocre supporting cast.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5r9LmS8M_VBE88zkypFsj9oKxhGrxR1YC8GBDj8N9dV1DLGKHCNcDIsFQ9v52PAdE3kn2G020uVeSSqIvwUoT3nrlMA5MybbFGjqqFUuAf5hOTQ0S0IFopkGnZCeByKF1nbTU6plKE4/s1600/coutinho+vs+hull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5r9LmS8M_VBE88zkypFsj9oKxhGrxR1YC8GBDj8N9dV1DLGKHCNcDIsFQ9v52PAdE3kn2G020uVeSSqIvwUoT3nrlMA5MybbFGjqqFUuAf5hOTQ0S0IFopkGnZCeByKF1nbTU6plKE4/s1600/coutinho+vs+hull.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coutinho and Mignolet were the only ones who came away with any credit for Liverpool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On 77 minutes he weaved past two players and tried to play in Lambert, but the former Southampton striker was too slow to latch on to it. Then, he did well to make it into the box and find Sterling, but the number 31, who is performing ridiculously poorly for a 20-year old demanding over £100k a week, shot straight at Harper.<br />
<br />
Coutinho then smashed one well wide of target in the third minute of injury time, as Hull fairly comfortably held on for what is a crucial, and well deserved, victory for them. Liverpool, on the other hand, need to take a long hard look at themselves.<br />
<br />
Their season is winding down to a very disappointing conclusion, and it feels like Rodgers' time at the club might be winding down to a sorry end as well, unless things are radically different in their final four games against QPR, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Stoke City.<br />
<br />
Champions League qualification is definitely off the table - it was before anyway- now it’s all about restoring some pride and sense of direction so that we can start next season with a bit of momentum rather than down in the doldrums.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-41854099966563181352015-04-26T14:40:00.003+01:002015-04-26T14:41:22.528+01:00Dull draw at Hawthorns as top four hopes dieLiverpool’s faint hopes of a top four finish were entirely extinguished at the Hawthorns yesterday, as Brendan Rodgers’ side were held to a dull goalless draw by West Bromwich Albion.<br />
<br />
In an instantly forgettable contest, Liverpool were the better side but, once again, lacked any sense of cutting edge in front of goal. As a result, all they could manage was a point, which, when combined with Man City’s last gasp 3-2 win over Liverpool’s FA Cup conquerors Aston Villa, leaves the Reds seven points off fourth, rendering Champions League qualification unfeasible.<br />
<br />
Mario Balotelli made his first start since February following his decent cameo display against Villa, while Jordon Ibe, returning from injury, was also in the starting eleven as Liverpool looked to provide their supporters some cheer following a trying few weeks. Unfortunately, they didn’t deliver, as a dreary first 45 minutes was followed by only a marginally better second half.<br />
<br />
With the pace, tempo and feel of an end-of-season dead rubber, the first half was dire from the moment referee Roger East blew his whistle to start the match.<br />
<br />
Only two events worth nothing occurred. First, just before the half hour mark, Steven Gerrard, making his 500th League appearance for Liverpool, curled a free kick over the bar from the edge of the box. Then, five minutes later, Balotelli blasted a volleyed strike just over the bar.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ7M8mLKjaoH8GQTWSW3fDgWxrW4mkwLbyItYbyCfR59AYpiet3MITx4hch3n23E95CQ1EFafxcRhxp61GB3A_6s7vbt2pjPN_v6IoGiXjM9HNqNWvwaCeq4UKVsAIq5ZGl3ZwiYm9QI/s1600/gerrard+vs+wba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ7M8mLKjaoH8GQTWSW3fDgWxrW4mkwLbyItYbyCfR59AYpiet3MITx4hch3n23E95CQ1EFafxcRhxp61GB3A_6s7vbt2pjPN_v6IoGiXjM9HNqNWvwaCeq4UKVsAIq5ZGl3ZwiYm9QI/s1600/gerrard+vs+wba.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard curled a free kick over the bar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Apart from that, very little happened at all, as Tony Pulis’ men, knowing that they only need a couple more points to secure safety, were happy for Liverpool to monopolise possession, fully aware that they lacked the fire power necessary to cause the Baggies serious problems.<br />
<br />
The second half was slightly more tolerable, but still far from an entertaining watch. The best goalscoring opportunity for Liverpool came ten minutes after the restart when a combination of poor finishing and last ditch defending prevented them breaking the deadlock three times in quick succession.<br />
<br />
Balotelli swivelled and shot in the box, only for his effort to be blocked by McAuley. The ball fell to Coutinho, whose weak strike was parried away by Boaz Myhill, but only as far as Henderson, who tried to turn home the rebound but saw his shot blocked in the goalmouth.<br />
<br />
Ibe then blasted against the bar after playing a neat one-two with Balotelli and darting into the danger area, as the Merseysiders briefly threatened. They remained vulnerable at the back, though, and West Brom seemed to respond, Gardner shooting into the side-netting before Skrtel made a mess of cutting out a cross, forcing Lovren to make a goalline clearance to stop Morrison’s header crossing the line.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaBHzSV8PopUCFRRm7nUG828VxWin3PAlZJgIBwH_ph0hTOAoaI2-S2_b55r9z08USsTmu2qJBfnkq7BR1rpjqxpv2Y4AkjIhaR8aDmO_wB3-_gws1IwnW-sUMm2MbZ7DzDFTHltxTgU/s1600/craig-gardner-west-brom-liverpool_3295040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaBHzSV8PopUCFRRm7nUG828VxWin3PAlZJgIBwH_ph0hTOAoaI2-S2_b55r9z08USsTmu2qJBfnkq7BR1rpjqxpv2Y4AkjIhaR8aDmO_wB3-_gws1IwnW-sUMm2MbZ7DzDFTHltxTgU/s1600/craig-gardner-west-brom-liverpool_3295040.jpg" height="169" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardner shot into the side netting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a good clearance from Lovren, who was actually one of Liverpool’s best performers, which is a damning indictment on the rest of the team considering; 1) how shockingly bad the former Southampton defender has been on a consistent basis this season, and 2) Liverpool spent the entire match trying to break down the Baggies’ defence, so the fact that a defender was arguably the Reds’ Man of the Match says all you need to know about the success of their attack!<br />
<br />
With 15 minutes left, Lallana returned to action, replacing Ibe, while Borini was brought on in place of Balotelli, which was frustrating as Rodgers really should have gone with two up front at that stage to try and force the issue.<br />
<br />
As it transpired, Liverpool only had one more chance, Coutinho’s strike from 20 yards landing on the roof of the net, while West Brom also could have nicked an undeserved winner in the closing stages as Mignolet was called upon to save from Callum McManaman at his near post after the 24-year old former Wigan winger skipped past the off-form Skrtel.<br />
<br />
At the end of the day, though, everyone was pleased when the final whistle was blown; West Brom, because a point represented a good result from them, and Liverpool because it brought to a close a rubbish afternoon that they’d very much like to quickly forget.<br />
<br />
At a stretch, maybe we can be pleased with the Reds keeping their 14th clean sheet of the campaign, but Rodgers’ description of Liverpool’s performance as <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32468638" target="_blank">‘outstanding’</a> stretched the limits of credulity. Yes, his team had three-quarters of possession and 22 shots, but only a pathetic five of them were on target, and, when you want to be challenging for the Champions League, that’s just not good enough.<br />
<br />
What is particularly annoying is the fact that events yesterday could have quite easily put Liverpool back in the fight for fourth had they taken a different turn. Had Liverpool taken their chances and beaten West Brom and had Villa held on for a few extra minutes at the Etihad, then the gap between the teams would have narrowed to a still considerable, but certainly not insurmountable, five points.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLnlpIJQKltuF4fJhbEDxMxdhZDJjqFVEKJ_yccUTuF-1prg0NEiCN58JtGOHawjZjgEDqvPlTAoCRMTYczKFAPgztX9q6aCH54uYGy2Zwgi1H2pEWylHf_VgwDQVNV2aQFcC09ADSDA/s1600/lovren+vs+wba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLnlpIJQKltuF4fJhbEDxMxdhZDJjqFVEKJ_yccUTuF-1prg0NEiCN58JtGOHawjZjgEDqvPlTAoCRMTYczKFAPgztX9q6aCH54uYGy2Zwgi1H2pEWylHf_VgwDQVNV2aQFcC09ADSDA/s1600/lovren+vs+wba.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovren and his teammates are dejected on the final whistle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As it was, Liverpool just didn’t really show up, and got what they deserved as their Champions League dreams lie in tatters.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-48242818490029814612015-04-20T11:26:00.001+01:002015-04-20T11:30:21.860+01:00Rubbish Reds crash out of CupLiverpool performed woefully at Wembley, as they crashed out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage after losing 2-1 to Tim Sherwood’s resurgent Aston Villa side.<br />
<br />
Philippe Coutinho capitalised on some poor Villa defending to give the Reds the lead in the first half, but Benteke responded almost immediately for Villa, and the excellent Fabian Delph scored what turned out to be the winner early in the second half.<br />
<br />
The response that Liverpool managed to muster was embarrassingly meagre, and the Midlanders quite comfortably held out to secure a deserved victory and book their place in the final against Arsenal in May. Liverpool’s season, meanwhile, is effectively over, after Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over West Ham in the Premier League yesterday afternoon moved them seven points clear in fourth.<br />
<br />
Emre Can, Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard all made immediate returns to the starting line-up following suspension, the first two forming a back three with Dejan Lovren and the skipper, starting for the first time in 13 matches, flanking Raheem Sterling with Philippe Coutinho. The other major team news saw Daniel Sturridge miss out altogether, as the perennially injury plagued England international didn’t even make the bench at Wembley.<br />
<br />
The opening exchanges were fairly even, with both sides passing neatly and having sights of goal. For Liverpool, Allen and Henderson shot wide, while Villa’s N’Zogbia fired a left footed shot towards the top corner that forced Mignolet to tip over the bar.<br />
<br />
A key moment came on 26 minutes, when injured Villa centre back Nathan Baker had to be replaced by Jores Okore. Not yet up to speed with the contest, Okore was at fault for Coutinho’s opener, as Villa’s backline repeatedly spurned opportunities to clear their lines, allowing the Brazilian magician to weave his way into the box before curling past Given.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYg2uS4hct1YW92dUr5cOQkvI217VHSHthT-Ue7B__wUiI2eUGMXfZhkb8XrCtcyGlrvAtLkj_475VTYiOd1OvWO_jltbICA8mxFcTruw97kfAWdylbym6cvVg5gYMqvbeyBJZwXuJd-c/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYg2uS4hct1YW92dUr5cOQkvI217VHSHthT-Ue7B__wUiI2eUGMXfZhkb8XrCtcyGlrvAtLkj_475VTYiOd1OvWO_jltbICA8mxFcTruw97kfAWdylbym6cvVg5gYMqvbeyBJZwXuJd-c/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+villa.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coutinho's goal was the highlight of a disappointing afternoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a clinical finish from Coutinho, but his goal owed as much to Villa’s incompetent defending as it did to the brilliance of Liverpool’s number ten, who had been a crucial part of Liverpool’s cup run, scoring in replays at both <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/liverpool-late-show-keeps-cup-dream.html" target="_blank">Bolton</a> and <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/reds-secure-narrow-replay-win-over.html" target="_blank">Blackburn</a>. <br />
<br />
Importantly, Liverpool’s lead did not last long, as, within five minutes, the on-form Benteke levelled with his sixth strike in Villa’s last seven games. Delph broke down the left wing and, with Markovic and Can nowhere to be seen, Skrtel was pulled out of position. This allowed Benteke plenty of room to receive Delph’s cutback and side-foot past Mignolet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVblm50CpbnBPnzpOV62ifQ6Gq4Je_W80fa9n-ENZIjxD9g6o23vpBbj2AaWZ3sBCpfYF0YHSBqvlkBDqMukCZ6-gQZYjNq3hYvoqtA9kP5pWO6DsMwPe6C-kVrxHdE1AeUmMGHUKggg/s1600/benteke+goal+vs+lfc+fa+cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVblm50CpbnBPnzpOV62ifQ6Gq4Je_W80fa9n-ENZIjxD9g6o23vpBbj2AaWZ3sBCpfYF0YHSBqvlkBDqMukCZ6-gQZYjNq3hYvoqtA9kP5pWO6DsMwPe6C-kVrxHdE1AeUmMGHUKggg/s1600/benteke+goal+vs+lfc+fa+cup.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benteke equalised almost immediately</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Belgian striker has now scored in five of his last six matches against Liverpool, and this was surely the most important, as it immediately restored Villa’s confidence while simultaneously destroying the platform that Liverpool hoped Coutinho’s goal would provide for them to build a better performance on.<br />
<br />
Liverpool did have a couple more chances to reclaim the lead before the break, Lovren heading wide from Gerrard’s corner after Coutinho’s shot had been deflected over, but the momentum and belief seemed to be with Villa.<br />
<br />
This was demonstrated by their rapid start to the second half, which began with N’Zogbia shooting off target and Mignolet gratefully collecting Benteke’s deflected shot, but ended with Delph and Benteke combining once again to put Sherwood’s side ahead.<br />
<br />
Delph played Benteke in behind the Liverpool defence, and he back-heeled the ball to Grealish, who in turn released Delph in the penalty area. The 25-year old midfielder cut inside Lovren and fired past Mignolet to deservedly give Villa the lead.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindZ_jvRzBXGa8vRwty2aeYWdEw1lyyAPxkcHNwAQYsRd7sU7MJsJOo1pff-4qduFvVF_zIjAQaLe0WIhvKwmUZwO-CPEpR-vEd-P7Ltp9ZiDkc373wisSK-NLWwIcPz-s8-dBN948ub0/s1600/delph+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindZ_jvRzBXGa8vRwty2aeYWdEw1lyyAPxkcHNwAQYsRd7sU7MJsJOo1pff-4qduFvVF_zIjAQaLe0WIhvKwmUZwO-CPEpR-vEd-P7Ltp9ZiDkc373wisSK-NLWwIcPz-s8-dBN948ub0/s1600/delph+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delph, Villa's star man, bagged the winner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mario Balotelli, who came on for the ineffective Lazar Markovic at the break, seemingly spurned the perfect opportunity to do what Villa did to the Reds in the first half and immediately equalise, as he inexplicably failed to connect to a cross with just Given to beat. Only the linesman’s offside flag could spare Balotelli’s blushes.<br />
<br />
Apart from that, Liverpool did precious little to suggest that they were going to fight their way back into the match and, as the minutes dwindled down; many Kopites became increasingly nervous that the expected final push would fail to materialise. Their fears proved well founded.<br />
<br />
Crucially, the players that you would expect to step up to the plate in big moments in big games like these were nowhere to be seen. Henderson was anonymous, as was Sterling, whose effective absence from proceedings yesterday makes his wage demands seem increasingly farcical.<br />
<br />
Coutinho was also disappointingly quiet after opening the scoring and, although I held out hopes of a late Gerrard rescue to roll back the years, my faith proved hopelessly blind and optimistic; the skipper is a fading star, and his semi-final no-show proved it.<br />
<br />
Lovren and Balotelli headed over in the closing stages, while Gerrard also saw Richardson clear his header off the line, but, apart from long balls into the box and headed efforts from set pieces, Liverpool produced little to seriously worry their opponents.<br />
<br />
The afternoon was summed up by Dejan Lovren in the third of four minutes of injury time. The ball came to him 40 yards out and he had two options; one, he could have put the ball back into the box where the majority of Liverpool’s players were or, two, he could have played a simple five yard pass to Gerrard, who would have a much better chance of scoring a last gasp worldie from range. Instead, the £20 million signing from Southampton blasted high, wide and handsome into the stands.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UP3DR0f0p94pl8AIpnoeUzFXyZagrXB2EoM2gwb9biPHvipbbHathqB_S9DH6cmCYEEfx1sqPZgpbPFIkbDeYSzyoRrf4sdC8aOhM62uzAs5MoMTN6CA_yKStOruPNQ20P1sc2UaMhQ/s1600/lfc+players+gutted+vs+villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UP3DR0f0p94pl8AIpnoeUzFXyZagrXB2EoM2gwb9biPHvipbbHathqB_S9DH6cmCYEEfx1sqPZgpbPFIkbDeYSzyoRrf4sdC8aOhM62uzAs5MoMTN6CA_yKStOruPNQ20P1sc2UaMhQ/s1600/lfc+players+gutted+vs+villa.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Season over: Liverpool's players are inconsolable on the final whistle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a depressing end to a depression afternoon that depressingly effectively draws down the curtain on Liverpool’s 2014/2015 campaign. With no cup to win and Champions League qualification a pipe dream, there’s basically nothing to play for in the final six matches.<br />
<br />
