We always knew this match was going to be a bit of an odd one. On a normal night, Stoke City would have no business on the field with Liverpool. That is not meant as a knock to Stoke, but the talent level is just different. As a fixture coming between the Merseyside Derby and a match against Manchester City, there was always the potential for disaster.
It seemed headed in that direction after some early chances for the Reds. In the 12th minute, Stoke City scored the opening goal of the contest. It was another example of poor defending that is invading all sports, but football particularly.
Too many people just scrambling around. After a poor clearance, Sadio Mane clumsily fumbled the ball off his chest. Stoke sent a cross in and Jonathan Walters header beat Simon Mignolet at the near post.
Mignolet rectified the situation in the 18th minute. Former Red, Joe Allen, sent a low shot from the right toward the far post. The Liverpool goalkeeper made a kick save that would make any NHL tender proud.
Despite the fact that Liverpool had the better of the pressure and the chances, it seemed as though Liverpool would not find an equalizer. When they did though, they grabbed the game by the scruff.
Adam Lallana got a fortunate one in the 35th minute. The goal itself was anything but lucky as Lallana showed great awareness pouncing on a loose ball and tucking it in from a tight angle. The bounce that led to the goal was a bit fortunate as it caught all the defenders unaware. That's how the ball bounces though. Literally.
Liverpool was not happy to go into the break tied up. They would claim the lead for themselves in the 44th minute. Roberto Firmino put one in that seemed destined to stay out.
His goal gave me three reactions in a matter of seconds. The shot looked guaranteed to score, so the fist went in the air. When it hit the post, there was a feeling of exasperation. The second post was almost funny and then relief when the ball actually went in.
Some more relief came in the second half. It took about 15 minutes, but the Reds got that insurance goal to give their back line a bit more breathing space.
Divock Origi drove past the defender on the left side and sent a beautiful ball in. Sadio Mane would have put it in, but Imbula was forced to at least attempt a block and ended up scoring an own goal. Regardless of who put it in, you'll take the 3-1 lead all day long, especially how the team has defended.
The Reds kept their foot on the gas thankfully. Taking advantage of a truly awful back pass, Daniel Sturridge scored 54 seconds into his shift. It was a tidy finish in the 70th minute after a nifty move to get around the goalkeeper. Even as a fan of Liverpool you wonder what the Stoke defender was even looking at.
The final 20 minutes were fairly pedestrian. Not a clear cut chance for either team, though Liverpool came closest with a Dejan Lovren cross smashing off Firmino and over the bar almost immediately after Sturridge's goal.
In the end, it was mostly a feel good day. Though the team lost, several former Reds (Crouch, Johnson, Allen) got nice ovations. The Reds had a good enough performance, put four goals in and only allowed one. More importantly, they got the win.
There were still issues at the back, but these are the teams you absolutely must beat and they did. Liverpool are back up to second in the table with a chance to cement that spot against Manchester City on the weekend.
Random Thoughts:
- Personally, it was a pick me up to get the win today. Normally celebrity deaths don't bother me, but as a Star Wars fan, I was hit by Carrie Fisher's death. It was nice to have some positivity to cushion that.
- I'm quickly running out of any reasons to dislike Adam Lallana. I've never hated him, but always felt there were better options. I still like certain players more, but in terms of performance, there isn't a better choice at the moment.
- The announcer mentioned it and I agree. With Coutinho coming back and Sturridge getting healthy, the loss of Mane won't be felt I don't think.
Walk On
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
A Late Bit Of Magic And Luck Turn Merseyside Red
Liverpool and Everton on a Monday night. As fans of either side would say, there could be nothing better than to have the spotlight to themselves for the 227th Merseyside Derby.
It would be a contentious game, but a fun one. Neutrals might not have gotten much enjoyment out of it, but it was a solid rivalry game as opposed to some of the ones we have seen in recent memory.
