10am ET. I have no idea if it's live anywhere. The website I usually use for schedules says it's on LFCTV Online, but LFCTV's schedule only mentions audio commentary.
If it's on anywhere, there should be streams, but I'm less hopeful than usual. And, of course, I blame Fox Sports because they're the FA Cup rights holder in the USA.
Last four head-to-head:
2-3 Oldham (a; FA Cup) 01.27.13
5-1 Liverpool (h; FA Cup) 01.06.12
3-0 Liverpool (a) 01.15.94
2-1 Liverpool (h) 10.16.93
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-0 Hull (h); 1-2 Chelsea (a); 1-2 City (a)
Oldham: 1-2 Shrewsbury (h); 1-1 Coventry (a); 1-1 Sheffield Utd
Goalscorers (all competitions):
Liverpool: Suarez 19; Sturridge 11; Sterling 4; Gerrard 3; Coutinho, Henderson, Skrtel 2; Flanagan, Moses, Sakho 1
Oldham: Philliskirk 10; Rooney 7; Clarke-Harris 6; Mellor 4; Dayton, Tarkowski 3; Baxter, Lanzoni, Montano 2; Grounds, Kusunga, Petrasso, Schmeltz, Smith, Wesolowski, Winchester 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a line-up:
Mignolet
Johnson Toure Agger Cissokho
Gerrard Henderson
Aspas L Alberto Sterling
Suarez
Your guess is as good as mine.
There will be changes, but Rodgers has a tendency not to heavily rotate in cup ties (last year's Europa League excepted). And last year's loss at Oldham will weigh in the memory.
So let's just go down the list. Mignolet started in both Carling Cup ties; I see no reason why Rodgers would start using Jones now.
If Martin Kelly's still alive, he could and should replace Johnson, but I'm not sure Martin Kelly's still alive. Sakho's injured, Skrtel's played more than any other defenders, Ilori's probably not getting his first start, which should lead to Toure and Agger at center-back. It's either Cissokho or 19-year-old Brad Smith at left-back, which almost certainly means it'll be Cissokho.
After coming on as a sub against Hull, Gerrard's hopefully ready to start, needing the match practice. Henderson's probably fresher than Lucas, needing one of those two to partner the captain in midfield. Liverpool have the most options in the attacking line of three: Aspas, Moses, Sterling, Alberto, and Coutinho are all in contention, although I'd hope the Brazilian will finally get a match off, which he clearly seems to need. Moses, on-loan and yet to impress, is another I'd leave out, but there's an argument for spelling Sterling after he's started the last eight matches, and it's not as if Aspas has impressed anyone in his few appearances either.
At least we know who'll start up front. As long as Suarez has all his appendages (and isn't suspended), he's in the line-up.
Oldham are 19th in League One, only outside the relegation zone on goal difference. Which is the exact same place they sat in the table when these two sides met 12 months ago. This is actually the third consecutive year that Liverpool have met Oldham in the FA Cup. It's a tradition that I could do without.
At least Liverpool's two biggest tormentors from last season's meeting are no longer with the club: former Evertonian Jose Baxter was sold to Sheffield United, burly striker Matt Smith joined Leeds on a free transfer.
I won't embarrass us both by trying to guess Oldham's XI, but will mention the last line-up used, in the 1-2 loss against Shrewsbury on New Year's Day: Oxley; Brown, Kusunga, Tarkowski, Grounds; Dayton, Smith, Mellor, Petrasso; Rooney, Clarke-Harris. That lineup contains just one player who started in last year's FA Cup tie, left-back Jonathan Grounds, formerly of Middlesborough. Australian central midfielder James Wesolowski, who played well in last year's meeting, would also feature if not for a fractured cheekbone suffered in the previous FA Cup round. Oldham's turnover from two years ago to last year to this season highlights just how transitory the lower leagues are.
Brendan Rodgers' son, Anton, plays for the Latics, but has only made seven league appearances this season, five of them off the bench, including in Oldham's last match against Shrewsbury. Oldham have also signed two players since the transfer window opened a few days ago: defender Adam Lockwood and midfielder Gary Harkins.
The FA Cup ranks fairly low on Liverpool's (admittedly short) list of priorities this season. That list is "league finish" followed by a mile or so of blank space before "FA Cup" and "League Cup." However, after the hectic, somewhat horrible last month of festive fixtures, Liverpool need to return to routine, winning form. And, of course, back on their own ground, Liverpool will want vengeance for last season's embarrassment.
Wednesday against Hull was a routine win. No matter the forecasted changes, tomorrow needs to be as well.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query attwell. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query attwell. Sort by date Show all posts
04 January 2014
26 August 2013
Liverpool v Notts County 08.27.13
2:45pm ET, live in the US on BeIN Sport
Last four head-to-head:
4-0 Liverpool (h) 03.31.92
2-1 Liverpool (a) 09.07.91
0-0 (a) 05.12.84
5-0 Liverpool (h) 12.17.83
Last matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Villa (a); 1-0 Stoke (h)
Notts County: 0-1 Stevenage (h); 1-1 Walsall (a); 2-4 Peterborough (h)
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a line-up:
Mignolet
Kelly Toure Wisdom Cissokho
Henderson Allen
Aspas Alberto Sterling
Borini
There's no way I'm guessing this lineup correctly, given the number of directions Rodgers could choose to take. The deciding question, as usual in the cups, is how seriously will Rodgers take this match? Especially with Manchester United imminent.
The answer seems "pretty seriously" when Rodgers says things like:
If you're asking me, my lineup selection would start with two lists:
Players that need to play, if available: Allen, Sterling, Cissokho, Kelly, Wisdom.
Players that probably shouldn't be risked: Gerrard, Lucas, Agger, Sturridge, Coutinho.
But chances are at least one of the players listed in the "DON'T RISK" section starts, if not more. Even with United five days later, even after a tiring, hard-fought match on Saturday, Liverpool will probably take this competition more seriously than I'd like to assume, especially without participation in the Europa League. Memories of Oldham, not to mention Northampton, are still fairly fresh wounds.
Skrtel is reportedly suffering with a knock (my guess is I've-not-played-well-in-a-year-but-they-can't-sell-me-itis), which is why he's not included in the "needs to play" list. With Coates also absent, Rodgers' hands are pretty much tied at center-back. Wisdom is almost assuredly one of the two starters; Kelly could play there as well, with Johnson, Flanagan, or even McLaughlin at right back, but I suspect Rodgers won't want to use both Kelly and Wisdom in central defense. Which means Toure or Agger will play. Agger has a history of breaking easily, and was at his best last season with ample recovery time. He played in only four of the 12 Europa League matches and didn't appear in any of the four domestic cup matches last season. Let's not play Agger.
If any of the above five "DON'T RISK" players feature, it'll probably be Gerrard or Lucas in midfield. As in central defense, Rodgers doesn't really have a surplus of options in that area: Gerrard, Lucas, Allen, and Henderson. I'd be perfectly happy with the Henderson/Allen pairing, but I suspect Rodgers will start either Gerrard or Lucas with Allen.
And then there's the front four. Of the four who've started Liverpool's two league matches, I'd be most comfortable with Aspas playing, the only one who's been subbed out of both matches and who needs the experience of dealing with the more agricultural English style of play that lower league sides so helpfully provide. Sturridge is coming off an extended summer-long injury. Coutinho looked fatigued and below par on Saturday. Both Borini and Sterling, and Luis Alberto and Jordon Ibe to a lesser extent, need the match practice if they're to be relied on for any length of time during the league campaign. But, again, it wouldn't surprise me to see either Sturridge or Coutinho in the XI.
Notts County are winless through four League One matches, with three losses and a draw, after finishing mid-table last season. The Magpies beat League Two Fleetwood in the previous round to advance to this stage.
I won't embarrass us both by pretending to know anything about Notts County's projected lineup, players, or tactics. I recognize exactly three names in their squad: center-back and captain Dean Leacock, who played for Fulham and Derby for a number of seasons, including a few in the Premiership; striker Enoch Showunmi, who played for Leeds and Tranmere (and probably some others, I suppose); and Bartosz Bialkowski, who was Southampton's keeper for a few years until last season's promotion. Otherwise, I'm drawing a blank. Recent match reports suggest they'll play 4-4-2. I realize this is all a lot of help.
We're all well aware that these games have been tricky for Liverpool in the past, and that Liverpool struggled against the two lower league sides they faced last season (albeit in a different competition). No matter who starts tomorrow, Rodgers will want improvement in that area, and to continue the resilient, if not inspiring, start to the season. That, even with United on Sunday, are undoubtedly the priorities. Only time will tell whether that ends up being a good or bad thing.
----
Meta note: The match review won't be up until very late tomorrow night. I'll be around on Twitter to post inanities during the match, but have to be somewhere at 5pm, and completing a review before then is incredibly unlikely. This will be the first of a few weekday matches I'll most likely have to miss this season. Apologies in advance. Stupid real life.
Last four head-to-head:
4-0 Liverpool (h) 03.31.92
2-1 Liverpool (a) 09.07.91
0-0 (a) 05.12.84
5-0 Liverpool (h) 12.17.83
Last matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Villa (a); 1-0 Stoke (h)
Notts County: 0-1 Stevenage (h); 1-1 Walsall (a); 2-4 Peterborough (h)
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a line-up:
Mignolet
Kelly Toure Wisdom Cissokho
Henderson Allen
Aspas Alberto Sterling
Borini
There's no way I'm guessing this lineup correctly, given the number of directions Rodgers could choose to take. The deciding question, as usual in the cups, is how seriously will Rodgers take this match? Especially with Manchester United imminent.
The answer seems "pretty seriously" when Rodgers says things like:
"It will be an opportunity for some players, who haven't featured, to get a game. The core of our team will very much be there. If there's an opportunity to recover one or two players that maybe had little niggles, we'll look at that. But we'll have a strong side out."
If you're asking me, my lineup selection would start with two lists:
Players that need to play, if available: Allen, Sterling, Cissokho, Kelly, Wisdom.
Players that probably shouldn't be risked: Gerrard, Lucas, Agger, Sturridge, Coutinho.
But chances are at least one of the players listed in the "DON'T RISK" section starts, if not more. Even with United five days later, even after a tiring, hard-fought match on Saturday, Liverpool will probably take this competition more seriously than I'd like to assume, especially without participation in the Europa League. Memories of Oldham, not to mention Northampton, are still fairly fresh wounds.
Skrtel is reportedly suffering with a knock (my guess is I've-not-played-well-in-a-year-but-they-can't-sell-me-itis), which is why he's not included in the "needs to play" list. With Coates also absent, Rodgers' hands are pretty much tied at center-back. Wisdom is almost assuredly one of the two starters; Kelly could play there as well, with Johnson, Flanagan, or even McLaughlin at right back, but I suspect Rodgers won't want to use both Kelly and Wisdom in central defense. Which means Toure or Agger will play. Agger has a history of breaking easily, and was at his best last season with ample recovery time. He played in only four of the 12 Europa League matches and didn't appear in any of the four domestic cup matches last season. Let's not play Agger.
If any of the above five "DON'T RISK" players feature, it'll probably be Gerrard or Lucas in midfield. As in central defense, Rodgers doesn't really have a surplus of options in that area: Gerrard, Lucas, Allen, and Henderson. I'd be perfectly happy with the Henderson/Allen pairing, but I suspect Rodgers will start either Gerrard or Lucas with Allen.
And then there's the front four. Of the four who've started Liverpool's two league matches, I'd be most comfortable with Aspas playing, the only one who's been subbed out of both matches and who needs the experience of dealing with the more agricultural English style of play that lower league sides so helpfully provide. Sturridge is coming off an extended summer-long injury. Coutinho looked fatigued and below par on Saturday. Both Borini and Sterling, and Luis Alberto and Jordon Ibe to a lesser extent, need the match practice if they're to be relied on for any length of time during the league campaign. But, again, it wouldn't surprise me to see either Sturridge or Coutinho in the XI.
Notts County are winless through four League One matches, with three losses and a draw, after finishing mid-table last season. The Magpies beat League Two Fleetwood in the previous round to advance to this stage.
I won't embarrass us both by pretending to know anything about Notts County's projected lineup, players, or tactics. I recognize exactly three names in their squad: center-back and captain Dean Leacock, who played for Fulham and Derby for a number of seasons, including a few in the Premiership; striker Enoch Showunmi, who played for Leeds and Tranmere (and probably some others, I suppose); and Bartosz Bialkowski, who was Southampton's keeper for a few years until last season's promotion. Otherwise, I'm drawing a blank. Recent match reports suggest they'll play 4-4-2. I realize this is all a lot of help.
