A STRANGE day. A lot of lads turned up in “I’ve been to Dortmund” caps and a lot of lads turned up with “I’ve been the National” hangovers. A few lads didn’t turn up at all.
Those still feeling the effects of Germany and Aintree probably weren’t livened up too much at the sight of so many changes for The Reds. Yet the thrown together side scored more goals than we have managed in any home league game this season. Up the makeshift Reds.
Simon Mignolet: 7
Makes a really good save early in the second half, although I’m not sure about his starting position — he seemed to get rooted to the spot before leaping impressively into action. Kicking was a little dodgy, but punching and catching good.
Nathaniel Clyne: 6
In my obituary it will say something along the lines of: “Wrote about football for a while, but packed in when he ran out of things to say about Nathaniel Clyne.”
Alberto Moreno: 8
Say what you want about Albie, but he gives you things to talk about. Walloped one in to settle everyone down, then put in an absolute peach of a cross towards the end of the first half that was well defended. Looked a bit unlucky to be called offside when through on goal, too. A couple of strange moments when defending, at one point he seemed to tackle one of their lads and then suddenly give it him back, but I nearly went to town when he blocked that cross flying through the air from the corner.
Martin Skrtel: 5
Struggled with Crouch, although he is a nuisance being 6ft 7ins and that. That’s why we bought him that time. Can’t just blame him for the mess we were at set pieces, but you do wish that he might fancy taking control of the situations. Rather that than do that thing where he puts his arms up like it’s everyone else’s fault .
Kolo Toure: 6
I suppose I should want more from him from set pieces, too. But he did bring out the ball well. Wasn’t given as many massive fella problems as Skrtel.
Kevin Stewart: 7
Looked a bit rusty early on, but a neat turn in midfield settled him down. He probably lacks the mobility and range of passing to succeed in a Klopp team, but he’ll do well somewhere.
Joe Allen: 8
Yes, lad. Classy and gritty. Great to see him get a standing ovation from all sides of the ground.
James Milner: 7
We actually scored from two of his set pieces! Admittedly the first one is a gentle roll across, but the second is a great ball for Divock Origi. Aside from that he was at his battling best, although his lack of pace is telling in the position he is being asked to play.
Sheyi Ojo: 7
At first he seemed to get caught out by the step up. Like it had been a bit easy for him at Under 21 level, and these lads wouldn’t just let you run across the pitch with the ball. So he shows everyone he’s got a trick as well. The stand up ball is actually even better. Sturridge couldn’t miss. Admits himself he has a way to go, but loads of promise.
https://twitter.com/sheyi_ojo/status/719215245533843456
Roberto Firmino: 5
Not a great day for the Brazilian, a couple of times his final ball was lacking when Sturridge was in space. Finding his way back though, so nothing to be concerned about. Not sure he’s a 10.
Daniel Sturridge: 7
Great to see him scoring and great to hear the full Kop chanting his name. Was dropping and linking well. Him and Origi looks a genuine partnership.
SUBS
Divock Origi: 9
A hugely exciting second half. The way he turns and runs at the Stoke defence for his second goal was like a superhero getting to grips with his powers.
Adam Lallana: 7
Looked very bright. Loads of turns and tackles.
Lucas Leiva: 7
Wound up the few Stoke City fans who were left.
REF
Mark Clattenburg: 10
Bit of class is Clatsy. Great to see him.
Gotta love Albie, the racist dragon!
I hope the Justice League don’t try and recruit Big Divvy! :)
Mardy bastard agrees with lad shock.
The most assurance I can take going forward from this season is this game. Last years debacle against Stoke in May to this – and all from a set of lads who are still floating about in mid-table.
Belief. To me it’s the most important thing. Goals obviously, and results, and doing over the Mancs and the Bitters – these all leave us on the proverbial Cloud 9. But the important thing – the thing that helps us achieve all of that – is belief
How do Leicester go from bottom to top in 12 months, with mostly the same players? To me the answer is simple. It’s belief and confidence – and what is going on between the players ears. The good news is that the Liverpool Football Club lads BELIEVE in Herr Klopp.