It was a very slow build for either team, despite the energy pouring forth from each player. In the 37th minute, the first real chance came for Liverpool. After a great passing buildup, including a dummy run by Mane, the pass was too far behind Origi. He lifted it high and wide even from in close to goal, but there was little opportunity for him to do much else with it.
Conversely, Liverpool were fortunate not to concede in the 44th minute. Funes Mori was not defended during a corner kick and the Reds got lucky he did not put a powerful header on target.
Liverpool came alive, a bit, in the 50th minute. A miscue at the back could not be capitalized as Maarten Steklenburg made a save and then the Reds kept scrambling but could not get that final ball toward net.
It is unfortunate that Liverpool don't have more of an aerial presence. When Everton's goalkeeper got hurt, it would have been the perfect time to just flight balls into the box. Instead, the Reds gained no advantage from him staying on for a minute or two and gave Everton a chance to make the change and get Joel Robles warmed up.
Midway through the second half, Ross Barkley should have been red carded for his challenge on Jordan Henderson. Hendo was lucky not to be more injured. As an official, I understand the yellow, but on replay (if officials had the luxury) it would have been a sending off.
The chances began to come a bit more often for the Reds later on. Roberto Firmino failed to convert a bicycle kick in the 77th minute.
It would have been almost impossible to get his foot on as the cross didn't have enough air under it by the time it got to the Brazilian. Then he almost broke the deadlock in the 80th minute with a fantastic volley from the penalty spot. Unfortunately, Robles was up to the task, diving to his left and getting palms to it.
Just when it seemed all was gone and the Reds would have to settle for a point against another inferior opponent, they found that bit of magic. Second half substitute Daniel Sturridge found his way past a couple defenders and sent a slow roller toward net.
It beat Robles but clanged off the post. Sadio Mane managed to get to it before the lunging goalkeeper and pop it in in the fourth minute of added time. The Reds almost had another when Firmino went five hole on Robles, but Ronald Coleman spoiled it with a fantastic sliding block on the line.
In the end, it was a fantastic win even if the team did not dominate the way they could have. As far as rivalry games go, it was a solid match for both sides. Those are the ones you love to win. When your opponent did enough to deserve a point and you crush their spirits, it's very satisfying.
Liverpool didn't play their best by any stretch. When you get three points though, it all gets cleaned in the wash.
This is the game that the Reds have not been winning in recent weeks. They dropped a terrible result to Bournemouth and then managed a disappointing draw with West Ham. To finally win a match they have struggled to finish off in recent form is quite the relief.
Now Liverpool must keep that form going against teams they have to beat. You're going to have big wins or tough losses against the top of the table, but it's those middle and lower teams where you must get the three points.
Random Thoughts:
- I am not one of those that has continually bashed Dejan Lovren. Given his skill set, I think he has performed as well as can be expected most days with the obvious exception here and there. That said, I have been rather impressed with Ragnar Klavan. I'm not sure an injury should keep Joel Matip out of the lineup once healthy, so maybe a combo of Klavan and Matip would work nicely in the center.
- Given their form, when healthy, it is almost impossible not to have a front three of Firmino, Coutinho and Mane. That said, the bit of magic Sturridge can muster when he is on his game is hard to keep on the bench. It's a pity that he has been so injury prone. Someone with his skill should never have been taken out of the lineup, though we all know why it happened and nobody can complain that it did happen.
- In your too much information of the day, I managed to miss the blasted goal. Just when I decided nobody was going to score, I went to use the bathroom. Of course, moments later I can hear Arlo White screaming about Mane's winner. What can you do?
- Given Liverpool's defensive woes, it seems unlikely they can truly mount a challenge for the league. The win at least gives them a chance since they will be second in the table during Christmas. That means they don't have to worry about vaulting over teams, but can rather worry about their own results and hope Chelsea falter in the second half.
Walk On
It would be a contentious game, but a fun one. Neutrals might not have gotten much enjoyment out of it, but it was a solid rivalry game as opposed to some of the ones we have seen in recent memory.
