The morning after Liverpool 1 Wolverhampton 2 John Gibbons is joined by Ian Ryan, Tim Smith and Craig Hannan to analyse where it went wrong for The Reds. We look team selection, approach, squad depth, form and why someone in a red shirt won’t put a tackle in.
We also look ahead to a massive Premier League game against Chelsea and what fans, manager and players can do to turn Liverpool’s season around
Ian is @ian1892t
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Direct: The Anfield Wrap – Groundhog Day
Where’s the pod on the Taw player feed? Been waiting answers for it to show.
It’s not just the fact that we allowed them to steal 15 yards on the free-kick. The cross was perfect for the keeper to not only get there and punch it, but also to really hurt Stearman in the process. Knee in the ribcage, forearm on the nose, all a split second after the ball is punched 30 yards upfield. ‘Sorry ref, it was just momentum, had to come for that.’. A good keeper, with a bit of devil in him, would have recognised that as a hospital pass. It’s not just us who struggle to find these anymore. Let’s just say that the great Schumacher wouldn’t have stayed on his line there! I don’t think any keeper from that era would have.
Despite all of the changes to the game, a goalkeeper is still able to basically commit GBH in situations like this. We’ve had far more problems dealing with crosses than any other top-flight club, ever since David James became first choice. Since then, we have generally given the #1 shirt to talented keepers who lacked the testosterone required to frighten opposing players in situations where they would have to put themselves in physical danger – so these players happily put themselves in these spots and reap the rewards.
I was disappointed that Friedel wasn’t given more opportunities to establish himself, when we signed him. On the few occasions that he was given a chance, he wasn’t great but he was the sort of keeper we needed. He had a bit of bite to him and I was not surprised to see him do well after he left us.
The Spurs game in Jan 2010 was the first I took my son to Anfield for a game. It was cold, but great.