LFC 20/21 – The Good, The Bad The Ugly – Gameweek 12
The Reds triumph against Midtjylland, the kids giving a helping hand. The game in the Smoke is no joke, as the Cottagers earn a draw. Not a dry eye, as we say goodbye, to a man and legend who is with us no more. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.
The Good
Reaching the knockout stages of this season’s Champions League. A 1-1 draw against Danish side F.C. Midtjylland was enough, after qualification was already confirmed after the previous match. What made this result all the more special – apart from finishing top of course, is that a number of youngsters were given a start.
The average age of the Liverpool side was 24 years and included Rhys Williams and debutant Leighton Clarkson both 19. French centre back Billy Koumetio came in in the second half to become Liverpool’s youngest ever player in the competition.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was given the captain’s armband to cap a meteoric rise for the local lad. Huge congratulations. Thoroughly deserved. Despite the result, there was much for the club, players and fans to be proud of.
If all that wasn’t enough to get smug about, Mo Salah became the club’s top goal scorer in the competition with 22, when he slotted home after 55 seconds. In so doing, also becoming the scorer of the club’s quickest goal in the competition. Wow! More records than an HMV shop… if they still exist.
Trent on captaining the team out last night👌👏👏👏🔴 @TrentAA #MIDLIV 🙌pic.twitter.com/RdZxG1sfDB
— 🔴Thiago Anniecantara🙌 (@AnnieHarte19) December 10, 2020
The Bad
The draw against Fulham at the weekend. 1-1 was arguably flattering for Liverpool. Especially as that goal came as a result of a Salah penalty with the clock showing 11 minutes remaining.
To be fair to Fulham, they probably should have had this game wrapped up by half time. But for a little more quality and an equal measure of luck, this post would have looked very different. Very different indeed.
Fulham took the lead after 25 minutes when Bobby Decordova-Reid smashed a right-footed drive past a despairing Alison who had returned to the side following injury. Conversely, Joel Matip took his place on the injury table when he was replaced at half time due to a back injury.
Liverpool got back on level terms when the hosts’ Aboubakar Kamara (who bears a striking resemblance to one of the barbers in the film “Coming to America”) was unlucky enough to have the ball strike his arm at a free kick. Hence gifting their visitors a dubious penalty.
Fortunately for Liverpool, joint leaders Tottenham were equally inept as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park earlier in the day. The top of the league thus stays as it was when the weekend begun.
Salah's second-half penalty means it ends level against @FulhamFC. #FULLIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 13, 2020
The Ugly
Not exactly an ugly event, but certainly a hugely sad bit of news.
On Monday, the club announced the passing of former club manager Gérard Houllier. The former Reds boss was 73 years old and passed away after a heart operation in Paris.
Houllier joined the club in 1998 initially as joint manager with Roy Evans, before taking sole charge in the November that year following Evans’ resignation. The former French national coach went on to manage the team over 300 games. In the process winning the FA Cup, the League Cup (twice), the Charity Shield, UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
Probably his most notable achievement was winning four cups in the 2000/2001 season. Early in the following campaign in October 2001, he required life-saving heart surgery after falling ill during the league game against Leeds Utd.
“He was more than just a manager. A caring man, a loving man.”
Houllier will be credited for bringing the club into the modern era after updating the clubs facilities and youth structure.
In the process, bringing through talents such as Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher. “He was more than just a manager. A caring man, a loving man.” Said former club captain Gerrard in tribute to his former manager.
Our thoughts and condolences go to Mr. Houllier’s family. YNWA.
We are mourning the passing of our treble-winning manager, Gerard Houllier.
The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Gerard’s family and many friends.
Rest in peace, Gerard Houllier 1947-2020. pic.twitter.com/isHGXIfe5E
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 14, 2020
Next Up
We have the visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, followed by a trip to south London on Saturday to take on Crystal Palace.
While you’re here…
The latest book from the The Good, The Bad and The Ugly weekly is out now. Relive this historic season. Available for purchase on Amazon, or directly from The LFC File. Click here to secure your copy. Either as an eBook (€5) or as a physical paperback (€8).
