The Kopite View

Youngsters Derby Experience

Brendan Rodgers is giving youth a chance at Liverpool this season, which has been applauded by most Liverpool supporters who realise there is great potential coming through at youth level.

The step up to first team level is massive and for the younger players with no experience at this level, there will be ups and downs. Most youngsters breaking into a first team only receive fleeting chances, but there has been a few at Liverpool this season that are playing regularly, Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre Wisdom have become regulars and are having to face new challenges every week.

Sunday’s Merseyside derby was a big learning experience for Liverpool’s youngsters. The Goodison experience is a unique one, the crowd are up close to the park and the atmosphere is intense and passionate. The game itself is always blood and thunder with no time to dwell on the ball, and for all the preparation in the world you can never be prepared for what you will experience.

Liverpool’s youngsters have been a breath of fresh air this season, but on Sunday they struggled against an experienced, on form, motivated Everton side who intent on putting Liverpool in their place.

Liverpool were under pressure from the start, but found themselves 2-0 up in the first half only to be pegged back. But it was noticeable that Sterling was struggling to make any impact on the wings as he was tightly marked and physically challenged by Everton’s defenders. Suso hardly got a touch in the first half with the pace of the game passing him by, Sahin had a similar problem in the midfield. Andre Wisdom had his most torrid time from coming into the first team, mainly caused by the dangerous opponent Mirallas who he faced. Wisdom would have been glad to see him replaced at half time.

With so many players struggling to impose themselves in the match, it was tremendous for Liverpool that they came away with a positive result from the match and should have clearly won the match in the last minute.

Andre Wisdom in action against Everton picture courtesy of Daily Mail

Credit has to go to Brendan Rodgers who changed things at half time, realising that Liverpool were second best to Everton. His changes both protected the struggling youngsters and gave more of a physical presence in the shape of Shelvey and Coates replacing Sahin and Suso.

Rodgers also changed his tactics as he put Coates into defence alongside Skrtel and Agger to combat Everton’s aerial threat. Raheem Sterling was played more through the middle after struggling in the first half and immediately made an impact at the start of the second half when he almost scored when being sent clear with only Howard to beat, unfortunately his finish let him down.

But Sterling’s pace and trickery became more of a threat in the second half as Everton players regularly fouled the youngster to stop him with some rough treatment, which never affected him, especially with him on a yellow card, he never reacted to the treatment he received.

Andre Wisdom continued to struggle in the second half but once again Rodgers realised this and replaced him with Henderson.

Rodgers changes made a difference to the second half as Everton didn’t have the same domination and didn’t look as dangerous with their attacks and Liverpool looked more dangerous on the counter attack.

Brendan Rodgers showed what a good manager he is with his willingness to change things so early in the match rather than wait for things to happen. Protecting his youngsters from possible mental scarring of a difficult experience in such a high profile match was also clever by Rodgers.

But the faith Rodgers is showing in his youngsters is brave and the experience of a Merseyside derby will give them invaluable experience and they will be better and stronger for it.

Everton 2-2 Liverpool Match Report

Liverpool are in the middle of a hectic schedule of fixtures at the moment, with their involvement in European and domestic cup competitions, and fixtures don’t come much tougher than the Merseyside derby as Liverpool travelled the short trip across Stanley Park to Goodison to play Everton. Unusually Liverpool went into the game as underdogs, mainly due to Everton’s tremendous start to the season and Liverpool’s inconsistent start, so it would be interesting to see who would have bragging rights at the end of the day.

The Team

Liverpool had a tough Europa League match against Russian side Anzhi on Thursday night and many of the players that played were selected again to face Everton on only 3 days rest. Brad Jones deputised again in goal for Reina as he recovers from injury. The only change from the recent defensive line-up was Jose Enrique replacing Johnson at right-back, who left the field at halftime on Thursday night. Sterling, Sahin, Gerrard, Suso and Allen started in midfield with Suarez as Liverpool’s striker.

The Match

When Z-Cars rang around Goodison Park minutes before kick-off, a ferocious roar brought the stadium to life and the travelling Reds broke into You’ll Never Walk Alone only to be roundly booed amid the blur of clapping hands and pumping fists that surrounded them in each of the home sections.

Everton threatened first in the early stages when Jelavic looked to set-up Naismith at the far post, but Enrique cleared the danger. The game started typically at a frenetic pace with no time on the ball and Everton were not going to allow Liverpool to implement their passing style on the match.