We're all well aware that these games have been tricky for Liverpool in the past, and that Liverpool struggled against the two lower league sides they faced last season (albeit in a different competition). No matter who starts tomorrow, Rodgers will want improvement in that area, and to continue the resilient, if not inspiring, start to the season. That, even with United on Sunday, are undoubtedly the priorities. Only time will tell whether that ends up being a good or bad thing.
----
Meta note: The match review won't be up until very late tomorrow night. I'll be around on Twitter to post inanities during the match, but have to be somewhere at 5pm, and completing a review before then is incredibly unlikely. This will be the first of a few weekday matches I'll most likely have to miss this season. Apologies in advance. Stupid real life.
13 March 2010
Liverpool v Portsmouth 03.15.10
4pm, live in the US on espn2
Last 4 head-to-head:
0-2 Pompey (a) 12.19.09
3-2 Liverpool (a) 02.07.09
1-0 Liverpool (h) 10.29.08
4-1 Liverpool (h) 12.22.07
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Lille (a); 0-1 Wigan (a); 2-1 Blackburn (h)
Pompey: 1-2 Brum (h); 2-0 Brum (h); 2-1 Burnley (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 13; Kuyt 9; Gerrard 6; Benayoun 5; Ngog 4; Babel, Johnson 2; Kyrgiakos, Skrtel 1
Pompey: Dindane, Piquionne 5; Boateng 3; Belhadj, Yebda 2; Hreidarsson, Kanu, O’Hara, Webber 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Three months younger than I am and he’s never refereed a Liverpool match. However, he was the fourth official Sammy Lee screamed at in the first game of the season when Voronin didn’t get a penalty. This should be fun.
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Mascherano
Maxi Gerrard Aquilani Babel
Torres
This is the game where I’d like some changes rung, since it certainly wasn’t happening on Thursday.
I can’t see any other back four, the same as the one against Lille: Johnson’s back, Agger will be preferred to Kyrgiakos, and there’s no one to spell Insua. Torres, Gerrard, Reina, and Mascherano are the other nailed-on starters. Everything else is up in the air, and I’m hopeful that Benitez will spring a surprise or two.
Everyone knows my soft spot for Kuyt, but there’s no way he should keep his place on current form, even considering he’s one of Liverpool’s few target men and Benayoun’s probably out of this match due to injury. Babel linked up well with Torres on Thursday (at least a couple of times), while Maxi’s a different option, getting better with each game.
I’m much warier of suggesting a start for Aquilani knowing what a powder keg that is. Despite seven starts where we’ve seen little and few chances otherwise, many seemingly expect Alberto to be some sort of savior. Well, there’s a reason he hasn’t been playing, even if Benitez hasn’t clued us in on it (and it’s not that Lucas has naked pictures of the manager). But the team clearly needs some sort of change and Aquilani’s one of the few possibilities. That the match is at Anfield at least removes one of the excuses for Aqua not featuring.
Liverpool should certainly have motivation going into this match. Not only does the team dearly need a win, they’ve an abortion of a two-nil loss to avenge from December. That win was one of three Pompey home league wins, and it was the most recent. Yes, Liverpool was the last side Portsmouth beat at Fratton Park in the Prem and it happened almost three months ago.
Those last three months haven’t been kind to Pompey. Bottom of the table, multiple delinquent owners, forced player sales, and finally administration. And yet they’ve a better chance of winning a trophy than Liverpool. Piquionne, who scored in the last meeting, has been impressive of late, while Spurs loanee Jamie O’Hara will be the other main threat.
There are only nine games left in this awful campaign. Almost all hope’s been lost. Please, just give us a ray of optimism as we close out this catastrophe.
Last 4 head-to-head:
0-2 Pompey (a) 12.19.09
3-2 Liverpool (a) 02.07.09
1-0 Liverpool (h) 10.29.08
4-1 Liverpool (h) 12.22.07
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Lille (a); 0-1 Wigan (a); 2-1 Blackburn (h)
Pompey: 1-2 Brum (h); 2-0 Brum (h); 2-1 Burnley (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 13; Kuyt 9; Gerrard 6; Benayoun 5; Ngog 4; Babel, Johnson 2; Kyrgiakos, Skrtel 1
Pompey: Dindane, Piquionne 5; Boateng 3; Belhadj, Yebda 2; Hreidarsson, Kanu, O’Hara, Webber 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Three months younger than I am and he’s never refereed a Liverpool match. However, he was the fourth official Sammy Lee screamed at in the first game of the season when Voronin didn’t get a penalty. This should be fun.
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Mascherano
Maxi Gerrard Aquilani Babel
Torres
This is the game where I’d like some changes rung, since it certainly wasn’t happening on Thursday.
I can’t see any other back four, the same as the one against Lille: Johnson’s back, Agger will be preferred to Kyrgiakos, and there’s no one to spell Insua. Torres, Gerrard, Reina, and Mascherano are the other nailed-on starters. Everything else is up in the air, and I’m hopeful that Benitez will spring a surprise or two.
Everyone knows my soft spot for Kuyt, but there’s no way he should keep his place on current form, even considering he’s one of Liverpool’s few target men and Benayoun’s probably out of this match due to injury. Babel linked up well with Torres on Thursday (at least a couple of times), while Maxi’s a different option, getting better with each game.
I’m much warier of suggesting a start for Aquilani knowing what a powder keg that is. Despite seven starts where we’ve seen little and few chances otherwise, many seemingly expect Alberto to be some sort of savior. Well, there’s a reason he hasn’t been playing, even if Benitez hasn’t clued us in on it (and it’s not that Lucas has naked pictures of the manager). But the team clearly needs some sort of change and Aquilani’s one of the few possibilities. That the match is at Anfield at least removes one of the excuses for Aqua not featuring.
Liverpool should certainly have motivation going into this match. Not only does the team dearly need a win, they’ve an abortion of a two-nil loss to avenge from December. That win was one of three Pompey home league wins, and it was the most recent. Yes, Liverpool was the last side Portsmouth beat at Fratton Park in the Prem and it happened almost three months ago.
Those last three months haven’t been kind to Pompey. Bottom of the table, multiple delinquent owners, forced player sales, and finally administration. And yet they’ve a better chance of winning a trophy than Liverpool. Piquionne, who scored in the last meeting, has been impressive of late, while Spurs loanee Jamie O’Hara will be the other main threat.
There are only nine games left in this awful campaign. Almost all hope’s been lost. Please, just give us a ray of optimism as we close out this catastrophe.
25 September 2010
Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Konchesky
Gerrard Poulsen
Kuyt Meireles Cole
Torres
Goals:
Kuyt 5'
Bent 25' (pen) 48'
Gerrard 64'
I can't do anything but shake my head and sigh.
Liverpool were excellent in the first five minutes and gifted an early goal, evoking karmic references to last year's beach ball horror show. They then proceeded to be utterly terrible for the next hour, as Sunderland went in front after a deserved penalty and more embarrassing defending on crosses. But, like against United, Ngog's entrance changed Liverpool's fortunes, and Gerrard soon hauled Liverpool level. But the home side couldn't take advantage of mounting momentum, spurning chance after chance in the final 15 minutes. I miss when Liverpool scored late winners; 2008-09 seems a distant memory. And we're left wondering how this result feels like two points dropped and a point earned at the same time.
The gift – which came less than two minutes after Torres had the ball in the net, only to be rightly ruled offside – was presented by Michael Turner's hilarious decision to touch a dead ball in the direction of his keeper, expecting Mignolet to take the free kick. Unfortunately for him, with the ball dead, his touch counted as the free kick, and Torres smartly stole in and set up Kuyt for the tap-in. But unlike last year's terrible beach ball decision by Mike Jones, Attwell correctly ruled the ball in play. Small favors.
However, Liverpool couldn't take advantage. Presented with an opportunity, the home side increasingly retreated into its own half. The only other Liverpool shot came from Meireles in the 21st, straight down Mignolet's throat from outside the box, as the Reds became more disjointed and more narrow, with Kuyt, Meireles, and Cole frequently switching positions, but always abdicating the flanks.
And then Poulsen, my new scapegoat, conceded an idiotic penalty, throwing his hands up in an attempt to stop Al-Muhammadi's cross. Mind-bogglingly moronic. Again, I don't like singling out players – and I've often defended past targets like Lucas and Kuyt – but I have zero clue why Hodgson's frozen out Lucas in favor of the Danish midfielder. I see absolutely nothing in his game, even ignoring this ignominy, to explain that decision. And although Reina guessed the right way, Bent's penalty had too much power behind it.
From there, Liverpool fumbled aimlessly, out-worked, out-thought, out-possessed, and out-played as Sunderland took the game to them. At Anfield. Admittedly, Konchesky's 27th-minute injury, replaced by Agger, didn't help matters, but by halftime, the away side had the edge in possession 46-54% and deserved to be level. That's unconscionable given what we've seen from Liverpool in past seasons and what we've seen from these sides in past meetings.
Despite having been better after halftime often this season, Liverpool were certainly not improved following the interval today, and it took Sunderland three minutes to go in front. In fact, the away side could have won a second spot kick seconds after the restart, when Sunderland won a flick-on header from a goal kick, and Welbeck burst through the backline, colliding with Reina. It'd be one of Liverpool's few fortunate moments, and it wouldn't last. In the 48th minute, that man Poulsen was out-jumped on Carragher's skied clearance, Malbranque found Onuoha in space (with Joe Cole failing to track his man), and Bent easily beat Johnson to head in the cross. Yet again, another goal conceded from a cross. It's far beyond the point of embarrassment.
Liverpool were frustrated, picking up unnecessary yellows, and second-best, but as against United, Ngog's entrance – for Poulsen – changed proceedings, even if the young Frenchman had little to do with it. Torres found space down the right channel – yes, using the flanks is helpful! – and despite a tricky deflection on the striker's cross, Liverpool's captain buried a header into the net. The benefits of getting Gerrard into the box. Don't worry, he'll be back behind the front four soon enough.
From there, Liverpool looked the only team capable of winning. Bramble blocked Cole's shot on target after Mignolet spilled Ngog's effort, followed by Torres mishitting an acrobatic volley from Kuyt's cross. Johnson toe-poked wide from just outside the area, then Ngog missed a free header at the near post. Deep into six minutes of injury time, with Liverpool camped in Sunderland's half, Turner made amends by somehow clearing Agger's flick-on off the line before the Dane missed a free header in the final minute from six yards out, wide open after Skrtel headed on a deep cross. That sums up Liverpool's luck this season. The result sums up Liverpool's impotence.
Make no mistake, a draw's still somewhat fortuitous since Sunderland were the better side for an hour, which is why it's partly a point earned. At least Liverpool showed some spine in coming from behind. As against United (for a little while) and (sigh) Northampton. But Liverpool shouldn't need to go a goal down before producing some passion. And all those chances not taken in the last 15 minutes, not to mention Liverpool's home record against the Mackems, contribute to the feeling of two points dropped. It was a battle of mid-table sides, and it ended level. That's what we've come to.
I'm still fairly convinced that the 4-4-2 is an outdated formation, one that doesn't work against tactically-competent teams, as the match at Manchester City demonstrated. Liverpool also seemingly doesn't have the personnel capable of playing in the formation; Kuyt, Cole, Jovanovic, etc. are not out-and-out wingers. But with how narrow and ineffective Liverpool were today, with Kuyt, Cole, and Meireles constantly atop one another, it might at least be a formation that works at home against teams like Sunderland, who pretty much played 4-4-2 with Welback sometimes dropping wide for a 4-5-1.
Whatever the solution is, it needs to be implemented quickly. Other than Skrtel's outstanding performance, Gerrard once again hauling Liverpool back from the brink, and the resoluteness shown in the last half-hour, there are few positives to take away from today's performance. Liverpool's reliant on a deep defense, "keeping the shape," and kick and rush. They're prone to conceding sloppy goals from crosses and unable to keep a lead, except in a few Europa League matches and at home against West Brom. As said above, right now, this is a mid-table team at best. The previous manager was supposedly fired because of disappointing results and a too-defensive side. While it's still early and the disclaimer that the owners are killing the club remains, all we've seen so far is regression from last season's "low point."
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Konchesky
Gerrard Poulsen
Kuyt Meireles Cole
Torres
Goals:
Kuyt 5'
Bent 25' (pen) 48'
Gerrard 64'
I can't do anything but shake my head and sigh.
