Jurgen, it's time to say goodbye
On October 8th, 2015 Jurgen Klopp become Liverpool's manager. He agreed to take over a team that was languishing in mid-table, with the squad desperately in need of reinvention, and a fanbase desperate for real success. He dubbed himself the normal one and talked about Liverpool being a special club. From humble beginnings with a 0-0 draw away to Tottenham, Klopp would build Liverpool into a team feared throughout Europe. With his heavy metal football, built around gegenpressing, his team …
New Kids On The Block
I often try to avoid most pundits nowadays, as I struggle to make sense of the drivel spouted. I do sometimes enjoy the bluntness of Roy Keane and Graeme Souness, and the banter between Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville was initially entertaining. BT Sport is currently employing the worst group of analysts going, and their only contender for poor punditry is those on the BBC. I think Danny Murphy still kicks about talking nonsense, alongside a few others I just …
Observations: Endings, and Beginnings
This Liverpool team have put absolutely everything this season. They've gone again, and again, and again. In recent weeks their tiredness has been showing, but they have persevered, never allowing themselves to be beaten. It was the same today, against Wolves. Despite yet another bad start, with a simple goal-kick misjudged and a goal down inside 5 minutes, the Reds ground their opponent down to win 3-1, courtesy of goals from Mane, Salah and Robertson. But when Salah's winner went …
Observations: Siege Warfare
Divock Origi absolutely loves playing Everton. I'm sure you'll hear that in every article about this game, but it's worth saying anyway. There is no-one better at coming up with the goods at the perfect moment, in the hour of direst need. It seems very likely that Origi will be leaving Liverpool at the end of this season, but if that is to be the case, what a way to say goodbye. Liverpool beat Everton by 2 goals to 0 …
Liverpool 2 - 0 Everton - The Player Ratings
Alisson Becker - 7.5
As solid as he needed to be, without much to actually do. Nice antics at the end, and never really looked overly fazed by the odd Everton half chance.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 6.5
Seemed run by emotion, and caught in too many half spaces that allowed the Ev that odd break. Was tough and problematic to break them down, and he looked rushed and angry when control was needed. He’s still 23 and world class, and these …
Liverpool 2 - 1 Norwich - The FA Cup 5th Round Player Ratings
Liverpool v Norwich - The FA Cup 5th Round Player Ratings
Alisson Becker - 7.5
Back in nets, with some game time needed before the weekend. Had very little to do through the first half, other than an early and late flurry by Norwich. Wasn’t at fault for the goal, and produced a great save late on. His vocal leadership was needed.
James Milner - 7.0
The vice captain, now confirmed as the back up right back, came back in. …
We need to talk about Divock Origi
How does Divock Origi do it?
If you piece together a highlight reel made up of all of his best moments, he’d look like one of the best players ever to put on a Liverpool shirt. There are world-class finishes amongst memorable moments that will never be forgotten.
His goal against Preston was outrageous, yet somehow expected.
My reaction was along the lines of ‘Oh, not another Origi moment of madness. That guy’.
I think he’s made me laugh more …
Liverpool 3-2 Milan: Player ratings as Reds wrestle back three points
When Liverpool win their opening Champions League group game 3-2 at Anfield, it tends to be good omen.
This was a game that got the juices flowing in a similar vein to that victory over Paris Saint-Germain three years ago, except this time the scoreline gave it the illusion of a contest.
Thanks to a Jordan Henderson winner that will universally be called Steven Gerrard-esque, Liverpool can bask in what was, on the whole, a supremely dominant display.
Here's how …
Liverpool's Divock Origi conundrum
The Divock Origi situation is interesting.
Liverpool are believed to want £20million for the Belgium international. Interested clubs are reluctant to go that high, with Wolves reportedly willing to pay £10million for the 26-year-old.
On one hand, clubs know he’s not part of the first-team picture at Anfield having made just two Premier League starts last season and seven when the Reds won the title. His last league goal for the Reds was on the final day of the 2019/20 …
What should Liverpool do with Divock Origi?
I won’t hear a bad word said against Divock Origi, but the club need to sell him this summer.
He’s a cult hero for what he did during the 2018/19 campaign and there’s absolutely no disputing that. It is still surreal to think back to that season and his involvement in it. He was chucked on late against Everton with Liverpool looking to sneak a win and he was in the right place to nod home after Jordan Pickford’s error. …