But Liverpool stunned the home support when the 18-year-old Suso fed a weighted pass into the path of Enrique, who fired the ball across the face of goal towards Raheem Sterling but Baines bundled the winger to the floor. However, lurking beyond the far-post was Suarez, who took a touch before firing past Howard to where Baines diverted the ball into his own net, sending the Kopites wild.

Moments later after Everton’s Osman was shown the first yellow card of the day, the resulting free-kick was delivered by Gerrard into the Everton penalty box which was glanced past Tim Howard by the head of Luis Suarez to double Liverpool’s lead.

But Everton hit back immediately when Brad Jones rushed out to punch a corner clear but his attempt landed perfectly for Osman, who controlled with his chest before driving the ball through a thicket of Liverpool players inside the penalty area and into the net behind.

Everton’s reply galvanised the silenced home support once again as they roared their favourites on for an equaliser. Mirallas was becoming more and more of a threat down Everton’s left as the home side heaped on the pressure.

Sterling was shown a harsh yellow card in the 29^th minute for a foul on Baines and some of the Everton players tried to get the youngster sent off after he committed another foul seconds later, but referee Marriner saw sense.

Everton peppered the Reds’ goal with a combination of deep crosses, aimed mainly towards Fellaini, and balls into the left channel for Jelavic to chase.

The home side had seized momentum and they duly equalised. Fellaini turned free of Andre Wisdom and fired into the middle, where Naismith was arriving right on cue to smash the ball beyond Jones and send Goodison rocking.

Liverpool were glad to hear the half-time whistle to relieve the pressure and the chance to regroup. Rodgers brought on Shelvey for Suso and Coates for Sahin for the second half as he opted for 3 at the back and a change of personnel and tactics to try and change the pattern of play of the first half. Everton were dealt a blow with the dangerous Mirallas not returning for the second half after sustaining an injury at the end of the first half.

Minutes into the second half Enrique sent Sterling clear but his finish let him down with only Howard to beat.

Neat play from Everton left the Reds’ defence in tatters on the hour mark. Seamus Coleman and Jelavic exchanged passes before the full-back whipped the ball into the heart of Jones’s penalty area but no blue shirt was advancing on the six-yard box and Wisdom cleared.

Everton were still the more dominant side in the second half but Liverpool looked more dangerous at counter attacking than they did in the first half, mainly due to Shelvey’s influence with his passing range and willingness to make runs forward when given the chance.

Everton’s best chance to take the lead looked to be from free-kicks around the penalty area, and Liverpool were obliging in gifting Everton many of these set-piece situations in the second half, with committing too many clumsy fouls.  One of these free-kicks led to Coleman drove a tantalising cross in between Jones and his defenders and Jelavic was lethal in his movement but wasteful with his finish as he sent a blistering header into the Park End from yards out.

Both teams were looking for a winner and Phil Jagielka stretched a leg to deny Gerrard on 82 minutes after substitute Jordan Henderson won the ball back and squared it to him. Moments later, Suarez skipped past several Everton defenders but Jagielka was down bravely again to block his effort.

For all the effort both side put in to the match it looked like they would both have to reluctantly settle for the draw. But late drama was witnessed in the final minute of injury time when Suarez found the back of the net from a Coates knock-down and was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Summary

It was a brilliant match with two rivals going at it hammer and tongs for 90 minutes. Merseyside derby debuts for so many of Liverpool’s youngsters and to come away from Goodison with a positive result was tremendous, especially after sustaining long periods of pressure from the home side. Suarez was brilliant and Everton’s defence couldn’t handle him and as he scored two tremendous goals. A few of the youngsters will learn a lot from the experience as I felt Suso, Sahin and Andre Wisdom struggled a bit against a strong Everton side. Wisdom had a tough time against Mirallas, but he will be better for it, Suso and Sahin struggled to get into the match as the pace was frenetic. Sterling struggled in the first half and was put under pressure by receiving a yellow card, he had a really good second half when he was played through the middle and created problems for Everton. Disappointed to lose a two goal lead, but losing a goal so soon after doubling the lead gave Everton the momentum and Liverpool had to withstand intense pressure especially in the first half, Agger and especially Skrtel were like rocks in the heart of the defence. A poor punch by Jones led to Everton’s first goal and Everton’s second goal came from a throw in which should have gone Liverpool’s way. Credit to Brendan Rodgers, who changed things at half-time after watching Everton dominate the first half. Bringing on Shelvey to bolster the midfield and Coates to add height to the defence made a huge difference in the second half. Rodgers also replaced Wisdom for Henderson in the second half as the youngster was enduring a difficult match. Suarez could have been in trouble for his “diving” goal celebration but Moyes made light of the celebration in his post-match comments. But Moyes felt Suarez could have been shown a red card for a foul on Distin when he appeared to rake his studs down the back of the defender’s leg, resulting in the Uruguayan receiving a yellow card, I thought it was accidental and Suarez’s reaction in apology proves this. Drama at the end with another officiating decision going against Liverpool when Suarez looked to have snatched a late winner only to be ruled out wrongly by an offside flag. Overall, a draw was a fair result and Liverpool should be happy with the point and the resilient performance shown.

