Tag Archives: Glen Johnson

Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool Match Report

22 Oct

Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool Match Report

 

Liverpool had to settle for a draw against 10 man Newcastle after falling behind twice in the match. Yohan Cabaye put the hosts ahead with a long range effort before Liverpool were awarded a penalty when Mbiwa fouled Suarez in the box resulting in the defender being shown a red card. Gerrard converted the spot-kick. Newcastle took the lead again when substitute Dummett scored in the 56th minute before Sturridge salvaged a point for the Reds.

 

The Team

 

Brendan Rodgers welcomed back Glen Johnson and Joe Allen back into his squad after both players were declared fit again, although Lucas was unavailable for selection with his wife giving birth to atheir daughter. Johnson started at right-back while Joe Allen started on the bench. Rodgers’ team read Mignolet, Toure, Sakho, Skrtel, Johnson, Gerrard, Henderson, Cissokho, Suarez, Moses and Sturridge.

 

The Match

Both teams cancelled each other out in the opening stages but Newcastlel looked very determined to avenge the heavy defeat they suffered against Liverpool last season, although only 4 players started from last April’s demolition.

 

Newcastle’s determined attitude made it difficult for Liverpool to establish their passing game as the visitors struggled to create opportunities.

 

With the game going through an uneventful phase in the match, it suddenly came to life when Cabaye hit a stunning long-range effort past the diving Mignolet to give the hosts the lead.

 

Newcastle were buoyed by the goal and Liverpool struggled to cope with Newcastle’s enthusiasm. But Liverpool got back into the match when Suarez muscled his way into the box before Mbiwa fouled the striker. Referee Marriner produced a red card from his pocket for the Newcastle defender to the fury of 50,000 home fans. With all hell breaking loose, Steven Gerrard remained the calmest man in the stadium to convert the spot-kick and bring Liverpool level.

 

Liverpool started the second half with high hopes of winning with their numerical advantage. Glen Johnson saw an effort turned round the post by Krul as Liverpool looked for a second goal, but Newcastle continued to attack and Skrtel got a vital touch to prevent Remy being clean through on goal.

 

Newcastle took the lead once again in the 56th minute when substitute Dummett stole in behind the Liverpool defence to divert a looping cross past Mignolet.

 

Brendan Rodgers introduced Alberto for Sakho as he tried to salvage the game and he was rewarded when Suarez broke clear of the Newcastle defence before floating a cross into the centre for Sturridge to head into the net.

 

Liverpool looked for a winner in the remaining minutes as Newcastle looked to hang on for a point. Suarez skimmed the top of the crossbar with a volley and saw a free-kick well saved by Krul with the last kick of the game as the game ended in a draw.

 

Summary

 

Away games are always difficult and Newcastle made it very difficult for Liverpool. Newcastle were allowed too many long range efforts which their first goal came from. I felt Lucas would have prevented the hosts from having so much space to produce so many efforts. Liverpool seemed a bit pedestrian in their play as if too many players coming back from international duty were feeling the effects. Liverpool got the break they needed to get back into the game just before half-time but they failed to capitalise on their good fortune in the second half allowing Newcastle to take the lead again. Overall it was a good point for Liverpool considering they had to come from behind twice, although at 1-1 and playing against 10 men I expected Liverpool to go on and win.

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Big Decisions For Rodgers

15 Sep

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Big Decisions For Rodgers

 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has some big decisions to make over the coming weeks as he looks to ensure Liverpool’s good start to the season continues. Daniel Sturridge has grabbed all the headlines but Liverpool’s resurgence has been built on their defensive foundations with the Reds having kept eight clean sheets in their last ten league matches.

 

New Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has yet to concede a league goal and he has showed impressive form in this young season highlighted by his match winning penalty save in the final moments of the match against Stoke. But the Belgian is the first to acknowledge that he has benefited from the efforts of those in front of him.

 

Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Kolo Toure and Jose Enrique snuffed out the threat of Stoke and Aston Villa before Martin Skrtel deputised for the injured Toure in a the hard-fought victory over Manchester United.

 

However, with Glen Johnson sidelined for around 5 weeks with an ankle injury picked up during the victory over Manchester United, Brendan Rodgers will have to replace the England right-back who has started the season so brightly.

 

Martin Kelly is still struggling to find his match fitness after such a long injury lay-off, so the right-back position appears to be a two-way battle between Toure and Andre Wisdom.

 

Toure has played there in the past and it would be a clever way of accommodating the return from injury of the Ivorian as it would be harsh to drop Skrtel after his man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United.

 

Rodgers has to choose between the experience of Toure and the athleticism of Wisdom, who did nothing wrong when he came on against United but struggled against Notts County and the pre-season match against Celtic.

 

The other dilemma for Rodgers is how to find a place in the team for Mamadou Sakho. Liverpool’s form means there is no pressure on Rodgers to throw the big French centre-back straight into action. Sakho is still working on his fitness since arriving at Anfield so it would be a surprise if he featured against Swansea.

 

But over the coming weeks Sakho will be staking a claim for a place in Liverpool’s defence and there is no way the Reds paid £15 million for him to warm the bench. You only pay that kind of money for a starter but who will make way for Sakho ? Not Agger, that’s for sure, as long as he stays fit Agger’s name will be one of the first names on the team sheet.

 

One solution to Rodgers’ defensive dilemma would be to switch to playing three at the back, which Rodgers tried at times last season.