Liverpool can have no complaints, though; Villa were the better team on the day and the Reds just didn’t show up when it really mattered, as has been the case far too many times during what has been a frustratingly up and down season.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-62799606918072861632015-04-15T09:37:00.002+01:002015-04-15T09:37:32.149+01:0026 years on: The 96 rememberedOn 15th April 1989, 26 years ago today, Liverpool supporters set out to Hillsborough, Sheffield to support their team in the FA Cup semi-final. Tragically, 96 supporters never returned. They had been crushed to death in the pens after fatal over-crowding.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGu7WpwHQyWfpaDqc-QbVWGVAA31VboaHXndOnN9aTPoHfKJVA5TDV1WAF8zO18LuHBLqUTBq81Ytk69xBU_l7Vs562QAYagX9nAEWDGJtRkz8qQDrfmgzYp25SGEktEiHt_en_jizGY/s1600/hillsborough+vs+nufc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGu7WpwHQyWfpaDqc-QbVWGVAA31VboaHXndOnN9aTPoHfKJVA5TDV1WAF8zO18LuHBLqUTBq81Ytk69xBU_l7Vs562QAYagX9nAEWDGJtRkz8qQDrfmgzYp25SGEktEiHt_en_jizGY/s1600/hillsborough+vs+nufc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 96 were remembered before the Newcastle match on Monday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These are the names of the 96 who lost their lives;<br />
<br />
John Alfred Anderson (62)<br />
<br />
Colin Mark Ashcroft (19)<br />
<br />
James Gary Aspinall (18)<br />
<br />
Kester Roger Marcus Ball (16)<br />
<br />
Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron (67)<br />
<br />
Simon Bell (17)<br />
<br />
Barry Sidney Bennett (26)<br />
<br />
David John Benson (22)<br />
<br />
David William Birtle (22)<br />
<br />
Tony Bland (22)<br />
<br />
Paul David Brady (21)<br />
<br />
Andrew Mark Brookes (26)<br />
<br />
Carl Brown (18)<br />
<br />
David Steven Brown (25)<br />
<br />
Henry Thomas Burke (47)<br />
<br />
Peter Andrew Burkett (24)<br />
<br />
Paul William Carlile (19)<br />
<br />
Raymond Thomas Chapman (50)<br />
<br />
Gary Christopher Church (19)<br />
<br />
Joseph Clark (29)<br />
<br />
Paul Clark (18)<br />
<br />
Gary Collins (22)<br />
<br />
Stephen Paul Copoc (20)<br />
<br />
Tracey Elizabeth Cox (23)<br />
<br />
James Philip Delaney (19)<br />
<br />
Christopher Barry Devonside (18)<br />
<br />
Christopher Edwards (29)<br />
<br />
Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons (34)<br />
<br />
Thomas Steven Fox (21)<br />
<br />
Jon-Paul Gilhooley (10)<br />
<br />
Barry Glover (27)<br />
<br />
Ian Thomas Glover (20)<br />
<br />
Derrick George Godwin (24)<br />
<br />
Roy Harry Hamilton (34)<br />
<br />
Philip Hammond (14)<br />
<br />
Eric Hankin (33)<br />
<br />
Gary Harrison (27)<br />
<br />
Stephen Francis Harrison (31)<br />
<br />
Peter Andrew Harrison (15)<br />
<br />
David Hawley (39)<br />
<br />
James Robert Hennessy (29)<br />
<br />
Paul Anthony Hewitson (26)<br />
<br />
Carl Darren Hewitt (17)<br />
<br />
Nicholas Michael Hewitt (16)<br />
<br />
Sarah Louise Hicks (19)<br />
<br />
Victoria Jane Hicks (15)<br />
<br />
Gordon Rodney Horn (20)<br />
<br />
Arthur Horrocks (41)<br />
<br />
Thomas Howard (39)<br />
<br />
Thomas Anthony Howard (14)<br />
<br />
Eric George Hughes (42)<br />
<br />
Alan Johnston (29)<br />
<br />
Christine Anne Jones (27)<br />
<br />
Gary Philip Jones (18)<br />
<br />
Richard Jones (25)<br />
<br />
Nicholas Peter Joynes (27)<br />
<br />
Anthony Peter Kelly (29)<br />
<br />
Michael David Kelly (38)<br />
<br />
Carl David Lewis (18)<br />
<br />
David William Mather (19)<br />
<br />
Brian Christopher Matthews (38)<br />
<br />
Francis Jospeh McAllister (27)<br />
<br />
John McBrien (18)<br />
<br />
Marion Hazel McCabe (21)<br />
<br />
Joseph Daniel McCarthy (21)<br />
<br />
Peter McDonnell (21)<br />
<br />
Alan McGlone (28)<br />
<br />
Keith McGrath (17)<br />
<br />
Paul Brian Murray (14)<br />
<br />
Lee Nicol (14)<br />
<br />
Stephen Francis O'Neill (17)<br />
<br />
Jonathon Owens (18)<br />
<br />
William Roy Pemberton (23)<br />
<br />
Carl William Rimmer (21)<br />
<br />
David George Rimmer (38)<br />
<br />
Graham John Roberts (24)<br />
<br />
Steven Joseph Robinson (17)<br />
<br />
Henry Charles Rogers (17)<br />
<br />
Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton (23)<br />
<br />
Inger Shah (38)<br />
<br />
Paula Ann Smith (26)<br />
<br />
Adam Edward Spearritt (14)<br />
<br />
Philip John Steele (15)<br />
<br />
David Leonard Thomas (23)<br />
<br />
Patrick John Thompson (35)<br />
<br />
Peter Reuben Thompson (30)<br />
<br />
Stuart Paul William Thompson (17)<br />
<br />
Peter Francis Tootle (21)<br />
<br />
Christopher James Traynor (26)<br />
<br />
Martin Kevin Traynor (16)<br />
<br />
Kevin Tyrrell (15)<br />
<br />
Colin Wafer (19)<br />
<br />
Ian David Whelan (19)<br />
<br />
Martin Kenneth Wild (29)<br />
<br />
Kevin Daniel Williams (15)<br />
<br />
Graham John Wright (17)<br />
<br />
<b>Justice for the 96. Never Forgotten. You'll Never Walk Alone</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-24339405881772711112015-04-14T10:45:00.001+01:002015-04-14T10:45:24.360+01:00Sterling and Allen put Newcastle to the swordRaheem Sterling and Joe Allen were on target as Liverpool put Newcastle to the sword and secured a relatively simple 2-0 win at Anfield on Monday night. Warming them up nicely for the FA Cup semi-final versus Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, this victory also takes the Reds within four points of fourth placed Manchester City.<br />
<br />
Daniel Sturridge was left out of the squad altogether after feeling the effects of a hip injury suffered against Blackburn in the FA Cup quarter final replay. He now faces a race to be fit for the semi-final. In his absence, Raheem Sterling, who has courted much off-field controversy recently, began up front alongside the brilliant Philippe Coutinho and Jordon Ibe, who was perhaps predictably underwhelming on his return from injury.<br />
<br />
After an impeccably observed minute’s silence two days before the 26th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, the away side actually began the better, Cabella seeing a shot deflected wide as John Carver’s men were on top during the opening exchanges.<br />
<br />
That all changed, however, when Raheem Sterling responded to his critics by bagging the opener in spectacular fashion. The number 31 collected Henderson’s wonderful diagonal pass before proceeding to cut inside and curl an awesome strike into the corner of the net.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje06StoZDdXxGcraPiqY6EnDs9BwYuOXpPe9cI5CXmIbvAKtm9FXYhG3njWXkx-VbhYjyMWxfM5nzWUux-skh7Ewe7OFLUxvRI_W4S95X-z7vg_arP5zha3tcarGprc2_jR6GqFu90AV4/s1600/sterling+celebrates+vs+newcastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje06StoZDdXxGcraPiqY6EnDs9BwYuOXpPe9cI5CXmIbvAKtm9FXYhG3njWXkx-VbhYjyMWxfM5nzWUux-skh7Ewe7OFLUxvRI_W4S95X-z7vg_arP5zha3tcarGprc2_jR6GqFu90AV4/s1600/sterling+celebrates+vs+newcastle.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sterling celebrates scoring the opener</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a lovely strike from Sterling, and if he could produce that type of finish on a consistent basis then his wage demands- which <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmExyF-ym-I" target="_blank">the Kop mocked</a> by singing, “Raheem Sterling, Your agent’s a kn*b”!- might be more reasonable. As it is, though, the 20-year old talent also missed a couple of sitters in the second half which explain why he isn’t worth more than the £100,000 a week the club are currently offering him.<br />
<br />
After the opener had been scored, Liverpool were in the ascendancy for the majority of the remainder of the half, the unmarked Moreno testing Tim Krul five minutes later, before a bit of typical brilliance from Coutinho to skip past Colback and Williamson went unrewarded as there was nobody in the box to turn home his enticing low cross. The Brazilian magician was then involved in a clever free kick routine with Henderson, which fooled everyone but disappointingly ended with his effort on goal being blocked.<br />
<br />
As the half came to a close, Newcastle came back into the match, starting with Mehdi Abeid shooting sweetly but straight into Mignolet’s arms on the half hour mark. Referee Lee Mason then harshly refused Ayoze Perez a penalty despite being well-placed to witness Lovren’s foul in the box, before Mignolet had to be on top form to turn behind the Spanish striker’s excellent header.<br />
<br />
There was still time for Abeid to fire into the Kop in the dying seconds of injury time, as Newcastle ended the first half and then started the second period strongly. After the restart, Obertan headed wide and Abeid saw another shot blocked as Liverpool struggled to get going again. Raheem Sterling could have rectified that on the hour mark, but he somehow dribbled the ball wide with his left foot when it would have been easier to score from only a few yards out.<br />
<br />
On 67 minutes, the Anfield crowd once again evidenced its class, as the whole stadium stood to welcome Newcastle substitute Jonas Gutierrez, who has fought testicular cancer to return to football, on to the pitch.<br />
<br />
Three minutes later, Newcastle were charitable in return, as some horrible defending from Mike Williamson allowed Allen to fire home the loose ball from close range to double the Merseysiders’ lead and effectively end the match as a contest.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJ2Ks5eBOz15lykuMY1W8ZmSeSqdqp6i5ey2ompfpao3WMOCMpiGClhB5qHSvLUGpWPXYGKA2mBjJ1eZ_zyqxlvab-G_g3nht1QPSIdO6wNrkpBQtt3H3tftDtpwMGqhOh0foz__zMTw/s1600/allen+goal+vs+newcastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJ2Ks5eBOz15lykuMY1W8ZmSeSqdqp6i5ey2ompfpao3WMOCMpiGClhB5qHSvLUGpWPXYGKA2mBjJ1eZ_zyqxlvab-G_g3nht1QPSIdO6wNrkpBQtt3H3tftDtpwMGqhOh0foz__zMTw/s1600/allen+goal+vs+newcastle.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was Allen's first goal since <i>that</i> 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It got worse for Newcastle, as Sissoko saw red after picking up a second yellow for a horror tackle on Lucas that warranted a straight red card. Liverpool couldn’t inflict more pain on the Toon, though, as they were wasteful in front of goal, Lovren heading a corner over the bar when he should have at least hit the target and Sterling unable to keep his shot down when in a perfect position to double his personal tally for the evening.<br />
<br />
When is all said and done, however, Liverpool fans can have few complaints. This Liverpool-Newcastle match certainly won’t go down in history alongside other epic encounters with the Geordies, but it was important to get back to winning ways in the League and pleasing to see the Reds put in a pretty decent performance for the first time in a while.<br />
<br />
Liverpool’s chances of Champions League qualification remain slim, but all they can do is keep winning to keep the pressure on the out of sorts City, and that’s what they did with relative ease at Anfield last night.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-7899572184690473292015-04-09T11:59:00.001+01:002015-04-09T11:59:25.927+01:00Reds secure narrow replay win over RoversA Philippe Coutinho goal 160 minutes into Liverpool’s FA Cup quarter final tie with Blackburn Rovers proved enough to seal a semi-final spot for the Reds and keep their season alive.<br />
<br />
Seven points off fourth with only seven matches left to play, Champions League qualification is now a distant dream for Liverpool, so a defeat last night would have seen them embarrassingly knocked out of the FA Cup by lower league opposition and effectively end their season. Thankfully, though, despite a far from impressive display, the Reds ground out an important victory, setting up a semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday 19th April.<br />
<br />
Following an abysmal defensive display <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/what-went-wrong-and-where-do-we-go-from.html" target="_blank">at Arsenal</a> on the weekend and with Emre Can and Martin Skrtel suspended, Brendan Rodgers reverted to four at the back, with Johnson coming in at right back and Lovren replacing Toure, who performed dreadfully against the Gunners.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before we saw the Ivorian again, as he replaced the injured Sakho on the half hour mark. He looked a little shaky, but was nowhere near as bad as he was against Arsenal, which isn’t saying much.<br />
<br />
After having a taste of their own medicine against Manchester United and Arsenal, Liverpool returned to dominating possession and controlling the game in the first half against Blackburn, although they struggled to get their slick passing game going on a difficult Ewood Park pitch. They also failed to craft many decent goalscoring chances and were routinely frustrated by two banks of four that were tough to break down.<br />
<br />
In fact, although Liverpool had the better of the opening exchanges, Allen skewing a volley wide after five minutes, Blackburn were handed the first real chance after a quarter of an hour by what was nearly a costly slip up from Sakho.<br />
<br />
The French centre back dwelt on a hopeful punt forward from Rovers and almost allowed Craig Conway in as communication completely broke down between Sakho and Mignolet. He eventually recovered to make a decent block, but it was a sign that, for all their dominance going forward, Liverpool remained vulnerable at the back.<br />
<br />
Sakho was also at the centre of Rovers’ next good opportunity, as Jordan Rhodes exploited the fact that his hamstring injury had left him hobbling back to get in a good position to head Conway’s left wing cross goalwards. Fortunately, the Scotland striker spurned a great chance, heading poorly well over the bar.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7sTsGauK5xen0sCwQCKqeZ82GoDL9Ixy15e5D4EIRTAF3PbfPUBYaVH2tixzQ7Y1sykD8FKhTMx7DBieNNCmwSj1W9E9ykkqMqFVy67MWCKPsuZ7qnMMG4bcLssT-vkSpHOO9E9xX3g/s1600/sahko+injury+vs+rovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7sTsGauK5xen0sCwQCKqeZ82GoDL9Ixy15e5D4EIRTAF3PbfPUBYaVH2tixzQ7Y1sykD8FKhTMx7DBieNNCmwSj1W9E9ykkqMqFVy67MWCKPsuZ7qnMMG4bcLssT-vkSpHOO9E9xX3g/s1600/sahko+injury+vs+rovers.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sakho limps off injured</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At that point, Sakho was substituted and, as the game approached half time, Liverpool began to produce a few more chances, Johnson lashing towards the near post from a tight angle and Sturridge trying his luck with a dipping effort that Eastwood dealt with well.<br />
<br />
Coutinho, a key player in the Reds’ cup run, was at the centre of everything good about the Merseysiders’ performance, and he had the best chance to score ten minutes before the break.<br />
<br />
Chaos ensued in Blackburn’s box following a corner, and the ball eventually fell to Coutinho. His low shot towards the bottom corner forced a good save out of Eastwood, whose view was obscured by two players in his line of sight. One of those players, Daniel Sturridge, tried and failed to get a touch on it that would have turned the ball home and given the visitors a crucial lead at the interval.<br />
<br />
Coutinho had a couple more chances before the break, firing way over from 20 yards after the ball bobbled at precisely the wrong moment and also seeing another attempt blocked, but there was nothing Liverpool could do to avoid entering half time with the scores at a stalemate.<br />
<br />
After the restart, Blackburn immediately came out with a far more attacking approach and had two great goalscoring opportunities within the first minute of the second half. First, Mignolet had to acrobatically turn Cairney’s effort over for a corner, which was subsequently turned goalwards by the head of Ben Marshall.<br />
<br />
The Belgian stopper then produced another brilliant save, getting a firm left hand to it and thus turning the ball on to the post. There were questions as to whether the ball had brushed Joe Allen’s arm on its way through, but it would have been incredibly harsh had Kevin Friend pointed to the spot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M8jQRXfFONOqDMOzaW3atpHq5dX8uEAPwAPLIU7tosjRp1FbIxXzeQvegBvQ6HKTmP34cI-ysK5kLYQBXUxhL4LkWLEs8Bj-EpNNnw0puF3OT9OsxSej7C12M-z1wOm2S-l6-wNsYKU/s1600/mignolet+save+vs+rovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M8jQRXfFONOqDMOzaW3atpHq5dX8uEAPwAPLIU7tosjRp1FbIxXzeQvegBvQ6HKTmP34cI-ysK5kLYQBXUxhL4LkWLEs8Bj-EpNNnw0puF3OT9OsxSej7C12M-z1wOm2S-l6-wNsYKU/s1600/mignolet+save+vs+rovers.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a great save from Mignolet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was worrying for five minutes when Blackburn looked like they might take the lead, but, overall, it played into Liverpool’s hands, as space opened up for them to exploit in Rovers’ half. Despite that additional space, Liverpool still crucially lacked quality in the final third. That was, until Coutinho produced a piece of magic with twenty minutes remaining.<br />
<br />
