CIRCUMSTANCES out of Rodgers’ control made the Reading victory harder than it should have been.
Playing your best football is never easy after international fixtures – most of the players were jet-setting around the globe and played two competitive games only a few days apart.
This is nicknamed the ‘Fifa Virus’ in Spain.
Suarez had even flown to Bolivia where the game was at high altitude, and also to Argentina to represent Uruguay.
The Reds are missing Martin Kelly, Lucas and now Borini to long term injuries, whilst Pepe missed the game on Saturday due to a hamstring complaint picked up with Spain during the week. Even Johnson and Gerrard’s preparations were thrown into chaos due to England’s game against Poland been played a day late due to a waterlogged pitch (if only they had shut the roof earlier). So both players returned late to prepare for Brian McDermott’s men. I am not making excuses just stating fact.
The game on Saturday was a must win. It was paramount to obtain 3 points, to get the first win at Anfield. Don’t forget our run-in leading up to the Reading game had not been kind; Manchester City, Arsenal and Fergie’s men all in the first 3 games at home. Also Stoke proved tricky due to the way Tony Pulis likes his teams to setup and ‘play’ – go for the draw and ruffle a few feathers. Even Man City drew with them a few games ago.
Promoted sides should be beaten at Anfield, but that is not always the case (just look at last season – Swansea springs to mind, amongst others from previous seasons).
Only a goal for Sterling setup by our number 7 was our only reward in the first half despite controlling the game.
The second half was different story however, and whatever McDermott had said in the dressing room at half time certainly kicked them into gear as they made a go of it. Jones made some key saves to keep us in front.
This may sound strange but timing is decisive – sometimes scoring first can make teams nervous while the opposition have nothing to lose; that is why getting the second goal is vital in games like this to kill the ‘fear’. The longer the game progressed the edgier it got (nail biting time in my wheelchair in the Kop) as the pressure mounted to try and get a second goal.
Control of the game was slightly lost in the second half but a win is a win and keeping a second consecutive clean sheet is positive – we are moving in the right direction. The Reds have took 7 points out of a possible 9 hopefully this will give Brendan, Stevie and the lads the springboard and confidence to go in to the fixtures ahead starting with three points against Samuel Eto’o and FC Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday night, then the Pride of Merseyside clash with neighbourhood rivals Everton.
Follow me on Twitter @MRSSG
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Do you really think so? not sure of our direction myself, can’t see FSG buying the class of player we need, just the cheap youngsters they hope will make a them a quick buck. Let’s see how long it takes for them to cash in on the likes of Sterling and Suso.
Well, Well, Mr Glass half empty!
i agree . when the offers start coming in for sterling , we wont see FSG dithering in the transfer market then . sterling will be long gone
This coming transfer defines exactly what the ambition of our owners have. It is 99.9% certain we are going to buy a striker, but that’s what I thought in the summer :s suarez please put away your chances. YNWA!!!
your having a laugh with ‘ going in the right direction ‘ . all you gave were excuses . every team has their own excuses , their injustices , their injuries etc etc . good teams dont need excuses – they just win more often than not .
Sorry to go off topic but I just loooovvveee RABECCA FERGUSON. Liverpool should bring her into the stadium and sing the ‘YNWA’ anthem on a special occasion. And yes she is a liverpool fan. Its not the brightest idea but…
‘ reds going in the right direction ‘ – i actually laughed out loud when i read that . last year at this stage we were 5th now we are 12th . 1 striker who cant finish and no hope of FSG buying quality after xmas .
the writers here should write articles for the greek economists, let them see if they can miraculously find any positives about that
im all for a bit of positive thinking , but this article is just blinkered
redss going in right direction ? is almost as funny as – are man u really better than us ? . them writers dhould get their heads out of the clouds
What a sarcastic article! Reds going to championship next session? BR and FSG are steps backward for Liverpool!
Going in the right direction? Well, there are two answers to that question.
Going in the right direction in having faith and playing our young guys? YES!!!
Goingin the right direction for the present? Not a chance.
We only have a few years left with Stevie. Suarez at the rate he is going will be burned out (seems like he is playing all year round with no rest). The back line is not young as well. That is why FSG need to make a statement and spend at least 40 – 50 million in january.
If not, then at least have the balls to tell us that their mission is to solely build for the future. At least, I could deal with that.
YNWA!!!
YOU HEARD
i think the writer has her sights set on the comedy awards
going in right direction ? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ill just repeat the comment above ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
these writers are getting funnier the poorer the team gets