Liverpool were excellent in the first five minutes and gifted an early goal, evoking karmic references to last year's beach ball horror show. They then proceeded to be utterly terrible for the next hour, as Sunderland went in front after a deserved penalty and more embarrassing defending on crosses. But, like against United, Ngog's entrance changed Liverpool's fortunes, and Gerrard soon hauled Liverpool level. But the home side couldn't take advantage of mounting momentum, spurning chance after chance in the final 15 minutes. I miss when Liverpool scored late winners; 2008-09 seems a distant memory. And we're left wondering how this result feels like two points dropped and a point earned at the same time.
The gift – which came less than two minutes after Torres had the ball in the net, only to be rightly ruled offside – was presented by Michael Turner's hilarious decision to touch a dead ball in the direction of his keeper, expecting Mignolet to take the free kick. Unfortunately for him, with the ball dead, his touch counted as the free kick, and Torres smartly stole in and set up Kuyt for the tap-in. But unlike last year's terrible beach ball decision by Mike Jones, Attwell correctly ruled the ball in play. Small favors.
However, Liverpool couldn't take advantage. Presented with an opportunity, the home side increasingly retreated into its own half. The only other Liverpool shot came from Meireles in the 21st, straight down Mignolet's throat from outside the box, as the Reds became more disjointed and more narrow, with Kuyt, Meireles, and Cole frequently switching positions, but always abdicating the flanks.
And then Poulsen, my new scapegoat, conceded an idiotic penalty, throwing his hands up in an attempt to stop Al-Muhammadi's cross. Mind-bogglingly moronic. Again, I don't like singling out players – and I've often defended past targets like Lucas and Kuyt – but I have zero clue why Hodgson's frozen out Lucas in favor of the Danish midfielder. I see absolutely nothing in his game, even ignoring this ignominy, to explain that decision. And although Reina guessed the right way, Bent's penalty had too much power behind it.
From there, Liverpool fumbled aimlessly, out-worked, out-thought, out-possessed, and out-played as Sunderland took the game to them. At Anfield. Admittedly, Konchesky's 27th-minute injury, replaced by Agger, didn't help matters, but by halftime, the away side had the edge in possession 46-54% and deserved to be level. That's unconscionable given what we've seen from Liverpool in past seasons and what we've seen from these sides in past meetings.
Despite having been better after halftime often this season, Liverpool were certainly not improved following the interval today, and it took Sunderland three minutes to go in front. In fact, the away side could have won a second spot kick seconds after the restart, when Sunderland won a flick-on header from a goal kick, and Welbeck burst through the backline, colliding with Reina. It'd be one of Liverpool's few fortunate moments, and it wouldn't last. In the 48th minute, that man Poulsen was out-jumped on Carragher's skied clearance, Malbranque found Onuoha in space (with Joe Cole failing to track his man), and Bent easily beat Johnson to head in the cross. Yet again, another goal conceded from a cross. It's far beyond the point of embarrassment.
Liverpool were frustrated, picking up unnecessary yellows, and second-best, but as against United, Ngog's entrance – for Poulsen – changed proceedings, even if the young Frenchman had little to do with it. Torres found space down the right channel – yes, using the flanks is helpful! – and despite a tricky deflection on the striker's cross, Liverpool's captain buried a header into the net. The benefits of getting Gerrard into the box. Don't worry, he'll be back behind the front four soon enough.
From there, Liverpool looked the only team capable of winning. Bramble blocked Cole's shot on target after Mignolet spilled Ngog's effort, followed by Torres mishitting an acrobatic volley from Kuyt's cross. Johnson toe-poked wide from just outside the area, then Ngog missed a free header at the near post. Deep into six minutes of injury time, with Liverpool camped in Sunderland's half, Turner made amends by somehow clearing Agger's flick-on off the line before the Dane missed a free header in the final minute from six yards out, wide open after Skrtel headed on a deep cross. That sums up Liverpool's luck this season. The result sums up Liverpool's impotence.
Make no mistake, a draw's still somewhat fortuitous since Sunderland were the better side for an hour, which is why it's partly a point earned. At least Liverpool showed some spine in coming from behind. As against United (for a little while) and (sigh) Northampton. But Liverpool shouldn't need to go a goal down before producing some passion. And all those chances not taken in the last 15 minutes, not to mention Liverpool's home record against the Mackems, contribute to the feeling of two points dropped. It was a battle of mid-table sides, and it ended level. That's what we've come to.
I'm still fairly convinced that the 4-4-2 is an outdated formation, one that doesn't work against tactically-competent teams, as the match at Manchester City demonstrated. Liverpool also seemingly doesn't have the personnel capable of playing in the formation; Kuyt, Cole, Jovanovic, etc. are not out-and-out wingers. But with how narrow and ineffective Liverpool were today, with Kuyt, Cole, and Meireles constantly atop one another, it might at least be a formation that works at home against teams like Sunderland, who pretty much played 4-4-2 with Welback sometimes dropping wide for a 4-5-1.
Whatever the solution is, it needs to be implemented quickly. Other than Skrtel's outstanding performance, Gerrard once again hauling Liverpool back from the brink, and the resoluteness shown in the last half-hour, there are few positives to take away from today's performance. Liverpool's reliant on a deep defense, "keeping the shape," and kick and rush. They're prone to conceding sloppy goals from crosses and unable to keep a lead, except in a few Europa League matches and at home against West Brom. As said above, right now, this is a mid-table team at best. The previous manager was supposedly fired because of disappointing results and a too-defensive side. While it's still early and the disclaimer that the owners are killing the club remains, all we've seen so far is regression from last season's "low point."
24 September 2010
Liverpool v Sunderland 09.25.10
10am ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus
Last four head-to-head:
3-0 Liverpool (h) 03.28.10
0-1 Sunderland (a) 10.17.09
2-0 Liverpool (h) 03.03.09
1-0 Liverpool (a) 08.16.08
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-2 Northampton [2-4 on penalties] (h); 2-3 United (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Sunderland: 1-2 West Ham (h); 1-1 Arsenal (h); 1-1 Wigan (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard 2; Torres, Ngog 1
Sunderland: Bent 3; Gyan 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Konchesky
Gerrard Poulsen
Maxi Meireles Cole
Torres
Predicting the team is a lot easier, and a lot less fun, with Hodgson in charge. A day in advance, and the manager's announced that he'll make 11 changes to Wednesday's team. Which is exactly what I would have guessed anyway: the same XI that lost to United last Sunday. Also, by announcing it in the way he did, Hodgson once again seems to be blaming the players – with seven of the starters under the age of 23 – for Wednesday's loss. Sigh.
Admittedly, few had any chance of playing their way into contention following Wednesday's abortion. Shelvey's still too young for consideration, and Hodgson seemingly prefers Skrtel to Agger for some reason. Neither Lucas nor Spearing did enough to displace Poulsen, Jovanovic was anonymous outside of his goal, Kuyt's still doubtful at best (Utrecht is a better guess for a return), and Meireles needs to play. Eight players saw 120 minutes on Wednesday, which doesn't lend itself to a start three days later. That seemingly leads to the same team as in the last league match, unless Dirk makes a remarkable return (which I'm obviously hoping is the case).
Whether Meireles continues to play ahead of Gerrard is up for debate. It's not what we expected when Raul signed, but I suspect Roy will stay with the same ideas. Which means the Portuguese midfielder will operate as a de facto second striker, making the formation closer to 4-5-1 than 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1. But, ideally, with Liverpool at home, it'll see the Reds actually use the midfield three instead of punting the ball in the direction of Torres and hoping for the best. Fingers crossed.
After a dreadful, and dreadfully tough, start to league campaign, this match is the first in a stretch of five where Liverpool should expect to take maximum points more often than not: Sunderland (h), Blackpool (h), Everton (a), Blackburn (h), and Bolton (a), before hosting the inevitable league-leaders, Chelsea.
Sunderland, who also lost in the most-recent round of the Carling Cup at home, albeit to Premiership opposition, will be without Anton Ferdinand, Kieran Richardson, and potentially record-signing Asamoah Gyan due to injury. But Lee Cattermole is back from yet another suspension, while Titus Bramble will start despite being arrested on rape allegations Wednesday morning. As usual, Darren Bent's the dangerman, but he's scored two of his three league goals from the penalty spot; his only strike from open play was the late late late equalizer against Arsenal last week.
I'm wary of stating this given recent results, but Sunderland's perpetually struggled at Anfield, despite the specter of Steve Bruce, a manager who always gave Benitez fits. The Mackems haven't won at Anfield in my lifetime – since 1983 – and haven't scored there since September 23 2000, a day more than a decade ago. However, Liverpool been bucking trends and breaking precedent all season long.
As much as I'd love a vital victory, this season's demonstrated the need for lower standards. Tomorrow, I'm hoping Liverpool manages a shot on target from open play.
Last four head-to-head:
3-0 Liverpool (h) 03.28.10
0-1 Sunderland (a) 10.17.09
2-0 Liverpool (h) 03.03.09
1-0 Liverpool (a) 08.16.08
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-2 Northampton [2-4 on penalties] (h); 2-3 United (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Sunderland: 1-2 West Ham (h); 1-1 Arsenal (h); 1-1 Wigan (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard 2; Torres, Ngog 1
Sunderland: Bent 3; Gyan 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Konchesky
Gerrard Poulsen
Maxi Meireles Cole
Torres
Predicting the team is a lot easier, and a lot less fun, with Hodgson in charge. A day in advance, and the manager's announced that he'll make 11 changes to Wednesday's team. Which is exactly what I would have guessed anyway: the same XI that lost to United last Sunday. Also, by announcing it in the way he did, Hodgson once again seems to be blaming the players – with seven of the starters under the age of 23 – for Wednesday's loss. Sigh.
Admittedly, few had any chance of playing their way into contention following Wednesday's abortion. Shelvey's still too young for consideration, and Hodgson seemingly prefers Skrtel to Agger for some reason. Neither Lucas nor Spearing did enough to displace Poulsen, Jovanovic was anonymous outside of his goal, Kuyt's still doubtful at best (Utrecht is a better guess for a return), and Meireles needs to play. Eight players saw 120 minutes on Wednesday, which doesn't lend itself to a start three days later. That seemingly leads to the same team as in the last league match, unless Dirk makes a remarkable return (which I'm obviously hoping is the case).
Whether Meireles continues to play ahead of Gerrard is up for debate. It's not what we expected when Raul signed, but I suspect Roy will stay with the same ideas. Which means the Portuguese midfielder will operate as a de facto second striker, making the formation closer to 4-5-1 than 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1. But, ideally, with Liverpool at home, it'll see the Reds actually use the midfield three instead of punting the ball in the direction of Torres and hoping for the best. Fingers crossed.
After a dreadful, and dreadfully tough, start to league campaign, this match is the first in a stretch of five where Liverpool should expect to take maximum points more often than not: Sunderland (h), Blackpool (h), Everton (a), Blackburn (h), and Bolton (a), before hosting the inevitable league-leaders, Chelsea.
Sunderland, who also lost in the most-recent round of the Carling Cup at home, albeit to Premiership opposition, will be without Anton Ferdinand, Kieran Richardson, and potentially record-signing Asamoah Gyan due to injury. But Lee Cattermole is back from yet another suspension, while Titus Bramble will start despite being arrested on rape allegations Wednesday morning. As usual, Darren Bent's the dangerman, but he's scored two of his three league goals from the penalty spot; his only strike from open play was the late late late equalizer against Arsenal last week.
I'm wary of stating this given recent results, but Sunderland's perpetually struggled at Anfield, despite the specter of Steve Bruce, a manager who always gave Benitez fits. The Mackems haven't won at Anfield in my lifetime – since 1983 – and haven't scored there since September 23 2000, a day more than a decade ago. However, Liverpool been bucking trends and breaking precedent all season long.
As much as I'd love a vital victory, this season's demonstrated the need for lower standards. Tomorrow, I'm hoping Liverpool manages a shot on target from open play.
09 January 2016
Liverpool 2-2 Exeter City
Goals:
Nichols 9'
Sinclair 12'
Holmes 45+1'
Smith 73'
Jürgen Klopp actually did it. He went full rotation. No one ever goes full rotation.
11 different starters from Liverpool's last match. Eight kids – three of them recalled from loans just this week – plus Benteke, Bogdan, and the going-through-the-motions ghost of Jose Enrique. Three 22-year-olds, a 21-year-old, a 20-year-old, and three 19-year-olds. Five starters and two substitutes making their first appearances this season, three starters and two substitutes making their debuts for Liverpool.
