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Why Arsenal Have No Chance Of Getting Rodgers

27 Mar

Why Arsenal Have No Chance Of Getting Rodgers

 

Arsenal are looking to the future at replacing their long-standing manager Arsene Wenger, the London club have offered the Frenchman a new two year contract but reports suggest that Arsenal are just starting the process of replacing Wenger as they look for a future replacement.

 

The Daily Telegraph suggests that Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers is being considered as their future manager.

 

The news of Arsenal’s interest will worry Liverpool supporters who have been impressed by Brendan Rodgers progress since he took over as manager at Anfield.

 

Although the Reds have made remarkable strides of progress under Rodgers, they are still a team with a lot of improving to do as the Irishman believes they have a lot of work to do become the best.

 

Liverpool are playing some of the best football seen at Anfield for many years and are scoring goals for fun and Rodgers is instrumental in this exciting brand of football which more importantly has brought positive results which has the Reds as serious title contenders for the first time in years.

 

The goal at the start of the season was to finish in the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League, but with that target almost assured, Rodgers’ men are in a great position to win the club’s first title in 24 years.

 

It is too early to speculate that Rodgers could be building a new ‘dynasty’ similar to Shankly, but with the young side that he is building along with a conveyor belt of talented youngsters coming through the young manager has a vision for the future of the club, not just for the short term.

 

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard commented recently that Rodgers should be tied down by the club to a new long-term contract and the news of Arsenal’s interest should prompt the owners into doing so.

 

 

Would Konoplyanka Rather Sign For Spurs Than Liverpool ?

19 Mar

Would Konoplyanka Rather Sign For Spurs Than Liverpool ?

 

Dnipro president Igor Kolomoyski revealed that he is in talks with Tottenham Hotspur regarding a deal for winger Yevhen Konoplyanka. The Ukranian international has made 36 appearances for his country and was close to signing for Liverpool on the last day of January’s transfer window, but the Reds failed to finalise a deal.

 

Kolomoyski said that a move to Merseyside would be unsuitable for the 24-year-old, who according to him would prefer to live in London.

 

‘I have contacted with the Tottenham president. I am talking with him,’ Kolomoyski told Ukranian TV.

 

‘He is interested in Konoplyanka. We are in the stage of negotiations and are perhaps close to signing a contract if Yevhen agrees.’

 

‘I would choose Tottenham – London – not Liverpool. There are matches only once or twice a week, and at other times he will still need somewhere to live. I believe London life is preferable to Liverpool.’

 

If the Dnipro president’s words are true then it would be very disappointing for a player of Konoplyanka’s ability to choose to go to a club who look likely to miss out on Champions League football next season rather than go to a team that look certain to be involved in next season’s competition.

 

If Konoplyanka wants to move to England based on a team’s location rather than stature, then the Ukranian has a serious lack of ambition regarding his football career because Spurs are a club that constantly fail to make the step up to English football’s elite clubs despite the amount of money spent, whereas Liverpool are emerging once again as one of the top clubs in England under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers.

 

Konoplyanka is a tremendous player but if he joins Spurs rather than Liverpool then he may regret his decision based on lifestyle rather than football.

 

No Return For Reina

12 Mar

                                            No Return For Reina

 

On – loan Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina can leave this summer for as little as £4 million due to a clause in his contract. The Reds’ manager has made it clear that he does not want Reina to return to Anfield once his loan spell with Napoli is over at the end of the season.

 

Reina will return to Merseyside in the summer to tie up loose ends but Liverpool will not get more than £5 million for the Spain goalkeeper, who still has two years left on his contract with the Anfield club.

 

Reina claimed on Monday that Rodgers hadn’t ruled out a return to Liverpool, but the Liverpool manager said last month:

 

‘He’s already written his (goodbye) letter hasn’t he ? I was surprised at the letter when you are a loan player. Pepe made it very clear when he went to Napoli he was looking to move.’

 

Personally I’m disappointed to see Reina go as I still see him as a top class goalkeeper, although his form did take a dip in his last couple of seasons at Anfield.

 

Reina’s replacement Simon Mignolet has been tremendous this season and he has won Liverpool a number of points with some key saves during the season.

 

Reina has been a great servant to Liverpool but he tried to manufacture a move away from Anfield, possibly with the hope of going to Barcelona, but a move fell through and Rodgers had to make a move for new goalkeeper with Reina looking for a move.

 

Reina had to settle for a loan spell away from the club because there was no way that Liverpool were going to keep two top class goalkeepers at the club and now with Reina’s loan spell up at the end of the season a permanent move would be best for both the player and Liverpool.

