It was certainly a compelling opening game against Arsenal at Anfield yesterday. There was no shortage of drama and incident, and we witnessed a performance by Liverpool that we can be proud of, despite the disappointment of being so cruelly denied the 3 points at the end of the match.
There was a tremendous sense of excitement and belief around Anfield before the game. As the fans welcomed the team and celebrated the start of a new season with a electrifying rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, Roy Hodgson and new recruits Joe Cole and Milan Jovanovic were visibly moved by the atmosphere in the stadium. The fans were predictably fantastic today, and can really inspire the Reds this season. Too often last year, partly due to the insipid performances of the team and crisis at the club, the ambience atAnfield was uncharacteristically flat, but if the crowd can maintain the ebullience they demonstrated yesterday then we will have something special indeed; something that all Manchester City’s billions can’t buy: pride, history and the best fans in the world. The supporters can really make the difference this season. The game yesterday served as a reminder that players, managers and corrupt American owners will come and go, but the unique Liverpool spirit will endure. As the saying goes: “Form is Temporary, Class is Permanent”.
Arsenal were threatening in the first-half, without producing a meaningful attack on goal, and despite a a few flourishes Liverpool’s play was a little laboured and lacking in cohesion at times. With World Cup players returning late, and at different times throughout pre-season, this was understandable (Liverpool did have the most players participating at the World Cup, after all). The sending off of Joe Cole just before the end of the half has divided opinion, but I feel that although it was a clumsy challenge (a typical forward’s challenge) and definitely worthy of a yellow card, there was noviolent intent there, and Koscielny was able to come out to play the second half . Joe Cole is hardly the most ruthless or ferocious player, but was perhaps guilty of over-exuberance and trying too hard to impress on his Anfield debut. If this was a red card, then Wilshere’s foul on Mascherano earlier, which was dangerous and aggressive, should have been too.
Liverpool may have been reduced to 10 men, but they came out fighting in the second half and produced a display of strength and character. Gerrard was involved in everything and was at his commanding and authoritative best in a central midfield role. The indefatigible Dirk Kuyt demonstrated his importance to the team with a typically industrious display, but was also very effective in bustling his way past the Arsenal defenders and generally making a nuisance of himself. What he may lack in technique and flair (and I’m not convinced he is quite as lacking in these things as some critics believe) he more than makes up for with his energy, determination and tactical awareness. Javier Mascherano also deserves appreciation for his professionalism considering the speculation about his future at the club; he was fully committed here and was magnificent in the centre of the field. I was pleased to see Ngog score and I am sure he is an excellent prospect for the club – there are aspects of his game which can be improved, but he is only 21 and seems to have the attributes and attitude to be a fine player. Most of all, though, it was a fine team effort in the second half, particularly as we were down to 9 men at one point with Agger receiving treatment off the pitch. The mistake from Reina in the 90th minute which gifted the equaliser to Arsenal was certainly frustrating, but he also made 2 or 3 vital saves before this to keep us in the game. I have no doubt he will be back to his best over the next few weeks.
I still believe we need to make a couple of quality signings before the transfer deadline, with experienced cover for Torres a priority. But I have faith in the players we have and I am encouraged by the second half display. If the players continue to work hard and fulfil their potential, I think we can have a good season.
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At last… Someone has said what I was shouting at the tv from the moment it happened!!
I’m not saying Wilshire deserved to go,but both were yellow cards and nothing more!
Ah well, for what it’s worth, we should just get used to refereeing decisions not always going our way.
We’re Liverpool, not Man Utd.
I did not see the Wilshere incident live or strangely on “Match of the Day”, I am pretty sure they didn’t show it but I listened to the match on a local radio station and the commentators made the exact same point: That if Cole’s tackle was a red card then Wilshere’s challenge should have been red too! I personally think seeing Cole’s challenge that it was at best a yellow card and I understand probably Wilshere’s too although I understand he wasn’t even booked. Again the question raised is one of consistency of refereeing. Also, are refereeing truely impartial? Do you think Rooney would have been sent off for a similar tackle at Old Trafford – I doubt it!
the ref was terrible,should of gave cole a yellow it wasnt that bad and denied a penalty to torres,good perfomance though from pool we have spirit back things are looking good ,ynwa.
i must say, i thought the ref called it right, if you adhere to the letter of the law and take into consideration the ref’s line of sight. it was unfortunate for joe, as there was no malice or intent but if one of our lads was on the receiving end of such a challenge, we would ALL be screaming for a red!
i agree both were yellows yet unfortunatly the ref was in the wrong position from joes point of view…made it look worse than it was. it looked rash and unnessesary from joe so close to half time and the position on the pitch.
there is one point i wish to raise…twice yesterday Aresnal players dived in and made the sort of reckless challenges Wenger moaned about last year on his players Eduardo and the other person i cant remember but waas from a Shawcross challenge, Wegner went on to complain for weeks yet twice his players dived in with no chance of winning the ball and a high chance of injuring ‘pool players.
Or was that just me? lol
The point being asked was if wilshires tackle should have been red along with Coles, yes it should.
The ref had a bit of a stinker or was biased to arsenal for the majority of the match
This ref is a known Manure fan.
I think the ref succumbed to the pressure of the Arsenal fans in sending off Joe Cole. Whilst i agree the challenge was reckless, it didn’t warrant a red card. I mean Jack Wilshere’s challenge wasn’t any better and that yielded a yellow card. Come on ref, a bit of consistency please. But on a positive note, Liverpool looked good yesterday. The fans generated an electric atmosphere. I’m sad i couldn’t get a ticket and be there in person to soak it up. Come on you Reds!!
———————-—–Reina————————–
Glen—–Carragher—–Agger/Skrtel—–Riise
—–Gerrard—-Poulsen?Aquilani—-Babel/Jova
———–———————Cole—————–———–
———————Kuyt————-Torres——–
Akash – are you going around on multiple sites writing that formation as I’ve just seen the same exact one elsewhere, even the ? after Poulsen??? If so why? Especially here, totally random!!!
As for the ref, he was definitely against us. In the 1st half he gave arsenal a free kick for nothing from our corner, yet Joe Cole was being absolutely assaulted! Just one example. At the time I thought that new arsenal player had fouled Reina just before the goal, but haven’t seen it properly to judge. Also Reina should have had a cap on. No one behind him in the stand could watch the game without a hand or programme over their eyes, so how could he? A shame as would have been a big boost all things considered!
——–———————-—–Reina————————–———-
Glen—––Carragher-—-–Agger/Skrtel—––Riise
—–Gerrard——–Poulsen/Aquilani——-Babel/Jova
———-———-–———————Cole—————–———–——-
———–———————Kuyt————-Torres——–——
——–———————-—–Reina————————–———-
Glen—––Carragher-—-–Agger/Skrtel—––Riise
—–Gerrard——Poulsen/Aquilani——Babel/Jova
———-————————Cole—————–———–-
———=—————Kuyt————-Torres——–——