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LFC 20/21 – The Good, The Bad The Ugly – Gameweek 28

Ben Green

Not much good as the table shows, how bad can it get? Nobody knows. The Champions League we can shout about, but rumours persist the strikers want out. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.

The Good

Frankly nothing in terms of the league. Just as you thought things couldn’t any worse, Liverpool were humbled at home 0-1 by struggling Fulham. The Reds have now lost six (yes, SIX) home (yes, home, Anfield!) games in a row.

Their hopes of finishing in the top-four – and hence qualifying for next season’s Champions League, now seem slimmer than a super-waif’s waistline. Fat chance and no chance are likely outcomes now. Injuries, poor form and poor recruitment decisions have cost the team and the club as a whole dearly.

The obvious thing was missing a goal and a clean sheet. It was always clear that Fulham would cause us big problems with the situation they are in and the one we are in.

Jürgen Klopp made seven changes to the team that got done by Chelsea a week earlier in the hope perhaps, that fresher and hungrier legs would succeed where his regular charges haven’t. Perhaps he had one eye on the Champions League last-16 match against RB Leipzig (see the Not Bad below). Whatever the reason, it backfired.

Scott Parker must have felt either Christmas had come early, or that Liverpool were taking the piss fielding such an under-strength side. The Cottagers smelt blood and stunned their hosts with football that belied their 18th position. Their reward came just before the break when Mario Lemina drilled home to heap more pressure on the home side. “It was always clear that Fulham would cause us big problems with the situation they are in and the one we are in” said Klopp afterwards.

Again, Liverpool never really threatened. Yes, there were a couple of openings but the familiar site of a huffing and puffing Reds side, promising much but under-delivering was all Klopp got in the end.

The (Not) Bad

Securing their place in the quarterfinals of this season’s Champions League. Again goals from Mo Salah and Sadio Mané repeated the 2-0 score line of the fortnight before to bring some much needed good news to all.

Despite plenty of talk hinting at an RB Leipzig victory, the gulf in quality between the two sides was clear.

Liverpool weren’t creating a lot of pressure, they were sitting back and waiting and leaving us possession

The return of Fabinho to his more effective midfield position made a huge difference to Liverpool. “They were sitting back and waiting and leaving us possession…” Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann bemoaning the fact that Liverpool allowed his team to play and just sat back.

This, in my view was because of the greater security afforded by playing the club’s no. 3 in his preferred role. The team are now able to play with much more confidence, now the midfield is more secure. For all of the plaudits thrown at Thiago Alcantara, the Spaniard is a million miles away from convincing in front of the defence.

The Ugly

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore claims the club have a shortlist of replacements for the current misfiring attacking trio.

Collymore, who turned 50 this year claimed there are “whispers” within the club that the trio of Mané, Salah and Roberto Firmino have nothing else to prove and may look for new clubs in the summer. “LFC 3 have won the lot and may fancy Madrid, Bayern or Juve for a new challenge” claims the pundit.

Klopp refuted this. “That is nothing we have to worry about, it was always like this. I know we have loyalty from the players”

Let’s hope he’s right.

Next Up

We have a trip to the midlands to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers. On the 19th March at 11:00, we have the Champions League quarterfinal draw. Watch it here, with the first leg games to be played on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th April. The second legs will be take place on 27th and 28th April. In between, we have a two week international break followed by a trip to north London to play Arsenal on the 3rd April.

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).

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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