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FIVE things I took from the Derby

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GoodisonIN the aftermath of what many are calling the greatest Merseyside Derby of the modern era, here are five things that I took from the incredible match.

5. I’m Still Far From Convinced By Mignolet

Oh Simon Mignolet, how you divide me. I’ve seen many facets of Mignolet’s game so far but the only one that really stands out is his shot-stopping.

Against Everton on Saturday he made a large number of great saves. How many ‘keepers do you know that would rush out on Lukaku, several times, and not flinch? Not many.

However, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a goalkeeper create so many situations where he had to save shots by showing a staunch refusal to move 5 feet away from his line. At one point, late in the second half, he made an incredible stop, found his feet, chased the ball and it was almost like he hit some kind of invisible wall and backed off, allowing the player to regain possession, cross into the box and Lukaku to score the equalizer.

There is no doubt that he saved us several times on Saturday, but how many of those occasions did he create himself by refusing to show any kind of dominance in his own box? By allowing his defenders to take care of situations he could’ve dealt with he allowed Everton to hold on to possession longer and continue that attacking instance.

In Mignolet, there is clearly a lot of potential and I don’t believe there is a huge amount to worry about. He is still young, can learn and shows a lot of promise. But when you’ve been used to a world class ‘keeper like Pepe Reina for so long – who exudes confidence and exerts his command over his area – you really do come to expect a lot more, particularly from a Belgian international.

4. It’s Not Allen’s Fault

So, Joe Allen has now replaced Luis Suarez as the wronger of all rights, the cause of all famines and the scourge of the Liverpool squad. From here on in I fully expect those elements of our ‘fan’ base to hound Allen in the same way other players have been hounded before.

I mean, for Christ’s sake, the lad missed a sitter but then so did Suarez a few minutes later. Both are as culpable but neither is to blame for the fact that we inexplicably let in 3 goals via sloppy defending.

Allen has had a tough time since he joined the club, and certainly wasn’t helped by how much his manager bigged him up in the pre-season but he is clearly a potentially great little player and prior to that miss he had a pretty solid game against Everton.

All I’ll say is that 18 months ago you couldn’t have paid me to believe that Jordan Henderson would be worth his place in the starting 11, particularly after some of the signings we’ve made in those 18 months but I have been proven so wrong and I believe that Allen will come back stronger after his derby sitter.

3. Skrtel Is A Beast

After our very own Mamadou Sakho single-handedly guided France to the World Cup on Tuesday evening, there was a bit of an outcry to throw him straight into the frying pan of the derby. If I’m honest, I’d have definitely chosen him over Flanagan (but didn’t he have a good game?) and with hindsight I’d have chosen him over Johnson too but the resounding opinion from social media outlets appeared to be that he should replace Skrtel.

For what reason, I couldn’t tell but the fact that he scored twice for his country clearly meant…he was going to do the same against Everton? I don’t know.

But, as he’s done many times in his short Liverpool career, Skrtel delivered big time. I feel for him that we let in three goals, but those goals were generally the collective fault of the entire team (apart from the third, which somehow saw Flanagan marking Lukaku!).
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Numerous times throughout the game Skrtel hounded, harried and made crucial challenges that broke down Everton attacks and he kept Lukaku quiet for much of the game. Lukaku may have gotten Man-of-the-Match from most news outlets, but let’s be honest, apart from his two goals (and I know they’re all that counts) he did little else besides and that was all down to Skrtel.

During the derby on Saturday, though, I saw elements of his game becoming more rounded and at times I felt like I was watching a younger Sami Hyypia. He’s a tough guy, strong in the challenge but rarely dirty; he’s almost imperious in the air but, unlike Sami, he’s surprisingly spry, as demonstrated in one sprint-off with Lukaku late on, when a late burst of pace saw him beat the huge Belgian and make another great challenge.

It may be too soon – and optimistic – to say but I believe that Skrtel could be another contender for player of the season of the Red persuasion, but it’s unlikely that he’ll find much appreciation outside of Anfield, which is why we should appreciate him all the more, particularly while he’s in such great form.

2. Sturridge Is England’s Best Striker

During the game, my dad couldn’t tell me often enough how poor Sturridge had been for England in the week. “He’s not good enough for England” he said to me, at least once or twice. Of course, he’s a Blue so he’s probably also a class A wind-up merchant but he also clearly believed what he was saying.

