A FRUSTRATING afternoon. It was good to see us at least creating chances, but still not enough of them and certainly not enough going in the net. Norwich are fortunate to leave with a point, but they could have won all three. Which, if you consider they showed little with the ball and not a huge amount at the back, is pretty worrying. Anyway.
Simon Mignolet 4: Hard to score him any higher when he was found wanting when we needed him. Also tried to blame Alby Moreno when he kicked one out of play. The Kop was keen to put him straight on that one.
Emre Can 7: Still think its his best position. More a case of how long he is willing to play there for, and how long the manager plays this system.
Martin Skrtel 6: Think he looks happier in a three. Handled Jerome pretty well.
Mamadou Sakho 7: Impeccable first half, but it isn’t a great clearance in the lead up to the goal, and not great for their big chance to win either. Very popular with the crowd. And there isn’t many of them.
Nathaniel Clyne 6: Steady rather than spectacular. Needs to offer a bit more going forward in these fixtures.
Alberto Moreno 8: I thought it was his best game for Liverpool so far. Terrific for the Ings goal and dangerous throughout. Looks a new player.
Lucas 6.5: Did pretty well. Tried to be ambitious with his passing and was snapping at their heels.
James Milner 4: Don’t think Lucas is the ideal partner for him, but looked well off the pace. Took the worst pair of corners back to back I’ve seen in my life. And I’ve seen some dreadful corners at Anfield.
Phil Coutinho 6: Was quiet but tidy in the first half. Grew into it second half before missing that chance. Then his head fell off. Which was unfortunate.
Daniel Sturridge 6: Touch is still magnificent. Still the coolest lad in L4. The rest will come over the next few weeks. Should have won a penalty with some quick feet.
Christian Benteke 5: Struggled to get into it. Was probably injured from the start.
SUBS
Danny Ings 8: Was made up for him. He was made up for himself. Loads of running. Loads of claps at the end. Let’s see more of him, please.
Adam Lallana 5: Ran around a bit. Didn’t seem entirely sure of his role.
Roberto Firmino 6: Probably his brightest cameo so far. Was pleased he did some shouting when he didn’t get a pass.
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Nice to get in before the #Rodgersout frothers.
For me the most disappointing thing about today was Milner. What happened to “guaranteed a 7/10 every week”?
Otherwise a decent performance. Shame about the result though.
Clearly a player who wasn’t used to playing week in week out
Yeah for a player of his standing his final ball was absolutely terrible. Made me appreciate how good Henderson has become in this regard. Hope it is a momentary drop in form.
Sakho did a great impression of a crab put on its back just before their goal.
Sakho, Moreno decent. Ings great.
The rest – well, if you had just landed on earth you’d be hard pressed to pick out the ‘big players’ / ‘big team’.
Although DHendrick is incredibly negative about LFC i find
it hard to disagree about Milner – long expensive contract,
lads what were ye thinking?
Agree on Milner, though the fact that Dendrick would ideally like to build a midfield around Victor Wanyama suggests that he maybe isn’t the most credible voice on this
maybe the idea of milner is better than the reality, another lad who likes running about.
Never a pen on sturridge in a million years.
Agreed that Moreno was great today. In the first half he was often in acres of space and never got the ball. He was shouting for it. Waving. Screaming. He could have got more than an 8 if the team helped him out.
Too many pass backs and sideways passes. More giving it Moreno, please.
I know it’s just a lark, but if you are a centre-half and not great for the goal you concede and entirely at fault for the opposition’s big chance to win, I’m not sure you deserve a 7. I’m pretty sure that performance wouldn’t get Lovren a 7.
But like I say, who gives an actual fuck either way?
I did think Firmino looked more like the player we thought we’d bought when he came on.
Moreno hands down MotM.
I just watched back the replay and I am not sure what Sakho could have done for the goal. Mingolet just needs to get that punch away other wise you run the risk of them popping it back in the net as they did. True if Lovren had given the ball away cheaply and then slid around on his arse for 30 seconds like Sakho did for their big chance he would have been hung drawn and quartered, but other than that I think Sakho made a big impression on the game. Not sure what Can did to earn a 7 though, could have done a lot better tracking Jarvis for their chance in my opinion.
Meanwhile Skrtle still hauling players to the ground at set pieces.
Disagree. Sakho was involved in the move that gained them a corner, but somehow blaming him by extension for their goal is ludicrous. Also, while he doesn’t look great for their other chance, Lucas is very slow to respond and help which let’s them get an easy cross in. Other than that he was absolutely imperious and dominated every single situation, and not just routine one either. His passing has been seriously missed too. My MOTM and pissed on every performance I’ve ever seen from Lovren.
