Topic: Liverpool vs Man City RAWK Eye Witness Match Report

[the 92A]

Recently, in work, we won £270 on the lottery, I was jumping up and down on the phone celebrating, until I asked my mate how many balls we got and he said, ‘five, one more and we would have shared six million pounds’.  Pleasure turned to disappointment,  as I started thinking about lost yachts, holidays and telling my boss just where he could stick his job.  And here I am a few months later, leaving Anfield with a similar feeling, wanting to concentrate on the positives but haunted by that nagging feeling that we could have done better. Make no mistake there were lots of positives in this game but the truth was we threw it away with two defensive lapses of concentration.
 
It was real start of the season weather and after a pleasant ride through a sunny Bootle courtesy of Merseyrail; I turned up early, coincidently with an Adidas T-shirt on, which was ironic as they’d painted my seat white to make the Warrior logo in the Main Stand. 'We come not to Play' what's that all about? Sorry but it sounds a bit sad to me. Liverpool swopped ends and lined up 433ish, with Lucas as the defensive midfielder slightly behind and Allen and Gerrard in front. Within five minutes Lucas was signalling the bench to come off, he was replaced by Shelvey and I wondered how significant that would prove.  Last season we couldn’t afford to lose a player with game intelligence like Lucas,  I cursed our bad luck.

Allen took over Lucas’s role and Shelvey partnered Gerrard. The starting ten minutes was pretty even with both sides trying to impose themselves and generally cancelling each other out although City probably shaded it. Gerrard was trying to force play which resulted in us conceding possession a few times but you could understand his frustration as we tried to impose our play on the game. Shelvey started slow but began to look better as he settled. I was watching Allen in the midfield but the catalyst for our improvement came from the left side where Johnson and Sterling were combining well and posing a real threat to City. Their defenders were having a torrid time having to stand off the seventeen year old because of his pace and trickiness. It was lovely to watch as one of the smallest players on the pitch proved if you’re balanced and strong on the ball, your size is irrelevant.
 
As Liverpool posed City problems you could see the side grow in confidence. Both sides had chances with Borini and Tevez nearly scoring at opposite ends. Liverpool were pushing up on City with both backs going forward and I was frightened of the counter attack but I started to relax as we began getting the upper hand in midfield as Allen was proving a revelation. The lad is only five foot nothing but he’s like a terrier chasing down but intercepting effortlessly, like Lucas, while playing some lovely positive football. He’ll accept the ball anywhere and converts it into procession, his size is no handicap as he looks so well balanced and difficult to knock off the ball. Allen is my type of footballer, he really looks the part and as my Dad used to say ‘ he has a football brain’ but the best thing is he makes those around him play better as he constantly creates space and gives them options. I can only imagine what we’d have done if he was here last season. This sounds mad considering their different levels of experience but the great thing was to see the effect he had on Gerrard, who began to be able to relax and trust his partner, while Shelvey played his part with a display that must of impressed Rodgers after an indifferent display during the midweek. The midfield was playing like a unit and had the upper hand against last year’s Champions. Martin Skrtel  nearly broke the net as he thundered a Gerrard corner past Hart to put Liverpool ahead after half an hour. The first half finished with the mighty Reds going in with a well deserved lead.
 
The earlier lower league chants of ‘Can you here the Scousers sing’ were laughable as Anfield became a wall of noise as the crowd began to appreciate a display where we seemed spread out and made the pitch bigger when we had the ball but chased and harried the moment we lost procession. Liverpool’s front three were always a threat but we still look a bit weak at finishing. As confidence grew you could see intelligent play flourishing all over the park as players glimpsed a sight of what is possible when you work for each other. At times you had to remind yourself that City won the league last year but with some of the names they had playing for them you knew they could always be a threat if you lost your concentration.
 
When the equaliser came it was through a mistake as Reina, who'd had a brilliant game, seemed to fumble the ball and there was a mix up before it fell for Toure who pounced on his chance and buried in the Kop goal. Within three minutes Liverpool were back in front as Suarez bent the ball around the wall and past Hart from a beautiful free kick. And this is how it should have ended, however with ten minutes on the clock Skrtel tried a back pass to Reina and gifted the ball to Tevez who equalised. It reminded me of Jocky Hansen who always threw in a howler once a season but it was a fair exchange for his football skill on the ball. Rodgers brought on Carroll for the last period. Carroll came on to a great reception as Borini was given a standing ovation as he came off, he'd started off slow but played his part.   The big fella nearly provided a last minute winner but his header was cleared just off the line by Rodwell who hadn't read the script.
 