Our lads, our brilliant bastard pulsating lads in Red, our representatives on the pitch, the personifications of our collective will and most utopian dreams THEY are united in their shared belief of our manager and what he wants to achieve in 90 minutes — extrapolate this to a Premier League campaign, and you have a very bright future
After today’s game – with so many changes and seemingly meaning so little it is evident to me that our Golden Sky is coming – do you believe?
Wish I’d bought an ‘I went to Dortmund’ hat now.
Another good job, Rob. Thought you were right on today, even a tip of the hat to Clattenberg who was so good he was almost invisible. I have to say I do like Moreno who is getting better and better. Thought he had a stormer against Dortmund and again today.
I’m not sure about him. That tackle he leaped into against Dortmund was immensely stupid. Don’t know whether Klopp can coach such bizarre decision making out of him but I guess we’ll find out.
He concerns me a bit because we’ve got more important positions we should be spending our money on this summer. Namely goalkeeper.
Skrtel and Firmino a 5? Too harsh.
Absolutely made up for Joe Allen to finally get some love from the Kop. He’s probably got as many 8 performances this season as anyone, only playing a fraction of the game time.
It’s time we embrace our little Welshman. To the music of Toto, no less.
(Meet you all the way, Rosanna yeah)
He’s our Welsh Xavi: Joe Allen Allen!
You’re standards are slipping, Walter.
Thought you’d slip in some credit for Brenda on the victory.
You’re a laugh accusing someone of standards slipping yet refer to an ex manager as Brenda.
Steven George Gerrard – a giant, a colossus, a man who had given so much blood, sweat and tears – nay, even his soul for the Club has been called Stevie or Stevie G for years
You may think calling Liverpool, ‘Liverpool Football Club’ somewhat annoying but I have explained the roots of this common parlance over the last 30 years ( Kenny’s interviews initially OR to distinguish between the Club and the city)
King Kenny, and of course – the heroic and selfless Shankly – these are my lifetime heroes. They gave their heart and soul for the good of the Club
If you’ve a problem with the LFC moniker then you are showing them serious disrespect and must be an OOT or wool or new fan
Rafael “Rafa” Benítez Maudes is another of our shining stars that will forever burn brightly in the dark and foreboding night sky – a star that lights our path to glory and HE would often refer to us as LFC
We shouldn’t argue between ourselves, so I don’t know why you’re worried or affected or annoyed by using our Club’s full name.
We must pull together as Shankly’s Socialism and the Holy Trinity asks of us. A swaying, singing, living and breathing thing – a mass of Red support to LFC whilst coming together in a spiritual alliance which unites the virtuous and offers a great big fuck you to the rest of football – and the rest of our enemies – Thatcher and the Mancs and Whiskey Nose and Sky and neo-liberal, crypto-fascist military-industrial complexes of the Western world.
Us vs The Rest. We are all part of the same Liverpool family – a family apart from the rest of football and the rest of England. Scouse not English. A classy fanbase – with a current classy manager in
Jürgen Norbert Klopp – and a great set of lads playing for us.
The lads need our support on Thursday and at everything game at Anfield. This is Anfield. And it’s our home – our fortress of hope in a world for so-long dominated by Castle Greyskull down the M62.
Let’s not attack each other in the terraces– let’s support our Club. Our lads. Klopp’s lads. These lads, this gang of lads, lads, lads, lads – a gang of assorted multi-millionaire Red-shirted lads BUT casting aside their concerns for their money or their own well-being and playing for the Liver bird – forsaking individual desires for the good of All
eerrr…ok.
does this mean you disagree with an 8 for Moreno?
No, Gubbins, your obituary will say: ‘Should have been a ditch digger, but lucked into a job writing about football: Fucked it up.’