He was very good but for some bizarre reason always has 5 minutes of madness in him. Seems to happen in every game, 5 minutes were he loses his head completely. He needs to eradicate that from his game. No comparison to Lovren though: his madness doesn’t result in goals as a rule and it isn’t result of misplaced confidence and poor positioning. Even if were all to agree that both Lovren and Sakho’s main failing is concentration (each have 5 minutes of madness in them), most sensible observers would not that Sakho brings far greater qualities in the remaining 85 minutes: he wins his headers and tackles and his passing is more effective. Lovren flatters to deceive: he looks much better than he is, Sakho is the opposite.
result was not there. but i am quite pleased with the effort by the group. (give BR a bit more time.and he will fix it, i am sure).
BALL Sizes for tonight:
~ Moreno and Ings: biggest balls
~ Lucas, Sakho: above average balls
~ the rest: average balls
~ Milner n Mignolet: pathetic peanut size balls.
(possibly worst disply by Liverpool captain by miles);
Ings’ performance showed that he is giving 100% for the fans and for the badge. well done Denny boy. we fans appreciate your effort.
I think Milner is trying too hard, probably been told to put himself about to set an example for the team.
It could be I imagined it but in the window of time before they equalized he seemed a bit more normal (this would fit with the theory of thinking he has to set the tone). (Also when he was vice-captain but again could be imagination).
I don’t profess to be an expert with what players are doing off the ball or quietly behind the scenes but with the ball his touch and passing and shooting was heavy.
Just like Lovren can be put on the bench if not performing well and a better player is available. So too hopefully BR will do this with Milner if this sort of situation continues (but a bit tricky when he’s the captain).
(Perhaps they should make someone else captain till Henderson comes back and put Milner back as vice-captain so he calms down).
Fuck me, not one BR out comment thus far. Love it!!! C’mon lets go on a run.
Lucas 6.5 abit harsh was easy 8 his contribution for first goal not mentioned yet some how gets blamed for the headless Milner who in your Rodgers manner has only took you 5 games to realise hes been shit since he came never been central midfield player that said the rest your scores not bad
Way to much has always been expected from Milner, especially for England. Talk about the shovel man following the horse and cart. Think of all the dingbat coaches he has had to listen to, seems Mancini and Pellegrini knew when and where to use him. However, this future England manager of ours thinks he is the dogs bollocks. If he had been pulled at half time and Firmino installed, Lucas could have stayed a little longer as he was definitely more of an asset. The point Neal A made of Sahko standing on the ball when Sturridge was still on the pitch sums it up. It was as if with the exception of a few, they could not wait for the game to be over.
It’s immaterial now as we’ll never know but Milner may have been better if that alien twat hadn’t booked him in the 3rd minute. Never easy getting booked that early though it doesn’t excuse shit corners and not making simple passes.
My thoughts exactly.
Quite surprised to not see a single comment related to the manager yet!!
Sturridge was critical even though he was not as sharp as we know he can be. The fact that the balls hit to our forward line were actually being retained higher up the pitch allowed us to show some cohesion for the first time this season.
While Benteke has managed to win the first ball quite often so far we have still not works out How to retain the balls hit up to him nor has he worked out how to link up with others behind him yet.
Moreno and Ings were fantastic. Hopefully we continue to show the cohesion and combine that with some finishing in the coming games.
True, RC, all the more reason to make a change. I recall he was visibly shaken by that early card, the tv showed him cursing to himself.
Time to get that clown Bodgers out…nah, just kidding. We’re 4 points off 4th place with 32 games to play. We look a completely different side with Sturridge. Much more fluid, more spaces opening up, more lads backing themselves. More of that, please.
But, realistically, things need to click very quickly. We can’t afford to keep dropping points against the bottom 14. Rodgers needs to keep us within touching distance of the CL spots by the time the first Man City game arrives. If we can do that, the fixture list gets significantly more agreeable for the next 14 games.
My hope is that by the time we roll onto the Etihad, the new players and Sturridge have all clicked into place. Today felt like a step towards that, albeit two steps short of what was required.
Henderson can’t come back soon enough.
The passion is ebbing. I think the idea with Brendan now is that if we just ignore him he’ll go away, perhaps in the same manner as a Cheshire cat.
1-1 at home to Norwich. 13th in the table. Fully fledged mediocre now. I think they call it a ‘slow decline’.
Unbelievable. Three years and this is all rodgers has in his locker? We cannot score, or if we do we are limited to one, the only consistent factor we can rely on is the opposition WILL score. Meanwhile martial leads united to a 3-2 comeback win. WTF. FSG RODERS all need to exit asap.
Martial is making an absolute mockery of players needing to “settle” garbage. All this settling in stuff only happens at LFC. We are so far from being an elite club we actually believe this is normal.
