How important might those four goals today be?
Ok, so it’s clear that securing 4th place is still going to be difficult for Liverpool, with City and Spurs holding all the relevant cards. However, with only two weekends remaining until the conclusion of the Premiership, with the points available becoming fewer each week, it still promises to be an entertaining, exciting and speculative finale.
Opponents don’t come much more challenging than Chelsea, whose visit to Anfield next Sunday is intensified due to their battle with Man United for the Premiership crown. This game is not about assisting United in winning their 19th league title, but instead it’s about Liverpool fight for 4th place, which ensures the services of top players, attracts other world-class players, brings in revenue, and allows the club to retain their seat at Europe’s top table.
Both City and Spurs dropped vital points this weekend, meaning just 2 points separate 4th placed Spurs and Liverpool in 7th; an exhilarating run-in. Furthermore, our 4 goals today have elevated our goal difference to +28, 1 more that City, 2 better off than the North Londoners, and a whole 10 goals superior to Villa. I would dearly like for that difference to be mirrored in the points table, but who knows how important goal difference might be come May 9th.
The media rightly cite the game at Eastlands a week on Wednesday, when Spurs are the travelling party, as the crunch fixture to decide which top four contender cements their place, but both Liverpool and Villa will have a say in matters yet.
If City and Spurs share the points, which they are likely to do given the heightened levels of prudence teams exhibit on such occasions, then it plays into the hands of Rafa’s men who will see it as the perfect result. City’s match against Villa next weekend is a similar ‘must not lose game’ for both sides, as both teams will show caution rather than verve.
However, all this rumination will be futile unless 3 points are won at home next weekend, against a team who’ve scored 7 today, have the bite between their teams, and don’t appear to willingly loosen their grip. Watch this space….
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Fasten your seatbelts; this ride is picking up speed.
Well, you can’t say that it won’t be an interesting end to the current. Battling for 4th place after running the eventual Champions so close last season hardly equates to content at Melwood, but it’s still going to exciting for everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club.
Sunday was encouraging, and our current form is beginning to mirror our efforts at this point last season. The dominant display against Sunderland was in stark contrast to the way that we relinquished a solitary goal lead over Man United last weekend. On that occasion, the home side bullied us. After recovering from their early set back they got themselves back in the game and won convincingly; we were the 11 school yard bullies this weekend though.
The fluidity in the front five’s interplay promoted some glorious one/two touch football; the understanding was apparent. Johnson’s running which enabled with him link-up with Maxi was a thorn in Bruce’s side. Torres was sharp and Gerard had one of his better games of recent times.
This quick, sharp, skilful approach to the beautiful game creates space, stretches play and is a pleasure to watch. It’s what Arsenal have done so well at during Wenger’s tenure, and why they’re regarded as the stylish and attractive team in the top flight. For all the criticism Benitez gets for negative, defensive football, this performance goes someway to dispel that myth.
Momentum is building at a decisive moment in the season, as 6 games remain in the League and potentially 5 in Europe, there is still much to play for. Like all LFC fans I would prefer our next European opponents to be Barcelona, as opposed to Benfica, but that’s the situation we are in. Full support for the team and management is essential as accolades, recognition and success beckons.
Sunday’s game saw the club win for an 8th consecutive time at Anfield in the Premiership. Such a run of form is vital to ensure Champions League football at Anfield next season, which not only confirms the club as an elite force across the continent, but attracts the best players in the world, while retaining the services of its current stock. It’s been the journeys away from Anfield that have troubled the Reds this season, with only 4 league victories in 16 games; the same record as Wolves (no offence intended). This trend needs addressing with trips to Birmingham, Burnley and Hull rounding off the away days of the current season. I can’t see why 9 points should not be attained, allowed real pressure to be exerted on the three other challengers for the 4th place.
Furthermore, Fernando Torres hit 20 goals for the season at the weekend. 30 goals is a viable total for a man whose is bang in form, a staging record considering the number of games he’s missed with injury this season. Liverpool we need if firing on all cylinders if such consistency is maintained for the duration of the season.
