Topic: Liverpool 1 - 1 Sunderland, (Suarez, Larsson) - Post Match

[rednich85]

So we agree about the wrong decision then?

We do indeed.

I was just putting you right though......don't want you peddling 'sky' myth of 'last man'.

I know how much you dont like sky and those people who form their opinions based on what they hear on there!

[subroc]

Not when i see things like ''Flanagan is garbage'' and ''deep fault-lines'' after ONE game , dont you think this is just a tad OTT? We had playerts playing after a major tournament , Enrique playing after just 1 training session , players out injured.In spite of all this we played very well in the first half and on another day would of been 2 or 3 up.But yet , you still proclaim that the team has ''deep structral fault-lines''

Of course its disapointing to draw but with so many new signings ,relationships still developing there is obviously much more to come but the positives from today are there for all to see.

Tired early, lost momentum, too many whistles being blown....

But plenty to look forward to as these players get to know each other more and the team settles into a rhythm.

Wait a minute - I never said that Flanagan was "garbage". You may have misread someone else's comment as my own? I do regard kelly as being better than him at this point in their development, and I suspect most here will agree with me.

I have already stated my views on why I think the way the team plays is the ersult of deeper problems than just settling in blues. I did not adopt these concerns only overnight nor lightly - I have been mulling over them for some time. I am not a doom merchant nor a knee jerk specialist and I think my record of posting on this forum will bear that out.

[BFM]

I agree that we'll be sound, but why was it to be expected that we'd fade when Sunderland clearly didn't?

They only played during the 2nd 45 minutes

[incredibleL4ever]

I don't think any team, bar Barca, can play a high tempo pressing game for 90 minutes, even when fully fit, and their success is usually about their superior technical and passing ability

I think a big problem is how deep we sit with Carra in the side. We often start well and press high up but gradually drop off and invite teams onto us and become disjointed because we're wary of his lack of pace. It's a bit of an elephant in the room at the moment and I'd like to see how we'd function with 2 mobile CB's who are not scared of the ball

I agree about Barca but we could have done it for more than half an hour and we should be trying to play keep ball the rest of the time.  We just looked unfit and/or tired.

[Gnurglan]

1-1.

Disappointing. We owned the first half and things looked really promising. Suarez penalty was very bad, but he made up for it. Red card? Maybe, but generally I think if you get a penalty, then a yellow is enough. If it's outside the box, then it's a red. Not necessarily the rules, but my opinion. Thought Carroll's goals should have stood. Let's just say that had it been the reverse, with the defender giving Carroll such a brief touch, then it wouldn't have been a penalty. And then we had the shot that hit the bar. Then came the half time whistle. And we stopped playing. Unfortunately, we didn't start again when the 2nd half began.

Flanagan for 1-1? I've said before that we'll have to accept mistakes from the youth players. It's part of the package and it's a part we have to live with, or we should close the Academy tomorrow. Our experienced players are not without fault. Suarez penalty today is an example. Which one cost us the game? Both.

I will say though that I was surprised that Flanagan started ahead of Kelly. And I was even more surprised that Kuyt was benched for Henderson. And where was Maxi? Aquilani? Surprised they didn't even make the bench.

It's just the first game and we have many new players that need to gel. But it's also the type of game we need to win.

37 games left and 20 wins to go for the CL spot.

[Mutton Geoff]

Meanwhile after the first game of the season the mindless haters smell new blood and switch to Carroll and Adam with a slight affection for a bit of Henderson meanwhile though the Lucas haters were not extinct just merely asleep all last season?

Get a grip and peddle your agendas elsewhere it is boring!

[hoonin]

He fouled him before he got passed the keeper though, thats my thinking mate.
Not that that matters I suppose so I guess yer right.

Nope, doesn't matter.

By the law of the game it was a red card because Suarez was denied a goal scoring chance. The law also doesn't differentiate between a deliberate or accidental offence.

Unless your Dowd of course and somehow magically interpret that attempting to go around the keeper and put the ball into an empty net equals moving away from goal.

[BFM]

Plenty of positives to take away from that. Unfortunate that we didn't get the 3 points. Looking forward to the next match

[kred]

Lucas didn't have the best of games but really seemed like He was on his own in defensive responsibilities. adams definitely a liabelity in that situation.

It was glaring in the 2nd half the disparity in the work rate between the two.  3/4 way through the game there was an instant where Adam let an opponent pass within a yard of him without making any attempt to harass, leaving it to Lucas who was further away to rush in to commit a foul.  It's as if Adam only plays in attack.  If we need someone to boss midfield it wouldn;t be Adam.  I hope he gets a mighty earful from Kenny. 