 

But now Rodgers has the players capable of making 3-5-2 a viable option. A back three of Agger, Sakho alongside Toure or Skrtel , could be installed with Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson as wing-backs. Until Johnson is fit, Jordan Henderson would be an alternative on the right.

 

That would allow Rodgers to play Coutinho in the central role where he’s at his best in front of Gerrard and Lucas. Sturridge would then lead the line alongside Victor Moses or Aspas until Luis Suarez has served his ban.

 

There is now plenty of options for Rodgers with his summer signings but he has to make some big decisions regarding his team over the coming weeks to ensure his team continue their good start to the season.

 

 

 

 

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Underrated Glen Johnson

12 Sep

Underrated  Glen Johnson

Liverpool and England right back Glen Johnson has made tremendous progress during his time at Anfield but still doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Johnson seems to be one of those players that is overlooked regarding his performances, probably because he is so consistent.

Johnson has been an England and Liverpool regular and now at the age of 29 both England and Liverpool are seeing the best of him. Johnson is quick and dangerous going forward and weighs in with a few goals from his attacking exploits.

Johnson had been criticised for his defending in the past but not so much nowadays. His defending is first class and not many attackers get behind him. Johnson makes last ditch tackles to prevent the opposition scoring on countless occasions and he recently picked up an injury after applying a full blooded, bone crunching tackle on Manchester United’s Patrice Evra which unfortunately will keep him out for several weeks of action.

You don’t realise how much you miss someone until their unavailable and Liverpool will appreciate this with Johnson’s injury. The obvious replacement for Johnson will be Andre Wisdom but he still lacks experience and it was recently rumoured that he might have went out on loan to another club to gain the necessary experience until Sebastian Coates suffered a season ending injury.

Martin Kelly is still recovering from his long term injury as he struggles for match fitness and so Liverpool could find Johnson’s injury a real problem.

Johnson’s versatility has also seen him play at left back where he has displayed just as much consistency as on the right. Johnson’s experience is valuable to the younger players coming through too and there will be a lack of experience down the right side of Liverpool’s defence in the coming weeks that could pose a problem.

I was never that keen on Johnson’s arrival to Anfield and the expensive price tag didn’t help on my assumption. But it is never a player’s fault that a club is prepared to pay “silly” money for them, but it can cause problems of expectancy from supporters.

I thought Johnson was poor at defending and never created enough going forward but during his Anfield career I have been proved wrong and appreciate him now as a top class defender. But Johnson still doesn’t receive the recognition his talent deserves and it is about time he was appreciated.

Probably Glen Johnson likes it the way the spotlight is never on him as he continues quietly performing consistently for club and country. It’s just a shame he will need to wait a few weeks to continue his tremendous form.

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Liverpool 1-0 QPR Match Report

20 May

Liverpool 1-0 QPR Match Report

 

The day was all about Jamie Carragher as he made his last appearance in a Red shirt, the Liverpool defender made his 737th appearance for the club in an emotional day at Anfield against relegated QPR. Brazillian Philippe Coutinho scored the only goal of the game, and it was fitting that it was in the 23rd minute of the match, the number that Jamie Carragher wears on his Liverpool shirt.

 

The Team

 

Brendan Rodgers changed things around for Liverpool’s final game of the season, with Reina starting in goal, and Glen Johnson and Enrique were the full backs, with Captain Jamie Carragher partnering Martin Skrtel in the centre of defence. Downing, Lucas, Henderson and 17 year old Jordan Ibe made his debut, with Coutinho supporting Sturridge in attack.

 

The Match

 

After all the tributes to Jamie Carragher prior to kick-off Liverpool started the match on the offensive and the hosts should have been in the lead in the first couple of minutes when Coutinho headed a Downing corner towards goal, but Harriman cleared the effort off the line, although replays suggested the ball had crossed the line.

 

Coutinho was showing the sort of form that has already made him a favourite of the Kop as he almost scored direct from a corner before having a shot blocked by Shaun Derry.

 

Coutinho gave Liverpool the lead in the 23rd minute when he smashed a low shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner after being set-up by debut boy Ibe.

 

When QPR did mount a rare attack it was usually involving Remy, who almost won a penalty after dancing his way into the box before clashing with Lucas. Remy then missed a great chance from close range when he failed to convert Traore’s cross.

 

QPR continued to defend and sit deep in the second half as Liverpool mounted wave after wave of attack. Glen Johnson saw a shot deflected off Derry but Green managed to push it around the post. Then Sturridge’s volley hit Traore and Downing fired into the side-netting as Liverpool looked for a second goal.

 

Then the man of the moment Carragher hit a superb shot from 25 yards which crashed of the post with Green beaten as the crowd wished for a Carragher goal.

 

The latter stages of the match had a testimonial feel to it as Carragher was substituted with minutes to go to a standing ovation from a packed Anfield.

 

Summary

 

The last game of the season, but it was really a Jamie Carragher testimonial as Anfield paid its respects to a Liverpool Legend. It was brilliant to see Jordan Ibe make his debut and he looks to have a bright future as he set-up Coutinho with the only goal of the game. Liverpool should have scored more against an ultra-defensive QPR side, but it was good to see Liverpool finish off the season with a win and fitting that Jamie Carragher’s last match was another clean sheet for Liverpool.

 

 

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