It’s over the past few weeks that I’ve began paying as much attention to our run-in as I’ve done to Spurs’, City’s and Villa’s; and I’d say the fixture lists are encouraging. Of the four teams, I’d ours is the less demanding, but teams towards the lower echelons of the division often produce superhuman performances when Premiership survival is at stake.
Saying that, I’d rather face Burnley, West Ham and Hull, as opposed to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal: 3 of Tottenham’s opponents in April. City, another team to host Tottenham before the season’s end, have equally stern challenges to come between now and May. With games against their Mancunian counterparts, Arsenal and Villa in addition to Spurs, their fixtures hardly amount to nailed-on victories, as the possibility of dropped points appears all the more likely.
If City, Villa and Tottenham draw the games in which they face each other, then that’s 2 points dropped for Spurs and Villa, and 4 by City. Tottenham could then draw one of their 3 games against the title contenders; let’s say they draw 1, then in total that’s 10 dropped points by Harry’s Boys between now and the 5th of May. In the same time period, City could feasibly drop 9 points, in their 4 crunch games, leaving Villa with the opportunity to mount a late surge for 4th. I admit that all this is speculative, but it’s a possible scenario in a season that has been anything but habitual.
One of Villa downfalls is their goal difference, which is way behind City, Spurs and Liverpool after their mortifying defeat away at Chelsea. With a goal difference amounting to +17 better that Villa’s, Tottenham have the additional benefactor of a +28 goals for the season. It could be that their 12 league goals against Wigan play the decisive factor in deciding who emerges as the victors in the race for 4th place.
Sunday was encouraging, and our current form is beginning to mirror our efforts at this point last season. The dominant display against Sunderland was in stark contrast to the way that we relinquished a solitary goal lead over Man United last weekend. On that occasion, the home side bullied us. After recovering from their early set back they got themselves back in the game and won convincingly; we were the 11 school yard bullies this weekend though.
The fluidity in the front five’s interplay promoted some glorious one/two touch football; the understanding was apparent. Johnson’s running which enabled with him link-up with Maxi was a thorn in Bruce’s side. Torres was sharp and Gerard had one of his better games of recent times.
This quick, sharp, skilful approach to the beautiful game creates space, stretches play and is a pleasure to watch. It’s what Arsenal have done so well at during Wenger’s tenure, and why they’re regarded as the stylish and attractive team in the top flight. For all the criticism Benitez gets for negative, defensive football, this performance goes someway to dispel that myth.
Momentum is building at a decisive moment in the season, as 6 games remain in the League and potentially 5 in Europe, there is still much to play for. Like all LFC fans I would prefer our next European opponents to be Barcelona, as opposed to Benfica, but that’s the situation we are in. Full support for the team and management is essential as accolades, recognition and success beckons.
Sunday’s game saw the club win for an 8th consecutive time at Anfield in the Premiership. Such a run of form is vital to ensure Champions League football at Anfield next season, which not only confirms the club as an elite force across the continent, but attracts the best players in the world, while retaining the services of its current stock. It’s been the journeys away from Anfield that have troubled the Reds this season, with only 4 league victories in 16 games; the same record as Wolves (no offence intended). This trend needs addressing with trips to Birmingham, Burnley and Hull rounding off the away days of the current season. I can’t see why 9 points should not be attained, allowed real pressure to be exerted on the three other challengers for the 4th place.
Furthermore, Fernando Torres hit 20 goals for the season at the weekend. 30 goals is a viable total for a man whose is bang in form, a staging record considering the number of games he’s missed with injury this season. Liverpool we need if firing on all cylinders if such consistency is maintained for the duration of the season.
It’s over the past few weeks that I’ve began paying as much attention to our run-in as I’ve done to Spurs’, City’s and Villa’s; and I’d say the fixture lists are encouraging. Of the four teams, I’d ours is the less demanding, but teams towards the lower echelons of the division often produce superhuman performances when Premiership survival is at stake.
Saying that, I’d rather face Burnley, West Ham and Hull, as opposed to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal: 3 of Tottenham’s opponents in April. City, another team to host Tottenham before the season’s end, have equally stern challenges to come between now and May. With games against their Mancunian counterparts, Arsenal and Villa in addition to Spurs, their fixtures hardly amount to nailed-on victories, as the possibility of dropped points appears all the more likely.