Coutinho played a clever one-two with Henderson after a short corner, allowing him space to drill an unstoppable shot across Eastwood and into the far corner. Coming only moments after Rovers’ substitute Rudy Gestede had caused some trouble up the other end; the goal came as a welcome relief and put the visitors firmly in the driving seat in the contest.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuou-ZrOP3t-ggR3GBv0mqrzdCATAZv-wQ34-tvkkSY87-r3KKIr3Elr_y-0XtN8KMObBnBoA5sGd900esK-vrJZR_SU6RjTRpuUZ7OnfEDne9HIid94ZGBNXZkQJqqisxFUlbpoed3E/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+rovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuou-ZrOP3t-ggR3GBv0mqrzdCATAZv-wQ34-tvkkSY87-r3KKIr3Elr_y-0XtN8KMObBnBoA5sGd900esK-vrJZR_SU6RjTRpuUZ7OnfEDne9HIid94ZGBNXZkQJqqisxFUlbpoed3E/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+rovers.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little magician produced the goods in the FA Cup once again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Blackburn lacked the energy to mount a serious challenge during the closing stages, while Liverpool had a few chances to put the outcome beyond doubt, Lambert heading into the side-netting only moments after replacing Sturridge and Allen being denied a penalty despite Williamson’s foul on him in the box.<br />
<br />
Liverpool did suffer one final fright in the dying seconds of injury time, though, as goalkeeper Eastwood raced forward for a long throw and ended up firing a decent effort goalwards. It took him two attempts, but thankfully Mignolet eventually dealt with the shot to deny Blackburn a fairy tale comeback story.<br />
<br />
To be fair to Mignolet, although he worried me with Eastwood’s effort, he had a good game and made a couple of important saves, which turned out to be crucial in helping the Reds reach Wembley. Coutinho was the other stand-out performer, but most of his teammates were a level or two below their potential.<br />
<br />
Improvement is certainly needed ahead of the semi-final versus Villa next weekend, but right now it’s just great to still have something to play for this season.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-76195544423685578832015-04-07T12:08:00.004+01:002015-04-07T12:15:31.504+01:00What went wrong and where do we go from here?It’s been a tough few weeks for Liverpool. <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/reds-lose-as-stupid-stevie-sees-red.html" target="_blank">Defeat against Manchester United </a>at the end of March was the worst way imaginable to enter the international break, while comments from Raheem Sterling regarding his on-going contractual negotiations have not been helpful in the least, providing an unnecessary off-field distraction.<br />
<br />
In light of that United defeat, getting something against Arsenal on Easter Saturday was crucial for the Reds’ hopes of Champions League qualification. Had Liverpool at least drawn with United, a point at the Emirates might not have been a bad result, but what Rodgers’ men really needed was a win.<br />
<br />
It was always going to be a tough task at a venue where Liverpool have historically struggled. Few could have foreseen the complete collapse that occurred on Saturday lunchtime, though. Admittedly Arsenal were on top form, as Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud all found the net in a comprehensive 4-1 victory, but Liverpool were as bad as their hosts were brilliant.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK3IGLBaCsnKAAcTao2BblTfOpZPFzqM1idkVbNv35sdB_c932qkj6tLBhqbOOUrliUQY1Hgda8YWIvzBwfTg1o6PsGqOm38MZmhEknLvtnSLJ5Z9OXAsu8lYfXomOyqoxxSYFS1K3m4/s1600/lfc+players+gutted+vs+arsenal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK3IGLBaCsnKAAcTao2BblTfOpZPFzqM1idkVbNv35sdB_c932qkj6tLBhqbOOUrliUQY1Hgda8YWIvzBwfTg1o6PsGqOm38MZmhEknLvtnSLJ5Z9OXAsu8lYfXomOyqoxxSYFS1K3m4/s1600/lfc+players+gutted+vs+arsenal.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day after Goof Friday was a bad day for Liverpool fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In fact, the Reds were so poor that a very long list could be written detailing in great depth where they went wrong, but here are the three main things that went wrong against Arsenal.<br />
<br />
<b>Defensive disaster</b><br />
<br />
Liverpool’s defence has improved hugely recently, but it reverted back to the bad old days of earlier in the season on Saturday, utterly undermining the visitor’s efforts. Having not conceded away from home in the League since the <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/toothless-reds-punished-by-ruthless-red.html" target="_blank">3-0 defeat</a> at Old Trafford in December, the defence capitulated and conceded that number of goals in the first 45 minutes at the Emirates.<br />
<br />
Kolo Toure was particularly awful, routinely giving the ball away and inviting pressure from the high-pressing hosts. Wing back was also a problem area, as Jordan Henderson, pushed out to right wing back to accommodate the returning Lucas, clearly looked uncomfortable, while describing Moreno’s defending for Bellerin’s opener as school-boy would be paying the Spaniard a huge favour.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW3-HrPbTlLTvL-P8ptW4CCLC3xLRcN65aGOLNifwQJPWD6u_W2VJ7TMhElPm9gYKGajDdhd-u1531E_iVEkak_IeQGyegDpcQ3GD3yZAPpW-JxMqPJKXDLaeELiYOPdSKCuKSAQvgjQ/s1600/bellering+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirW3-HrPbTlLTvL-P8ptW4CCLC3xLRcN65aGOLNifwQJPWD6u_W2VJ7TMhElPm9gYKGajDdhd-u1531E_iVEkak_IeQGyegDpcQ3GD3yZAPpW-JxMqPJKXDLaeELiYOPdSKCuKSAQvgjQ/s1600/bellering+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="169" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moreno was beaten far too easily for Bellerin's goal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, although he made a few good saves to avoid an even more embarrassing result, Mignolet had to do better with Ozil’s free kick. There’s no way that should be beating him.<br />
<br />
All in all, it was a very bad day in the office for Liverpool’s defence, which clearly missed Martin Skrtel. The absence of Emre Can against Blackburn following his red card against Arsenal only depletes the Reds’ defensive resources further, and Brendan Rodgers might want to consider reverting to a back four, as he did with some success in the second half against the Gunners.<br />
<br />
<b>Costly missed chances</b><br />
<br />
At this level, and against top teams like Arsenal, missing golden goalscoring chances will always cost you dearly, and that well-established fact proved true once again on the weekend. Liverpool’s profligacy in front of goal is reflected in the statistics. Only 2 of their 13 shots were on target, which is pathetic in comparison to Arsenal, who managed to get 10 of their 16 shots on target.<br />
<br />
The most costly missed chance came on roughly 20 minutes. Liverpool had weathered an early storm and were coming back into the game when Lazar Markovic went clear through on Ospina’s goal. Instead of shooting, as he should have done, the 21-year old Serb squared to Sterling, who wasn’t expecting a pass and therefore couldn’t quite stretch far enough to get a toe to it and turn home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBeWdbl3FnAZGAQxHPArL8i1dU-txxGt-w-_mfiToXO8NUgrnJGO5-HD_8Fdq7qB8soI5wsUnYg125qUhlopzbKEImOcVWjulqIh-CGXsltkGwGP-y9LxjNFFOJzMvfqPPu7GZVOd4Ro/s1600/sterling+vs+arsenal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBeWdbl3FnAZGAQxHPArL8i1dU-txxGt-w-_mfiToXO8NUgrnJGO5-HD_8Fdq7qB8soI5wsUnYg125qUhlopzbKEImOcVWjulqIh-CGXsltkGwGP-y9LxjNFFOJzMvfqPPu7GZVOd4Ro/s1600/sterling+vs+arsenal.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sterling should have given Liverpool the lead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a terrible spurned opportunity at a crucial time of the game. Had the Merseysiders taken the lead at that stage, the game could have taken on an entirely different complexion. As it was, the chance was wasted and Arsenal went on to dominate and all too easily claim three crucial points.<br />
<br />
<b>Lack of leadership</b><br />
<br />
With Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel both picking up suspensions for stupid stamps against United, a youthful Liverpool lacked the leaders necessary to provide the grit that helps teams get through tough times in matches against the best sides.<br />
<br />
Kolo Toure could have taken the leadership mantle, as he did spectacularly <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/rodgers-vindicated-as-reds-reserves.html" target="_blank">in Madrid </a>earlier in the season in similarly adverse circumstances, but instead put in one of the poorest performances of the season.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvbtKcxae0K9uCq2EYu0NxUUBPj4yG2AL6DBP3HzhQLxvmxhxKuRbYKcA2x2yUUiV4SfEr5sMHpeIDFMTzthw3CW4pcU201BwuENJVWSGYcILbOtbe5_zLS9tGddnIppnnDwQrE1OiNw/s1600/toure+vs+arsenal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvbtKcxae0K9uCq2EYu0NxUUBPj4yG2AL6DBP3HzhQLxvmxhxKuRbYKcA2x2yUUiV4SfEr5sMHpeIDFMTzthw3CW4pcU201BwuENJVWSGYcILbOtbe5_zLS9tGddnIppnnDwQrE1OiNw/s1600/toure+vs+arsenal.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toure was useless against his former employers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jordan Henderson also still lacks the air of authority of a natural leader, although it admittedly didn’t help that he was given the graveyard shift on the right wing.<br />
<br />
Nobody else looked like stepping forward and taking the lead, either, which is a particularly worrying fact that both Brendan Rodgers and FSG should seek to address. Perhaps they need to modify their transfer strategy in order to ensure that youthful potential is balanced with the experienced leaders needed to pick up points in big matches against top four rivals, which is something that Liverpool have really struggled to do this season.<br />
<br />
<b>Where do we go from here?</b><br />
<br />
All of that makes for particularly grim reading. That is because Liverpool’s situation is fairly grim, though, as they are now seven points behind fourth with seven games remaining. As a result, their hopes of Champions League qualification are all but over.<br />
<br />
The FA Cup now therefore assumes much greater importance, as winning it would be a great way to salvage something from this season. Liverpool have to overcome Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-final replay tomorrow night and then beat Tim Sherwood’s improving Aston Villa side in the semis to set up a final against Arsenal, in all likelihood, on the 30th May.<br />
<br />
Some revenge against Wenger’s men and Cup success would be sweet.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-41271675593857786812015-03-23T13:11:00.001+00:002015-03-23T13:22:42.372+00:00Reds lose as stupid Stevie sees redSteven Gerrard’s last Liverpool appearance against arch-rivals Manchester United was disappointingly short-lived, as the skipper saw red only 38 seconds after coming on at half time following a senseless stamp on United midfielder Ander Herrera.<br />
<br />
The foolish mistake by a pumped up Gerrard left Liverpool with a mountain to climb as they were already one-goal behind by that point and, although Brendan Rodgers’ side performed valiantly, a terrific second goal from Juan Mata meant the match was United’s to lose.<br />
<br />
Sturridge responded by scoring with the hosts’ first- and only- shot on target with just over 20 minutes remaining, but ultimately the Merseysiders got what they deserved from a typically fractious and ill-tempered contest; nothing.<br />
<br />
Brendan Rodgers stuck with the same team that <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/fluke-henderson-goal-secures-win-at.html" target="_blank">beat Swansea</a> 1-0 on Monday night for a massive six-pointer that was perhaps wrongly billed ‘winner takes all’ in the fight for fourth. Returning injury casualties Gerrard and Lucas began on the bench alongside Mario Balotelli, who was also another firework thrown into an already explosive encounter when he was introduced in the second half.<br />
<br />
On the back of their best performance of the season so far in their 3-0 win over Spurs last Sunday, United started the better, beating Liverpool at their own game. Pressing high up the pitch, Van Gaal’s men kept the ball superbly, leaving the Reds, who only managed just over 30% of possession for most of the first half, immensely frustrated.<br />
<br />
One particularly important battle that the visitors won took place between Alberto Moreno and Juan Mata down Liverpool’s left wing. Defensively vulnerable, the latter was tormented by the former, who was in top form and indisputably the man of the match. For both of Mata’s goals, Moreno was culpable. It came as no surprise when he was replaced by Mario Balotelli midway through the second half.<br />
<br />
The opener arrived on 14 minutes and started with Ander Herrera slicing Liverpool’s defence to shreds with a pass that exposed the out of position Moreno. Mata took full advantage, latching on to the ball and firing coolly across goal and into the net in front of the Kop. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVKBusGKazFUGwceVj1jC7MeJkfXs8aDcSR4YWbELpFdkgB8Uyg2usi9sbUdqG7RPI3C9WLEb2jFHmCpdHa956RT_hqJ_Ij0oNhKMW_ACUfpf8MSF4XMKDhPaiUQgF5yII56EssEwCjU/s1600/mata+celebrates+first+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVKBusGKazFUGwceVj1jC7MeJkfXs8aDcSR4YWbELpFdkgB8Uyg2usi9sbUdqG7RPI3C9WLEb2jFHmCpdHa956RT_hqJ_Ij0oNhKMW_ACUfpf8MSF4XMKDhPaiUQgF5yII56EssEwCjU/s1600/mata+celebrates+first+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Match winner Mata celebrates scoring the opener</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the rest of the first half, United continued to dominate and they deservedly went in at the break with a lead, but they also benefitted from some dubious officiating at points. For example, on 22 minutes Phil Jones somehow got away with clattering through Lallana, leaving the former Southampton man with an injury that would eventually necessitate his replacement by Gerrard. Referee Martin Atkinson didn’t even give a free kick for what was blatantly a bookable offence.<br />
<br />
Liverpool, however, hardly earned any good fortune. They were poor throughout the first half and only managed to carve open one decent goalscoring opportunity when Henderson and Sturridge combined to set up Lallana, who drilled agonisingly inches wide from 12 yards.<br />
<br />
For United, Carrick was the linchpin in the holding midfield position, and the Englishman also posed a threat going forward, heading a corner over the top and then warming Mignolet’s hands with a cracking effort from 30 yards out in first half injury time.<br />
<br />
Introducing Steven Gerrard for the injured Lallana at the break was widely held to be a wise move by Brendan Rodgers. The Reds needed his stabilising presence, which swung the game in their favour against Swansea, as well as his ability to bring the likes of Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge, who had been starved of service during the first 45 minutes, into the game. Gerrard also had the ability to stir up some passion from his teammates, who arguably had insufficient fire in their bellies.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Stevie had an excess of fire in his belly, and it spilled over into senseless stupidity. Only moments after spreading a lovely cross-field pass out to the right and then producing a blood-and-thunder, tough but fair tackle on Juan Mata, the number eight ridiculously lashed out after being tackled by Herrera, inexplicably and inexcusably stamping on the Spaniard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqezZd1KVT9dF9KaObcCuqFxEv_M36Yjp_kabVz4jNi3xitnuHC8Q__i4EHbg5rBVs5O8KvbcvDXMjQ64VYQ0yKpM9pDUCyaiU-MiOJ0ykxgX86yXJcTxfwR-RDZwt8d_D-FVUiOEXvis/s1600/gerrard+red+vs+utd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqezZd1KVT9dF9KaObcCuqFxEv_M36Yjp_kabVz4jNi3xitnuHC8Q__i4EHbg5rBVs5O8KvbcvDXMjQ64VYQ0yKpM9pDUCyaiU-MiOJ0ykxgX86yXJcTxfwR-RDZwt8d_D-FVUiOEXvis/s1600/gerrard+red+vs+utd.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atkinson had no choice but to dismiss Gerrard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a stupid thing to do, as Gerrard rightly acknowledged as he humbly took responsibility and apologised afterwards, and Martin Atkinson had no choice but to send him off. However, it won’t, as some have speculated, cost the Reds a place in the top four.<br />
<br />
Number one, Liverpool still have a chance of achieving Champions League qualification. Number two, the Reds’ terrible form from August to December will be much more to blame than Gerrard’s red card against United if they do miss out on elite level European football next season.<br />
<br />
Coutinho curled one of his classic efforts on goal just over the bar in response, while Phil Jones was also lucky to stay on the pitch after a poor, late and high tackle on Henderson, but a booking was probably just about right. Just before the hour mark, though, Mata made Liverpool’s task seemingly impossible with a superb second strike.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlpTq9qbsWw0YtlGyAEm_XmKtqTvlgCP9gdnPQArIfMf4MN2frHN-HWsbyXFweC87TqrfXV5Q1cq7_BDID0EddKIcUuLb-9pfSPMMS0GNzb4sEn2pyuFH5oiCPTMiSMplFgMpraKt_40/s1600/mata+second+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlpTq9qbsWw0YtlGyAEm_XmKtqTvlgCP9gdnPQArIfMf4MN2frHN-HWsbyXFweC87TqrfXV5Q1cq7_BDID0EddKIcUuLb-9pfSPMMS0GNzb4sEn2pyuFH5oiCPTMiSMplFgMpraKt_40/s1600/mata+second+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was just a great strike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Di Maria chipped a lovely ball into the box and the former Chelsea player, who had been left unmarked in plenty of space by Moreno, backpedalled a yard before fantastically finishing with an awesome acrobatic scissor-kick volley. It was gutting to see it go in, but you had to admire the 26-year old’s talent.<br />