Liverpool 1-0 Anzhi Match Report

Europa League action was next on the agenda for Liverpool as they faced Russian aristocrats Anzhi Makhachkala who lead the Russian league. The Russian leaders have used their wealth to bring quality to their side in the form of Yuri Zhirkov, Christopher Samba and Samuel Eto’o. Liverpool lost their last Europa League match at home to Udinese, so a positive result was vital if Liverpool were to continue in the competition.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers has been using his full squad for this season’s Europa League matches, but he was not taking anything for granted against Anzhi as he knew the quality he faced and the result he needed. Pepe Reina was still struggling with an injury, so Brad Jones once again deputised for the Spaniard, but Rodgers fielded his regular looking defence, with Wisdom, Agger, Skrtel and Johnson all starting. Assaidi made a rare start on the left with Sahin, Shelvey and Gerrard in the middle of midfield and Stewart Downing wide on the right, Luis Suarez was selected as striker in Brendan Rodgers strong team selection.

The Match

Suarez was influential from the start as he nutmegged a couple of defenders in the first 10 minutes, then he beat another defender before over hitting his cross. Suarez then had a shot saved by Gabulov after receiving an Assaidi cross.

Anzhi seemed reluctant to venture forward as they set their stall out to frustrate Liverpool and defend in numbers in their quest to take a point back to Russia.

With little to do defensively, Johnson made the goalkeeper work with a shot from just inside the area on 21 minutes, while Suarez presented Jonjo Shelvey with a straightforward chance to open the scoring. Running towards the edge of the box, the England youngster elected to shoot first time and saw his blast loop into the Anfield Road end.

Liverpool continued to probe for an opening, but found it hard to create many chances against Anzhi’s well organised defence. Assaidi showed great tenacity to create an opening for but his shot was easily saved by Gabulov.

Eto’o looked an isolated figure for most of the first half with Anzhi’s reluctance to venture forward, and it was just before the half-time whistle before Anzhi mustered their first shot at the Liverpool goal when Smolov fired an ambitious 35 yard effort well wide.

Brendan Rodgers made a change at half-time with Raheem Sterling coming on for Johnson to play down the left with Downing switching to left-back.

Liverpool continued to press for the opener in the second half, with Agger shooting off target from long range after striding forward. Straight after it, Skrtel had a go. The goalkeeper fumbled but recovered in time. Seconds later Shelvey centred as Gerrard sprinted towards the near post, Suarez the far. It was the skipper who connected, stretching to execute a header which landed narrowly wide.

On 53 minutes the goal finally came when Downing cut in from his flank and smacked right-footed into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

It was the wide man’s second goal – he also has three assists – in Europe so far this term. “Stewart Downing, he scores when he wants,” chanted the Kop.

The goal finally stimulated Anzhi to come forward as they started to press Liverpool back into their own half. Goal hero Stewart Downing almost gifted Anzhi an equaliser with a suicidal pass into his own penalty area which Skrtel did well to hack clear only to fall to Eto’o at the edge of the box, Eto’o’s powerful shot was well saved by Jones as Liverpool started to look a bit nervous with their precarious lead.

Liverpool endured a tense final tense 10 minutes as Anzhi camped inside the Liverpool half, but the home side held out for an important win to take them top of their Europa League group. It was Liverpool’s third consecutive clean sheet and a second win in a week which should bring great confidence going into Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

Summary

A great result for Liverpool against a talented Russian side who disappointingly came to defend. Liverpool looked frustrated to break Anzhi down as they struggled to create many chances. Suarez was as ever looking the biggest threat, but again became increasingly frustrated by some of the referee’s decisions, resulting in him receiving another yellow card for dissent. Assaidi looked very lively down the left and created many problems running at defenders. Glen Johnson also looked dangerous running forward as he complimented Assaidi. Liverpool’s defence looked rock solid especially in the final minutes when Anzhi threatened an equaliser. Andre Wisdom was superb again at right-back letting nothing past him and venturing forward when given the chance. A very important win for Liverpool and a third clean sheet in a row will give Liverpool great confidence going to Goodison on Sunday.

