Five Things Learnt: Lallana is a sorcerer, not a magician

1. Lallana has apparently put a spell on most LFC fans. I have never been more shocked and ashamed by my fellow Reds supporters than today.  Adam Lallana voted as Man of the Match? Why? Someone please give me a rational, logical explanation with examples and statistics.  Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Lovren, Moreno, Manquillo, and Skrtel were all more deserving.  Markovic is six years his senior and has never played 'English' football, though he wasn't much worse than the Prince of St. Albans.  Seriously, is it the Anglo-Saxon halo that is blinding you?

2. Balotelli is a match away from being rubbished. Or at least he should be.  Super Mario was all but and it's becoming more apparent with each match that he either doesn't want/understand/care to play our style of football. He stands around doing nothing, thinks he'll be able to perform magic once he gets the ball, and then looks like a donkey when he does.  I think he forgot how much faster and more physical the EPL is compared to Serie A.  He'll be longing to return to Italy soon enough.

3. Henderson's passing is becoming unparalleled. Some of his passes in the first half I have only seen the likes of from one Steven George Gerrard.  Brilliant stuff.  I am not a huge Hendo fan, but if he continues to move the ball around like he did today, it's only a matter of time.  Not to mention he has all-round skills with an engine that never quits.  The only issue I have with him is that he gets too excited and still let's his age show by turning the ball over, taking a bad shot, making a bad tackle, etc.

4, We can play defence. We held Everton to just a goal and it was a lucky one at that. Coming in the Blues had scored at least two goals in every previous EPL match.  Lovren and Skrtel appeared to get along and neither went forward too often, but even when they did, they would dump the ball then get back.  Everton actually had more possession and a free-flowing ball moment until they got close to the 18-yard area, then they got shut down.

5. Gerrard still has it. Though I'd still give Man of the Match to Hendo for his all-round performance, Stevie-G silenced his critics with an outstanding show.  The free kick was just the icing on the cake as his passing was world class, not to mention he added three successful tackles and three clearances to his tally.  He's far from done.

Liverpool 1, Everton 1: The Toffees have won the league!

Liverpool took a step in the right direction today, whether it was baby steps or a Neil Armstrong leap, we'll have to wait and see, but at least some of our issues of late look to have been addressed.  First, we played much better defense.  We shut down Everton nearly every opportunity that arose, especially when they tried to infiltrate the box.  It was more or less written in stone that the Blues would have to score from outside the area and of course, they did.  It doesn't take away from a valiant effort of defending, holding Everton to a single luck goal is an admirable achievement considering they've scored at least two goals in every other Prem match they've played.

It is also quite evident Rodgers gave his boys full permission to fire away though he should have taken that privilege from Balotelli after the half.  We took 24 shots, 10 from Balotelli alone, though only 8 were on-target.  A different story than Middlesbrough on Tuesday when we only took 11 shots in regulation.  Being a constant threat from anywhere around the goal opened lanes, allowing us easier access for runs and passes into the box.

As for individual performances, Jordan Henderson made some world class passes in the first half reminiscent of his captain.  He also created four chances, had five tackles, three interceptions, and completed 91% of his passes.  Sterling was outstanding as well, creating six chances and successful on five take-ons.  Gerrard put on a clinic in passing, completing 91%, going 3 for 4 on crosses and 7 for 8 on long balls, not to mention that class free kick goal.  Moreno, Lovren, Skrtel, Manquillo, and Coutinho all played well as well.

The not-so-good starts with Lallana.  How can anyone call that a great performance? He did little else other than dribble the ball and tackle out-of-bounds, take the Anglo-Saxon halo off his head and he'd been booed off the pitch for being a 26-year-old Championship quality player.  He is paid to create goals and he had nothing to do with it today.  Markovic was woeful as well, but first, he's 20-years-old, this is his first season playing Engliish football, and go back and look at the service he got, very few players in the world could have done anything with some of those passes.  I'm also not so sure he's comfortable in his role in the side, he's a winger, where he played a lot of the match, but it looked like Rodgers wanted him to play a more central, 'hole' position, which he looked uncomfortable and out-of-place when he did.