As far as I’m concerned though, the opposite is the truth – Daniel Sturridge is by far England’s best striker, particularly in current form.

Watching Lukaku ghost through the game, score twice and then win Man-of-the-Match, reminded me a lot of how Sturridge plays. He may be greedy, selfish and quite often lazy but he’ll rarely miss a chance.

His equalizer in the 89th minute was pure instinct. He knew exactly where the goal was and the fact that he’s still playing with injury, had only been on the pitch a handful of minutes and had his back to goal didn’t make the slightest difference – he still scored a chance that most footballers would’ve comfortably missed.

After seeing one of the best players in the world return from suspension and, once again, take the Premier League by storm, Sturridge hasn’t retreated into his shell (and if he had, who could’ve blamed him?) no, he’s still managed 5 league goals in that time and has remained as joint-top scorer with one of the top 3 strikers – if not players – in world football, at present. In my book, that makes him perhaps the best chance England have got of goals at the 2014 World Cup.

1. Lucas Is Our Most Important Midfielder

Everton’s second goal was thanks to an unfortunate cock-up in and around our box, much like their first . The third was purely and simply because Lucas had been taken off.

I can totally understand that, at 2-2 with a derby and 3 points at stake Brendan Rodgers might want to sacrifice a player that is one solid tackle away from being – unfairly – sent off and bring on our second most dangerous attacking player to attempt to win the game late on. But really, Brendan, taking off Lucas?

Allen had had a decent game until that miss and Gerrard had flitted in and out, as he’s often done this season, leaving Lucas and Henderson to more-or-less man the midfield alone. Henderson was his energetic self, as we’ve come to expect but Lucas was looking more and more like the ‘little general’ we want to become accustomed to and while his contribution may often go unnoticed, his absence never is and so was the case in the last 10 minutes against Everton.

For me, pulling off a defender would’ve caused less disruption because after Leighton Baines had been taken off with an injury, everything Everton did came down the centre and it was often a last-gasp interception or tackle from Lucas that prevented the worst.

There are a number of players like him in the Premier League, some getting more credit than others but for me there is only really Mathieu Flamini that comes close to giving his side what Lucas gives to us. Thankfully, he’ll be with us for many, many years to come, and if Barcelona or Real Madrid ever come calling, quite frankly we should offer them Luis Suarez instead.

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I'm a 32 year old Liverpool fan, living in the heart of the City Centre. I've supported the club since the day I was born and have been writing articles for L4L for over 3 years, writing close over 350 articles in that time. My favorite player of the past generation is Sami Hyypia.

I am the current editor for L4L, with my day job being in R&D for the NHS.

28 comments

  • Markus says:

    “Everton’s second goal was thanks to an unfortunate cock-up in and around our box, much like their first . The third was purely and simply because Lucas had been taken off.”

    Everton’s second goal was thanks to an unnessary free kick given away by Lucas.

  • Liam says:

    5 things I took from the derby.

    1 Allen is sh*t
    2 Allen has always been sh*t
    3 Allen will always be sh*t
    4 Allen should never play for us again
    5 Allen is not even a premier league player

    Too many dopey fans continue to make embarrassing excuses for Allen

  • mark says:

    how can you say suarez missed a sitter as well lol , it was a header on the run , just getting his head on it and hitting the target is a feat in its self , and at least he hit the target allens miss was point blank had suarez screaming at him to slip it side ways , and allens was at a crucial part of the game , taking a 2 goal lead would of changed the whole game , the reason you spend big money on players is so they take them chances and he missed , it was a huge fail and hope fully in time he will make ammends , and his miss then will be forgotten

    • TaintlessRed says:

      Totally agree. The two chances weren’t at all similar. Luis was running at full speed and straining to reach it, so GE wasn’t able to keep it down. Allen’s was the equivalent of an open goal, as Suarez was free next to him and the keeper had dived early. Inexcusable. I can’t think of a worse miss by any Liverpool player in recent years. I have to go back to rosenthal.

