The Kopite View

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R.I.P. John Glover

A great campaigner on the fight for justice sadly passed away on Monday. John Glover died after a long battle with cancer at his home with his family.

John lost his 20-year-old son Ian at the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 and he was suspicious regarding the cover up of the event right from the start. John became one of the founder members of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, and was an integral part of the truth finally being made public.

John’s tremendous resolve and determination in his quest is an inspiration to others who suffer tragedy. John not only lost Ian, but he also lost another son Joe who survived Hillsborough, but was tragically killed in an accident at work.

Losing two sons tragically must have been heart breaking, but John was relentless in his mission to fight for justice. Then on October 2011 John was diagnosed with cancer and was told by doctors that he would be lucky to see Christmas. But in determined fashion John bravely hung on against all odds to see the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel to be published.

John’s life has been like the famous old Liverpool racecourse Aintree with so many tough and challenging hurdles. But like a champion jockey John cleared them all and to see the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report be published was the winning post for John.

A man like this will be sorely missed but his work and effort will live on in the fight for justice that would not have been achievable without John’s help.

John’s passing highlights the fact that too much time has passed since the tragic events at Hillsborough and more needs to be done to speed up the proceedings before more Hillsborough family members are deprived of the chance to see those responsible brought to justice.

In respect to John Glover I will finish this article by using the words of Pete Wyllie to pay tribute to this great man.

“Heart as big as the city, heart as big as Liverpool.”

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Inconsistent Liverpool

Not since the days of Rafa Benitez managing Liverpool have the Anfield side managed to string a run of wins together. Liverpool came close to winning the Premiership during Rafa’s reign, but since he left the Anfield hot seat Liverpool have struggled to find the consistency needed to challenge for a Champions League place, never mind challenging for the League title.

So many times in recent years Liverpool supporters have saw improvement in their teams’ performances and results too often followed by a poor one to set the improvement process back again. Saturday’s loss to Southampton was another setback for Liverpool after encouraging signs in recent weeks, with the team scoring plenty of goals and last week beating a top four side in Tottenham Hotspur.

This season in particular has been very frustrating with inconsistent results under new manager Brendan Rodgers’ leadership, but his methods seemed to be paying off until Saturday as Liverpool were looking for their fifth consecutive win for the first time since the days of Rafa.

But once again Liverpool were brought crashing back down to earth with a thunderous bump as hopes of a top four finish in the league were finally dashed with Saturday’s defeat. The recurring problem of inconsistent results that Liverpool have needs to be sorted out soon or Liverpool will drift further away from the league’s elite as the gap widens.

Brendan Rodger’s Liverpool have played brilliantly in some games this season, but there has also been a few very poor performances which have set the team back this season. The first match of the season was a terrible start to the season as West Brom ran out 3-0 winners, then the defeat away to Stoke was a very poor performance, followed by the latest defeat to Southampton.

There seems to be a common theme in these defeats with Liverpool losing to big physical sides in each of these games. When Liverpool play teams that pressure the ball carrier and have a big striker to play up to with long ball tactics, they invariably struggle.

Liverpool have scored a lot of goals this season but they are conceding plenty too and they need to tighten up at the back to progress. The biggest problem in some games is the appearance that some players are not up for the fight and the defeats I mentioned earlier are prime examples of this. The pedestrian, lethargic attitude by the players is unacceptable for Liverpool Football Club and once again it occurred on Saturday with the inevitable result of another defeat.

There is never a problem to motivate players in the “big” games but a manager earns his corn by getting his players motivated for the games against the league’s “struggling” sides, and too often this season it seems Rodgers has been unable to do so. Good managers get their players motivated for every game and Rodgers needs to sort this out.

The team selection for Saturday was also a strange one, was Rodgers taking Southampton too lightly with Reina and Carragher not playing, although they did have injuries I think Rodgers was being too protective with them. Joe Allen playing in place of Lucas against a battling Southampton side was a major mistake by the Liverpool manager.

Lucas and Gerrard had been playing well together, so why did Rodgers change things ? Afterwards Rodgers said Lucas had a slight injury, but why put him on the bench if he has an injury, and Allen needs an operation on his shoulder, so it was crazy to play him, he could even have played Henderson if there were injury doubts about Allen and Lucas. The decision to play Allen instead of Lucas was a disaster and Rodgers realised that by bringing on Lucas for Allen at half-time, but the damage was done in the first half and Liverpool couldn’t recover.