It was the least experienced line-up I've seen in the last decade or so that I can actually remember, rivaled only by the 2-2 penalty defeat to Northampton, and that side at least had Agger and Lucas. Or the 0-1 loss at Burnley in this competition in 2005, and that side at least had Hyypia, Dudek, and (sigh) Traore.
Christian Benteke had played 1359 minutes this season, right around 50% of all the minutes Liverpool have played so far this season. The other 13 players to appear had played 903. In total. Combined.
Yes, Liverpool were facing a League Two side that had lost their last four matches, but, you know, a League Two side at home that had actually played together before.
Twice Liverpool went behind, twice Liverpool scored an equalizer. The seventh and eighth equalizers of Klopp's tenure, another demonstration that Liverpool still have a frightening propensity to concede first, but that there's also more fight in this squad than we'd usually seen during the previous season and some.
Both of Liverpool's goals were fortunate, with the ball ricocheting off an Exeter player to a Liverpool player in the box: the first after a tackle on Benteke which probably would have been a penalty, the second when Ojo's shot-cross was cleared from the six-yard box. Both of Exeter's goals were familiar: a cross from Liverpool's left and a corner, the latter featuring yet another error by a Liverpool goalkeeper.
Liverpool probably should have lost, but Liverpool also could have won. If not for Bogdan's error. If only Attwell had given a deserved penalty in the 82nd. Liverpool's fitness won out, the stronger side for the last half-an-hour, pushing for both the equalizer and a late winner. But if Noble and Ribiero (twice) converted earlier concrete, if not clear-cut, chances, better than most anything that Liverpool had…
For the most part, it was Liverpool's senior players who disappointed, and it was familiar problems which led to Exeter's goals, Enrique and Bogdan the primary scapegoats respectively. Enrique seemed to think he was playing as a second left-back, consistently leaving Ilori exposed and easily beaten over the top to allow Exeter space to cross for the opener, with Ilori dragged out of position by Enrique being out of position. The less said about Bogdan, and yet another unbelievable error at any level, the better. That's the first Olimpico I can remember Liverpool conceding, as well.
And then there was Liverpool's captain. Christian Benteke – whose summer transfer fee almost certainly cost more than the fees for the other 27 players on the pitch combined – did little of note, unable to assert himself against Exeter's defenders, unable to get on the same page as his 12 outfield teammates. Who, admittedly and in his defense, he'd rarely if ever played with before, and probably didn't know most of their names. He managed just one shot in 90 minutes, a point-blank header straight at Exeter's keeper from Brannagan's outstanding cross. He created just two chances: one for a blocked Kent shot, the other a clever back-heel layoff for Teixeira, a decent 81st-minute opportunity saved by Olejnik. I probably shouldn't put much stock in a match like this, on a ground like this, when used in this squad, but it's still another confusing and disappointing Benteke performance when we've already seen too many of them.
Meanwhile, Brannagan showed a decent range of passing and energy in midfield. Ryan Kent and Teixeira each had moments of threat and guile. Sheyi Ojo was a difference maker off the bench: his direct running responsible for the second equalizer, and his efforts should have been further rewarded by winning a spot kick. Ilori struggled at times, but you try playing center-back when partnered with that headless Jose Enrique performance. Sinclair and Smith – again adventurous, attacking, and dangerous down the left – scored their first goals for the club.
All of them looked like kids. But kids often look like kids, especially when up against a side of lower league veterans with vastly more experience, full of determination and pluck and rude tackles and all those underdog narratives, who needed and got a result that will keep their club afloat for another year or two thanks to the £700,000 a replay at Anfield will bring. And especially when those kids are playing on a pitch about as level and well-maintained as my rain-soaked backyard.
Ah, the magic of the FA Cup.
Credit where due: Exeter did what the good lower-league sides to the under-experienced, underwhelming Premiership sides in this competition – for the most part, they made Liverpool play their game rather than Liverpool's game – and nearly succeeded in one of the two or three giant-killings which happen every season. Wycombe did the same thing to a more-experienced, nearly full-strength Villa side just a few hours ago; Doncaster and Stoke are currently level at half-time as well.
But Liverpool fought back, Liverpool held on.
On first glance, a replay seems the worst possible result, yet another fixture in a month already packed full of them. Had Liverpool lost, it's a manageable four matches over the next 21 days, which would've felt like a vacation given the last few weeks. Had Liverpool won, it's five, with a whole six days between United and Norwich. With a replay, it's now five or six, depending on whether Liverpool win or lose the return fixture. Arsenal (h), United (h), Exeter (h), Norwich (a), Stoke (h), and the potential fourth round of the FA Cup, all before the end of January.
But if it's the kids again – ideally without Enrique, maybe without Bogdan or Benteke – then so be it. They deserve another match, this time at Anfield, in front of their own, on a pitch that might actually aid passing and playing football. Win or lose (win, please!), it'll provide needed experience and an opportunity to earn even more opportunities.
Maybe Liverpool will even have another player or two fit and available.
Nichols 9'
Sinclair 12'
Holmes 45+1'
Smith 73'
Jürgen Klopp actually did it. He went full rotation. No one ever goes full rotation.
11 different starters from Liverpool's last match. Eight kids – three of them recalled from loans just this week – plus Benteke, Bogdan, and the going-through-the-motions ghost of Jose Enrique. Three 22-year-olds, a 21-year-old, a 20-year-old, and three 19-year-olds. Five starters and two substitutes making their first appearances this season, three starters and two substitutes making their debuts for Liverpool.
It was the least experienced line-up I've seen in the last decade or so that I can actually remember, rivaled only by the 2-2 penalty defeat to Northampton, and that side at least had Agger and Lucas. Or the 0-1 loss at Burnley in this competition in 2005, and that side at least had Hyypia, Dudek, and (sigh) Traore.
Christian Benteke had played 1359 minutes this season, right around 50% of all the minutes Liverpool have played so far this season. The other 13 players to appear had played 903. In total. Combined.
Yes, Liverpool were facing a League Two side that had lost their last four matches, but, you know, a League Two side at home that had actually played together before.
Twice Liverpool went behind, twice Liverpool scored an equalizer. The seventh and eighth equalizers of Klopp's tenure, another demonstration that Liverpool still have a frightening propensity to concede first, but that there's also more fight in this squad than we'd usually seen during the previous season and some.
Both of Liverpool's goals were fortunate, with the ball ricocheting off an Exeter player to a Liverpool player in the box: the first after a tackle on Benteke which probably would have been a penalty, the second when Ojo's shot-cross was cleared from the six-yard box. Both of Exeter's goals were familiar: a cross from Liverpool's left and a corner, the latter featuring yet another error by a Liverpool goalkeeper.
Liverpool probably should have lost, but Liverpool also could have won. If not for Bogdan's error. If only Attwell had given a deserved penalty in the 82nd. Liverpool's fitness won out, the stronger side for the last half-an-hour, pushing for both the equalizer and a late winner. But if Noble and Ribiero (twice) converted earlier concrete, if not clear-cut, chances, better than most anything that Liverpool had…
For the most part, it was Liverpool's senior players who disappointed, and it was familiar problems which led to Exeter's goals, Enrique and Bogdan the primary scapegoats respectively. Enrique seemed to think he was playing as a second left-back, consistently leaving Ilori exposed and easily beaten over the top to allow Exeter space to cross for the opener, with Ilori dragged out of position by Enrique being out of position. The less said about Bogdan, and yet another unbelievable error at any level, the better. That's the first Olimpico I can remember Liverpool conceding, as well.
And then there was Liverpool's captain. Christian Benteke – whose summer transfer fee almost certainly cost more than the fees for the other 27 players on the pitch combined – did little of note, unable to assert himself against Exeter's defenders, unable to get on the same page as his 12 outfield teammates. Who, admittedly and in his defense, he'd rarely if ever played with before, and probably didn't know most of their names. He managed just one shot in 90 minutes, a point-blank header straight at Exeter's keeper from Brannagan's outstanding cross. He created just two chances: one for a blocked Kent shot, the other a clever back-heel layoff for Teixeira, a decent 81st-minute opportunity saved by Olejnik. I probably shouldn't put much stock in a match like this, on a ground like this, when used in this squad, but it's still another confusing and disappointing Benteke performance when we've already seen too many of them.
Meanwhile, Brannagan showed a decent range of passing and energy in midfield. Ryan Kent and Teixeira each had moments of threat and guile. Sheyi Ojo was a difference maker off the bench: his direct running responsible for the second equalizer, and his efforts should have been further rewarded by winning a spot kick. Ilori struggled at times, but you try playing center-back when partnered with that headless Jose Enrique performance. Sinclair and Smith – again adventurous, attacking, and dangerous down the left – scored their first goals for the club.
All of them looked like kids. But kids often look like kids, especially when up against a side of lower league veterans with vastly more experience, full of determination and pluck and rude tackles and all those underdog narratives, who needed and got a result that will keep their club afloat for another year or two thanks to the £700,000 a replay at Anfield will bring. And especially when those kids are playing on a pitch about as level and well-maintained as my rain-soaked backyard.
Ah, the magic of the FA Cup.
Credit where due: Exeter did what the good lower-league sides to the under-experienced, underwhelming Premiership sides in this competition – for the most part, they made Liverpool play their game rather than Liverpool's game – and nearly succeeded in one of the two or three giant-killings which happen every season. Wycombe did the same thing to a more-experienced, nearly full-strength Villa side just a few hours ago; Doncaster and Stoke are currently level at half-time as well.
But Liverpool fought back, Liverpool held on.
On first glance, a replay seems the worst possible result, yet another fixture in a month already packed full of them. Had Liverpool lost, it's a manageable four matches over the next 21 days, which would've felt like a vacation given the last few weeks. Had Liverpool won, it's five, with a whole six days between United and Norwich. With a replay, it's now five or six, depending on whether Liverpool win or lose the return fixture. Arsenal (h), United (h), Exeter (h), Norwich (a), Stoke (h), and the potential fourth round of the FA Cup, all before the end of January.
But if it's the kids again – ideally without Enrique, maybe without Bogdan or Benteke – then so be it. They deserve another match, this time at Anfield, in front of their own, on a pitch that might actually aid passing and playing football. Win or lose (win, please!), it'll provide needed experience and an opportunity to earn even more opportunities.
Maybe Liverpool will even have another player or two fit and available.
04 December 2018
Liverpool at Burnley 12.05.18
2:45pm ET, live in the US on NBC Sports Gold
Last four head-to-head:
2-1 Liverpool (a) 01.01.18
1-1 (h) 09.16.17
2-1 Liverpool (h) 03.12.17
0-2 Burnley (a) 08.20.16
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Everton (h); 1-2 PSG (a); 3-0 Watford (a)
Burnley: 0-2 Palace (a); 1-2 Newcastle (h); 0-0 Leicester (a)
Goal-scorers (league):
Liverpool: Salah 7; Mané 6; Firmino 3; Milner, Shaqiri, Sturridge 2; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Origi, Wijnaldum 1
Burnley: Vokes 3; Barnes, Gudmundsson, Tarkowski 2; Hendrick, Lennon, Vydra, Wood 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Trent A-A Gomez van Dijk Moreno
Milner Henderson Keïta
Salah Sturridge Shaqiri
The first midweek league match of the season. The second of eight matches in December.
You have to assume there will be changes, will be rotation. But your guess is as good as mine as to how or whom.
What formation Liverpool plays is probably dependent on who plays. So let's guess a few absentees. There are two new injury doubts: Mané's got a cut on his foot which needed stitches, Robertson has a minor knock. Firmino's struggled for form. Liverpool have five available midfielders with Keïta fit and Henderson back from suspension.
With Mané potentially absent, Sturridge or Origi in line for a start, and all the central midfielders in contention, 4-3-3 seems more likely. I'm dubious of completely changing the midfield, but Fabinho's struggled in 4-3-3 and Wijnaldum's played more minutes than any other midfielder so far. So, there's the above guess, along with the preferred back four but with Moreno for Robertson, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Lovren or Matip either. But that's almost certainly going to be wrong in some places.
I wouldn't be completely surprised to see something more a 4-4-2 than the 4-2-3-1 we've seen lately, with two from Sturridge, Firmino, Origi and possibly Salah up front, but I'm also skeptical. If Firmino plays with another striker, it'll probably be 4-2-3-1. Origi's goal on Sunday is a wonderful story, but I doubt it makes him more likely to start matches, at least at this point.
Meanwhile, Burnley. Yikes. Karma catches up with you eventually.