  • john says:

    1) Skrtel was solid and dealt decently with Lukaku. But I think this wasnt one of his better games this season. Some of his tackling in the game was a bit late and it caused problems which Mignolet dealt with. For the 1st goal, yes Gerrard was mainly at fault. But Skrtel should take some blame for it. He missed time his header and have his back towards the ball from Baines’ freekick. Had he dealt with that and clear the ball, Everton would not have scored. 2) No! Joe Allen is to be blamed. At 2-1, with the goal at his mersey, he really really should have scored. That would have more or less killed off the game. At 3-1, we can focus on defending and Lukaku might not have that much of an impact. We would have won! That was just really poor from Allen. I feel for the man, but for an occassion like this and with 3 pts at stake, he has to burry it. No excuse for that. Luis Suarez missed that great chance to level the game, but it was an instinctive save from Howard. It wasnt as simple a chance as that of Allen’s. But I do agree with you about Simon Mignolet. His shot stopping qualities are right up there with the best, but his commanding is indeed a little weak. But the main problem with Mignolet is not that. Rather its in kicking. Mignolet’s kicking has to improve. Some of the balls he sent out from his goal were pretty poor. If Mignolet can improve on that and be a little more commanding, we have a real top top quality keeper on our hands for years. This had been a hugely entertaining derby. Glad to have escaped with a point but just gutted with Allen’s miss. Had he scored, 3 pts could have in the bag instead of 1. Its goals and margins that win you big games and win you the title. If Liverpool are in anyway serious about challenging for the title, they have to win matches like this. And when opportunities like the Allen’s chance come, you just have to bagged them in. Next 3 fixtures will allow us to bounce back. 9 points is a must. And after that, we can look forward with plenty of hope for the 3 big games with Tottenham, City and Chelsea. Fingers crossed, we managed 7 points from there, we are well on course to finish in the top 4.

  • Denis D says:

    There were alot of things that we noticed in derby:

    In Centre Midfield: Gerrard and Lucas struggled again, when our club play against mobile centre midfielders who press well and get in about Gerrard and Lucas, they both lack legs, mobility and pace and struggle.

    Its Fact, against Arsenal, Newcastle, Swansea, Southampton and yesterday against Everton: Gerrard was woeful and so was Lucas, Apart from Gerrards class, quality in set pieces. How many mistakes did he do in game? for first goal Mirallas ran off the back of him, for second goal he tried to stop pass in box , yet it still got Lukaku and he smashes it in.

    When we play mobile, pacey, centre midfields: Gerrard and Lucas get found out.

    G Johnson had a nightmare, how many attacks came down his side? How many times did he give the ball away in stupid positions?

    Flannagan has heart and determination and as it was Derby, his passion and heart got him through game well. But he is diabolical at best

    Rodgers priority in January needs to be : DM, CM, LB , RW / RWF , LW / LWF and FD

    As our Squad is pathetically weak: I am hoping and praying M’Vila(23) being at game in away section with our fans, was watching game thinking this is a bit of me. Rodgers needs to be negotiating deals for M’Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan and Y Cabaye(27) Of Newcastle, i am sure the club could bring those two to club for equivalent of 32M, 2M more than what City spent on Fernandinho/ Fernando Luiz Rosa(28).

    These two class quality players will give Rodgers the class, creativity, experience, mobility, a bit of pace, power and steel in centre of park.

    As when Gerrard and Lucas play there is class, experience and quality, but no mobility and no pace.

    When Allen and Henderson play there is mobility, a bit of pace and cautious passing.

    club have still not replaced the class, quality of Alonso and Mascherano in centre of park, the Engine Room over five years on:

    But if Club can bring M’Vila(23) and Cabaye(27) to club in January, then those two players will bring similar traits of Alonso and Mascherano.

    And Captain Fantastic can be rested well on sidelines, while M’Vila(23) and Cabaye(27) control and dictate centre midfield. With Coutinho just in front of them free to roam and cause Havoc

    • nigerian fan says:

      i pray Rodgers read your comment….i love this

    • Nez says:

      Hey buddy, I dont know what your obsession is with Cabaye.
      Y. Cabaye is a really good midfielder but not on the same level as gerrard or lucas, there is no way he is replacing any of them. Even an exhausted Gerrard is more influential than a 100% fit Cabaye.

