The LFC File

A Blog about Liverpool FC and the Premier League

LFC NewsLFC OpinionMatch ReportsWeekly

LFC 21/22 – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Gameweek #31

Ben Green

A draw at the Etihad isn’t that bad, but sleeping against Benfica can drive you mad. A Wembley win against City in a show of no pity. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at Liverpool Football Club.

The Good

Not losing against Manchester City away. The 2-2 draw at the Etihad meant everything remains as is in the league. The first half was as lucky for Liverpool as the Blues were good i.e. very!

An early goal from Kevin De Bruyne signalled firm intent from the hosts. Diogo Jota’s equaliser 10 minutes later disguised the gulf in the two sides. By the time Gabriel Jesus doubled City’s lead in the 38th minute one wondered how it hadn’t happened earlier, such was their dominance. The break couldn’t come soon enough and Jürgen Klopp was able to regroup and reorganise.

Everybody’s heard that football is a game of two halves and this match was certainly proof thereof. Liverpool started the second half a different side. The composure and aggression that was missing in the first half became evident as Sadio Mané slotted home within a minute of the restart.

Liverpool, despite having the most of the second half we’re unable to find another goal. Still, Manchester City are the reigning Champions let’s not forget and lead thePremier league so in fairness to the Reds, I’d take a draw against this side for sure.

The Bad

Drawing 3-3 against Benfica in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Anfield. The 6-4 aggregate score sums up a dramatic night where Liverpool had to protect their 3-1 lead from the first leg.

Being a quarterfinal we have to accept Benfica are there on merit and not by fluke, and therefore it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they put up a fight at Anfield.

With the 1-1 scoreline at the break – Ibrahima Konate heading Liverpool in front and Goncalo Ramos equalising, one felt there was no danger for the hosts. Even more so when a Roberto Firmino second half brace gave the Reds a 3-1 lead, we all felt it was all cruising from there.

We played the game we played, we’re through and that’s all I wanted. I’m happy.

However, Roman Yaremchuk and the outstanding Darwin Nunez had other ideas. Strikes in the 73rd and 81st minutes respectively set up a nervy finish for Liverpool. The supporters for sure could have done without the suspense but Klopp was unmoved.

“The day when we qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League and I’m not happy, come here and knock me out – it would make no sense,” said the boss in review of the match and throwing away a two-goal lead. “We played the game we played, we’re through and that’s all I wanted. I’m happy.”

The (Sm)Ugly

A relatively comfortable 2-3 semi-final victory over Manchester City set up another Wembley final against Chelsea. Goals from Ibrahima Konaté and a brace from Sadio Mané sealed the tie.

A strangely subdued City side were humbled by a strong Liverpool performance. Two second half goals from Pep Guardiola’s men was to little too late to overcome the motivated team in red.

Liverpool now have a chance to take a step closer to an historic quadruple, with Premiership and Champions League hopes still very much alive. A fete that will put this team among the greatest of all time.

Chelsea will be hell-bent on revenge for their Carabao cup defeat so the Reds will have to be prepared for a tough game come the 14th May.

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!

Share via
Facebook
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Powered by Social Snap
Copy link
CopyCopied
Powered by Social Snap