Anthony McIntyre ⚽ For the third game on the trot Liverpool have failed to show the mettle required to be league champions.
Wolves, a team that is rooting around the bottom of the table, desperate to fight off relegation, came to Anfield and gave the league leaders a shock. They played better, being much more creative and combative. It was a game the visitors could have won with a bit more fortune on their side.
Last Sunday, Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by a team propping up the Championship, a division below the level Liverpool play at. Midweek, they conceded a last minute equaliser to Everton, depriving them of two valuable points. This afternoon but for a crucial intervention by Jarell Quansah, it would have been another two points lost. Add the great save by Allison, it might have been all three lost.
Liverpool's first goal came when Diaz fell on the ball and it made its way across the goal line. The second was from a penalty converted by Salah. This is the sum total of the attacking prowess from the team that many imagine to be on course to claim the title come May. At this stage of the season we would imagine a front line capable of mounting a sustained siege on the opposition's goal, but nothing. The team that looked most likely to score throughout the second half was Wolves. Anfield was on the backfoot and the Molineux men were determined to keep them there.
There is no excuse at this level for the erratic passing that the home side consistently served up. Jamie Carragher commented that Liverpool were incapable of stringing there passes together. Trent Alexander Arnold was culprit in chief. My relief at him being substituted was short lived as Wolves pulled one back shortly after. But he would done nothing to stop that. Meanwhile, in the rearview mirror is Arsenal with all guns ready, and slipping into a run of form at the same time as Liverpool are slipping out of one.
Wolves, a team that is rooting around the bottom of the table, desperate to fight off relegation, came to Anfield and gave the league leaders a shock. They played better, being much more creative and combative. It was a game the visitors could have won with a bit more fortune on their side.
Last Sunday, Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by a team propping up the Championship, a division below the level Liverpool play at. Midweek, they conceded a last minute equaliser to Everton, depriving them of two valuable points. This afternoon but for a crucial intervention by Jarell Quansah, it would have been another two points lost. Add the great save by Allison, it might have been all three lost.
Liverpool's first goal came when Diaz fell on the ball and it made its way across the goal line. The second was from a penalty converted by Salah. This is the sum total of the attacking prowess from the team that many imagine to be on course to claim the title come May. At this stage of the season we would imagine a front line capable of mounting a sustained siege on the opposition's goal, but nothing. The team that looked most likely to score throughout the second half was Wolves. Anfield was on the backfoot and the Molineux men were determined to keep them there.
There is no excuse at this level for the erratic passing that the home side consistently served up. Jamie Carragher commented that Liverpool were incapable of stringing there passes together. Trent Alexander Arnold was culprit in chief. My relief at him being substituted was short lived as Wolves pulled one back shortly after. But he would done nothing to stop that. Meanwhile, in the rearview mirror is Arsenal with all guns ready, and slipping into a run of form at the same time as Liverpool are slipping out of one.
There are already signs of large year's implosion. The current Liverpool side are visibly running out of puff. They look jaded and running on empty. They just might not have the stamina required to finish the race in pole position. The composition of the team is the same as the Klopp one that folded in the final furlong, and a year older to boot.
Yesterday, we sat in the same pub Paddy and myself had watched the midweek match at Goodison. This time we were joined by four others, three who had come down from Belfast and my son. The fortunes of Liverpool were discussed but we were so many hours into the session that most of the discussion now eludes me. But I do recall some of us concluding that Arsenal could still take the title. Nothing at Anfield this afternoon dissuaded me from such a view.
For now Liverpool remain seven points clear, but just about.
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Gunners didn't pull up any trees @ home to the Foxes . Wolves are a different beast ( thanks to their new boss ) . The Brazilian who scored would be an addition to Any team .
ReplyDeleteWould you take four points from the Villa & City games ? Arsenal will drop a few ( hopefully )
Endo should of subbed on @ Everton .
Best examples of Reds implosions were during the Evans / Spice boy era # ' 94 - ' 98 . Beat Newcastle 4 - 3 in a midweek game , lost # 1- 0 @ Filbert Street 3 days later . They finished fourth in a 2 horse race in 1997 & always collapsed during the last ten games . Man U won that season's title with a meagre 75 points !
I see lots of departures & arrivals during the Summer ; if they don't win it , expect a repeat of the dismal # 2003 , # 2010 , # 2015 seasons . Unlike the J K era , a near miss second place finish was followed by a fifth , sixth , seventh placing the following year . Villa drubbing in # 6- 1 should of been the end for Brendan .
Anthony / readers , who will win the title , by how many points & who will finish third , fourth ?
I think two points from the City Villa game is as good as it is likely to get.
DeleteArsenal for the title but I'm not gonna try guessing the points tally.
Anthony, I didn't see the Wolves game but winning a match without playing well is the hallmark of title winning teams. You may be experiencing a blip but that return of points from City and Villa will open up the title race. Note that Arsenal have no recognised striker now that Haveertz is crocked for the rest of the season.
ReplyDeleteBarry - the Daily Mail described it as their worst performance of the season. I just don't see it getting much better but hopefully you are right
DeleteMy 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
ReplyDeleteLiverpool got the draw against Villa....1 down , 2 to go.
DeleteThey did Frankie.
DeleteThey 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.
And now Arsenal has a game in hand....If they win that and Liverpool draws against City and loses against Arsenal----Then it will be squeaky bum time on the ferry up the Mersey.
ReplyDeleteThat's it Frankie in a nutshell. No team since Newcastle in 96 has squandered such a commanding lead in the title race. But who would bet against this lot doing just that?
DeleteAs a Man Utd fan Anthony, I hope Utd win both the Europa and FA Cups and Liverpool to finish 2nd with no silver to show....
ReplyDeleteOnly because I have a good mate in West Belfast, who like you is a die-hard Liverpool head, and he has been breaking my balls all season on how poor Utd is and I get bragging rights in May.
Frankie - I used to loathe United until I took my son to see them play Sampdoria in Dublin. After that I warmed to them. I will not be surprised if Liverpool finish second with no silverware. I find it difficult to imagine them beating Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
DeleteAnthony , your analysis is spot on . Tired Reds won't win the C L or P L . Nunez missing from 6 yards out was the end of his Anfield career . He should of been offloaded & replaced last month . Arsenal to have the title wrapped up with a few games to spare . Beginning of the end for supplicant Slot ?
ReplyDeleteRed Ron, unfortunately you are never too wide off the mark and there is not much in that I could challenge. They are tired - a team a year older than it was when it folded last year from tiredness can hardly improve and acquire more stamina. I definitely believe Nunez should go. He is not the quality needed to be a Liverpool centre forward.
Delete