Brentford (H) - Sun 16th Jan 2022 (2:00pm)

[Trumo]

After the damp squib of a league cup semi final first leg that showcased our distinct lack of cutting edge without Mo and Sadio, we welcome Brentford to Anfield for the first time in the league since the 1940s. Lack of firepower notwithstanding, one of the main concerns is that we don’t do enough to upset teams that want to defend deep and in numbers. Keeping the ball moving, playing the width of the pitch, pulling players about, getting into goalscoring positions. The sort of thing it sometimes appears the players insist on doing the opposite of. When we lacked a central defence a year ago and were forced to play our first-choice midfield in there, we had a similar lack of cutting edge. Anyway:

 

Nous. Audacity. Toughness. Accuracy. Liveliness. Invention. Energy. Speed. Attentiveness. Work-rate. Youthful fearlessness. Expressiveness. Rage.

 

I don’t ask for much.

 

Brentford gave us a tough time in west London earlier in the season. This was during that period when some newly promoted teams ride the crest of a wave where they are outperforming all those metrics that statto virgins wank themselves silly over, like xG. They were physical sure, but they were enterprising and turned the game into a cup tie. Things have tailed off for them since then, and they’ve been in that lower half position where you have enough points not to need to fret yet, but not enough points to not get sucked into a relegation battle if results and performances really begin to nosedive.

 

That last Anfield league encounter came in late October 1946 when the country was still rebuilding after the war. Liverpool had a goalscoring hero from the north east, Albert Stubbins, and it was the club’s then record signing who clinched the points. 1946/47 was the first full season after World War 2, and the Reds would go on to clinch the title by a point from Man Utd and Wolves. Brentford finished in the bottom two and were relegation to the Second Division at the end of the season. The Liverpool side, led by George Kay, contained Stubbins, Jack Balmer and the club’s first real superstar Billy Liddell in attack. The team also featured one Sir Bob Paisley in the back line. No specific video footage, but I did find this nice little video review of the season, plus photos of the match programme and the Liverpool Echo’s match report (best to zoom in for that one!).

 

 

 

The big draw at American fleapits (and drive-ins I guess) in October 1946 was the musical Blue Skies, starring Hollywood legends Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. It features a version of Irving Berlin’s ‘Puttin On The Ritz’ performed by Astaire. I know sod all about this one so I’m cribbing of Wiki I’m afraid. I don’t know if it’s any good or not but then I suppose films of the time didn’t have to be brilliant or talk about the relevant issues of the day, they just needed to entertain and it was all about escapism for audiences. This film had two people who were adept at providing that.

 

 

Covid has been a factor in the team’s form over the past few weeks. Some players who need the rhythm of regular football haven’t been able to find it, and others who are squad members have found themselves being utilised much more than intended. We might be short of our two most dangerous attackers while they’re away at the AFCON, but the midfield in particular need to start finding some cohesion to help the guys in front of them. We can’t ask players to do what Sadio and Mo do, but we can try to be more dynamic with the way we approach teams and look to break them down. There’s a job to be done. Go out there and do it.

[Anubis]

Just win.

[lebron]

Good work! Let's get back on winning track. Hopefully Klopp will be a bit more adventurous with his midfield selection in this one! 

[VladimirIlyich]

Just now, lebron said:

Good work! Let's get back on winning track. Hopefully Klopp will be a bit more adventurous with his midfield selection in this one! 

Who else is available that wasn't available tonight?

[Paulie Dangerously]

Let's stop the rot

[easytoslip]

30 minutes ago, Trumo said:

After the damp squib of a league cup semi final first leg that showcased our distinct lack of cutting edge without Mo and Sadio, we welcome Brentford to Anfield for the first time in the league since the 1940s. Lack of firepower notwithstanding, one of the main concerns is that we don’t do enough to upset teams that want to defend deep and in numbers. Keeping the ball moving, playing the width of the pitch, pulling players about, getting into goalscoring positions. The sort of thing it sometimes appears the players insist on doing the opposite of. When we lacked a central defence a year ago and were forced to play our first-choice midfield in there, we had a similar lack of cutting edge. Anyway:

 

Nous. Audacity. Toughness. Accuracy. Liveliness. Invention. Energy. Speed. Attentiveness. Work-rate. Youthful fearlessness. Expressiveness. Rage.

