Liverpool F.C. – Week 24 Review: A Point to Prove
The draw with the Foxes was perhaps not ideal, but the Reds continue to show some steel. The groundsmen come in for some stick, for leaving snow on half of the pitch. A rival player’s use of Twitter stinks, because his title challenge begins to sink. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.
The Good
Increasing the lead at the top of the Premiership. For some it felt like two points lost but personally, I’m just glad the team were able to extend their advantage – albeit by just a point. With Jordan Henderson filling in at right-back and – let’s face it, third choice central defender Joel Matip, this was always going to be a tad tricky.
Despite taking the lead through Sadio Mané’s effort in the third minute, Claude Puel’s side fought back to claim a deserved point. The conditions didn’t make for a game the purists would have enjoyed. As both sides fought against a downfall of snow in the north-west. They even played with a yellow ball which I haven’t seen done in ages!
With Manchester City falling to a surprise defeat to Newcastle the day before, many could have been forgiven for expecting Jürgen Klopp’s side to cruise to victory. However, their visitors had lost their two previous games and this makes a team of the Foxes’ ability a tough but to crack.
Liverpool now have a five-point gap between them and Manchester City. Notwithstanding the fact that Tottenham Hotspurs are currently second having played a game more. So long as they continue to pick up points that’s all we fans can ask. Yes, we’d have preferred the gap to be seven points but I think, all things considered, we have to be happy with the draw.
"We put them under pressure in the last ten minutes but you have to say Leicester did really well"
– Jurgen Klopp#LIVLEI
[@premierleague] pic.twitter.com/BaVkoJETPA— N A T H A (@NathaOfficial_) February 3, 2019
The Bad
The discussion over the clearing of the snow at Anfield during the break against Leicester. Some of their supporters were unhappy when the Liverpool groundsmen cleared only half of the pitch. The half at the Kop end was treated – the end Liverpool would later be attacking – and thus the touch paper of controversy was sparked.
Klopp defended the actions which he claimed was more due to a lack of personnel than any mal-intent. You have to say it’s a difficult one. Personally, I’d say they done it on purpose, but then, if you do have a shortage of staff, then it’s understandable they’d act in favour of the club.
This kind of behaviour has been going on for years though to be fair, and I’m not sure an intervention from the Premier League as suggested, will make much difference.
In the past teams have been guilty of not cutting the grass (step forward José Mourinho whilst manager of Real Madrid). A trick to stop the ball rolling and thus hampering a team keen on passing the ball.
Graeme Souness, whilst Rangers manager had the pitch narrowed to thwart an opponent reputed to have dangerous wingers. Even Manchester City were accused of letting the grass grow recently in their match against Liverpool.
It’s clear that this goes on more than people realise. Is there anything that can be done? At the end of the day, this is the responsibility of the referee and so it should stay. If he/she feels something is wrong then so be it. On Wednesday, Martin Atkinson said nothing, so that should be the end of it.
At half-time, the groundsmen cleared snow and ice from the penalty area #LFC are attacking in the second-half…
But left the other one alone. 😬
📻📲 ⚽https://t.co/8FlrCCsmrS#LIVLEI pic.twitter.com/CqaW6einZa
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) January 30, 2019
The Ugly
Kyle Walker taking to Twitter this week to knock the Reds draw against Leicester. I mean… really? Your team just lost to Newcastle. Maybe the time would have been better spent getting some defensive practice in. The tweet was later deleted.
“forget a little bit the social media and improve a few things”
Ultimately this just shows a lack of class. Champagne in a lager glass behaviour I prefer to call it. Manager Pep Guardiola claimed he doesn’t monitor the social media habits of his players, despite telling Benjamin Mendy to “forget a little bit the social media and improve a few things”
Apart from the obvious reasons for wanting Liverpool to win the league this season, one of them is because I see Manchester City as a team that totally lacks any humility and respect. They (including their manager) simply lack these two basic sporting qualities.
I recall Arsenal Wenger about his invincibles side of 2003/2004 making the point that above all the skill etc he wanted his side to show humility. His team went unbeaten for the whole season. Manchester City have already lost four games. Go figure.
Next up we have a trip to east London tomorrow to face West Ham. A team which you’d never describe as being a walk over. Liverpool struggled last time out but we can blame that on the weather.
Some have suggested the pressure is starting to show on this Reds team. I’d say tomorrow’s game will be a good test for them. Right now, I’d say Liverpool have a point to prove. Let see where we are this time next week.
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