[Neil D]

Good first half/poor second is the obvious summary. We looked very tired as the game wore on, and you have to question our pre-season preparation. But saying that there were really encouraging signs, only four Benitez era players on the pitch and a lot of players need to get used to each other and our tactics and style of play. That always takes time. Some good link up play but some mishit and mistimed balls. Looking forward to Arsenal now and hopefully catching them cold.

[Terry de Niro]

We do indeed.

I was just putting you right though......don't want you peddling 'sky' myth of 'last man'.

I know how much you dont like sky and those people who form their opinions based on what they hear on there!

But, but...

Andy Gray and Richard Keys said that it is...   

[shelovesyou]

Nope, doesn't matter.

By the law of the game it was a red card because Suarez was denied a goal scoring chance. The law also doesn't differentiate between a deliberate or accidental offence.

Unless your Dowd of course and somehow magically interpret that attempting to go around the keeper and put the ball into an empty net equals moving away from goal.

I know mate, Ive stated twice already since that post that I got it wrong.
In fact im pretty sure I admitted that in the quoted post.

[Alex Raisbeck]

There are some top beauts on here who obviously only read 'The Star' and watch Sky sports-if a 1-1 draw on the first game of the season is the worst thing in your world then I suggest you kill yourself or glory-hunt.

[subroc]

They also have patience and a realisation that there are no quick fixes. They don't usually demand instant results purely on the basis of the amount of money spent.

Footballs teams are not created in microwaves.

And yet again, I reiterate that I am not as concerned about the result - it is the manner of how we play and have played for too long that concerns me. Even if the team is created one layer at a time, there is a trend that we can see and take comfort in.

[bird_lfc]

Not happy with the result, or the 2nd half performance.

We looked great in the first and thought when that first went in we would dominate the second half and score another goal or two. Plus sides are, in my opinion, it looks like we've spent our money well this summer. Just need to gel as a team then it'll be a lot better. Plus we're still missing Stevie.

Would of preffered Kelly over Flanagan today but I'm sure that was down to match fitness. Didn't have the best of games but i'm sure he'll learn from it.

[jamie_c]

I think today was a bit of a reality check, not so much in terms of the abilty of the team more the mental belief of a group of players who have not played together much.

When Sunderland scored we had plenty of time to take control of the game again but everybody panicked and it just gave Sunderland belief, in the same circumstances Utd would have got a winner and thats where we need to get to as well....

Disagree with the majority on the red card, I though Suarez lost control of the ball and it was definately not a given that he was going to get round the keeper and score.

[Hazell]

After a bright first half, we faded in the second. Thought the midfield of Adam and Lucas was too deep as a result of the defence being so and it left Suarez and Carroll isolated. We seemed tired too and as the match wore on, resorted to hitting it long far too often. Feel sorry for Flanagan, an 18 year old full back is bound to make mistakes and after the goal - which resulted from a cross that shouldn't have been allowed to come in with three men sucked towards the ball - he didn't really recover. Maybe Kenny should gone for Kelly but Flanagan was sound until then. I just hope he doesn't get the same treatment Insua did. Also thought Adam, who was fine on the ball (in the first half, not so much in the second), wasn't particularly so off it and a lack of pressing combined with that and the defence and midfield being too deep meant Sunderland were relatively comfortable in the second half.

BUT, the first half was really good, Downing, Suarez and Carroll very impressive and we should have been at least a couple of goals ahead. Enrique impressed too. We had 4 players making their debut and a different way of playing - these things take time and there are bound to be some problems along the way. It;'s the first game of the season and there's a long way to go.

Also, Phil Dowd - inept refereeing performance from him and his team. Richardson should have been off and I have no idea why Carroll's goal was disallowed. Woeful.

[rossipersempre]

That's rubbish mate. Aquilani on here is like the bastard love child of Lothar Matthaus and Socrates.

we just left a big space between Carroll and the midfield. We didn't really have a player to fill it, hence being stretched, limited fluidity and whatever else.

Spot the link between these two seemingly unconnected opinions.

[keeby]

I thought gnurlgan's post was absolutely nail, head, on....

lots of chances to win the game, the fault is our own and lest we not forget last seasons start of the season a 2-1 loss to the spuds,

early doors boys and girls, wasn,t it great waking up this morning with the start of the season looming - bring on the gooners...

[NeverWalkAlone96]

Barton up to his old antics for those of u watching Arsenal match - Gervinho red card as it all relates to us

[Alex Raisbeck]

After a bright first half, we faded in the second. Thought the midfield of Adam and Lucas was too deep as a result of the defence being so and it left Suarez and Carroll isolated. We seemed tired too and as the match wore on, resorted to hitting it long far too often. Feel sorry for Flanagan, an 18 year old full back is bound to make mistakes and after the goal - which resulted from a cross that shouldn't have been allowed to come in with three men sucked towards the ball - he didn't really recover. Maybe Kenny should gone for Kelly but Flanagan was sound until then. I just hope he doesn't get the same treatment Insua did. Also thought Adam, who was fine on the ball (in the first half, not so much in the second), wasn't particularly so off it and a lack of pressing combined with that and the defence and midfield being too deep meant Sunderland were relatively comfortable in the second half.

