There is a weathered tale about a 19th century Siberian circus that while traveling through Eastern Europe is brutally attacked by the people of an isolated, starving mountain village. The circus performers were so shocked by the merciless gore of the rampage upon them, they stood and did nothing while being torn to shreds. Clowns were sadistically murdered, trapeze artists tortured and mangled, and all the animals, except the elephants, were killed and eaten raw. The elephants apparently got away, but were never seen from again. Though the town in Siberia where the circus originated made inquiries and notified the proper officials in Moscow about their missing family members and citizens, nothing was ever done. It was brushed under the rug because, ultimately, nobody cares about a dead clown.
That's what Liverpool were today, a bunch of dead clowns. Almost from the get-go it was apparent the ref was going to be lenient when it came to physical play. How many times does Liverpool have to lose before they realize the match official is going to call a match a certain way and it's best to play that way instead of our own style. This is how it works, there is no precedent for how a match is called no matter how much verbal feces the EPL aficionados defecate in our ears. Now, had Liverpool started playing like West Ham, tackling viciously, studs up or not, being overtly physical, and then were called for it, then we have an issue, but LFC players didn't wrangle, they fell to the ground in the fetal position and let the Hammers have their way. Sure, Kouyate should have been sent off for his barbaric tackle on Moreno, but he wasn't and that's my point. Break Winston Reid's leg with a stud up sliding tackle and if the ref does anything about it, then we have an argument for fairness. Ultimately the fault would have fallen on the ref and the EPL's inability to produce a consistent, legitimate product.
The biggest issue I have with the match is Craig Pawson referring to his ear-piece for the Balotelli-Adrian incident. Why isn't this happening more often? And why isn't it happening when it should actually matter? The Moreno-Kouyote incident in particular. Again, if the Premier League wants to avoid situations of complicity, shouldn't they do this every time to avoid controversy? Maybe I'm not just the average ignorant, blinded, and drunk Premier League fan.
Now, with that said, Liverpool played atrocious defense. Who in Hades' name was marking Reid on the first goal? From the looks of the replay, nobody, so it is the fault of Skrtel, Lovren, and Manquillo, who were closest to him at the beginning of the free kick. Communication guys, come on, this is getting old. I honestly think Lovren and Skrtel dislike one another for whatever Eastern European rubbish reason, but regardless, you aren't playing for your countries, you're not on the battlefield, and you play for the same team who is paying you and counting on you to perform to the best of your abilities. Suck up your pride and do what is best for the club.
The second goal allowed was more dumb luck than anything. Lovren laid off Sakho because Moreno was there, should the Spaniard have played him tighter? Probably, but it was just one of those perfectly placed goals where not much could have stopped it. It reminded me of the goal by Konchesky in the 2006 FA Cup final. I doubt Mignolet could have been better positioned either, if he was further back, Sakho would have probably tried to slam in closer to the near post. It was a great goal by Sakho, get over it.
Borini is rubbish, he doesn't know when to pass and when to shoot and that was quite evident. When he had the breakaway in the 54th minute with Moreno and Lallana lurking, but took the impossible angle shot, that was ridiculous. Then he took the optimistic shot outside of the box in the 64th minute when he should have held the ball and see what developed since no West Ham players were close enough to dispossess him. Adrian pulled in his leg there, by the way, so any studs up calls on that one are rubbish. Then, finally, when Sterling tries to do a give-and-go in the 74th minute, he should have went for goal. His style of play just doesn't work for us, put him on the reserves squad and let him die a slow play less death.
For once, Balotelli played well, he even got back on defence a couple of times which impressed me, but he has to take advantage of every scoring chance and his weak effort in the 59th minute was unacceptable. He puts that three yards higher and it's a goal. He's a special player, but has yet to play so for us.
I was a bit baffled by the no-call on Lallana right outside of the box in the 61st minute. Why didn't Pawson refer to his ear-piece then? If the Premier League doesn't want to be accused of complicity than don't put others in the situation to do so. That was a clear foul by Song from behind and though I don't think it was penalty worthy, it still should have been called back for a free kick despite play-on due to possession. I personally love Noble's applauding the ref for his non-call at the end of the 'play'.
Ultimately, I think are defence was suspect and Sterling has to realize he is the new 'man'. He has to step up and be the replacement for Sturridge, Unfortunately, he is only 19 and that has to suck for him. He is our best player and probably the most talented player at his age in the world. One goal was not enough and hopefully he'll realize that most fans, especially myself, would rather see him take 5 bad shots than make a useless pass.
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