Finally, we get to Mr. Balotelli.  What a crock match from him.  When Sturridge comes back, we won't see a better Balotelli, we probably will hardly see him at all.  At least not for a while.  Benching him, making him a super sub and forcing him to play his way back into the side is probably best for all.  Make him learn his role the hard way.  A couple of those things he needs to learn is making runs and creating space.  When he's being marked, he seems to always just stand in the middle of the box, instead of moving about to allow other players to make runs or shoot.  Also, he needs to work on his timing, Markovic made the only decent run all day.  We could do with less of the antics as well.

This match reminded me of a few years ago when we would dominate matches, but were unable to score much and our opponents would get a wonder goal to win or draw.  The Champions league Marseille match when Valbuena scored that amazing curlier from outside of the box for the win comes to mind.  There were definite improvements all-round today and we are on the right track, but we can't let a luck goal knock us off our rail and distract us from our objectives.  We go to Basel on Wednesday and if he's not back by then, Sturridge should be ready for West Brom next Saturday.

Lovren back in top ten overall, but is Per Mertesacker the most underrated footballer in England?

Players must have played at least 300 minutes to qualify.  Efficiency ratings are how likely a positive outcome will occur while that player is either in possession (attacking) or reacting to opposition possession (defensive).

He's baaaaaaaaaaccckkkk.  Yaya Toure retakes the top spot on attack, but only really because Nasri came up 24 minutes short.  Gerrard is Liverpool's highest rated player at 19th.

Attacking efficiency ranking

Y. Toure	0.829
C. Fàbregas	0.814
P. Mertesacker	0.806
M. Schneiderlin	0.792
E. Capoue	0.786
Juan Mata	0.783
F. Coloccini	0.783
S. Distin	0.774
M. Özil	0.770
G. Barry	0.768

Per Mertesacker has sky-rocketed to the top of the defence rankings following a few solid performances.  Lovren is 7th and rising.

Defensive efficiency ranking

P. Mertesacker	0.948
Curtis Davies	0.934
P. Jagielka	0.921
R. Ferdinand	0.920
S. Dann	0.916
S. Distin	0.914
D. Lovren	0.914
M. Demichelis	0.914
John Terry	0.912
F. Coloccini	0.904

Sir Per goes top as Lovren breaks into the top ten overall.

Overall efficiency ranking

P. Mertesacker	0.877
S. Distin	0.844
F. Coloccini	0.843
Y. Toure	0.833
J. O'Shea	0.832
E. Capoue	0.830
M. Schneiderlin	0.830
P. Jagielka	0.828
T. Blackett	0.817
D. Lovren	0.806

Super super Senderos is no longer in the top ten of players most valuable to their club efficiency-wise, but he has so much 'character'.  John O'Shea continues to be a head and shoulders above his Sunderland teammates.

Most valuable to their club efficiency-wise

J. O'Shea	0.197
D. Hammond	0.194
S. N'Zonzi	0.194
R. Ferdinand	0.180
F. Coloccini	0.178
David Jones	0.174
Andy King	0.172
Dean Marney	0.163
P. Mertesacker	0.159
M. Schneiderlin	0.153

Leaders, notes, and squibs:

- Chucky 'Disco Biscuits' Fabregas leads the league in both assists (6) and chances created (18)

- Aaron Ramsey is top with 558 touches, the second most is Capoue with 501

- Eden Hazard has 31 successful dribbles, more than twice as many as any other player, Lamela is second with 14, while Raheem Sterling is 3rd with 13

- Mile Jedinak leads the league with 30 tackles, while the irrepressible Morgan Schniederlin is second with 23

- Curtis Davies leads all players with 62 clearances

West Ham 3, Liverpool 1: The big top is burning

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.

Liverpool to lose? Noble to score? Can Gerrard reach 10? What the markets say...