We ended up having a great night out in town with our lottery winnings and Liverpool had a great opener at Anfield today. The result doesn’t always define football matches; As I sat at Sandhills waiting for the train I wasn't the only one who went home happy. You can talk about systems all day but passing teams need player comfortable in procession, its players who make systems work and Allen looks like he’ll be worth his weight in gold if he can keep up this standard. Today was positive despite the result and at the end of the day that matters, supporting a team is never just about winning. It will be different against park the bus teams but today showed promise.

[StormyDog]

Sunday's game was the first time that I'd seen BR's Liverpool show and seeds promise that one day we'd be a great team again. After the first 25 minutes we started to assert ourselves and after the first goal we were able to adopts the managers approach of resting on the ball. This made no sense to me before but during that game it was shown to me that it doesn't matter who the opposition is. If we are ahead we can kill the game by keeping the ball and the opponents can't win. The Chelsea games with Rafa had a serious satisfaction level but by God they were scary to watch live. This system devised by Rodgers like Rafas in 2009 is easier on the heart.
I know City drew but lets be honest we kept them at bay and were 1 mistake from Skirtle from beating the best squad in the league. They were restricted to a couple of moments from a player who is playing still to get his move to Spain or Italy.

[royhendo]

Ta mate, great read

[kavah]

nice, where did you go in town ?

better that it was only 270 - if it was 6 mill you'd only be fretting about what to spend it on

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

nice, where did you go in town ?

better that it was only 270 - if it was 6 mill you'd only be fretting about what to spend it on

Rich twat could buy us a striker

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Excellent effort that mate.

[Alf Garnett!]

Great post.

Optimism shines right through the club,we are playing like a team again!

[edeyj]

Nice realistic post and mirrors my own feelings on the performance.

It's too easy to dwell on the "what could have been" and we should look forward to "what could be" under Rodgers.

[Fat Scouser]

Bus fella, mate...
Me bird bought me a pink polo shirt the other week. I lashed it. Don't ask, I ended up wearing it yesterday. I was stood in the alehouse, looking and feeling like one of me Ma's Sunday blamanges. I saw what Martin was going to do. I shouted, OUT KNOBHEAD, OUT! I didn't even roar it. It was one of them things that just come flying out your mouth, at the match or watching telly. I was looking at the telly in horror, but me eyes were dragged away, the way they are when someone is staring at you. There was two posh kids, sat right in front of the telly, best seats in the house, not even a drink in front of them, brand new warrior shirts on. The look of disgust written on their faces... All I can say is, I'm getting old now. I just thought, well there's yer New Liverpool fan. Good job it wasn't 30 years ago, but still an all, I'm getting so bloody tired of all this Rodger's Revolution malarkey.

I expected us to beat City. I expect us to beat every team we play. I have been like that since Shankly taught me to do that. When we've been crap, I've never demanded anything from us. And I never got suicidal or homicidal when we got beat, but I never stopped expecting us to win every game we played. I think that's how it should be. Except for the odd knobhead, who used to go home, bite the dog, kick the missus and sulk for a week, I think that's how most of us used to be. And I'm finding it hard to fit into the New Liverpool way of doing things.

I've actually got the yearning to start going the match again, for the first time since we sacked Rafa. There's been an actual physical change. I couldn't just ignore us after that shameful period, but it didn't feel the same. Funny thing is, because of streaming, Sky and Cameron's austerity (as in not working at match times), I watched every single game live. But this season, I've started getting the buzz and the butterflies again. It's not something that happens in your head. It's like an inbred gut thing. I thought it wasn't going to happen again. I'm made up that it's bit me again. It's a strange thing... grown men, our age, not daft, bit shrewd, shouting at footballers, even on the telly OUT KNOBHEAD, OUT! and trying to kick the ball into touch for him, wanting to punch he's face in, then give him a little cuddle and tell him it's alright, he's been brilliant and we love him.