The whole team lacked passion and the right attitude at Southampton and I don’t like to single out individuals but Allen, Skrtel and Glen Johnson were unbelievably poor.

I still back Rodgers and he needs more time to get things right, but he has to be careful when he changes personnel and tactics for certain games and he needs to get his players motivated for every game not just the games against the top teams.

Rodgers needs to get his team to finish the season strongly and give encouragement for next season, because next season will be very important for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers to prove that progress is being made at Anfield.

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Reds Stunned By Saints

Liverpool were looking for their 5^th win in a row in all competitions for the first time in more than 3 years, but were shocked by an impressive Southampton side who could have won by more than the 3-1 score line.

The hosts took the lead as early as the 5^th minute when Schneiderlin knocked in a Rodriguez knock down from close range. Southampton continued to press and they doubled their lead in the 32^nd minute when a Lambert free-kick deflected off Liverpool’s defensive wall fooling the deputising Jones in goal.

Liverpool undeservedly managed to keep themselves in the match with a Coutinho goal on the stroke of half-time. But as the game became stretched in the second half with both teams creating chances it was Southampton who got the killer third goal 10 minutes before the end when Jay Rodriguez dribbled his way into the Liverpool penalty box before beating Jones at the second attempt.

The Team

Reina and Carragher were unavailable for selection through injury, so Jones and Skrtel deputised as Brendan Rodgers had to shuffle his pack for the visit to the south coast, and he also decided to start Joe Allen instead of Lucas. But the interesting team news was of a place on the bench for the 17 year old Jordan Ibe. The team read Jones, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger, Coutinho, Allen, Gerrard, Downing, Sturridge and Suarez.

The Match

Southampton started the match intent on knocking Liverpool out of their passing game and they got the ideal start in the 5^th minute when Schneiderlin put the hosts ahead from close range from a Rodriguez knock-down.

Southampton should have doubled their lead moments later when Lambert was clean through with just Jones to beat but the deputising keeper managed to block the striker’s effort.

The home side were on the ascendency as Liverpool struggled to gain any meaningful possession. Ramirez called Brad Jones into more action with a couple of efforts as Southampton looked for a killer 3^rd goal.

Next Rodriguez blazed over the bar from close range with the goal gaping as the Liverpool’s defence looked vulnerable. Then Enrique made a good defensive header under pressure at the back post as Southampton continued to threaten the visitor’s goal.

But in a rare Liverpool attack Suarez looked to be running through on goal but was stopped by a strange decision by the referee’s assistant after Hooiveld fell over.

Southampton doubled their lead just after the half hour mark when a Rickie Lambert free-kick deflected off Liverpool’s defensive wall and past Brad Jones.

Liverpool responded with Sturridge getting into a dangerous position down the right but the Southampton defence managed to clear his low cross.

Next it was the impressive Rodriguez he went very close with an effort just missing the post. A minute later Coutinho was put clear one on one with Boruc but he was blocked by the big keeper.

But the little Brazilian gave Liverpool hope with a goal after finishing off a goal mouth scramble after Sturridge had a shot blocked just before half-time.

Brendan Rodgers replaced Joe Allen with Lucas for the start of the second half in the hope of stemming the flow of Southampton attacks.

The second half started in a more cagey fashion with not many chances for either side, Suarez continued to look a frustrated figure after a clever pass from Lucas just ran away from the Uruguayan and into Boruc’s arms.

Suarez then had an effort from a free-kick comfortably saved by Boruc as Liverpool looked for an equaliser. But the hosts continued to look dangerous on attack as Johnson and Skrtel combined to clear a teasing cross by Clyne.

Next it was Sturridge firing in a cross-shot but Boruc collected once again. Then Lallana should have made it 3-1 but lobbed effort lacked power and allowed Skrtel to clear.

But Southampton were not to be denied when the dangerous Rodriguez dribbled a long way evading several challenges in the process before beating Jones at the second attempt to kill off any hopes of a Liverpool comeback.

Suarez ended a disappointing day with a booking late on to sum up Liverpool’s day.