Burnley had been the wizards of the Premier League in the previous two seasons. Over-performing both xG and xG against. A supremely difficult side to play again, allowing a ton of shots but very few good shots, and conceding surprisingly few goals while scoring *just enough.*
That hasn't been the case this season. At all. Well, they're still over-performing xG both for and against, although not by a ton. They've just been bad at the football. Only Huddersfield, Palace, Newcastle, and Southampton have scored fewer goals. Only Fulham has conceded more goals. They're 19th place, a point ahead of Fulham. They haven't won in more than two months, with five losses and two draws since the end of September.
And the only real line-up change from last season is Joe Hart in goal, so make of that what you will.
Burnley can't even blame injuries or absentees, other than Hart starting ahead of Nick Pope. They've again had one of the more settled sides in the league. Sure, Defour, Brady, and Tarkowski are doubtful for tomorrow's match, but the latter seems likely to start anyway and Burnley have experienced replacements for the two others.
If both Brady and Defour miss out, it'll probably be Hart; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Lennon, Westwood, Cork, Gudmundsson; Hendrick; Wood. Either Vokes or Barnes could start ahead of Wood up front. Maybe Burnley go more 4-4-2 with one of them paired with Wood in place of Hendrick. If Defour's available, he'll replace Westwood. If Brady is, he could play on either flank.
For all of Burnley's struggles, I remain nervous. A midweek match, with key players likely absent for Liverpool. An opponent who's given them problems in the past, no matter current form; last season's 1-1 at Anfield, the 0-2 at Burnley in 2016-17, even last season's 2-1 win at Burnley, decided thanks to Ragnar Klavan's only league goal for Liverpool, scored in the 90th minute. Liverpool are coming off a massive, morale-boosting win, but one achieved via fluke rather than force. Liverpool still aren't in the best form either, especially going forward.
We're reaching the point of the season where it doesn't matter how wins are achieved, with this many matches in quick succession, with crucial players needing rest or recuperation. Which, to be fair, is how we've felt for almost the entire season so far – a record amount of points at this phase of the season for Liverpool, but earned without ever truly impressing.
No matter. Just keep doing that. By any means necessary.
Last four head-to-head:
2-1 Liverpool (a) 01.01.18
1-1 (h) 09.16.17
2-1 Liverpool (h) 03.12.17
0-2 Burnley (a) 08.20.16
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Everton (h); 1-2 PSG (a); 3-0 Watford (a)
Burnley: 0-2 Palace (a); 1-2 Newcastle (h); 0-0 Leicester (a)
Goal-scorers (league):
Liverpool: Salah 7; Mané 6; Firmino 3; Milner, Shaqiri, Sturridge 2; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Origi, Wijnaldum 1
Burnley: Vokes 3; Barnes, Gudmundsson, Tarkowski 2; Hendrick, Lennon, Vydra, Wood 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Trent A-A Gomez van Dijk Moreno
Milner Henderson Keïta
Salah Sturridge Shaqiri
The first midweek league match of the season. The second of eight matches in December.
You have to assume there will be changes, will be rotation. But your guess is as good as mine as to how or whom.
What formation Liverpool plays is probably dependent on who plays. So let's guess a few absentees. There are two new injury doubts: Mané's got a cut on his foot which needed stitches, Robertson has a minor knock. Firmino's struggled for form. Liverpool have five available midfielders with Keïta fit and Henderson back from suspension.
With Mané potentially absent, Sturridge or Origi in line for a start, and all the central midfielders in contention, 4-3-3 seems more likely. I'm dubious of completely changing the midfield, but Fabinho's struggled in 4-3-3 and Wijnaldum's played more minutes than any other midfielder so far. So, there's the above guess, along with the preferred back four but with Moreno for Robertson, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Lovren or Matip either. But that's almost certainly going to be wrong in some places.
I wouldn't be completely surprised to see something more a 4-4-2 than the 4-2-3-1 we've seen lately, with two from Sturridge, Firmino, Origi and possibly Salah up front, but I'm also skeptical. If Firmino plays with another striker, it'll probably be 4-2-3-1. Origi's goal on Sunday is a wonderful story, but I doubt it makes him more likely to start matches, at least at this point.
Meanwhile, Burnley. Yikes. Karma catches up with you eventually.
Burnley had been the wizards of the Premier League in the previous two seasons. Over-performing both xG and xG against. A supremely difficult side to play again, allowing a ton of shots but very few good shots, and conceding surprisingly few goals while scoring *just enough.*
That hasn't been the case this season. At all. Well, they're still over-performing xG both for and against, although not by a ton. They've just been bad at the football. Only Huddersfield, Palace, Newcastle, and Southampton have scored fewer goals. Only Fulham has conceded more goals. They're 19th place, a point ahead of Fulham. They haven't won in more than two months, with five losses and two draws since the end of September.
And the only real line-up change from last season is Joe Hart in goal, so make of that what you will.
Burnley can't even blame injuries or absentees, other than Hart starting ahead of Nick Pope. They've again had one of the more settled sides in the league. Sure, Defour, Brady, and Tarkowski are doubtful for tomorrow's match, but the latter seems likely to start anyway and Burnley have experienced replacements for the two others.
If both Brady and Defour miss out, it'll probably be Hart; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Lennon, Westwood, Cork, Gudmundsson; Hendrick; Wood. Either Vokes or Barnes could start ahead of Wood up front. Maybe Burnley go more 4-4-2 with one of them paired with Wood in place of Hendrick. If Defour's available, he'll replace Westwood. If Brady is, he could play on either flank.
For all of Burnley's struggles, I remain nervous. A midweek match, with key players likely absent for Liverpool. An opponent who's given them problems in the past, no matter current form; last season's 1-1 at Anfield, the 0-2 at Burnley in 2016-17, even last season's 2-1 win at Burnley, decided thanks to Ragnar Klavan's only league goal for Liverpool, scored in the 90th minute. Liverpool are coming off a massive, morale-boosting win, but one achieved via fluke rather than force. Liverpool still aren't in the best form either, especially going forward.
We're reaching the point of the season where it doesn't matter how wins are achieved, with this many matches in quick succession, with crucial players needing rest or recuperation. Which, to be fair, is how we've felt for almost the entire season so far – a record amount of points at this phase of the season for Liverpool, but earned without ever truly impressing.
No matter. Just keep doing that. By any means necessary.
23 February 2018
Liverpool v West Ham 02.24.18
10am ET, live in the US on CNBC
Last four head-to-head:
4-1 Liverpool (a) 11.04.17
4-0 Liverpool (a) 05.14.17
2-2 (h) 12.11.16
1-2 West Ham (a; FA Cup) 02.09.16
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 5-0 Porto (a); 2-0 Southampton (a); 2-2 Tottenham (h)
West Ham: 2-0 Watford (h); 1-3 Brighton (a); 1-1 Palace (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Salah 22; Firmino 12; Coutinho 7; Mané 6; Oxlade-Chamberlain 3; Can, Sturridge 2; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Klavan, Lovren, Matip, Wijnaldum 1
West Ham: Arnautovic, Chicharito 7; Ayew, Lanzini, Noble 3; Carroll, Kouyate, Obiang, Sakho 2; Antonio, Collins, Ogbonna 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Karius
Trent A-A Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Can Henderson Wijnaldum
Salah Firmino Mané
I don't know why, but I always worry about the response after a long layoff. Especially when the match before said layoff was so emphatic.
I probably shouldn't! By all accounts, the camp at Marbella was a rousing success, both in training and team-building. Players have had time to recover from fixture overload and injury – even Nat Clyne's back in training! – and Liverpool have almost a full squad to pick from. It's not like the layoff for international breaks, with the majority of the first team away with their countries.
But I can't help myself. When things are going well, I still expect the other shoe to drop. And it'd be a very bad time for it to do so. The end-of-the-season run starts now. There are 11 league games to play, plus whatever's left in Europe. And there are four points separating second place from fifth.
It starts with West Ham, a team that'd given Liverpool problems until last April, with Liverpool winless in five attempts before victories in their last two meetings while scoring four in each. It starts against David Moyes, who has never managed a side to victory at Anfield in 14 previous attempts.
And if Liverpool win tomorrow, Liverpool will go second, at least until Sunday – when currently second place United host currently fourth place Chelsea.
I doubt we'll see the 4-4-2 used away at West Ham last November, so the lineup questions are the same as always. Gomez or Alexander-Arnold at full-back, Lovren or Matip partnering van Dijk, which of the three start in midfield. I suspect it'll be almost exactly what we'd consider "full strength" tomorrow, whatever that means. There's another week between matches after this – another at Anfield – before the second leg at Porto and what appear to be more difficult league fixtures.
"More difficult" is always a relative term, though.
West Ham are seventh in the form table, with just one loss in their last eight league matches, a 1-3 defeat at Brighton at the beginning of the month.
More meaningfully, since Moyes took over – directly after Liverpool whomped West Ham at London Stadium – West Ham have been actually good against top opposition: one-goal losses at City and Arsenal (in the League Cup), draws against Arsenal and at Tottenham, and a win against Chelsea. Only City's scored twice in those matches.
If nothing else, David Moyes knows how to kill a football game, even if his previous sides have struggled to do so at Anfield. And the opposition attempting to kill football games has gone both well and badly for teams at Anfield. We've seen more than a few healthy 3-0 and 5-0 victories, but we've also seen 1-1 Everton and 0-0 West Brom.
Like Liverpool, West Ham have had time to recover since their last match – nearly two weeks since a 2-0 home win over Watford. Absentees remain an issue, but it's starting to alleviate. Lanzini and Reid should be back, but Carroll, Obiang, and Edimilson are out, Masuaku's suspended, and Jose Fonte's about to move to China.
They'll almost certainly play 3-4-3/3-4-2-1. I'll guess Adrian; Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Antonio; Lanzini, Chicharito, Arnautovic – almost exactly the XI which beat Watford but with Lanzini back in the side. But Joao Mario could start, in midfield or the front three. Reid could come into defense, in place of Collins or with Cresswell moving to wing-back. Patrice Evra could somehow be involved, having signed as a free agent last month.
So, yeah, this feels like an ambush, a potential let-down. It has been in previous seasons. It has been earlier this season – "hey, we just beat City, what's Swansea gonna do?"
A side coming off a record European win. A side still coming together both up front and at the back, even considering the heights already hit this season. No injury concerns. 11 games to play in the league, plus whatever's left in Europe.
Time to go, Liverpool.
Last four head-to-head:
4-1 Liverpool (a) 11.04.17
4-0 Liverpool (a) 05.14.17
2-2 (h) 12.11.16
1-2 West Ham (a; FA Cup) 02.09.16
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 5-0 Porto (a); 2-0 Southampton (a); 2-2 Tottenham (h)
West Ham: 2-0 Watford (h); 1-3 Brighton (a); 1-1 Palace (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Salah 22; Firmino 12; Coutinho 7; Mané 6; Oxlade-Chamberlain 3; Can, Sturridge 2; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Klavan, Lovren, Matip, Wijnaldum 1
West Ham: Arnautovic, Chicharito 7; Ayew, Lanzini, Noble 3; Carroll, Kouyate, Obiang, Sakho 2; Antonio, Collins, Ogbonna 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Karius
Trent A-A Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Can Henderson Wijnaldum
Salah Firmino Mané
I don't know why, but I always worry about the response after a long layoff. Especially when the match before said layoff was so emphatic.
I probably shouldn't! By all accounts, the camp at Marbella was a rousing success, both in training and team-building. Players have had time to recover from fixture overload and injury – even Nat Clyne's back in training! – and Liverpool have almost a full squad to pick from. It's not like the layoff for international breaks, with the majority of the first team away with their countries.
But I can't help myself. When things are going well, I still expect the other shoe to drop. And it'd be a very bad time for it to do so. The end-of-the-season run starts now. There are 11 league games to play, plus whatever's left in Europe. And there are four points separating second place from fifth.
It starts with West Ham, a team that'd given Liverpool problems until last April, with Liverpool winless in five attempts before victories in their last two meetings while scoring four in each. It starts against David Moyes, who has never managed a side to victory at Anfield in 14 previous attempts.
And if Liverpool win tomorrow, Liverpool will go second, at least until Sunday – when currently second place United host currently fourth place Chelsea.
I doubt we'll see the 4-4-2 used away at West Ham last November, so the lineup questions are the same as always. Gomez or Alexander-Arnold at full-back, Lovren or Matip partnering van Dijk, which of the three start in midfield. I suspect it'll be almost exactly what we'd consider "full strength" tomorrow, whatever that means. There's another week between matches after this – another at Anfield – before the second leg at Porto and what appear to be more difficult league fixtures.
