Liverpool came into their final match of the season against Manchester City knowing it was one of the more important games of the year. It was featured on national television in the United States and had large implications on the potential final finish in the table.
The game opened up with a rather furious pace and never really calmed down. Liverpool got into the book first, but not the one they wanted. Roberto Firmino got a yellow card in the first quarter hour, that put him behind the eight ball. Fortunately he never found himself in a spot to get another decision against him.
Both teams went up and down the pitch in the early going, but chances were a bit fewer and farther between. Manchester City got the first true test of the game. Simon Mignolet came up with a good kick save in the 20th minute. The Reds were lucky that David Silva smashed one over the bar on the rebound, otherwise they would have conceded the first of the game. That would become a theme.
Liverpool got the short end of the stick in the 18 yard box. They were denied on consecutive penalty decisions. The first one where Sadio Mane was taken down was probably not a penalty, but the second where Gregorio Wijnaldum probably was.
The Reds began to finally string some things together as the game continued on. Coutinho flashed one high and wide in the 35th minute. You knew he wanted it on his preferred right foot, but the defenders still fell for it anyway. Unfortunately, the finishing product was not there.
Then in the 40th minute the entire world thought it would surely end in a City goal. They got the ball down the left wing and sent in a fizzing low cross. Liverpool came up with the initial block and then a miss on the near side averted the danger.
Liverpool were awarded for their own efforts in the 50th minute. Firmino was in the box and the defender put his foot up under his armpit. The announcers said it was no penalty since they got the ball, but it ended in a penalty goal for James Milner.
The Reds had opportunities to put the game to bed, but failed to do so and that cost them in the end. Roberto Firmino was denied on the break in the 61st minute.
Sergio Aguero made the Reds pay for their lack of finishing and tied it up in the 69th minute. City had been flashing crosses across the face of goal all game long and finally hit pay dirt.
Liverpool wasted another opportunity in the 72nd minute. Adam Lallana had it just outside the box and laid it off to the side instead of taking a shooting chance. Then Firmino shot it off the side netting instead of sliding one back across.
The misses kept on coming and got even worse in the way they happened. Lallana absolutely butchered the game winning chance and just caught it with his studs. It was a beautifully weighted ball by Emre Can over the top and then laid back to a waiting Lallana. Instead of just tucking it in, he managed to almost completely whiff on it, sending fans into a frenzy but not the good kind.
Aguero sent a volley over the bar in stoppage time, further sending Liverpool hearts into their throats. Fortunately, when the final whistle came it finished a draw.
The game was disappointing in the fact that that both teams missed so many opportunities to take the winner. However, a draw was probably a fair result given that both teams benefited from calls or non-calls from the ref and missed chances.
Liverpool missed out on a chance to leapfrog City in the table. Still, the point gives them a four point cushion over Manchester United, so it was not a failed chance in the grand scheme of things.
Random Thoughts:
- Going back to the penalty call, I found it hard to believe all the NBC broadcasters felt it was not a penalty. I understand both are former defenders, but you cannot throw your foot up at face level of an attacking player and think you won't get something called on you. There was contact, it was from behind and it was reckless. Touching the ball first has nothing to do with it.
- As an official myself, another phrase I'm tired of is having to get control of the game. No official has ever thought to themselves they needed to let a game get out of hand. You take each situation as it comes and try to call it as best you can. It's a no win scenario as fans don't like it when you call a ticky-tac foul just to "get the game back under control" and yellow cards don't have the effect everyone thinks they do. So, the official can only try to take each foul situation as it comes.
- Where on Earth is Daniel Sturridge? I understand he's injured, but how can the guy continuously pick up injury in practice? Why does he seem to have fallen so far out of favor as well? It's kind of a sad end to what could have been a great career since you can't see him lasting much longer in a red shirt.
- I try to be a live and let live type person. However, it is satisfying seeing Raheem Sterling continue to falter against his old team. I still believe he would have been better off staying in Liverpool for his game, but his pocketbook says otherwise so you can't fault him too much.
Walk On
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Liverpool Should Play Arsenal Every Day
Liverpool came into their match against perennial top-four candidate Arsenal needing a result, particularly a win. While there was plenty of reason to think they would be able to get it, there were reasons to doubt whether it would happen too.
Fortunately, the Reds came to play and the Gunners stayed away. Liverpool put out a much more balanced side, with no less focus on attack.
After my own claims about the intelligence behind starting Lucas at center back (yes, I'm taking credit), the Reds put in Ragnar Klavan. It may not have had an immediate impact as Liverpool still look shaky on the counter, but it did have a calming effect on the team.
Liverpool looked much more focused and streamlined on their attacks, right from the get go. They came out and took the game to Arsenal and were rewarded for their efforts.
Even more impressive than Liverpool's intensity was the crispness of their attack. Not only did they score nice goals, but the plays that led up to each goal were discussion worthy as well.
