Same format as last year – my 10 favorite Liverpool strikes in one compilation. Well, actually 11. It’s been a good year for great goals. I experimented with adding titles; it doesn’t make for the smoothest transitions, but in my defense, I’m teaching myself iMovie by trial and error.
Youtube hates me this season, so we’re on sapo.pt instead.
10) Gerrard 1-1 Everton (FA Cup):
This shouldn't make the list, because Howard should’ve made the save, but that's just bloody awesome by Torres. Words fail me.
9) Agger 1-0 Crewe:
The first of two for the Dane. Welcome back, Danny Agger.
8) Gerrard 3-0 Real:
This one’s very similar to a goal against Bolton that was my second favorite from 2006/07. And this goal only made 8th this year. Says enough really.
7) Gerrard 2-1 Boro:
Yawn. Just another last second Stevie G winner from the edge of the box. Routine by now really.
6) Kuyt 3-2 Wigan:
Not only a late comeback winner, but also a scissored volley. Only Kuyt could make it look ugly and ungainly, but there lies the beauty.
5) Riera 2-1 PSV and Agger 3-0 Blackburn:
Different players, same goal. Both lefty too.
4) Keane 1-1 Arse:
I debated over whether or not to include Keane, because of the brevity of his stay and because I’m a petty bastard who holds grudges. But this goal was awesome.
3) Aurelio 3-1 United:
Sweet, sweet victory. Mmmmm. And it’s not a bad free kick either.
2) Gerrard 1-1 Marseille:
The commentator is absolutely right: only Gerrard could score this goal and mean it. He has no right to get that power and accuracy when the pass is behind him.
1) Torres 1-0 Blackburn:
See, I can pick a goal of the season that's not scored by Gerrard. More than shades of van Basten – the Dutchman's got a case for plagiarism. Torres’ might even be better because of the takedown. Absolute brilliance. He really can score every type of goal.
For kicks, I made a second video, with four honorable mentions I couldn’t leave out.
Honorable Mention:
• The Nemanja Vidic Defender of the Year Award: Torres 1-1 United
• The Textbook Definition of Counter-Attack Football Award: Keane 3-0 Bolton
• The 86-Game Home Unbeaten Streak Award: Alonso 1-0 Chelsea
• The 4-1 Never Gets Old Award: Dossena 4-1 United
29 May 2009
28 May 2009
OYB Awards 2009
Same format as last year, and like previous seasons, I will also have a separate post for Top 10 goals tomorrow.
Leave your own awards in the comments.
Player of the season:
1) Xabi Alonso
2) Steven Gerrard
3) Dirk Kuyt
Most pleasing result of the season:
1) Liverpool 4-1 United
2) Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid
3) Liverpool 2-1 United
Most dominating performance:
1) 4-0 Real Madrid
2) 5-1 Newcastle
3) 5-0 Villa
Most entertaining game of the season:
1) 4-1 United
2) 4-4 Arsenal
3) 4-4 Chelsea
Most underrated player:
1) Pepe Reina (A late Keane goal away from four straight Golden Gloves! Is there any question he’s the best keeper in the league?)
2) Dirk Kuyt (Yes. Still. And he was #1 on this list until a few weeks ago, when his name started showing up in a decent amount of end-of-season stuff.)
3) Yossi Benayoun
Young player of the season (PFA does 23 or younger, I’m using 21):
1) Emiliano Insua
2) David Ngog
3) Jay Spearing
Best Signing:
1) Albert Riera
2) David Ngog
3) Andrea Dossena
Yeah, so it wasn’t the best summer’s worth of business. No one better dare mention He Who Must Not Be Named.
Best Goal:
1) Torres 1-0 Blackburn
2) Gerrard 1-1 Marseille
3) Aurelio 3-1 United
Worst performance of the season:
1) 0-2 Boro
2) 0-0 Stoke (a)
3) 0-0 Fulham
Stomach punch of the season:
1) 1-2 Spurs
2) 0-1 Everton aet (FA Cup)
3) 1-1 Wigan
Daylight Robbery:
1) 0-0 Stoke (h)
2) 1-1 Everton (h; league)
3) 1-1 City
Leave your own awards in the comments.
Player of the season:
1) Xabi Alonso
2) Steven Gerrard
3) Dirk Kuyt
Most pleasing result of the season:
1) Liverpool 4-1 United
2) Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid
3) Liverpool 2-1 United
Most dominating performance:
1) 4-0 Real Madrid
2) 5-1 Newcastle
3) 5-0 Villa
Most entertaining game of the season:
1) 4-1 United
2) 4-4 Arsenal
3) 4-4 Chelsea
Most underrated player:
1) Pepe Reina (A late Keane goal away from four straight Golden Gloves! Is there any question he’s the best keeper in the league?)
2) Dirk Kuyt (Yes. Still. And he was #1 on this list until a few weeks ago, when his name started showing up in a decent amount of end-of-season stuff.)
3) Yossi Benayoun
Young player of the season (PFA does 23 or younger, I’m using 21):
1) Emiliano Insua
2) David Ngog
3) Jay Spearing
Best Signing:
1) Albert Riera
2) David Ngog
3) Andrea Dossena
Yeah, so it wasn’t the best summer’s worth of business. No one better dare mention He Who Must Not Be Named.