"More difficult" is always a relative term, though.
West Ham are seventh in the form table, with just one loss in their last eight league matches, a 1-3 defeat at Brighton at the beginning of the month.
More meaningfully, since Moyes took over – directly after Liverpool whomped West Ham at London Stadium – West Ham have been actually good against top opposition: one-goal losses at City and Arsenal (in the League Cup), draws against Arsenal and at Tottenham, and a win against Chelsea. Only City's scored twice in those matches.
If nothing else, David Moyes knows how to kill a football game, even if his previous sides have struggled to do so at Anfield. And the opposition attempting to kill football games has gone both well and badly for teams at Anfield. We've seen more than a few healthy 3-0 and 5-0 victories, but we've also seen 1-1 Everton and 0-0 West Brom.
Like Liverpool, West Ham have had time to recover since their last match – nearly two weeks since a 2-0 home win over Watford. Absentees remain an issue, but it's starting to alleviate. Lanzini and Reid should be back, but Carroll, Obiang, and Edimilson are out, Masuaku's suspended, and Jose Fonte's about to move to China.
They'll almost certainly play 3-4-3/3-4-2-1. I'll guess Adrian; Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Zabaleta, Kouyate, Noble, Antonio; Lanzini, Chicharito, Arnautovic – almost exactly the XI which beat Watford but with Lanzini back in the side. But Joao Mario could start, in midfield or the front three. Reid could come into defense, in place of Collins or with Cresswell moving to wing-back. Patrice Evra could somehow be involved, having signed as a free agent last month.
So, yeah, this feels like an ambush, a potential let-down. It has been in previous seasons. It has been earlier this season – "hey, we just beat City, what's Swansea gonna do?"
A side coming off a record European win. A side still coming together both up front and at the back, even considering the heights already hit this season. No injury concerns. 11 games to play in the league, plus whatever's left in Europe.
Time to go, Liverpool.
20 April 2018
Liverpool at West Brom 04.21.18
7:30am ET, live in the US on NBC Sports
Last four head-to-head:
2-3 West Brom (h; FA Cup) 01.27.18
0-0 (h) 12.13.17
1-0 Liverpool (a) 04.16.17
2-1 Liverpool (h) 10.22.16
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 Bournemouth (h); 2-1 City (a); 0-0 Everton (a)
West Brom: 1-0 United (a); 1-1 Swansea (h); 1-2 Burnley (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Salah 30; Firmino 15; Mané 10; Coutinho 7; Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain 3; Sturridge 2; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Klavan, Lovren, Matip, Wijnaldum 1
West Brom: Rodriguez 7; Rondon 6; Dawson, Evans, Hegazi, Robson-Kanu 2; Barry, Chadli, Field, McClean, Morrison, Phillips 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFCHistory) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Karius
Trent A-A Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alex O-C Henderson Milner
Salah Firmino Mané
You may have heard that Liverpool have a Champions League semi-final against Roma on Tuesday.
You may also have some idea what that's going to do to tomorrow's XI. I do not.
My suspicion is that it changes nothing.
Maybe Klavan comes in for Lovren, just back from injury. Maybe Gomez, now back from injury, comes in for Alexander-Arnold. It's still three from four in midfield, and Wijnaldum could easily replace any of the above. But I don't see wholesale rest or rotation.
I understand the desire to leave out key players. Liverpool are heavily reliant on that front three for goals, Liverpool only have four available central midfielders. That defense has finally gotten pretty good with those four players involved, and one's injury prone and two are still pretty young. And while tomorrow's match is still necessary in the top-four race, Tuesday's match is one of the most important this club's seen in a decade. But Klopp et al have been planning this season's training and fitness schedule to peak right now. But Klopp et al will not want to take the foot off the gas prior to that semifinal, and with the fight for next season's Champions League places still somewhat in the balance.
Klopp et al will want Liverpool to keep doing Liverpool. They've done a fairly good job of that over the last couple of months.
Meanwhile, West Brom. They might not be bad anymore? Sure, they're still bottom the table, by a good bit. They're almost certain to be relegated. But they also just beat Manchester United at Manchester United to hand City the title when City couldn't do it themselves a week before, winning 1-0 thanks to a scrambled corner in the 73rd minute.
And that win at United looked a lot like West Brom's draw at Anfield in December,aside from Rodriguez's winner. West Brom were deep. United were slow. And West Brom sucked all the energy and all the life out of the opposition, holding them at bay far too easily for United's liking.
Not to mention that there's also Liverpool's loss to West Brom in the FA Cup two months ago. Self-inflicted nonsense despite going a goal up within five minutes, with an added helping of VAR fun. That was arguably the last time that Liverpool have been bad defensively.
But West Brom were very much helped by Liverpool in that last meeting. West Brom were very much helped in that United match by United's style of play. By United's pace of play. Liverpool – when Liverpool actually do Liverpool – do not play at that tempo.
I suspect we'll still see the same XI as against United. Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs; Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, McClean; Rondon, Rodriguez. Maybe Krychowiak or Yacob come into midfield in pace of Brunt. Or maybe Field at left-back. Morrison is out; Evans, Robson-Kanu, and Barry are doubtful; Sturridge – who's healthy again! – is ineligible.
West Brom will play two up top, and those will be the only two players in Liverpool's half for the majority of the game. There will be a lot of long balls, mainly from Foster and the center-backs, to those two strikers. West Brom will have two speedy wingers on the flanks in the hopes of counter-attacking when Liverpool throw bodies forward. West Brom will have those long balls, those counters, and maybe some set plays, and they'll hope for the best on at least one of them, but their main goal will be keeping Liverpool out.
While West Brom aren't mathematically relegated, West Brom are already relegated. Making up at least nine points in four games almost certainly isn't happening. But if last week's any indication, they're not going out without a fight. "A fight" is all they have left, and Darren Moore's only job for the rest of the season is to make sure they continue to fight. For places in next season's Championship side or for transfers to other clubs.
West Brom have already given Liverpool a fight twice this season, ensuring that at least one relegated side will take points off of Liverpool for the fourth consecutive season, and for the 15th time in the last 16 seasons.
I demand vengeance for those previous two meetings. I demand vengeance for 15 of those last 16 seasons. I demand a head on a spike, in full view of a Roma side paying attention to what Liverpool's up to this weekend. A Roma side who will rest a lot more players than Liverpool rest, regardless of Liverpool's XI. I demand that Liverpool do Liverpool, for the first time this season against this opposition.
Last four head-to-head:
2-3 West Brom (h; FA Cup) 01.27.18
0-0 (h) 12.13.17
1-0 Liverpool (a) 04.16.17
2-1 Liverpool (h) 10.22.16
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 Bournemouth (h); 2-1 City (a); 0-0 Everton (a)
West Brom: 1-0 United (a); 1-1 Swansea (h); 1-2 Burnley (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Salah 30; Firmino 15; Mané 10; Coutinho 7; Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain 3; Sturridge 2; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Klavan, Lovren, Matip, Wijnaldum 1
West Brom: Rodriguez 7; Rondon 6; Dawson, Evans, Hegazi, Robson-Kanu 2; Barry, Chadli, Field, McClean, Morrison, Phillips 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFCHistory) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Karius
Trent A-A Lovren van Dijk Robertson
Alex O-C Henderson Milner
Salah Firmino Mané
You may have heard that Liverpool have a Champions League semi-final against Roma on Tuesday.
You may also have some idea what that's going to do to tomorrow's XI. I do not.
My suspicion is that it changes nothing.
Maybe Klavan comes in for Lovren, just back from injury. Maybe Gomez, now back from injury, comes in for Alexander-Arnold. It's still three from four in midfield, and Wijnaldum could easily replace any of the above. But I don't see wholesale rest or rotation.
I understand the desire to leave out key players. Liverpool are heavily reliant on that front three for goals, Liverpool only have four available central midfielders. That defense has finally gotten pretty good with those four players involved, and one's injury prone and two are still pretty young. And while tomorrow's match is still necessary in the top-four race, Tuesday's match is one of the most important this club's seen in a decade. But Klopp et al have been planning this season's training and fitness schedule to peak right now. But Klopp et al will not want to take the foot off the gas prior to that semifinal, and with the fight for next season's Champions League places still somewhat in the balance.
Klopp et al will want Liverpool to keep doing Liverpool. They've done a fairly good job of that over the last couple of months.
Meanwhile, West Brom. They might not be bad anymore? Sure, they're still bottom the table, by a good bit. They're almost certain to be relegated. But they also just beat Manchester United at Manchester United to hand City the title when City couldn't do it themselves a week before, winning 1-0 thanks to a scrambled corner in the 73rd minute.
And that win at United looked a lot like West Brom's draw at Anfield in December,aside from Rodriguez's winner. West Brom were deep. United were slow. And West Brom sucked all the energy and all the life out of the opposition, holding them at bay far too easily for United's liking.
Not to mention that there's also Liverpool's loss to West Brom in the FA Cup two months ago. Self-inflicted nonsense despite going a goal up within five minutes, with an added helping of VAR fun. That was arguably the last time that Liverpool have been bad defensively.
But West Brom were very much helped by Liverpool in that last meeting. West Brom were very much helped in that United match by United's style of play. By United's pace of play. Liverpool – when Liverpool actually do Liverpool – do not play at that tempo.
I suspect we'll still see the same XI as against United. Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs; Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, McClean; Rondon, Rodriguez. Maybe Krychowiak or Yacob come into midfield in pace of Brunt. Or maybe Field at left-back. Morrison is out; Evans, Robson-Kanu, and Barry are doubtful; Sturridge – who's healthy again! – is ineligible.
West Brom will play two up top, and those will be the only two players in Liverpool's half for the majority of the game. There will be a lot of long balls, mainly from Foster and the center-backs, to those two strikers. West Brom will have two speedy wingers on the flanks in the hopes of counter-attacking when Liverpool throw bodies forward. West Brom will have those long balls, those counters, and maybe some set plays, and they'll hope for the best on at least one of them, but their main goal will be keeping Liverpool out.
While West Brom aren't mathematically relegated, West Brom are already relegated. Making up at least nine points in four games almost certainly isn't happening. But if last week's any indication, they're not going out without a fight. "A fight" is all they have left, and Darren Moore's only job for the rest of the season is to make sure they continue to fight. For places in next season's Championship side or for transfers to other clubs.
West Brom have already given Liverpool a fight twice this season, ensuring that at least one relegated side will take points off of Liverpool for the fourth consecutive season, and for the 15th time in the last 16 seasons.
I demand vengeance for those previous two meetings. I demand vengeance for 15 of those last 16 seasons. I demand a head on a spike, in full view of a Roma side paying attention to what Liverpool's up to this weekend. A Roma side who will rest a lot more players than Liverpool rest, regardless of Liverpool's XI. I demand that Liverpool do Liverpool, for the first time this season against this opposition.
07 January 2016
Liverpool at Exeter City 01.08.16
3pm ET, live in the US on Fox Sports 1
Last four head-to-head:
3-1 Liverpool (a; League Cup) 08.24.11
6-0 Liverpool (a: League Cup) 10.28.81
5-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.07.81
2-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.30.79
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Stoke (a); 0-2 West Ham (a); 1-0 Sunderland (a)
Exeter: 1-2 Dag & Red (h); 0-2 Wimbledon (h); 0-3 Oxford (a)
Previous Rounds:
Liverpool: n/a
Exeter: 2-0 Port Vale (h); 3-0 Didcot Town (A)
Goalscorers (all):
Liverpool: Benteke 7; Coutinho 5; Orig, Sturridgei 4; Ibe, Ings, Milner 3; Lallana 2; Can, Clyne, Firmino, Henderson, Skrtel 1
Exeter: Nichols 8; Wheeler 7; Nicholls 6; Harley 5; Grant 3; Holmes, Morrison 2; Brown, Davies, Hoskins, McCready, Oyeleke, Reid, Ribeiro, Tillson, Watkins 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a line-up:
Bogdan
Randall Can Lucas Smith
Milner Allen
Ibe Lallana Teixeira
Benteke
A foreign manager in a new league. A debilitated Liverpool squad, rife with injuries and overworked through participation in four competitions. Underwhelming in the league, but in the semifinals of the League Cup, taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg, and in the knockout rounds in European competition.
Dudek; Raven, Hyypia, Whitbread, Traore; Biscan, Welsh; Nuñez, Potter, Warnock; Sinama Pongolle.