I honestly don't know what the fuck it is about LFC or why they make me feel like that, but I wish New Liverpool and it's fans would stop alienating me. Rodger's revolution... nah. He's blessed to be walking on the shoulders of, and in the footsteps of, Bill, Bob, Joe, Kenny, Ged, Rafa and Roy (Evans, of course) and even that prick, Souness. I wish I was one of them computer whizzes now, I'd stick loads of youtube clips in here of us, playing football from a different planet since the 60's. And I'm even starting to believe New Liverpool fans might just get the chance to see a bit of that again. Because I feel Brendan might just get the New Liverpool playing like plain old Liverpool once again. Happy days.

[Billy1561]

Enjoyed reading that Albie 

[Pistolero]

boss posts from 92A and FS......cheers lads

and surely we can get 'OUT KNOBHEAD OUT'  going as a chant? 

[fatlip13]

i live in N Ireland and don't get to many matches especially now that money is tight. so i watch a lot on TV. my girlfriend looks at me like i'm mental shouting at the players, referee and commentators. i was sitting on the sofa with my 6 month old daughter when gerrard scored against olympiakos, i jumped up screaming with child in arms, the look of terror in her eyes and then she was snatched away from me as if she was in some sort of danger. she still bitches about that night even now.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SHOUTING AT THE TV AND ACTING AS YOU WOULD AT THE GAME
"new" liverpool supporters are a reflection on society. everything is instant, money buys anything and tradition is out the window. as for rogers revolution i think he is bringing the "liverpool" way of the 70's and 80's into the present where you can't tackle. i like the idea but if we don't get a striker i think it will be 6 months wasted. FSG should be trying all they can to get a top striker.

[TepidT2O]

Bus fella, mate...
Me bird bought me a pink polo shirt the other week. I lashed it. Don't ask, I ended up wearing it yesterday. I was stood in the alehouse, looking and feeling like one of me Ma's Sunday blamanges. I saw what Martin was going to do. I shouted, OUT KNOBHEAD, OUT! I didn't even roar it. It was one of them things that just come flying out your mouth, at the match or watching telly. I was looking at the telly in horror, but me eyes were dragged away, the way they are when someone is staring at you. There was two posh kids, sat right in front of the telly, best seats in the house, not even a drink in front of them, brand new warrior shirts on. The look of disgust written on their faces... All I can say is, I'm getting old now. I just thought, well there's yer New Liverpool fan. Good job it wasn't 30 years ago, but still an all, I'm getting so bloody tired of all this Rodger's Revolution malarkey.

I expected us to beat City. I expect us to beat every team we play. I have been like that since Shankly taught me to do that. When we've been crap, I've never demanded anything from us. And I never got suicidal or homicidal when we got beat, but I never stopped expecting us to win every game we played. I think that's how it should be. Except for the odd knobhead, who used to go home, bite the dog, kick the missus and sulk for a week, I think that's how most of us used to be. And I'm finding it hard to fit into the New Liverpool way of doing things.

I've actually got the yearning to start going the match again, for the first time since we sacked Rafa. There's been an actual physical change. I couldn't just ignore us after that shameful period, but it didn't feel the same. Funny thing is, because of streaming, Sky and Cameron's austerity (as in not working at match times), I watched every single game live. But this season, I've started getting the buzz and the butterflies again. It's not something that happens in your head. It's like an inbred gut thing. I thought it wasn't going to happen again. I'm made up that it's bit me again. It's a strange thing... grown men, our age, not daft, bit shrewd, shouting at footballers, even on the telly OUT KNOBHEAD, OUT! and trying to kick the ball into touch for him, wanting to punch he's face in, then give him a little cuddle and tell him it's alright, he's been brilliant and we love him.

I honestly don't know what the fuck it is about LFC or why they make me feel like that, but I wish New Liverpool and it's fans would stop alienating me. Rodger's revolution... nah. He's blessed to be walking on the shoulders of, and in the footsteps of, Bill, Bob, Joe, Kenny, Ged, Rafa and Roy (Evans, of course) and even that prick, Souness. I wish I was one of them computer whizzes now, I'd stick loads of youtube clips in here of us, playing football from a different planet since the 60's. And I'm even starting to believe New Liverpool fans might just get the chance to see a bit of that again. Because I feel Brendan might just get the New Liverpool playing like plain old Liverpool once again. Happy days.