Best Goal:
1) Torres 1-0 Blackburn
2) Gerrard 1-1 Marseille
3) Aurelio 3-1 United
Worst performance of the season:
1) 0-2 Boro
2) 0-0 Stoke (a)
3) 0-0 Fulham
Stomach punch of the season:
1) 1-2 Spurs
2) 0-1 Everton aet (FA Cup)
3) 1-1 Wigan
Daylight Robbery:
1) 0-0 Stoke (h)
2) 1-1 Everton (h; league)
3) 1-1 City
Semi-shameless self-promotion
I did an interview with Soccer City FC yesterday as part of its blogger Q&A interviews. We talk about Liverpool's prospects as well as a bit of behind the scenes (nowhere near as sexy as it sounds).
So if you can't get enough of my rambling, head on over, but you should be checking out Soccer City FC anyway. Back in a few hours with the 2009 OYB Awards.
So if you can't get enough of my rambling, head on over, but you should be checking out Soccer City FC anyway. Back in a few hours with the 2009 OYB Awards.
27 May 2009
Barcelona 2-0 United
Goals:
Eto’o 10’
Messi 70’
Manchester United trails by one. In search of an equalizer, Ferguson replaces two midfielders with strikers, going to a 4-2-4 formation with Tevez, Berbatov, Rooney, and Ronaldo all on the field. And it doesn’t take long for the opposition to go two goals ahead.
It happened at Old Trafford against Liverpool. And it happened against Barca in the Champions League final. No surprise that Alex Ferguson won manager of the year then, is it?
Barcelona is not a bottom-half Premiership side and it is not clever to go 4-2-4 against a team with Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta in the side, even if you’re losing by a goal. And credit goes to Manton, a sometime commentator on this fine blog, for calling it minutes before Messi scored.
It only took Liverpool three minutes to win the free kick and red card that made it 3-1. It took Barca four. But we won’t hold it against them.
Only die-hard Barca supporters and United haters would have wagered on this result after the first ten minutes. Ronaldo could have had a hat trick in that span himself – a free kick that Valdes spilled, a shot from distance narrowly wide, and an effort blazed across goal – while Park nearly got to the rebound of Ronaldo’s free kick.
But, against the run of play, Barca got out of their own half and Iniesta found Eto’o with a throughball. The Cameroonian made a mess out of the defender of the year (*derisive snort*) before beating Van der Saar at his near post (*second derisive snort*).
That de-pantsing clearly disheartened the Mancs, and sent Barca on their way to their slick passing game – controlling possession and moving through the middle, always looking like a threat to breach the backline.
Messi was a revelation – and that’s the first time I can say that seeing him against English opposition. Whether it was against Chelsea or Liverpool, the diminutive Argentinean has gone missing. Not tonight. The ball was stuck to his feet like superglue, and one moment in the first half stood out. He was clattered by four defenders, with everyone spilling to the ground. Somehow, Messi was first to his feet and kept possession, only the official had blown for the free kick. To be fair, I wouldn’t have played advantage either; there was no way Messi should have been able to keep the ball. It looked impossible.
For the most part, chances were few and far between, but Barca always looked the more likely. United, needing to build from the back because of incessant Barca pressure, struggling to find Rooney and Ronaldo as the half went on. The makeshift backline of Puyol-Toure-Pique-Sylvinho definitively won the day.
The second 45 saw Barca start like a house on fire as both Henry and Messi threatened. Xavi and Iniesta pulled the strings in midfield – and you’re prone to that when your midfield is Park-Carrick-Giggs, as Tevez replaced Anderson at the start of the half.
Like against Liverpool, both Rooney and Ronaldo began to get their acts together around the hour mark, as both were more frequent outlets for hopeful punts forward. And then that aforementioned tactical masterpiece, taking off Park for Berbatov, took place. Puyol won the ball in the center of the pitch, and when United couldn't clear, Xavi sent in a perfect cross for Messi, in between Vidic and O'Shea, to bury with a header. Lovely.
The main highlights after the second goal were another tackling clinic put on by Scholes (I’m stunned he hasn’t hurt more players) and United taunted by olés from the Barcelona faithful. I am a petty man who delighted in every minute.
And while it’s fun to gloat over United’s loss, the truth is that Barca won. No matter the makeshift defense or United’s power on the counter. The central midfield of Xavi and Iniesta was jaw dropping, and this is from a guy who gets to watch Gerrard, Alonso, and Mascherano week in and week out. Messi was at his best, and finally lived up to the hype against English opposition; he was simply magic.
This Barca team is the first Spanish club to win the treble, and it’s evident why. What a job Guardiola’s done, and I’m pleased to see him reap the rewards. But I’ll also readily admit I enjoy it even more because of who they’ve beaten.
Thanks, Barca. Now Liverpool has to complete the job next season and truly knock Ferguson off his "fucking perch."
Eto’o 10’
Messi 70’
Manchester United trails by one. In search of an equalizer, Ferguson replaces two midfielders with strikers, going to a 4-2-4 formation with Tevez, Berbatov, Rooney, and Ronaldo all on the field. And it doesn’t take long for the opposition to go two goals ahead.
It happened at Old Trafford against Liverpool. And it happened against Barca in the Champions League final. No surprise that Alex Ferguson won manager of the year then, is it?
Barcelona is not a bottom-half Premiership side and it is not clever to go 4-2-4 against a team with Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta in the side, even if you’re losing by a goal. And credit goes to Manton, a sometime commentator on this fine blog, for calling it minutes before Messi scored.
