Author Topic: Premier League - Newcastle United 1 - 0 Liverpool (Skrtel OG 69') (Read 9705 times)

Welshred · « **on:** December 6, 2015, 03:35:55 pm »

Newcastle v Liverpool
(Live on SkySports1 December 6, 2015. Kick off: 4pm)

Preview

There's a lot of history in this fixture. 19 years ago the two sides played in a little known match that ended in a breathtaking last minute winner from Stan Collymore for the Reds to take the fixture 4-3. 1 year later, with SKY licking their lips at the prospect of it happening again, Robbie Fowler duly weighed in with his own last gasp winner in another 4-3. Since then the TV camera's have been all over this game, but it hasn't been repeated since - when Newcastle have been in the league that is.

This is one of the Premier League's top goalscoring games since the football began in 1992. Newcastle are coming in on the back of horrendous home form, with their 6-2 win over Norwich earlier in the summer the Magpies have not won another game in the league at St James' Park, whilst shipping a lot of goals. The Reds, on the other hand, have won their last four away games beating Chelsea, Rubin Kazan, Manchester City and Southampton, scoring an impressive 14 goals. It all adds up to a very promising game with lots of goals - so expect a 0-0 draw.

Results over the last two weeks have meant the Reds have stumbled themselves into a title race with the media beginning to pick up on Klopp's resurgent side. Victory today will see them 6 points away from table topping Leicester City and 3 points off fourth placed Manchester United. Newcastle are second bottom with only Aston Villa preventing them from being rooted to the bottom of the league. Victory today will see them go level on points with Bournemouth.

What the managers say:

Steve McClaran: "They are title contenders, in terms of the form they are in and the way they are going. Everyone comes into a club in different situations. I don't think anyone would dispute what Brendan has done. He has brought in some very talented players, and you have seen that Jurgen has taken that on"

Jurgen Klopp: "We expect a win. We expect it all the time but it doesn't mean we don't ahve respect. To be prepared for a game you must know as much as you can. Confidence and self-confidence is something like a small flower. If you have it, someone kicks it. If you don't have it, you can get it back easily."

Line Ups:

Commentary: Today's match will be brought to you by Goodfella, Welshred and Lord of Glencoe. Colour will be through Chakan and JerseyKopite - please direct your PMs to these two reprobates.

Chakan · « **Reply #1 on:** December 6, 2015, 03:43:08 pm »

Not a lot of build up in the states for this game for some reason. It's all Jose' Jose Maureen, who gives a shit really?

To the lineup, the settled back 4 is as expected, Allen and Lucas in the middle , Milner and Ibe out wide and a possible 2 striker option with Firmino and Benteke. Or we'll just go to our mainstay 4-2-3-1 either way we have options. Strong bench with Sturridge and Henderson. Toure seems to have recovered from his knock and Randall given another spot.

Lallana and Divock on the bench as well, lots of options available!

Will have to see how we manage Sturridge and Henderson and if/when they will be available to come on.

15 minutes to go!

Chakan · « **Reply #2 on:** December 6, 2015, 03:56:10 pm »

Teams in the tunnel waiting to come out! Milner leading us out today. Klopp at the back surveying everything the light touches.

Welshred · « **Reply #3 on:** December 6, 2015, 03:59:41 pm »

I was at St James Park for the game last season. Three thoughts come to my mind - how shite we were, how many steps you have to walk up to get to the away end and how good Sam Jacks was pre and post match. The lads and lasses who are there today would have experienced that, lets hope they get a comprehensive win to cheer them all the way home!

Come on Reds!!

thegoodfella · « **Reply #4 on:** December 6, 2015, 03:59:56 pm »

Switching sides after the toss here, come on let's get this going already! I want the first goal...

thegoodfella · « **Reply #5 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:00:37 pm »

And here we go, kick off.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #6 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:02:09 pm »

1' And we are on them already, Clyne down the right, gets a corner as he attempted to cross it. Milner takes a poor one, but gifted another corner. Milner will have a second attempt, and a better one, Skrtel is on it, anticipation here, Skrtel wins another corner now.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #7 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:02:55 pm »

2' Lucas lets them off the hook with a poor pass, Newcastle throw in.

And now Benteke concedes a cheap free kick. Already wasting time here as the keeper comes to take the kick.

Chakan · « **Reply #8 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:02:59 pm »

Early pressure from Liverpool lead to 3 corners in the space of minute. Unfortunately can't capitalize but the intent is clear, get at Newcastle early make them make mistakes and go from there!

Chakan · « **Reply #9 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:03:49 pm »

Firmino behind Benteke, Milner on the left (haven't seen him there before for us) and Ibe on the right.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #10 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:03:51 pm »

3' Possession here for us, Newcastle sitting back and letting us pass it. Smart on them some would say.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #11 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:04:45 pm »

4' Firmino with a nice touch for a strong pass, Lucas frees Benteke and asks him to run, keeper gets to it before the big man.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #12 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:06:04 pm »

5' Clyne sees space and runs for it, and runs some more through the middle now, will he shoot, no he will not, defended there as he ran out of space.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #13 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:07:51 pm »

7' The home team playing like they are the away side here it seems.

Passing it around a little, moving it forward, the RB Janmaat is on it, Wijnaldum stopped from doing anything, Mignolet has the ball.

JerseyKloppite · « **Reply #14 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:07:55 pm »

Wijnaldum is a good player, and someone we should keep a close eye on. Likely to be the source of any joy for the Geordies.

Good pressing by Newcastle on Lucas.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #15 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:09:38 pm »

8' Cisse not happy, Lovren appealed and won the throw in.