I was a bit worried when I saw the amount of bets placed on Liverpool to win, but upon further investigation I realized the line movement didn't justify my concern.  Still a 5/6 payoff isn't worth a go.

To win:
Liverpool	5/6	64.80%
West Ham	4/1	18.00%
Draw	16/5	17.20%

There are only six players total from both squads who have scored in this fixture.  Gerrard has scored 9 times in 21 matches versus the Hammers which equals the amount of all the other players combined.  The other five are Mark Noble (2), Glen Johnson (3), Carlton Cole (2), Guy Demel (1) and Mamadou Sakho (1).  Only two players have scored for both sides, Gerrard and Demel.  Noble at 25/1 as first goalscorer and 8/1 for anytime goalscorer is worth a small wager and if you're feeling particularly lucky, Guy Demel is 50/1 as first and 26/1 anytime.

First goalscorer:
Balotelli	5/1	46.00%
Sterling	15/2	14.00%
Valencia	17/2	12.00%
Noble	25/1	6.00%
Borini	15/2	4.00%
D. Sakho	9/1
Coutinho	8/1
Markovic	8/1
Gerrard	10/1
Cole	10/1
Lovren	25/1
Downing	25/1
Skrtel	25/1
Song	35/1
Moreno	35/1
Manquillo	40/1
G. Johnson	40/1
M. Sakho	40/1
Demel	50/1

Unlike last week, where Liverpool dominated the final score bets, the draw wagers are coming into play today.  The 'favorite' West Ham gambles are 2-1 and 1-0, both at 16/1.  If you think Liverpool will thump the Hammers at Upton, 4-0 is a hefty 28/1 pay back.

Correct score:
Liverpool	3-1	14/1	14.63%
Draw	0-0	14/1	12.20%
Liverpool	2-1	8/1	10.98%
Draw	1-1	15/2	9.76%
Draw	2-2	15/1	7.32%
Liverpool	1-0	9/1
West Ham	2-1	16/1
West Ham	1-0	16/1
Liverpool	4-0	28/1

As I mentioned above, Noble is a decent bet at anytime goalscorer.  The great English hope, 'Pretty Hair' Lallana, is getting a little love here as well with 3.23% of all wagers betting he'll net his first for the 'Pool.

Anytime scorer:
Balotelli	11/8	38.71%
Valencia	11/4	29.03%
Sterling	9/4	16.13%
Borini	9/4	3.23%
Lallana	31/10	3.23%
D. Sakho	10/3
Zarate	3/1
Cole	7/2
Henderson	5/1
Noble	8/1
Gerrard	10/3
G. Johnson	14/1
M. Sakho	14/1
Coutinho	7/2
Kouyoute	11/1
Demel	26/1

The last goalscorer bet is always an interesting one, you've got to think a late match striker sub would be the best wager, thus Lambert and Cole seem like decent shots.  The problem with Lambert is the return is only 5/1, while Cole is much better at 9/1.  Jordan Henderson at 16/1 seems possible as well.

Last goalscorer:
Lambert	5/1
Cole	9/1
Gerrard	10/1
Henderson	16/1

No one will likely score a hat-trick, but it's always fun for a small wager.

Score hat-trick:
Balotelli	28/1
Sterling	66/1
Gerrard	100/1

Man of the match betting has been interesting to say the least.  Moreno, for some reason, seems a popular pick and at 33/1, it's worth a meager go.  Song is also getting some action at 20/1, him winning would not surprise me either.  Sterling has been garnering the favorite for a few matches and that doesn't change here at 5/1.  Mark Noble is the dark horse and at 25/1, it's a nice reward for the risk.

Man of the match:
Moreno	33/1	38.10%
Song	20/1	19.05%
Sterling	5/1	14.29%
Valencia	12/1	14.29%
Lallana	12/1	4.76%
Balotelli	6/1
Gerrard	8/1
Noble	25/1

Other fun bets are an own goal scored (by either side) at 9/1 and the always volatile Balotelli to get a card 11/4.  Cheers and happy betting.