It only took Liverpool three minutes to win the free kick and red card that made it 3-1. It took Barca four. But we won’t hold it against them.
Only die-hard Barca supporters and United haters would have wagered on this result after the first ten minutes. Ronaldo could have had a hat trick in that span himself – a free kick that Valdes spilled, a shot from distance narrowly wide, and an effort blazed across goal – while Park nearly got to the rebound of Ronaldo’s free kick.
But, against the run of play, Barca got out of their own half and Iniesta found Eto’o with a throughball. The Cameroonian made a mess out of the defender of the year (*derisive snort*) before beating Van der Saar at his near post (*second derisive snort*).
That de-pantsing clearly disheartened the Mancs, and sent Barca on their way to their slick passing game – controlling possession and moving through the middle, always looking like a threat to breach the backline.
Messi was a revelation – and that’s the first time I can say that seeing him against English opposition. Whether it was against Chelsea or Liverpool, the diminutive Argentinean has gone missing. Not tonight. The ball was stuck to his feet like superglue, and one moment in the first half stood out. He was clattered by four defenders, with everyone spilling to the ground. Somehow, Messi was first to his feet and kept possession, only the official had blown for the free kick. To be fair, I wouldn’t have played advantage either; there was no way Messi should have been able to keep the ball. It looked impossible.
For the most part, chances were few and far between, but Barca always looked the more likely. United, needing to build from the back because of incessant Barca pressure, struggling to find Rooney and Ronaldo as the half went on. The makeshift backline of Puyol-Toure-Pique-Sylvinho definitively won the day.
The second 45 saw Barca start like a house on fire as both Henry and Messi threatened. Xavi and Iniesta pulled the strings in midfield – and you’re prone to that when your midfield is Park-Carrick-Giggs, as Tevez replaced Anderson at the start of the half.
Like against Liverpool, both Rooney and Ronaldo began to get their acts together around the hour mark, as both were more frequent outlets for hopeful punts forward. And then that aforementioned tactical masterpiece, taking off Park for Berbatov, took place. Puyol won the ball in the center of the pitch, and when United couldn't clear, Xavi sent in a perfect cross for Messi, in between Vidic and O'Shea, to bury with a header. Lovely.
The main highlights after the second goal were another tackling clinic put on by Scholes (I’m stunned he hasn’t hurt more players) and United taunted by olés from the Barcelona faithful. I am a petty man who delighted in every minute.
And while it’s fun to gloat over United’s loss, the truth is that Barca won. No matter the makeshift defense or United’s power on the counter. The central midfield of Xavi and Iniesta was jaw dropping, and this is from a guy who gets to watch Gerrard, Alonso, and Mascherano week in and week out. Messi was at his best, and finally lived up to the hype against English opposition; he was simply magic.
This Barca team is the first Spanish club to win the treble, and it’s evident why. What a job Guardiola’s done, and I’m pleased to see him reap the rewards. But I’ll also readily admit I enjoy it even more because of who they’ve beaten.
Thanks, Barca. Now Liverpool has to complete the job next season and truly knock Ferguson off his "fucking perch."
26 May 2009
Three new teams, and how it affects Liverpool
Awards on Thursday and Top 10 goals on Friday should wrap up the season review stuff unless something strikes me. In addition, there may be a review of the CL final tomorrow, depending on circumstances (yes, you know what I'm implying).
But first, relegation.
I don’t know why the idea hadn’t struck me sooner, but promotions and relegations affect Liverpool. That Burnley won the playoffs instead of Reading or Sheffield United makes the connection more tenuous, but there are still some notions to be divined. It was Birmingham sealing promotion on the same day that Liverpool hammered Newcastle that hit the point home.
I hate when Liverpool plays Birmingham. Every club has those bogey teams, and Birmingham seems to be one of Liverpool’s, especially under Benitez. I thought it was just a Steve Bruce thing, but Alex McLeish’s side went and took two points off Liverpool in April 2008, a month where Brum only tallied two points on the road to relegation. At the same time, Liverpool’s won four straight over Newcastle by a margin of 14-1.
In fact, Liverpool’s lost to at least one relegated team in three of Benitez’s five seasons: Boro this season, Reading last season, and both Southampton and Crystal Palace in 04-05. The exceptions are 2005-06, where Liverpool were held by Birmingham twice, and 2006-07, where Liverpool drew at both Charlton and Sheffield United. Four points dropped is worse than three.
So, anyway, the changes for next year, and Liverpool’s last four games against each side. I am not including cup matches in Birmingham’s totals, but am including them in Burnley’s. Yes, it’s selective use of the data, but otherwise I’d be going back to at least ’75-76 for Liverpool/Burnley league matches. So we’ll pretend those cup matches counted for points. I know, but play along anyway.