Roberto Firmino put Liverpool ahead just nine minutes into the game. The buildup was just as satisfying as the finish.
Coming off a Simon Mignolet kick, the ball took a bounce through the midfield. Coutinho just flicked it to the right for Sadio Mane. Mane's speed allowed him to gain enough space for, admittedly, an awkward cross. However it found it's way to Firmino, who kept his composure and allowed the goalkeeper and defenders to fall like bowling pins in front of him.
The game stayed close until the 40th minute when Mane would get his just-desserts.
The Reds had an even better team performance in getting the season sweep over Arsenal. The offense was not as strong, but it did not need to be.
With the exception of Arsenal's initial boost from the substitute of Alexis Sanchez, Liverpool dominated the midfield. Liverpool did not have to do a ton of defending, but they looked pretty comfortable in most situations where they did. Mignolet was not called on to save the team's butts like in previous games.
It was a fun game to watch and, win or lose, that has not always been the case in recent times. Now, if the team could just bottle up these efforts and apply it to the teams mid-table and below.
Random Thoughts:
- It's fun to consider ourselves the third place team in the league, but it is hard to do so. We are currently even on points with Manchester City and they have two games in hand. More importantly, it gets the team into the top four though, where they are now two points up on Arsenal.
- Any suggestions on other suggestions I should make for the team? Clearly they listened and put Klavan in and that seemed to help, so I have all the power now.
- This is generally a Liverpool blog, but what is up with Arsenal sitting Sanchez? The guy is leading the league in goals. We will take it, but it was definitely a head scratcher.
- On a side note, nobody reading this will get it likely, but my wife apparently thinks Jurgen Klopp looks like Principal Brown from The Amazing World of Gumball. I don't know about her sometimes.
Fortunately, the Reds came to play and the Gunners stayed away. Liverpool put out a much more balanced side, with no less focus on attack.
After my own claims about the intelligence behind starting Lucas at center back (yes, I'm taking credit), the Reds put in Ragnar Klavan. It may not have had an immediate impact as Liverpool still look shaky on the counter, but it did have a calming effect on the team.
Liverpool looked much more focused and streamlined on their attacks, right from the get go. They came out and took the game to Arsenal and were rewarded for their efforts.
Even more impressive than Liverpool's intensity was the crispness of their attack. Not only did they score nice goals, but the plays that led up to each goal were discussion worthy as well.
Roberto Firmino put Liverpool ahead just nine minutes into the game. The buildup was just as satisfying as the finish.
Coming off a Simon Mignolet kick, the ball took a bounce through the midfield. Coutinho just flicked it to the right for Sadio Mane. Mane's speed allowed him to gain enough space for, admittedly, an awkward cross. However it found it's way to Firmino, who kept his composure and allowed the goalkeeper and defenders to fall like bowling pins in front of him.
The game stayed close until the 40th minute when Mane would get his just-desserts.
Mane's finish was fine, but again the buildup was just as good. Liverpool worked it up the left this time, pinged some passes around the box and then found a wide-open Mane on the back door. It was a sight. Also, it was not the first time the prolific winger stung the Gunners.2-0 MANE!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/LvnefERe9b— Liverpool Gifs (@LiverpoolGifs) March 4, 2017
The way the game played out, you honestly wish this year's Liverpool could play Arsenal every game. Granted, the first game was too close at 4-3 but Liverpool came out and played masterfully offensively (if not defensively).Sadio Mané goal vs Arsenal at the start of the season 🔥👊 #LFC pic.twitter.com/0iG26LrdJm— Anything Liverpool (@Anything_LFC) March 4, 2017
The Reds had an even better team performance in getting the season sweep over Arsenal. The offense was not as strong, but it did not need to be.
With the exception of Arsenal's initial boost from the substitute of Alexis Sanchez, Liverpool dominated the midfield. Liverpool did not have to do a ton of defending, but they looked pretty comfortable in most situations where they did. Mignolet was not called on to save the team's butts like in previous games.
It was a fun game to watch and, win or lose, that has not always been the case in recent times. Now, if the team could just bottle up these efforts and apply it to the teams mid-table and below.
Random Thoughts:
- It's fun to consider ourselves the third place team in the league, but it is hard to do so. We are currently even on points with Manchester City and they have two games in hand. More importantly, it gets the team into the top four though, where they are now two points up on Arsenal.
- Any suggestions on other suggestions I should make for the team? Clearly they listened and put Klavan in and that seemed to help, so I have all the power now.
- This is generally a Liverpool blog, but what is up with Arsenal sitting Sanchez? The guy is leading the league in goals. We will take it, but it was definitely a head scratcher.
- On a side note, nobody reading this will get it likely, but my wife apparently thinks Jurgen Klopp looks like Principal Brown from The Amazing World of Gumball. I don't know about her sometimes.
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