LFC 21/22 – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Gameweek #36 & 37
No thriller against the Villa and no complaints against the Saints. No let up as another cup is wrapped up. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at Liverpool Football Club.
The Good
Returning to winning ways with a 1-2 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park. The result in the previous game against Tottenham was less than ideal and whatever hopes the team had of snatching the title from Manchester City are now on life support with a very long gap between the beeps.
This was a hard fought victory and although deserved, former club captain Steven Gerrard’s team pushed the Reds close and could have snatched a point. Their early lead would have got Liverpool fans fearing the worst.
Full time!
Liverpool back on level points with Man City at the top.
Villa 1-2 Liverpool#ASTLIV https://t.co/BHzbqyr5Jd
— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) May 10, 2022
However Joel Matip was on hand to bundle home an equaliser. Midway through the second half, Sadio Mane headed Liverpool in front from a Luis Diaz cross.
“A massive massive performance…”
The Reds controlled the game despite ex-Liverpool striker Danny Ings coming close. “A massive, massive performance in the middle of May.” Said Jürgen Klopp after the game, and who could disagree?
The (Not) Bad
Keeping the pressure on, in the slimmest of hopes of winning the Premiership, with a gritty performance against Southampton. The Reds came from behind (again) to win 1-2 at St. Mary’s.
That’s two games in a row where Liverpool have had to fight back to claim all the points. Not a habit you’d want to cultivate, but the fact that this team has such determination alone deserves something.
Manchester City we’re held to a draw a couple of days earlier so the campaign will now go down to the wire.
FT: @SouthamptonFC 1-2 @LFC.
THE QUADRUPLE IS STILL POSSIBLE🙏#SOULIV https://t.co/rjnUxFgrv4
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) May 17, 2022
City are now a solitary point ahead of Liverpool and only a win against Aston Villa will make certain that they retain their crown. The Reds on the other hand will play Wolves and will also need to ensure three points to give themselves a chance.
A couple of weeks ago, nobody would have thought this was on the cards. The result against Tottenham made many think – me included, that the race was over. But not so.
It’s not over until the fat lady sings as the saying goes and she’s set to start at 17:45 BST on Sunday.
The (Sm)Ugly
Winning the FA Cup after another penalty shootout against Chelsea. It was like deja vu at Wembley when Liverpool secured their second trophy of the campaign in familiar fashion.
Thomas Tuchel must be sick of the sight of Liverpool. Both sides had chances to win of course, but after 90 minutes of tense football and 30 minutes of extra time there was still nothing to separate these “mentality monsters” as Klopp labelled both sides.
Fantastic time to be a red… 🏆🏆 #CHELIV #FACup pic.twitter.com/okT7aCpXNU
— Ian Rush MBE (@Ian_Rush9) May 14, 2022
Liverpool have now secured a domestic cup double. A fete that means under Klopp’s reign the team has won every major honour in club football. Not a bad achievement by anyone’s standard. Congratulations to the players, Klopp and all of the staff. A fantastic achievement.
The rest of the season’s fortunes will be decided on Sunday for the last Premier League fixture of the season. Liverpool need a win to secure a domestic treble – that’s should Man City fail to beat Aston Villa.
Lastly we have the Champions League final against Real Madrid next Saturday.
YNWA