Promoted:
Wolverhampton:
1-0 Liverpool (h) 03.20.04
1-1 (a) 01.21.04
0-1 Wolves (h) 01.14.84
1-1 (a) 08.27.83
5 points; 3 goals for, 2 goals against
Birmingham:
2-2 (a) 04.26.08
0-0 (h) 09.22.07
1-1 (h) 02.01.06
2-2 (a) 09.24.05
4 points; 5 for, 5 against
Burnley:
0-1 Burnley (a; FA Cup) 01.18.05
1-0 Liverpool (h; FA Cup) 01.04.97
1-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 02.07.95
0-0 (a; League Cup) 01.28.95
7 points; 2 for, 1 against
Combined Total: 16 points; 10 for, 8 against
Relegated:
Newcastle:
3-0 Liverpool (h) 05.03.09
5-1 Liverpool (a) 12.28.08
3-0 Liverpool (h) 03.08.08
3-0 Liverpool (a) 11.24.07
12 points; 14 for, 1 against
Middlesbrough:
0-2 Boro (a) 02.28.09
2-1 Liverpool (h) 08.23.08
3-2 Liverpool (h) 02.23.08
1-1 (a) 01.12.08
7 points; 6 for, 6 against
West Brom:
2-0 Liverpool (a) 05.17.09
3-0 Liverpool (h) 11.08.08
2-0 Liverpool (a) 04.01.06
1-0 Liverpool (h) 12.31.05
12 points; 8 for, 0 against
Combined Total: 31 points; 28 for, 7 against
So, a 15-point discrepancy. A +21 goal difference versus a +2 one. Super.
Wolves and Burnley make it a tougher comparison, because Liverpool’s never played Wanderers under Benitez and the lone FA Cup tie against Burnley barely counts (Rafa’ll never field a weakened side in the FA Cup again, that’s for sure), but there are still some interesting comparisons.
As said above, I’m not thrilled to see Brum back. Last time Liverpool beat them in the league was May 2004. Benitez has only beaten them in cup competition; his league record is 0-4-2. But at least we’re waving goodbye to Boro, another bogey club. Two wins, a draw, and a loss over the last two seasons, and Boro scored in each of those four games. And it took a late Gerrard winner this year and a Torres hat trick last year to get those two wins.
It’s rude to compound relegation with insults, but it’s sad to see Newcastle and West Brom go down. One goal conceded in eight games against the clubs. Yikes. Why couldn’t Stoke or Hull be relegated instead? At least there’s always next year.
I’m intrigued by and wary of Burnley. Having seen all their playoff matches, I’ve been very impressed. The final was compelling beyond belief. Paterson and Elliot have scored some absolute corkers. The defense was resilient throughout, and the side knows how to counter and how to utilize the flanks. Owen Coyle’s done an amazing job. They’ll either be next season’s Hull (the first half of the season anyway) or next season’s West Brom. I doubt there’ll be any middle ground. And chances are I’ll be rooting for them in 36 of their games.
But first, relegation.
I don’t know why the idea hadn’t struck me sooner, but promotions and relegations affect Liverpool. That Burnley won the playoffs instead of Reading or Sheffield United makes the connection more tenuous, but there are still some notions to be divined. It was Birmingham sealing promotion on the same day that Liverpool hammered Newcastle that hit the point home.
I hate when Liverpool plays Birmingham. Every club has those bogey teams, and Birmingham seems to be one of Liverpool’s, especially under Benitez. I thought it was just a Steve Bruce thing, but Alex McLeish’s side went and took two points off Liverpool in April 2008, a month where Brum only tallied two points on the road to relegation. At the same time, Liverpool’s won four straight over Newcastle by a margin of 14-1.
In fact, Liverpool’s lost to at least one relegated team in three of Benitez’s five seasons: Boro this season, Reading last season, and both Southampton and Crystal Palace in 04-05. The exceptions are 2005-06, where Liverpool were held by Birmingham twice, and 2006-07, where Liverpool drew at both Charlton and Sheffield United. Four points dropped is worse than three.
So, anyway, the changes for next year, and Liverpool’s last four games against each side. I am not including cup matches in Birmingham’s totals, but am including them in Burnley’s. Yes, it’s selective use of the data, but otherwise I’d be going back to at least ’75-76 for Liverpool/Burnley league matches. So we’ll pretend those cup matches counted for points. I know, but play along anyway.
Promoted:
Wolverhampton:
1-0 Liverpool (h) 03.20.04
1-1 (a) 01.21.04
0-1 Wolves (h) 01.14.84
1-1 (a) 08.27.83
5 points; 3 goals for, 2 goals against
Birmingham:
2-2 (a) 04.26.08
0-0 (h) 09.22.07
1-1 (h) 02.01.06
2-2 (a) 09.24.05
4 points; 5 for, 5 against
Burnley:
0-1 Burnley (a; FA Cup) 01.18.05
1-0 Liverpool (h; FA Cup) 01.04.97
1-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 02.07.95
0-0 (a; League Cup) 01.28.95
7 points; 2 for, 1 against
Combined Total: 16 points; 10 for, 8 against
Relegated:
Newcastle:
3-0 Liverpool (h) 05.03.09
5-1 Liverpool (a) 12.28.08
3-0 Liverpool (h) 03.08.08
3-0 Liverpool (a) 11.24.07
12 points; 14 for, 1 against
Middlesbrough:
0-2 Boro (a) 02.28.09
2-1 Liverpool (h) 08.23.08
3-2 Liverpool (h) 02.23.08
1-1 (a) 01.12.08
7 points; 6 for, 6 against
West Brom:
2-0 Liverpool (a) 05.17.09
3-0 Liverpool (h) 11.08.08
2-0 Liverpool (a) 04.01.06
1-0 Liverpool (h) 12.31.05
12 points; 8 for, 0 against
Combined Total: 31 points; 28 for, 7 against
So, a 15-point discrepancy. A +21 goal difference versus a +2 one. Super.