It was a very slow build for either team, despite the energy pouring forth from each player. In the 37th minute, the first real chance came for Liverpool. After a great passing buildup, including a dummy run by Mane, the pass was too far behind Origi. He lifted it high and wide even from in close to goal, but there was little opportunity for him to do much else with it.
Conversely, Liverpool were fortunate not to concede in the 44th minute. Funes Mori was not defended during a corner kick and the Reds got lucky he did not put a powerful header on target.
Liverpool came alive, a bit, in the 50th minute. A miscue at the back could not be capitalized as Maarten Steklenburg made a save and then the Reds kept scrambling but could not get that final ball toward net.
It is unfortunate that Liverpool don't have more of an aerial presence. When Everton's goalkeeper got hurt, it would have been the perfect time to just flight balls into the box. Instead, the Reds gained no advantage from him staying on for a minute or two and gave Everton a chance to make the change and get Joel Robles warmed up.
Midway through the second half, Ross Barkley should have been red carded for his challenge on Jordan Henderson. Hendo was lucky not to be more injured. As an official, I understand the yellow, but on replay (if officials had the luxury) it would have been a sending off.
The chances began to come a bit more often for the Reds later on. Roberto Firmino failed to convert a bicycle kick in the 77th minute.
It would have been almost impossible to get his foot on as the cross didn't have enough air under it by the time it got to the Brazilian. Then he almost broke the deadlock in the 80th minute with a fantastic volley from the penalty spot. Unfortunately, Robles was up to the task, diving to his left and getting palms to it.
Just when it seemed all was gone and the Reds would have to settle for a point against another inferior opponent, they found that bit of magic. Second half substitute Daniel Sturridge found his way past a couple defenders and sent a slow roller toward net.
It beat Robles but clanged off the post. Sadio Mane managed to get to it before the lunging goalkeeper and pop it in in the fourth minute of added time. The Reds almost had another when Firmino went five hole on Robles, but Ronald Coleman spoiled it with a fantastic sliding block on the line.
In the end, it was a fantastic win even if the team did not dominate the way they could have. As far as rivalry games go, it was a solid match for both sides. Those are the ones you love to win. When your opponent did enough to deserve a point and you crush their spirits, it's very satisfying.
Liverpool didn't play their best by any stretch. When you get three points though, it all gets cleaned in the wash.
This is the game that the Reds have not been winning in recent weeks. They dropped a terrible result to Bournemouth and then managed a disappointing draw with West Ham. To finally win a match they have struggled to finish off in recent form is quite the relief.
Now Liverpool must keep that form going against teams they have to beat. You're going to have big wins or tough losses against the top of the table, but it's those middle and lower teams where you must get the three points.
Random Thoughts:
- I am not one of those that has continually bashed Dejan Lovren. Given his skill set, I think he has performed as well as can be expected most days with the obvious exception here and there. That said, I have been rather impressed with Ragnar Klavan. I'm not sure an injury should keep Joel Matip out of the lineup once healthy, so maybe a combo of Klavan and Matip would work nicely in the center.
- Given their form, when healthy, it is almost impossible not to have a front three of Firmino, Coutinho and Mane. That said, the bit of magic Sturridge can muster when he is on his game is hard to keep on the bench. It's a pity that he has been so injury prone. Someone with his skill should never have been taken out of the lineup, though we all know why it happened and nobody can complain that it did happen.
- In your too much information of the day, I managed to miss the blasted goal. Just when I decided nobody was going to score, I went to use the bathroom. Of course, moments later I can hear Arlo White screaming about Mane's winner. What can you do?
- Given Liverpool's defensive woes, it seems unlikely they can truly mount a challenge for the league. The win at least gives them a chance since they will be second in the table during Christmas. That means they don't have to worry about vaulting over teams, but can rather worry about their own results and hope Chelsea falter in the second half.
Walk On
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Liverpool Stunned, Defense Proving To Be Achilles Heel
Welcome back. It's been a few games between articles due to my yearly trek down south to cover the NAIA National Championship. In that time Liverpool pulled off a couple simple wins.