 

 

Another Big Win For Reds

2 Mar

Another Big Win For Reds

 

Liverpool ended another hoodoo with a win at St Marys that moved the Reds up to second place in the Premiership. The men from Anfield won for the first time in eleven years at Southampton. A first half goal from Luis Suarez highlighted the good start that the Reds made to the start of the match before the hosts put their visitors under intense pressure for the remainder of the half.

 

But Liverpool produced a professional performance in the second half as they took the sting out of Southampton’s threat highlighted by Brendan Rodgers’ inspired substitution where he replaced Coutinho with Sterling who promptly put the ball in the net for the Reds’ second goal with his first touch of the game after only being on the field for 80 seconds.

 

A tremendous performance was capped off by a last minute penalty converted by Steven Gerrard after Suarez had been fouled in the box.

 

Liverpool overcame a big hurdle by beating Southampton and this hurdle is one of many that they have been clearing this season as the Reds improvement is exciting the supporters for the first time in many years as they are starting to believe that there is a realistic chance of winning the league this season.

 

Brendan Rodgers is keeping the lid on things superbly as he appreciates the fact that the fans are starting to dream and his attitude is just what Liverpool need as he maintains that his team will just take one game at a time.

 

Rodgers is saying all the right things and he has installed a great belief, confidence and work ethic that has improved Liverpool to new heights this season. Top four is priority but although Rodgers and his team are keeping their feet on the ground, it is hard for supporters not to dream.

Why Liverpool Supporters Hate Howard Webb

18 Feb

Why Liverpool Supporters Hate Howard Webb

 

Liverpool supporters were once again left cursing another ‘big’ decision that referee Howard Webb got wrong as Liverpool were dumped out of the FA Cup by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Webb has a history of upsetting the Anfield faithful with his officiating of Liverpool games and his latest performance has enraged the Liverpool supporters more than ever.

 

Webb decided not to award Liverpool their second penalty of the match when Suarez was upended in the Arsenal penalty box by Oxlade-Chamberlain, and his decision not to give Liverpool a second penalty robbed the Reds of an equaliser resulting in Liverpool exiting the FA Cup.

 

In December Webb failed to award Liverpool a penalty at Stamford Bridge when Eto’o kicked Suarez in the penalty box.

 

In the past five years Liverpool have lost 14 of the last 22 games he has officiated, winning just six.

 

Obviously you can’t blame a referee for every defeat and like Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal Liverpool did have enough chances to win the game but unfortunately they proved wasteful with the usually prolific Daniel Sturridge the main culprit.

 

But although Liverpool missed numerous chances to win the game, the supporters endured added frustration with many of Webb’s decisions going against Liverpool. In the first half Webb booked three Liverpool players while Arsenal were allowed to get away with some rough treatment in their more physical approach to the game with only two players getting booked.

 

How Podolski never received a yellow card was the one of the biggest mysteries of the match as he committed numerous fouls including the foul on Suarez that resulted in Liverpool’s penalty.

 

The only grumble that Arsenal may have had was whether Gerrard should have been sent off for lunging challenge that many people thought should have earned the Liverpool captain a second yellow card.

 

It’s about time that Webb’s performances have been called into question and earned criticism from many quarters and not just from Liverpool supporters. Webb has been playing on his reputation for far too long and if he is too arrogant to have a look at his own performances then the FA should because he is getting too many ‘big’ decisions wrong.

Carragher Says “The FA Need To Revive The FA Cup”

6 Jan

Carragher Says “The FA Need to Revive The FA Cup”

 

Liverpool Legend Jamie Carragher says the FA Cup needs to be freshened up to bring back the glory of the FA Cup. Carragher reckons that Replays are a waste of time and put unnecessary strain on players.

 

Semi-final clashes must be played at a neutral venue with Wembley saved for the showpiece.

 

The Champions League, Premier League and League Cup have evolved over the last 20 years – the FA Cup hasn’t.

 

Carragher explained how the FA Cup used to stimulate great excitement during his childhood and that from the first week in January he dreamt of his boyhood favourites “Everton” lifting the cup.

 

His two FA Cup successes during his glittering career with Liverpool are very special to Carragher but he feels that clubs don’t put the competition top of their list of priorities as the money in the game has made league position top priority.

 

Carragher is right with his comments about the FA Cup, the competition is way down the list of priorities with clubs and supporters alike with the money involved in a team’s league position holding more importance.

 

It would be better if the FA Cup ties were a one-off tie with the match going to extra-time and penalties to decide the outcome instead of ties going to replays which hit supporters in the pocket in this tough financial climate we find ourselves in.