Wolves and Burnley make it a tougher comparison, because Liverpool’s never played Wanderers under Benitez and the lone FA Cup tie against Burnley barely counts (Rafa’ll never field a weakened side in the FA Cup again, that’s for sure), but there are still some interesting comparisons.
As said above, I’m not thrilled to see Brum back. Last time Liverpool beat them in the league was May 2004. Benitez has only beaten them in cup competition; his league record is 0-4-2. But at least we’re waving goodbye to Boro, another bogey club. Two wins, a draw, and a loss over the last two seasons, and Boro scored in each of those four games. And it took a late Gerrard winner this year and a Torres hat trick last year to get those two wins.
It’s rude to compound relegation with insults, but it’s sad to see Newcastle and West Brom go down. One goal conceded in eight games against the clubs. Yikes. Why couldn’t Stoke or Hull be relegated instead? At least there’s always next year.
I’m intrigued by and wary of Burnley. Having seen all their playoff matches, I’ve been very impressed. The final was compelling beyond belief. Paterson and Elliot have scored some absolute corkers. The defense was resilient throughout, and the side knows how to counter and how to utilize the flanks. Owen Coyle’s done an amazing job. They’ll either be next season’s Hull (the first half of the season anyway) or next season’s West Brom. I doubt there’ll be any middle ground. And chances are I’ll be rooting for them in 36 of their games.
25 May 2009
The Schizophrenic Season (Review)
It’s Liverpool’s best Premiership campaign, and the best points total under Benitez and since the title-winning ‘87-88 season (the league was 40 games that year). But Liverpool could and probably should have won the championship, throwing the league away with mid-season draws.
I’m thrilled there was actually a title race until the second-to-last round of fixtures, but I’m massively disappointed that Liverpool was top of the league to start 2009, and still finished four points behind the bloody Mancs. Second place is better than I predicted at the beginning of the season, but first was definitely achievable. Sigh. There’s always next year.
0-0 at Villa, 0-0 v Stoke, 0-0 v Fulham, 0-0 v West Ham, 2-2 v Hull, 1-1 at Arsenal, 0-0 at Stoke, 1-1 v Everton, 1-1 at Wigan, 1-1 v Man City, and 4-4 v Arsenal.
Six or seven of those eleven draws are regrettable, if not unforgivable. Especially when you consider that Liverpool did the double over both United and Chelsea. Hence the disappointment and frustration, even though the team clearly made strides this season.
And seven of those draws were at Anfield, which is obviously unacceptable. That’s the highest number of home draws in Benitez’ five seasons. At the same time, Liverpool went unbeaten at home, the first time that’s happened since the aforementioned ’87-88 campaign. This is why I’m calling it the schizophrenic season.
If you want, you could blame two separate stretches: the spate of early home draws against Stoke, Fulham, and West Ham, or the run in January – draws against Stoke, Everton, and Wigan – before which Liverpool was top of the table. Or you can just count the whole winter – from the November 1 loss at Tottenham to the 1-1 draw against Wigan on January 28 – five wins, seven draws, one loss. Yeah, there were a couple of decent games back-to-back – against Blackburn and Newcastle around Christmas, for one – but overall, Liverpool was mediocre for three straight months.
You can narrow it down even further. What if Gerrard’s “goal” counts against Stoke? What if Bellamy’s strike for City doesn’t take a massive deflection off Arbeloa? What if zonal marking doesn’t break down in the final five minutes against Everton? What if individual mistakes don’t lead to Arshavin scoring four at Anfield. Four points from any of those matches, or any of the aforementioned draws, would have won Liverpool the league. Sigh.
If we’re being generous, we could credit Manchester United, as much as I hate the smug pricks, led by that knighted smug alcoholic prick. They could have ballsed up after the losses to Liverpool and Fulham, but a 17-year-old saved their bacon against both Sunderland and Villa (they draw both those games and Liverpool wins the title), and they held their nerve through the rest of their games. Kudos, schmucks.
Or, you can blame Torres’ fitness, as Benitez has already done – although I’m loath to complain about injuries, which happen to all squads. But the Spaniard didn’t start in either loss, at Tottenham or Boro. And those 11 draws? Torres started seven of them, but Gerrard and Torres only started together in three – the first against Stoke (disallowed Gerrard goal), Everton (stupid late Cahill goal), and Wigan (stupid late penalty, and I hate Steve Bruce).
The final 13 games of the season, starting with the 4-0 romp over Real Madrid, demonstrate what this team’s capable of. The easy answer is that Rafa let the reins off, and there’s truth in that, but there’s more to it. The team certainly played like a massive weight had been removed from their shoulders after the Real and United romps, and built momentum from there. Confidence is an extremely important thing, just as on the flip side, the nervous tension that snowballed during the winter mediocrity abetted Liverpool’s struggles. Finally, for all the complaints about rotation, it’s yet another season where Liverpool’s the strongest at the business end. Players like Torres, Gerrard, and Agger got healthy and it made a clear difference.
There are a fair few lessons to be learned from this campaign. Most important is the title chase experience – and it’s why Benitez was so hesitant to change the squad in the last couple of games, even when it was clear the title was gone. Another is that the 4-2-3-1 is the obvious way forward, which should have been realized before Keane was bought. The final lesson is that Rafa’s usually right. Now he has to put that hard-won power to good use in the transfer window, or else all bets are off. Liverpool cannot have another rerun of summer 2002.