They defeated Sunderland over the weekend 2-0. Then, it was a cool finish by the same scoreline over Leeds in the league cup. In that last one featured a fine score by 17 year old Ben Woodburn, who many are claiming could be the next big thing.
Probably best to pump the brakes on that one since it was just one goal against a team that has floundered near the bottom of the Championship in recent times. Still, always good to see new talent.
Speaking of new talent, the Reds were forced to put some new faces in the starting XI due to some injury woes. Lucas was playing at center back for the until Joel Matip. Lucas generally does a fine job, but is always worrying since he's truly a midfielder.
Also getting a start was Divock Origi. Coutinho was unable to make the start, but with Daniel Sturridge also being less than 100%, the Belgian got the nod.
Initially, the Cherries looked quite good. They didn't have a ton of possession, but they were defending well and the press was throwing the Reds - clad in greenish, yellow highlighter kits - off kilter.
It seemed like the day would not go well based on Liverpool's first chance. Origi was served a cross from the near side and was wide open on the back post. Somehow, he managed to miss it with a slight slip in the 11th minute and it stayed level. That wouldn't be the case for too much longer though.
In the 20th minute Sadio Mane took a beautifully flighted ball, from the left touchline, in the box. The goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, left himself in no man's land and Mane just tucked it past and Bournemouth could just watch it roll in.
If Bournemouth were disappointed by the first, they were exasperated by the second. Boruc had just made the mistake by not coming out far enough and then made an even bigger one. In the 23rd minute, the ball was popped over the top, to the right, for Divok Origi.
The goalkeeper came out of the penalty area for some inexplicable reason. Origi just touched it past him and then finished it off with a bad angle goal that just tucked inside the far post.
In typical Liverpool fashion, they couldn't make it easy on themselves. After holding the lead through the halftime break, the Reds gave up an early penalty to the Cherries in the 56th minute.
They converted and then it appeared to be game on. Fortunately for Liverpool fans, it also woke up their team.
In the 64th minute, Mane cut through defenders on the right side of the box. He served up Emre Can at the top of the 18 and he ripped a right footed curler past the keeper to restore the two goal lead.
Flipping back to the negative side, Mane appeared to pick up an injury. Fortunately, Adam Lallana was fit enough to be a sub, otherwise the Reds may have had to turn to one of the kids they had on the bench.
Liverpool were denied a goal to increase their lead with around 18 minutes left. Goal line technology said it missed scoring by a whisker. That decision became crucial since Ryan Fraser tucked one in in the 75th minute.
The Reds gave it away at the top of the attacking 18 and that set the wheels in motion. The train came off the track right after. A cheap free kick was given away, Fraser crossed it from the right and Lewis Cook smashed it home to even up the game at three apiece.
Lorus Karius looked shaky throughout the game, but came up big. In the 82nd minute he made a game saving stop as Benik Afobe was in alone near the spot.
Despite the face Bournemouth looked the better side for the last ten minutes, Liverpool still almost took it. Origi had a wonderful spin volley in added time, but got just too far underneath it.
In the end, it was a deserved defeat. A whistler of a shot could not be caught cleanly by Karius. Though he blocked the second chance, Ake cleaned up the mess and put Bournemouth up 4-3 with only a minute or so left in stoppage time.
It was a rather sickening result. To find yourself up 2-0 and then 3-1 and not only not win, but lose is ridiculous. Jurgen Klopp is a fantastic manager, but as much as he gets his team to believe and push forward, he has not found a way to fix their defensive woes.
So many have said the back line is why Liverpool will not win the league. With results like this one, those doubts are well founded.
Full credit goes to Bournemouth as they never gave up. Down two goals twice to one of the giants, they kept at it. Nevertheless, Liverpool have to find a way to see this one out no matter the circumstance and they did not get the job done.
Random Thoughts:
- Karius proved me right in this game. I don't know that Simon Mignolet would have fared any better, but Karius is not an improvement in the slightest in my eyes.
