Maybe Mayuka's amazing cameo (not) against WBA is what is keeping him on the bench!!! Not understanding this Mayuka love TBH.
I was calling for Mayuka a few weeks ago because I like what I've seen and was somewhat down on Puncheon but Puncheon has been pretty good over the last few games. Puncheon was not so great today, but then no one was. Saints didn't have the ball enough for him to do his stuff. I can't see all the complaints about Mayuka not playing. I realize that Jay Rodriguez didn't exactly cover himself in glory the first two or three games but he is a promising young talent himself. Jay Rodriguez didn't get the chance to do much. He made a really nice move to beat his man that led to somewhat promising attack then made a horrible pass to give away possession. So it kind of evened out. He showed a bit of promise and also maybe why he isn't a starter. Don't think it would have been any different with Mayuka. I still feel like Mayuka should get a chance at some point but really it wasn't that big a deal, IMO. We're talking about 15 minutes in a game where Saints hardly had the ball and by the time the sub was made the entire team was so gassed they were hardly capable of mounting an offensive challenge so can't see how it would have impacted the outcome.
Watched MoD and apart from those efforts by Lambo, couldn't form much of an opinion from it, needs more input from those that went.
From what I heard on the radio and saw on MotD we were lucky to get away losing one-nil. Still didn't have this one down as a game we'd get much from and we've got a run of teams we can beat til end of December so time to get some points on the table.
Didnt see it live or listen on the radio this week, but just watched the Sky hour long extended highlights recorded from last night. Sunday morning would appear to be the perfect time to watch the game as we (both Saints & I) looked completely devoid of energy and were well off the pace. Adkins says the players were rested and the midweek game didnt affect them? Sadly i dont believe it from what i just saw. Luckily Liverpool were pants in front of goal to keep the score respectable, but its a shame as this is one game against a big club where I thought we could compete.
Think we would all have taken a one goal defeat a couple of weeks ago. That's only 4 conceded in our last 5. Huge improvement at the back!
Yeah but 3 of those goals were the goalkeeper's fault. We have lost 4 points by shooting ourselves in the feet. Still improvement needed.
I went to the game and Liverpool deserved to win by two or three. None of our players were great, Morgan and Gaston were good at times. Luke Shaw showed his inexperience, which isnt a shock considering his age and the fact it was Liverpool away. Nothing to be too worried about, just need to focus on Reading and Sunderland.
He was otherworldly in the African Cup of Nations, which many of us saw, against very good competition; the talent is there, if we can work him into the squad.
We were outplayed and lost 1.0 against a good side...not a bad result. Liverpool are in a false position...they are still a top side. It's points dropped against lower sides that are really disappointing and that bad result against Arsenal that makes our GD pants (could yet be important). However, we are picking things up and are still in touch with teams above us...we aren't adrift. Next few games will be really important, but even these are not season definers as long as several teams remain in the mix. We just have to make sure we don't end up in 3 or 4 teams adrift near the end of the season. I have faith in Adkins and the team that we will be okay.
I think Goals on Sunday was a slightly better representation of the same than MOTD (which I got home in time to watch in full, with literally two minutes to spare!). Liverpool had a few more chances, and were even more dominant, than it came across of MOTD. I agree with the tiredness arguement, and I really am surprised that we played the same XI all three games this week. There were a few who didn't quite seem at their best vs Norwich and apart from maybe Clyne and Fonte, I don't think anyone was at their best yesterday. However, I don't put it just down to tiredness. Sometimes you just have to accept that the opposition are better than you, and Liverpool retained the ball well, used the full width of the flanks well, and generally closed us down and won the ball back quickly and strongly. That said, for all their dominance, they didn't really test Gazzaniga. And I wouldn't be surprised if that's been a regular theme for them at Anfield in the past 18 - 24 months. Suarez aside, they really are lacking a presence in and around the penalty box. Shelvey should not be playing for a club like Liverpool, especially in such an advanced role. Onwards and upwards. Yesterday was never an important game. Newcastle and Norwich were, and Reading and Sunderland are. Liverpool was just a free hit in between.
They plaed the same way against Spurs, created alot of chances but failed to score as Saurez creates alot chances but they simply do not get bodies in the box. We could of and maybe should have lost by 3
Unfortunately, chance-wise from us, that was basically it. Ramirez and Shaw both had hopeful efforts from outside the box which went high into the stands, and Puncheon had a drive comfortably blocked out for a corner. I can't recall anything else.
Liverpool had the best midfield that we have played against so far,Allen and Gerrard do not give the ball away cheaply as we did and play it quickly to the wide men, unlucky to face Lucas after his layoff, I thought before the game that Stirling was all hype- but the kid can really play and was a constant threat whilst Shelvy provided energy. Also if our widemen do not push thier full backs backwards then the fullbacks will just sit like two extra midfielders and double up on our fullbacks, I thought Clyne and Shaw coped well this. When we finally made a couple of subs then we found some energy but by then it was too late
How can you judge Mayuka?, he has had hardly any game time. Add the fact he has to adapt to the different style of football as well, it is clear he can not ne judged yet.
Tiredness was a massive factor, Cork and Morgan found it hard keeping up with Gerrard and that's saying something. They looked knackered which isn't surprising given the distance they travel during the games. It was so bad Gaston had to track right near our penalty area to try and start off a attack. Puncheon was also knackered and was so tired his play reminded me of when of the time when he was being a dick. I would have changed it up a bit and started Davis, Prowse and Mayuka.
We lost to a better team yesterday, Liverpools midfield and defence were very good. Good job their attack was not firing or we could have had a heavy defeat with even more goals against. Liverpool was very welcoming as always both as a club and a city. Great in the Arkels pub before the ground with both sets of fans mixing in the side bar and at Anfield they do put a bit into welcoming the away fans. After the game when most people had gone we were waiting outside the gates for Liverpool supporting friends when Jack Cork came out to meet family/friends and we had a little chat with him - not his best game for us yesterday but he was a really nice lad to speak to and thanked us for our support & promosed a better performance against Reading. Rickie also came out and we gave him a pat of the back and he said ' Thanks lads ' as he went off with family. Kelvin then came out to speak to some chap and we had a quick hello with him, great bloke as always with Saints supporters - wanted to tell him to get back in goal next w/e but didnt like to as that's Nigels job ! ! We were talking to some Liverpool fans there and they said that they were gobsmacked that the Saints players made time for a conversation with us as the Liverpool players never give their fans the time of day ! Paulo Gazza couldnt do anything about Aggers header, but his kicking was dreadful yesterday - he kicked the ball stright into touch about 3 times on the trot and Liverpool were getting way too possession as it was. Got to be Kelvin in goal for Reading IMO and see how he goes. Our Scouse friends obviously had the bragging rights over us last night but i do love that city.
