PROMISING enough stuff from the Reds, albeit it in a type of game that is hard to take too much from. Plenty of lads showed they belonged at that level. A few didn’t. But we knew that already. Anyway. Numbers and words.
Simon Mignolet 7
Has the mad punch, reminiscent of Westerveld on the same ground. But is generally confident coming for things and effective in doing so. Looks hard to beat.
Emre Can 6
Struggled to cope with the best wide men in the league. But found some great space on the front foot, and pushed Liverpool on with confidence. I’d have him practice crossing for the whole of July. East, sleep, cross, repeat.
Glen Johnson 6
Was so non existent for the move that led to the opening goal that I wondered if he had turned up late like a Sunday League player who’d got lost on the way. Then he skins Ivanovic like he isn’t there. Then he dances round midfielders. Then he passes to them. Whatever number I give Glen it always feels wrong. Glad he’s going for that reason alone.
Martin Skrtel 6
Strangely didn’t come up against much, as threats were mainly wide and from deep. Think he was alright though. Again.
Dejan Lovren 6
A lovely recovery tackle when we looked exposed. Looked a bit more steady on the ball too.
Steven Gerrard 10
Just going to give him 10 from now until the end of the season. Don’t @ me. Scored a goal and then skitted the Chelsea fans. Imagine being him.
Jordan Henderson 7
Always finds a way to get in the game, even if he would probably prefer a different balance in the midfield. Another assist. Some good shouting at the ref.
Philippe Coutinho 7
Lovely use of the ball. Might have shoved him further up as the game wore on so he could have more influence. But that is up to the manager. What do I know?
Raheem Sterling 7
Strong, threatening, brave, confident. I’ve turned into Alan Hansen here. He’s every good word though. End product would be much better with a striker who could move. Promise.
Rickie Lambert 5
Yeah soz, Rickie. Got into it a bit more second half. Loses his man for their goal. In between its all a bit frustrating. Hopefully the last time we turn up for a big away game with him up front.
Adam Lallana 6
Quietly enjoyed him when I noticed he was playing.
SUBS
Jerome Sinclair 5
Couldn’t get into it at all. But anything less than five feels mean. Won’t play against the biggest team on earth every week. Honestly it feels like you are playing them aliens in Space Jam sometimes.
Jordon Ibe 6
Does that great thing at the end, and then gets John Terry. Life at the top, mate.
Lucas 6
Made us look a bit more solid.
CHELSEA v LIVERPOOL: Match review
CHELSEA v LIVERPOOL: Post-match ‘The Pink’ show
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Funny photo that. Mignolet’s taller than Gerrard (and I’ve stood next to Gerrard, he’s fucking huge) but he never looks big.
As Can has to stay behind this summer for crossing practice, so does Raheem for shooting/finishing practice.
Once he signs a new deal ofcourse
I thought our team was good today and the ratings show that. Also cant be arsed with anymore games though..only game worth watching now is the CL and EL finals…then the Copa America…then pre season..shit, it never ends
Agreed. His shooting has somewhat regressed to that of a child’s since his belter against Norwich year when we were winning the league and all was right in the world. I know I’m being unfair but he might want to look into that before his agent starts acting the prick again over the summer.
Would have been nice to see Jerome Sinclair get a touch of the ball to see what’s going on with him. And does anybody know where Brad Smith’s up to? (Not taking the piss by the way, genuinely interested.)
Easy for me to say in hindsight – and if the results go the same way, outside of Anfield looks like a fucking airport runway – but with the manager having no interest in his available, senior forwards, it might have been nice to have more of a look at Sinclair and Ibe up there with Sterling and Coutinho over the previous games. Especially if that’s the future and there was nothing to play for in the here and now.
At this point, I’d rather watch a lad who could be stylistically close to Sturridge but too inexperienced to make an impact, than watch a fella who is nothing like Sturridge but has loads of experience struggle to make an impact, because he’s essentially the laminator Chelsea fans used this morning.
I’m gonna be on Lallana’s back and buck the trend to say he was frustrating yesterday
He’s one of those players who looks better than he is, looks silky but end product is average most times. Does the odd thing well and score the odd goal from time to time to keep you interested as a player but never makes a consistent impact to be anything great
Thought we lost the momentum when he came off. Having Coutinho, Sterling and Lallana all able to turn their man and start running at the defense really had them on the back foot. Probably the best striker of the ball in the team at the moment too.
Can anyone explain why BR is persisting with Can at RB/RWB/CM (this is the best I can come up with as a shorthand for his ‘position’ and role)?
Also, Lucas for Stevie was, as the match rating and short description above suggest, tactical. It had zero to do with the, well, less than intelligent and thoughtful rationale BR gave the media post-match.
I can only imagine that Manquillo being the only right back on loan could have some clause that says we have to pay Atletico after x amount of appearrances, that’s why he’s gotten frozen
Otherwise it makes no sense. Can needs a proper position to develop as a player, right back isn’t it
Unless I am missing something obvious, would not Johnson RB and Moreno LB work? The proposed explanation for Manquillo not being used sounds promising, by the way.
Makes it all the stranger when all of Emre Can’s previous games at full back was at left back, and Johnson’s a right back. Makes no sense
Well we are a bit stuck with Manquillo if we’ve hit his target of game numbers as he’s on a 2 year loan ffs!
It isnt anything to do with financials methinks
With the season gone it’s clear that Rodgers has made the season finale all about Steven. A couple of winners for a team that’s been carrying him. Thanks i guess.
No need for Lucas to stick around, unfortunate injury when he picked up pace but it’s clear he counts for nothing. Who really needs a defensive midfielder anyway. Brendan sure as hell don’t. See you somewhere around Italy mate. CIAO!
Sinclair got his debut, good for him but only goes to show our problems and the manager’s total lack of confidence in senior players available. Must win game. Have a good one son.
Speaking of young blood, any rightback within the club? Since Manquillo has hit the freezer and Glen has become a left”back”.
So the pressure is on this summer, get it right and we’re on the move. Keep doing what we’ve been doing and there’s no need to wake me up.
Give the manager what he needs to prove his worth, if we can’t do that i’m afraid we’re just pushing a dead manager ahead of us.
So…..no matter what, get this summer right.
This must be the first ever case of a team “carrying” it’s top scorer. I’d love to know how that works.
Well it’s just my opinion that we look a lot better as a team without Steven in it, and we have been for the better part of the season.
I’m not denying his qualities on the ball which still is fantastic but he’s no longer suited for our style of play. Simply to slow.
With him in the team we’re giving up solidity in defense which Lucas gives you or we lose our pressing and mobility if he pushes Allen or Hendo out…