      The only players Cabaye could replace are allen and henderson but even then, Cabaye doesnt offer the hardwork and versatlility henderson has and Allen is better at being a “tempo dictator” than Cabaye, they are all at about the same level. So unless he was available for very cheap, it just doesnt make sense buying him as he would be a squad player not a first team player.

      • Denis D says:

        Nez, are you on drugs? Cabaye(27) is a class, quality player and is a much better player than Lucas(26). Even though he is not defensive midfielder, he gets stuck in. But on the ball he is creative, has good range of passing and has a wicked shot on him as we have found out this season and last season at Anfield where he let one go.

        Nez, You know nothing about football. Cabaye(27) may not be as versatile as Henderson but he is much better player than Henderson full stop. Cabaye(27) creates and scores more goals than Allen(24) and Henderson(23).

        Nez, did you watch the Newcastle Vs Liverpool game this season? Newcastle had 10 men for 50min plus, yet we were lucky to get a draw at the end. Why because Tiote and Cabaye bossed the whole game in all honesty, two mobile, in your face centre midfielders with class and quality.

        Lucas(27), Gerrard(33) and Henderson(23) couldn’t expose them even when they went down to 10 men, so don’t talk crap. Cabaye(27) has class, creativity, goals, mobility and thing i really like about Cabaye(27) is without the ball he gets stuck in and physical and puts hard challenges in left right and centre when he does not have the ball.

        And Nez,
        Rodgers should bring in M’Vila(23) to compete and Cover Lucas(26) and replace the class, quality that club has yet to replace in five years plus. ( Mascherano)

        And Cabaye(27) should be brought to club to compete with Gerrard and Henderson. And to replace the class, quality that club has yet to replace of in five years plus. (Alonso)

        Cabaye(27) and M’Vila(23) would be the clubs new centre midfield Engine 2013 Version of Alonso and Mascherano

        Then if we can make champions league this season then B Rodgers needs to bring in class, quality players to compete and perform in Champions league:

        Our captain Fantastic needs to be replaced by these two centre midfielders in the summer: 1: Koke(21) Of A Madrid for 16-20M 2: A Lallana(24) Of Southampton for 10-16M

        Nez, M’Vila(23) and Cabaye(27) are players who would excel and play well in Champions league, Allen and Henderson struggle in the premiership so doubt they would shine in Champions league. And in Champions league, the class and quality in centre of park is more dangerous. Lucas(26) and Gerrard(33) struggle against mobile, quick, nippy or powerful mobile pressing midfielders.

        As this season we have found out against like of Arsenal, Southampton, Swansea, Newcastle and Yesterday Everton.

        Lucas(26) and Gerrard(33) have struggled against the likes of Rosicky, Arteta and Cazorla, Schneiderlin, Wanyama and Ward Prowse, Britton, Canas and Shelvey, Cabaye and Tiote and Yesterday Barkley, Barry and Mccarthy, the latter two were running past Gerrard(33) and Lucas(26) in the game like they were not even there. And it became even more apparent in Second half when Allen(24) was taken off.

        So do you think in Champions league what will the likes of J Martinez, Alacantra and Gotze, Isco, Illarramendi and Modric, Fabregas, Busquets and Xavi do to the laboured , immobile pairing of Gerrard(33) and Lucas(26)?

        S Gerrard(33) has been a great amazing loyal servant and single handly kept club fighting for over decade, but it has taken its toll on him. And he is not the same player, he is still world class and awesome. But he is no longer mobile, no longer has the pace he used to have, he struggles and misplaces passes under pressure all the time.

        S Gerrard(33) needs to be rested well, he still has the class and quality to put in telling crosses and free kicks in, but he does not have the legs, mobility to get around the pitch freely up and down.

        Nez, i can honestly hand on heart say that if Rodgers brought M’Vila(23) and Cabaye(27) in January, there would be no midfield in Premiership i would worry about us playing. But at moment, any team with mobility, youth, a bit of pace, power, strength, creativity or flair in middle of the park will ghost past Gerrard(33) and Lucas(26).

        M’Vila(23) and Cabaye(27) fully fit and injury free would compete with any midfield in world football and come the World cup, that may be their pairing, Mark my words.

