FUNNY things, goals. For something as simple as a ball crossing a line, they don’t half elicit some strange feelings in people.
Liverpool fans at Anfield, in pubs and bars, at home all jumped for joy whilst Manchester United fans groaned and moaned. From my sick bed, I let out a throaty cheer and then suddenly felt sick to the stomach – this was going to be another 92 minutes of torture, as Liverpool went in search of a second goal to hopefully kill off the game, risking letting the most notoriously lucky side in Europe back into the game.
For a long, long 92 minutes after Daniel Sturridge’s excellent 5th goal in 4 in all competitions, my heart (and a fair bit of phlegm) was in my throat as every time Liverpool’s arch nemesis came near our box I just had this unshakeable feeling that we were going to concede.
I should’ve had more faith in this Liverpool team however, as the 14 players that started and came off the bench today were never going to let United back in once they were ahead.
There is a very different look to this Liverpool side, and you have to wonder whether Brendan Rodgers is finally beginning to put together the team he really wanted to last season.
Liverpool were far from impressive in the game against Notts County last week. After going 2-0 ahead everybody appeared to lose interest and things quickly fell apart in the second half. But the attitude and application the players displayed saw us through, coming out eventual 4-2 winners after extra-time.
While being taken to extra-time at home to a lower league side is fairly embarrassing, particularly after having been comfortable, the 10 men of Liverpool showed some real guts to come through, when it would have probably been easier to just let the capitulation be complete and lose on penalties.
But despite being taken through a full 30 minutes of extra-time in the Capital One Cup, the Reds tore into Manchester United on Sunday, even in the second half when Moyes’ side came back into the game. Liverpool always looked the more threatening and it is a great credit to every player that United were restricted to a handful of half-decent chances, as opposed to anything you could call ‘clear cut’.
In the stands for Liverpool on Sunday were 3 of perhaps 4-5 of the touted new signings that the Reds will be hoping to bring in before the deadline and it is hard to not be excited about defensive prospects Ilori and Sakho, along with Chelsea winger Victor Moses and free transfer Kolo Toure from Manchester City who has captured fan’s hearts with his early attitude and consistency.
Whilst on the pitch, fellow summer signings Simon Mignolet and Iago Aspas were again proving the manager has good judgement when it comes to relative bargains, showing great confidence and tireless running respectively.
However, from what we’ve seen early on from this new-look Liverpool side, I would argue that the best ‘signing’ of the summer so far has been this new-found teamwork amongst the players; the camaraderie, spirit and confidence in one another – that is something that can’t be bought and it is clear from the way the players have celebrated every goal and clean-sheet this season that they are all happy and believe in one another.
The hard-fought wins against Villa and Stoke went some way to banish demons of previous seasons, when the players lost early leads when put under a little bit of pressure. Against supposedly the best team in the country though, Liverpool looked comfortable, assured and in no danger of losing the lead.
The confidence taken from those early wins was on display here and that will only multiply by the time Liverpool take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium in two weeks time. By then, the window will have closed, Liverpool’s squad will look much healthier with the addition of 3-5 new signings and most of our international players will hopefully come through unscathed.
If Luis Suarez can come back in a few weeks a little abashed, a little ashamed and with perhaps a bit more humility and appreciation for the club, the fans and everything we’ve done for him, then we could be looking into the prospect of having a great, hungry young team spear-headed by two of the best strikers around, full of confidence ready to give the fans one of the best seasons we’ve had in years.
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You’re spot on mate. Team work and team spirit is superb at the moment. YNWA
The best it’s been for a long time.
Rodger’s doing a great job, let’s hope we can remain consistent.
We haven’t done anything that his performance and application on the field didn’t warrant. Stop this inane patronage. It is boring and a waste of space. Its beginning to sound moronic. I’m talk about your sentiments on Suarez.
Come on LIVERPOOL! I would like to see 3 at the back with Toure, Daniel and IIori and would like to see Sakho pushed in the middle as a holding midfielder as he has all the attributes to do that jos plus he’s quicker then Lucas ( of course as cove to Lucas, no harm in giving it a go and) could be our touring Falini.
Rodgers says; LFC we finish @least 4th. But i said; LFC must Win this season EPL! YNWA
B. Rodger kindly build a formidable squad with Juan Mata.
Jst hoping 2 c liverpool @ d top diz czn.
we are the happy ones,reds 4 ever….YNWA
Time to revive d lost glory. Up liverpool.
YOU NERVR WALK ALONE!
Lets built on the promising start and continue to strive for maximum points at every game. Onward we go . YNWA.
Dennis D??? Tommy???? Are you there???
Listen, I know beating Man U and sitting 2 pts clear on the top of the ladder must be extremely frustrating or you.
I also understand that it must be extremely concerning that Rogers may actually appear to be on to something.
But please don’t be strangers… your dribbling, whinging, sooking carry on actually makes me feel good about my life not being that bad.
That a mighty big wooden spoon you have. Ha ha
Steven B. ,J.Mourinho is already pulling his hair we got D.Sturridge for £12m and now somehow he couldnt deny V.Moses’s loan move again to LFC..Do you honestly think JM will let Mata to join us.? Especialy when Liverpool is above Chelsea in the table at the moment? If he does than the present JM is not who he is. Its someone disguised as JM. Back to LFC however,we should thank BR for reviving the Anfeild Fortress again. Even Skirtle is playing with new hunger. And to see our captain shut Robin Van Pussy up, it was indeed thrilling..there is certainly something thats been missing for a long while is back at LFC.. Never say die attitude. Confidently defending till the last wistle. Has the Mighty Red Giant realy awaken?
We all observe that and now we are confindendly happy of it but now one altitude if leave pool leaves it out they can break un beaten record like Arsenal did only if they stop undermining low teams at the end they lose three points into their hands they should take every game high with mentality every club wants to win i think BR will correct that mistake.
Talk about getting carried away !!! . Are you all under 8 years of age ?
There is no way it will last. The team is good enough to beat anyone on their day , but we will not challenge the top
the negativity
are u paid to always b negative towards Liverpool?
Are you paid to be stupid ?
Pelifrini, Benitez, ferguson… Wiouldnt matter who it was. Always speculative… Sad
Cowards… Weak gutless cowards!!!!
Cowardly scum.
Cowards get on here every day and and paste anybody who dare show a modicome of support for the mighty reds. Your an idiot because your from Australia, your an idiot because u don’t trash br. Tommy and Dennis d u have no right supporting liverpool let alone posting in here. U have proven what u r. People who couldn’t care less about the red! Your both a disgrace. Never post in here again.
Ozred, cool it there bro..theres no need to be harsh to them..! Its a public domain where everyone can give their oppinion. If they think in such way,let them be. Ignore them.