Walk On
They defeated Sunderland over the weekend 2-0. Then, it was a cool finish by the same scoreline over Leeds in the league cup. In that last one featured a fine score by 17 year old Ben Woodburn, who many are claiming could be the next big thing.
Probably best to pump the brakes on that one since it was just one goal against a team that has floundered near the bottom of the Championship in recent times. Still, always good to see new talent.
Speaking of new talent, the Reds were forced to put some new faces in the starting XI due to some injury woes. Lucas was playing at center back for the until Joel Matip. Lucas generally does a fine job, but is always worrying since he's truly a midfielder.
Also getting a start was Divock Origi. Coutinho was unable to make the start, but with Daniel Sturridge also being less than 100%, the Belgian got the nod.
Initially, the Cherries looked quite good. They didn't have a ton of possession, but they were defending well and the press was throwing the Reds - clad in greenish, yellow highlighter kits - off kilter.
It seemed like the day would not go well based on Liverpool's first chance. Origi was served a cross from the near side and was wide open on the back post. Somehow, he managed to miss it with a slight slip in the 11th minute and it stayed level. That wouldn't be the case for too much longer though.
In the 20th minute Sadio Mane took a beautifully flighted ball, from the left touchline, in the box. The goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, left himself in no man's land and Mane just tucked it past and Bournemouth could just watch it roll in.
If Bournemouth were disappointed by the first, they were exasperated by the second. Boruc had just made the mistake by not coming out far enough and then made an even bigger one. In the 23rd minute, the ball was popped over the top, to the right, for Divok Origi.
The goalkeeper came out of the penalty area for some inexplicable reason. Origi just touched it past him and then finished it off with a bad angle goal that just tucked inside the far post.
In typical Liverpool fashion, they couldn't make it easy on themselves. After holding the lead through the halftime break, the Reds gave up an early penalty to the Cherries in the 56th minute.
They converted and then it appeared to be game on. Fortunately for Liverpool fans, it also woke up their team.
In the 64th minute, Mane cut through defenders on the right side of the box. He served up Emre Can at the top of the 18 and he ripped a right footed curler past the keeper to restore the two goal lead.
Flipping back to the negative side, Mane appeared to pick up an injury. Fortunately, Adam Lallana was fit enough to be a sub, otherwise the Reds may have had to turn to one of the kids they had on the bench.
Liverpool were denied a goal to increase their lead with around 18 minutes left. Goal line technology said it missed scoring by a whisker. That decision became crucial since Ryan Fraser tucked one in in the 75th minute.
The Reds gave it away at the top of the attacking 18 and that set the wheels in motion. The train came off the track right after. A cheap free kick was given away, Fraser crossed it from the right and Lewis Cook smashed it home to even up the game at three apiece.
Lorus Karius looked shaky throughout the game, but came up big. In the 82nd minute he made a game saving stop as Benik Afobe was in alone near the spot.
Despite the face Bournemouth looked the better side for the last ten minutes, Liverpool still almost took it. Origi had a wonderful spin volley in added time, but got just too far underneath it.
In the end, it was a deserved defeat. A whistler of a shot could not be caught cleanly by Karius. Though he blocked the second chance, Ake cleaned up the mess and put Bournemouth up 4-3 with only a minute or so left in stoppage time.
It was a rather sickening result. To find yourself up 2-0 and then 3-1 and not only not win, but lose is ridiculous. Jurgen Klopp is a fantastic manager, but as much as he gets his team to believe and push forward, he has not found a way to fix their defensive woes.
So many have said the back line is why Liverpool will not win the league. With results like this one, those doubts are well founded.
Full credit goes to Bournemouth as they never gave up. Down two goals twice to one of the giants, they kept at it. Nevertheless, Liverpool have to find a way to see this one out no matter the circumstance and they did not get the job done.
Random Thoughts:
- Karius proved me right in this game. I don't know that Simon Mignolet would have fared any better, but Karius is not an improvement in the slightest in my eyes.
Walk On
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