Calm down, he has played two games. Give the defenses some time to work him out and get back to us in the new year..
New year eh? and where do you suppose LFC and mufc will be seated in the table at the point in time? I bet it will be a two horse race by them between the two manc clubs and maybe ars hanging on. We will be where we are right now with rodgers claiming we are only 10 points off fourth and where we want to be. WHERE WE WANT TO BE, and where we are….REALITY AND DREAMS are mutually exclusive for LIVERPOOL FANS
Well at least I can watch motd2 tonight. What fuker do they have on it? Lawro :/
Imagine that I’m looking forward to being able to watch this week’s football because we drew with the mighty Norwich. Ahh to be a Liverpool supporter…
Cannot blame the manager for this result.
He played the team everyone has been screaming for, two up front, Sakho instead of Lovren.
Not winning 100% down to the players and the finishing.
As for the pricks who booed at the end, they can stay away from Anfield for a long time!
The real problem is not the so called “pricks” fans but FSG. Its called trickle down baby.John W has lost interest in his pet project and this is now engulfing the whole club. Remember at the beginning how involved (well as involved as Henry could be in soccer) he was? Remember his excellent tweets about arsenal and Suarez “whatcha smokin…”? Thats when john actually had SOME little passion for LFC. However, he has become frustrated and disillusioned with how soccer is run, namely FFP. American sport is super-regulated, EPL is like wild west, and thus Henry is beginning to realize money ball model cannot work here. EPL is now ruled by moneybags and the guy or state owned club with the deepest pockets will rule. Sure you will have the likes of Norwich etc every season punching above their wieght and media trying to say its a level playing field when its not. when was the last time Norwich won the league? or when was the last time a club like anderlehct or Ajax or steaua appeared in a CL final or thereabouts? not for about 30 years now. So, John is now losing interest. That’s why he has let rodgers remain and Liverpool are thus backsliding after all their early promise when FSG took over. The vision is long gone. Rodgers is hanging on for one last payday but his body language says it all, he too has given up. The only way forward now for LFC is new start with new owners and new management. All this from a guy who was and remains a huge fsg and rodgers fan. Unfortunately neither of them will take THIS club where it needs to be.
I think the fans do have a big part to play in this. The silence of Anfield was highlighted on MOTD tonight, and it’s the same every week – getting ripped by oppo fans. The groaning, no singing anymore, all we seem to do is clap when someone does something even remotely decent with a football and harangue when they don’t. Anfield used to instill fear to every opposition that walked out onto it’s turf – nowadays it’s having the same effect on the players in Red. This is not supposed to be and the (majority of) people lucky enough to be in the ground every other week need to have a long hard look at themselves because they are causing a crisis of confidence. We don’t struggle to create chances, we struggle to put them away – imagine being the striker on the end of a chance, predicting the chorus of shite you’ll receive if you don’t slot it away? Pressure.
Hear hear. The lack of support is shocking
The one player I really thought looked extremely nervous going forward was Clyne not sure why all of a sudden. It’s a shame because then we could have had penetration down the right as well as the left. Maybe Ibe could’ve come on…not sure.
agreed. home games, Ibe would be a much better choice for wing back role. he can unlock the packed defense with his speed and skill. Clyne is a more full back, suited to flat 4 formation.
A manager should not have to be told his best players and positions they play.
Its been since last year. Maybe no one was available the summer. Maybe we bought for the system n we get the new guy come Christmas. No way Rodgers can turn this around. Impossible job is the Liverpool one.
18 points from 45, that’s the reality. About time you took the red pill me thinks.
In the last 20 games we have only scored more than 2 goals twice. For an attacking manager that’s shocking.
At last someone has mentioned Sakho’s faffing about in the lead up to their goal.
What this team needs is a manager that doesn’t accept mediocrity. A manager with exceptionally high standards who will push these boys to the next level.
The 2nd place season I think nearly killed Rodgers. Instead of using it as a catalyst for another title push he just lost his head.
There are things I can’t forgive him for. The 2nd string team away to Real Madrid was unacceptable. When has any team in Europe done that? Biggest away game for Liverpool and Borini leads the line.
I’m sick of seeing ‘positives’ in a 1-1 draw at home to Norwich. Or an emphatic 0-0 draw at Arsenal (who had two poor centre backs starting).
Rodgers’ is starting to accept mediocrity and it’s starting to rub off onto fans.
Unfortunately the manger is going nowhere.
If 4 wins in 18 league games isn’t enough to get FSG on the phone, nothing will short of BR damaging the brand will trigger the boot up the bottom. Rodgers is going to have to punch a black baby while wearing a white pointy hat before Henry bothers to check in with his UK investment.