 

Semi- finals being played at Wembley is just the FA trying to play as many games as possible at their “new Wembley” and make as much money from it as possible.

 

But the day of the FA Cup final has to be changed and make it the last game of the domestic season to put all the focus and attention on the competition’s showpiece.

 

In recent years there has been league fixtures coinciding with the FA Cup final and this should never happen.

 

The FA needs to have a serious think about their famous competition and not just be content with it surviving on its history.

 

Hopefully Carragher’s comments about the FA Cup are heard by the FA because it is so sad to see it devalued in these modern times.

Rodgers Not Questioning Integrity

29 Dec

Rodgers Not Questioning Integrity

 

Brendan Rodgers insists his remarks about referee Lee Mason after Liverpool’s loss to Manchester City were not meant as an attack on the official’s integrity. Rodgers questioned the appointment of a Greater Manchester referee to the Reds’ clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

 

Rodgers was understandably frustrated after losing to City in a game where his team deserved to take something from after a terrific performance.

 

Rodgers claimed that he was trying to make a valid point and did not intend to slight Mason.

 

Rodgers said “In terms of geography, I certainly wasn’t questioning the integrity of referees. I fully understand the job. It was more than logical (as a comment) in terms of having a referee from that part of the world refereeing a game in Manchester.”

 

Rodgers added that “I wouldn’t expect Mike Dean, from the Wirral, has refereed many games for Liverpool over the years.”

 

Rodgers explained his frustration over referee Lee Mason’s performance by saying “I think it was continuous throughout the game – the decision-making being poor. I think there was evidence of that.”

 

Rodgers may be charged by the FA as they look for an explanation into the Liverpool manager’s comments but Rodgers has every right to feel frustrated over Mason’s poor performance which contributed to Liverpool’s defeat.

 

Brendan Rodgers is right to defend his team and his club when he feels a referee has performed poorly and not protected his players and made so many bad decisions during a game.

 

The biggest decision that went against Rodgers’ team was Sterling’s goal in the first half that was ruled out wrongly for offside.

 

But Rodgers also felt that his players were not receiving enough protection from some of the City players’ challenges, Suarez got some rough treatment from Kompany and Lescott and this angered Rodgers because they mostly escaped punishment and ironically Suarez received a yellow card late in the match which looked extremely harsh.

 

It wouldn’t surprise me if the FA charge Rodgers for his comments as they have been heavy handed in recent times with their punishments relating to Liverpool Football Club’s misdemeanours.

 

In my opinion Rodgers’ comments are hardly equal to some of Sir Alex Ferguson’s regular rants at officials that seemed to go mostly unpunished. But there are rules for some and rules for others.

Liverpool 4-0 Fulham Match Report

12 Nov

Liverpool 4-0 Fuham Match Report

Liverpool recorded their 250th Premier League home win as they destroyed a struggling Fulham side to bounce back from their disappointment from the previous week’s defeat at Arsenal. An own goal from Amorebieta started the scoring before a Skrtel header and a brace from Suarez as the Reds ran out comfortable winners.

The Team

Danie Agger and the fit-again Glen Johnson and Coutinho returned to the Liverpool side as Rodgers made a few tactical changes as well as changes to his personnel for the visit of Fulham. Mignolet started in goal behind a back four including Johnson, Cissokho, Agger and Skrtel, with a midfield of Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson and Coutinho with Sturridge and Suarez the front two strikers.

The Match

Liverpool started the match with a high-tempo and put their visitors on the back foot, Agger fired over the bar before Coutinho sent a shot wide all inside the first five minutes.

Next a superb move involving Coutinho, Gerrard and Suarez almost set-up Sturridge but Stekelenburg managed to intercept the danger.

The Reds’ onslaught was relentless, but Fulham did try to counter and Kasami had a shot blocked before Mignolet saved from Berbatov.

Liverpool took the lead moments later when a Gerrard free-kick was met by the head of Suarez before deflecting off the unlucky Amorebieta and into the net.

Three minutes later Liverpool were celebrating again when a Gerrard corner kick was powerfully headed into the net by Martin Skrtel.

Liverpool continued to pour forward and Coutinho thought he had scored on the half-hour mark only to see his brilliant volley spectacularly saved by Stekelenburg.

A minute later the Brazilian’s drilled effort was also saved before a superb move was ended with Sturridge firing just over the bar with the outside of his foot.

Liverpool continued to dominate and it was no surprise when they added a third goal when Henderson played a neat through ball to Suarez to slide the ball past his former Ajax team-mate Stekelenburg.

Liverpool ended the first half with stats of 16 attempts on goal and 70 per cent of possession.