If City, Villa and Tottenham draw the games in which they face each other, then that’s 2 points dropped for Spurs and Villa, and 4 by City. Tottenham could then draw one of their 3 games against the title contenders; let’s say they draw 1, then in total that’s 10 dropped points by Harry’s Boys between now and the 5th of May. In the same time period, City could feasibly drop 9 points, in their 4 crunch games, leaving Villa with the opportunity to mount a late surge for 4th. I admit that all this is speculative, but it’s a possible scenario in a season that has been anything but habitual.
One of Villa downfalls is their goal difference, which is way behind City, Spurs and Liverpool after their mortifying defeat away at Chelsea. With a goal difference amounting to +17 better that Villa’s, Tottenham have the additional benefactor of a +28 goals for the season. It could be that their 12 league goals against Wigan play the decisive factor in deciding who emerges as the victors in the race for 4th place.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Crunch Time Begins
In a season of indecision and instability, Liverpool last 3 league games have profited 4 points: one win, one draw and one lose. At a glace this appears inconsistent. However, 21 points from the last 30, combined with an element of required stability, especially in defence, and confidence is evident throughout the entire squad.
Belief and forward-thinking are further strengthened by the 5 goals scored from the last 180 minutes of football, coupled with the return to fitness of Torres and Benayoun. I would expect to see Johnson play some part in the up-coming games, which sees 3 games in a busy 8-day period.
February’s crunch game was undoubtedly the trip to Eastlands, where the hosts have not lost in the league since April 2009. It was without question a point gained, not two dropped, as argued by many a journalist and pundit.
For opposing managers to go the Manchester City of 2010 and attempt to play them off the pitch is simply ludicrous. Benitez would have been chastised, and rightly so, if he’d adopted such open, free-flowing tactics, conceded early, and chased the game from behind.
The game was a cagey affair, with few chances to either side, but what do people expect! Despite the game being played mid-February, a win for either side would have had serious repercussions for their opposition. This is as tight it’s been for 4th place the league for years, so a point away to your nearest rivals is no bad feat.
The two European ties sandwiches the City game, and it was great to see two more wins, and witness Steven Gerrard become the highest scoring British footballer in European competition.
The older generation will argue that a higher number of European fixtures plays into the hands of the modern footballer, but try telling Gerrard that. He’s still produced the goods for Liverpool on so many of the biggest stage in European football, dug deep when required and scored some breath-taking goals along the way.
In Romania, the team worked hard to regain control of the tie after conceding in the first half. Belief and confidence are brewing through the team, and I was pleased to see Babel score, considering the difficult season he has experience on and off the pitch.
With the additional round in the knockout phase of the Europa Cup, compared to its bigger and richer sibling, the Champions League, expect several more exciting Thursday tea times during Spring 2010, continuing with the giant killers of Manchester United in 2006, Lille, in the final 16.
The latest victory against a physical (!) and at times brutal Blackburn side was a much needed 3 points following City’s emphatic victory at Chelsea and Spurs’ victory against Everton. Such a victory shows the recent progress we’ve made, demonstrating resolve and team unity. For a relatively small team, we acquitted ourselves well against the brawn of Blackburn, and emerged victorious.
All 4 of the contenders for the 4th place will expect to take maximum points from their next 2 league games, but as we’ve seen already this season, pre match forecasts are not always that straight forward.
Anything less than 6 points against Wigan and Portsmouth will be disappointing ahead of the away game at Old Trafford. A repeat of last season’s 4-1 victory for the visitors would surely be the perfect result. This time last season we began your end of season run-in in March, winning 10 and drawing 1 of our last 11 games, scoring 34 goals in the process. A similar vein of form might go some way to securing a 4th place finish.
Belief and forward-thinking are further strengthened by the 5 goals scored from the last 180 minutes of football, coupled with the return to fitness of Torres and Benayoun. I would expect to see Johnson play some part in the up-coming games, which sees 3 games in a busy 8-day period.
February’s crunch game was undoubtedly the trip to Eastlands, where the hosts have not lost in the league since April 2009. It was without question a point gained, not two dropped, as argued by many a journalist and pundit.