86 points would have won the Prem in 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2003. Liverpool’s the first team to get 86 points and not win the title since it became a 38-game league in ‘94-95.
It goes without saying that the team isn’t far away. Last year’s season review harped on leads lost and the off-field fiascos. Neither has been an issue this season; Liverpool only dropped points in three games where they scored first – the loss at Spurs and the draws against Wigan and Everton – and although Hicks and Gillett are regrettably still in charge, the only substantial off-field news was the exit of Rick Parry.
I’ll have more to say on transfer dealings as news comes during the window, but I don’t expect a ton of purchases, although we’ll probably see a fair few squad players out the door. What I want, and what I firmly believe Liverpool needs, is to spend big on a couple of players – most importantly an attacker who can play across the three in the 4-2-3-1, which is why we’ve seen players like Silva, Tevez, and Lavezzi in the gossip columns. The only other additions should be depth at striker and a right back to challenge Arbeloa.
That’s it. Otherwise, we’ve seen Liverpool prove that they already have the depth and talent capable of the title.
I’m thrilled there was actually a title race until the second-to-last round of fixtures, but I’m massively disappointed that Liverpool was top of the league to start 2009, and still finished four points behind the bloody Mancs. Second place is better than I predicted at the beginning of the season, but first was definitely achievable. Sigh. There’s always next year.
0-0 at Villa, 0-0 v Stoke, 0-0 v Fulham, 0-0 v West Ham, 2-2 v Hull, 1-1 at Arsenal, 0-0 at Stoke, 1-1 v Everton, 1-1 at Wigan, 1-1 v Man City, and 4-4 v Arsenal.
Six or seven of those eleven draws are regrettable, if not unforgivable. Especially when you consider that Liverpool did the double over both United and Chelsea. Hence the disappointment and frustration, even though the team clearly made strides this season.
And seven of those draws were at Anfield, which is obviously unacceptable. That’s the highest number of home draws in Benitez’ five seasons. At the same time, Liverpool went unbeaten at home, the first time that’s happened since the aforementioned ’87-88 campaign. This is why I’m calling it the schizophrenic season.
If you want, you could blame two separate stretches: the spate of early home draws against Stoke, Fulham, and West Ham, or the run in January – draws against Stoke, Everton, and Wigan – before which Liverpool was top of the table. Or you can just count the whole winter – from the November 1 loss at Tottenham to the 1-1 draw against Wigan on January 28 – five wins, seven draws, one loss. Yeah, there were a couple of decent games back-to-back – against Blackburn and Newcastle around Christmas, for one – but overall, Liverpool was mediocre for three straight months.
You can narrow it down even further. What if Gerrard’s “goal” counts against Stoke? What if Bellamy’s strike for City doesn’t take a massive deflection off Arbeloa? What if zonal marking doesn’t break down in the final five minutes against Everton? What if individual mistakes don’t lead to Arshavin scoring four at Anfield. Four points from any of those matches, or any of the aforementioned draws, would have won Liverpool the league. Sigh.
If we’re being generous, we could credit Manchester United, as much as I hate the smug pricks, led by that knighted smug alcoholic prick. They could have ballsed up after the losses to Liverpool and Fulham, but a 17-year-old saved their bacon against both Sunderland and Villa (they draw both those games and Liverpool wins the title), and they held their nerve through the rest of their games. Kudos, schmucks.
Or, you can blame Torres’ fitness, as Benitez has already done – although I’m loath to complain about injuries, which happen to all squads. But the Spaniard didn’t start in either loss, at Tottenham or Boro. And those 11 draws? Torres started seven of them, but Gerrard and Torres only started together in three – the first against Stoke (disallowed Gerrard goal), Everton (stupid late Cahill goal), and Wigan (stupid late penalty, and I hate Steve Bruce).
The final 13 games of the season, starting with the 4-0 romp over Real Madrid, demonstrate what this team’s capable of. The easy answer is that Rafa let the reins off, and there’s truth in that, but there’s more to it. The team certainly played like a massive weight had been removed from their shoulders after the Real and United romps, and built momentum from there. Confidence is an extremely important thing, just as on the flip side, the nervous tension that snowballed during the winter mediocrity abetted Liverpool’s struggles. Finally, for all the complaints about rotation, it’s yet another season where Liverpool’s the strongest at the business end. Players like Torres, Gerrard, and Agger got healthy and it made a clear difference.
There are a fair few lessons to be learned from this campaign. Most important is the title chase experience – and it’s why Benitez was so hesitant to change the squad in the last couple of games, even when it was clear the title was gone. Another is that the 4-2-3-1 is the obvious way forward, which should have been realized before Keane was bought. The final lesson is that Rafa’s usually right. Now he has to put that hard-won power to good use in the transfer window, or else all bets are off. Liverpool cannot have another rerun of summer 2002.
86 points would have won the Prem in 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2003. Liverpool’s the first team to get 86 points and not win the title since it became a 38-game league in ‘94-95.
It goes without saying that the team isn’t far away. Last year’s season review harped on leads lost and the off-field fiascos. Neither has been an issue this season; Liverpool only dropped points in three games where they scored first – the loss at Spurs and the draws against Wigan and Everton – and although Hicks and Gillett are regrettably still in charge, the only substantial off-field news was the exit of Rick Parry.
