Anthony McIntyre ⚽ Just in the door from the pub, three pints of Corona, two Jameson later.
Up until today I had not known that Corona was served on draught. It will be my pint of choice in future if available. After three the tap stopped functioning so I was forced to switch to the whiskey which, as a boozing habit, I prefer.
I had a bad feeling about this afternoon's clash between Liverpool and Manchester United. I had heard all the talk about how Rangers came back from the dead to trounce Celtic in the recent Glasgow Old Firm meeting at Ibrox and that this was somehow an ominous sign for Liverpool. Not being superstitious I based my uneasiness on past performance, not something in Glasgow. Last season a dreadful pass by Jarrell Quansah against Manchester United effectively killed off Liverpool's title hopes. A few weeks earlier when the same two sides met in the FA Cup quarter final, Liverpool again sold the pass. Two of the longed for quadruple gone in a flash at the hands of the same team.
Today, at Anfield, Manchester United deserved their draw while Liverpool were fortunate to come away with one point, even though as my friend Andrew said to me in a message after the game:
two points dropped . . . happening too often. Not their day . . . too many draws will cost them the league
Hard to argue with him about that. It is happening too often - against Fulham which soured my stay in Riga, and against Newcastle. In 2019 as I sat drinking wine in a Paris street my son sent me a text message to confirm that Liverpool just blew and threw the league title. 'Four disastrous games were crucial: Leicester, West Ham, Everton, Manchester United.' They all ended in draws. A team cannot draw its way to a title, it can only win its way.
So, despite being six points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand, the dark clouds are gathering on the Mersey. If Liverpool cannot beat a team as poorly and lowly as today's opponents then, come the business end of the season, they will find the going tough against more formidable sides.
Today, accompanied by my son, I went to our local, The Pheasant. We got plum seats at the bar right in front of the TV screen. It was as if the only two seats left vacant at the bar were reserved for us. We were in the same spot where we watched Spurs score a last minute winner last season against a nine man Liverpool side. Despite my aversion to superstition the thought did cross my mind.
Liverpool's shortcomings today rest with two people: Trent Alexander Arnold for failing to defend; Arne Slot for failing to take him off much earlier. So poor was TTA that I commented to my son that Liverpool should pay Real Madrid to take him so he can wreak havoc there. Often Trent Alexander can compensate for his woes at right back with play in midfield from where he can spray a range of passes with uncanny accuracy. None of that this afternoon. His passing was as poor as his defending. Liverpool effectively played with ten men against a Manchester side with twelve. TTA would have strong grounds to complain that Bruno Fernandez won the man of the match award, when he contributed much more to the Manchester United performance than the talented Portuguese.
The speculation around his possible transfer to Real Madrid is being offered as an excuse for his poor performance. That is all it is, an excuse not a reason. As a defender he is a liability and Liverpool would do well to transfer him in return for the cash needed to bring in a quality right back, even as back up to Conor Bradley who in spite of his tender years is infinitely better in that position than Alexander Arnold.
Last Sunday, I left the Lockkeepers in Dublin happy, having with Andrew and Les just watched Liverpool thrash West Ham. Today as I vacated my seat, shook hands with the Manchester United fan beside me, I left the bar forlorn. The only consolation for me was that the rain had stopped so we could make the short journey home, with umbrellas folded. To have raised them would have felt too much like hoisting the black flag.
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Clearly his head has been turned by Madrid, Slot should have knew that and Bradley on from the start. Bradley is only going to get better too. Why buy when you can promote from within?
ReplyDeleteBuy for cover. Bradley is good but still quite young. Andy Robertson is also off the pace in too many games. They need to strengthen both backs.
DeleteYou can win stuff with kids!!
DeleteSpot on Mackers. Trent’s defensive frailties laid bare once again. In many ways he is the James Tavierner of the premier league, great going forward but often leaves the back exposed.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool very lucky to get out with just a point indeed; but I do believe they will go on and win the league. I know people will point out they have blown it in the past but I just feel it’s their year
For the neutral this was one hell of a game
On a side note so much for the Rangers “revolution” lasted all of one game 😆. And once again they fumble it today after being us on Thursday
I don't know - a few more draws alongside a City return to form could see the whole thing upended. They have a pretty compact side but with Trent in the right back position, the set up simply can't be trusted. No other player should be expected to cover for him, which is what is often asked of Konate who is prone to injury.
DeleteThey should also get rid of Chiesa if a hospital in Rome will take him.
Rangers had it in their grasp but let the Hibs back into the game. Somebody in the boardroom must be thinking ahead to the next manager.
DeleteTrent should be sold for £ 20 mill & replaced a s a p . Defenders Kyle Walker Peters , Tariq Lamptey & striker Chris Wood are available on frees this summer . Reds should nab all 3 . Dom was a big miss yesterday , Jones didn't step up .
ReplyDeleteCity are the biggest threat to the Reds ?
Chiesa is set to cost the Reds £ 25 mill in wages over the next 4 years ! Penny pinching F S G Learned nothing from the Arthur Melo fiasco .
ReplyDeleteCity are out of the picture. Liverpool's main challengers are Arsenal with the greatest respect to Forest. Liverpool did look off colour in the first half and Man Utd did deserve to get something. But nothing big will change.
ReplyDelete