Anthony McIntyre  The Liverpool addiction to drawing games shows no signs of abating. Last night's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa came as no surprise. Prior to the game I had commented on a previous post:

My prediction - draw against Villa tonight, draw against City and lose to Arsenal. 2 points from a possible 9 - and the whole dynamic of the title race is changed.

No great foresight required for that. It was as easy as predicting that Donald Trump will lie with his next breath. It is down to that famous Einstein characterisation of those who do the same thing over and over again but expect different results. How Klopp's Flops from last season can be expected to increase their stamina levels and succeed where they previously failed is something of a conundrum. Witness last night: Darwin Nunez is a much worse player under Slot than he was under Klopp. He simply cannot do the job required at that level of football. Yet Slot keeps sending him out to squander the opportunities that fall his way. Under Klopp he at least hit the bar or the keeper. Last night, facing an open net gagging to be burst, he somehow contrived to miss it from six yards out. He could always blast a ball but never place it. That has not changed, just that his placing has got immeasurably worse. It is impossible to think that had Slot have put Caoimhin Kelleher on as a substitute to play not in goal but leading the attack - instead of Nunez - it could have been any worse. When there are grounds to believe that a goalkeeper can do as good a job as the centre forward, surely it is time to offload. Yet, it seems more likely that Kelleher will be transferred before Nunez who is as useful as a chocolate teapot. 

Liverpool can't rely on getting across the line on their own steam. They have simply run out of it.  Instead they will be dependent on everyone else stumbling and falling much like in the 1967 Grand National when Foinavon came in first but only after the rest tripped each other up. It is possible that something like that could happen but I am sticking by my forecast made a couple of days ago: 'Arsenal for the title but I'm not gonna try guessing the points tally.'

I was in Dublin yesterday for most the day and my son was at GAA training so we agreed to have the game recorded for us to watch later. Phones were switched off so that nobody could send us a spoiler, and laptops were approached only with the greatest of caution. It wouldn't change the outcome but at least it would maintain the suspense. Shortly after 10pm we settled in front of the TV, unsettled might be a more apt description for me. Liverpool came out in blitzkrieg style, much like an ape that tries to intimidate its opponents by beating its chest and making itself appear big. In this case it was big hat no cattle. We know how a blitzkrieg tends to end once it comes up against robust and determined opposition, and the busy fools are exposed for what they are. The team that Bobby Sands supported dug in well and fought it out. Five minutes had barely elapsed before the Liverpool surge wilted. By half time they were 2-1 behind.

Match over, I thought it would have been easier simply to have been put out of my misery without watching any of it. To boot my son got so fed up with my moaning, griping and sarcasm he told me to put a sock in it. No longer willing to ruin it for him I headed for bed with Liverpool still trailing and seeming to lack the wherewithal to turn things around. I made it to the fourth or fifth stair when he started to roar in celebration. As he has pulled that one before on me only to laugh when I burst back into the room, I paused before making the return journey. It was the cheers of my wife that persuaded me that Liverpool were level.

In any event, a few glasses of whiskey later, I eventually completed my departure for bed. Getting to sleep and then staying thus evaded me. I woke up about four, still angry at the poor performance. Before setting off I commented to Frankie on TPQ:

They were lucky to get the draw.
The woeful finishing of Nunez and Jota does not augur well.
They were so poor I said 'fuck that, millionaire bastards serving up shit to the only republican city still ruled by the Brits'. I headed up to bed. About four stairs up I heard my son screaming with delight so went back down again. I'll watch games on my own in future if at all. I am simply not good company to be in during Liverpool games.

Whether I can maintain my isolationist stance is something else. In my heart I know it is better to stick to the Drogs: no multimillionaires there prancing and pirouetting but never pouncing when the moment requires it. No post-match bear with a sore head syndrome. The multimillionaires of Merseyside - sick to the teeth of them flattering to deceive.

Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.

As Predicted

Anthony McIntyre  The Liverpool addiction to drawing games shows no signs of abating. Last night's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa came as no surprise. Prior to the game I had commented on a previous post:

My prediction - draw against Villa tonight, draw against City and lose to Arsenal. 2 points from a possible 9 - and the whole dynamic of the title race is changed.

No great foresight required for that. It was as easy as predicting that Donald Trump will lie with his next breath. It is down to that famous Einstein characterisation of those who do the same thing over and over again but expect different results. How Klopp's Flops from last season can be expected to increase their stamina levels and succeed where they previously failed is something of a conundrum. Witness last night: Darwin Nunez is a much worse player under Slot than he was under Klopp. He simply cannot do the job required at that level of football. Yet Slot keeps sending him out to squander the opportunities that fall his way. Under Klopp he at least hit the bar or the keeper. Last night, facing an open net gagging to be burst, he somehow contrived to miss it from six yards out. He could always blast a ball but never place it. That has not changed, just that his placing has got immeasurably worse. It is impossible to think that had Slot have put Caoimhin Kelleher on as a substitute to play not in goal but leading the attack - instead of Nunez - it could have been any worse. When there are grounds to believe that a goalkeeper can do as good a job as the centre forward, surely it is time to offload. Yet, it seems more likely that Kelleher will be transferred before Nunez who is as useful as a chocolate teapot. 

Liverpool can't rely on getting across the line on their own steam. They have simply run out of it.  Instead they will be dependent on everyone else stumbling and falling much like in the 1967 Grand National when Foinavon came in first but only after the rest tripped each other up. It is possible that something like that could happen but I am sticking by my forecast made a couple of days ago: 'Arsenal for the title but I'm not gonna try guessing the points tally.'

