HELLO 2016-17. I have high hopes for you, you handsome devil.
The journey for me starts in Los Angeles, standing on bleachers, as the sun goes down, surrounded by Liverpool supporters who are so, so pleased to be watching The Reds in person, watching The Reds in California.
That’s a pretty great way to start.
The atmosphere is distinctive, difficult to articulate but that is the gig so I’d best crack on.
The Cali Kop gathered behind one goal yearn for a goal in a strange way. They would all swap any Liverpool goal this evening for one in a competitive game, this is clear. Everyone I have spoken to in Los Angeles only wants to talk about the league. And so it isn’t the yearn that happens week in week out. They are watching Liverpool, our Liverpool, their Liverpool and they just want that moment of being together, in person, watching their Liverpool put the ball in the goal. They want the explosion, the collective joy of what is unquestionably the best thing in football and therefore the anticipation and excitement whenever Liverpool breach Chelsea’s final third is intensely palpable.
It’s the moment before Beyonce comes on. The sound of the rollercoaster ticking up to its apex. It’s curious and infectious. I would strongly recommend it.
They appear to have decided that probably the second best thing in football is slaughtering the referee. There was a lot to slaughter. In a competitive midfield lots of tackles were close to the line but Chelsea received a disproportionate amount of any doubt right up to the point Fabregas lashed a dreadful tackle in on Klavan. He deservedly was sent off. Staggering to throw that out in pre-season, frankly.
The third thing they love is a solid sing song. Hearing the chant about John Terry’s mother sung in a Californian accent made it feel like a lost cut from the Pet Sounds sessions.
There is a great old-school “Liverpool” chant a few times before the game. Hope I get more of that in the forthcoming weeks and months. There is also a lovely fuck off to the Mexican Wave from the Liverpool end.
The shape of both the game and the side is intriguing. Liverpool and Chelsea appeared to be taking it in turns to cede both possession and territory but both were then looking to spring. Liverpool concede a soft one from a set piece and then find themselves unfortunate when a goal is disallowed for a marginal offside.
Moreno remains a little deeper than last season. Up front Liverpool are fluid. Mane and Coutinho interchanging and even ending up on the same flank. Mane especially filling the space Firmino vacates.
Mane is absolutely electric. He’s catch-your-breath quick. Ejaria also impressed in amongst the first side. He may occasionally gild the lily but that will disappear from his game over time.
It was fascinating to see the changes leading to Milner playing right back. He and Lallana linked up well. There is every chance he pops up there a few times this season. It may not be the most fun for him but he has a load to offer The Reds there. Henderson made a difference in centre midfield, shifting the ball quicker.
Ojo excited too. Liverpool feel pacier. It was a long campaign last season but there looks to be an additional spring in wide areas especially. That stride that takes you away, the second stride after a touch.
But there was just a slight lack of cutting edge around the area. The flitting about can work but having a quality pure centre forward is always worth having. The win probably flattered Chelsea. But only probably.
Because the goal yearned for never came. Moves didn’t come off. All that excitement never had that release.
Between shows and sunshine, tailgates that caught the imagination. Between all the chanting and the drinking, I wanted this crowd to get their moment, get their goal. A Liverpool goal to savour.
It never came. It’s been wonderful, Los Angeles. But not all stories get the happy ending they deserve.
Love to all. 2016-17. It can only go one way from here.
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Much love to you boys too, thanks for coming out. Enjoy the drive up the coast to SF…it’s truly one of the wonders of the world.
Thanks, Neil. Appreciate the write up for a friendly. Living Down Under means we’re a long way from the action, but this helped.
Disappointed now. I though it was the Cally Kop when you mentioned it on The Pink..:-) (the sad thing is, I really did).
Great stuff Neil. All the evidence to back up the manager’s buys was on evidence today. Far.too.slow. Too many slow, sideways passes. I look forward to a more dynamic front five: Gino, Mane, Coutinho, Sturridge and one of Firmino or Grujic. If Ejario and Ojo carry on like this they’ll be stars. The former will have big clubs sniffing around him in no time – he has that rare quality: time on the ball.
One thing that struck me during the game was how pleased I am to see the new rules for the Prem next season, primarily the one about running over to the ref to contest a decision. Chelsea will find it hard. Bastards they are.
As we don’t post links on here I’ll do a bit of copying and pasting for any of our friends who haven’t seen them yet. All good common sense stuff for once. Apologies for the long post that has nothing to do with the match. The less said about it the better. Mane looks good though. The other thing that struck me was how much we need to keep Sturridge fit this season.
CHANGE 1: Kick-off
As seen at Euro 2016, the ball no longer has to go forward at kick-off. The previous law stated the ball had to go into the opposition half at the restart, but it has been changed to allow it to move in any direction, as long as it “clearly moves”. This change has paved the way for one-man kick-offs, as seen at Euro 2016.
CHANGE 2: Pre-match red cards
Referees will be able to give a player a red card before the match kicks off. This allows officials to punish red-card offences (e.g. violent conduct) in the warm-up or as the two teams line up in the tunnel. The new law states a player may be sent off any time between the pre-match inspection and when the referee leaves the field at the end of the game.
CHANGE 3: An end to the ‘triple-punishment law’
The previous ‘triple-punishment’ law meant a player who denied a goal-scoring opportunity in the box was automatically red-carded and handed a suspension, as well as giving away a penalty.