<br />
The arrival of Mario Balotelli on 64 minutes made things even more interesting and explosive. The Italian almost immediately got booked for a brainless foul on Jones in the corner and also had to be restrained by fans on the front row after appearing ready to snap following a foul by Smalling that left the number 45 in a heap against the hoardings.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTar61rX8R2rY6l5LYYhp7g3uB3qRqeNNqx6U32AjgfS65kL9fqofNZSkJl4lz2t6oMlGzVHKR7T72OegBmff2vYxSpPwZ_4Cw_311kVucybXN0Dhw4hsOcJr8I-ynp4G4z-MjgbXXMM/s1600/bibo+held+back+vs+utd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTar61rX8R2rY6l5LYYhp7g3uB3qRqeNNqx6U32AjgfS65kL9fqofNZSkJl4lz2t6oMlGzVHKR7T72OegBmff2vYxSpPwZ_4Cw_311kVucybXN0Dhw4hsOcJr8I-ynp4G4z-MjgbXXMM/s1600/bibo+held+back+vs+utd.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those front row fans did more to help Liverpool win than Alberto Moreno!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To be fair to Mario, though, at least he showed some commitment to the cause and looked to make things happen, which is more than can be said for some in a Red shirt yesterday.<br />
<br />
Hopes of a miraculous comeback were raised on 69 minutes when Sturridge pulled one back, firing first time past De Gea, who should have done better, after being slipped in by Coutinho.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JaLQkJkSi3jwce5oYvqR_HB2DWW7bJz3daCCV0-UgS5z38MamgaY0Ya49kAasgbJnBcAhUMTKu-tY-hKi8qyYV9CzrJnDhZMtE938G1eweHR6OQh5N3_wYigz5kjpyn0djggadnA6FE/s1600/sturridge+goal+vs+man+utd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JaLQkJkSi3jwce5oYvqR_HB2DWW7bJz3daCCV0-UgS5z38MamgaY0Ya49kAasgbJnBcAhUMTKu-tY-hKi8qyYV9CzrJnDhZMtE938G1eweHR6OQh5N3_wYigz5kjpyn0djggadnA6FE/s1600/sturridge+goal+vs+man+utd.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sturridge halved the deficit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a good goal by Sturridge and one that will hopefully boost his confidence, but, although they put United under a bit of pressure in the closing stages, ten-man Liverpool struggled to create good goalscoring chances and remained vulnerable on the counter.<br />
<br />
That proved evident in injury time, when Can bundled into and brought down the breaking Blind in the box to concede a penalty. Thankfully, Mignolet produced a great save to deny Rooney only his second goal at Anfield.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I22LrFJ5S7CEg5tR6iRDLC6R0vFnQ_F5wQgqWLXAvsoLuAyOnI3Xd6hiDE_GKIzqtWkhB2VkUMiz62obgRsBt8vFDh9B6TxZ1Y5e_t8nWb8WGORSXwwdea3utArYmm0s0vZwyYN4xfw/s1600/rooney+missed+pen+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I22LrFJ5S7CEg5tR6iRDLC6R0vFnQ_F5wQgqWLXAvsoLuAyOnI3Xd6hiDE_GKIzqtWkhB2VkUMiz62obgRsBt8vFDh9B6TxZ1Y5e_t8nWb8WGORSXwwdea3utArYmm0s0vZwyYN4xfw/s1600/rooney+missed+pen+vs+lfc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Why did I put Fraser Forster in my fantasy football team instead of Mignolet?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The drama still wasn’t over yet, though, as Balotelli sent an incisive pass through to the on-rushing Skrtel in the dying seconds. Unfortunately, it was just too far ahead of the Slovakian, who lost out to De Gea. Even worse, Skrtel stupidly left a foot in on the United keeper. As a result, Liverpool’s most important defender will probably receive a suspension that means he misses vital upcoming matches. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5W6HKEqHZvkq5xAgSnyWsaw-GWi3NfquT-0tgC7QxJbfuiSfFt2S5wr6D0QlysOrhFxs7QNeyYjixSdwT0_cD7LSuWmHSN9BrbhWP0ZhGdnUAviYlGHTaAyTVLY6OIH9EdicE-_Oj7bg/s1600/skrtel+vs+de+gea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5W6HKEqHZvkq5xAgSnyWsaw-GWi3NfquT-0tgC7QxJbfuiSfFt2S5wr6D0QlysOrhFxs7QNeyYjixSdwT0_cD7LSuWmHSN9BrbhWP0ZhGdnUAviYlGHTaAyTVLY6OIH9EdicE-_Oj7bg/s1600/skrtel+vs+de+gea.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some late stupidity from Skrtel could prove costly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All in all, it was a bad day for Liverpool, but it need not be fatal to their top four chances. There are still eight games to play and, although United have a five point lead over the Reds, they still have to face Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal. There may be no room left for error, but Rodgers’ men are certainly in with a fighting chance of achieving Champions League qualification.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-76527965250698328652015-03-17T10:43:00.001+00:002015-03-17T10:43:35.786+00:00Fluke Henderson goal secures win at SwanseaLiverpool were far from their best but persevered manfully to secure an important three points at Swansea, taking them only two points behind fourth placed Manchester United, who they face at Anfield on Sunday lunchtime.<br />
<br />
Swansea dominated a first half in which Liverpool performed poorly and had their keeper Simon Mignolet to thank for keeping the scores all square at the interval. In the second half, the Reds’ display noticeably went up a gear or two. They also benefitted from a slice of good luck, as Henderson scored a fluky winner when a Swansea tackle rebounded off his shins before looping over Fabianski and into the net.<br />
<br />
It was the type of good fortune that teams tend to be on the receiving end of when they are performing well, and Liverpool took full advantage, holding on in the closing stages to capitalise on Spurs and Southampton dropping points earlier in the weekend.<br />
<br />
After enjoying an unusually extended rest period, it was reasonable to expect the visitors to come flying out of the blocks, particularly considering their run of recent good form and their decent record against the Welsh side- the last time Liverpool lost to Swansea Brendan Rodgers was managing them in 2011.<br />
<br />
However, instead the Reds never really got going during a frustrating first half that the hosts dominated. Sturridge’s shot dribbled wide and Coutinho curled one into the arms of Fabianski, but Swansea were on top and went closest to opening the scoring before the break.<br />
<br />
Bafetimbi Gomis posed Garry Monk’s side’s most potent attacking threat, exchanging passes with Wayne Routledge before testing Mignolet with a low drilled strike from 20 yards on the half hour mark.<br />
<br />
The Belgian keeper had to be on top form to then turn Gylfi Sigurdsson’s curled effort wide, before former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who didn’t self-destruct against his former employers for a change, saw his shot crucially deflected wide off Lallana from the resulting right wing corner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ3KV1WOtFoo6DWda7Uex5S5y4y4bKIK3-Zp9B9u_7Ep8US1DC9mErqxaTvpGy0-IPyRluI8nrcTVKM7tR9DCt0ce3MQDPHPGsNF7MsIoGvqGaFFeIU0QkJMqBOBhg7rjvumE497_GWU/s1600/mignolet+save+vs+swansea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ3KV1WOtFoo6DWda7Uex5S5y4y4bKIK3-Zp9B9u_7Ep8US1DC9mErqxaTvpGy0-IPyRluI8nrcTVKM7tR9DCt0ce3MQDPHPGsNF7MsIoGvqGaFFeIU0QkJMqBOBhg7rjvumE497_GWU/s1600/mignolet+save+vs+swansea.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mignolet saved well from Sigurdsson's strike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Brendan Rodgers must have had a stern word or two for his troops at the break as, with make-or-break matches against Manchester United and Arsenal up next, there was no room for slip ups against mid-table Swansea. Thankfully, whatever the Northern Irishman said at half time, it must have worked because the away side came out after the interval seemingly with a renewed sense of determination.<br />
<br />
They certainly performed at a far higher level, pressing their hosts higher up the pitch and creating goalscoring opportunities. The usual suspects were involved, Sterling setting up Coutinho, whose low shot was saved at the near post by Fabianski on 57 minutes.<br />
<br />
Joe Allen, perhaps not particularly renowned for his attacking ability, was also involved going forward, prodding Lallana’s cross goalwards from close range but seeing Fabianski hold well. It might not have been capped by a goal, but all-in-all this was another impressive performance from the Welsh midfielder. Despite providing a calming and re-assuring presence when he came on last night, skipper Steven Gerrard still has a job on his hands displacing Allen from his well-deserved place in the starting line-up.<br />
<br />
Only minutes after handing the captain’s armband back to its rightful owner, Jordan Henderson, who had otherwise been performing pretty disappointingly, benefitted from a huge slice of good luck to score what turned out to be the winner.<br />
<br />
Racing on to a flick on from Sturridge, Henderson saw Jordi Amat reach the ball first and hack a clearance against his shins. The ball then looped over Fabianski and landed in the net, much to the delight of the travelling Kop.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUZwkttfiwgNcsisExLmyxb61drkY2PnYwcvIcovkXOixH4w7V0NpdfddLJ5ubkDOdDOeQWw6IcjIdKlEup0829jbMJAj0tzPOOGcrkj4Z8q-hVJJES2MYSqpU7eo6it6T91ArlNeVO8/s1600/hendo+goal+vs+swansea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUZwkttfiwgNcsisExLmyxb61drkY2PnYwcvIcovkXOixH4w7V0NpdfddLJ5ubkDOdDOeQWw6IcjIdKlEup0829jbMJAj0tzPOOGcrkj4Z8q-hVJJES2MYSqpU7eo6it6T91ArlNeVO8/s1600/hendo+goal+vs+swansea.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henderson scored the winner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, Henderson cannot claim much credit for the strike, but the fact that he has now scored in three consecutive Premier League games shows his development in an area that many identified as a weak point for the former Sunderland man and also reinforces his case for assuming the captaincy upon Gerrard’s departure in the summer.<br />
<br />
Swansea, noticeably deflated after falling behind in such unlucky circumstances and kicking themselves for failing to score when they were in the ascendancy, failed to mount a serious assault on the Liverpool goal during the closing stages. Yes, only having a slender lead made things nervy for Liverpool, but it wasn’t like Mignolet was being bombarded with efforts on goal from the hosts.<br />
<br />
In fact, if anything, the Merseysiders may well have added to their lead as the clock ran down, Coutinho curling another one of his classic strikes just over the top right hand corner and Sterling lifting a volleyed effort over the bar under pressure from Fabianski after receiving a good pass from Sturridge.<br />
<br />
The England striker also went close to doubling Liverpool’s margin of victory himself when Sterling returned the favour by setting him up in the final minute of injury time. Unfortunately, his right footed strike rebounded off the post, denying him the opportunity to bag a much-needed confidence boosting goal.<br />
<br />
Although far from a classic, this win represents another important step towards Champions League qualification for Liverpool, who have taken 32 points from the last 36 available and kept six consecutive clean sheets on the road, a feat last achieved in the glory days of Bill Shankly.<br />
<br />
It’s frustrating that title winning form is required to only achieve Champions League qualification, but it’s also delightful to see the Reds performing as they did last season and recovering so spectacularly to be firmly in the fight for fourth.<br />
<br />
Bring on United on Sunday!<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-81240580656912524492015-03-09T10:34:00.001+00:002015-03-09T10:42:54.085+00:00Reds held by Rovers in Cup quarter final<div class="MsoNormal">
Liverpool will have to face off against Blackburn Rovers
again after the Championship outfit held them to a dreary goalless draw at
Anfield in the FA Cup quarter final on Sunday afternoon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite dominating- the Reds enjoyed 70% of possession and
had 21 shots- Liverpool lacked a cutting edge in front of goal- only 4 of their
shots were on target- and therefore struggled to break down Gary Bowyer’s well
drilled defence, whose performance deserved a replay at Ewood Park.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodgers made two changes to the team that <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/liverpool-brush-aside-burnley.html" target="_blank">beat Burnley</a>
comprehensively in midweek, Johnson coming in for Allen, who was strangely left
out altogether despite a recent upturn in form, and Markovic replacing Moreno. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, he was forced into making a substitution
after only three minutes, as Skrtel was stretchered off the pitch following an
aerial collision with Rovers’ Rudy Gestede that left the Slovakian briefly
unconscious. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiex25wV4NIkkapzwcF5P0oC9WbCGMXREIoP-zxAfDuevXGyLlR4qH23PAIhLzyh-FUqWXWRqd-Q5fQZ1JjdyHu6hD1hCuL4u8QJqKxmG_R6IwQWwg_ROFKeU4JUDfG1qfKq7iye75aEI0/s1600/skrtel+vs+blackburn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiex25wV4NIkkapzwcF5P0oC9WbCGMXREIoP-zxAfDuevXGyLlR4qH23PAIhLzyh-FUqWXWRqd-Q5fQZ1JjdyHu6hD1hCuL4u8QJqKxmG_R6IwQWwg_ROFKeU4JUDfG1qfKq7iye75aEI0/s1600/skrtel+vs+blackburn.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The players and ref call for medical assistance as Skrtel lies flat out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It looked like a nasty clash and it must have been to keep
the tough-as-nails Skrtel lying on the ground motionless for over five minutes,
but the number 37 giving the crowd the thumbs up as he was stretchered off was
an encouraging sign and, <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/181383-skrtel-i-m-fine-and-wanted-to-carry-on" target="_blank">based on reports</a>, he now seems to be OK and should be
ready to face Swansea next Monday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kolo Toure came on in his place, leaving Liverpool with an
unusual back three composed of the Ivorian, Lovren and Johnson. As a result,
they appeared far more vulnerable and suspect to breaks from Blackburn. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mignolet also appeared vulnerable as he worryingly flapped
at a free kick into the box on 12 minutes but, to the Belgian’s relief, Gestede’s
header dropped wide. At the other end, a brilliant tackle in the box from
Blackburn captain Matt Kilgallon denied Lallana as he was about to pull the
trigger, Coutinho curled a couple of efforts into the Kop and Toure turned home
from an offside position after the ball fell to him in the box, but the hosts’
remained frustrated by the resolute Rovers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sturridge’s strike at the end of eight minutes of injury
time couldn’t break the deadlock, either, and so the Merseysiders went in at
the break knowing that they needed to perform much better and to finally find
the back of the net to avoid an exhausting additional fixture in the form of a
Cup replay. Frustratingly, that improvement failed to materialise. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, six minutes after the restart Mignolet was required
to produce a phenomenal save to prevent Rovers taking a shock lead. Baptiste’s
header from a right wing corner was heading into the top right corner before
Mignolet barged Lallana out of the way and superbly tipped over the bar. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BLN8NqdnvsxCkYrZIy1zDSog86_V0n24JxhK5D6WCctsEOTYh18plCxsuUKf_XQP223yxDddck4_O0Yxh6R2PCPuHWBoDwQ5GA-p-9SiFBYHlmN0bOQYWB5ngnLpb91ZKKZdhPwCDbA/s1600/mignolet+save+vs+blackburn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BLN8NqdnvsxCkYrZIy1zDSog86_V0n24JxhK5D6WCctsEOTYh18plCxsuUKf_XQP223yxDddck4_O0Yxh6R2PCPuHWBoDwQ5GA-p-9SiFBYHlmN0bOQYWB5ngnLpb91ZKKZdhPwCDbA/s1600/mignolet+save+vs+blackburn.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mignolet's great save was the moment of the match</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was pretty much the visitors’ last sight of goal, as
Liverpool were in the ascendancy during the rest of the second period, enjoying
89% of possession for one five minute spell, but failed to produce the moment
of magic or enjoy a slice of good fortune that would have won the match for
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just before the hour mark, Sturridge was pulled back by
Kilgallon in the box as he tried to latch on to Sterling’s through ball, but
referee Andre Marriner gave nothing. To be fair, it would have been harsh as it
looked like the England striker went down easily because he knew he was
unlikely to reach the ball with goalkeeper Eastwood rushing out to collect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Toure then headed onto the post, before the arrival of Mario
Balotelli added a little something extra to Liverpool’s attack. The Italian
maverick may not have been at his mercurial best, but he certainly had more of
an impact than the man he replaced, as Markovic was largely anonymous. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Balotelli saw one shot fly into the stands, while another
was comfortably held by Eastwood, but his best moment came when he set up his
teammate Daniel Sturridge. He picked the ball up and fed a lovely volleyed ball
over Rovers’ defence for Sturridge to run on to, but unfortunately he volleyed
off target. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, it just seemed destined to be one of <i>those</i> days.