        A Midfield trio of M’Vila(23) , Cabaye(27) and Coutinho(21) just in front of them in free role would cause any team in world football problems.

        • stevie says:

          reckon ward prowse is a better shout than lallana

        • Nez says:

          You may sing Cabaye’s praises and yes the man is a class footballer. Yes, he and his fellow midfeilders overrun our midfield. But there’s something you forget, just because you win a midfeild battle doesnt mean you will win a match or stop the opposite team from scoring goals. The hard facts are:

          1. Cabaye cannot replace lucas’ defensive contribution, (you seem to agree to this since you say its M’Villa and not Cabaye that should replace Lucas). I cant see the brazil national team putiing a man like Cabaye as there defensive mid.

          2. Cabaye CANNOT replace gerrards match winning ability. A tired Gerrard might be bossed around in the middle. But he will put in a cross that will turn into a goal or score a goal himself plus he still can make last

          3. The remaining spot attacking midfield. Cabaye is nowhere near Coutinhos attacking prowess.

          In the event that Rodgers decides to play 4-2-2-2, then Cabaye could fill the remaing 4th midfield spot. But Rodgers isnt going to splash 15mill on Cabaye to fill that spot, (trust me, newcastle isnt going for anything less than 15). Replacing Henderson with Erikssen or Mikhitaryan or a player of Coutinhos mold like Suso would be the more sensible option.

          Cabaye is just not as badly needed at the moment as you would think. If we were in Champions league then yes, he would add depth to the squad, but should liverpool make the champions league, Rodgers is going to sign a potent prolific attacking midfielder (who might get bossed around in the midfeild but WILL score goals and make assists) learning how to hold the ball can be learnt later after you have won games.

          Bossing the midfeild doesnt win you games. A good exapmle of this is the 6-0 thrashing of tottenham at the hands of mancity. In the first half, mancity were completely outplayed in the middle, but mancity have midfielders with extreme cutting edge when it matters in the attack (nasri, yaya toure) and in the defence (yaya toure
          ).

          • Denis D says:

            Nez,

            M’Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan would replace and put Lucas on the bench.
            If Rodgers goes and brings him to club for 10-14M

            Cabaye(27) of Newcastle offer more class, creativity and goals than Henderson and Allen together. Henderson cost the club 16-20M and Allen Cost our club 15m, bringing Cabaye(27) for 15-18m is bargain with that class, creativity he will bring to midfield

            Yaya Toure (27) cost city 27M, Fernandinho(28) cost City 30M . And look at what they did to Paulinho 18m, Sandro 8M Holtby 2M AT Weekend

            I know true and real Liverpool fans would be more optimistic against Man City’s midfield with M’Vila(23). Cabaye(27) and Coutinho(21) in free role than Lucas (26), Gerrard(33) and Henderson(23) in midfield Trio.

            Our captain still is amazing, but against fluid, mobile, bit of pace, powerful, strong or nibbly quick players him and Lucas stuggle.

            Cabaye(27) and M’Vila(23) are more needed than you think, i love my team and i am honest but against the best sides in league.

            A Fully fit trio of M’Vila(23), Cabaye(27) and Coutinho(21) will dictate and dominate more games than Lucas(26), Gerrard(33) and Henderson(23).

            If Rodgers brings those two centre midfielders to club, we can dominate teams in centre of park like we used to with Alonso and Mascherano.

            Bossing midfield doesn’t win you games, ask Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayen Munich, Real Madrid the best teams in world that.

            5 Players that will keep us on trail to top 4 pursuit this year: M’Vila(23) , Cabaye(27), M Salah(21) and D Capel(25) and K Mistroglu(25)

            As we have had no champions league football for over 5 years now, so club has lost basically on 100m plus in five years

            And if club make Champions league in summer,

            Rodgers needs to get a back bone and be strong and all the dead wood average players at club should be shipped out:

            GK: B Jones RB: Flannagan RB: Kelly CB: Coates AM: Alberto

            RW / RWF: Assaidi FD: Aspas FD: Borini

            And then more class talent will want to come to club, then these 5 should be brought to club: And squad will be completed after these signings:

            Two players to replace our captain Fantastic in year:

            Koke(21) Of A Madrid CM to compete with Cabaye and Henderson

            I Munian(20) Of A Bilbao AM to compete and Cover Coutinho

            Montoya of Barcelona RB to compete and Cover Johnson

            S Umtiti(19) Of Lyon LB to compete and Cover Enrique

            A Mccarthy(23) Of Reading to compete and Cover Mignolet

    • TaintlessRed says:

      Mvila is a good call, though my preference is lars bender of leverkusen. I really wanted Kevin strootman but we didn’t even try to go for him and loom how great he is for Roma.