Hillsborough Families Should Be Knighted

For 23 years the families of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster have fought against the biggest cover up in sporting history. Nobody can appreciate what trials, tribulations and emotions they have all went through for so long.

The thought of a loved one going to a football match never to return is tragic enough, but to endure the constant lies and having their loved ones blamed for their own deaths by the authorities and publicised by the Sun newspaper is appalling.

The families never accepted the verdict of “accidental death” for their relatives and they campaigned for the truth to come out over the disaster. They had to pay for their legal fees in their fight for justice against those responsible, who were funded by tax payers money.

They were constantly shot down in flames regarding their search for the truth, but they never stopped fighting and gained support over the years.

Finally on the 12^th September this year the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s Report was released, revealing the truth of what happened during and after the disaster of April 1989 in which 96 supporters died.

The never give up attitude by the families for so many years is astounding and finally they have won the fight for the truth to come out, and for everyone to know the facts, which are shameful for so many parties, the police, the medical staff, the government, the media and the FA, who have yet to apologise for their part in selecting Hillsborough as the venue for that fateful match, after previous safety incidents and concerns raised about Hillsborough.

Trevor Hicks, Anne Williams and Margaret Aspinall are just a few of the tragic relatives who lost loved ones on that tragic day, but along with many others they have to be applauded for their endeavour and tireless effort in finally bringing the truth out.

The Hillsborough families’ fight for justice has gained support over the years from many people, the people of Liverpool, whose city was tarnished by many allegations from the disaster. Celebrities like Peter Hooton from the Farm, Mick Jones of The Clash, Pete Wylie from the Mighty Wah and singer, song writer, and many others I apologise for not mentioning.

MP’s Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham have also been instrumental in helping bring the truth to the fore, and they deserve tremendous credit.

Last night MP’s debated for the first time in The House of Commons regarding the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report, and Home Secretary Theresa May revealed that the Government is considering using emergency laws to ensure no police officer involved in the cover-up surrounding the Hillsborough disaster escapes justice.

And May admitted she found elements of the panel’s report ‘shocking’ and said: “The truth that some families have long known, or suspected, is now clear for all to see and to respect.

“They have fought for justice and not warm words. But I would like to place on the record my respect for them all the same.

“And I offer them this commitment – the government will do everything in its power to support them in moving from truth to justice.”

On Monday it was also revealed during the debate – which lasted for almost five hours – that the names of 1,444 former and serving police officers have been passed to the IPCC as part of its investigation into the disaster.

The whole episode of 23 years that the Hillsborough families have endured and fought for should see them knighted, but they didn’t do this for titles or money, they only did this for their tragic loved ones and for the truth and justice for those responsible.

JFT96

Pete Wylie’s Heart As Big As Liverpool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgFY6tmAl8A

Liverpool 1-0 Reading Match Report

Back to league business this weekend after the international break, as Liverpool entertain Reading at Anfield, still looking for their first home league win of the season. A win is vital for Liverpool, as they look to climb the league table after a difficult start to the season. Reading has also struggled since returning to the Premiership this season so this is a big game for both teams.

The Team

Liverpool suffered a couple of injuries to players during the international break, Fabio Borini suffering the most serious injury suffering a fractured foot which could keep him out of action for a few months, while Pepe Reina picked up an injury warming up before Spain’s match with France midweek, so Brad Jones started in goal for Liverpool. Andre Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger and Johnson lined up in defence, with Sahin, Joe Allen and Gerrard in the midfield and Suso and Sterling the wide players supporting Suarez up front.

The Match

Liverpool was quick to stamp their authority in the early stages of the match as they bossed possession. Nuri Sahin had a dipping effort in Liverpool’s first real effort, followed by an effort by Sterling, but goalkeeper Alex McCarthy wasn’t overly troubled by either effort.

Jones, a spectator for most of the first half, collected a cross and bowled quickly into midfield, where Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard seized possession before dispatching Sterling down the left. The 17-year-old might have had too much time to ponder, for his decision to stall and try to beat a man led only to a goal kick.

Moments later Suarez created a yard of space before conjuring a chipped effort just over the bar.

Sterling then set-up the onrushing Sahin but his effort went high over the bar and Liverpool must have been wondering if it was going to be another one of those days.

Reading were forced into a change midway through the half, Jem Karacan coming off worse from a 50:50 with Gerrard and having to be replaced by Gareth McCleary. It made little difference to the McAsway of the contest, and soon dominance was rewarded.