For opposing managers to go the Manchester City of 2010 and attempt to play them off the pitch is simply ludicrous. Benitez would have been chastised, and rightly so, if he’d adopted such open, free-flowing tactics, conceded early, and chased the game from behind.
The game was a cagey affair, with few chances to either side, but what do people expect! Despite the game being played mid-February, a win for either side would have had serious repercussions for their opposition. This is as tight it’s been for 4th place the league for years, so a point away to your nearest rivals is no bad feat.
The two European ties sandwiches the City game, and it was great to see two more wins, and witness Steven Gerrard become the highest scoring British footballer in European competition.
The older generation will argue that a higher number of European fixtures plays into the hands of the modern footballer, but try telling Gerrard that. He’s still produced the goods for Liverpool on so many of the biggest stage in European football, dug deep when required and scored some breath-taking goals along the way.
In Romania, the team worked hard to regain control of the tie after conceding in the first half. Belief and confidence are brewing through the team, and I was pleased to see Babel score, considering the difficult season he has experience on and off the pitch.
With the additional round in the knockout phase of the Europa Cup, compared to its bigger and richer sibling, the Champions League, expect several more exciting Thursday tea times during Spring 2010, continuing with the giant killers of Manchester United in 2006, Lille, in the final 16.
The latest victory against a physical (!) and at times brutal Blackburn side was a much needed 3 points following City’s emphatic victory at Chelsea and Spurs’ victory against Everton. Such a victory shows the recent progress we’ve made, demonstrating resolve and team unity. For a relatively small team, we acquitted ourselves well against the brawn of Blackburn, and emerged victorious.
All 4 of the contenders for the 4th place will expect to take maximum points from their next 2 league games, but as we’ve seen already this season, pre match forecasts are not always that straight forward.
Anything less than 6 points against Wigan and Portsmouth will be disappointing ahead of the away game at Old Trafford. A repeat of last season’s 4-1 victory for the visitors would surely be the perfect result. This time last season we began your end of season run-in in March, winning 10 and drawing 1 of our last 11 games, scoring 34 goals in the process. A similar vein of form might go some way to securing a 4th place finish.
Monday, 8 February 2010
The run continues as others begin to stutter.
Liverpool Vs Everton (Saturday 6th February)
Confidence breeds success in Sport. Without individuals possessing a deep feeling that they will overcome their opponents, victories are all that harder to come by.
After Roberto Mancini appeared to have settled Manchester City, his side have now lost 2 of their last 3 league games, and face Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs in their next 5 Premiership games.
Spurs have all the qualities of club in freefall; drawing 3 of their last 5 league games, which included a defeat to Liverpool. Villa, in a similar run of form, have won only once in their last 6 league games, drawing 3 and losing the remaining 2; one of which was against Liverpool. A pattern seems to be emerging.
In comparison, Liverpool, the 4th team in the hunt for the much coveted Champions League spot, have taken 17 points from the last 21, in a word, superb. Victories against Spurs and Villa illustrated the strength of character on the red half of Merseyside, and sent a message out to the rest of the league that they are far from waving a Premiership white flag.
The weekend’s games couldn’t have gone much more in Liverpool’s favour. A derby victory, City’s stumbling at Hull, a stalemate at White Heart Lane and Arsenal losing to Chelsea, to leave only 5 points between 3rd and 4th, with the Gunners facing Liverpool in the league on Wednesday. Wenger’s side are hardly setting the Premiership on fire of late, taking just 8 points from the last 18, and the visit of inform Liverpool to the Emirates will hardly please Professor Wenger.
This successful weekend began on Saturday lunchtime, as Liverpool’s impressive from continued, with a solid and dynamic display against the in-form Everton. The 3 points were made all the sweeter, after playing with 10 men for over 60 minutes, showing team unity, and a water tight defence.
It’s this mentality and resilience that Rafa has instilled in his team that enable them to overcome such adversity, in such a demanding circumstance. Derbies are full of passion and hard tackles. Running that extra yard to defy your opposite number, and work hard for your team mates and fans is a quality that the manager drums into his players.
Such tenacity was illustrated perfectly by Mascherano and Carragher whose tireless defending was precisely what the club and this fixture means to them.
