Liverpool 3 Arsenal 1 (Mar 4 2017)

[tlw content]

 
So here we are again then. Exactly where we were after the win over Spurs, wondering how this same group of players can play like THIS, so soon after playing like THAT. For Hull, see Leicester. For Spurs, read Arsenal. For all the talk of inconsistency, they’re actually very consistent in their own, soul crushing way. 
 
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this. I say surprisingly because I didn’t think I would. I did though, a lot. Such was my level of disgust and disillusionment after the Leicester game that I’d convinced myself I wasn’t even going to stand up if we scored against Arsenal. “Fuck em, what’s the point? Beating Arsenal doesn’t mean shit when we keep losing to teams in the bottom half”. That was my feeling felt prior to the game, but once it kicked off it was different. For ninety minutes, the previous couple of months were forgotten and I just wanted to see us play well and beat Arsenal, which we did. 
 
It changes nothing in terms of how I view the team (it merely offers further confirmation of what we already knew) but it was still a lot of fun to watch and ultimately, it’s much better to have this than for them to play shit and lose again. It doesn’t change who they are or make the frequent shithouse performances any less irritating - if anything it makes them more infuriating - but it was still highly enjoyable. 
 
So rather than go over old ground and bitch about how we’ll probably drop points to Burnley next week, I’ll just take this game in isolation and enjoy it for what it was. 
 
Like most of you reading this, I wasn’t surprised that we played well and won, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a nagging doubt that maybe we were due a bad day against one of the big boys. The absence of Henderson added to that, but after about five minutes I knew we’d win. It was clear even at that early stage that we were more up for it than Arsenal, and Wenger leaving Sanchez on the bench almost felt like giving us a 1-0 lead even before kick off. 
 

This is just a teaser, click here to view the full report

 

Please note that Match Reports are only available to website subscribers. Subscriptions cost just £2 a month (you need to register first) and can be purchased here. If you are not currently registered on the site, sign up for free and receive a FREE no obligation trial subscription, which gives you access to all the members only content for THREE MONTHS.

[jimmycase]

Bang on Dave especially that 2nd para. I was in two minds to jib the game thinking fuck 'em, why should I invest the effort when they couldnt be arsed at Leicester?

 

Come singing YNWA though and the kick off, I was up for it. I actually thought we draw or lose and was thinking arsenal equaliser here we come after the did score the inevitable goal with 30 minutes to go.

 

Was funny sanchez's strike was blocked by Matip (looks like it was going to beat mignolet easily on the replay), went to lallana to origi for Gini to sweep into their goal for game, set and match.

 

Still think we'll beat burnley next but i also think we'll make a massive dog's breakfast of it.

[Red74]

Great points on FSG following the arsenal blueprint as the similarities are all there and we're in danger of becoming arsenal lite. I've always blamed wenger for indirectly fucking us up from when he moved Pires and Henry into different positions and started to get a tune (well, more a couple of great albums rather than a tune but you know what I mean) out of them, it started the rot with us of targeting players who could play in 3 different positions instead of just buying specialists. Let's hope this is the start of the new LFC rather than the pot noodle teams mentioned.

 

Anyway, back to the game. I need to start getting on the anti anxiety pills as until wijnaldum slotted the 3rd, I was convinced theyd have spawned an equaliser. Oh, and was it just me who thought mignolet should have stayed on his line for wellbeck's goal? I thought him rushing out gave him the only angle he could have possibly scored into. If he stays on his line, wellbeck either runs that out or scuffs it into his arms.

 

Anyway, whose arsed. We won

[Einch]

You could have saved a lot of time Dave just by saying big match beauts and be done with it. I'm ready and set for the fully expected Burnley win on Sunday.

[Red74]

Great points on FSG following the arsenal blueprint as the similarities are all there and we're in danger of becoming arsenal lite. I've always blamed wenger for indirectly fucking us up from when he moved Pires and Henry into different positions and started to get a tune (well, more a couple of great albums rather than a tune but you know what I mean) out of them, it started the rot with us of targeting players who could play in 3 different positions instead of just buying specialists. Let's hope this is the start of the new LFC rather than the pot noodle teams mentioned.

 

Anyway, back to the game. I need to start getting on the anti anxiety pills as until wijnaldum slotted the 3rd, I was convinced theyd have spawned an equaliser. Oh, and was it just me who thought mignolet should have stayed on his line for wellbeck's goal? I thought him rushing out gave him the only angle he could have possibly scored into. If he stays on his line, wellbeck either runs that out or scuffs it into his arms.

 

Anyway, whose arsed. We won and we may as well make the most of it while it lasts

[RedHeadedRed]

I totally agree about lallana for the third goal that was outstanding play from him,wijnaldum did well too because the ball origi played to him was slightly behind him so he did well to finish it.

[jimmycase]

I totally agree about lallana for the third goal that was outstanding play from him,wijnaldum did well too because the ball origi played to him was slightly behind him so he did well to finish it.

 

Noticed that on the replay today. At the time it looked a perfect ball for Gini to run on to but, looking at the replay he had to dig it out from behind him. Great finish.

[Ipplfc]

Good report that,this game could have been billed as handbags at dawn given how many shitbags were on the pitch.

(If it was a really early kick off of course)

As you said it was really enjoyable and if we played like that for the rest of the season I'm sure we would all except any result.

I thought mignolet came way too far out for their goal.

 

[William_Ulsterman]

I could rarely give Mignolet more than a 5/10 in any game but he was much better in this. We should break the bank Pickford when Sunderland go down. He made some amazing saves and his all-round game was excellent again this weekend.  

[VladimirIlyich]

I could rarely give Mignolet more than a 5/10 in any game but he was much better in this. We should break the bank Pickford when Sunderland go down. He made some amazing saves and his all-round game was excellent again this weekend.

Haven't we learned about buying Sunderland keepers yet? Also you'd have to pay a stupid 'homegrown' premium for the lad.

[Peter Cormack]

It's a mistake to buy keepers from the likes of Sunderland, they only look good because they have so many things to do. Pickford is in action for most of the game; most keepers Look great when they are getting battered, but can't cope when they are unemployed for most of the game then have to wake up and make a vital save. Valdes was great at this at Barca, as was Clem and Bruce for us.

 

[El Rojo]

Agree on Can's endeavour and welcome cynicism.

 

I'm fickle enough to think he can still be an important squad member next season after two decent games. He's an imposing fella physically, and we don't have enough of those.

 

Above all else, we need at least one and probably two central midfielders. If we got rid of him we'd need two and possibly three. Would anybody trust the club to manage that bit of transfer business properly?

[William_Ulsterman]

Haven't we learned about buying Sunderland keepers yet? Also you'd have to pay a stupid 'homegrown' premium for the lad.

 

third time lucky

[dylstar]

third time lucky

Should sign Jimmy Montgomery instead.

[jonnyp]

I could rarely give Mignolet more than a 5/10 in any game but he was much better in this. We should break the bank Pickford when Sunderland go down. He made some amazing saves and his all-round game was excellent again this weekend.  

 

I'd rather they bought Defoe.