I’ll have more to say on transfer dealings as news comes during the window, but I don’t expect a ton of purchases, although we’ll probably see a fair few squad players out the door. What I want, and what I firmly believe Liverpool needs, is to spend big on a couple of players – most importantly an attacker who can play across the three in the 4-2-3-1, which is why we’ve seen players like Silva, Tevez, and Lavezzi in the gossip columns. The only other additions should be depth at striker and a right back to challenge Arbeloa.
That’s it. Otherwise, we’ve seen Liverpool prove that they already have the depth and talent capable of the title.
24 May 2009
Stats Comparison 08/09
Like last season, I want to start off the season review posts with a comparison of campaigns under Benitez. Statistics don’t tell the whole story, but enough of one to be worth posting.
I’ll have a narrative review of the season up before noon.
Liverpool’s league record:
04/05:
Home: 12 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses
Away: 5 wins, 3 draws, 11 losses
58 points
05/06:
Home: 15 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss
Away: 10 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses
82 points
06/07:
Home: 14 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss
Away: 6 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses
68 points
07/08:
Home: 12 wins, 6 draws 1 loss
Away: 9 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses
76 points
08/09:
Home: 12 wins, 7 draws
Away: 13 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses
86 points
Two fewer losses than last season, 12 fewer losses than Benitez’s first season. Same number of home wins though. Away form was nine points better than the previous best totals (05/06 and 07/08).
League goals for and against:
04/05 – 52 scored, 41 conceded (82 for in all competitions)
05/06 – 57 scored, 25 conceded (104 for in all competitions)
06/07 – 57 scored, 27 conceded (90 for in all competitions)
07/08 – 67 scored, 28 conceded (119 for in all competitions)
08/09 – 77 scored, 27 conceded (106 for in all competitions)
It’s worth noting that Liverpool bested their goals for under Benitez in the league by 10 despite five scoreless draws.
Top scorer:
04/05: Milan Baros - 9 in the league, 13 in total (Gerrard and Garcia also finished the season with 13 goals)
05/06: Steven Gerrard - 10 in the league, 23 overall
06/07: Peter Crouch - 9 in the league, 18 overall (Kuyt was top scorer in the league with 12)
07/08: Fernando Torres - 24 in the league, 33 overall
08/09: Steven Gerrard – 16 in the league, 24 overall
Players with double-digit goals in the league:
04/05: 0
05/06: 1 – Gerrard (10)
06/07: 1 – Kuyt (12)
07/08: 2 – Torres (24), Gerrard (11)
08/09: 3 – Gerrard (16), Torres (14), Kuyt (12)
Clean sheets:
04/05: 7 in the league, 18 overall
05/06: 22 in the league, 33 overall
06/07: 20 in the league, 28 overall
07/08: 18 in the league, 25 overall
08/09: 20 in the league, 26 overall
Points behind the league winners:
04/05: 37
05/06: 9
06/07: 21
07/08: 11
08/09: 4
I’ll have a narrative review of the season up before noon.
Liverpool’s league record:
04/05:
Home: 12 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses
Away: 5 wins, 3 draws, 11 losses
58 points
05/06:
Home: 15 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss
Away: 10 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses
82 points
06/07:
Home: 14 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss
Away: 6 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses
68 points
07/08:
Home: 12 wins, 6 draws 1 loss
Away: 9 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses
76 points
08/09:
Home: 12 wins, 7 draws
Away: 13 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses
86 points
Two fewer losses than last season, 12 fewer losses than Benitez’s first season. Same number of home wins though. Away form was nine points better than the previous best totals (05/06 and 07/08).
League goals for and against:
04/05 – 52 scored, 41 conceded (82 for in all competitions)
05/06 – 57 scored, 25 conceded (104 for in all competitions)
06/07 – 57 scored, 27 conceded (90 for in all competitions)
07/08 – 67 scored, 28 conceded (119 for in all competitions)
08/09 – 77 scored, 27 conceded (106 for in all competitions)
It’s worth noting that Liverpool bested their goals for under Benitez in the league by 10 despite five scoreless draws.
Top scorer:
04/05: Milan Baros - 9 in the league, 13 in total (Gerrard and Garcia also finished the season with 13 goals)
05/06: Steven Gerrard - 10 in the league, 23 overall
06/07: Peter Crouch - 9 in the league, 18 overall (Kuyt was top scorer in the league with 12)
07/08: Fernando Torres - 24 in the league, 33 overall
08/09: Steven Gerrard – 16 in the league, 24 overall
Players with double-digit goals in the league:
04/05: 0
05/06: 1 – Gerrard (10)
06/07: 1 – Kuyt (12)
07/08: 2 – Torres (24), Gerrard (11)
08/09: 3 – Gerrard (16), Torres (14), Kuyt (12)
Clean sheets:
04/05: 7 in the league, 18 overall
05/06: 22 in the league, 33 overall
06/07: 20 in the league, 28 overall
07/08: 18 in the league, 25 overall
08/09: 20 in the league, 26 overall
Points behind the league winners:
04/05: 37
05/06: 9
06/07: 21
07/08: 11
08/09: 4
Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Aurelio
Mascherano Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Goals:
Torres 31’
Kuyt 64’
Keane 77’
Benayoun 81’
Another good performance despite the match being played at a typical last-day pace, unsentimental Rafa made us wait for Sami, and Robbie Keane’s a jerk. Sounds about right.