For all their dominance, Liverpool looked leggy following a congested fixture
schedule and couldn’t quite unlock Blackburn’s defence. However, the away side
did nothing to suggest that the Reds should fear travelling to Ewood Park for a
replay. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jijybrvbuoimHTljaVXC0ojWUiAZY5F3CekC7e3q7VKM3kZssuZh5GUMNH4T-yztGgx016zYEMbeuHyEcZKaqet2BTfJNiKwUaCW67pRfLQA3qd33ZWY7MWGBuRpks-EYAb5IEDuIA8/s1600/get+gerrard+to+wembley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jijybrvbuoimHTljaVXC0ojWUiAZY5F3CekC7e3q7VKM3kZssuZh5GUMNH4T-yztGgx016zYEMbeuHyEcZKaqet2BTfJNiKwUaCW67pRfLQA3qd33ZWY7MWGBuRpks-EYAb5IEDuIA8/s1600/get+gerrard+to+wembley.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This goal remains firmly in the Reds' sights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It may be an irritating inconvenience, but Liverpool should
be confident that they’ll come through the replay and reach the semi-finals at
Wembley Stadium. They should also be thankful that this slip up came in the
Cup, not in the League, as a goalless draw at home to a ‘lesser’ side like
Blackburn in the League would be a far worse setback that couldn’t be rectified
with a replay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YNWA</b></div>
Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-4173402425122046372015-03-05T11:51:00.002+00:002015-03-05T11:51:58.226+00:00Liverpool brush aside BurnleyLiverpool produced an exemplary professional performance as they coasted to a 2-0 victory over relegation threatened Burnley at Anfield last night, avoiding a potentially very slippy banana skin.<br />
<br />
The visitors, who have picked up points at the Etihad and Stamford Bridge so far this season, were the sort of team that the Reds are expected to beat but often haven’t in the past. As a result, they posed a particularly tricky challenge, and there was also the potential for complacency from the hosts on the back of an excellent victory over title chasers <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/coutinho-and-hendo-put-city-to-sword.html" target="_blank">Man City</a> on Sunday.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, though, fears of slipping up against a so-called ‘lesser’ side and disrupting the substantial momentum that the Merseysiders have built up during an astounding unbeaten run proved unfounded, as Liverpool got the job done with time to spare on a night when their competitors for Champions League qualification left it late to bank all three points.<br />
<br />
Stand-in skipper Jordan Henderson was a key performer once again, as he put in a performance that demonstrates he has the credentials to be Liverpool’s next captain, scoring a sensational opener in the first half and wonderfully assisting Sturridge for the Reds’ second early on in the second period.<br />
<br />
Manager Brendan Rodgers only made one change to the team that beat City on the weekend, replacing the out of form Markovic with Sturridge, as Sterling reverted to the right wing and Lallana and Coutinho operated either side of the England striker.<br />
<br />
Although Sturridge is still far from top form, he did find the back of the net in the second half, which can only be good for his confidence. He also went extremely close to opening the scoring only a minute in, as he combined cleverly with Sterling and Lallana down the right wing, before cutting inside and seeing Heaton produce a good save to turn away his left footed strike from 12 yards.<br />
<br />
Liverpool went on to dominate the rest of the first half, and Jordan Henderson was at the centre of everything. On 6 minutes, he headed a corner over the bar from 10 yards, before his effort from range was tipped wide well by Heaton midway through the half. On the half hour mark, the number 14 broke the deadlock, only moments after almost sending Sturridge in on goal with a raking Gerrard-esque cross field pass.<br />
<br />
Coutinho cut in from the left but saw his shot superbly blocked by Keane. Henderson reacted first, pouncing on the rebound to send a sweet strike into the bottom right hand corner on the half volley, leaving Heaton helpless.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8fA2by1nddW4dzqOzqRzTzi6r7z6gfw6ydmgeKRFdpYtY1TjEL48RIFUEdhc2C9HVPrjHL0suwr-3IS5yTJEcFob5qsdZF3ylFg4jx3miLHLQiphwg5gtRwW4y7tnGCCmCf99lpCySg/s1600/hendo+goal+vs+burnley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8fA2by1nddW4dzqOzqRzTzi6r7z6gfw6ydmgeKRFdpYtY1TjEL48RIFUEdhc2C9HVPrjHL0suwr-3IS5yTJEcFob5qsdZF3ylFg4jx3miLHLQiphwg5gtRwW4y7tnGCCmCf99lpCySg/s1600/hendo+goal+vs+burnley.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henderson opened the scoring with a cracking strike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a goal of top quality and the former Sunderland midfielder’s second in four days, showing that, like his teammate Coutinho, he is beginning to add goals to his already accomplished game.<br />
<br />
Speaking of the Brazilian, Coutinho nearly produced a carbon copy of Henderson’s goal against Man City a couple of minutes after the vice-captain’s opener, but his curling shot from 25 yards went just wide of the goal. He then sent Sturridge in on goal with a fine through pass but he spurned the best chance to double the Reds’ advantage before the break, Heaton saving Sturridge’s relatively tame and disappointing effort.<br />
<br />
Burnley’s one decent chance came right at the end of the half, as Mignolet held Barnes’ header well after Tripper had sent a free kick deep into the box. Sean Dyche’s men never really looked like threatening, though, and lost almost all hope of getting something from the game when Henderson and Sturridge combined superbly to bag the Reds’ second of the evening six minutes after the restart.<br />
<br />
Producing another Gerrard-esque pass, Henderson fantastically picked out Sturridge six yards from goal at the far post with a simply awesome delivery. Sturridge did the rest, heading home clinically from close range to all but end the match as a contest.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwrsiO6lnnCtCxFLOkspkRfnd1AOzrpVFYgaastFaWzD8mBa0hIZNuFCCNEG6mwK2l8ZaTmAuYN5L18AMj5yAKuzRfckNbaC0JWT4A1fFyCZrEONhvH4p8eyNyQiL3mn1as_Rodjaats/s1600/sturridge+goal+vs+burnley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwrsiO6lnnCtCxFLOkspkRfnd1AOzrpVFYgaastFaWzD8mBa0hIZNuFCCNEG6mwK2l8ZaTmAuYN5L18AMj5yAKuzRfckNbaC0JWT4A1fFyCZrEONhvH4p8eyNyQiL3mn1as_Rodjaats/s1600/sturridge+goal+vs+burnley.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sturridge scored a confidence boosting second for Liverpool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At that point, Liverpool knew the game was pretty much won and, although it would be stretching it to claim that the Reds shut up shop, they certainly seemed satisfied with a 2-0 scoreline. Moreno shot wide, Lallana saw his effort blocked by Keane and Can’s strike was collected by Heaton, but there was no concerted push to add to their goal tally.<br />
<br />
It’s difficult to find fault with what was nearly a flawless performance from Rodgers’ side, but they could perhaps be criticised for failing to capitalise on the opportunity to rack up a cricket score and boost their goal difference.<br />
<br />
After all, of those in the fight for third and fourth, only Tottenham have a worse goal difference than Liverpool. Moreover, both Arsenal and Manchester United have goal differences substantially superior to the Reds’, which could prove pivotal come the end of the season, as demonstrated by the advantage that City’s superior goal difference gave them in the title race with Liverpool in 2013/2014.<br />
<br />
Nit-picking aside, though, Liverpool were excellent last night and full value for the three points. Unfortunately United got lucky with a late winner at Newcastle, while Arsenal and Tottenham survived late comebacks against QPR and Swansea respectively, but all the Reds can do is keep winning.<br />
<br />
If they do that and extend their 12 match unbeaten streak even further, continuing to beat both their rivals for Champions League qualification and ‘lesser’ teams, then they will surely be a shoe-in for fourth spot, if not third.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-60990102771072385932015-03-02T11:01:00.002+00:002015-03-02T11:02:21.131+00:00Coutinho and Hendo put City to the sword<div class="MsoNormal">
Vice-captain Jordan Henderson and midfield magician Philippe
Coutinho scored two wonder goals to secure a thrilling and important 2-1
victory over title-chasers Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday lunchtime. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pair’s superb goals were just reward for a fantastic
performance from the home side, particularly considering they only got back
from Turkey at 4.30am on Friday morning. To perform to such a high standard
against a top team who had enjoyed 48 hours more recovery time following their
midweek European travails is testament to the character of the squad that
Brendan Rodgers has assembled. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the same time, the fact that match winner Coutinho was
rested <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/reds-crash-out-of-europe-on-unhappy.html" target="_blank">against Besiktas</a> speaks volumes for the Northern Irish manager’s wise
squad management, which involved Henderson and Markovic also starting after
missing out in midweek, the former due to injury and the latter with
suspension.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The injury prone Sturridge wasn’t risked after playing 115
minutes in Turkey. Instead, Sterling, Lallana and Coutinho formed a front three
that ran City’s backline ragged throughout the 90 minutes. Two of those three
combined twice in the opening stages to almost open the scoring, while the
third provided the assist when Henderson did break the deadlock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, Coutinho split City’s defence with a beautiful pass
to play in Lallana, who should have done better with a toe-poked shot that was
comfortably saved by Hart. Hart was then caught unawares as Lallana smashed in
a brilliant half volley from a tight angle after receiving a short corner from
Coutinho, but the former Southampton skipper was flagged just offside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Liverpool did bag the opener that their early
adventurous play deserved, it came from an unlikely source, as Jordan Henderson
rocketed home a spectacular strike from the edge of the box. The ever-present Coutinho was inevitably
involved in the build-up, capitalising on an error by Kompany to release Raheem
Sterling, who then squared to Henderson. The number 14’s awesome effort went
right in the postage stamp, leaving Hart with no chance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FO3khrpcI-cV4AsX7f-jHSfBKd1x1U315-QXI-sjNKMK51bSyl4OcRdSoSulpIARMmcKWSVQpshUmVUsCrYL2wKYqwUtRJTISReM_plkutvnW1cKAjezbHKL2NWrcz5TNZxnV1R8LUI/s1600/hendo+goal+vs+city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FO3khrpcI-cV4AsX7f-jHSfBKd1x1U315-QXI-sjNKMK51bSyl4OcRdSoSulpIARMmcKWSVQpshUmVUsCrYL2wKYqwUtRJTISReM_plkutvnW1cKAjezbHKL2NWrcz5TNZxnV1R8LUI/s1600/hendo+goal+vs+city.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what that goal means to Hendo...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having never scored more than six goals in a Premier League
season, goalscoring is perhaps the main area of his game that Henderson has to
focus on improving if he is to successfully take over from Steven Gerrard at
the end of the season. If he adds goals like this one to his game, there’s no
telling how far he can go with his career.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To be fair to them, City responded well, Aguero almost
making Liverpool pay for a mix up at the back as the Argentine striker hit the
post. At the other end, Sterling beat Mangala easily on the left and flashed a
dangerous cross/shot across the face of goal, but nobody was there to double
the Reds’ advantage and, just two minutes later, the visitors levelled.
Pellegrini’s men pinged the ball around nicely and eventually Aguero slipped a
great ball through to Dzeko, who fired home a right footed shot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkZvnmTOMDOTP_3n0LmVzN1iBblMzwjfO9YVylQlNh6cmC7vKchiLXNUR2W805PYtGyGGQ8Qu34RPeJXNHTVU12npePyQWwkR23FiQeyjtEeeXscFSZtIHkxiItC99N0b8MVwkuGLoRQ/s1600/dzeko+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkZvnmTOMDOTP_3n0LmVzN1iBblMzwjfO9YVylQlNh6cmC7vKchiLXNUR2W805PYtGyGGQ8Qu34RPeJXNHTVU12npePyQWwkR23FiQeyjtEeeXscFSZtIHkxiItC99N0b8MVwkuGLoRQ/s1600/dzeko+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dzeko levelled for City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Liverpool had a few more chances before the break, Lallana
dragging an effort wide and Coutinho shooting straight at Hart, but they were
unable to regain their lead, as City improved. However, the visitors were still
the happier side entering the interval at all square.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the break, although City immediately started the
better and should have taken the lead with an Aguero header that thankfully
went over the bar, Liverpool dominated. Coutinho, in particular, was exploiting
the space in between City’s midfield and defence afforded the Brazilian thanks
to their tactically naïve 4-4-2 formation, which remained unchanged from
Tuesday night when Barcelona’s Luis Suarez demolished their defence in style. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The impressive Lallana whipped in a great cross to Sterling,
but he could only bundle wide. Lallana then found the net for a second time
himself, finishing from close range after Martin Skrtel had nodded a free kick
down for him. Frustratingly, it was chalked off again though as the Slovakian
was marginally offside from the free kick. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Liverpool were having all the play and, even after
Pellegrini brought on Milner for Dzeko and went to five in midfield, the away
side still couldn’t stifle the Reds’ creativity or gain much of a foothold in
the contest. The hosts just couldn’t seem to find that killer final pass,
though. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consequently, as he had <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/reds-sink-saints-to-close-in-on-fourth.html" target="_blank">against Southampton </a>a week earlier,
Coutinho decided to take matters into his own hands with a piece of individual
brilliance fifteen minutes from time. Cutting inside from the left after
receiving a pass from Sterling, the diminutive Brazilian struck a world class
effort into the far corner in sensational fashion. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA4E0kHPD6bXwpfpM3aAUVll4J_XZxAo6Et0E-K0D9wYhvIuB3wWYE8BqU8BtZMWIAptEW6iNCaFoXMqAuPE7wYT-VRRC94KJwytfLbMxL0yX17eVUJFkX2tRbJWR7YjQ3h3STfCvnT4/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA4E0kHPD6bXwpfpM3aAUVll4J_XZxAo6Et0E-K0D9wYhvIuB3wWYE8BqU8BtZMWIAptEW6iNCaFoXMqAuPE7wYT-VRRC94KJwytfLbMxL0yX17eVUJFkX2tRbJWR7YjQ3h3STfCvnT4/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+city.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coutinho scores his weekly worldie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was an absolutely awesome goal from Coutinho, who is
going from strength to strength and fast filling the shoes of Luis Suarez. The
Reds’ creative catalyst and attacking fulcrum, Coutinho keeps on coming up with
the goods when it matters most, which could prove pivotal in the race for
fourth. When he plays like this, he’s simply unstoppable, and no defence in the
country is going to look forward to facing him as we head into the business end
of the campaign.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As he had after Henderson’s wonder goal, Aguero almost
provided an instant riposte, flashing a right footed shot across goal from a
tight angle. Apart from that, though, City struggled to even get hold of the
ball, let alone create chances, as Liverpool sensibly kept possession well.
