Peter AndersonThere is no doubt who was the star turn of last weekend's footy. 

With Leicester and Chelsea focusing on the FA cup final, all eyes were on Liverpool on Sunday in the race for the 2 ECL spots still on offer. The maths were simple, Liverpool had three games to play. If they win all three of their remaining games they would have 69 points. With Leicester and Chelsea to play each other again in the league on Tuesday it is impossible for both of those teams to get to 69 points. It was still in Liverpool's hands, but could they win all three games considering their consistent inconsistency this season? 

First up on Sunday were already relegated West Brom, surely an easy enough game. Not so. Liverpool went behind before equalising, and then labouring as the clock ticked down. Shots and crosses were going astray, normally good players were looking bereft of ideas. As I watched the game, I thought about the title run in of a few seasons ago when City were playing Leicester needing a victory to pip a fantastic Liverpool to an unlikely title. With the game looking like a draw, up stepped Big Vinny Kompany to smack one into the top corner. 

When big teams are up against it, they need the big players to step up and deliver. Did Liverpool have a "big player"? With literally seconds on the clock Liverpool won a corner and up strode their keeper Alisson Becker. When the corner came in the big Brazilian got his head to the ball and scored a wonderful winner. During the post-match interview, the likeable big lad dedicated the goal to his late father who had died some months earlier in an accident in Brazil. Due to Covid restrictions Becker couldn't attend the funeral and the raw emotion was clear to see. It would take a cold heart indeed not to be delighted for him.

So, Liverpool secured the three points and cranked up the pressure on the two teams above them. They can now sit back and watch Leicester and Chelsea fight for the three points on Tuesday night before they themselves face Burnley on Wednesday. Who wants Champions League football more? Who needs it more? Who deserves it more? 

Personally, I hope Brendan and Klopp are the winners in this race. Leicester have played excellent football all season and have really stuck it to the "big" clubs. While Klopp has performed wonders at Anfield since arriving. City have raised the performance bar in English football and only Klopp's Liverpool have matched that level. 

This season is an anomaly, next season I fully expect Liverpool to get back to where they were last season. However, without the ECL money and prestige they may lose some players or fail to attract their target signings. In this great qualification chase it really is too close to call, but great entertainment all the same. 

On Sunday, the last day of the season, all the games kick off at the same time. Liverpool have the easiest game on paper at home to Palace; Leicester have the hardest, hosting Spurs; while Chelsea are away to Villa. There will be twists and tears right to the last I have no doubt.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

Alisson Becker Take A Bow

Peter AndersonThere is no doubt who was the star turn of last weekend's footy. 

With Leicester and Chelsea focusing on the FA cup final, all eyes were on Liverpool on Sunday in the race for the 2 ECL spots still on offer. The maths were simple, Liverpool had three games to play. If they win all three of their remaining games they would have 69 points. With Leicester and Chelsea to play each other again in the league on Tuesday it is impossible for both of those teams to get to 69 points. It was still in Liverpool's hands, but could they win all three games considering their consistent inconsistency this season? 

First up on Sunday were already relegated West Brom, surely an easy enough game. Not so. Liverpool went behind before equalising, and then labouring as the clock ticked down. Shots and crosses were going astray, normally good players were looking bereft of ideas. As I watched the game, I thought about the title run in of a few seasons ago when City were playing Leicester needing a victory to pip a fantastic Liverpool to an unlikely title. With the game looking like a draw, up stepped Big Vinny Kompany to smack one into the top corner. 

When big teams are up against it, they need the big players to step up and deliver. Did Liverpool have a "big player"? With literally seconds on the clock Liverpool won a corner and up strode their keeper Alisson Becker. When the corner came in the big Brazilian got his head to the ball and scored a wonderful winner. During the post-match interview, the likeable big lad dedicated the goal to his late father who had died some months earlier in an accident in Brazil. Due to Covid restrictions Becker couldn't attend the funeral and the raw emotion was clear to see. It would take a cold heart indeed not to be delighted for him.