There were 29 minutes on the clock when Suarez poked his toe at the ball to direct it through the Reading defence ready for Sterling to take a touch and guide right-footed beyond McCarthy into the bottom corner of the Anfield Road net.

Suarez almost made it 2-0 soon after, when his 30 yard rocket narrowly missed the target. There was a moment of levity on 38 minutes when referee Roger East awarded Suarez a free-kick on the edge of the area, and more than 40,000 home fans stood in unison for a sarcastic round of applause.

Liverpool was well on top and the chances kept coming, Johnson stung the palms of McCarthy’s hands with the next effort.

The half ended with Suarez hobbling off the field after receiving another thumping challenge from a Reading defender without protection from the referee.

Suarez was the last player to enter the field as he tried to recover from his late first half knock, but it wasn’t long before he was causing havoc as he danced past Gorkks before being denied by McCarthy.

At the other end there was a first chance for the visitors as McCleary ghosted in behind Andre Wisdom only to be denied by the feet of Jones, whose concentration was superb.

The chance was a warning to the home side that their lead was precarious and Reading started to come into the game as Liverpool showed concern.

Jones had to make another good save, palming away a long range McAnuff strike as the visitors started to create a few chances.

Usual service then resumed, Sterling proving difficult to stop down his flank before crossing to Suarez, whose first-time shot flew into the stand.

Martin Skrtel flashed a header inches over after meeting a Gerrard corner at the near post, while substitute Jonjo Shelvey should have done better at the far when Suarez sent an inviting cross his way.

Johnson was then thwarted on the line as a second Liverpool goal was proving elusive. Suarez was wasteful after being teed-up by substitute Enrique, but the one goal proved to be enough as Liverpool recorded their first home win of the season to great relief for the Anfield faithful.

Summary

Relieved that Liverpool recorded their first home win of the season. But 1-0 or 5-0 it doesn’t matter, a win is a win. Sterling scored a great goal and this will be the first of many and will boost his confidence so much. Brad Jones made a couple of vital saves after being redundant for most of the day and his clean sheet was vital in giving Liverpool the win as they could only muster the one goal. Concerning the amount of chances Liverpool was wasteful of and this will need to improve against more difficult opponents. Suarez showed his good and bad side, he caused the Reading defence all sorts of problems but he was guilty of being wasteful of so many chances too. Glen Johnson had a very good game, making a couple of important headers in defence and was a big attacking threat going forward. The supporters showed great backing when they cheered when Suarez received a free-kick. But the most important thing was obviously the win and hopefully Liverpool can build on this victory.

Is Diving Worse Than Stamping ?

What a stupid question, of course it isn’t, but the nation’s media seems to think otherwise as every newspaper has headlined Suarez’s dive for a penalty, rather than headline Stoke’s Robert Huth’s stamp on Luis Suarez.

Diving is part of football now, and every team has players that do it to gain a free-kick or a penalty. But Liverpool’s Luis Suarez seems to be the only player to gain headlines for his diving antics. There is no doubt Suarez goes to ground easily, but doesn’t Nani, Ashley Young or Gareth Bale, to mention a few, without the headlines Suarez receives.

The attention Suarez receives for his diving is becoming a “witch hunt”, which manager Brendan Rodgers described, and understandably so, when after witnessing an afternoon of thuggery towards his star striker, all the attention is on his man’s diving.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis made strong comments after Sunday’s match about Suarez’s dive and called for the FA to suspend him, without mention of his team’s physical approach to Suarez in particular.

Pulis is not the first manager to target Saurez, and it is becoming a common theme for opposing managers to criticise Suarez for his theatrics and this will and is already having an effect on the protection Suarez receives from referees, last weekend’s penalty appeal against Norwich being a prime example of things not going the Uruguayan’s way.

Diving should be punished in football, but not for one player and not for others which the media seem to be highlighting . Fines are useless as these players have so much money, and I don’t think suspending players will work too well either, but to take points off teams will maybe work and sort out the hypocritical managers who don’t mind their own players diving but vent their frustration when opposition players dive.

But after the events of the Liverpool versus Stoke match on Sunday, the main topic should be about the Stoke tactics and especially the blatant stamp on Suarez by Stoke defender Robert Huth, who could have seriously injured Suarez. Amazingly Huth escaped punishment for his actions and also the headlines as diving is the more serious offence which grabbed the headlines.

Diving is part of football that nobody likes but it is not and never will be as serious as seriously injuring an opponent, so Huth’s actions should have been headlined more than Suarez’s dive and he should have been punished.

The media in this country need to focus on the nasty challenges that could end a footballer’s career, rather than focus on a “witch hunt” on a player who does what most players do.