Sturridge even had a chance to make it 3-1 with minutes remaining, but he shot
wide when he should have scored after a mistake from the dreadful Yaya Toure
had let him in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This win takes Liverpool up to fifth on 48 points, only two
behind fourth placed United and three adrift of Arsenal. Moreover, with winnable
matches against Burnley and Swansea coming up, Liverpool should still be full
of confidence when they come to face United and Arsenal in two crunch contests
at the end of March and beginning of April respectively.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the moment, though, let’s just enjoy what was a great
performance and an even better result.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>YNWA</b></div>
Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-65105766512402304782015-02-27T11:29:00.002+00:002015-02-27T11:29:18.433+00:00Reds crash out of Europe on unhappy return to IstanbulLiverpool lost 5-4 on penalties against Besiktas to crash out of the Europa League in Istanbul last night. Despite playing in the Ataturk Stadium, the venue where the Reds miraculously recovered from a three-goal deficit to beat AC Milan and win the Champions League in 2005, Liverpool couldn’t reproduce any of that magic and deserved to exit the competition at the hands of Slaven Bilic’s sde, who edged the contest over the two legs.<br />
<br />
The visitors had the better of the first half, but the hosts dominated after the break and levelled on aggregate thanks to substitute Tolgay Arslan’s strike. Only one team was going to win it during normal and extra time, and it wasn’t Liverpool, who did well to hold on for a penalty shootout. However, their fate was ultimately sealed when Dejan Lovren, with a depressing sense of inevitability, skied their fifth penalty way over the bar.<br />
<br />
Admittedly, Liverpool entered the tricky test in Turkey with depleted resources. Sakho and Henderson were added to an injury list that already included Gerrard and Lucas, while Markovic was suspended and Coutinho rightly rested. As a result, Can and Allen started together in midfield, Toure and Lovren came in at the back and Balotelli partnered Sturridge up front as Rodgers went for two up top.<br />
<br />
In hindsight, that wasn’t a wise move by the Northern Irish manager. Liverpool clearly lost the midfield battle, particularly in the second half, while Sturridge, who should have started on the bench with Lallana coming in to shore up the midfield, was ineffectual.<br />
<br />
Balotelli may not have been much better, but he put in the best performance of Liverpool’s attackers, holding up the ball well, producing good link up work on occasion and, perhaps most importantly, keeping his cool amidst extreme provocation from Besiktas’ defence, who kicked him all evening.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuJQvtZ5IVDbckzBmdL6kHfaNgbPlA86aV0Q2qFbiykNraq3oUtccX5d649Y6EQ4e1VaDoAti-t7l_HCbVTrxZ7wYyEsorIwb0w0d2a-RBzpU5P-1KtP6l2oyNRpJFMPFpDMKdqul9sc/s1600/balotelli+vs+besiktas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuJQvtZ5IVDbckzBmdL6kHfaNgbPlA86aV0Q2qFbiykNraq3oUtccX5d649Y6EQ4e1VaDoAti-t7l_HCbVTrxZ7wYyEsorIwb0w0d2a-RBzpU5P-1KtP6l2oyNRpJFMPFpDMKdqul9sc/s1600/balotelli+vs+besiktas.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balotelli was one of Liverpool's best performers against Besiktas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the opening stages Liverpool did their best to quieten the unbelievably loud home supporters. The Besiktas fans still didn’t shut up, but the Reds were the better of two poor teams, keeping possession quite well and produced the first meaningful goalmouth action on 20 minutes. Moreno got down the left wing, dodging Opare’s challenge, and then pulled the ball back for Sterling, whose decent effort from the edge of the box was pushed away by Gonen.<br />
<br />
15 minutes later, Sturridge squandered what turned out to be Liverpool’s best chance to score throughout the entire 120 minutes. Balotelli capitalised on a slip from a Besiktas defender and found his strike partner in a good position in the box. Decisively, however, Sturridge failed to shoot first time, instead turning back on himself and allowing defenders to get back. His eventual effort was disappointingly weak and comfortably dealt with.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWk6uQ8zoONATfH4ARaylUJaYXTBhBY3VZXaR3BsO9He909OBtaHKstBANjayXcVt6ViQO7Jd6ShhRrYLxjSL1YWMYSz0jkUmE8nobiywoqXKFW_jB5EZ9JX4jeVKsbgQw-5Gs0ZCufY/s1600/sturridge+shot+saved+vs+besiktas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWk6uQ8zoONATfH4ARaylUJaYXTBhBY3VZXaR3BsO9He909OBtaHKstBANjayXcVt6ViQO7Jd6ShhRrYLxjSL1YWMYSz0jkUmE8nobiywoqXKFW_jB5EZ9JX4jeVKsbgQw-5Gs0ZCufY/s1600/sturridge+shot+saved+vs+besiktas.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sturridge should have done better with this shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Moreno’s low effort was also saved and Balotelli blazed over, while Sosa stung Mignolet’s hands for the home side, but nobody was disappointed to see a dire first half come to a close. Unfortunately, though, Besiktas came out for the second half a different team, while Liverpool’s performance only went downhill.<br />
<br />
Hutchinson, Kurtulus and Tore all saw shots from range either fly just over the bar or be collected by Mignolet, as the Turkish outfit saw plenty of the ball but lacked a cutting edge during the first 20 minutes after the restart. Liverpool, meanwhile, barely saw the ball at all and struggled to get out of their own half as they were overpowered and overwhelmed in midfield.<br />
<br />
Substitute Arslan supplied the cutting edge that his side had been lacking on 72 minutes, only three minutes after firing a warning shot inches wide of Mignolet’s left hand post from 35 yards out. Demba Ba flicked the ball to the 24-year old with a name suspiciously similar to the lion in C.S Lewis’ ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ series, and he let rip with a curling left footed drive that roared into the top corner and left Mignolet with no chance.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hnMA8ZPPxABPB-DHgRWej0YursWg-f5neuK_I92c5MAN9FNI4aguDsn3WOo7-qG7JRxid8iWFJK_or0H4P_eX-6uV4jxUIZ5ViMnGan0f5UC5DX3OGnM3eOERVAaxVcG3k3vph7Zwe4/s1600/arslan+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hnMA8ZPPxABPB-DHgRWej0YursWg-f5neuK_I92c5MAN9FNI4aguDsn3WOo7-qG7JRxid8iWFJK_or0H4P_eX-6uV4jxUIZ5ViMnGan0f5UC5DX3OGnM3eOERVAaxVcG3k3vph7Zwe4/s1600/arslan+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arslan- or Aslan!- levels the tie on aggregate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In response, Rodgers introduced Manquillo for Ibe and Lallana for Balotelli, but they were brought on 10 minutes too late. As a result, although the ship was steadied a little, there was no danger of Liverpool usurping Besiktas’ position of authority in the tie.<br />
<br />
In the dying stages of normal time, the Reds’ nemesis Demba Ba should have won it for the hosts, but somehow he contrived to strike against the bar when he simply had to score after the ball fell favourably for him yards out from a late corner.<br />
<br />
Ba also had a few opportunities to score during extra time, but apart from that the dreaded additional half hour passed without much to write home about and Liverpool entered only their fourth penalty shootout in European competition aiming to maintain their 100% winning record. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Besiktas were flawless from the spot and, although Lambert, Lallana, Can and Allen all found the net from 12 yards, Lovren was ludicrously chosen to take the all-important fifth spot kick. Unsurprisingly, the unconfident summer signing, who has endured a torrid time on Merseyside since arriving from Southampton, blazed over.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUFnrYXcs39mk4PMxNuemr1ccdaOAa0dxpJlxEDOswy7A3jz7PgYYKzG6zGEuF81mVgv_CUVINigyJFTVRR6T0-IpeVQNTD23x_IfVc6xzyKpH4S8jlgeZXTsWbY4Yx4ugdJSDXYfl7Y/s1600/lovren+gutted+vs+besiktas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUFnrYXcs39mk4PMxNuemr1ccdaOAa0dxpJlxEDOswy7A3jz7PgYYKzG6zGEuF81mVgv_CUVINigyJFTVRR6T0-IpeVQNTD23x_IfVc6xzyKpH4S8jlgeZXTsWbY4Yx4ugdJSDXYfl7Y/s1600/lovren+gutted+vs+besiktas.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You've got to feel sorry for Lovren. He shouldn't have been taking the penalty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Why Mario Balotelli wasn’t left on when penalties were clearly a possibility late on and Sturridge was struggling to make an impact is beyond me. He’s one of the best penalty takers in the world and yet he’s sat watching on as Dejan Lovren, of all people, walks up to take the decisive spot kick! Brendan Rodgers clearly has some questions to answer.<br />
<br />
Yes, exiting the Europa League frees up Liverpool’s fixture schedule and allows them to concentrate on the League and FA Cup, but it also frustratingly cuts off another route to both silverware and Champions League qualification.<br />
<br />
Rodgers now has to try and rally his tired and dejected troops to prepare them for a big match against Man City at midday on Sunday. I don’t envy him.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-77586680509067203372015-02-23T11:25:00.001+00:002015-02-23T11:25:08.049+00:00Reds sink Saints to close in on fourthLiverpool produced a professional and accomplished away performance to claim a 2-0 victory at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium and capitalise on slip ups by top four rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday teatime.<br />
<br />
A world class wonder goal early on from Philippe Coutinho and a clinical second half strike from Raheem Sterling were sufficient to move the Reds up to sixth in the table, reducing the gap with the top four to just two points and extending Liverpool’s remarkable unbeaten run to eleven League matches.<br />
<br />
It was far from a classic performance from a Brendan Rodgers team, with the manner of victory more reminiscent of Rafael Benitez’s reign in the Reds’ dugout, but it was exactly what Liverpool needed to take three vital points from a tough fixture on the back of a tricky Europa League match at Anfield on Thursday evening.<br />
<br />
Rodgers made three changes to the team that narrowly <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/ballsy-balotelli-bags-winner-against.html" target="_blank">beat Besikta</a>s, Lovren coming in for the injured Sakho to face his former employers, Markovic replacing Moreno on the left wing and Sterling starting in place of the rested Sturridge up front.<br />
<br />
Beginning at break neck pace, the match provided entertainment and controversy right from the first whistle, with two Southampton penalty shouts sandwiching a goal-of-the-season contender from Coutinho.<br />
<br />
Straight from the kick-off, debutant Djuricic went through on goal and appeared to be hauled down from behind by Emre Can, who seemed uncomfortable in the unfamiliar position of left sided centre back. Thankfully, referee Kevin Friend waved played on, and he was right to do so, as there was no malicious intent in the challenge from Can and Djuricic went down easily.<br />
<br />
At the other end, Markovic fed Coutinho with a simple short pass and the Brazilian proceeded to smash a cracking 30 yard strike past Forster and into the net off the underside of the bar.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17QFipe6Oz34t1Otwv5Srh1CqIeXLN2YfuIUd0Eplp57o34dTnIFzTWBz1ebFuPJaa7DHtjfCmaCAi6n0yQk_GbwVKpqtUUBj6sL1iJ2PwOhYarC9kjY9iof7pTaN3zNSDgRryzpS_tA/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+southampton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17QFipe6Oz34t1Otwv5Srh1CqIeXLN2YfuIUd0Eplp57o34dTnIFzTWBz1ebFuPJaa7DHtjfCmaCAi6n0yQk_GbwVKpqtUUBj6sL1iJ2PwOhYarC9kjY9iof7pTaN3zNSDgRryzpS_tA/s1600/coutinho+goal+vs+southampton.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coutinho scored a world class goal-of-the-season contender</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a simply awesome strike from a player in top form, who is allaying concerns about his lack of end product with important goals like this one and the similarly stunning one he produced late on <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/liverpool-late-show-keeps-cup-dream.html" target="_blank">against Bolton Wanderers</a> in the FA Cup fourth round replay.<br />
<br />
Southampton responded well, proceeding to dominate possession and control the match like Liverpool normally do. Moreover, the Merseysiders’ defence appeared fragile, nervy and vulnerable in the absence of the ever-improving Mamadou Sakho. However, Liverpool did appear to have Lady Luck on their side, as three further incidents saw them benefit from debateable refereeing decisions.<br />
<br />
Soon after the opener, Djuricic was taken down in the box again, this time by a blatant foul from Allen, but Friend inexplicably awarded nothing once again and Mignolet made an important stop to deny Elia after the loose ball reached the Dutchman’s feet.<br />
<br />
There was another huge moment involving Mignolet and Elia on the stroke of half time. The former appeared to handle as he rushed out to the edge of the box to dispossess the latter, who was bearing down on goal. It was an extremely tight call, but it’s fair to say that the Belgian keeper was fortunate to remain on the pitch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLnhnTA4Hstn9ghez-eF15Qw4UUyrv5MAuejrfXvY5XKn28AAlB1F_Tu9JSeHnTqwHyhInJB40L4tCZsskKd0VFUY-3TBvy_sJifWfN0f3YQB28VzAg78xqy_pYvMbFkz2nQVl0TzzqA/s1600/mignolet+handball+vs+sfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLnhnTA4Hstn9ghez-eF15Qw4UUyrv5MAuejrfXvY5XKn28AAlB1F_Tu9JSeHnTqwHyhInJB40L4tCZsskKd0VFUY-3TBvy_sJifWfN0f3YQB28VzAg78xqy_pYvMbFkz2nQVl0TzzqA/s1600/mignolet+handball+vs+sfc.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mignolet could have seen red for this incident</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the resulting corner, the increasingly exasperated home support appealed for another penalty after the ball struck arch-villain Dejan Lovren on the arm. The referee did well to not award a penalty for what was clearly ball to hand when it would have been understandable, if not acceptable, had he pointed to the spot to atone for earlier errors.<br />
<br />
In a first half revolving around penalty shouts, Liverpool also appealed for a spot kick on the half hour mark after Saints’ skipper Fonte had felled Sterling in the area. It looked a stonewaller at first sight, but replays later showed that Fonte got the ball first and hence it was probably the right decision not to give a penalty.<br />
<br />
The second half was far less frantic from Liverpool’s point of view, as the visitors managed the game much better and afforded their hosts very few opportunities to equalise. There were also thankfully no penalty shouts; the first period had already provided more than enough for one match.<br />
<br />
Alberto Moreno was introduced for the ineffective Lazar Markovic, who has gone off the boil in recent weeks, at half time, and provided more of an outlet down the left hand side, linking up with fellow substitute Daniel Sturridge on 66 minutes during a good counter attack, which culminated in Henderson’s mishitting the Spaniard’s cutback, giving Forster an easy save.<br />
<br />
The English stopper had no chance seven minutes later, however, as he was let down by his defence, who suffered a catalogue of errors in the build up to Liverpool’s decisive second goal. The hosts lazily handed possession to Sterling, who found Moreno on the left. Targett then cleared Moreno’s cross straight to Sterling, who happily accepted Southampton’s offer of help, striking past Forster to put the game to bed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBBJNuybfHUug4zZnamIpDJZcedIiFoSa29G_M1114ZKylAHtjTyXh_pOSD5DlWPFKdO8x5CeUeJpsYZD3l49WUifQvlO0s_sOhd0YTs89zAoRizDUT9q1XkMJ1sS9f1G5SnvySFGZoM/s1600/sterling+goal+vs+southampton+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBBJNuybfHUug4zZnamIpDJZcedIiFoSa29G_M1114ZKylAHtjTyXh_pOSD5DlWPFKdO8x5CeUeJpsYZD3l49WUifQvlO0s_sOhd0YTs89zAoRizDUT9q1XkMJ1sS9f1G5SnvySFGZoM/s1600/sterling+goal+vs+southampton+away.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sterling capitalised on poor Southampton defending to end the match as a contest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Southampton still had a few chances in the closing stages, but the deflated atmosphere amongst the home supporters showed that most of them believed the game was over. Mignolet saved Tadic’s low free kick well and there was an almighty goalmouth scramble in injury time, but the Reds never looked seriously in danger of folding and saw out the 90 minutes to secure three points from a massive ‘six-pointer’.<br />
<br />
Liverpool may have started the season very slowly, but they are the form team now heading into the business end of the season, and therefore there’s every reason to believe that they can finish in the top four. If Rodgers can manage his squad so that they can juggle their Europa League and Premier League commitments, the Reds won’t be remaining in European football’s inferior competition for very long.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-91384086486150005202015-02-20T11:17:00.003+00:002015-02-20T11:24:39.232+00:00Ballsy Balotelli bags winner against BesiktasMario Balotelli converted a late penalty in controversial circumstances to give Liverpool a vital 1-0 win against Besiktas in the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie.<br />