I was in Dublin yesterday for most the day and my son was at GAA training so we agreed to have the game recorded for us to watch later. Phones were switched off so that nobody could send us a spoiler, and laptops were approached only with the greatest of caution. It wouldn't change the outcome but at least it would maintain the suspense. Shortly after 10pm we settled in front of the TV, unsettled might be a more apt description for me. Liverpool came out in blitzkrieg style, much like an ape that tries to intimidate its opponents by beating its chest and making itself appear big. In this case it was big hat no cattle. We know how a blitzkrieg tends to end once it comes up against robust and determined opposition, and the busy fools are exposed for what they are. The team that Bobby Sands supported dug in well and fought it out. Five minutes had barely elapsed before the Liverpool surge wilted. By half time they were 2-1 behind.

Match over, I thought it would have been easier simply to have been put out of my misery without watching any of it. To boot my son got so fed up with my moaning, griping and sarcasm he told me to put a sock in it. No longer willing to ruin it for him I headed for bed with Liverpool still trailing and seeming to lack the wherewithal to turn things around. I made it to the fourth or fifth stair when he started to roar in celebration. As he has pulled that one before on me only to laugh when I burst back into the room, I paused before making the return journey. It was the cheers of my wife that persuaded me that Liverpool were level.

In any event, a few glasses of whiskey later, I eventually completed my departure for bed. Getting to sleep and then staying thus evaded me. I woke up about four, still angry at the poor performance. Before setting off I commented to Frankie on TPQ:

They were lucky to get the draw.
The woeful finishing of Nunez and Jota does not augur well.
They were so poor I said 'fuck that, millionaire bastards serving up shit to the only republican city still ruled by the Brits'. I headed up to bed. About four stairs up I heard my son screaming with delight so went back down again. I'll watch games on my own in future if at all. I am simply not good company to be in during Liverpool games.

Whether I can maintain my isolationist stance is something else. In my heart I know it is better to stick to the Drogs: no multimillionaires there prancing and pirouetting but never pouncing when the moment requires it. No post-match bear with a sore head syndrome. The multimillionaires of Merseyside - sick to the teeth of them flattering to deceive.

Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.

15 comments:

  1. You are very hard to please ! Only happy when yer grumbling! LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve - infuriating to watch. Seriously, if other professionals delivered such a sub standard service they would be out on their ear or struck off. And they are paid colossal amounts that would dwarf the salaries of other professionals. I suppose better that they are playing soccer rather than flying planes or performing cardiac surgery.

      Delete
  2. Expect a # 2 - 3 tomorrow , neither team can defend . I expected 4 goals @ Villa Park ! Arsenal rumoured to be bringing Firmino to North London . Reds should concentrate on one of the C L or P L - their thin tired squad can't progress in both .

    ReplyDelete
  3. 3 Reds clean sheets in their last 13 P L games doesn't augur well . Playing the same midfield trio every game is unfair on the jaded burnt out players . Trent should of stayed on V Villa . Drawing P S G was scant reward for topping the C L table . Real Madrid will win yet another domestic / Euro double , they always peak @ the perfect time . How did genius Ancelotti end up @ Everton & not Old Trafford ?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Surely it's Liverpool's title to lose now, Anthony.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would imagine Barry but this lot is capable of drawing all remaining games. Teams can't rely on the Foinavon factor. Arsenal blew an opportunity today, fortunately. I have been trying to contact my son as he will be over the moon but he is in Dublin somewhere and I have been unable to get him. If they beat City tomorrow they have to be hot favourites but I would not bet a cent on that happening.

      Delete
  5. And I thought I was the most neurotic fan in the world! Good win for the Drogs last night

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a great win for the Drogs Barry. We were at the game.

      I don't have the most level of perspectives when it comes to Liverpool. My wife says I invest too much emotionally in the game.
      I don't care one way or the other for the players. I just think the people in the city of Liverpool should not be swindled by millionaires failing to deliver what they are paid to do. That is why I like to see Everton do well also.

      And at the back of it all is Hillsborough. It never leaves the rearview mirror.

      Delete
  6. Very harsh on Nunez, he's a great baller being played in a system that does not suit him. We would not be top if it wasn't for his goals. He's going in the summer with quite a few others I suspect. Predicting a Liverpool victory today but I am the eternal optimist....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think he is woeful.
      They got rid of Origi and brought him in.
      I was talking to my son today about Arsenal winning yesterday and commented that when Liverpool lose today the gap will still be seven points.
      Still, hope springs eternal.
      Although with this lot no pessimist was ever proven wrong!!!

      Delete
  7. 2-0 at half time to Liverpool. Hopefully, it continues but a draw can't be ruled out at this stage. I'll not relax until the final whistle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was the complete performance, Anthony. Clinical, efficient and lead well seen out.

      Delete
    2. Barry, the cretins played so well they have left me with nothing to gripe about. Very clinical. They need about 26 points to take the title if Arsenal win all their games. 11 draws won't cut the mustard as that leaves them 14 short of what they need even if Arsenal stumble which they show every sign of doing. But even I think it almost impossible that they could manage 11 draws.

      Delete
  8. Liverpool home and dry for title. We are witnessing the decline of Great team, which I have supported for five decades. I have been at matches in Maine Road , in the old Second Division, when we were delighted to get out with a draw. Beating Unified was just a cherished dream.
    All great teams come to an end. Watching the Rugby it is hard to believe
    , that England were a great team only few short years ago - as were Munster.
    Still, City players like Aguero, David Silva, Kompany and DeBruyne were an adornment to the Premiership and were admired by all. Now it is Liverpool's, Salahs and van Dijk's turn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tonyol - you didn't by any chance attend the Linfield game in Belfast when City went down 1-2?

      Delete