August Review

This article first appeared in Issue 203 of Red All Over The Land and incredibly fails to mention a certain Mario...

City

The nervous and quite frankly fortunate opening day win over our feeder club felt like an age ago by the time bank holiday Monday came around. In all the excitement over Mario, I’d not given the huge game against City much thought. Sub consciously I think I just didn’t want to think about it, such a big test so early on is always going to be tricky and after the incredible ride of last season, now there was some expectation. Whether we liked it or not.

So what of the game? Well it was disappointing; there is no way around that. We did indeed play well for the first half an hour… but there are worrying signs and I just hope they begin to go away soon. I’m not one to be negative, but our lack of a cutting edge finish up front concerned me massively. We looked to be a little bit rusty, but perhaps that is to be expected.

We played some nice build up stuff, but without really threatening Joe Hart massively. This season was always going to be a lot tougher than last due to the fact we’re no longer a ‘surprise package’ and we’re now without Suarez. Teams will try and stop us coming out of the blocks quickly… they’ll be all over Sturridge and Sterling and getting space will be trickier. The first two opening games have indicated that. However, City away is undoubtedly just about one of the toughest games we’ll face this season and so early in the season I don’t think there is any need to panic or become too downhearted.

Johnson

The way Glen Johnson is being treated by some is an absolute disgrace, the fact his injury was met with pleasure is just not how Liverpool fans behave and personally I still don’t think he has been performing that badly. He does look like he is coming to the end of pretty distinguished career, but Rodgers obviously still values his experience otherwise he wouldn’t continue to play him. It’s another example of Liverpool’s true support just being eroded by idiots and the moronic Twatterati (@anfieldshrine by the way.)

I’m glad we have Manquillo in though, he looks a talent and Flanno still definitely has a part to play. You could certainly make an argument for Flanno being as strong as anyone else we have for either full back position.

Agger

Between City and Spurs the inevitable happened and ‘Dagger’ departed. I was accused of being rather sentimental about the whole thing… indeed accusations of downright man love were levelled at me, but I don’t care… I was absolutely gutted to see him go. I get it… he is injury prone… perhaps not as commanding as we would like… out of Rodger’s plans, but I still think he is one of the classiest defenders we have had in the last 20 years and deserved more from his Liverpool career. But it’s more than that; he clearly ‘got it.’ His love and loyalty for the club, city and fans is unquestionable and it is a trait that is becoming less and less common. I’d take the likes of Agger over some mercenary any day of the week. The fact he wanted to return home to Bronby rather than play elsewhere in the Premiership or Europe says it all and I’m about to scour the Danish side have certainly found themselves a new follower in me.

Spurs

What a difference a week makes and all that. Another great performance and result away at Spurs, it was never going to be quite like last season, but it wasn’t far off. Mario looked good, he should have scored, but that will come. Sterling was outstanding again… although how he didn’t finish after THAT run we’ll never now. Moreno bounced back from his mistake against at City the best way possible with a worldie of a goal. Our captain marvel made a good point, if a Barca or Real left back had scored that goal everyone would be creaming themselves (he didn’t quite word it like that.)

Finally, something that shouldn’t go unnoticed was the fact we kept a clean sheet and about time too. I’m still not sure whether we have properly resolved our defensive problems, I’m not convinced by Lovren but Sakho actually appears to be our strongest option if you believe the stats. Getting a settled back four would be a start, so let’s see who Rodgers sticks with.

So, it’s been a pretty hectic start to the season, just the way we like it… now we just have to endure a ‘International break.’ Luckily I have a wedding to go to – bring on Villa.

Finally…

Well done to MK Dons who beat some mid table Premier League side in the league cup… I forget who it was. 

Oh and finally... finally... a certain someone arrived on Merseyside...