<br />
The enigmatic Italian, who has been experiencing an encouraging upturn in form after a couple of match-changing cameo performances from the bench, produced the goods when it mattered most again, coolly striking into the bottom left corner from the spot with five minutes left after perhaps disrespectfully taking the ball out of captain for the night Jordan Henderson’s hands.<br />
<br />
It was no more than Liverpool deserved after they dominated for most of the evening and created the best chances. However, credit must be given to the Turkish visitors as well, who, under the guidance of charismatic manager Slaven Bilic, put in a decent defensive display and more than held their own for large spells.<br />
<br />
There was much pre-match debate about how seriously Liverpool would take the competition, but Brendan Rodgers showed how important the Europa League is to him by picking a strong starting eleven. The only change that he made to the team that <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/reds-beat-bogey-team-to-reach-last-eight.html" target="_blank">beat Crystal Palace</a> was bringing in Ibe for Markovic, who is ludicrously banned for four matches following his extremely soft red card in the Reds’ last Champions League match <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/heartbreak-as-reds-crash-out-of.html" target="_blank">against Basel</a>.<br />
<br />
It may have been an enforced change, but it also proved an inspired one, as the young winger, who is set to sign a new five-year contract at the club, tortured Besiktas’ left back Motta with a superb man-of-the-match display. Whenever Ibe was on the ball you felt as if something was going to happen, and he invariably produced a piece of incisive attacking play. He already looks like the next Raheem Sterling, which is the biggest compliment he could be paid.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdJtUjwl15KbapezAkjlHWK29Zs2SoVDYCLLTECW2y3LOqDiClq_lpvDZ3PGqijzFqeQx3GXhR03qMGg2j_vAedc1j_NlB56Fs8lsKUhVPtpUO7qWJ3a8NpufJQRFv2ADRjMoJ13fOC8/s1600/ibe+vs+besiktas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdJtUjwl15KbapezAkjlHWK29Zs2SoVDYCLLTECW2y3LOqDiClq_lpvDZ3PGqijzFqeQx3GXhR03qMGg2j_vAedc1j_NlB56Fs8lsKUhVPtpUO7qWJ3a8NpufJQRFv2ADRjMoJ13fOC8/s1600/ibe+vs+besiktas.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ibe was tremendous again last night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately, Daniel Sturridge, clearly still working his way back to full fitness, didn’t seem as dynamic as usual last night, although he did link up with Ibe to create the only goalscoring chance of note during the opening stages.<br />
<br />
Ibe beat a man and then fed Sturridge, who seemed in a cul-de-sac near the by-line but produced a clever turn to make a yard of space for himself and then saw Gonen save his shot. The number 15 should have looked to pull it back to a teammate instead, but it was an incredible piece of skill to create the space for himself inside the box.<br />
<br />
The rest of the first half was fairly quiet, tight and nervy, as neither side really stamped their authority on the game. It was only when Demba Ba nearly resurrected a ghost from Liverpool’s past on 36 minutes that the match sparked into life.<br />
<br />
The formed Chelsea striker, who scored <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/allardyce-esque-mourinho-parks-two.html" target="_blank">a goal</a> that proved fatal for the Reds’ title chances last season after a slip from Steven Gerrard, played a neat one-two and was in on goal in a similar fashion once again. Thankfully this time, though, Mignolet made an excellent save low to his left to prevent Ba plaguing the Merseysiders once again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3bH7L6qnPkYHlU3i2S-lB34VHiPRBFIe9_7weeYf8s9bDV_Rr32Xmzijo5JEyCqJxPUxcMv3sS7_b1uzRp96POaLmB_Psjsw2Ephso6zS-36LQYsaKtrsamu-Hxu0sTMNJHTg7QpNko/s1600/ba+miss+vs+lfc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3bH7L6qnPkYHlU3i2S-lB34VHiPRBFIe9_7weeYf8s9bDV_Rr32Xmzijo5JEyCqJxPUxcMv3sS7_b1uzRp96POaLmB_Psjsw2Ephso6zS-36LQYsaKtrsamu-Hxu0sTMNJHTg7QpNko/s1600/ba+miss+vs+lfc.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ba was denied by Mignolet this time around</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From then on, it was end-to-end stuff before the break. Sturridge fired a free kick over from 25 yards, Moreno forced Gonen to tip over his rocket of a strike from fully 40 yards and Henderson had two good opportunities, flicking just wide from a corner kick and then sending a free kick, which looked for all the world to be heading in, agonisingly inches off target.<br />
<br />
The second half started where the first had finished; with Liverpool creating- and wasting- chances. Ibe was also still performing superbly, producing a lovely piece of skill three minutes after the restart before passing to Henderson, who crossed to Moreno at the back post. Unfortunately, the Spaniard’s volleyed effort was poor and wayward.<br />
<br />
Even more frustratingly, Adam Lallana missed an open goal two minutes later, blazing into the Kop following a calamitous mix up between Gonen and Franco when he really should have found the back of the net.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnPdj1BgKgpPiRtimMEoM-0pn8J-zIvWe_9YtgMC3ICSmT4KzPqC7BAEOFVGEB00CQq2zprOnYZy9AjYRaLzMYhUDwfeWS9KRJ0KalsKinYkZEkEqQwFffT1aAxoTUouBf0qTm8mz4gM/s1600/lallana+miss+vs+besiktas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnPdj1BgKgpPiRtimMEoM-0pn8J-zIvWe_9YtgMC3ICSmT4KzPqC7BAEOFVGEB00CQq2zprOnYZy9AjYRaLzMYhUDwfeWS9KRJ0KalsKinYkZEkEqQwFffT1aAxoTUouBf0qTm8mz4gM/s1600/lallana+miss+vs+besiktas.JPG" height="173" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lallana really should have done better from six yards out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the other end, Ba nearly capitalised on one of a couple of sloppy passes from the under-par Can, but Skrtel bailed out his teammate with a good block, before the German international moved into midfield with 25 minutes remaining as Lovren replaced Allen.<br />
<br />
More importantly, Balotelli was also introduced at the same time and made an immediate impact; first, he found Sturridge well with a good pass but the England striker’s first touch let him down. Then, he won a free kick out on the left, which he fired goalwards menacingly, testing Gonen in Besiktas’ goal.<br />
<br />
With the clock ticking down and Kopites wondering whether the breakthrough was going to come, the excellent Ibe escaped the attention of Motta once again down the right and embarked on a run into the penalty area, where he was eventually abruptly upended. Referee Szymon Marciniak had no choice but to point to the penalty spot.<br />
<br />
At that point, disharmony broke out amongst the Reds’ ranks, as Henderson, Sturridge and Balotelli all squabbled over who would take the penalty in the absence of skipper Steven Gerrard, who watched on as a pundit from the ITV studio.<br />
<br />
It may not have been fair or in accord with Rodgers’ rules, but I’m glad Balotelli took the penalty in the end; I was more confident that he would score than Henderson or Sturridge, and he proved me right, sending the keeper the wrong way and coolly slotting home.<br />
<br />
It was a ballsy move from Balotelli because his Liverpool career would have been all but over if he’d missed. Fair play to him for stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility; I just hope he carries on scoring and creating goals and making an impact from the bench. I'm happy to eat as much humble pie as he serves up.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QlQBeVoBZiH8W4N0KB2c0FR9H3ugiKZ1rRK4A3lStXNQHtS_f6F9ZXWAzqIZD-Oq6DWAtoTVf-YSNJl1kP4UgiexMA9toJg8xqAMupq8xXUr33LpCWTa-YBizgV0SVGIrvd-h5LIVv8/s1600/bibo+goal+vs+besiktas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QlQBeVoBZiH8W4N0KB2c0FR9H3ugiKZ1rRK4A3lStXNQHtS_f6F9ZXWAzqIZD-Oq6DWAtoTVf-YSNJl1kP4UgiexMA9toJg8xqAMupq8xXUr33LpCWTa-YBizgV0SVGIrvd-h5LIVv8/s1600/bibo+goal+vs+besiktas.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Why always me?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the end of the day, it may not have been as exciting or entertaining as Liverpool’s 8-0 win the last time they faced Besiktas, but it was an important and positive result nonetheless. Travelling to Turkey with a clean sheet and a one-goal lead means that basically all the Reds need to do next week is score an away goal and the tie will be pretty much over.<br />
<br />
That hopefully won’t prove too difficult in the Ataturk Stadium, a place that holds many special memories for Kopites after all.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-51658147937588767022015-02-15T10:10:00.003+00:002015-02-15T10:10:57.814+00:00Reds beat bogey team to reach last eightA second half comeback, featuring goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana, was enough for Liverpool to win at Selhurst Park for the first time in 18 years and dump their bogey team Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup at the fifth round stage yesterday teatime.<br />
<br />
Frazier Campbell had given the hosts the lead against the run of play in the first half thanks to a defensive mishap, but in the second period the Merseysiders added lethalness in front of goal to their dominance of possession and therefore ran out deserved winners, suffering surprisingly few nervy moments in the closing stages as Crystal Palace failed to put up a fight and Liverpool progressed to the last eight.<br />
<br />
Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling both missed out through injury, but Brendan Rodgers, who sees the FA Cup as a priority this season, still named a strong starting line-up, with Lallana replacing the cup-tied Ibe and Allen coming in for Gerrard the only two changes to the team that beat Tottenham 3-2 in a thrilling game at Anfield on Tuesday night.<br />
<br />
This cup tie unfortunately did not provide the same sort of thrills and high octane action as the <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/super-mario-strike-secures-crucial-win.html" target="_blank">Spurs match</a>, but Liverpool did dominate throughout, enjoying a remarkable 78% of possession during the opening ten minutes as Alan Pardew’s men decided to play like the away team, sitting deep and absorbing pressure.<br />
<br />
However, their negative tactics couldn’t quieten the noisy home fans, who were given something to shout about after quarter of an hour. For all their possession, the best the visitors could produce was a miscued volley from Sturridge and a penalty appeal following suspicions of handball from Pape Souare in the box.<br />
<br />
All their good play was undone, though, when defensive ineptitude, conspicuous by its absence in recent weeks, cost Liverpool dear. Skrtel, Mignolet and Can were all at fault as Frazier Campbell gave Palace the lead. The Slovakian centre back dithered with a high ball in behind and his header was weak, allowing Gayle to compete for it with Mignolet, who could have done better with his punch clear. The ball fell straight to<br />
Campbell, who Can had left unmarked, and he swept home from six yards.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor7abb-sGPcl8F7ebCfvZMl3lO_dfOau1_-tBpX8-mLJGQVeONqs1scIxrIP-il050IBeINx9merxA37PlhM8ZZtz4OLpMefBqbCGlUNnYp1MB3D9YiLw0FdWeNZWyfnyMB5cXuGumm8/s1600/campbell+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor7abb-sGPcl8F7ebCfvZMl3lO_dfOau1_-tBpX8-mLJGQVeONqs1scIxrIP-il050IBeINx9merxA37PlhM8ZZtz4OLpMefBqbCGlUNnYp1MB3D9YiLw0FdWeNZWyfnyMB5cXuGumm8/s1600/campbell+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was not nice to watch the return of defensive ineptitude</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was the sort of defensive shambles that made me worry that we were going to witness a return to the dark days of earlier in the campaign, which arguably reached their lowest point with a 3-1 defeat at Selhurst Park in mid-November.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, that wasn’t the case, as Liverpool maintained their dominance and started creating chances as well, Lallana driving wide after some exquisite one touch football, Allen firing inches off target from 20 yards and Markovic striking over following an impressive run from left to right.<br />
<br />
Palace’s Joel Ward also somehow managed to avoid handling in the box when Scott Dann blocked Coutinho’s blaster and the ball bounced back out. It looked like Ward had handled, but on closer inspection referee Robert Madley made the right call as the 25-year old remarkably kept the ball between his chest and the floor.<br />
<br />
Madley made an error, however, when he somehow failed to award a spot kick following a blatant foul by Souare on Sturridge in the box. It was the sort of tackle that is classified as a foul outside of the box, but never inside the box for some strange reason.<br />
<br />
The Eagles’ main threat was Dwight Gayle, who <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/istanbul-in-reverse-ruins-reds-title.html" target="_blank">scored twice</a> to end Liverpool’s title hopes last season. Palace’s number 16 was getting underneath the skin of his opponents, diving twice to get Henderson, and almost Sturridge as well, booked.<br />
<br />
Additionally, in what was, with hindsight, one of the most important moments of the match, Gayle was denied by a brilliant save by Mignolet with his left ankle when clean through just before half time. Had he scored then, the game would have taken a very different course.<br />
<br />
As it was, Liverpool went in at the interval only a goal behind and, after going two up front as Balotelli replaced Markovic at the break, the Reds instantly reaped the rewards, quickly levelling and then taking the lead.<br />
<br />
First, Sturridge ran on to a cute chip over the top by Henderson and rifled home a wonderful left footed volley on 49 minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/k6cSGZJ5KZk/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k6cSGZJ5KZk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The pre-match practice...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHohkn287iJ4Ax_lcxKPvC32Lc-zkunB2RjujjpK9NxPsBfwc95yM3wxS6VTh7bYS3j1rN7F_0_K8o9nJMDGdWTIBfRHiuZwht_Ypw43oPt-gnCD7EG34DEdp-XzqSRPwIs8fIFswdC40/s1600/sturridge+goal+vs+cpfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHohkn287iJ4Ax_lcxKPvC32Lc-zkunB2RjujjpK9NxPsBfwc95yM3wxS6VTh7bYS3j1rN7F_0_K8o9nJMDGdWTIBfRHiuZwht_Ypw43oPt-gnCD7EG34DEdp-XzqSRPwIs8fIFswdC40/s1600/sturridge+goal+vs+cpfc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...clearly paid off!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Mignolet immediately then had to turn away Gayle’s low shot, before Lallana gave Liverpool the lead just under ten minutes after Sturridge had equalised.<br />
<br />
The slowly improving Mario Balotelli was involved, crashing a 20-yard free kick through the wall after being fouled following clever link up play on the edge of the box. Speroni couldn’t hold the Italian’s strike and Lallana was first to react, steering home superbly from close range to put the Merseysiders in the driving seat.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the most pleasing thing to see was Balotelli with a smile as wide as the Mersey as he celebrated with his teammates. It was a sign that Mario is beginning to enjoy his football a bit more, and a happy Mario is much more likely to make me and most other Liverpool supporters eat humble pie than a miserable Mario.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgis3ka4Qch2CSRMvEWctmiyZ9XfUHYJnZXsbuNAEoTUN2jo80vDsY2YaOfakfXb2Tg5Jf3PTO9qnbenE06mNxia7JcKvq9dPRUU-plNpOssOllIQFVMZ5FLpxCSRuCFGH_AK-jfiK0u60/s1600/lallana+goal+vs+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgis3ka4Qch2CSRMvEWctmiyZ9XfUHYJnZXsbuNAEoTUN2jo80vDsY2YaOfakfXb2Tg5Jf3PTO9qnbenE06mNxia7JcKvq9dPRUU-plNpOssOllIQFVMZ5FLpxCSRuCFGH_AK-jfiK0u60/s1600/lallana+goal+vs+palace.jpg" height="154" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy Mario is a super Mario!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The match then died down a little, as Liverpool dominated, keeping the ball for so long at one point that the travelling Kop began chanting ‘ole’ after every completed pass. The Reds were content to control the game and keep hold of what they had; replacing Sturridge with Lambert and Coutinho with Lovren thirteen minutes from time in what were far from like-for-like changes!<br />
<br />
All Palace could produce was a free kick in injury time, which Gayle blasted well over the bar from a promising position on the left wing. Apart from that, Mignolet was unthreatened, and Liverpool’s progress to the quarter-finals was never really in doubt.<br />
<br />
With Arsenal and Manchester United the only big names left in the competition, Liverpool have every chance of reaching Wembley. In fact, I’m starting to believe that our name is on the trophy.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-30988233334942510772015-02-11T12:33:00.001+00:002015-02-11T12:33:18.036+00:00Super Mario strike secures crucial winLiverpool emerged from a thrilling game against top four rivals Tottenham Hotspur with a crucial 3-2 win at Anfield last night.<br />
