Liverpool FC – Gameweek 1 Review – And They’re Off!

The season starts, 2019/20, the Canaries beaten with goals a plenty. The ‘keeper suffers a “crazy” injury, hurt by a supporter like you and me. Club legend puts Auntie in her place, tackling the age old topic of race. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The opening week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.

The Good

Opening the season with a 4-1 win over newly promoted Norwich City. An own-goal from Grant Hanley in addition to strikes from Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi, gave the Canaries a harsh lesson on their return to top-flight football. A 54th minute consolation from Teemu Pukki did little to change the face of a totally one-sided encounter.

Norwich Manager and former Borussia Dortmund second team trainer couldn’t have wished for a worse start against last season’s Champions League winners and Premiership runners-up. It was simply – with respect, a story of men against boys.

Jürgen Klopp said in his pre-match press conference his players need to “stay hungry and stay greedy” That they done and put the game beyond their visitors. A good opener to the season and fans have to be happy with three points.

Good way to kick-off the new #premierleague season, Reds 💪🏾

4 goals and our first 3 points in the pocket.👌🏾🔴 #LFC #LiverpoolFC #LIVNOR pic.twitter.com/7Tpz6Fnpfm

— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) August 9, 2019

The two of you that read my ramblings know that my marker is 10 games. That’s when almost a third of the season is gone so let’s see where the team are then. Among those opponents are Arsenal, Chelsea, Manyoo and Tottenham so some interesting fixtures coming our way.

The Bad

The injury sustained by Liverpool stand-in ‘keeper Adrian. The Spaniard was felled by a spectating Liverpool supporter who invaded the pitch to celebrate the team’s Super Cup win over Chelsea in Istanbul, in the Besiktas Stadium on Wednesday.

The Reds now stand on the verge of a goalkeeping crisis with first choice Alisson already out until October after suffering a calf strain. As things are, Liverpool may be forced to start the next game against Southampton with 35 year-old journeyman Andrew Lonergan, and youngster Caoimhin Kelleher deputising.

Klopp described the incident as “crazy” after Adrian was injured by a Liverpool fan totally accidentally. Latest news is that the former West Ham stopper is confident of starting today’s game against Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium. Let’s hope his confidence turns into something tangible in the form of a start.

On the positive side, the Reds were able to secure their first silverware of the season. Wednesday’s penalty win over Chelsea saw Liverpool secure their second cup in less than three months to add to their Champions League triumph in June.

❌ – Alisson
❌ – Adrian

After winning the #SuperCup for Liverpool with a penalty save against Chelsea, the back-up 'keeper was injured by a celebrating fan in Istanbul. 😳

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 16, 2019

The Ugly

The topic of racism has reared it’s ugly head again. This time, former Reds winger John Barnes was caught up in a war of words with presenter Naga Munchetty on the BBC Breakfast Show.

Barnes eloquently explained to Munchetty – quite rightly, that the issue of racism isn’t the problem of football, but that of societies in general. A fact that was initially lost on the presenter before she unwittingly made the exact point the LFC legend offered during the interview. An embarrassing attempt at contradiction.

The stance taken by Barnes is what I referred to during my interview on Behind A Groove Radio, which was aired on Saturday 03rd August. Follow the link to hear the catch-up podcast. In essence, it is not until the attitudes of society are changed and sanctions made tougher, that racism in football – or any other sport or walk of life – will be eradicated.

John Barnes embroiled in fierce racism row on BBC Breakfast

He said football shouldn't be scapegoated "throwing it all at football's door, when we have to, as I have always said, tackle it in society and football will follow, not the other way round"
https://t.co/6nOBlD1yJY

— Marmite Marmz (@marmitemarmz) August 9, 2019

Coming up later today, the Reds take on Southampton for the second of this season’s fixtures. Whoever is in goal, this team should be capable of coming away with three points.

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