TOUGH one to score to be honest, mates. A game that mattered less than Sky’s Super Sunday this weekend.
Actually thought we started well. We were passing it round nicely and I was wondering when, not if, a goal would come.
But then we fell off a bit, Hazard scored a belter and we weren’t sure what to do. How hard do we attack? How much do we want it?
It felt like a bit but not loads. We did some good winning it back but not loads of committing forward. Some good nicking it but little 50-50 commitment.
It’s understandable really. Glad there were no injuries. Glad we didn’t get beat. Massive shout out to the fellas in the old Main Stand demolishing their seats.
Simon Mignolet 7
Unsure on a couple first half but made some good saves at 1-0
Nathaniel Clyne 7
Sure he’s getting quicker. Had his work cut out with Chelsea on the break but always got back.
Alberto Moreno 7
Has his strengths and weaknesses but it’s amazing how often he wins the ball ahead of his opponent. Charges down like a rugby player, too.
Kolo Toure 7
Shattered by the end, but a warrior.
Dejan Lovren 7
Getting more confident with his long passing. Defending rarely in question now.
Emre Can 6
Great first half, poor second. But you fancy he’s benefitted for the 90 under his belt.
James Milner 6
Got a bit wound up and didn’t want to go off. Bigger nights ahead, Jimmy.
Adam Lallana 5
A few nice turns but it didn’t seem to happen for him when it mattered.
Roberto Firmino ?
Put your own score in you moody bastards.
Philippe Coutinho 6
You sense he’s saving himself for something wonderful. Like when he did that against the Mancs.
Daniel Sturridge 6
Enjoyed him giving it to the Chelsea fans. Enjoyed him kicking shots into the Chelsea fans less. Unlucky not to score second half though.
SUBS
Joe Allen 5
For once he couldn’t get into it.
Christian Benteke 5
Bit mad we brought him on then didn’t cross the ball. Scored when we did.
Sheyi Ojo 6
Getting assists isn’t he?
“Glad there were no injuries. Glad we didn’t get beat.”
Nuff said.
Yep. Once Chelsea settled without us having got the early goal we looked like a team that just didn’t want to get hurt. Nobody did.
It was the most lukewarm game at home to them in years but a loss would have felt a bit snide. I was ok with what I saw. A dress rehearsal for the final in terms of selection but any real tempo was understandably absent.
It’s a strange one… Opinions. Joe Allen 5?
Thought Coutinho had a stinker. Actually thought the only ones who could walk off with heads high were the back 5. Hopefully they all got the cobwebs out of their system tonight.
Crowd – 0.
The crowd was pathetic. We should never allow boos for our own players to be heard on TV.
And the snapping of the Main Stand seats at the full time whistle. Doesn’t exactly get us a goo rep.
Yeah Keith, that’s what we’re all in it for my mate, the good rep.
My main stand season ticket sets me back £870 a season. Plenty round me have had theirs for 10 years +. They’ve spent a small fortune and hours of their lives in those seats. Some of the best moments of our footballing supporting lives on those very slats of wood. They have immense value to us fans, none to the club.
Why shouldn’t we take them?
Because they’re not yours?
Sometimes it’s good to break the rules.
Not sure if you were there, but there was no booing our own players. The only booing came when Chelsea fans let off a flare and put up some sort of John Terry banner (couldn’t see it as they were below us). Hard to expect the crowd to get much more up for a meaningless game against a third-rate side.
Didja see Joe Allen put that curler in to Ojo? Audacity and technique. Nailed-on starter in Basel (not really).
And Benteke once again finds himself at the right place at the right time, yet gets a 5. He’s hit double-digits, mind.
And if you’re giving out 5s, why not Emre Can as the midfielder in front of the back four with an 85% pass completion rate?
Emre is my new hero so leave him alone Walt.
Bit flat wasn’t it? Players fell back into old habits: Lallana holding on too long, failing to shoot and missing passes (apart from that wonderful through ball to Sturridge), Firmino and *that* touch (one of the worst I’ve seen), Can getting caught in possession and Lovren and Coutinho shooting on sight again.
Haven’t seen that for a while at Anfield, Chelsea provided a blueprint of how to defend against us. Bit of a worry that. Only a bit, mind. Big Divvy’d sort that lot out.
Thought we worked hard, but lacked quality at times.
Still can’t decide if firmino is class or shite.
Hope Seville haven’t been watch us recently as coutinho was quietly been playing himself out of form
Good to get a shit performance out of the way. Kids to batter Pulis’ robots on Sunday.
Then the final if we hit the heights there’s only one winner. Come on Red Men.
I thought Lallana played really well,as did Mignolet.Firmino was back to being awful after a great game last week,give him 4.
If anyone snapped the Main Stand seats,good on them,they’ve paid a small fortune to sit in them for years
Mig played really well for a Sunderland goalkeeper. LFC keepers can’t make the mistake he did to almost let their striker in. He could have walked to that ball and still got there first. He’s looking much better overall though to be fair.
Ojo worth more than a 6. Almost scored with his first touch and set up the goal. Always feel like he might do something. Should be on the bench every game.
Deffo one eye on the final last night. Kids on at weekend and on to Basel. Y.N.W.A
Here, this should be helpful:
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2016/05/11/liverpool-vs-chelsea-highlights-full-match/