Anthony McIntyre  Another day, another draw.

If Liverpool continue with the dance of the seven veils the team might well find itself naked in terms of silverware at the end of the season. They crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday to the mighty Plymouth, a club not exactly renowned throughout the world for the mass of trophies it has accumulated over the years. Plymouth's religious Brethren are probably better known than its soccer club. If the purpose of fielding a weak side against Plymouth was to save the energy for last night's more important game against Merseyside rivals, Everton, it was a waste of effort and a cup exit to boot.

Last night myself and Paddy headed to the local. He rang me as evening approached and asked if I fancied a pint. Parched from a two hour river walk with the dog, I fancied a pint more than I fancied Liverpool. As the local serves Corona on tap, I was inexorably drawn to the pub and what I sensed would be a drawn game. I was somewhat reassured by the presence of Conor Bradley in the right back position. At least, unlike TAA, he would not be seen as a soft touch, a target for persistent forays from the Everton left. But what is gained on the swings can quickly be lost on the roundabouts. On the other side of the backline the once reliable Andy Robinson seems to be terminally stupid, which I suppose is what continues to guarantee him the Scotland captaincy. Daft pushes to the back of an opponent under the nose of the referee without a semblance of guile, cuteness or discretion. Even Arne Slot groaned in exasperation.

I'm not sure why I do it. There is no enjoyment to be derived from watching Liverpool. They rarely play scintillating soccer, and often they just about manage to eke out a win. There also seems to be an element of bluff about their current top of the table position, something they are aware of and live in dread of being found out. The scenes at the end of the game last night pointed to this. To my mind the post match chaos kickstarted by Curtis Jones, was less about Doucoure winding up the Liverpool fans and more about the sense of nervous vulnerability that the team seems to be feeling as matters move towards the business end of the season. Three red cards in a game already over - what a foolhardy investment for the poorest of returns. The petulance never changed a thing other than who will appear on the next team sheet and in the technical area.

Earlier on TPQ, in response to a claim about how well the team was doing,  I made the point that:

At Christmas 2018 they were seven points clear and still never made it over the line. A slew of draws brought them down. Last season the title was in their own hands. They were the only side who if they won all their remaining games would win the title. No other side could do that. Mathematically impossible. Yet, they blew it against Manchester United in a 2-2 draw. After that they fell apart. The scourge of draw disease has caused them to be the nearly men - and it was back at them last night. I will be surprised if this lot don't fold as embarrassingly as they did last year. They are all the same players, just a year older. Soccer stamina does not grow with age.

That is pretty much the lay of the land to me. Paddy does his best to calm me down and is more laid back about it than I can ever be. I guess the guy seated next to us must have thought he was eavesdropping on a conversation between Pollyanna and Jerimiah. I am not a good conversationalist during Liverpool matches, so absorbed am I in the play. But a certain logic still managed to break through. His view is that unlike previous seasons Liverpool are in a race to the finish with Arsenal, not Manchester City. He remains certain that the Gunners will drop points. While it makes sense, my problem is that I don't trust this current side to deliver. If any team is capable of drawing its way to disaster, it is this one.

For the city of Liverpool the best outcome last night in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison was a draw, everybody can take something from the game. The same cannot be said of Liverpool's title hopes. They are now two points closer to the pursuing pack with no reason to believe that they have any more stamina at the end of this season than they had last time around. Now that the rubber is hitting the road, Liverpool's roadworthiness may fall short of NCT.

Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.

Draw Disease

Anthony McIntyre  Another day, another draw.

If Liverpool continue with the dance of the seven veils the team might well find itself naked in terms of silverware at the end of the season. They crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday to the mighty Plymouth, a club not exactly renowned throughout the world for the mass of trophies it has accumulated over the years. Plymouth's religious Brethren are probably better known than its soccer club. If the purpose of fielding a weak side against Plymouth was to save the energy for last night's more important game against Merseyside rivals, Everton, it was a waste of effort and a cup exit to boot.

Last night myself and Paddy headed to the local. He rang me as evening approached and asked if I fancied a pint. Parched from a two hour river walk with the dog, I fancied a pint more than I fancied Liverpool. As the local serves Corona on tap, I was inexorably drawn to the pub and what I sensed would be a drawn game. I was somewhat reassured by the presence of Conor Bradley in the right back position. At least, unlike TAA, he would not be seen as a soft touch, a target for persistent forays from the Everton left. But what is gained on the swings can quickly be lost on the roundabouts. On the other side of the backline the once reliable Andy Robinson seems to be terminally stupid, which I suppose is what continues to guarantee him the Scotland captaincy. Daft pushes to the back of an opponent under the nose of the referee without a semblance of guile, cuteness or discretion. Even Arne Slot groaned in exasperation.

