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Joined August 2014
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Fanatical Liverpool Fan, releasing my everyday thoughts and opinions on sport for others to comment, debate and review.
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So the mighty Reds have come unstuck at Etihad Stadium, once again falling short while attempting to tame the big blue monster on their…
Liverpool's first away fixture of the 2014/15 Premier League season sees them travel to Manchester to meet title holders Manchester City. Both sides collected…
Jim I do agree with your point regarding comparisons to last season however the major talking point for Liverpool fans at this point of time seems to be how will Liverpool perform this season in comparison to last season, especially given the departure of Suarez and the general hysteria created by the title challenge that we mounted. I think in all sport the previous seasons results is irrelevant to current form however as I was pointing out the positives of the defeat to City it was hard not to highlight last season’s result.
I was disappointed as a Liverpool fan with the result and the display post the opening Jovetic goal, bar the last 10 minutes. Again this article was directed at the positives as opposed to the negatives.
Fernando for me is all class, I actually thought he was more impressive when we played you lot in pre-season, it was interesting to see Pellegrini play him and Fernandinho behind Toure towards then end of the match.
On Rodgers, he is fantastic at portraying a positive image to the media and fans taking the heat away from his players who have 1. performed poorly or 2. not executed the game plan. I would say behind closed doors that his thoughts are not hidden from the playing group. For me it is the mark of a good man-manager who protects his players of as much criticism as he can and keeps the dirty laundry in house.
Liverpool versus Manchester City: The glass-half-full review
Big Losers in Liverpool may well be true for the fixture just played however we lost away to City, Chelsea and Arsenal last season and still managed to finish 2 points shy of City and ahead of Chelsea. This result won’t make the season as showed last time around…if we go down to Spurs this weekend then I would cop the Big Loser tag.
Much like the comment above Sunderland beat United at Old Trafford last season….same outcome for the Reds at The Etihad.
Winners and losers - EPL Matchday Two
I agree with Oliver, Liverpool are not Tottenham and even in defeat at City played the same effective football seen last season. QPR are bound for relegation alongside Burnley and Palace for me. QPR were horrible at White Hart Lane and unconvincing at home against Hull where as Leicester were admirable away to Chelsea, should of lead with Nugent clear on goal, and deserved the point at home to Everton.
After watching City so closely against the Reds I have to go with them as Champions so agree with you there, my gut feeling is Chelsea will run 2nd with Liverpool 3rd and Arsenal 4th.
The late, but not too late, EPL prediction guide
Must of been terrible for Sturridge, Sterling, Toure, Sahko, Moses, Ibe among others to put up with the Suarez and his racist antics.
How to solve a problem like Mario
Brendan Rodgers has form around turning individuals with troubled egos into polished diamonds. As you rightly pointed out his transformation of Raheem Sterling, who has had his well documented run ins with the law, into a mature and well-grounded individual has been the highlight. I believe Rodgers wont have to work too much around Balotelli’s behavior, my point being that Balotelli seems to have taken the initial steps himself by returning to a community, the premier league, that was so troublesome for him on his first encounter and for a quite substantial drop in wages. Yes if Balotelli performs to a certain level he will recoup those earnings and more however that for me highlights the motivation Balotelli has to prove the doubters wrong! And with the guidance of Rodgers – the sky is the limit for SUPER MARIO.
How to solve a problem like Mario
Apologies for the mistake – David Silva, not Dzeko, scored the opener for city against the toon.
Liverpool FC vs Manchester City preview
Your article represents the million dollar question, is Balotelli the right fit for Rodgers?
My thoughts are that you can count the mistakes made by Rodgers since
Arriving on the one hand, in Brendan we trust! I honestly believe that if/when Balotelli arrives that it will represent fantastic business for Liverpool and will ensure at minimum we hold our champions league position and hopefully add the depth required for a trophy this campaign – pending 1 more arrival in midfield mind you!
Balotelli: Is Rodgers signing Jekyll or Hyde?
Unfortunately deal was not done in time for City…Should be good to go against Spurs though.
