Analysis
PSG vs Liverpool match preview: A test of nerve and identity in Paris
Liverpool head to Paris on Wednesday night knowing they do not need to win the tie in one evening, but they do need to leave the Parc des Princes with something to take back to Anfield. The FA Cup is gone and the Premier League picture has become far more complicated. That leaves the Champions League as the clearest remaining route to a season-defining achievement. The challenge, though, is severe. Paris Saint-Germain are the reigning European champions and they remain one of the strongest, most polished sides left in the competition. Why this feels different There is recent history between these clubs, and it still matters. Liverpool were knocked out by PSG on penalties in last season’s Champions League round of 16, so there is unfinished business in that sense, even if the context has s...
A heavy defeat and a hard truth as Liverpool are outclassed by City
Liverpool went to the Etihad on Saturday with hope of reaching Wembley. They left with a 4-0 defeat, their FA Cup run over, and more uncomfortable truths laid bare. The scoreline was emphatic. The manner of it was worse. For a little over half an hour, Liverpool were in the game. Then it unravelled in a brutal spell either side of half-time, and there was no route back. This was not a freak result. It felt like a pattern repeating itself against a side that has now beaten Liverpool three times this season. Liverpool had travelled to the Etihad with real belief after a strong build-up to the tie, as our FA Cup quarter-final preview made clear. How the game was won and lost For 37 minutes, there was not much between the teams. Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike looked lively, and Mohamed Salah f...
City at home, Liverpool with nothing to lose
Liverpool go to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon as underdogs, and there is no point pretending otherwise. Manchester City are at home, they have already beaten Liverpool twice in the league this season, and they remain one of the toughest knockout opponents in Europe. On paper, it is a difficult draw. In practice, though, it may also be the kind of occasion that gives Liverpool a chance to play with more freedom than they have had for weeks. That is what makes this quarter-final so interesting. Why this tie feels different There is pressure, of course. There always is at Liverpool. But this is not a tie in which Slot’s side are expected to control the game, and that matters. At times this season, Liverpool have looked most dangerous when the outside noise has grown louder and the margin f...
Liverpool’s Disappointing Start to the Season – Who’s To Blame?
Liverpool have had a very disappointing start to the 2014/15 season which is compounded after the highs and performances of last season. So who is to blame… Its quite easy to single out certain players or the manager, but are they the reason behind the slump in form. Steven Gerrard seems to be coming in for quite a bit of criticism of late, comments made about his age and his impact in the team but lets be honest, you can’t fault his love and dedication to the club. He is younger than Lampard who is still performing in a Premier League club at the top end of the table. Whilst Gerrards stats my not be as impressive overall compared to last season, I think he has been one of our better players. Last season we had a settled midfield with Gerrard being partnered by Henderson. A com...
Liverpool FC’s Summer Transfer Window Breakdown
The summer transfer window has now closed so we know what Liverpool’s squad will be – at least until January. Its been a record breaking transfer window and Liverpool have been one of the busiest – signing 9 players for the first team as well as acquiring a couple of players for the Academy. Most of their business was done early on and the last player incoming was signed a week before deadline day. However Liverpool were busy right up until the deadline with players leaving. Its probably best if I start by talking about the players out first. Obviously Liverpool let 2 players who featured quite a bit in the last years squad return to their parent clubs following a loan spell – these of course being Moses and Sissoko. The big story of course was Luis Suarez moving to...
Has Our Summer Transfer Spending Been Unbalanced?
There has been a lot of talk – particularly in the media – saying that we have had an unbalanced transfer window with the players we have brought in. I disagree and this is why. Last year we conceded a lot of goals and came 2nd in the Premier League for ‘defensive errors leading to a goal’. At times Mignolet may have seemed ‘nervous or unsure’ particularly after the impressive start – some of that maybe due to the lack of confidence he had in the players in front of him. Starting with the 2 centre backs – We haven’t looked composed or solid for a few seasons now. At one point Skrtel and Agger were one of the best pairings in that position but Agger’s injury record has meant that we have had to use different combinations – Th...
Rating Liverpool’s Summer Signings So Far 2014
Brendan Rodgers has stated that he is NOT doing a Tottenham – basically buying anyone after the sale of their big star. I have reason to believe him too. Prior to the World Cup we heard that Liverpool would have a fairly large kitty to buy new players and improve the depth to be able to compete in 4 competitions – League, Champions League and 2 Domestic Cups. Rumours indicated that this could be as large as £60m not including any extra generated from sale of players. We also had the impression that Luis Suarez may have been staying – after all he got his wish of playing in the Champions League, supposedly happy with all the support and awards he won and even enlisted his children in a school in Liverpool too. However things have changed and our star striker has left us. M...