Good piece that FS

[woof]

Great post.

First game = loss
Second game = draw
Third game onwards = win?

You betcha!
BR is a brave man. From Rafa to Kenny, no one would have given Sterling and Coates a start against the reigning champs. It is a testament to his belief in his players and how well he knows them. Both Sterling and Coates did BR proud. Sterling was buzzing around in the first half, causing City's defence a lot of concern. Coates was quite solid, I thought.
Shelvey too proved that he can be coached - he's doing less of the Hollywood balls but kept possession. BR is a good communicator and it shows when his players listen, especially the younger ones who have no preconceived ideas on how they should play. Great to see so many young players in the starting XI and what a future they would be for the club

[Fat Scouser]

Great post.

First game = loss
Second game = draw
Third game onwards = win?

You betcha!
BR is a brave man. From Rafa to Kenny, no one would have given Sterling and Coates a start against the reigning champs. It is a testament to his belief in his players and how well he knows them. Both Sterling and Coates did BR proud. Sterling was buzzing around in the first half, causing City's defence a lot of concern. Coates was quite solid, I thought.
Shelvey too proved that he can be coached - he's doing less of the Hollywood balls but kept possession. BR is a good communicator and it shows when his players listen, especially the younger ones who have no preconceived ideas on how they should play. Great to see so many young players in the starting XI and what a future they would be for the club

Or maybe, just maybe, he had no choice and realised the last managers had left him some gems to work with.

[Semi Skimmed]

Or maybe, just maybe, he had no choice and realised the last managers had left him some gems to work with.

I don't think that's the case at all, to be fair. Our bench had around £60m worth of talent left on it. His hand wasn't forced there at all.

[Fat Scouser]

I don't think that's the case at all, to be fair. Our bench had around £60m worth of talent left on it. His hand wasn't forced there at all.

What's money got to do with it? He had a straight choice between Downing or Sterling, Carra or Coates... he wasn't in the bookies, putting a bet on. He wasn't adding up odds. He was picking 11. Thank fuck, he's been left some good uns to pick from. Fair play to him, he picked the 11. But let's not forget who left him them, or the people that instilled pass and move from the 1950's. Brendan would understand that. I couldn't really give a shite about anyone who thinks that's disrespectful of the fella.

[Semi Skimmed]

What's money got to do with it? He had a straight choice between Downing or Sterling, Carra or Coates... he wasn't in the bookies, putting a bet on. He wasn't adding up odds. He was picking 11. Thank fuck, he's been left some good uns to pick from. Fair play to him, he picked the 11. But let's not forget who left him them, or the people that instilled pass and move from the 1950's. Brendan would understand that. I couldn't really give a shite about anyone who thinks that's disrespectful of the fella.

You said he'd 'no choice'. I'm saying that is far, far from the case.

[Fat Scouser]

You said he'd 'no choice'. I'm saying that is far, far from the case.

Far, far... Sterling or Downing, Carra or Coates? Let's have it right, I'm made up but I'm not having this bollocks about Brendan's new brush. The man is walking on the shoulders of giants. I think he has no problem admitting that. I don't understand why anyone would.

[redbyrdz]

Great match report the 92A. The only thing I'd disagree with, from the Kop our first half was a lot better as far as the atmosphere went. Non-stop singing, everything sped up like we do on the big nights. Second half was a bit quieter, and the team seemed a bit tired as well. Sterling saw less of the ball, and after Enrique came on lost his impressive connection with Johnson.

Suarez free kick was an absolute peach, I was right behind it and was sure I'd go well wide, before it bend right inside the post. Brilliant.

Thought Gerrard was really trying hard, was throwing himself into tons of interceptions. Wonder if he's feeling the pressure of Sahin a bit. He was the oldest player on the pitch, on a day where Rodgers showed he has no qualms about playing the young lads if they perform.

[MichaelA]

I've actually got the yearning to start going the match again, for the first time since we sacked Rafa. There's been an actual physical change.

I date mine back to the Athens final; hated everything about football for a long time after that. But this season, something's changed. Getting to the Hearts game last week reminded me what I have been missing. One of the things I've been missing has been optimism. I've found some, and Albie's piece is a nice reminder.