The law has now been changed so players committing accidental fouls that deny goal-scoring opportunities in the penalty area will not be automatically sent off, with a yellow card sufficient punishment.
As the amendment states: “When a denial of a goalscoring opportunity offence is committed by a defender in the penalty area, the penalty kick effectively restores the goalscoring opportunity so the punishment for the player should be less strong (e.g. a yellow card) than when the offence is committed outside the penalty area. However, when the offence is handball or clearly not a genuine attempt to play or challenge for the ball, the player will be sent off.”
CHANGE 4: Treating injuries
If a player is fouled and hurt by an opponent who subsequently receives a yellow or red card for the challenge, the injured player may be quickly treated on the pitch without the need to leave the field of play.
It was widely seen as unfair that a player injured by a serious foul was forced off the pitch for treatment, temporarily placing the fouled team at a numerical disadvantage.
CHANGE 5: Changing boots/equipment
A player who briefly leaves the field (e.g. to change boots) may have his new boots checked by an assistant referee or fourth official before returning to play.
Previously, the player required the referee’s permission to return.
CHANGE 6: Penalties
Among several minor changes to the laws regarding penalties, potentially the most interesting is the amendment to yellow card a penalty taker who “illegally feints” once his run-up is complete. This means slowing to a stop immediately before shooting is not allowed, with a yellow card and an indirect free-kick to the opposition the result.
The law does stress feinting during a run-up is still permitted.
CHANGE 7: Infringements by substitutes/team officials
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone was sent to the stands in April after a member of his backroom team threw a ball onto the pitch during a La Liga game in an attempt to interrupt an opponent’s attack.
To address what was threatening to become a growing trend, the law has been changed so that if play is stopped due to interference from a team official or substitute, rather than the award of an indirect free-kick or drop ball, the referee will now award a free-kick or penalty kick to the opposition.
CHANGE 8: Colour of undergarments
The new rule states undershorts/tights must be the same colour as the main colour of the shorts or the lowest part of the shorts. This takes into account shorts with a different coloured hem.
Undershirts must still be the same colour as the main colour of the shirt sleeve.
CHANGE 9: Offside
A couple of minor clarifications to the offside rule. The law now states the halfway line is neutral, meaning a player must have part of the body (excluding arms or hands) in the opponents’ half to be flagged offside.
A free-kick resulting from an offside will now always take place where the offence is committed.
CHANGE 10: Handballs
In an effort to stop referees brandishing yellow cards for every handball, “preventing an opponent gaining possession” has been removed from the list of bookable offences.
Handball is now a yellow card offence when “it stops/interferes with a promising attack”.
CHANGE 11: Restarts
The phrase “clearly moves” has been added to the law on restarts, meaning attempts to trick the opposition by lightly tapping the ball at a corner (or free-kick) and then dribbling will come to an end. This amendment is part of a renewed emphasis on what constitutes sporting behaviour “within the spirit of the game”.
CHANGE 12: Player behaviour
Referees have been urged to take a stronger stand on “intolerable behaviour” by players following a joint statement by the Premier League, English Football League and FA.
Running to contest decisions, arguing face-to-face with officials, and “visibly disrespectful” actions will result in yellow cards.
Red cards will be issued to players who confront officials and use insulting and/or offensive language or gestures towards them.
The aim is to “reduce disrespectful conduct such as aggressively challenging decisions or running from distance to confront an official.”
A complete breakdown of the amendments to the laws of the game can be found on FIFA’s website.
Some refs need telling though. We can’t be having the Lee Masons of this world running around being unaccountably awful without players being able to tell them in no uncertain terms to get a grip.
Well, it’s not for the players to do it. Leave it to the fans or their assessors. I can’t stand seeing John Terry and his band of merry men surrounding the ref. Utd used to do it at lot as well, as do Barca.
It gains an unfair advantage and teams like Liverpool, who don’t do it, suffer.
I’ll be glad to see the end of it. Doesn’t set a good example for kids football either. I’m all in favour.
Wow, that’s some food for thought.
My three biggest takeaways:
1) not scoring didn’t trouble me that much. Two words: Iago Aspas. But the movement off the ball and the quickness with which we moved it was very nice to see.
2) anyone who think Lallana, Henderson or Milner are going to be “fringe” players and are for whatever reason looking forward to seeing less of them are going to be sorely disappointed.
3) Sadio Mané looks like a player Klopp could turn into a worldie. But Coutinho is still the crown jewel. He’s a special talent, arguably second only to Neymar in the pecking order for the Seleçao. Klopp called him a genius and I’m inclined to agree. He’s one of those rare players who always has a plan b,c,d and if all else fails he’s got that little something extra to win a game that maybe we otherwise deserve to lose.
Was still up at daft o’clock in the morning but couldn’t be doing with messing about with streams. Obama’s speech was good though.
Nice to hear Fabregas still tackles like a shithouse rat even in friendlies. Nothing if not consistent. Should’ve got Stevie to do a run in and leave one on him with him living in the area.
Thanks dude. It was great watching Reds play in front of us here.
Hey Neil – I thought we loved our lilies gilded?
Great to watch the Reds here with one of my sons. The game was crap, Chelsea parked buses out on the field. So many plastic Chelsea fans here in the States, so sad.
But up the Reds, it was a great night out.
Also, great to have met you Neil while walking past you pre game. If ever you want a guest on the show, let me know!!
Had a great time hanging out my man. YNWA.
Ps: you’re right, Randall needs to go