BR was showing support for MM by not trying to trounce them Just think it was a combination of us taking foot of pedal and them trying for their manager. If we can save something for next two games it good for us, my main worry is our last two games have not challenged the team, this may not be of help against Chavs and Citeh as the standard of game is going to increase, and we may be a tad too confident.
No need us straining too much against them, for Mackay's sake and our own in getting injuries. Flannagan got a knock so was immediately subbed and ice packed
It was good for Kelly and Agger to get some time on the pitch we're going to need the whole squad and they are going to have to get time on the pitch.
Time to do the customary clichéd player ratings.. Mignolet: 7 - Didn't really have much to do, made a decent save at the beginning and a few wonky kicks after that, and of course picked the ball out of the net. Johnson: 4 - Worried, he's gone so downhill so fast, from our most consistent to our worst.. Can't pass, can't shoot, can't defend currently. Needs to improve. Skrtel: 7 - Defended well considering all of the set pieces and crosses, shirt tugging was a bit cringe but most defenders do it. He needs to cut down, mind. Sahko: 8 - Immense, every pass he looks so assured, nothing passes him and absolute beast in the air. Potential to be world class. Flanagan: 7 - Solid performance. Unlucky not to score but he looked nervy at first but settled in to the game. Lucas: 6 - Provided a decent shield for our back four as you'd expect, thought he looked very rusty today but 6 might be a tad harsh. Allen: 7 - Purely for his first half performance, second left a lot to be desired but I'm glad he's starting to find some form Henderson: 8 - 2 assists and the through ball for the second, everything he done he done with confidence, seriously starting to find his feet now. Coutinho 7: - Gave us a great platform to build our attacks around, but he needs to stop trying so hard for a goal Suarez: 8 - Was quiet up until the 2 moments of genius, both cracking finishes and he was unlucky not to get a hat-trick
Fair enough on the ratings other than Lucas who since Gerrard got injured he's looking very good again, breaks up play well and looks for forward passes. This formation suits us with Lucas as the only deep player and Allen and Hendo going box to box. I have been very pro Gerrard this season and I still think he has played well. I have to say though that if he was available at the moment I wouldn't want to change the formation and don't think he could put the work in playing in the 4-3-3 so he would have to be on the bench. I feel sad saying that but this formation works we should not change to get him on the pitch, there will come times when the formation needs changing and he's one hell of a sub. Having him available if we are losing and someone not playing well is also a great thing.
Glad you're starting to see the light Seriously though, you know I've praised Gerrard for his offensive game and that I only have a problem with the "turning their back" thing which Gerrard does a lot IMO (although not as much this season). Assuming our form doesn't drop, I agree that he shouldn't just get back in the team, same goes for Sturridge IMO. Every player, no matter who they are or what position (ie captain or vice-captain) they hold, they should earn the right to put the shirt on. Sturridge and Gerrard have been unlucky to find themselves out of the team through injury but that's just the way the cookie crumbles and they have to work hard and wait for their opportunity IMO. PS...don't think others that have criticised Gerrard don't feel said. It is always emotional to see a club legend reaching their twilight. Gerrard is arguably the greatest player the club has had so its bound to be hard.
Apart from a 20 min period in the second half, were they went direct/long balls and had a few set pieces, we were superb, esp. in the first half. I'm gonna have to start studying the dictionary because with my limited vocab I'm running out of words to describe his brilliance. Hendo, you keep doing what you're doing fella! Sahko is getting better each game. Spearing is proving a more than vital addition to the squad. Allen was supeb in the first half but frustrating in the second, still, he's not had that much game time of late. Flano is continuing to prove me wrong, long may he do so. Ford was a bit in and out, not his best game, would like to have seen Alberto get some game time, had we got a 4th early in the second half that may have been a possibility. Just the small matter of City now, a defeat by less than 3 goals will be a bonus
I think we'll give them a good game, we always seem to do so, but I think they'll edge it by the odd goal or 4
I hope we go there to play. Keep the same system and personal, let Lucas, Henderson and Allen do the running to win the midfield battle and let Coutinho and Suarez do the rest. #anythingisabonus
Their home record has to come to an end sometime, surely? So why not us... If and it's a big IF, we can get 4 points from the next two games then we may (whisper it quietly) be in the hunt. Would have been over half the season played and everyone bar United will have to come to Anfield #positivementalthinking
Flip things around and do you reckon City will be looking at the prospect of us coming as a guaranteed 3 points? Not at all, but on the back of four straight wins scoring 17 goals and the pure fact they have Zabaleta and Aguero out we should be confident. Like G said, let Lucas, Allen and Henderson do the running and get the ball to either Coutinho and Suarez when you get the chance.. If anything the last few games have proven this City defence can be got at.
you fecking real scouse , 2 pens turned down for Cardiff and only Swalas saved the game for you ....................whats it like to see real fans not plastic
If Man City were coming to us we'd expect the points so I don't see why they wouldn't. Far from guaranteed in either scenario though
Two pens for what? What every CB in the league does at set pieces? Shirt pulling is nothing new. No ref has the bollocks to call a foul on it because it's too tough to spot and it will cause them problems in the long run. So, they let it slide knowing that all teams do it.
Very harsh on Lucas. Didn't do anything wrong, went unnoticed in this game but that was mainly because he kept it simple and didn't really need to break up play an awful lot because we dominated possession. Henderson would get a 9 for me, thought he was MOTM with pretty much all 3 assists as well as his all round play. And I thought Sterling at least deserved a mention