Summary

When I saw Reina, Carragher and more disappointingly Lucas were not starting I feared the worst for Liverpool and I’m sorry to say my fears were realised. The match was like a carbon-copy of the Stoke match back in December when they got about Liverpool from the start and Liverpool failed to cope with the type of battling style posed.

How could Joe Allen start in place of Lucas when Allen needs an operation on his shoulder. Worse still was Allen’s poor performance in midfield as he constantly gave the ball away and was muscled out of challenges in midfield. Thankfully Rodgers saw the error of his ways and replaced the Welshman for Lucas at half-time. Carragher was sorely missed in defence too with Martin Skrtel looking all over the place at times and the defence lacking an organisational voice in Carragher’s absence.

But in fairness Southampton played brilliantly and should have been 3 or 4 goals up at half-time, but I thought Coutinho’s goal would have brought an improved attitude to Liverpool’s play in the second half, but there was a distinct lack of ambition, tempo and heart shown, which was very disappointing and Southampton deservedly killed off Liverpool’s hopes with a third goal.

The season just continues in a frustrating pattern with bad performances after good, and Brendan Rodgers has to rectify this if Liverpool are to qualify for Europe.

Liverpool ‘s Youngsters

Liverpool has a tremendous wealth of talent coming through at youth level with the likes of Suso, Wisdom and Sterling making the break through this season at first team level. They have been fantastic this season making the massive step up to first team level when Liverpool’s squad was thread bare.

But in recent weeks Suso, Wisdom and Sterling have not featured for the first team and Brendan Rodgers has opted for more experience in his side. Rodgers will want to protect his younger players by not playing them every week, but will the younger players become regulars in the first team ?

When Kenny Dalglish took over for a second spell as manager at Anfield he gave a lot of youngsters a chance in the first team too. Jack Robinson, Jonjo Shelvey, Martin Kelly and John Flanagan are names that spring to mind that played regularly during Kenny’s early period in charge. But after Dalglish delved into the transfer market the younger players had to make way for Liverpool’s new signings.

I can see the same thing happening under Brendan Rodgers with the way he has used the youngsters initially until he brought Coutinho and Sturridge in the January transfer window. Rodgers obviously wasn’t impressed by Henderson and Downing when he arrived, but in fairness he has gave them a second chance and made them fight for a place in the team by using Suso and Sterling in their place, Wisdom deputised for the injuries to Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson earlier in the season and also for the loss of form to Jose Enrique.

Brendan Rodgers has been clever in the way that he has used the younger players to inspire the more experienced players to fight for their place in the team and now in the latter part of the season he is reaping the rewards of his method with Downing, Henderson and Enrique playing with a renewed desire and confidence.

It doesn’t matter what team you talk about, it is always going to be difficult for young players to become regulars in any team and Liverpool is no different. Liverpool will no doubt spend money in the summer to bring new players to strengthen the squad, and this will make it even tougher for the youngsters to feature in the first team.

With all the talent we have coming through at Liverpool it is of paramount importance that we don’t lose these talented youngsters to other clubs like we did with Tom Ince, although Ince was wanting first team football and Liverpool couldn’t promise a young player like him regular first team action.

We don’t want to see Liverpool letting young players go to other teams like Ince did and then want to buy them back a year or so down the line. Sending players out on loan gives the youngsters great experience and gives them first team action and will help them become better players.

If Liverpool can develop their youth in the right way to find another Carragher or Gerrard then it would be great for the club to see them reap the rewards of their youth system.

But it is not every day you unearth such players like Carragher or Gerrard. But under Brendan Rodgers I feel Liverpool have a manager that will give the youngsters a chance but at the same time protect the youngsters from burn out.

Suso and Sterling were a breath of fresh air when they broke into the first team but by playing regularly their form dipped and now they are back playing in the reserves and this is good management by Rodgers as he is protecting them by using them sensibly.

It doesn’t matter your age if you are good enough and Rodgers has acknowledged that this season and I’m sure he will develop more youngsters into his first team in the near future.

The youngters that are showing the potential to challenge for the first team at the moment are Ryan McLaughlin, Connor Coady, Jack Dunn, Sinclair and Yesil, but the most exciting looking prospect has to be Jordan Ibe, he is like John Barnes with electric pace and has maturity beyond his years.

