LFC 21/22 – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Gameweeks #17 & 18
The Magpies are defeated and sent back to the Toon, against the Spurs was a tough afternoon. Sadly, against COVID we’re not yet immune. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at Liverpool Football Club.
The Good
Easy peasy, beating Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield. The Reds had to come from a goal down to claim the points after ex-Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey gave the Magpies a surprise lead.
Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and a screamer from Trent Alexander-Arnold removed any thoughts their visitors had off a shock.
A special mention for Ibu Konate who gave a solid defensive display, stepping up to replace the COVID-hit Virgil van Dijk.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wonder goal completes a Liverpool comeback victory#LIVNEW pic.twitter.com/T3BIHkjODu
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 16, 2021
The Bad
Drawing with Tottenham in the last game. The 2-2 draw was actually a fair result because Liverpool could easily have lost this match.
Tottenham took the lead through Harry Kane and looked to dominate the Reds who were matched in their pressing game by new manager Antonio Conte’s side.
Jota was on hand to head Liverpool on equal terms, converting Andy Robertson’s centre as half time approached. The left back turned scorer when he headed the Reds into the lead. At this point, you’d have been forgiven for thinking that was game over.
Tottenham have not lost since Conte’s appointment and Son Heung-min firing into an empty net after beating the on-rushing Alisson, demonstrated that Spurs were in no mood to surrender that record.
“A point at Tottenham is fine…”
Liverpool we’re able to see the game out and secure a point which looked unlikely once Robertson was sent for an early bath. The Scott was red-carded when VAR determined his challenge on Emerson Royal with 13 minutes left to play. This despite a horror tackle on him by Kane earlier.
Should Harry Kane have been shown a red card for this tackle? 🤔 #TOTLIV pic.twitter.com/OUiHkeTdKW
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 19, 2021
“A point at Tottenham is fine. It’s not that I’m crazy thinking ‘how did that happen?’…” Conceded Jürgen Klopp after the game. A fair reflection.
The Ugly
The COVID situation. Not just at Liverpool but the entire Premier League.
Liverpool have lost four first team players to the virus. Van Dijk, Fabinho, Curtis Jones and now Thiago Alcantara have all tested positive and likely more will fall before the situation improves.
I struggled to see how this can be managed. Spurs had 45,000 spectators at the game on Sunday. Liverpool just short of 53,000 against Newcastle. I fear for the fans, let alone the players.
Klopp "It's not about our preparation for the Tottenham game. For them it's difficult – who doesn't want to play for two weeks? More transparency (around Covid results) I think would be helpful… In the moment nobody knows at all" #LFC #TOTLIV
— Liverpool FC news (@ClickLFC) December 17, 2021
This situation smacks of miss-management. Either that, or those running the game simply care more about money than the welfare of those playing or spectating. In my opinion, likely the latter.
Good News!
The latest edition of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly is now available. “3rd Against All Odds“. A bit late this time, but better late than never as they say! Order a copy from the Amazon store here. And Apple Books here.
This is the last post before Christmas, so season’s greetings to all of the readers both near and far.
YNWA
