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Liverpool F.C. – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Gameweek 22

Ben Green

A 2-0 win against Manyoo and a 16-point lead, I’ll take that too. The farce of VAR, has gone too far. Again, despite victory, the referee is totally contradictory. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.

The Good

What could be better defeating Manchester United at Anfield? Of course these games are never straight forward. Controversy never far away. There were goals, there were disallowed goals. There were glorious misses, boos and hisses. Not to mention chants of “We’re gonna win the league…”!

It’s no longer early days in the league but at the same time, there’s still a way to go. This result however, will start tongues wagging and hearts believing.

When Virgil van Dijk put Liverpool ahead in the 14th minute, it looked as if the flood gates would open. Sadly, two goals, one from Roberto Firmino and another from Gini Wijnaldum, we’re both ruled out following VAR reviews (see the bad).

Manchester United are but a shadow of their former selves, let alone half the team. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer really has got his work cut out with this lot. Andreas Pereira and (especially) Anthony Martial missed glorious chances to equalise for the visitors. Missing an open goal and blazing over the bar respectively.

Liverpool should have been out of sight in this game within half an hour but for the aforementioned refereeing and-it must be said, a lack of luck in front of goal. Sadio Mané went close, as did Mo Salah. Jordan Henderson saw a shot pushed to the upright by David de Gea. Salah’s 92 minute goal – assisted by Alisson Becker no less – put the scoreline where it should have been much earlier, beyond United.

This was no classic encounter by any means but it demonstrated two things at the very least. Firstly that Liverpool are worthy holders of their 16-point lead in the Premiership. They simply out played, outthought, outfought and out-everything elsed their visitors yesterday.

Secondly, it showed just how far the tables have turned between these two great, fierce and long-standing rivals

The Bad

Having two goals disallowed yesterday through VAR. Van Dijk was adjudged to have fouled David De Gea shortly before the Roberto Firmino goal. A decision that was questioned by former striker and Match of The Day host Gary Lineker. The second for offside was for me a perfect example of everything that’s wrong with the modern game.

Yes, we want the decisions to be correct. Yes we want the game to be fair. But at the end of the day, football is a game played by humans, officiated by humans and most importantly for humans. Their will always be errors. VAR simply proves that.

The post match discussion on the way home from the match, in the pub, or at home with friends is no longer the same. Talk is of the decisions made by what is ultimately a computer. For me that just isn’t right.

Games are won by the slimmest of margins and sometimes things happen in the heat of the moment. Sometimes players make bad decisions. Martial for one and then de Gea (rushing forward… and then having to rush back to try to prevent Mo scoring!). In the same way referees make bad decisions. That’s just how it goes.

I truly believe that in the end, the cream always rises to the top. Point. Bournemouth and Norwich aren’t propping up the table because of bad refereeing decisions. They simply lack the quality (and to be fair, budgets) of other clubs.

The Ugly

The scenes that led to the VAR review of Firmino’s goal. This is simply unacceptable. For me, de Gea should have been sent off, not simply yellow-carded yesterday. Yes emotions run high – in this fixture particularly. However, the referee should not be bullied and harassed in such a way.

A game for hooligans played by gentlemen, football a game from gentlemen played by hooligans

I’ve mentioned this before but lessons should be taken from Rugby. The adage: Rugby, a game for hooligans played by gentlemen. Football; a game for gentlemen played by hooligans. Sadly still holds true.

This kind of behaviour won’t be addressed until proper sanctions are evident, promoted and executed by the governing bodies.

I’ve been watching the Handball World Cup recently. A very tough and physical sport. There, there is the concept of a 2-minute suspension from the game. Perhaps this is something that should be applied to football? Food for thought.

On this day…

In 1995, Steve Nicol left the club for Notts Country. The popular Scot played 468 times for the Reds. The right-back was bought to the club by Bob Paisley in 1981 and was a firm favourite with the fans.

Up next we have a trip to the Midlands to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers, followed by a visit to Shrewsbury for the F.A. cup fourth round tie on Sunday.

Watch this space.

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Ben Green

Avid LFC supporter for 50 of his 53 years. Seen it all, ups and the downs. Now praying for a return to winning ways. Whichever way it comes!

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