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LFC 21/22 – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Gameweek #9

Ben Green

The Reds wouldn’t let go, and get the win at Atlético. Then the boys really come alive, trouncing the noisy neighbours by five. Just when he’s coming out of his shackles, a midfielder is felled by a horror tackle. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at Liverpool Football Club.

The Good

Kicking some Manchester United arse over the weekend. Even the final score of 0-5 flattered Manyoo in a game in which they were totally out-played, out-thought, out-classed and out-everything-elsed.

A United friend of mine said on Monday morning “Liverpool actually went easy on us in the second half” and he was totally right. I don’t think I’ve heard a better summary of that game. Had Liverpool continued in the same manner as the first half, it could easily have finished 9-0 and that’s no exaggeration.

A superb Mo Salah hat-trick and goals from Naby Keïta and Diogo Jota stunned the home side into an absolutely abject performance. To add insult to injury, substitute Paul Pogba was shown a deserved red card for a despicable challenge on Keïta on the second half (see The Ugly below).

“People will talk about it in the future because it won’t happen again in a long time, if ever.” Jürgen Klopp

An off-side effort from Ronaldo was the closest the hosts came to sparing their blushes… and their fans an early journey home at half time as the faithful filed out in disgust. “People will talk about it in the future because it won’t happen again in a long time, if ever.” Said Jürgen Klopp after the game. With such a one-sided performance, he’s likely right.

Special mention goes out for Roberto Firmino. I’m not sure if many people noticed but this guy was pure class. His work rate and constantly pulling the Manyoo defence apart. The real unsung hero of the day.

The (Not) Bad

Beating Atlético Madrid 2-3 at home. The Reds raced into a 0-2 lead after goals from Salah and Keïta. However, the lead Liverpool had never really convinced somehow.

Past results against the grand showman Diego Simeone and his La Liga Champions have always served to remind the men from Anfield what a cruel game this ‘footy‘ can be. Two Antoine Griezmann goals in 15 minutes done the perfect job of that.

In the second half both teams adopted an air of caution but also somehow, maintaining a duel of end-to-end intensity. There was a definite whiff of ‘next goal wins it‘ in the air like a heady game of street football just before it’s time to go in for your tea.

Salah was on hand to provide Liverpool with the said ‘next goal’ when he tucked away a 79th minute penalty – after Diogo Jota was brought down in the area. This second half wasn’t without incident, though… Oh no! Griezmann was sent off for placing his boot into Roberto Firmino’s face. Unintentionally, but clumsy none the less.

Speaking of clumsy, Jota almost handed the hosts a lifeline late on, after his careless challenge in the area initially resulted in a penalty for Atlético. Only for the referee to rescind his decision after consulting VAR.

The Reds now sit atop Group B with a healthy five-point lead at the halfway group stage.

The Ugly

Although it’s not as bad as first feared, The Ugly this week is Paul Pogba’s tackle on Keïta in Sundays game. The challenge was an undeniably malicious, two-footed lunge which looked as if a lengthy lay off would be needed.

In my opinion a tackle like this – no matter where it occurs or by whom, should result in a multi-game ban. Sadly, the footballing powers that be see things differently.

Fortunately, reports coming out of Anfield suggest the Guinea international has suffered no more than severe bruising. That is good news because we’re beginning to see the best of the 25 year-old since his £40m move from RB Leipzig in 2018.

This incident was only slightly worse than Cristiano Ronaldo kicking the ball when it was nestled between Curtis Jones’s legs, as he lay on the ground following a frustration-induced foul from the veteran attacker. An act that brought a small melee among the players. ‘Handbags’ to give it the technical term.

All told, not the ugliest of uglies, but enough to end such a positive week on.

YNWA

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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