[Pilchard]

I understand some of the reasons why `New Liverpoo' fans dont get the respect from older fans.

However, without them, OOT, day trippers etc whose to say we would actually fill a 45,000 seat ground. I expect to get pulled apart for my lack of faith in local support, but when I started going with my dad in early 70s we got in for less than £3.00. An adult child ticket for yesterdays game would have cost over £65.00. Theres no dedicated boys pen selling cheap tickets. Football is becoming unaffordable to watch live for many many dedicated fans. I remember Goodison regularly getting 45,000, nowdays they sell half season tickets! Rather them than us. Although I hate it, we are no longer the old LFC, many of us just think we are. Took me ages to realise I now support a business rather than just a team. Fortunately I still have my memories.

A little bit of me died when the club got rid of Kenny, but I was back at the game yesterday, my personal initial knee jerk reaction to his sacking not acted upon. Of course I was surrounded by OOT, daytrippers etc, but to their credit they made a lot of noise, and lets be honest, weve all seen Scouse lads acting like complete Whoppers.

I thought Rogers starting line up was bold and innovative, hopefully the start of a new dynasty. Only time will tell.

The way we played yesterday was similar to ways we started many games last season, the difference being we didnt panic yesterday the way we did last season. A good sign.

A 2-2 draw against the Champions and a win against a struggling Arsenal next week will nicely set up a home game against Utd.

The King is dead, long live the king, doesnt mean you cant look back fondly at the previous manager. Personally, I would have driven Rafa back to Anfield, but that wasnt my decision to make. What I saw yesterday leads me to think we could have done a lot worse than Rogers.

[Fat Scouser]

Micheal, this needs up dating with Brendan's grid and the logo... I WALK ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS. I FEAR NO EVIL FOR I WALK A PATH WORN BY GREAT MEN....

[Fat Scouser]

I understand some of the reasons why `New Liverpoo' fans dont get the respect from older fans.

It's got fuck all to do with OOT's. Don't bring up that old chesnut. That's not what I'm saying at all, and don't bend it into that. It's about New Liverpool hopefully being the same as the old Liverpool. And OOTs have been a part of that for as long as I have. I've never said any different. So, don't start the bollocks.

[LFC when it suits]

Anyone who thinks dropping Carra was an easy choice is really pushing it. It was an easy choice for footballing reasons, but not an easy choice for political reasons.

As for an easy choice between Downing and Sterling, that is not a fair assertion either. Last season, when our season was all but over, Kenny didn't start Sterling over Downing when the stakes were much lower.

Anyway, was a great game and looked like a great day out. I am sure Nuri Sahin was impresed with the atmosphere.  Sahin has played for Dortmund, so he would know all about a great atmosphere so I was a little worried that the atmosphere would be shite.

[Fat Scouser]

Anyone who thinks dropping Carra was an easy choice is really pushing it. It was an easy choice for footballing reasons, but not an easy choice for political reasons.

As for an easy choice between Downing and Sterling, that is not a fair assertion either. Last season, when our season was all but over, Kenny didn't start Sterling over Downing when the stakes were much lower.

Anyway, was a great game and looked like a great day out. I am sure Nuri Sahin was impresed with the atmosphere.  Sahin has played for Dortmund, so he would know all about a great atmosphere so I was a little worried that the atmosphere would be shite.

There's only me saying it, and I say you're talking bollocks. But Albie wrote a brilliant OP so let's not turn it into the usual bollocks, eh.

[the 92A]

Great match report the 92A. The only thing I'd disagree with, from the Kop our first half was a lot better as far as the atmosphere went. Non-stop singing, everything sped up like we do on the big nights. Second half was a bit quieter, and the team seemed a bit tired as well. Sterling saw less of the ball, and after Enrique came on lost his impressive connection with Johnson

Don't disagree about the crowd. In the initial counters City shaded it and their support thought it was a party at our expense but as we started getting on top and with the whole ground singing we put them in their place. By the end of the half the atmosphere was bouncing all around the ground. Thing about being near the halfway line is you here the away supporters, often in the Kop the sound stays there and the atmosphere sounds great in 308 etc but you here little of it where I sit. Heard a few Dalglish chants, which seemed more aimed at annoyance at losing Kenny than any swipe at the new manager but they died out in respect to the new manager.

