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Liverpool
Posted by Kevin Brodie on 08/22/2011

I think Liverpool just about deserved to win on Saturday. My Friday evening was spent getting to bed early so I could try and get some sleep before the alarm went off at 430 am (kick off is at 445 for me). I was able to be in bed by 10am but once I looked at the clock at 3:50am I knew at that point I had no chance of going back to sleep as the nervous excitement of a Liverpool game was in the blood.

So I'm up checking the team news and making coffee while hoping that I don't disturb the kids or my wife. Finally 555 minutes later we kicked off and I was quite surprised to see Henderson in the line-up at the expense of Suarez but I understood the logic behind it. Nice to see Kelly returning to the right back role, he had a heck of game.

Liverpool dominated the early exchanges of the game, again without creating any chances were you felt they "must" score. When Nasri picked up the ball a few times I always felt nervous but he dragged a few of his efforts wide. Walcott was as quiet as I have seen him against us, with Enrique having a man of the match display at left back. Ironic how the least publicized new player has been our best performer over first two games. He was excellent both from a defensive stand point and attacking down the flank.

Nothing was coming off for the Carroll/Henderson partnership up front as they both only had headed chances on target to show for their efforts. It must be said Henderson was much improved in a more central role then he was last week against Sunderland. I thought Kuyt gave us what we needed down the right, he was full of intelligent running and was often swapping sides with Downing. I just couldn't understand why Downing was not running at the Arsenal defence more. He should have picked up on the fact that one of their full backs was playing in the Championship last year and tested the kid out. We failed to really make that happen and it was a source of great frustration for me at half time.

As the second half dragged on, with more of the same, we needed a change. Once the Arsenal player was sent off on minute the game completely changed, but it also changed because we had our own difference maker on the pitch in Suarez. Downing brought a good save from the keeper after a neat pass by Adam and, Suarez also had a 1/2 chance, after a clever pass by Enrique. As the minutes rolled on I was hoping we would do enough to just get one more chance for little Luis. That chance came after a clever ball from Miereles and we had a great deal of luck in the own goal, but at this point we deserved it.

We could have scored a few more between the first and the second goals. Our second was well worked and it was started by the excellent Lucas in the middle of the park. He was my co man of the match with Enrique. Once the second goal went in I finally relaxed and felt we had won the game. Of course, I couldn't celebrate because everyone was still sleeping..but that was ok...I’d rather keep my celebrations quiet rather than groans.


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Comments

Posted by Trust on 08/24/2011

I think if this team plays as a team then definately Liverpool will be a team to fear this year.
It has taken long since championship was achieved at Liverpool.
GO GO Liverpool.

Posted by Z on 08/24/2011

I actually thought Lucas was invisible for most of the game. I missed the starting lineups and for a while I wondered if he was even on the field. Although I will give him credit for the great pass that setup the second goal, and maybe it's ok to not really notice a DM.

My biggest concern is that without Suarez on the pitch there is not enough movement up front. The arrival of Suarez and Meireles was way more important to the game than the sending off.

Posted by Keith on 08/24/2011

Enrique is a terrific addition, he is for real and the reason Theo was so quiet.
I'm still unimpressed with Henderson and was desperate for him to go off as he'd lost all invention after about 60 minutes - I was shocked it was Kuyt who was replaced rather than he.
Suarez completely changed the tenor of the game. He is a joy to watch. Watching the game with an Arsenal fan, he commented - "one thing you can say about Suarez, he's totally committed and always wants to win."
We've got to keep going on this... and start Kuyt over Henderson.

Looking forward to Coates.

Posted by Doctor on 08/25/2011

Although it was great to finally break the duck at Arsenal and also a far better performance than last week, I still get the feeling something is not quite right. It may be the formation or just the talent of some players. We also seem to take the easy option of pumping the long ball to Carroll a little to often to my liking. Hopefully it is just some teething problems with all the new players and we can find a passing tempo that LFC are famous for. Finally, another week passes, another week closer to the return of the skipper.

Posted by Bill Magee on 08/25/2011

I agree with Kevin !00%, Enrique/Suarez are amazing. It looks like our centre back is coming (Coates). Caroll, Downing, etc its all there......can't wait to see all the pieces as the Beatles say "come together!"

Posted by benny on 08/25/2011

congrats liverpool of doing quite well and hopefully the good form mantain it till end of the season. however, i am quite worry as until now, suarez is the one who can give you 1 goal n assist per game. everyone in the squad is good and has his own personnality (strength) but i still feel LIVERPOOL needs at least one more good striker (can dribble, assist and give goal every game) in case suarez (hopefully not) is injured or not in form.

however all the best LIVERPOOL and hopefully we can be back to top 4 and get a cup this season. God bless u all.

Posted by collins on 08/25/2011

I feel you my Kop Brother. I was as tense if not more so frustrated that we didnt score much earlier. You cant help but feel that upto now we do have more chance of winning with Suarez playing. We are lucky to have him in this era and times where money seems to have taken over. I love the adrenalin that tortures me during our matches and with the end of each I just cant wait for the next

Posted by Tana on 08/29/2011

I don't know why....but I really love Liverpool so much...!!!specialy Luis Suarez

Posted by tony on 08/30/2011

tried to left a message here last week but got an error message.

It just take some times to for the team to gel together. Hope everyone love the recent 2 game they have played so far.

go Reds go!

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About
Kevin Brodie Kevin Brodie has been fortunate enough to see some of Liverpool’s greatest teams and players in action over the last 35 years. Reds fans are spoiled for choice in trying to pick their favourite memory. The best early memory I have of watching Liverpool in person was our 7-0 thrashing of Spurs, with the 7th goal being a thing of beauty. Watching us in 89 lift the FA Cup after the terrible disaster at Hillsborough was also very special. My favourite Liverpool moment on the TV has to be the Champions League final in 2005. It was a day I will never forget.

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