When you consider the numerous late goals conceded by Liverpool this season, it’s testament to players’ concentration, stamina, conditioning that they kept Everton at bay for so long, and maintained their slender advantage against a team with an extra man.
Such a slender advantage was achieved by another priceless goal from Liverpool’s no.18. What is it about Kuyt and important goals? He seems to crop up at the right moment to pounce on a pinpoint cross or a defensive lapse to punish the opposition. 50 goals to boot as well, quite a landmark.
His seasonal contribution in the goal charts has increased with each passing season, and his goals very often turn a draw into a win, or rescue a point when 0 points seem more like.
Why is it that he scores theses important goals? Hard to say, but you could infer from his scoring statistics that he never gives in. all the talk of Kuyt being a ‘work-horse’ is all very well, but his continual effort and determination means he scores when sometimes shouldn’t. A class buy from Benitez, and here’s to 50 more.
I’ve mentioned on this Blog numerous times about the way Liverpool seem to take one step forward followed by one step back. Think the victory against Man Utd in October, or the defeat of Everton in November, both huge results followed by disappointing defeats against lesser teams. With difficult games against Arsenal and Man City to come in the league, Saturday’s performance will have to be repeated in the coming weeks, maybe all the way till May.
Confidence breeds success in Sport. Without individuals possessing a deep feeling that they will overcome their opponents, victories are all that harder to come by.
After Roberto Mancini appeared to have settled Manchester City, his side have now lost 2 of their last 3 league games, and face Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs in their next 5 Premiership games.
Spurs have all the qualities of club in freefall; drawing 3 of their last 5 league games, which included a defeat to Liverpool. Villa, in a similar run of form, have won only once in their last 6 league games, drawing 3 and losing the remaining 2; one of which was against Liverpool. A pattern seems to be emerging.
In comparison, Liverpool, the 4th team in the hunt for the much coveted Champions League spot, have taken 17 points from the last 21, in a word, superb. Victories against Spurs and Villa illustrated the strength of character on the red half of Merseyside, and sent a message out to the rest of the league that they are far from waving a Premiership white flag.
The weekend’s games couldn’t have gone much more in Liverpool’s favour. A derby victory, City’s stumbling at Hull, a stalemate at White Heart Lane and Arsenal losing to Chelsea, to leave only 5 points between 3rd and 4th, with the Gunners facing Liverpool in the league on Wednesday. Wenger’s side are hardly setting the Premiership on fire of late, taking just 8 points from the last 18, and the visit of inform Liverpool to the Emirates will hardly please Professor Wenger.
This successful weekend began on Saturday lunchtime, as Liverpool’s impressive from continued, with a solid and dynamic display against the in-form Everton. The 3 points were made all the sweeter, after playing with 10 men for over 60 minutes, showing team unity, and a water tight defence.
It’s this mentality and resilience that Rafa has instilled in his team that enable them to overcome such adversity, in such a demanding circumstance. Derbies are full of passion and hard tackles. Running that extra yard to defy your opposite number, and work hard for your team mates and fans is a quality that the manager drums into his players.
Such tenacity was illustrated perfectly by Mascherano and Carragher whose tireless defending was precisely what the club and this fixture means to them.
When you consider the numerous late goals conceded by Liverpool this season, it’s testament to players’ concentration, stamina, conditioning that they kept Everton at bay for so long, and maintained their slender advantage against a team with an extra man.
Such a slender advantage was achieved by another priceless goal from Liverpool’s no.18. What is it about Kuyt and important goals? He seems to crop up at the right moment to pounce on a pinpoint cross or a defensive lapse to punish the opposition. 50 goals to boot as well, quite a landmark.
His seasonal contribution in the goal charts has increased with each passing season, and his goals very often turn a draw into a win, or rescue a point when 0 points seem more like.
Why is it that he scores theses important goals? Hard to say, but you could infer from his scoring statistics that he never gives in. all the talk of Kuyt being a ‘work-horse’ is all very well, but his continual effort and determination means he scores when sometimes shouldn’t. A class buy from Benitez, and here’s to 50 more.