<br />
Markovic opened the scoring early on, before the prolific Harry Kane levelled for Spurs on the half hour mark. Gerrard put the Reds ahead again from the spot after the break, but Dembele controversially equalised soon after for Mauricio Pochettino’s men. With time running out and a draw not good enough for the hosts, remarkably substitute Mario Balotelli popped up to net the winner from close range, which takes Liverpool within a point of Spurs and only three off fourth spot.<br />
<br />
With Lucas Leiva out for a month and Raheem Sterling also injured, Steven Gerrard began alongside Henderson in midfield, while Daniel Sturridge, starting his first game since returning from injury, formed a front three alongside Markovic and Coutinho. Ibe also deservedly retained his starting position at right wing back after impressing in the <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/goalless-at-goodison-for-gerrards-final.html" target="_blank">Merseyside derby</a> on Saturday.<br />
<br />
The match started surprisingly open, with both teams creating chances right from the off. Although Harry Kane probably should have been awarded a penalty on nine minutes after going down under a risky challenge from Mignolet, Liverpool were in the ascendancy and warranted their early lead when it arrived after a quarter of an hour.<br />
<br />
Sturridge had been denied twice by Lloris, Gerrard had sent a 25-yard free kick inches over the bar and Markovic had volleyed off target before the 20-year old Serbian linked up with Sturridge to open the scoring. The England international plucked the ball out of the air and found Markovic in plenty of space. He advanced on goal before finishing low into the right of the goal, beating Lloris, who should have done better, and netting the opener.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the seemingly unstoppable Harry Kane was in confident mood, as evidenced by his ambitious Alonso-esque attempt from the halfway line, and soon levelled for Spurs with a little help from Mamadou Sakho. The French defender, whose form has dipped slightly after previously putting in many good performances, slipped at the crucial moment, affording Kane the room to finish through Mignolet’s legs after receiving the ball from Lamela.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFM-_SWFE2tSPcZDXFHMwEFN7W_DDMPnI6vD8BLAHCOmt0MxYoDsW2hk1HUxM9KAh-N2Q7O7l-vEYEKr-uEdc_3gQJ7zSvbizBmkc37G3I3txs_AyyGjXad0H3f4fqNkrsOoB93T0TRRY/s1600/markovic+goal+vs+spurs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFM-_SWFE2tSPcZDXFHMwEFN7W_DDMPnI6vD8BLAHCOmt0MxYoDsW2hk1HUxM9KAh-N2Q7O7l-vEYEKr-uEdc_3gQJ7zSvbizBmkc37G3I3txs_AyyGjXad0H3f4fqNkrsOoB93T0TRRY/s1600/markovic+goal+vs+spurs.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Markovic opened the scoring...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHgv-AsbH52ZbkMCfjXxchYSTDjYDKHVhhgVnCC4FpRS_z1QG277sYBUOnzMdgjIXPydi6wqVPeF_UWCiuvET-qP8F8KOkOk6gRf0Vm0vGQhi5I5xg9laVzMrV2o_b4Epzg6in00y574/s1600/kane+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHgv-AsbH52ZbkMCfjXxchYSTDjYDKHVhhgVnCC4FpRS_z1QG277sYBUOnzMdgjIXPydi6wqVPeF_UWCiuvET-qP8F8KOkOk6gRf0Vm0vGQhi5I5xg9laVzMrV2o_b4Epzg6in00y574/s1600/kane+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but Kane quickly equalised</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Spurs’ main threat and talisman, Kane continued to cause the Reds’ defence all sorts of difficulties, seeing Mignolet make a good save when he was one-on-one with the Belgian, although he’d already been incorrectly flagged offside. He even also tracked back to tackle his opposite number Daniel Sturridge as he ran goalwards, showing exceptional work rate and desire and a tackling ability that some defenders would be envious of!<br />
<br />
Not one to be overshadowed by Kane, Sturridge almost produced a piece of magic to give the Merseysiders the lead in first half injury time. Ibe reached the by-line and cut the ball back for Sturridge, who hit the post with an ingenious improvised back flick from six yards out. If he’d scored, it would have been a fitting way to mark his return to the starting line-up, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.<br />
<br />
Liverpool’s number 15 was involved, however, when their second goal arrived eight minutes after the restart. Twisting and turning in the area, Sturridge was felled by Rose and referee Phil Dowd rightly pointed to the spot. Steven Gerrard stood up and coolly scored his tenth goal of the season.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbo2zZH3JAU5Ht6wSMfxX4Tg2pb8WDt2NN0EA0w2e5ytyNehBTvdhE6q8M-75zv70wlQGPBwwlimtDeTMaAY07fzMJeO8-G8FAkqZ5EhXm6HyR_UqlUNk5pnz-Skxwxp6Ge1rnz-fhm8/s1600/gerrard+pen+goal+vs+spurs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbo2zZH3JAU5Ht6wSMfxX4Tg2pb8WDt2NN0EA0w2e5ytyNehBTvdhE6q8M-75zv70wlQGPBwwlimtDeTMaAY07fzMJeO8-G8FAkqZ5EhXm6HyR_UqlUNk5pnz-Skxwxp6Ge1rnz-fhm8/s1600/gerrard+pen+goal+vs+spurs.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerrard made no mistake from the penalty spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Frustratingly, what Dowd gave with the one hand, he took away with the other, and, after Mignolet made a magnificent save to tip Lamela’s piledriver over the bar, Liverpool suffered from some shoddy officiating.<br />
<br />
First, Gerrard was harshly booked for bringing down Kane with what would have been considered a brilliant tackle only a few years ago. Kopites’ annoyance at that decision was only magnified when Dier produced a very similar tackle on Sturridge in the penalty area seven minutes later but no penalty was given.<br />
<br />
Then, the linesman failed to notice that Kane was in an offside position, allowing the striker to square to Dembele after Mignolet had done well to palm away Eriksen’s effort on goal. The former Fulham midfielder turned the ball into the back of the net from close range under pressure from Emre Can.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxyX_i1wo0c4Ic2PL6OCvSvFEmvl5s-zCizqI06tdzY6xLHFZIiviodCFd5vjHEo-bCKy4ska2s9XHqU1bQk5PSvRzDsTGnvw7VndI_DzO19cFFPtAMcIKSPMsHLmzzIkm84krIwJMcU/s1600/dembele+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxyX_i1wo0c4Ic2PL6OCvSvFEmvl5s-zCizqI06tdzY6xLHFZIiviodCFd5vjHEo-bCKy4ska2s9XHqU1bQk5PSvRzDsTGnvw7VndI_DzO19cFFPtAMcIKSPMsHLmzzIkm84krIwJMcU/s1600/dembele+goal+vs+lfc.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dembele's goal shouldn't have stood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The German utility player, who could do nothing to stop Dembele levelling, was moved into his preferred midfield position with 20 minutes remaining as Lovren replaced skipper Steven Gerrard, who was struggling with a hamstring injury.<br />
<br />
The change was inspired, as Can put in a fantastic performance in the middle of the park, releasing the pressure with a marauding run on 73 minutes that culminated in him being fouled by Walker, who also sneakily kicked Can after he went down. Can, who seems to be a <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/reds-rue-missed-chances-as-chelsea.html" target="_blank">target of thugs </a>who want to kick opponents while their lying helpless on the turf, did well to not react to the provocation or exaggerate the injury to get Walker sent off.<br />
<br />
When Mario Balotelli entered the fray with 15 minutes left, replacing Sturridge, it was billed as his ‘make or break’ moment for the umpteenth time. I must admit, when he came on I proceeded to rant about the folly of giving him another chance and expecting him to finally come good. I was delighted when he well and truly made me eat my words on 83 minutes.<br />
<br />
Fellow substitute Adam Lallana was put through by Ibe down the right and the former Southampton skipper squared to Balotelli, who completed the relatively simple task of turning home unchallenged from four yards out before ‘celebrating’ in his characteristically nonplussed manner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL8KBwJr8BhazIPtCBXWf5MNpBFlm31slFk9Nt5VZrH4hTMMi0UFor6q0v4L1suru30IhPPgWW1iHEzkqtwiGJ8VRCq934S6QOQnM-GdMq9HVRJn_pGs9_IxGHVWwOTJkEW8-a3wTw1k/s1600/bibo+goal+vs+spurs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL8KBwJr8BhazIPtCBXWf5MNpBFlm31slFk9Nt5VZrH4hTMMi0UFor6q0v4L1suru30IhPPgWW1iHEzkqtwiGJ8VRCq934S6QOQnM-GdMq9HVRJn_pGs9_IxGHVWwOTJkEW8-a3wTw1k/s1600/bibo+goal+vs+spurs.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better than Aguero and Rooney? Maybe not</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was the Italian’s first Premier League goal since November 2012 but, spun in a more positive light, he has now scored more Premier League goals in 2015 than Aguero and Rooney combined!<br />
<br />
Whether or not Balotelli has turned a corner still remains to be seen, but it is beyond question that Liverpool have recovered from their early season plight and now are back on track for a successful season. The Reds have lost just one game in 21 in all competitions now and are firmly in the fight for fourth spot. It is crucial that they beat another competitor for Champions League qualification next time out in the League at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium.<br />
<br />
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4559122586630126444.post-55621206088744138182015-02-08T14:06:00.001+00:002015-02-08T14:06:19.279+00:00Goalless at Goodison for Gerrard's final derby duelThe 224th Merseyside derby, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s last one in a Red shirt, proved an underwhelming affair as it ended goalless at Goodison Park.<br />
<br />
The skipper, so used to performing at the top of his game and scoring vital goals against the Toffees, was unable to produce a memorable moment during his final match against Liverpool’s local rivals, while his teammates also failed to do enough to secure three points that would have done Brendan Rodgers’ side a world of good in the race for Champions League qualification.<br />
<br />
In a surprise move, the Liverpool manager handed youngster Jordon Ibe a rare start at right wing back in the main team news. The fearless 19-year old, who was recalled from a loan spell at Championship side Derby County in January, impressed throughout and went closest to grabbing a winner with a shot that hit the post midway through the first half.<br />
<br />
His unexpected inclusion was a wise move from Rodgers, as Everton had clearly prepared to combat the threat posed by Coutinho and Sterling and had not accounted for the possibility of Ibe giving their left back Bryan Oviedo a torrid time.<br />
<br />
Buoyed by their <a href="http://oliverjmsmith.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/liverpool-late-show-keeps-cup-dream.html" target="_blank">late comeback against Bolton Wanderers</a> in the FA Cup in midweek and on the back of an encouraging run of good form, the confident visitors began the better, Sterling striking into the side-netting after beating Robles to Coutinho’s through ball and Gerrard calling the keeper into action with a curled 25-yard free kick in the opening ten minutes.<br />
<br />
With Liverpool dominating possession and Everton happy to sit back and absorb pressure, the away side never really looked like coming under any serious pressure. However, at the same time, they struggled to break down the Toffees’ stubborn and well organised defence.<br />
<br />
If anyone was going to put an end to the goalless gridlock at Goodison, it was Ibe, who went close on two occasions in ten minutes midway through the first period. First, Robles did well to deny him from close range as he looked to tap home Sterling’s deflected effort. Then, he embarked on a remarkable mazy run from inside his own half that culminated in him rattling the frame of the goal with a thunderous effort from 20 yards that would have gone down in Merseyside derby history had it snuck in.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgNmuYVrklnn12rBgL2nE56CCJmL9_CzoqpkoLKX_UT31Itd_xNR60RtBdod3LjXO8bLAN1Mf7RXyFk7KkJi6rZbYw-I0JzBXmvx8Oz-Uf1Jwt-asN45eNQKwUzsP5g3iNormyGMm-8I/s1600/ibe+hits+post+vs+efc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgNmuYVrklnn12rBgL2nE56CCJmL9_CzoqpkoLKX_UT31Itd_xNR60RtBdod3LjXO8bLAN1Mf7RXyFk7KkJi6rZbYw-I0JzBXmvx8Oz-Uf1Jwt-asN45eNQKwUzsP5g3iNormyGMm-8I/s1600/ibe+hits+post+vs+efc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot would have gone down in derby history had it found the net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coutinho then tried to replicate his goal against Bolton but saw Robles pluck his curled effort out of the air ten minutes before the break. For Everton, meanwhile, Steven Naismith squandered their only real goalscoring opportunity, his poor first touch preventing him troubling Mignolet after the out of sorts Can allowed a right wing cross to float over his head at the back post.<br />
<br />
The German international was slightly off form yesterday, as was the nervous looking Sakho; only Martin Skrtel’s excellence and the Toffees’ impotent strike force ensured the Reds’ sheet remained clean.<br />
<br />
Liverpool came out of the blocks quickly after half time, Coutinho assisting Sterling for two shots on target, while Steven Gerrard almost grabbed the headlines with a spectacular acrobatic effort from a corner kick that would have found the net but for a deflection off Naismith.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsfT255BreuHlhXihP4DhyphenhyphenrvFQcebSskTvkMU9A43ZQZsfvPzs6pAn5MW2dPPtWxAtvCG7kTVvjZJMpL6neChl_jh88T44d4ksZt8ZecCG0Xwe8mepBq9l4zYFKnZZhZEXkwy48I9SEA/s1600/gerrard+acrobatic+effort+vs+efc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsfT255BreuHlhXihP4DhyphenhyphenrvFQcebSskTvkMU9A43ZQZsfvPzs6pAn5MW2dPPtWxAtvCG7kTVvjZJMpL6neChl_jh88T44d4ksZt8ZecCG0Xwe8mepBq9l4zYFKnZZhZEXkwy48I9SEA/s1600/gerrard+acrobatic+effort+vs+efc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great effort on goal from Gerrard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, once Coutinho was replaced by Sturridge on 55 minutes, the Reds’ attack was less penetrating. Although it was probably right to introduce Sturridge, the wisdom of taking off Coutinho must surely be questioned. After all, the diminutive Brazilian has been at the heart of everything good about the team during its recent revival following a woeful start to the season.<br />
<br />
In Coutinho’s absence, Ibe appeared to provide the necessary creative spark, beating Oviedo for the umpteenth time and delivering a good cross into the area with 20 minutes remaining. Sturridge’s resulting effort was blocked in the goalmouth area and, after the ball was cleared and then worked back into the danger area by the persistent Can, Moreno eventually blasted wastefully over the bar.<br />
<br />
Despite the admittedly dull football on display, the derby retained its intensity, with the customary handbags resulting in bookings for Naismith and Henderson following Besic’s nasty challenge on Ibe. Lambert then came on for the ineffectual Sterling, seeing Robles save a relatively tame shot from a chance that he would have converted in a Southampton shirt two minutes after entering the fray.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B4i84AhVhxVKNO_-I1hVlu2iY-29Gb4uiDzB32MlUg3w5vIxxFmeESojekMp2101RPRnDXrxUZzqfX-kzhjmrnzfaIn-ylBOmWF7pcNoij8kuksCo8jABnEwgrTeyOhZt1qlO4EsDE0/s1600/lambert+shot+vs+efc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B4i84AhVhxVKNO_-I1hVlu2iY-29Gb4uiDzB32MlUg3w5vIxxFmeESojekMp2101RPRnDXrxUZzqfX-kzhjmrnzfaIn-ylBOmWF7pcNoij8kuksCo8jABnEwgrTeyOhZt1qlO4EsDE0/s1600/lambert+shot+vs+efc.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lambert isn't the same striker as he was at Southampton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile, Ross Barkley finally came on for Everton with five minutes left after appearing set to replace Naismith towards the end of the first half. Martinez must regret not introducing the England international earlier, as he was the catalyst behind the Toffees’ improvement late on.<br />
<br />
First, he picked out Coleman in space with a wonderful cross field pass. Only an excellent save from Mignolet prevented the Irishman netting the winner with the hosts’ first and only shot on target. Then, he sent Lennon in with an incisive reverse pass, but thankfully Mignolet caught his dangerous looking cross.<br />
<br />
Gerrard also curled wide for Liverpool in the closing stages, but neither side really put the other under a sustained period of intense pressure at the end and, on balance, a draw was probably a fair result. If it was a boxing match the Reds would have won on points, but they never delivered the knockout blow that was required to take home all three points.<br />
<br />
With Tottenham beating Arsenal in the other derby of the day, it’s becoming congested in the places surrounding fourth spot. Spurs and United are on 43 points, while the Gunners have 42 and Liverpool have three fewer than Wenger’s men.<br />
<br />
It’s now crucial that Liverpool somehow find a way to stop the prolific Harry Kane and beat Tottenham at Anfield on Tuesday night; if they do, then a derby draw won’t seem so bad, but at the moment it’s certainly a case of two points dropped, not one point gained for Liverpool.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>YNWA</b>Oliver Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10627561690208098721noreply@blogger.com0