 

I don’t ask for much.

 

Brentford gave us a tough time in west London earlier in the season. This was during that period when some newly promoted teams ride the crest of a wave where they are outperforming all those metrics that statto virgins wank themselves silly over, like xG. They were physical sure, but they were enterprising and turned the game into a cup tie. Things have tailed off for them since then, and they’ve been in that lower half position where you have enough points not to need to fret yet, but not enough points to not get sucked into a relegation battle if results and performances really begin to nosedive.

 

That last Anfield league encounter came in late October 1946 when the country was still rebuilding after the war. Liverpool had a goalscoring hero from the north east, Albert Stubbins, and it was the club’s then record signing who clinched the points. 1946/47 was the first full season after World War 2, and the Reds would go on to clinch the title by a point from Man Utd and Wolves. Brentford finished in the bottom two and were relegation to the Second Division at the end of the season. The Liverpool side, led by George Kay, contained Stubbins, Jack Balmer and the club’s first real superstar Billy Liddell in attack. The team also featured one Sir Bob Paisley in the back line. No specific video footage, but I did find this nice little video review of the season, plus photos of the match programme and the Liverpool Echo’s match report (best to zoom in for that one!).

 

 

 

The big draw at American fleapits (and drive-ins I guess) in October 1946 was the musical Blue Skies, starring Hollywood legends Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. It features a version of Irving Berlin’s ‘Puttin On The Ritz’ performed by Astaire. I know sod all about this one so I’m cribbing of Wiki I’m afraid. I don’t know if it’s any good or not but then I suppose films of the time didn’t have to be brilliant or talk about the relevant issues of the day, they just needed to entertain and it was all about escapism for audiences. This film had two people who were adept at providing that.

 

 

Covid has been a factor in the team’s form over the past few weeks. Some players who need the rhythm of regular football haven’t been able to find it, and others who are squad members have found themselves being utilised much more than intended. We might be short of our two most dangerous attackers while they’re away at the AFCON, but the midfield in particular need to start finding some cohesion to help the guys in front of them. We can’t ask players to do what Sadio and Mo do, but we can try to be more dynamic with the way we approach teams and look to break them down. There’s a job to be done. Go out there and do it.

Lovely watch, Larry Hughes had the chippy on Gorsey Lane Litherland, we used to sell our school dinner tickets for 2 bob and go down there, early 70s.

Didn't he get done with Johnny Morrisey over ciggies or baccy at one time? 

Anyway Southampton stuck 4 past them the other day, they seem to be on a decline, but i cant see us doing that after tonights showing. 

It should be 3 pts though, needs to be. 

 

[AngryOfTuebrook]

As long as we're on the front foot a bit more than we were tonight, we should get the win here.  We definitely need the crowd to live up to its reputation, though; the cup games against Leicester, Shrewsbury and Arsenal were fucking embarrassing.  We've got to do our bit to lift the team.

 

We really need this win. Just get these beat, Reds.

[LFC 6 Times]

What would you do? Jota and Bobby as front 2? Chamberlain for Milner and Jones for minamino.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

22 minutes ago, LFC 6 Times said:

What would you do? Jota and Bobby as front 2? Chamberlain for Milner and Jones for minamino.

Almost the same starting XI, but with Jones in for Milner and everyone under orders to just batter the bastards.

[aRdja]

4-4-2

Alisson; Trent, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Ox, Hendo, Fabinho, Jones; Firmino, Jota.

[an tha]

Feels like an age since we last won.

 

We need to change that - but its hard to see where the creativity or cutting edge is going to come from at the moment.

[Pete]

Twat them.

[Redder Lurtz]

Batter these cunts. If we make any more fuckups we'll start to be included in conversations about who'll make 4th place. I'm sick of our bullshit lately. 

[JustTosh]

Had a look in my crystal ball.