Has Rodgers solved the Big Sam 'conundrum'?

When Sam Allardyce was the boss at Bolton, he actually held his own against Liverpool.  In the 13 times his Wanderers met Liverpool, they were 4-3-6.  Considering his Newcastle, Blackburn, and West Ham sides are 0-2-7 against us, that's quite impressive.  What's even more noteworthy is that he was 3-1-2 at the Reebok.

His only win at Anfield was a classic match in the fourth round of the 2003-04 League Cup in December 2003.  Liverpool were the defending holders, winning it in March of the same year, 2-0 over Man United.  It was a back and forth battle with Bolton scoring first and Liverpool countering each time.  The free kick by Okocha to make it 2-1 and the stunning 20+ yard cracker from Vladimir Smicer to equalize are particularly special.  Unfortunately, Salif Diao decided it with a bad foul that awarded Bolton a penalty.  Here are the low quality highlights for your 'enjoyment':

In the last ten matches versus Big Sam, Liverpool have won eight.  In those eight matches, LFC have won by a combined 23 to 6.  Gerrard has scored 9 career goals against West Ham, including braces in three, the most famous being the FA Cup Final in 2006, but he also did the double last year, both being penalties.  Were they penalties though?

Their goal was just as questionable as the penalties, if not more so.

Rodgers and Allardyce advocate a similar style of football, but Liverpool, especially recently, have the better talent.  LFC also tend to have a rare goal-scorer as Kyrgiakos, Sakho, Joe Cole, Agger, and Jonjo Shelvey have all scored against Big Sam's clubs. With all the excitement following West Ham's 2-2 draw at Hull, their supporters might expect a promising performance at Upton against Liverpool, but a draw in my opinion would be just another sign to accept a mediocre campaign for LFC.

Flamini still king, Lovren holds on, & Senderos' assaults are invaluable to Villa: EPL player rankings

Most efficient EPL players on attack:

S. Nasri	0.855
Y. Toure	0.835
Cesc Fàbregas	0.819
M. Flamini	0.818
D. Fletcher	0.813
E. Capoue	0.800
F. Coloccini	0.791
Juan Mata	0.790
T. Blackett	0.786
Schneiderlin	0.782

Players must have player 60 mins per teams total matches played (240 mins).

Gerrard is the highest ranked Liverpool player at 14th.  Sakho is 6th in all players who have played 180 or more minutes so far this season.

Most efficient EPL players on defence:

S. Dann	0.926
M. Demichelis	0.914
P. Jagielka	0.911
John Terry	0.910
F. Coloccini	0.907
P. Mertesacker	0.906
Curtis Davies	0.906
J. O'Shea	0.905
M. Flamini	0.904
D. Lovren	0.895

Lt Dann at the top, that's surprising.  Lovren hangs on to a top ten spot, barely.

Most efficient EPL players overall:

M. Flamini	0.861
F. Coloccini	0.849
E. Capoue	0.842
T. Blackett	0.839
J. O'Shea	0.839
Y. Toure	0.835
S. Nasri	0.834
D. Fletcher	0.827
Fernando	0.824
M. Schneiderlin	0.820
G. Barry	0.816

Coloccini cuts Flamini's lead in half, but if the centre back ever takes the overall lead, I'll be shocked.  Lovren shot up to 19th to become Liverpool's highest rated player and Gerrard went up 8 spots to 25th overall.

Most valuable players to their club per efficiency rating:

J. O'Shea	0.214
S. N'Zonzi	0.198
Ron Vlaar	0.192
F. Coloccini	0.191
J. Olsson	0.187
Andy King	0.186
Dean Marney	0.180
D. Hammond	0.173
P. Senderos	0.169
David Jones	0.160

Senderos' assaulted his way into the top ten for Aston Villa.  Lovren is the 35th most valuable player, which is not a bad thing when you look at the clubs of all the listed players above.