Liverpool FC – Gameweek 30 Review

This week the Reds’ fans can have a laugh after soundly defeating the blue half. Sadly it came with high cost, as one key player to injury is lost. Heartfelt grief and respect was paid, for another club great in final rest is laid. The good, the sad and the ugly. Another week at Liverpool Football Club. 

The Good

For sure this week’s good has to be the derby victory  over the noisy neighbours. The win was comprehensive enough. The only downsides were the loss of Sadio Mané to injury – and of course the teams inability to keep a clean sheet.

There’s no point banging on about how rubbish the defence is – which is true – because it just gets boring. You’d be either rich or stupid to bet on Liverpool keeping a clean sheet right now with this makeshift back four. A replacement is needed for Dejan Lovren and a proper left back wouldn’t go amiss either… OK stop… Enough already!

Jürgen Klopp seems unsure as to the extent of Mané’s injury. It from what I saw, I think he’ll be out longer than just Wednesday’s game. I’m no doctor but if you ever you see a player breakdown after trying to run off a knock, then it’s usually bad news. Still, I’m as much a doctor, as Mr. Muscle is Mr. Universe so we have to wait and see.

Mané’s injury in addition to Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson is a huge blow for the team and will be a real test of the squads depth. Hopefully the lads can soldier through.

The Sad

The is without doubt the passing of former Liverpool coach and original “Bootroom” member, Ronnie “Bugsy” Moran. A huge loss for the game as well as for the club.

His contribution to the success of the club is immeasurable and his knowledge will be sorely missed. The two-time caretaker boss actually passed away on 22nd March, but I cannot write a review without giving him a mention.

I recall being at a game at Anfield – around 1993 or ’94 – and I was seated in the paddock, just behind the dugout. Steve McManaman was in the that side as we attacked toward the Kop. It dawned on me that the Liverpool winger always made his runs in response to a whistle. Time and time again, someone whistled and off he went. The timing of his runs were close to perfection – to receive a pass from the right back Rob Jones, or a through ball from John Barnes – often resulting in him creating a chance.

Then I realized, the whistle was coming from none other than Ronnie Moran. Many a time Macca marvelled at the ex-LFC captain as he’d not even noticed a chance was brewing. I always called him the Conductor because he orchestrated everything. He read the game like Barack Obama reads a speech. Flawlessly.

Ronald Moran 28 February 1934 – 22 March 2017. RIP.

The Ugly

Despite the win yesterday, one has to question the physicality of Ronald Koeman’s Everton team. Some of the challenges were simply brutal and unacceptable in the modern game.

Ex-Manc Gary Neville was quite right to “slam” (papertalk for condemn I presume) Ross Barkley’s so-called challenge on Lovren. The Croatian was not the only recipient of some questionable tactics. Emre Can was also singled out for special attention. Former Red Graeme Souness – himself no angel on the pitch in his day – was also quick to call out the Everton number 8’s antics.

What’s actually  funny, is that my spell-checker doesn’t recognize the name “Ross”. The automatic replacement was “Toss”. Just an ‘e’ and an ‘r’ away from a correct assessment. Who says computers are too clever these days?!

So another three points gained. A good weekend for Liverpool. Especially considering both Manchesters and Arsenal drew – City  against the Gooners, and Chelsea lost.

Another nine games to go and all to play for. The Reds may cement fourth position yet.

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