      • Denis D says:

        What everyone on here seems to forget is next year is a world cup year. Cabaye(23) Of Rubin Kazan is an international player who at moment is playing for an average team and his world cup chances are slim. And if Rodgers and the club pushed hard for M’Vila(23) and offered R Kazan 12M upwards, i am sure we would get him.

        Y Cabaye(27) Of Newcastle is an international also, but is playing for a club that is hit or miss, if Rodgers wants our club to be serious top 4 contenders all the way until May, then Rodgers should offer Newcastle 14-18M. And i am sure he will land him, Cabaye(27) is a class , quality player.

        And i think if the owners back Rodgers well and with some serious investment: 55-70m: And Rodger could get these two centre midfielders, plus two pacey quick class creative Goalscoring wingers on either wing and a good back up striker to sturridge in January.

        3: RW / RWF: M Salah(21) Of Basel Or J Montero(24) Of Monarcas Morelia in Mexico , one of these wingers should be brought in January for 5-15M

        4: LW / LWF: S Sam(25) Of Bayer Leverkusen or D Capel(25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal, one of these left footed wingers should be brought in January for 4-7M

        5: FD: K Mitroglu(25) Of Olympiacos needs to be brought in January for 5-8M

        These 5 players will strengthen first team and squad.

        These 5 players : Cabaye, Capel, Salah and Mitroglu would hit the ground running straight away as they are class quality players. Not good players with potential

        Rodgers has brought in too many flop potentials and it is now time for him to be man enough to accept they are not good enough and ship them out and never to ever make the same mistake again: Alberto, Assaidi, Aspas and Borini (28M)

        Then top 4 would be complete, with an out side chance of the league.

        4 of the 5 players will all be upgrades

        A fully Fit Injury free M’Vila(23) is a much better player than Lucas(26) Fully fit and Injury free and club, fans and world would see that week in week out

        A Fully Fit Cabaye(27) offers more class, creativity and goals than Allen and Henderson together

        And the club need two pacey quick class creative goalscoring wingers on each wing to be able to stretch teams and regularly keep teams pegged back

        • Denis D says:

          These 5 Players: Forgot M’Vila(23)

          And M’Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan sentence should say not Cabaye(27)

  • levigmc says:

    disagree with #5…im impressed by mignolet, disagree with #4…allen was to blame, agree on #3 skrtel is a beast, disagree with #2 sturridge is england’s most ‘in-form’ striker but not necessarily the best, disagree with #1 lucas is not the most important midfielder, he is vital but so are his fellow midfield compatriots for seperate reasons

  • pino pino says:

    Whoever wrote this bias and typical british sense article is stupid and bias as well cos u are the most deluded journo and the most bias article I have ever read.How could u defend Allen when clearly Allen showed he was the most wicked and stupid footballer I have ever seen.Infact if I was Suarez I would have pushed him Why? Cos Suarez 1 Needs the goal more than him 2 did the work alone Infact Allen is my most hated footballer ever 3 was among those that cost us the point

  • pino pino says:

    As for Mignolet God bless him and Agger should please warm the bench for us while Johnson will warm it in the near future.

  • Erin says:

    1- at 2-1 half time, we needed the team to defend and set up counter attacks. I counted 4 counter attacks by Everton! Where was the game plan? Who gave the half time talk? What were the instructions. Why were Everton doing the counter attach when we were in advantage?
    2-Gerrard has played too many games. Simply wasn’t his usual self. Too many passes went astray.
    3- Johnson is still poor at defending, which is his main job.
    4-our midfield was too soft. Allen does not provide anything whatsoever to it. Low on confidence? Why start him in a game of such magnitude ? As for the miss? Many players have done it. My point, he shouldn’t have started in the first place.
    5- we need a new midfield player in Jan.
    6- that dirty *should have been sent off!!!
    YNWA

