LFC 22/23 – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Gameweek #8
Shot down by the Gunners, despite willing runners. Rangers stuffed by seven, puts the Reds in heaven. There’s a smell of turds in a war if words. The Good , The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at Liverpool FC.
The Good
Well, this has to be thrashing Rangers 1-7 at Ibrox in the Champions League group stage match this week.
A brace from Roberto Firmino, a Darwin Núñez effort and a scintillating Mo Salah second half hat-trick. In addition to the final goal from Harvey Elliott gave Liverpool play more than convincing win over the former Scottish champions in their own backyard. 
At first, it seemed as if this was going to be a case of same old, same old, as Liverpool fell behind for the I-don’t-know-how-many – eth game in a row when Scott Arfield fired the hosts ahead in the 17th minute.
Firmino equalised before the break to restore parity going into the second half. The Brazilian doubled Liverpool’s advantage on 55 minutes when Nunez added a third on 66 minutes.
Salah ended his open play goal drought, scoring the fastest ever Champions League hat-trick with goals in the 75th 80th and 81st minute – after coming on as a sub!
The emphatic scoreline for secured three minutes before time when Elliott fired in the seventh goal for Liverpool in an eight goal, thriller in the Scottish capital. 
The Bad
Losing 3-2 to Arsenal at the emirates stadium at the weekend.
To be fair, I don’t think there is a Liverpool supporter alive, who would’ve thought that this was going to be an easy encounter… Let alone coming away with three points from Mikel Arteta’s in-form side.
A view that was supported when Gabriel Martinelli gave the hosts, the lead within the first minute. Despite Darwin Núñez equalising for Liverpool, one still had the impression that Liverpool were going to struggle.
When is Bukayo Sako restored the lead for the Gunners in first-half injury time the familiar seemed to be on the cards for this struggling Liverpool side.
Shortly after the second-half kicked off, Roberto Firmino, equalised for Liverpool with a deft finish. Later drama and controversy reigned as referee, Michael Oliver, pointing to the school spot for the most innocuous of “fouls” by Thiago on Gabriel Jesus. 
Sako of course, converting the resulting penalty. 
Should VAR have taken a look at this incident? 🤔 #ARSLIV pic.twitter.com/ZVThHBs9WZ
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 9, 2022
A virtually identical incident to the one earlier at the other end, that forced Trent Alexander Arnold, out of the game with an ankle injury.
FT: Arsenal 3 #LFC 2: Liverpool's miserable PL season continues. Controversy at the Emirates given Gabriel's handball went unpunished and Saka's winning penalty was very soft but Klopp's men so vulnerable yet again. Just two wins out of eight and 10pts out of a possible 24.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) October 9, 2022
The pattern of Liverpool conceding an early goal continues. The pattern of Liverpool is postseason also continues.
The Ugly
The ongoing “war of words” between compatriots, Jürgen, Klopp, and former  midfielder Didi Hamann.
“Oh great. A fantastic source, well respected everywhere.”
The Liverpool boss took his usual exception to any criticism, when former Reds midfielder Hamann commented on Liverpool’s post start to the season. “Oh great. A fantastic source, well respected everywhere.” replied Klopp when asked about his compatriot’s comments.
The response from Klopp was quite unfair In my opinion, considering his compatriot won the Champions League with the club, and also represented the German national team – a far cry from Jürgen Klopp’s accomplishments as a player. Therefore, I believe Hamann is perfectly qualified to  have an opinion.
“This Liverpool team looks tired, they look pedestrian…”
Hamann’s comments, frankly, were very true in light of Liverpool’s current predicament. His initial comment was: “This Liverpool team looks tired, they look pedestrian and they just look flat… They beat Rangers a few days ago [at Anfield] but they’re obviously far superior to Rangers…”
Frankly, with the Reds’ performances since the end of last season and up to now in this, who can disagree?
While You’re Here…
The fourth and latest edition of the, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: 2nd – And The Cup Double, is now available on Amazon as an eBook (€5), paperback (€11.99) and on Apple Books (eBook €5).
Secure your copy now!