Lucas closed down and he got the ball away just on time. Think they are trying to contain the midfield here as I now see Cisse ghosting/man marking Lucas.

Skrtel pushes forward, passes it long to the left, crossed in but no one at the end of it.

Welshred · « **Reply #16 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:10:10 pm »

That was poor from Benteke and Firmino, they should have gambled on Moreno crossing there.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #17 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:10:32 pm »

10' More slowing down of the game by the home team, they look nervy here, long ball in our box, throw in Liverpool.

Chakan · « **Reply #18 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:11:09 pm »

Benteke not expecting the good cross from Moreno there. He really should have been in and around the box but was a good 10-15 yards off where he was needed. Maybe just not up to the pace of the game yet?

thegoodfella · « **Reply #19 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:11:51 pm »

11' Good pass and movement between Firmino and Ibe, Ibe has the ball, he dribbles past one, and two, looking for a cutting pass, passes it to Allen, he goes left, overcooked the pass, throw in for Newcastle.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #20 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:13:22 pm »

12' Ibe with another excellent run, goes to the left and passes it to Firmino, he attempts to free Milner down the left, well defended and goal kick for the home team.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #21 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:15:36 pm »

13' Both teams giving the possession back and forth at the moment, Newcastle with a throw in, Janmaat takes it and another throw in. He takes it again, a couple of passes and he is dispossessed, Moreno tries to hit it long, the Dutchman closes down the Spaniard and it is a Liverpool throw in now.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #22 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:16:08 pm »

58 percent possession for us at the moment.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #23 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:16:24 pm »

Over the WelshRed.

Welshred · « **Reply #24 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:17:03 pm »

Thanks TGF. It's been a bit of a scrappy game so far, nothing of note from either team. Lets hope it picks up a little.

Chakan · « **Reply #25 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:17:28 pm »

Our pressing again has been great to see, unfortunately our passing has left a lot to be desired. We're being very wasteful overcooking passes, mishits and just giving possession back to Newcastle. Need to tighten up a bit.

JerseyKloppite · « **Reply #26 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:18:48 pm »

Ibe looking our brightest player so far. Really promising bursts of pace.

Not sure if there's enough creativity in the middle though, with Milner, Lucas and Allen.

Chakan · « **Reply #27 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:19:57 pm »

Both keepers have been virtual spectators for the first 20 minutes.

Welshred · « **Reply #28 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:20:09 pm »

Apologies for the lack of updates, there's nothing happening. 19 minutes gone.

Chakan · « **Reply #29 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:21:36 pm »

Any PM's or thought can be directed to myself or JerseyKloppite.

Welshred · « **Reply #30 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:22:12 pm »

20 - Lucas finds Ibe on the counter down the right hand side and the youngster wins a corner. Moreno takes it and the ball drops to Benteke in the 6 yard box. He's gone to score...but it puts it over. First chance of the game - should have scored.

JerseyKloppite · « **Reply #31 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:23:16 pm »

Quote from: Welshred on December 6, 2015, 04:22:12 pm

20 - Lucas finds Ibe on the counter down the right hand side and the youngster wins a corner. Moreno takes it and the ball drops to Benteke in the 6 yard box. He's gone to score...but it puts it over. First chance of the game - should have scored.

I sometimes feel Benteke is more likely to score with a tricky volley from 18 yards than a careful finish from 6

Welshred · « **Reply #32 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:23:35 pm »

22 - Ibe sees Milner in yards of space just outside the box on the right hand side but his through ball is overcooked. Could have been a chance there too. The Reds stepping it up a little.

Chakan · « **Reply #33 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:23:39 pm »

Certainly not the free flowing burn the house down game a lot expected. Very tentative start from both teams.

JerseyKloppite · « **Reply #34 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:25:49 pm »

So very, very scrappy.

Newcastle not committing enough players forward to allow us to counter, and the quality of our passing not good enough to fashion any chances yet.

Welshred · « **Reply #35 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:27:54 pm »

26 - decent little ball from Firmino to Ibe who wins another corner for Liverpool. Moreno takes it quickly to Ibe who's cross is overhit for a goal kick. This is dull.

Chakan · « **Reply #36 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:28:32 pm »

Quote from: Lord of Glencoe on December 6, 2015, 04:23:10 pm

We just don't look right up front.
Benteke doesn't 'fit' for me.

Benteke really doesn't seem up to the speed of the game. Seems a good yard off the pace. He's winning the knock downs and holding up play, but he's not really giving the defense anything to worry about striking wise.

Everyone except Ibe upfront looks slightly labored. Not sure why really.

JerseyKloppite · « **Reply #37 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:30:05 pm »

Quote from: Chakan on December 6, 2015, 04:28:32 pm

Benteke really doesn't seem up to the speed of the game. Seems a good yard off the pace. He's winning the knock downs and holding up play, but he's not really giving the defense anything to worry about striking wise.

Everyone except Ibe upfront looks slightly labored. Not sure why really.

I think we lack a 'connecting' player. Someone to link our midfield to our attack. Lallana and Coutinho the obvious candidates and both are missing. Ibe is trying to do it, but his role as a wide player makes it challenging.

Probably something Milner should be doing but it's not really his role either.

thegoodfella · « **Reply #38 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:30:23 pm »

Milner and Ibe have swapped sides it seems.

Chakan · « **Reply #39 on:** December 6, 2015, 04:30:49 pm »

Quote from: Tinsely Camarismassy on December 6, 2015, 04:27:36 pm

Thoughts? Klopp is wearing the fuck outta that training jacket!

Klopp could wear a tea koozie and make it look stylish.