I can't help but worry about the parallels between tomorrow's match and the 2004-05 loss at Burnley, a 0-1 defeat graced by Djimi Traore's glorious Zidane Drag-back. Which became proof that Rafa Benitez didn't get English football and didn't care about the country's premiere cup competition. Or something.
Klopp's Liverpool are in all-too-similar situation. He's supposedly "been found out" by English football, and Liverpool's current squad is even more unbalanced, fatigued, and injury-ridden than the 2004-05 version. In theory, this year's is stronger. In practice, *glares at 11-player-long injury list*.
Klopp's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't tomorrow. A full-strength line-up's completely out of the question, but the last thing that Liverpool need is even more injuries and even more fatigued players going into matches against Arsenal and United, as well as the second semi-final leg against Stoke. Too strong, and Liverpool could and probably would pay for it in subsequent matches. Too weak, and the foreigner's disrespecting English football again and Liverpool are in crisis and etc etc.
Liverpool literally have no fit center-backs. Toure's out for a week, Lovren for two or three, Skrtel for another month, and no one (outside of the club, that is) is really sure about Sakho. Lucas, having played there against Stoke, seemed certain to start as one of the two CBs, but will he partner Can – two central midfielders as center-backs, most likely in front of a rarely-tested Bogdan and alongside one or two youth full-backs? Will Ilori or Wisdom be recalled from their loans in time? One of the u-21 center-backs: Cleary or Brewitt? I hear that Jose Enrique's played some center-back for the u-21s…
Liverpool's full-backs – especially Clyne – desperately need a match off, but can Liverpool rest both while changing the rest of the defense as well? Sure, why not.
Otherwise, at least there will be some familiar faces in the front six. I've gone for five who often start along with Teixeira – last seen against Bournemouth in the League Cup – but Klopp could make even more changes. Brannagan and Chirivella are possibilities in midfield; Ojo and Kent have been recalled from loans at Wolves and Coventry.
That Benteke – Liverpool's only fit out-and-out striker – will start seems the only certainty at the business end of the pitch, especially since Firmino could do with a game off after five successive starts. A rough and tumble cup tie on what'll almost certainly be a gopher hole pitch? Go bang into some people and bang in some goals, Christian.
Meanwhile, Exeter are currently 16th in League Two. They've lost their last four matches. They got whomped 6-3 by Sunderland in a League Cup meeting back in August. Sunderland! Six goals! Paul Tisdale has been Exeter's manager for the last decade; only Arsene Wegner's been at the same English club for longer. They don't score often – only five of the 24 League Two sides have scored fewer – but until this four-match losing stretch, they hadn't conceded all that often either, exactly middle of the league for goals allowed.
I am familiar with one (1) of their players: Clinton Morrison, who had Premier League spells with Birmingham and Palace around a decade ago, scoring four goals against Liverpool from 2001-2003. He's 36 now. At most, he'll feature off the bench.
Just one of the Exeter players who started in the 2011 League Cup tie with Liverpool is still at the club – midfielder David Noble – although current top-scorer Tom Nichols came off the bench that night.
That's all I got. In all Exeter regards, your guess is as good as mine.
It's dismissive, it's rude, and it might even be overly optimistic, but if Liverpool do what Liverpool should do and Liverpool do what Liverpool are capable of doing, Liverpool will win, regardless of the XI. Liverpool are a Premier League side, Exeter are a League Two side, magic of the FA Cup be damned.
But the lesson of Burnley – who, admittedly was a Championship club at the time – can't be forgotten either. Maybe the parallels are closer with the 2-2 loss to Northampton Town in the 2010-11 League Cup, another League Two side, but you compare a Hodgson side to a Klopp side, because I'm not doing so.
What really matters is that Liverpool match Exeter's work-rate, willingness, and effort. Exeter might have more important matches this season if they somehow plummet from lower mid-table into the relegation battle, but Exeter won't have any more prominent matches – on national and international television for the first and probably last time this season.
Whatever Liverpool do, Liverpool cannot take their opponents lightly, Liverpool cannot simply show up. But at least that rarely seems to be an issue with Jürgen Klopp's teams.
Last four head-to-head:
3-1 Liverpool (a; League Cup) 08.24.11
6-0 Liverpool (a: League Cup) 10.28.81
5-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.07.81
2-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.30.79
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Stoke (a); 0-2 West Ham (a); 1-0 Sunderland (a)
Exeter: 1-2 Dag & Red (h); 0-2 Wimbledon (h); 0-3 Oxford (a)
Previous Rounds:
Liverpool: n/a
Exeter: 2-0 Port Vale (h); 3-0 Didcot Town (A)
Goalscorers (all):
Liverpool: Benteke 7; Coutinho 5; Orig, Sturridgei 4; Ibe, Ings, Milner 3; Lallana 2; Can, Clyne, Firmino, Henderson, Skrtel 1
Exeter: Nichols 8; Wheeler 7; Nicholls 6; Harley 5; Grant 3; Holmes, Morrison 2; Brown, Davies, Hoskins, McCready, Oyeleke, Reid, Ribeiro, Tillson, Watkins 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a line-up:
Bogdan
Randall Can Lucas Smith
Milner Allen
Ibe Lallana Teixeira
Benteke
A foreign manager in a new league. A debilitated Liverpool squad, rife with injuries and overworked through participation in four competitions. Underwhelming in the league, but in the semifinals of the League Cup, taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg, and in the knockout rounds in European competition.
Dudek; Raven, Hyypia, Whitbread, Traore; Biscan, Welsh; Nuñez, Potter, Warnock; Sinama Pongolle.
I can't help but worry about the parallels between tomorrow's match and the 2004-05 loss at Burnley, a 0-1 defeat graced by Djimi Traore's glorious Zidane Drag-back. Which became proof that Rafa Benitez didn't get English football and didn't care about the country's premiere cup competition. Or something.
Klopp's Liverpool are in all-too-similar situation. He's supposedly "been found out" by English football, and Liverpool's current squad is even more unbalanced, fatigued, and injury-ridden than the 2004-05 version. In theory, this year's is stronger. In practice, *glares at 11-player-long injury list*.
Klopp's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't tomorrow. A full-strength line-up's completely out of the question, but the last thing that Liverpool need is even more injuries and even more fatigued players going into matches against Arsenal and United, as well as the second semi-final leg against Stoke. Too strong, and Liverpool could and probably would pay for it in subsequent matches. Too weak, and the foreigner's disrespecting English football again and Liverpool are in crisis and etc etc.
Liverpool literally have no fit center-backs. Toure's out for a week, Lovren for two or three, Skrtel for another month, and no one (outside of the club, that is) is really sure about Sakho. Lucas, having played there against Stoke, seemed certain to start as one of the two CBs, but will he partner Can – two central midfielders as center-backs, most likely in front of a rarely-tested Bogdan and alongside one or two youth full-backs? Will Ilori or Wisdom be recalled from their loans in time? One of the u-21 center-backs: Cleary or Brewitt? I hear that Jose Enrique's played some center-back for the u-21s…
Liverpool's full-backs – especially Clyne – desperately need a match off, but can Liverpool rest both while changing the rest of the defense as well? Sure, why not.
Otherwise, at least there will be some familiar faces in the front six. I've gone for five who often start along with Teixeira – last seen against Bournemouth in the League Cup – but Klopp could make even more changes. Brannagan and Chirivella are possibilities in midfield; Ojo and Kent have been recalled from loans at Wolves and Coventry.
That Benteke – Liverpool's only fit out-and-out striker – will start seems the only certainty at the business end of the pitch, especially since Firmino could do with a game off after five successive starts. A rough and tumble cup tie on what'll almost certainly be a gopher hole pitch? Go bang into some people and bang in some goals, Christian.
Meanwhile, Exeter are currently 16th in League Two. They've lost their last four matches. They got whomped 6-3 by Sunderland in a League Cup meeting back in August. Sunderland! Six goals! Paul Tisdale has been Exeter's manager for the last decade; only Arsene Wegner's been at the same English club for longer. They don't score often – only five of the 24 League Two sides have scored fewer – but until this four-match losing stretch, they hadn't conceded all that often either, exactly middle of the league for goals allowed.
I am familiar with one (1) of their players: Clinton Morrison, who had Premier League spells with Birmingham and Palace around a decade ago, scoring four goals against Liverpool from 2001-2003. He's 36 now. At most, he'll feature off the bench.
Just one of the Exeter players who started in the 2011 League Cup tie with Liverpool is still at the club – midfielder David Noble – although current top-scorer Tom Nichols came off the bench that night.
That's all I got. In all Exeter regards, your guess is as good as mine.
It's dismissive, it's rude, and it might even be overly optimistic, but if Liverpool do what Liverpool should do and Liverpool do what Liverpool are capable of doing, Liverpool will win, regardless of the XI. Liverpool are a Premier League side, Exeter are a League Two side, magic of the FA Cup be damned.
But the lesson of Burnley – who, admittedly was a Championship club at the time – can't be forgotten either. Maybe the parallels are closer with the 2-2 loss to Northampton Town in the 2010-11 League Cup, another League Two side, but you compare a Hodgson side to a Klopp side, because I'm not doing so.
What really matters is that Liverpool match Exeter's work-rate, willingness, and effort. Exeter might have more important matches this season if they somehow plummet from lower mid-table into the relegation battle, but Exeter won't have any more prominent matches – on national and international television for the first and probably last time this season.
Whatever Liverpool do, Liverpool cannot take their opponents lightly, Liverpool cannot simply show up. But at least that rarely seems to be an issue with Jürgen Klopp's teams.
26 October 2018
Liverpool v Cardiff City 10.27.18
10am ET, live in the US on NBC Sports
Last four head-to-head:
6-3 Liverpool (a) 03.22.14
3-1 Liverpool (h) 12.21.13
2-2 Liverpool aet (n; League Cup) 02.26.12
2-1 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.31.07
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Red Star (h); 1-0 Huddersfield (a); 0-0 City (h)
Cardiff: 4-2 Fulham (h); 0-1 Tottenham (a); 1-2 Burnley (h)
Goal scorers (league):
Liverpool: Mané, Salah 4; Firmino, Sturridge 2; Matip, Milner, Wijnaldum 1
Cardiff: J Murphy 2; Bamba, Camarasa, Harris, Paterson, Reid, Ward 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Trent A-A Gomez van Dijk Robertson
Wijnaldum Fabinho Milner
Salah Firmino Mané
There’s a very good argument for not changing the XI from Wednesday.
I mean, y’all saw the match. Liverpool were good. Liverpool were creative. Liverpool scored four and could have had a few more and didn’t even allow a single shot on-target. And it was the first time in a while we could say those things about the attack.
So why change?
Maybe Liverpool shouldn’t. There will be a week before traveling to Arsenal, Liverpool without a midweek game. Cardiff will do some things similarly to Red Star. Liverpool were both more creative and even more secure through the middle with Wednesday’s formation and XI.
But Klopp rotates. Liverpool have a reasonably large squad – even with Keïta and Henderson still absent – and Liverpool want to use that squad. Klopp spent some of today’s press conference talking up Origi, Solanke, Clyne, and Matip – players who’ve barely if at all featured so far this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two names we don’t expect nor would I be surprised to see a return to the more familiar 4-3-3 formation – a formation that Fabinho will have to acclimatize to at some point.
So the above guess is a hedge between those factors. Even if it is desperately unfair to Shaqiri, who has been excellent in the last two matches. Heck, maybe I should just guess the same XI as last time.
Meanwhile, Cardiff may have just gotten their first win last week, but it’s been an understandably difficult road to this point. They’ve already hosted Arsenal and Manchester City and travelled to Chelsea and Tottenham, losing 2-3, 0-5, 1-4, and 0-1 in those matches. This’ll be their tenth games of the campaign and five of them will have been against last season’s top six. The last two recent losses prior to Fulham were a lot narrower, one-goal defeats to Burnley and Tottenham, only losing 1-0 at Spurs despite conceding in the eighth minute and having a player sent off in the 58th.
Without any real point of comparison, my best guess is the same XI that beat Fulham. Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Arter, J Murphy; Reid; Paterson. Ralls will miss out in midfield, serving the second of a three-match ban for a red card at Tottenham, but Aron Gunnarsson’s finally fit, having made his first start in the last match. Camarasa can pay both centrally or out wide; Paterson has started up top lately but can also play deeper. Cardiff could start Hoilett out wide or Danny Ward (not that one) or Gary Madine up front if changes are to be made.
