dockers_strike

You'd think they'd be made up with being first so often, wouldnt you? Miserable twats.

To be fair, it wasnt much better in English papers back then in the late 60s. I can well remember in the Daily Mirror a couple of 'lesser' mid week Division One games where we'd played the likes of Wolves and West Brom, the 'match report' was literally 2 column inches. It effectively said who scored and that was it, none of the stuff like now. Back page used to be the sports headlines, generally football but also horse racing stuff. The inside back page was mainly football stuff but again, shared with other sports such as rugby league and a bit of athletics. The next 2 pages in were all horse racing meetings and stuff. It was pretty shit back then.

Ah ok. I'll take it when you were happy with that bunch of no marks a couple of seasons ago saying they targetted Trent because he was the weakest link in the back line at the time?

This is the bottom line. Loads think we should buy someone of van Dijk's quality either as a back up to Virgil and Joe or, to replace Joe. But it ignores the obvious. Someone of van Dijk's quality isnt going to come here as 3rd choice CB. If he comes in as a direct 'upgrade' on Joe, Joe isnt going to sit being 3rd choice. You buy a CB as 3rd or even 4th choice and you get 3rd and 4th choice performamnces. It seems pretty clear to me that after his failed move at Christmas, Degsy is going to move on in summer. It follows that Matip will be 3rd choice at best and he may not fancy sitting on the bench waiting for Joe or, heaven forbid, Virgil getting injured.

Still watching ST:D, Burnham's face when she realised the Emporer was feeding her the mirror Saru. Must admit, I kind of wretched a bit.

Only a week!?

Yes, this. God knows what people would be like if we were say just 2 or 3 points in front of city. But like Ive always said, I never thought we'd be winning the league by 22 or 25 points. The landscape may change enormously after the Atletico game. With the unbeaten run ended, if we get past Atletico I fully expect Jurgen will utilise his squad more as he closes in on the title and tries to steer us to another CL final. If we go out to Atletico and, at this point, I think if we arent out of this run of poor form, we're going to struggle, then, he doesnt have quite the same pressure. Unless the nervy crew turn up at Anfield for the crucial league games. People dont seem to realise how the unease and nerves in the crowd transmits to players. Ive seen top Liverpool players not want the ball when some of the crowd get on their back. And that goes back to the 80's teams. We've won league games this season before Watford that we probably should have lost. Realistically, you can only get away with that so many times.

Starts at 16:52 if the link doesnt open at the right point!

Jurgen saying Keita still out, Elliott not available, Gomez and Milner available.

Did you forget to mention our new Main Stand and ARE?! You know, just to really wind him up.

Yep. I predict this thread will go well.

I didnt watch the final but some observations: city and people cackling on about them winning it 3 times in a row, dont they know we won it 4 successive years? I noticed there were a number of empty seats for both teams. I heard city scored from a corner that should have been a villa goalkick, how come there isnt the same furore about that compared to the spurs throw in and our goal? All questions are rhetorical.

In recent years, Dan was the most natural striker we've had on the books. It's such a shame his body and mental strength prevented him playing so often. Something really strange must be going on as he was talking about getting them into the CL. Im surprised as a 'free agent' he can only sign for a club in the next window and not just any old time. Did they close that loop hole?

I know a couple of Blackpool fans, their club has been to hell and back with the Oyston's as former owners. They hope happier times are returning to Bloomfield Road. Funnily enough, even in the 60's Blackpool had a good record against us. When they got promoted again in the 70's, it needed a late Stevie Heighway goal to get a 2-2 draw with them at Anfield. Blackpool go through managers at an alarming rate even post Oyston. Personally I think it's too big a step for Critchley and would have been better starting with a National League side. Considering the talents we have in our U23s, results have been up and down the entire time he's been in charge. Best of luck to him though.

Correct, there's no gauranteed victory. But the balance of probability suggests defeat is more likely avoided the stronger the team put out. Im sure Jurgen and the boys will not be looking beyond the chelsea game. Fortunately we fans dont have the same limitations.

Like Ive said, jib the domestic cups. But at the same time, if Jurgen fields a weakened side at chelsea, he risks the very likelihood of a 2nd defeat in 4 day and then the doomsayers will have a field day. I dont like it but I think Jurgen has to play a stronger team than against everton and shrewsbury to prevent a 2nd successive defeat and try and get some form back into the players. I might sound a bit like your goodself here but in the last few games at Anfield, Bournemouth have been a tough nut to crack so Im expecting that to be a tougher than anticipated game!

It seems putting up a banner calling a club owner a 'wanker' is deemed offensive enough to suspend a game in the Bundesliga.

VAR?

Belgian toffee? How the fuck was that allowed in the ground? They're all pure bred county road types, arent they?

Nope but why do you and a few others have a problem with other people saying how they see it? Oh yeah I forgot, we've all got to say the same havent we? No dissenting voices etc. How can you say you dont know where Im coming from when Ive repeatedly said this was a poor performance all around and a number of recent performances have been below standard? Look, if you and others think Lovren was the reason for the defeat, knock yourself out but it ignores the under lying issue. But the question you're avoiding is, why didnt Jurgen play Matip and, if Deeney targetted the 'weaker' link in our centre backs, are you saying he wouldnt have 'targetted' Joe or Matip?

Wow, "do you think they've bottled it" having only a 22 point lead instead of 25? You couldnt make that up! Leverkusen take the lead against Leipzig.

Sorry, cant bring myself to watch the obnoxious shite v the self righteous cunts so Im watching Timo take on Leverkusen.

Because the game yesterday wasnt lost due to game management. We did anything but manage the game. We lost yesterday because poor form throughout the team finally caught up with us. Poor form didnt just happen yesterday or since the winter break. We've had varying degrees of poor form since around Christmas. We managed to get wins despite not playing well against Sheff United on 2 Jan, we struggled for large parts against Southampton before going on to win 4-0, we werent very good at Norwich etc, etc. It's a good shout someone made that being protective of the run might have played a part but which run, the 18 consecutive wins or 44 undefeated? Yes, we need to hope it isnt a long bad patch which is why I think Jurgen has to play a reasonably strong side in the Cup. Atletico is looming and we need to be back on our game for that and Bournemouth.

I feel Joe has outplayed Virgil the last 5 or so games and I really rate him. We conceeded 2 goals against a shite West Ham who really should have scored more but thankfully didnt. It's been a great run and I thought it was going to end on Monday night but we got out of jail again.

That game management has got us to where we are, 22 points in front and 1 league defeat in 28 games. Heavens sake, one fucking league defeat and people want it all changing.