Liverpool started the second half the way they started the first and they almost added a fourth when Suarez and Sturridge had efforts between them in the space of seconds in some pinball action in the Fulham penalty box before Suarez eventually fired over from close range with the goal at his mercy.

Moments later Sturridge worked some space inside the Fulham area but his clipped effort went wide.

The fourth goal finally came in the 54th minute when Gerrard played in Suarez and the Uruguayan added to his goal tally with 8 for the season.

Suarez was intent on getting a hat-trick and he even tried to shoot from the half-way line but his effort sailed wide.

Then Suarez sent a curling 25-yard effort over before Rodgers rang the changes by replacing Gerrard and Sturridge with Allen and Moses.

Liverpool continued to press for more goals but had to settle for four which was enough to claim second place in the league table.

Summary

A terrific performance from Liverpool with a hunger and desire that was impressive against a struggling Fulham side. Liverpool never stepped off the gas or gave Fulham a chance to come back into the game.

The players are looking really confident just now and everybody wants the ball as they played some sublime passing moves throughout the afternoon.

Gerrard orchestrated from the middle of the park and Jordan Henderson was superb again as he covered every blade of grass. Coutinho showed what’s been missing in recent weeks as he proved to be a constant menace to the Fulham defence just like Suarez as they couldn’t cope with the striker’s movement and skill.

Probably the best performance of the season from the Reds but there will be much tougher games ahead starting with the short trip to Goodison next.

Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool Match Report

5 Nov

                            Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool Match Report

 

Liverpool suffered their second league defeat of the season as they went down 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates in this top of the table clash, Liverpool could have went top with a win but the loss now leaves them five points behind the Gunners.

 

Goals from Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey separated the teams in a match that Arsenal won convincingly.

 

                             The Team

 

The pre-match team news confirmed that Liverpool were without the services of Glen Johnson due to illness and Jon Flanagan would deputise for the England right-back. Flanagan had not featured in Liverpool’s first team since the FA Cup tie against Mansfield back in January. Meanwhile, fit-again Philippe Coutinho was named on the substitutes’ bench.

 

The eleven that started for Liverpool at the Emirates were Mignolet, Flanagan, Toure, Skrtel, Sakho, Cissokho, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Sturridge and Luis Suarez.

 

                            The Match

 

The game got underway with Arsenal creating the first effort through Tomas Rosicky firing a shot across the face of goal which was palmed wide by Mignolet.

 

At the other end Jordan Henderson surged into the Arsenal penalty box before miscuing his shot. Liverpool started the game positively and pressed high up the park.

 

However, Arsenal took the lead in the 19th minute when Sagna burst down the right flank before crossing onto the head of Cazorla who headed onto the post before firing the rebound past Mignolet.

 

Liverpool almost mustered a swift riposte, but Toure’s downward header was blocked by Szczesny, though the flag was raised for offside in any case.

 

Liverpool were left frustrated when they tried to take a quick free-kick which ended up in the Arsenal net only to be brought back as the referee wanted to book Sagna for the foul.

 

But Arsenal stepped up a gear after taking the lead as Liverpool tried to stay in the game and Mignolet had to react quickly to get down to save Ramsey’s drive after a one-two with Rosicky.

 

Liverpool went in at the break a goal behind and Brendan Rodgers made an attacking substitution for the second half by introducing Coutinho for Cissokho.

 

Liverpool went close early in the second half when Suarez raced clear behind the Arsenal defence before toe-poking off target. Then, moments later the Uruguayan found space in a dangerous position before crossing to the back post finding Henderson but the midfielder volleyed over.

 

A slack pass from Toure to Skrtel was seized upon by Giroud but the striker’s chipped effort found the side netting to the relief of Brendan Rodgers.

 

However, Arsenal didn’t have long to wait until they claimed their second goal, when Ramsey connected with a half-volley from 20 yards that looped over Mignolet in the 59th minute.

 

Victor Moses replaced Flanagan as Liverpool tried to salvage something from the game, and they almost found a lifeline when Suarez fired in a low drive with the outside-of-the-foot but his effort struck the base of the post.

 

Liverpool continued until the very end to get something from the game and Suarez should have scored in the dying moments but his side-footed effort went wide as Arsenal held on to stay top of the league.

 

                                          Summary

 

Liverpool were dealt a blow with the loss of Glen Johnson before kick-off and I was surprised that Rodgers chose Flanagan to deputise in such a big game, but in fairness Flanagan had a good game and didn’t let anyone down.

 

I thought Liverpool started well until Arsenal took the lead and then Arsenal were the better team and dominated the midfield. Despite Arsenal’s domination Liverpool had some really good chances and the quick free-kick being brought back was a poor decision by the referee.