Neil Warnock has never won as manager at Anfield, losing 4-0 with Notts County, 2-0 and 4-0 with Sheffield United, and 1-0 with Queens Park Rangers, but he did win his last match against Liverpool during his short reign as Palace manager, 1-3 at Palace in November 2014.
And Warnock’s already talking down his side’s potential, saying that it’s “virtually impossible” to win at Anfield these days. He’s not necessarily wrong, even if that is gamesmanship to put even more pressure on Liverpool while taking it off his side. “Oh, poor us, we’ll never get anything” and then if they do get anything, break out the bus we’re having a parade.
Cardiff, unsurprisingly, are a very Championship squad playing a very Championship style. It’s what Neil Warnock knows, it’s what Neil Warnock’s always done. They’re strong in the air and at set plays. They absolutely love crosses. Josh Murphy, Reid, and Hoillett are quick on the counter. They’re rugged and deep defensively. They want next to nothing to do with the ball, joint-lowest in possession along with Brighton and with the worst passing accuracy in the league by far.
The Brighton comparison actually works reasonably well. Chris Hughton’s side was built in a similar manner, plays a similar style. And Brighton gave Liverpool problems two months ago, holding Liverpool reasonably at bay at Anfield despite an early goal from Salah and multiple Liverpool chances, even nearly finding an equalizer through Groß’ late clear-cut chance.
Liverpool nearly dropped two points in that Brighton match because of an inability to convert their own chances, something we’ve complained about multiple times this season. We certainly weren’t complaining about that on Wednesday – well, “complain” isn’t the right word; Liverpool scored four but another two or three wouldn’t have flattered.
More of that please. We know that Liverpool are capable of doing so.
Last four head-to-head:
6-3 Liverpool (a) 03.22.14
3-1 Liverpool (h) 12.21.13
2-2 Liverpool aet (n; League Cup) 02.26.12
2-1 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.31.07
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Red Star (h); 1-0 Huddersfield (a); 0-0 City (h)
Cardiff: 4-2 Fulham (h); 0-1 Tottenham (a); 1-2 Burnley (h)
Goal scorers (league):
Liverpool: Mané, Salah 4; Firmino, Sturridge 2; Matip, Milner, Wijnaldum 1
Cardiff: J Murphy 2; Bamba, Camarasa, Harris, Paterson, Reid, Ward 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell (LFC History) (WhoScored)
Guess at a line-up:
Alisson
Trent A-A Gomez van Dijk Robertson
Wijnaldum Fabinho Milner
Salah Firmino Mané
There’s a very good argument for not changing the XI from Wednesday.
I mean, y’all saw the match. Liverpool were good. Liverpool were creative. Liverpool scored four and could have had a few more and didn’t even allow a single shot on-target. And it was the first time in a while we could say those things about the attack.
So why change?
Maybe Liverpool shouldn’t. There will be a week before traveling to Arsenal, Liverpool without a midweek game. Cardiff will do some things similarly to Red Star. Liverpool were both more creative and even more secure through the middle with Wednesday’s formation and XI.
But Klopp rotates. Liverpool have a reasonably large squad – even with Keïta and Henderson still absent – and Liverpool want to use that squad. Klopp spent some of today’s press conference talking up Origi, Solanke, Clyne, and Matip – players who’ve barely if at all featured so far this season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two names we don’t expect nor would I be surprised to see a return to the more familiar 4-3-3 formation – a formation that Fabinho will have to acclimatize to at some point.
So the above guess is a hedge between those factors. Even if it is desperately unfair to Shaqiri, who has been excellent in the last two matches. Heck, maybe I should just guess the same XI as last time.
Meanwhile, Cardiff may have just gotten their first win last week, but it’s been an understandably difficult road to this point. They’ve already hosted Arsenal and Manchester City and travelled to Chelsea and Tottenham, losing 2-3, 0-5, 1-4, and 0-1 in those matches. This’ll be their tenth games of the campaign and five of them will have been against last season’s top six. The last two recent losses prior to Fulham were a lot narrower, one-goal defeats to Burnley and Tottenham, only losing 1-0 at Spurs despite conceding in the eighth minute and having a player sent off in the 58th.
Without any real point of comparison, my best guess is the same XI that beat Fulham. Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Arter, J Murphy; Reid; Paterson. Ralls will miss out in midfield, serving the second of a three-match ban for a red card at Tottenham, but Aron Gunnarsson’s finally fit, having made his first start in the last match. Camarasa can pay both centrally or out wide; Paterson has started up top lately but can also play deeper. Cardiff could start Hoilett out wide or Danny Ward (not that one) or Gary Madine up front if changes are to be made.
Neil Warnock has never won as manager at Anfield, losing 4-0 with Notts County, 2-0 and 4-0 with Sheffield United, and 1-0 with Queens Park Rangers, but he did win his last match against Liverpool during his short reign as Palace manager, 1-3 at Palace in November 2014.
And Warnock’s already talking down his side’s potential, saying that it’s “virtually impossible” to win at Anfield these days. He’s not necessarily wrong, even if that is gamesmanship to put even more pressure on Liverpool while taking it off his side. “Oh, poor us, we’ll never get anything” and then if they do get anything, break out the bus we’re having a parade.
Cardiff, unsurprisingly, are a very Championship squad playing a very Championship style. It’s what Neil Warnock knows, it’s what Neil Warnock’s always done. They’re strong in the air and at set plays. They absolutely love crosses. Josh Murphy, Reid, and Hoillett are quick on the counter. They’re rugged and deep defensively. They want next to nothing to do with the ball, joint-lowest in possession along with Brighton and with the worst passing accuracy in the league by far.
The Brighton comparison actually works reasonably well. Chris Hughton’s side was built in a similar manner, plays a similar style. And Brighton gave Liverpool problems two months ago, holding Liverpool reasonably at bay at Anfield despite an early goal from Salah and multiple Liverpool chances, even nearly finding an equalizer through Groß’ late clear-cut chance.
Liverpool nearly dropped two points in that Brighton match because of an inability to convert their own chances, something we’ve complained about multiple times this season. We certainly weren’t complaining about that on Wednesday – well, “complain” isn’t the right word; Liverpool scored four but another two or three wouldn’t have flattered.
More of that please. We know that Liverpool are capable of doing so.
21 April 2018
Liverpool 2-2 West Brom
Goals:
Ings 4'
Salah 72'
Livermore 79'
Rondon 88'
I thought we had solved this problem.
Liverpool hadn't conceded from a set play since the end of January? Welp.
Liverpool hadn't dropped points after taking a lead since the beginning of February? Welp.
Liverpool hadn't thrown away a two-goal lead since the end of December? Welp.
I preferred the new Liverpool to the old Liverpool.
Annoying. Annoying pitch, annoying opposition, annoying referee, annoying result.
We got the new Liverpool early on. It wasn't pretty, but it was enough, made more so by another early goal. Danny Ings, his first under Jürgen Klopp. His first in 930 days. From a well-worked set play, Short, Mané center with the defense moving, Wijnaldum's touch setting up the striker.
West Brom did well to prevent a second goal: Dawson deflecting Salah's chance in the 15th minute, Foster denying Ings in 42nd. Liverpool did well – or were lucky – to survive a five-minute stretch with five corners and an almost tap-in from Rodriguez, usually presented to them by mistakes from the makeshift back four.
And then West Brom uglies up the second half, with a lot of help from Stuart Attwell, who made clear why he's one of the least-used select group referees. A clear penalty on Ings ignored when Dawson steps across him and knees him over. Hegazi's punch – a literal punch – into Ings' midsection either ignored or unseen. Multiple card-worthy challenges left unpunished; 12 West Brom fouls, and there should have been more, without a single West Brom booking. All played on a desert dry pitch that got worse as the match went on.
But Liverpool were still okay. Liverpool were pushing through it. Not enough shots, not enough good play, but it still looked a lot like matches that Liverpool have won in recent weeks: Newcastle, Palace, and Bournemouth. Sure, it was a grind, but it seemed to be enough, especially once Salah got Liverpool's second. His 31st in the league, tying the record. His 41st of the season. The beautiful man.
It should have been enough. But Liverpool make changes to alter the shape. Liverpool concede on a scrambled corner – West Brom's seventh of the match – with Livermore slamming in after Karius' initial save and with Karius screaming for a foul. Liverpool retreat. Liverpool change the shape even more, with Lovren on for Salah. And Liverpool concede again, from an unnecessary free kick after Gomez gives the ball away and fouls – an unbelievably soft foul, I might add – and Rondon smashes in a near post header because Lovren's screwed the offside trap.
Fun times.
I, of course, worry first and foremost about what this means for Tuesday's semifinal. It went fairly badly. It ended really badly.
I am going to try to remain hopeful that this is what can happen when you replace three of the back four – two just back from injury, one for his just his fourth appearance in 2018 (and his first league start since November), and your center-back leader has to play on his "wrong" side. That this is what can happen when a Champions League semifinal is lingering in the backs of your minds no matter how much you're trying to focus on what's in front of you. That this is what can happen when you're facing a home side who's playing for pride in front of a new manager. That this is what can happen when you're facing a side that's already annoyed the hell out of you this season with a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the league and a 2-3 monstrosity in the FA Cup.
I am very excited for Liverpool to not have to face West Brom next season. And I want to be churlish and say "you're still going down, West Brom, and Liverpool are still probably finishing fourth."
You're still going down West Brom. But Liverpool have not sewn up fourth just yet.
Ings 4'
Salah 72'
Livermore 79'
Rondon 88'
I thought we had solved this problem.
Liverpool hadn't conceded from a set play since the end of January? Welp.
Liverpool hadn't dropped points after taking a lead since the beginning of February? Welp.
Liverpool hadn't thrown away a two-goal lead since the end of December? Welp.
I preferred the new Liverpool to the old Liverpool.
Annoying. Annoying pitch, annoying opposition, annoying referee, annoying result.
We got the new Liverpool early on. It wasn't pretty, but it was enough, made more so by another early goal. Danny Ings, his first under Jürgen Klopp. His first in 930 days. From a well-worked set play, Short, Mané center with the defense moving, Wijnaldum's touch setting up the striker.
West Brom did well to prevent a second goal: Dawson deflecting Salah's chance in the 15th minute, Foster denying Ings in 42nd. Liverpool did well – or were lucky – to survive a five-minute stretch with five corners and an almost tap-in from Rodriguez, usually presented to them by mistakes from the makeshift back four.
And then West Brom uglies up the second half, with a lot of help from Stuart Attwell, who made clear why he's one of the least-used select group referees. A clear penalty on Ings ignored when Dawson steps across him and knees him over. Hegazi's punch – a literal punch – into Ings' midsection either ignored or unseen. Multiple card-worthy challenges left unpunished; 12 West Brom fouls, and there should have been more, without a single West Brom booking. All played on a desert dry pitch that got worse as the match went on.
But Liverpool were still okay. Liverpool were pushing through it. Not enough shots, not enough good play, but it still looked a lot like matches that Liverpool have won in recent weeks: Newcastle, Palace, and Bournemouth. Sure, it was a grind, but it seemed to be enough, especially once Salah got Liverpool's second. His 31st in the league, tying the record. His 41st of the season. The beautiful man.
It should have been enough. But Liverpool make changes to alter the shape. Liverpool concede on a scrambled corner – West Brom's seventh of the match – with Livermore slamming in after Karius' initial save and with Karius screaming for a foul. Liverpool retreat. Liverpool change the shape even more, with Lovren on for Salah. And Liverpool concede again, from an unnecessary free kick after Gomez gives the ball away and fouls – an unbelievably soft foul, I might add – and Rondon smashes in a near post header because Lovren's screwed the offside trap.
Fun times.
I, of course, worry first and foremost about what this means for Tuesday's semifinal. It went fairly badly. It ended really badly.
I am going to try to remain hopeful that this is what can happen when you replace three of the back four – two just back from injury, one for his just his fourth appearance in 2018 (and his first league start since November), and your center-back leader has to play on his "wrong" side. That this is what can happen when a Champions League semifinal is lingering in the backs of your minds no matter how much you're trying to focus on what's in front of you. That this is what can happen when you're facing a home side who's playing for pride in front of a new manager. That this is what can happen when you're facing a side that's already annoyed the hell out of you this season with a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the league and a 2-3 monstrosity in the FA Cup.
I am very excited for Liverpool to not have to face West Brom next season. And I want to be churlish and say "you're still going down, West Brom, and Liverpool are still probably finishing fourth."
You're still going down West Brom. But Liverpool have not sewn up fourth just yet.
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