So, Liverpool secured the three points and cranked up the pressure on the two teams above them. They can now sit back and watch Leicester and Chelsea fight for the three points on Tuesday night before they themselves face Burnley on Wednesday. Who wants Champions League football more? Who needs it more? Who deserves it more? 

Personally, I hope Brendan and Klopp are the winners in this race. Leicester have played excellent football all season and have really stuck it to the "big" clubs. While Klopp has performed wonders at Anfield since arriving. City have raised the performance bar in English football and only Klopp's Liverpool have matched that level. 

This season is an anomaly, next season I fully expect Liverpool to get back to where they were last season. However, without the ECL money and prestige they may lose some players or fail to attract their target signings. In this great qualification chase it really is too close to call, but great entertainment all the same. 

On Sunday, the last day of the season, all the games kick off at the same time. Liverpool have the easiest game on paper at home to Palace; Leicester have the hardest, hosting Spurs; while Chelsea are away to Villa. There will be twists and tears right to the last I have no doubt.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports.

10 comments:

  1. Peter - glad you wrote this. I almost fell off the chair when he scored. So late, so perfectly delivered, the last person we might expect to score has placed Europe next year in the hands of the team and you have laid out the map very clearly.
    Virgil calls him the Holy Goalie because of his faith. I thought that witty

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  2. Anthony

    Celtic fans also christened Artur Borac the "Holy Goalie" because of his proficiency in crossing himself when he was not venturing out of his penalty area (and not to the opposite area like Alysson and Leeds' Paul Robinson with his last minute equaliser for us against Swindon in the League Cup in our relegation season 2003-04).

    But to return to the subject at hand; it is really good to look forward to a three team scrap for CL places this week with the title and relegation places already decided. I was so happy for Leicester's victory in the Cup Final (Sorry, Steve R). Good to see success and an effective challenge to the elite metropolitan domination (both London and the North West) of the Premiership (itself a shining example of the financial-sporting complex in English football.

    Very happy with my lot's end to the season. We now have a settled centre-back partnership in Llorente and Struijk and, up front, Rodrigo is blossoming into a world-class forward with the able assistance of Brazilian playmaker Raphinha.

    But my LUFC player of the year is Tyrone compatriot Stuart Dallas.

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    Replies
    1. Barry,

      We've just had revenge and probably secured CL football next year.

      I pity Man City in the CL final though, there's a lot of anger about the FA cup final that the squad want to put right to get something for the season. I fancy us for it now.

      Stupid money in the game these days but it's great to see locals still up there in the best teams.

      Hat's off to the Cookstown Cafu!

      Delete
    2. Boruc was brilliant for Northern Ireland when we played Poland!

      Delete
  3. While reading about Mr Becker Snr, I noticed that Alisson's brother is called Muriel. Maybe he was disappointed not to have daughters!
    I was going to cover the FA cup but made the mistake of "watching" it with my mates. You just don't concentrate on the footy enough, too busy shite talkin' and banterin'.

    ReplyDelete
  4. With Jota injured, the two remaining games will be very tricky for the Reds.
    I cannot wait to see the back of the permanently injured Keita, Ox 🐂, Matip.
    The snail 🐌 paced cb pairing of Nat & Rhys fills me with dread. The Reds have five cbs out injured.
    There is crazy talk of Adrian being given a new contract ; seven players in & a similar number sold is the only way to bridge the wide gap to the top of the table.

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    Replies
    1. they should do it but have fallen at smaller fences this season.
      I would like to see Ox and Matip stay as I think they can do it - Keita has failed miserably. He is just not at the races. Nat is much better than Rhys and with the CBs so frail it would be a mistake to get rid of him unless thy sign Konate.
      A new contract for Adrian would not inspire confidence

      Delete
  5. Steve R

    Boruc was brilliant for Northern Ireland when we played Poland!

    I didn't know Boruc wore the jersey once owned by Pat Jennings! You got the teams mixed up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope, he was Poland's keeper and was absolutely shite!

      Delete
  6. I don't know about that, He did well against the old co, if memory serves. Arthur Boruc, the Holy goalie, he blessed himself at Ibrox and the Huns went aff their nut....

    ReplyDelete