It is a massive shame because he is versatile still - just not for long periods of time! But great option from the bench for 20-30 minutes for a number of roles needed. But not to worry, we do just fine without him and will probably be a blessing in the end for others to shine
"Since Christmas the Reds have taken 32 points from 12 league games, 10 more than Chelsea have in the same period." Shame we can't start the way we finish...
Yeah, we were much better after the goal. I'm still nervous in the latter stages though. Like I said, I'm satisfied with the result, but I don't think we can bank on getting the right result often enough with that sort of game. I've nailed my colours to the mast long ago, in that I'm much happier when we play a more forward thinking game and less of the containment stuff. There was very little of the pressing in the middle of the park that has brought us results recently, especially in the first half. It was a tricky game and we did well to win, but I don't want to have to sit through too many more like that. Can anyone really say they enjoyed watching that? Too much like watching the Chavs for me.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking to Sky Sports: "I thought we were outstanding in the second half. In the first half we were nowhere near the level we expect. In the first half the 3-4-3 didn't work. We weren't pressing enough, and when we got the ball, we gave it away too cheaply. We changed the structure in the second half by going to a diamond and pushing the sides forward, and we were a lot better. "It doesn't matter what system you play, the attitude and the energy are important. We weren't on it in the first half. But credit to Swansea, they played well. We shortened the pitch a lot better in the second half and started to create problems for them. "There's no doubt Simon Mignolet's back to his best. We needed him in the first half. He's been excellent. Clearly now, you see his confidence, along with the team's."
I'd take that of performance as an exception when playing away against a tricky team.. If we played like that every week then yes, but a performance like that once every 5 games then I can't complain
The next 2 games will really show us where we are in relation to our rivals... United at home and then ARsenal away after the Internationals. As Neville says, I don't think it's winner takes all because United have 2 tricky games after against Chelsea & City as well. I think it's more a must not lose than a must win. A draw against nited & Arsenal might look like 4 points dropped, but it'll also be 2 dropped by two of our rivals as well and if United drop any more in their follow up games then still gives us a chance to overtake them going into the final 5 or 6 fixtures.
Against who though? Might sound strange but I'd prefer 3 points against Arsenal and 0 against United compared to the other way. I see United dropping more points in the following weeks against City & Chelsea than I do Arsenal
Nah, Arsenal. Don't want Utd's tails up! Obviously don't want to lose to either....but if we have to....
Don't agree here. I think it is a must win one. A draw is really not good enough. Of course we'd still be in it but I don't think we can rely on them dropping points when we think they ought to. On yesterday's performance the Mancs could beat City and Arsenal at home (with a dollop of luck!) . I'd prefer it if we had in our hands. And although a draw means we are 2 points behind we are running out of matches.
Player ratings http://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2015/03/match-ratings-swansea-city-v-liverpool/ WELL it’s three points isn’t it? Wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win at this stage of the season. Up the Reds. SIMON MIGNOLET 7 Saved all the balls that were kicked at him. You’ll get some lads moaning about his kicking but, call me old fashioned, I like my goalkeepers to keep clean sheets. EMRE CAN 5.5 Did OK. Used the ball well and got rid when he had to. Made for the position — although his positioning is not always great. MARTIN SKRTEL 7 Doesn’t get enough credit for being in exactly the right position when the opposition cross the ball. No Opta stats for that one. MAMADOU SAKHO 6 Recovered well after some early jitters. Strong mentally. JOE ALLEN 7.5 Man of the match. Some dodgy moments but more good ones than anyone else. Kept the ball when everyone else looked incapable. Gets out of trouble brilliantly. JORDAN HENDERSON 5 Was hogtied a touch by early booking but didn’t pass it well enough. RAHEEM STERLING 5.5 At some point in these contract negotiations the club may ask his agent when his last really good game was. But it wasn’t easy for him tonight. ALBERTO MORENO 5 A little bit unfortunate to be taken off. Looked solid enough and could have been used more when in space. PHILIPPE COUTINHO 6 Didn’t shine but he’s a tough cookie. Did a job for the team. ADAM LALLANA 4 Needs to figure out how he helps Liverpool win football games. DANIEL STURRIDGE 6 Didn’t get a great deal of service. Wasn’t great with what he had. Needs a couple of goals to put the skip in his step. So gutted the clever effort at the end hit the post. SUBSTITUTES: STEVEN GERRARD: Helped change the game. Won some good tackles late on. 6.5 GLEN JOHNSON: Wasn’t on long enough. N/A