BUT, the first half was really good, Downing, Suarez and Carroll very impressive and we should have been at least a couple of goals ahead. Enrique impressed too. We had 4 players making their debut and a different way of playing - these things take time and there are bound to be some problems along the way. It;'s the first game of the season and there's a long way to go.
Also, Phil Dowd - inept refereeing performance from him and his team. Richardson should have been off and I have no idea why Carroll's goal was disallowed. Woeful.

My thoughts exactly!

[MazzaRed]

Can everyone chill out, i'm as pissed off as everyone else but its the first game, were gonna have worse games than this in the future. This is a valuable lesson for the current players and management and thank god its came at the start of the season.

[buzzing]

Prob the best result - not a loss and will reduce over hyped expectations. we still have a bit to go

[shelovesyou]

Spot the link between these two seemingly unconnected opinions.

And so it continues . . .

[shelovesyou]

Gervinho suspended for our game btw.

[Mutton Geoff]

Barton up to his old antics for those of u watching Arsenal match - Gervinho red card as it all relates to us

just watched it Barton should be up for a Bafta later this year!

[Skidder.]

Oh god, it's the first game of the season and the handbags are out on here, some good points and arguments, some absolute tripe.

Our first game of the season, we scored one, they scored one, "virtually" a new look team. Players looked slightly tired and a bit weak down the right hand side.

I have faith that our management will sort this out and I look forward to our next game.

Now, off to watch the rest of the game of our potential competition.

[Cadno]

Another positive for today.  Gervinho just been sent off lol

Anyone who just saw it must be laughing their asses off

[MazzaRed]

Barton up to his old antics for those of u watching Arsenal match - Gervinho red card as it all relates to us

Think he's put paid to any chances of going to the Gunners now.....!!

[shelovesyou]

just watched it Barton should be up for a Bafta later this year!

It gives Wenger something to moan about, and I bet he saw it.

[Joseph-Immanuel Queen]

Can't deal with this thread. Some of the posts I've read have been absolutely extraordinary- Lucas still getting bashed? What on Earth does the lad have to do to please some people? Kneejerkism at its absolute finest.

I'm off to laugh at Indian cricket.

[buzzing]

Could be worse. We could be arsenal fans. About to lose their 2 best players, and their new signing has just been sent off

[hoonin]

And yet again, I reiterate that I am not as concerned about the result - it is the manner of how we play and have played for too long that concerns me. Even if the team is created one layer at a time, there is a trend that we can see and take comfort in.

So you thought the way we played 2nd half of last season and the first 45 mins today is concerning?

Good god.

[Jokerman]

So Suarez only had the keeper to beat.
That's a sending off according to the rules?

The rules are a direct goalscoring oportunity I think, I suppose that's down to the ref. Seemed clear that's what it was to me, but evidently him moving away from goal (well he was going to round the 'keeper but I suppose it's the refs interpretation) was enough to convince Dowd it wasn't. He was awful today.

[Hazell]

Spot the link between these two seemingly unconnected opinions.

True. Surprised he wasn't at least on the bench. Would likely have helped us in the second half.

[Juan Loco]

Spot the link between these two seemingly unconnected opinions.

Oh, I see it - it's because RAWK can make Aquilani into whatever they want him to be.

You're ignoring that I do think we have a player to fill it Rossi, he was just a bit tired today. But he does actually play there, and play really well. Don't need to make him into something he's not

[shelovesyou]

True. Surprised he wasn't at least on the bench. Would likely have helped us in the second half.

To be fair he could of been an option for us.
I was surprised also.

[redhot-robbie]

Dissapointing result but enough there to see we are going to have a good season.  Should have been a sending off and on another day Carroll gets a couple. 

We will beat Arsenal

Come on your Reds

oh and Dowd is a c-nut

[shetty5]

I can imagine the outcry if we get beat by arsenal at the emirates...

I don't predict a win for that one. A draw would be a good result down there, I think theyre a bit underrated. Although, needless to say, I hope we effin hammer them.

[andymanlfc]

What I can't understand is that Kenny has used Aquilani in most pre-season friendly's and has not used Raul that much, so Raul would not be match fit where as Aquilani is more than likely match fit. So basically what i'm trying to say is, I think Aquilani would have made more of an impact today well more than Raul could of. Only because of match fitness.