Liverpool FC vs Manchester City preview
JB – I think you can see my point regarding the Rojo signing, obviously he will be seen as someone that can come in and strengthen that area. However for me I can’t see him being what, in my opinion, United need and that is a seasoned dominant center-half. As a Liverpool fan I am always watching closely the additions and squad movements of rivals and given that Liverpool were linked with Rojo earlier, until going with Alberto Moreno, in the summer I watched him very closely at the World Cup etc. For me he is a full back who can operate in the middle of the park when needed, obviously when Shaw is fit he will be deployed on the left hand side of the 5 man defensive unit that LVG wants to deploy. Rafael/Valencia – Smalling/Evans – Jones – Rojo – Shaw still looks very shaky for me, the answer to your question around improvement would be to not only sign Rojo but also bring another CB who can “lead” the defensive unit, who that is I am not sure however I am ecstatic that we signed Lovren to assist in this area.
Manchester United sign Argentine defender Marcos Rojo
Great article and I can not agree more regarding Rodgers ability to control the ego of Balotelli.
My only concern is will Balotelli, given his ego, be willing to work across a front 3 as we saw last with Suarez, Sturridge & Sterling interchanging and creating all sorts of issues of opposing defensive units??
Liverpool must sign Super Mario
Very true in regards to Jones & Smalling in the air, and to an extent Evans when fit. I suppose my argument around this signing is who plays the dominant center half out of Jones, Smalling, Evans, Blackett or Rojo?? Not having a Ferdinand or Vidic type leader at the back signals disaster in my mind – hence the Sigurdsson winner on the weekend, Young was terribly out of position and lacked direction. If you look at where Liverpool struggled last year it was a defensive organizer, so Rodgers brings in Lovren to improve that area.
I am sure Rojo will be a good acquisition for United, from what we saw in Brazil and also for Sporting last season, however if another Center Half doesn’t come in this window regardless of what happens up front or in midfield united wont finish in the top 4.
Manchester United sign Argentine defender Marcos Rojo
Good News for AUS, agree that he would be behind Shaw for England. Interesting reading comments when Smith was called into England U/21 squad around his desire to represent the Three Lions etc etc. Lets hope Ange can get the best out of him!
Mustafa Amini: Australia's ignored rising star
Regardless of how Brad Smith develops at Liverpool, I believe he has committed to England over Australia.
I agree with Midfielder – I expect Amini to feature against Belgium and/or Saudi Arabia, he has much time to develop into a class act.
Mustafa Amini: Australia's ignored rising star
Such a strange signing for me considering the arrival of Luke Shaw. Warranted Rojo is a good addition for LVG however surely a more commanding center half would of been a priority. Jones, Smalling, Rojo still has me licking my lips with anticipation to face the Red Devils. Mats Hummels was obviously rumored however he seems to be anchored to Dortmund this season, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Ron Vlaar after his performance in Brazil come in and add the ‘general’ type at the back. Rojo for me wont add any danger to the set piece that is missing since Vidic’s departure to Italy.
Manchester United sign Argentine defender Marcos Rojo
That is such poor judgement of McKenzie. Nothing like Robbie Deans.
The Wallabies don't need a 10, they need a general
Agree that Southampton dominated play and possession but only during the 2nd half. Their first half performance was very timid and Liverpool should of created more chances with the amount of ball they had and potentially killed off the fixture. Credit to Koeman his tactics in the 2nd half were spot on and the Reds were lucky to get away with the 3 points.
EPL opening weekend: 10 things we learned
Have to agree with Will. Need an extra striker in the squad, a proven goal scorer at an elite level. Falcao seems to be a pipe dream however.
2014/15 EPL season preview: Liverpool FC
Agree Jason however if Sturridge were to get injured I worry where that leaves us? Must sign a striker before the window shuts for this reason. Top 4 has to be achieved this season!
Liverpool can win without Suarez
Ethan – you know me well enough to know I wouldn’t blame that first goal on just lack of urgency. 100% correct about the defensive unit not pushing out after initial clearance, also why wasn’t Martin Skrtel yelling at Lovren to get across and cover the area where Jovetic ghosted into. Lovren was obsessed with Dzeko during this phase of play and Skrtel had him covered, all it needed was as you said simple communication. Mingolet seemed to be screaming at Moreno to alert him of the Jovetic threat… anyhow what’s done is done.
I suppose you can see my point in this article around lets not all press the panic button, simple mistakes in a new look defense can be eradicated. Be calm and go again against spurs!
Liverpool versus Manchester City: The glass-half-full review