Liverpool FC vs Spartak Moscow
Champions League Showdown – Group E
Anfield Nights
Date, Time and Betting LineAnfield: Wednesday December 6th, 2017 – 19:45pm
Paddy Power
- LFC win 2/9
- Draw 11/2
- Spartak win 12/1
Injury Updates – 2 LegSpartak – D Kombarov (out, ribs), Ze Luis (possible, toe) Q Promes (unknown, calf)
Liverpool – N Clyne (out back), J Matip (out muscle injury), A Lallana (possible, groin)
First Meeting in Moscow
• 1-1 in Moscow – Liverbirds “Woulda Shoulda Coulda”
• Coutinho (30’) and Fernando (23’) – Nyet Love from Russia
• Since September, Spartak have only lost one game in either the ECL or domestic league (Sevilla 2-1). They have won their last 4 matches in their league and have moved up to 4th, within striking distance of the top teams CSKA, FC Zenit, and Locomotiv.
• For more specific breakdowns of Spartak Moscow side (see pre-game thread by Stockdam and post-game review) linked here:
https://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=336722.0https://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=336736.0• This game thread review observes the belief that we need to be more worried about ourselves and how we play than the opponent
Recent Form & Unpredictable LineupsLiverpool @ Brighton 5-1 Migs, Arnold, Can, Lovren, Robertson, Gini, Milner, Henderson, Bobby, Phil, Mo
@ Stoke 3-0 Migs, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Ox, Can, Gini, Bobby, Sadio, Dominic
Chelsea 1-1 Migs, Gomez, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Phil, Milner, Henderson, Ox, Daniel, Mo
@ Sevilla 3-3 Loris, Gomez, Klavan, Lovren, Moreno, Phil, Gini, Henderson, Bobby, Sadio, Mo
Southampton 3-0 Migs, Arnold, Klavan, Lovren, Moreno, Phil, Gini, Henderson, Bobby, Sadio, Mo
@ W Ham 4-1 Migs, Gomez, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Can, Gini, Ox, Bobby, Sadio, Mo
Maribor 3-0 Loris, Arnold, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Can, Gini, Milner, Ox, Bobby, Mo
Huddersfield 3-0 Migs, Gomez, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Henderson, Gini, Milner, Bobby, Daniel, Mo
@ Spurs 1-4 Migs, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Milner, Henderson, Bobby, Phil, Mo
Maribor 7-0 Loris, Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Milner, Gini, Bobby, Phil, Mo
Last 10 matches -7 wins 2 draws 1 loss; 33 GF & 10 GAA
It should be noted that we have seen only a handful of games this season where Mo, Bobby, Sadio and Phil have been on the pitch, healthy at the same time. The best is yet to come for Liverpool?
Let us not get TOO excited just yet
SummaryThree points to make here as we embark upon the possibility of more Anfield Nights for the dreamers in red.
1. It is time for THIS TEAM to put down a marker in Europe. A this is who we are-kind-of-marker. This is what we stand for.
Previous “Woulda, Shoulda Coulda” crap needs to be sorted out in variety of ways. We do this by slamming the door shut upon the opponent when leading (no silly fouls, keep the ball, patiently decide when to go forward, and kill the game’s spirit). Clean sheets are important as are how we defend set pieces. The game at Anfield on Wednesday evening is one where we can do some real damage as a group to be reckoned with, or we can damage ourselves in an irreparable manner.
This has all of the hallmarks of a season defining game. Spurs, Plastics, hated Mancs, and less hated Manc citizens are all leading their ECL groups. It would be a shame to not follow suit and give the avid red fan base a permanent neuroses or aneurysm.
2. I do not want hear about how average Spartak Moscow are any more. This is an absolute waste of supporting energy and just plain wrong. The facts are:
A. Spartak can steal our place in the final 16 with a win
B. They are certainly capable of beating us
C. Past is not always a good predictor of future performance
D. Betting odds favorites do lose from time to time (see Italy, Holland, and the US in world cup qualifying)
E. Sports are the one venue where what should not happen, happens with a loud resounding thud.
Let us take this game very seriously as supporters. One key and remarkable factor that the author Naomi Klein points out is that with most males in the world who drift into precarious situations of unfortunate events is that they tend to overestimate their own abilities to navigate events while at the precise time underestimating their opponents. Let us do the opposite this night.
3. LFC as “Positive Beacon of Hope” in cold lonely worldThis bit is the more personal part of the summation pregame, but I do think it is important to say a few words about disappointment, resilience, and finding a community who will change your online name to Barneylovesfookinchrimbo.
First, it is important to remind everyone reading this that we are not so far away from when Jurgen Klopp joined us. I know, a lot has happened in the league, and to us as well, but in a culture where information is mined, synthesized and pre-packaged to us demanding immediate attention, we should still revel in the fact he is our manager. In fact, if you want a dose of short-term joy in your life, check out the Gifsteria thread. It is a breathing relic of our recent RAWK history gifs and our own joy quotients. This is something we can look back on and feel good again – like old pictures of family.
Second, we live during a really, shitty time. For many around the world, either LFC serves as a distraction from the hard realities of modern day Neoliberal Crony Capitalism or it unites people over less serious matters than a young child who is ill or a family member who passes away. All around us, we can see our world is changing in unpredictable and often virulent ways. Violence, corruption, and downright horrible attitudes infect our local and global cultures in ways I would have found it difficult to believe 30 years ago. This leaks into our club supporting as well. But it does seem to me that this club is an inoculation against the worst types of injustice (Justice for 96)!
For myself, and the current clubs’ trajectory, I can be an arrogant, blind bastard – and direct negative energy in a series of laser beam guided centurions as if my mission was to guard the Mona Lisa with argumentation. Blasting Alberto Moreno or slagging off Simon becomes a past time of familiar ventilation adding to the knap pack of injustice I feel as a supporter of the club and member of planet earth.
Just a bit more touchy than I used to be. A bit less resilient too.
It is odd, but the more I watch intently, the more negative I get. So, I stop for a while and take inventory.
What I come up with?
Well, I should be grateful to have another Anfield night. They do not grow on trees you know. I am grateful to see Phase of Play back in the site to combine with the excellence of BabuYogu. I miss Timbo more than he knows. I have decided this winter to stay away from most every transfer window discussion as there is an inverse ratio between my greed and gratitude when it comes to getting VVD.
Most of all, I am just going to enjoy watching the team progress. It is a process, I am told. And we are watching it unfold, together.
Like Liverbirds of the red feather!
YNWA