I’ve mentioned on this Blog numerous times about the way Liverpool seem to take one step forward followed by one step back. Think the victory against Man Utd in October, or the defeat of Everton in November, both huge results followed by disappointing defeats against lesser teams. With difficult games against Arsenal and Man City to come in the league, Saturday’s performance will have to be repeated in the coming weeks, maybe all the way till May.
Saturday, 2 January 2010
The fighting spirit
29th December Aston Villa Vs Liverpool (Premiership)
Has any one had such an impact on Premiership football than Fernando Torres? 50 goals in 72 premier league games is an exceptional scoring rate. When you consider he plays on his own as a lone striker, spending the vast majority of the game in isolation and becoming frustrated, it further highlights is unquestionable quality.
In a way, this game epitomised the role Torres plays for Liverpool. He didn’t enjoy much possession, wasn’t supplied with many balls, but when his solitary chance came, he took it with the most deadly of finishes.
The luck of the bounce assisted the Spaniard, but the manner in which he dispatched the ball past the hapless Friedel was as cool a finish as you’ll see all season. To remain focussed and calm until the 93rd minute shows the resolve and character the man has.
Injury time winners taste all the sweeter, especially after exciting encounters, and this game was no exception. There were chances for both teams throughout, with Reina’s cat-like reflexes keeping his side in the game to the very end.
Either side deserved to nick all 3 points. In football you need to remain positive, with a battling spirit to the 90th minute, or the 94th in this case. Think of the countless injury time winners Manchester United under Ferguson. It’s not because of luck or fortune or bias from the officials, but because of the belief that the manager has instilled in his players.
Such late goals were a vital aspect of the start of last season for us, which gave the team confidence, belief and most of all a platform of points, something that has been missing from the start of this season.
This created momentum throughout the squad, a massive factor which enabled the team to finish 2nd in the league, with their highest ever Premiership points tally. Definite progress.
We’re 2 points behind Villa now and if we beat Tottenham at Anfield in our next league game, we’ll be only one 1 point behind them. A nice turnaround from how our season’s been looking. With league games against Stoke, Wolves and Bolton to follow the Spurs game, a run of wins is now looking possible.
The injury to Johnson is an obvious set-back but Carragher is man who can adapt to the right-back position. With Martin Kelly soon to return from injury, and Stephen Darby getting first team games under his belt, I feel we have sufficient back-up in Johnson’s absence.
Has any one had such an impact on Premiership football than Fernando Torres? 50 goals in 72 premier league games is an exceptional scoring rate. When you consider he plays on his own as a lone striker, spending the vast majority of the game in isolation and becoming frustrated, it further highlights is unquestionable quality.
In a way, this game epitomised the role Torres plays for Liverpool. He didn’t enjoy much possession, wasn’t supplied with many balls, but when his solitary chance came, he took it with the most deadly of finishes.
The luck of the bounce assisted the Spaniard, but the manner in which he dispatched the ball past the hapless Friedel was as cool a finish as you’ll see all season. To remain focussed and calm until the 93rd minute shows the resolve and character the man has.
Injury time winners taste all the sweeter, especially after exciting encounters, and this game was no exception. There were chances for both teams throughout, with Reina’s cat-like reflexes keeping his side in the game to the very end.
Either side deserved to nick all 3 points. In football you need to remain positive, with a battling spirit to the 90th minute, or the 94th in this case. Think of the countless injury time winners Manchester United under Ferguson. It’s not because of luck or fortune or bias from the officials, but because of the belief that the manager has instilled in his players.
Such late goals were a vital aspect of the start of last season for us, which gave the team confidence, belief and most of all a platform of points, something that has been missing from the start of this season.
This created momentum throughout the squad, a massive factor which enabled the team to finish 2nd in the league, with their highest ever Premiership points tally. Definite progress.
We’re 2 points behind Villa now and if we beat Tottenham at Anfield in our next league game, we’ll be only one 1 point behind them. A nice turnaround from how our season’s been looking. With league games against Stoke, Wolves and Bolton to follow the Spurs game, a run of wins is now looking possible.
The injury to Johnson is an obvious set-back but Carragher is man who can adapt to the right-back position. With Martin Kelly soon to return from injury, and Stephen Darby getting first team games under his belt, I feel we have sufficient back-up in Johnson’s absence.
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