I'm not sure why I do it. There is no enjoyment to be derived from watching Liverpool. They rarely play scintillating soccer, and often they just about manage to eke out a win. There also seems to be an element of bluff about their current top of the table position, something they are aware of and live in dread of being found out. The scenes at the end of the game last night pointed to this. To my mind the post match chaos kickstarted by Curtis Jones, was less about Doucoure winding up the Liverpool fans and more about the sense of nervous vulnerability that the team seems to be feeling as matters move towards the business end of the season. Three red cards in a game already over - what a foolhardy investment for the poorest of returns. The petulance never changed a thing other than who will appear on the next team sheet and in the technical area.

Earlier on TPQ, in response to a claim about how well the team was doing,  I made the point that:

At Christmas 2018 they were seven points clear and still never made it over the line. A slew of draws brought them down. Last season the title was in their own hands. They were the only side who if they won all their remaining games would win the title. No other side could do that. Mathematically impossible. Yet, they blew it against Manchester United in a 2-2 draw. After that they fell apart. The scourge of draw disease has caused them to be the nearly men - and it was back at them last night. I will be surprised if this lot don't fold as embarrassingly as they did last year. They are all the same players, just a year older. Soccer stamina does not grow with age.

That is pretty much the lay of the land to me. Paddy does his best to calm me down and is more laid back about it than I can ever be. I guess the guy seated next to us must have thought he was eavesdropping on a conversation between Pollyanna and Jerimiah. I am not a good conversationalist during Liverpool matches, so absorbed am I in the play. But a certain logic still managed to break through. His view is that unlike previous seasons Liverpool are in a race to the finish with Arsenal, not Manchester City. He remains certain that the Gunners will drop points. While it makes sense, my problem is that I don't trust this current side to deliver. If any team is capable of drawing its way to disaster, it is this one.

For the city of Liverpool the best outcome last night in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison was a draw, everybody can take something from the game. The same cannot be said of Liverpool's title hopes. They are now two points closer to the pursuing pack with no reason to believe that they have any more stamina at the end of this season than they had last time around. Now that the rubber is hitting the road, Liverpool's roadworthiness may fall short of NCT.

Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.

11 comments:

  1. Exactly how many pints did you have writing this? Liverpool have been great to watch all season, positive attacking football, people putting a shift in when it matters, yes a few dodgy results but by far the best team in the League. Lifting the PL is nailed on.....but.

    The high intensity game Slot employs will take a toll. Next season without wide ranging recruitment is were the danger lays. Player burnout is real. Reminds me of Mourinho teams, not in tactics but in effort. Successful as long as fresh legs are added every year, the players had to be at least 6 foot with few exceptions made for outstanding talents, and they all had to unquestionably follow his directions. Next year will be interesting.

    Now, if only we could buy a fucking proper old fashioned No 9!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve - not anywhere near enough to drown my sorrows at watching them. I'd five pints in the pub but was alcohol free when throwing the piece together.

      During the game I said to Paddy that we had been in the same seats last season when Liverpool were down to nine men and Spurs scored in the last minute. Lightening can strike this lot more than once.

      Every sort of excuse will be made for them. I just don't relax, expecting them to blow it at any minute. Maybe I just have bad memories of them blowing it against Arsenal in the last minute of the game for the title in 1989. I remember going up to Micky McNought as soon as the cells opened the following morning and shaking his hand. He was a big Arsenal fan - he didn't even rub it in to me!! I was as sick as a parrot and never forgave them for it.

      Delete
  2. Anthony, as Leeds fan I also rarely enjoy watching my team. It is often an exercise in nervous energy. But from the outside looking in, last night should not herald a collapse like 2019. It was an exceptional occasion because it was the last derby at Goodison and current form was never going to decide the result.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barry - I hope you are right but like I said to Steve . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It Waa like having brewer's droop with viagra watching that game. All possession but not a single bite. And yes Barry, we desperately need a target man. One who can hold up to scrutiny.

      Delete
  4. I fucking hate football. 3 nil to brighton. I'm taking my ball and going home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was a bad one Steve - couldn't understand what happened there.

      Delete
  5. Steve, you simply do not have a proper No 9

    ReplyDelete
  6. I believe the Reds will get over the line this term , though I don't think it is the walk in the park that nearly every pundit on various media predicts .
    If they don't it will be seen as a Keegan # 1998 style meltdown . Next season will see half a dozen new starters in the Reds 11 ; recruitment has to be a heck of a lot better than bargain big garbage such as #Chiesa & # Melo , otherwise they will be fortunate to finish top # 8 . F S G strategy is to burn players out , then let them leave for free . Exiting the devalued F A Cup was a blessing . Return game with the Bitter Blues will be interesting .

    ReplyDelete
  7. How was the Drogs' first outing in the full time era, Anthony?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 0-0 draw away to Pat's. Good start for them

      Delete