 

Coutinho looked sharp when he came on for the second half and became very involved in trying to bring Liverpool back into the game, unfortunately his passing was just a little off.

 

Liverpool showed tremendous attitude by trying to salvage something from the game right until the final whistle but on the day they were second best to an impressive side.

 

 

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Liverpool 4-1 West Brom Match Report

27 Oct

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Liverpool 4-1 West Brom Match Report

 

Liverpool ran out comfortable winners against recent bogey side West Brom at Anfield with Luis Suarez stealing the show with his first ever hat-trick at Anfield. Daniel Sturridge scored the goal of the match with a sublime chip as West Brom couldn’t handle Liverpool’s S.A.S. Morrison scored a consolation goal for the Baggies from the penalty spot.

 

The Team

 

Brendan Rodgers welcomed back Lucas into his team after missing Liverpool’s last two matches. Coutinho wasn’t risked as he recovers from his shoulder injury but he should be available for next week’s match at Arsenal. The Liverpool eleven that started against West Brom were Mignolet, Johnson, Cissokho, Toure, Skrtel, Sakho, Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson, Suarez and Sturridge.

 

The Match

 

Liverpool started the match in high tempo fashion that was lacking last weekend at Newcastle and Suarez wasn’t long in firing his first effort towards goal as he skimmed a low shot wide of the left hand post in the 6th minute.

 

Suarez turned provider for Gerrard moments later but the captain’s drive also missed the target. Then Suarez went down in the box under severe pressure from Gareth McAuley but the Uruguayan’s appeals were in vain.

 

Suarez was everywhere and it was no surprise when he broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when he produced a superb solo effort nutmegging Olsson before firing into the bottom corner past Myhill.

 

Liverpool continued to dominate possession and doubled their lead 6 minutes later when Suarez powered in a superb header into the top corner from the edge of the box from a Cissokho cross.

 

Skrtel should have scored a third goal for Liverpool after a superbly worked free kick involving Suarez and Gerrard set up the Slovakian but the big defender missed his kick from close range.

 

The unstoppable Suarez curled a free-kick the wrong side of the right post from 25 yards and Henderson was inches away from sweeping a curling effort into the net to end a brilliant passing move from the hosts.

 

West Brom almost pulled a goal back just before half-time when Anelka raced behind Skrtel from a long through ball but the big Slovakian recovered brilliantly to clear the ball off the line with Mignolet beaten.

 

Two minutes after the restart, Sturridge drilled a free-kick from the right narrowly wide of Myhill’s post. The visitors responded with Yacob curling an effort off target.

 

The third goal of the match was always going to be so important and it was Liverpool who scored it when a fantastic delivery from a free-kick from Gerrard was met by a glancing header from Suarez to give the Uruguayan his first hat-trick at Anfield.

 

Liverpool were rampant at this point and Sturridge was next to threaten when he met Johnson’s centre before firing a thunderous long-range shot off the underside of the crossbar.

 

West Brom were then handed a lifeline when referee Jon Moss pointed to the penalty spot after his assistant had flagged for an infringement after Billy Jones tumbled in the penalty box, substitute Morrison converted the spot-kick.

 

Liverpool were knocked off their stride for some time after conceding a goal as West Brom hoped to take advantage. Chris Brunt pulled a low strike across the face of goal before sending a snap-shot too high.

 

But Sturridge calmed the nerves around Anfield with a superb goal when he produced an incredible chip from distance to beat Myhill and finally kill off any hopes the visitors had of a comeback.

 

Suarez almost scored an amazing fourth goal when he produced an acrobatic volley against the crossbar via a reflex save by Myhill. Mignolet responded with a reflex save of his own when he denied Morrison from close range.

 

Liverpool settled for four goals as Suarez tried to net a fifth only to be denied by a great save by Myhill before he left the field to a standing ovation from the Liverpool supporters.

 

Summary

 

This was Liverpool’s best performance of the season as they destroyed a good West Brom side. Liverpool started in the right way by playing a very high tempo and put the visitors under pressure from the start. Liverpool passed the ball confidently throughout the match and created numerous chances as the Baggies struggled to cope with Liverpool’s game.

 

Luis Suarez was unplayable and produced a brilliant hat-trick as West Brom’s defence couldn’t handle him in this form. Sturridge was also very lively and scored a superb goal but was overshadowed by a magnificent Suarez.

 

Lucas played a vital role in Liverpool’s midfield and snuffed out the threat of most West Brom attacks. But it was great to see Liverpool finally play well for a full 90 minutes and this win sets Liverpool up for next week’s clash with Arsenal.

 

 

 

 

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