Liverpool started brightly, with Gerrard’s strike ending up on the roof of the net and Benayoun spooning over from six-yard on the half volley before five minutes were up. And an interruption in the stream (so much for technology) for about 20 minutes evidently coincided with Tottenham growing into the game as the game slowed down.
But thankfully, normal service resumed just as Liverpool got off the mark, predictably thanks to #9. Torres jumped highest, in between Hutton and Corluka, to meet Kuyt’s chipped cross at the back post, ricocheting a header off the underside of the bar giving Gomez no chance. Tottenham rarely threatened for the rest of the half, with the lone chance coming on a ball over the top that Reina did well to close off under pressure from Defoe. But neither did Liverpool, which wasn’t all that surprising with a lead in the last match.
The second half saw better from the start, with Torres getting involved and Alonso nearly scoring from his own half (again), while Liverpool could have had a penalty in the 62nd (yes, yes, ball to hand, but his arms were out – and the situation was repeated in the 90th). But two minutes later, Kuyt got the second, although it’ll probably go down as a Hutton own goal. Kuyt and Benayoun passed their way through the box, with the Dutchman’s effort deflecting off the defender past Gomes.
Gerrard should have added another, hitting the post from an impossible angle and shooting surprisingly wide from a trademark position, before Keane ruined Reina’s chance at a fourth-straight Golden Gloves. The Irishman was barely onside, probably played on by Carra, and beat the keeper at the near post. Of course it was Keane. As if it was ever in doubt.
Benayoun made sure of the win, Liverpool’s 10th in the final 11 games, after Mascherano won the ball back and Gerrard turned wonderfully to put the Israeli through. And the captain could have tallied three minutes later when a free kick was narrowly wide – had he taken his chances, he’d have finished level on goals with Anelka.
Finally, after the missed free kick, Hyypia came on to replace the man who replaced him as captain, taking up the armband for a final time. Once Hyypia’s name wasn’t on the team sheet, you knew he would replace Gerrard in the final few minutes, but it would have been nice to see him on from the start. The Kop spent the remaining time singing the Finn’s name, and he almost finished the dream script with a header in the first minute of injury time, only for Gomes to scramble it away.
And that’s the 2008-09 campaign. Second place, the most goals scored, and the highest points total in the Premiership. And of course, we’re left wanting much more. August can’t get here soon enough.
I should have a bunch of post-season stuff in the next few days – a narrative review, the season awards, the top 10 goals, and a few other things. It’s been a good year. The disappointment over second place can’t override that.
Carragher Skrtel Agger Aurelio
Mascherano Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Goals:
Torres 31’
Kuyt 64’
Keane 77’
Benayoun 81’
Another good performance despite the match being played at a typical last-day pace, unsentimental Rafa made us wait for Sami, and Robbie Keane’s a jerk. Sounds about right.
Liverpool started brightly, with Gerrard’s strike ending up on the roof of the net and Benayoun spooning over from six-yard on the half volley before five minutes were up. And an interruption in the stream (so much for technology) for about 20 minutes evidently coincided with Tottenham growing into the game as the game slowed down.
But thankfully, normal service resumed just as Liverpool got off the mark, predictably thanks to #9. Torres jumped highest, in between Hutton and Corluka, to meet Kuyt’s chipped cross at the back post, ricocheting a header off the underside of the bar giving Gomez no chance. Tottenham rarely threatened for the rest of the half, with the lone chance coming on a ball over the top that Reina did well to close off under pressure from Defoe. But neither did Liverpool, which wasn’t all that surprising with a lead in the last match.
The second half saw better from the start, with Torres getting involved and Alonso nearly scoring from his own half (again), while Liverpool could have had a penalty in the 62nd (yes, yes, ball to hand, but his arms were out – and the situation was repeated in the 90th). But two minutes later, Kuyt got the second, although it’ll probably go down as a Hutton own goal. Kuyt and Benayoun passed their way through the box, with the Dutchman’s effort deflecting off the defender past Gomes.
Gerrard should have added another, hitting the post from an impossible angle and shooting surprisingly wide from a trademark position, before Keane ruined Reina’s chance at a fourth-straight Golden Gloves. The Irishman was barely onside, probably played on by Carra, and beat the keeper at the near post. Of course it was Keane. As if it was ever in doubt.
Benayoun made sure of the win, Liverpool’s 10th in the final 11 games, after Mascherano won the ball back and Gerrard turned wonderfully to put the Israeli through. And the captain could have tallied three minutes later when a free kick was narrowly wide – had he taken his chances, he’d have finished level on goals with Anelka.
Finally, after the missed free kick, Hyypia came on to replace the man who replaced him as captain, taking up the armband for a final time. Once Hyypia’s name wasn’t on the team sheet, you knew he would replace Gerrard in the final few minutes, but it would have been nice to see him on from the start. The Kop spent the remaining time singing the Finn’s name, and he almost finished the dream script with a header in the first minute of injury time, only for Gomes to scramble it away.
And that’s the 2008-09 campaign. Second place, the most goals scored, and the highest points total in the Premiership. And of course, we’re left wanting much more. August can’t get here soon enough.
I should have a bunch of post-season stuff in the next few days – a narrative review, the season awards, the top 10 goals, and a few other things. It’s been a good year. The disappointment over second place can’t override that.
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