Liverpool F.C. – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Gemeweek 21
Talk of a new Invincibles stirs, as the Reds record a win over Spurs. Another decision seems bizarre, with yet more controversy over VAR. An international pokes fun at his homeland F.A., as he snubs awards and stays away. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.
The Good
Securing a 0-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. This win gave Jürgen Klopp’s side a record 20th Premier League win with a points haul of 61 so far. Not too shabby it has to be said. But in fairness, a spectacle this was not.
Spurs who, in my opinion seem to have gone backward under José Mourinho, offered very little in terms of attacking threat. Almost as if the manager simply set his team up with damage limitation in mind.
A couple of efforts from afar but nothing that threatening. After around 70 minutes following the introduction of Giovani lo Celso things warmed up for them but again, nothing of note.
“It was very hard-fought because we didn’t close the game down early. We should have been one or 2-0 up already when we scored.”
This game should have been all over after about 20 minutes. However, the hosts were playing simply to keep the score down. Klopp was right to point out that’s his side should have been out of site by the time they did eventually score. Roberto Firmino’s 37th minute was enough to secure the points.
Some of the attacking play from Liverpool in this game was just too good even, for superlatives. The transitions between defence and attack were just seamless, efficient and dazzling. Think of Gene Kelly tap dancing and you get the picture!
All things considered, one can’t complain. With Leicester City loosing to Southampton, this week finished pretty well for Klopp and his team. I don’t want to count my chickens but Liverpool really do have the title to throw away this season.
Jose Mourinho bows down in praise of his superior….
#LFC #TOTLIV #Klopp pic.twitter.com/CKV0v7cjkK
— LFC Photo (@LFCphoto) January 11, 2020
The Bad
Another dodgy decision that led to Liverpool scoring yesterday. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the Reds being victorious but it was clear – well following replays of course, that the throw in that preceded Firmino’s winning goal should have actually been awarded to Spurs.
This was admitted by club legend-turned-pundits Jamie Carragher during the Sky coverage. José Mourinho was left “confused”. Interesting one that.
Now, as they say hindsight has always 20-20 vision and I have to agree. It’s not correct that the throw was given but one has to ask: where do you draw the line with VAR? Apparently the guidelines say they will only review attacking phases and not throw-ins. Makes sense.
To my mind football players and managers are among the least sporting folk I have come across. I mean in the sense of the attitude. Defined as: fair and generous in one’s behaviour or treatment of others, especially in a contest. We’ve all seen it.
Blatant fouls which are defended by manager and players alike. The sudden blindness when one of his players has breached the rules. Or, calling for the ruffling off hair by a gust of wind – which seemed to have floored his false nine, to be punished by a penalty or sending off. Come on?!
In this sense VAR can only do so much and anything that slips through the net is simply lost. Lost to a discussion in the pub or in the car on the way back from the match (or the train for the environmentalists among you).
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says he is "a bit confused" by VAR, after questioning a throw-in decision leading to the only goal in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Spurs. https://t.co/SrSV26Qx6J
— Soccer News (@socnew1) January 12, 2020
The Ugly
Mo Salah refused to go to the Confederation of African Football awards last week, and chose to watch his team mate Sadio Mané pick up the “African Footballer off The Year” award from the comfort of his armchair.
This is the latest in a long-running feud between the Liverpool forward and the Egyptian Football Association. Salah even appeared to mock the decision to name the Egyptian F.A. the “Best Football Federation” by uploading a picture of his daughter laughing with the caption: “and the award for best federation goes to…”
This is the latest in a string of fallouts between the 27 year-old and his home country’s ruling football body. No doubt it won’t be the last!
Mohamed Salah mocks African football federation award after snubbing ceremony: The Liverpool star missed the ceremony in his native Egypt, instead staying behind on Merseyside to train ahead of the Reds' trip to Tottenham on Saturday https://t.co/zVcxLYJ7PD
— Football-News (@Bot_Football) January 8, 2020
On this day in 1978, a certain Graeme James Souness, made his debut for Liverpool in a 0-1 win over West Bromwich Albion. The then 24 year-old went on to make 248 appearances for the Reds, scoring 38 goals in the process.
A no-nonsense, tough-tackling yet skilful and effective midfielder, the Scot was one of the most influential Players at the club in the modern era.
Lastly, don’t forget to secure your copy of the Liverpool F.C. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly 2018/19 season review. E-Book and physical versions are available here.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @TheLFCFile
Facebook: @thelfcfile
And now on Instagram: thelfcfile
