tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33779660.post3905251555462495559..comments2023-12-22T01:47:49.178-05:00Comments on oh you beauty: Visualized: Liverpool 2-0 Southamptonnatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10043601945557998732noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33779660.post-47207030983041764512015-02-23T18:07:25.242-05:002015-02-23T18:07:25.242-05:00It was one of those games where if everyone works ...It was one of those games where if everyone works hard for each other good things can often happen. The defense and Migs played well and were able to keep a clean sheet. A couple of big saves by Migs and some nice covering by Skrtel saved the day more than once. The closing down of Elia on that long ball when Lovren fell asleep was a very good play even though he handled the ball slightly outside the area. Migs had just sent a punt upfield from his 18 yard line and was only back at the pen spot when the long ball came back in with Elia bearing down on goal and Lovren trailing by a few yards. Elia tried to lift the ball over him but it hit him in the chest and he then swats it away with his left hand. <br /><br />Understand PGMOL trying to protect their referees and claim the right call was made since the ball hitting his chest first and hand second could have caused the hand ball to be "inadvertent". Watching it in slow motion it's pretty obvious Migs intended to swat the ball away and was watching it the entire time even after feeling it hit his chest. It was clearly hand to ball and an intentional hand ball. NBC commentator's also considered it intentional after watching it many times. Plus, he was making himself big by spreading his arms out and had every intention of using his hands to block the ball. <br /><br />But, it was impossible for either the ref or the linesman to make the call from their positions. It was just slightly over the line and neither the ref or the lineman had a clear enough angle on it to make a certain determination. So, no call was the right call in those circumstances.<br /><br />Very happy for Coutinho on his wonder goal. Perfectly hit to keep it 8 feet off the ground and on target. Was hit like a cross between a cross and a shot. Like you would hit many a ball that you wanted to deliver from one side of the pitch to the other in the air. When he received the pass from Marko he traps it and touches the ball to his right in one motion. Didn't look at all like he was shaping for a shot. Then BANG. 1 nil. A brilliant strike and brilliant piece of improvisation. More of that please.<br /><br />The Raheem goal was completely fortuitous and was actually the only shot he had all day. Targett actually takes himself out by hitting the ball and his standing left leg at the same time with his right foot as he tries to make a clearance. Instead of a clearance he shanks the ball directly to Raheem for an open shot from 14 yards. One shot and one meek chance created for Sturridge was his entire offensive output in 93 minutes.<br /><br />We had a large slice of luck throughout the game. The Allen pen was a stonewall pen and should have been called. The Migs handball outside the area was intentional and should have been called. If both those calls get made we go into the half tied at 1-1 and down to 10 men. Can't see us pulling out a win considering we were unable to generate any offense even with 11 men. Of course, the refs were not in position to be able to confidently make either of those calls, so they made no calls. Add that to the luck part.<br /><br />The first pen shout on Can was a good no-call. Not enough contact. The second pen shout for taking down Raheem in the area was also a good no-call. Defender got the ball first and the wet conditions caused him to slide in to Raheem after clearing the ball. No pen for me.<br /><br />The 66.7% of shots on target can be attributed to us not being able to create many decent chances and the Targett error. Sturridge's two shots on target were easily saved. Forster could have made those saves blindfolded. Hell, he could have made them drunk and blindfolded.<br /><br />We worked hard as a team. Migs was very good in all areas. Our defense held. And we had ALL THE LUCK with us.<br /><br />We're going to need all of that luck again on Sunday after a 4 hour flight and killer game in Istanbul on Thursday. So, whoever is in the good graces of the genie, keep rubbing that lamp.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com