  • Chips says:

    Agree and disagree with a lot of the above. However, I would like to blame the coach! He pulled out Lucas, a DM and brought on Moses, then switched Hendo to where Lucas was. IMO, this was a wrong move. He should have been brave enough, to play with 5 defenders and shut shop with the score line at 2-1 in our favour!!! This he could have done by introducing our Beast, Sakho to play at DM. Just like Fergie used to do with Jones. Sakho would have delt with Lukaku very effeciently and he probably wouldnt have scored his second goal. How does Rogers expect Johnson or Flano to mark Lukaku and win a physical battle? But Sakho would have won lots of those arial attacks from Everton. I think this is where the coach lost it! He could have also brought on Sturredge earlier than what he did and this could have made a difference. I believe if we face physical sides we should be bold enough to play our strong players.

    • nigerian fan says:

      i strongly agree with you

    • ian says:

      I’m never usually a fan of Lucas being subbed but with the intense game unfolding before both clubs, Lucas was already on a yellow and I think the coach was thinking he might pick up a second card, due to the nature of his game and position.

      if he is banned for games he is missed as we dont yet have adequate cover.

      Not a big Moses fan but he came close to scoring with a header.

  • Ozred says:

    Br got way ahead of himself.

    Allen Lucas and Henderson should never start together.

    It’s fine having several quality cbs in the squad but if that means chopping and changing week in week out, we will struggle defensively. Which we did again on Saturday.

    Flanagan did some good things individually but right now doesn’t have the read on his team defence and should only be bought on as a sub when we r in control in order to work into the side.

    Rogers seemed over the moon with the draw when shaking hands with Martinez. Not a good look.

    He’s done some great things but got Saturday horribly wrong.

  • Ozred says:

    Gee what a rediculous piece of writing.

    Mignolet has performed at a far superior level to what reina did over his last couple of years. How u could be critical of him is astounding.

    Allen…. All sides have flops. This bloke is just that. They don’t all work out…. Just ask spurs – 70m pissed up against the wall on ordinary. No point pretending that a player is something he’s not for the sake of saving face.

    So you’d rather Suarez go than Lucas… Says it all really. Embarrassing writing.

  • Tony9ja says:

    BR is no tactician. He should have used sakho to silence lukaku. To be honest, Agger is too week to selected ahead of sakho. Again, G. Johnson is now a big liability to our squad. All he does throughout the duration of a game is putting the team under pressure with his wrong passes. BR should throw away sentiment and play toure ahead of him. As a matter of utmost important,we must bring in a powerful mobile DM and a top striker in the winter. Lucas should check his unneccesary rough tackles. His avoidable rough tackle led to lukaku’s second goal.

  • pino pino says:

    No Rodgers got it right except Agger being in the team when Lukaku is in town.I didn’t like Agger’s performance and I said it b4 the match that Rodgers should play Toure and Skrtel still I got ignored now look at how Lukabad ran riot between Agger and Flano.And I will continue saying it Lucas is poor only good against weaker opponent,we need somebody who can allow Coutinho and Gerrard more freedom to operate.The truth is if not hendo our middle would have looked worser without the ball.

  • George Owolabi says:

    Some of the write ups here are pathetic. How could you fault Mignolet’s contribution in the match? Reina is not even close to this guy. Though I would have preferred sakho to agger to man mark Lukaku. Overall top notch performance from my darling Liverpool.

  • fernando hussain says:

    Joe Allen, should not be allowed to wear the LFC shirt ever again. The guy had the audacity to clap the LFC supporters when he got subed and then top it all off Rogers gives him a hug to console him for his miss. If that was Fergie, Jose, Wenger or even Moyes, Alleen would have been shipped out on loan the following day. Allen has done nothing since he joined us hence he tried to be a hero by tying to score in a derby even a bilnd man would have scored but Joe did not even hit the target, is it any wonder Surez wants to leave when you have clowns like this in your team! If we had gone 3-1 up the game would have been over for sure instead 10 minutes later they equalise. Rogers is too stubborn to admit he made a big mistake buying this fool for 15 million and now is too embrassed to sell him because no one will pay £1 if he tired to sell him in Jan.

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