Liverpool: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – EPL Gameweek #20
The Reds bring the Magpies down, but officials continue to raise a frown. Klopp starts the year on top, and in the FPL race, we gain one place. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly at Liverpool FC for EPL and FPL Gameweek 20, brought to you by the LFC File.
The Good
Winning against Newcastle. The Reds started 2024 with a win against Newcastle at Anfield o in the New Year’s Day fixture. To say Liverpool were dominant would be an understatement. Eddie Howe’s side were under constant bombardment. Their two goals are actually testament to the English coaches tactical approach and his sides (absolutely required) efficiency in front of goal.
In fairness, Liverpool made hard work of their visitors’ stubborn approach and went into the break goalless after Mo Salah missed a penalty that was awarded when Luis Diaz was brought down in the box.
In the second half Liverpool continued to take the game to Newcastle and scored Mo Salah after five minutes. However, true to form the Reds weren’t able to capitalise on their 60% possession and were made to tie those spurned chances when the Magpies equalised five minutes later.
Jürgen Klopp made a double substitution on 64 minutes bringing on Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo for Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Núñez respectively. Liverpool now looked a different proposition and Morsi when Diogo Jos replaced the injured Lucho. Goals from Curtis Jones’s and Cody Gakpo sealed the point for the men in Red.
A later goal from Newcastle gave them hope later on, but this was cancelled out on 86 minutes when Mo scored a second penalty with four minutes of normal time to go.
The Bad
The Diogo Jota penalty yesterday and Alan Shearer’s reaction to it was as controversial as this fixture has been in recent history, calling it “… a f&%king embarrassment…!” Harsh words indeed for really what was in fairness a harsh decision.
In actual fact, referee Anthony Taylor had a game to forget in my opinion. There were erroneous calls against both sides. At the moment, whilst recognising the referees have split seconds to make decisions, it seems quite clear that VAR makes more problems that it solves. I don’t want to see it abandoned but a review of its implementation at the end of the season is a must.
The Smugly
Liverpool are top of the league. As we know, no trophies are given out in January, so let’s hang tight and see where we’re are come a May. Please Good!!