 

We'll have an early lead, and start playing as narrow as we did yesterday. Midway throuh 2nd half Toney equalizes from a corner. We'll continue to play through the middle with no sucess. Final score: 1-1 with 2-3 shots on target.

 

[Daisy]

I'd drop trent to be honest. Playing like a retard and giving us no width 

[sir roger]

11 hours ago, AngryOfTuebrook said:

As long as we're on the front foot a bit more than we were tonight, we should get the win here.  We definitely need the crowd to live up to its reputation, though; the cup games against Leicester, Shrewsbury and Arsenal were fucking embarrassing.  We've got to do our bit to lift the team.

 

We really need this win. Just get these beat, Reds.

Thought the crowd were good for the Leicester game.

[Bjornebye]

Whistling into your thoughts is this rock n roll number before rock n roll existed thrash metal banger from notorious cottager Ted Weems. This was US billboard number 1 at the time of the afore-mentioned match against west london griffin fc because the Uk chart didn't exist yet.

 

All jokes aside this is a belter until the whistling starts.

 

The last time Ted whistled at someone he was half way up a ladder when the short skirted blonde booted it from underneath him in the first recorded moment of gender fluidity. Dave or as it prefers to be called, Taxi, took offence to Ted's shoes which were covered in shit an oil. In 1987 Bob Geldof tried to make a few quid off the back of Ted by funding the production of the Ted Weems biopic aptly named 'Ted' with Status Quo having exclusive soundtrack privilege. Things went tits up when Ted's semi-fit daughter accused Bob of trying to 'feck' her. Anyway here we go, Ted Weems with Heartaches. 

 

 

 

[dockers_strike]

Hmmm, we should win this but last night's below par performance has raised serious questions.

 

By the way, anyone attending should look up the club's revised covid procedures and documentary proof required in case you're challenged by the covis stewards.

[Jairzinho]

Alisson

TAA VVD Matip Tsimikas

Fabinho Henderson

Gordon Jones Jota

Firmino

[TheHowieLama]

1 hour ago, Jairzinho said:

Alisson

TAA VVD Matip Tsimikas

Fabinho Henderson

Gordon Jones Jota

Firmino

Same but play Jota upfront w Firmino behind him

[VladimirIlyich]

5 hours ago, TheHowieLama said:

Same but play Jota upfront w Firmino behind him

Firmino is always behind the rest of our forwards,usually the midfield too.

[Bobby Hundreds]

7 hours ago, Jairzinho said:

Alisson

TAA VVD Matip Tsimikas

Fabinho Henderson

Gordon Jones Jota

Firmino

Feels like a very slow side. Not that there's much options.

[Jairzinho]

21 minutes ago, Bobby Hundreds said:

Feels like a very slow side. Not that there's much options.

Wanted Gordon to play precisely because he's reasonably quick and direct. The alternative was Minamino. Likewise Jones for Milner.

 

As you say, what can we do with Mane, Salah and Origi unavailable?

[johnsusername]

Think it'd be harsh to drop Taki and keep Firmino - Bobby was anonymous the other night. 

 

And play Jota through the centre or in the left - please never again on the right. 

 

Stick Curtis in midfield for Milner or Henderson. 

[an tha]

31 minutes ago, johnsusername said:

Think it'd be harsh to drop Taki and keep Firmino - Bobby was anonymous the other night. 

 

And play Jota through the centre or in the left - please never again on the right. 

 

Stick Curtis in midfield for Milner or Henderson. 

Bobby was dropping back arguably too far back looking for ball....thing is though he does this a lot when playing with mane and salah too - difference is when he gets it there and they are playing he then looks up and sees them making clever runs/showing for it/offering support, and he links play with them and in a threatening manner.

 

On Thurs there was none of that available and there was no link up/threat.

 

We either need the other players to be doing that like Mane and Salah do or Bobby needs to change how he plays to fit with what we have whilst they are away.

 

Its very difficult either way...a huge problem for us. We were toothless because of this big disconnect.

 

I'd argue we need a formation tweak whilst they are away....it just isn't like for like and the players are not round pegs in round holes trying to play where and how Mane and Salah play.