Liverpool F.C. – Gameweek 26 – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The future and present is safe and sound, defeating the canaries and reaching the fifth round. A commentator’s bias goes too far, disappointed with bad old VAR. Premiership “giants” lose face, a ban and fine sees them fall from grace. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.
The Good
A double dose this week with the youngsters seeing the club into the fifth round of the F.A. Cup. An own goal from Shaun Williams was enough to get the youth team progress to the next stage of the seniors’ competition with a 1-0 win.
It was clear the youngsters still have a bit to do before they start to challenge the first team for places. The likes of Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams are just a couple to watch both pushing hard to be included in Jürgen Klopp’s future plans with impressive displays.
In addition to the exploits of the “kids”, the first team overcame a stubborn Norwich City team in their own back yard, to record their 25th victory of this season’s campaign. There was a time during the game when it was looking as if Klopp’s men would register their second draw this term.
“If one team was going to score it was going to be us“
After a tough 60 minutes, Fabinho and Sadio Mané were thrown into the fray in place of Gini Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain respectively. The effect was more like we’ve come to expect from this Liverpool team. Mané controlled a long forward pass from Jordan Henderson on 78 minutes, before turning his marker and beating Tim Krul with a low shot to the left. Game over and 76 points on the board.
After the game Klopp seemed remarkably calm. “If one team was going to score it was going to be us” said the boss in his post-match interview. Not sure what game he watched.
100 – Sadio Mane's opener for Liverpool was his 100th goal for English clubs across all competitions (75 for Liverpool and 25 for Southampton). Breakthrough. #NORLIV pic.twitter.com/TRc7RaZukb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 15, 2020
The Bad
The increasingly annoying resentment being shown by Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler. During yesterday’s game the 74 year-old was at pains to point out that the Canaries could be the first team to take points from Liverpool since his (clearly and dearly) beloved Manyoo in October. Yawn!
“VAR works for Liverpool”
The should-be retired Tyler went on to comment: “VAR works for Liverpool“ once Mané’s ultimate winner was checked by VAR. The comments sparked a string of responses on social media… some of which I won’t reproduce here. Save to say many of them were funny – and fitting for someone who should – one would expect, to be in a position of neutrality.
The smart man wouldn’t bet against Tyler being even more disappointed when Liverpool lift the League trophy for the first time in 30 years. Hopefully, he’ll retire along with the 2019/20 season.
Martin Tyler absolutely devastated that Liverpool have scored to keep the streak going #NORLIV
— Dave Anslow (@daveanslow) February 15, 2020
The Ugly
The fine and ban handed out to Manchester City this week by UEFA after an investigation into their spending. This was, as a dead man would no doubt have suspected, in breach of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Regulation (FFP).
The result: a two-year ban from the Champions League and a chunky €30m fine (should probably have been more given their financial resources). In my opinion, this hasn’t come soon enough. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that Chelsea have fallen from their previous dominance, since the regulation came into force.
Obviously, Citeh will appeal the ruling. Should the it be overturned, this will be a grave day for football, and sport in general. In a nutshell, the regulation stipulates that no club should spend more than they earn. Makes sense.
I struggle to see where the club would be without the sponsorship of Etihad, which belongs to owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Shouldn’t it make common sense that a club cannot be “sponsored” by an entity owned by their main investors? Not to that extent anyway. It’ll also be interesting to see whether manager Pep Guardiola will remain at the club. Likely not, I’d say.
Arsenal fans celebrating Man City getting banned from the UCL, but then realizing they are 10th in the league: pic.twitter.com/VWtVc8B6ZT
— Barca Dude (@guy_biscuit) February 15, 2020
On This Day
In 1982, former Red striker Rickie Lambert was born in Kirkby, Liverpool. The boyhood Liverpool fan signed for the club in June 2014 from Southampton for £4m. He scored three goals in 36 appearances. Not a huge return by any standards, however, the local lad’s work ethic and love for his local team endeared him to the fans. He left the club for West Bromwich Albion in July 2015. Happy Birthday Rickie!
Next up we have a trip to Madrid to take on Athletico in the Champions League round of 16 match.
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