[stevied]

FS its all media hyped bollocks, i dont think once i have heard BR tell us its the new Liverpool, he has an idea and will install it into the current team is all i hear from him, he wants to bring in some new faces and get rid of some old faces theres nothing new in that

[Fat Scouser]

FS its all media hyped bollocks, i dont think once i have heard BR tell us its the new Liverpool, he has an idea and will install it into the current team is all i hear from him, he wants to bring in some new faces and get rid of some old faces theres nothing new in that

I know mate, that's why I haven't blamed Brendan for it. I think he's got more sense, because if you look at it, it's a bit disrespectful to all the people and players that went before him. And I think he's too wide to do that, and has more respect anyway.

[Pilchard]

It's got fuck all to do with OOT's. Don't bring up that old chesnut. That's not what I'm saying at all, and don't bend it into that. It's about New Liverpool hopefully being the same as the old Liverpool. And OOTs have been a part of that for as long as I have. I've never said any different. So, don't start the bollocks.

If you read again what Ive written you`d understand thats not the argument I was making. If thats how you see it then thats not my problem.

My point is, I suppose, is that you cant live in the past and the quicker we realise that the quicker we might be able to get behind changes to the club rather than saying how great everything used to be.

Old Liverpool, apart from the support demographic, had players who would sign for life, directors who bought groceries in the local shop, managers who were men of the people and were a totally different breed to what we have now.

Theres no way on Gods planet that you can buy qualities like that. Even Gerrard, (Mr Liverpool to some) has been tempted to leave at least twice for his own benefit, not the teams. Money talks.

As I say, its took me a while to come to terms with it, but living in a romantic Luddite world where change is always bad is not a good place to be. Comparing the 77 team with the 84 team with the 05 team, while great for rekindling memories, will only end up in arguments. As long as we continue to make our own history, the club will continue to be a good place to be.

[-Willo-]

Off topic but this

Recently, in work, we won £270 on the lottery, I was jumping up and down on the phone celebrating, until I asked my mate how many balls we got and he said, ‘five, one more and we would have shared six million pounds’.  Pleasure turned to disappointment

Happened to us a few months ago, made a thread on RAWK about it, even though I won 3 grand I felt like crying, one number and Willo was a millionaire, I hate you for reminding me of that dat 92A

Great OP though.

[Fat Scouser]

If you read again what Ive written you`d understand thats not the argument I was making. If thats how you see it then thats not my problem.

My point is, I suppose, is that you cant live in the past and the quicker we realise that the quicker we might be able to get behind changes to the club rather than saying how great everything used to be.

Old Liverpool, apart from the support demographic, had players who would sign for life, directors who bought groceries in the local shop, managers who were men of the people and were a totally different breed to what we have now.

Theres no way on Gods planet that you can buy qualities like that. Even Gerrard, (Mr Liverpool to some) has been tempted to leave at least twice for his own benefit, not the teams. Money talks.

As I say, its took me a while to come to terms with it, but living in a romantic Luddite world where change is always bad is not a good place to be. Comparing the 77 team with the 84 team with the 05 team, while great for rekindling memories, will only end up in arguments. As long as we continue to make our own history, the club will continue to be a good place to be.

Back to the future, eh. The old Liverpool pass and move will do for me.

Off topic but this

Happened to us a few months ago, made a thread on RAWK about it, even though I won 3 grand I felt like crying, one number and Willo was a millionaire, I hate you for reminding me of that dat 92A

Great OP though.

We were living in the states. Me Ma in law came to visit. She done two lucky dips on the lottery. She had 5 numbers on one line and the missing number was on her other line. It was worth millions. It was before we had a lottery over here. I tried to show her how she'd missed so much money. She just said, is it worth anything, lad? I said, yeah a few bucks like. She's all made up and says, get yer coats on we're going the alehouse. She won 30 odd dollars. It cost me an arm and a leg to get mugged to a night in the boozer. So, what. She's a wonderful girl, with a fantastic, couldn't give a shite about anything, attitude. Ma in law, me best mate and staunch ally... brilliant.