But with the wealth of talent at youth level available to Liverpool the future can only be bright for Liverpool and it will be interesting to see how Brendan Rodgers graduates them into the first team. Watch this space.

Liverpool Win Anfield Thriller

Liverpool came back from a 2-1 deficit in the second half to win a 3-2 against an impressive Spurs side. Suarez gave Liverpool an early lead before Vertonghen headed in a Gareth Bale cross just before half-time. Vertonghen then gave the visitors the lead early in the second half before a defensive mistake by Tottenham allowed Stewart Downing to equalise before Gerrard scored from the penalty spot to give Liverpool the win.

The Team

Jamie Carragher made his 500^th Premier League appearance against Spurs and also welcomed Daniel Sturridge back into the side after recovering from injury. But Liverpool were dealt a blow with the news that Reina was unfit to start, with Brad Jones deputising.

The team that started was Jones, Johnson, Enrique, Carragher, Agger, Coutinho, Lucas, Gerrard, Downing, Sturridge and Suarez.

The Match

All the talk before the match was about Luis Suarez against Gareth Bale, but the news that Jamie Carragher was to reach another milestone with his 500^th Premiership appearance added even more interest to the fixture.

Liverpool started on the front foot with Suarez and Sturridge linking up early only to be thwarted by Kyle Walker. Then a superb pass from Coutinho sent Sturridge clear but his touch took him wide of goal.

Bale had an effort awkwardly saved by Jones as he fired a free-kick from long range. But it was Liverpool looking the more threatening as they hassled and harried Spurs out of their stride.

Liverpool took the lead in the 21^st minute after a brilliant move created by Coutinho and Enrique and clinically finished by Suarez to give Liverpool just reward for their good start to the match.

Moments later Suarez fired a shot across the face of goal which Lloris palmed away as Coutinho was bundled inside the box.

Tottenham came into the match more as an attacking threat as the half wore on and Sigurdsson went close with a shot missing the post by inches. But Liverpool were showing their steely determination exampled by a committed headed challenge by Gerrard into the back of Gareth Bale. But seconds later Bale swung over a dangerous cross from the right flank which Vertonghen headed past Jones to level things up just before half-time.

Spurs started the second half impressively as Liverpool struggled to get a spell of possession and they took the lead in the 53^rd minute when Vertonghen smashed in his second goal of the match from 8 yards after Liverpool’s defence failed to clear a Gareth Bale free-kick.

Spurs looked to put the game to bed and moments later a surging run from Bale followed by a cross which picked out the unmarked Sigurdsson in the box, resulted in his effort being denied by a combination of Jones, Johnson and a post.

Rodgers then replaced Coutinho with Joe Allen as he looked for his team to gain more possession. But Liverpool looked second best in the contest until Kyle Walker’s wayward back pass allowed Downing to race through on goal with Lloris stranded outside his penalty area, The winger drilled his effort through the legs of Vertonghen on the line to restore parity.

The goal changed the pattern of the match and it was now Liverpool who looked the most dangerous and Sturridge headed into the side-netting after a good run down the right by Downing.

Then with 8 minutes to go Defoe misplaced a clearance into his penalty box which Suarez latched onto but he was clumsily bundled to the ground by Assou-Ekotta resulting in a penalty for Liverpool. Gerrard made no mistake from the spot sending Lloris the wrong way and giving Liverpool a 3-2 lead.

Liverpool saw out the rest of the match out with some good defending and clever play to run the clock down as Tottenham’s 12 match unbeaten run came to an end.

Summary

A tremendous performance and win for Liverpool as they made a statement to the rest of the league by beating a very good Tottenham team. Liverpool started the match well and deservedly took the lead, but Spurs came back into it and looked to run away with the match when they went 2-1 up.

But Rodgers made a clever substitution bringing on Allen for Coutinho as looked for more possession from his team. Liverpool looked to be down and out at 2-1 until they got the lucky break to make it 2-2 but after that they deservedly went on to win with a stone waller of a penalty.

Gerrard and Lucas were superb in the midfield for Liverpool as they never allowed Bale to get the time and space in which he could destroy. Suarez was again terrific and scored a brilliant goal before earning the match winning penalty.

Overall it was a great win and gutsy performance by Liverpool coming back from a 2-1 deficit in the second half to beat a very good Spurs side.