Author: johnadmin

Not long after arriving at Anfield, Jürgen Klopp expressed surprise and disappointment at supporters streaming out of Anfield with still a fair bit of time left.  Against Leicester City and Hull visiting supporters begged the question, “Is there a fire drill” – one of the many childish away anthems we too regularly hear.  I’ve suggested many of the early leavers are of the tourist, day-tripping kind but as was pointed out to me locals are as guilty.  It doesn’t matter who or what they are, getting away ten minutes or so before the final whistle is a head-scratcher.  The game that baffled Jürgen was against Crystal Palace when the team was getting beaten and not playing particularly well.  However, the two games this season we’d been privileged to watch something of a Liverpool masterclass but still they poured out.  I know its nothing new, Tommy Smith once described them as the “half-past fourers”.  Even so, the question is “Why”?  I’m not attempting to answer it. 

After the Hull game Jürgen was the celebrity star on Sky’s Monday Night Football and yes he looked and sounded good, almost dragging needed humour into the programme.  I’m probably going against the grain and that’s nothing new, but if I was him I’d hang on a bit, the first half at Swansea followed the Hull game so we’ve a long way to go.

As we went into the second unwanted International break [Jürgen doesn’t like them either] things were going reasonably well on the pitch.  The ‘Experts’ have started to talk of yet another New Dawn and I’ve read we’re second favourites for the title which I don’t get.  However, there’s still a lot to get out the system, like that first half at Swansea.  From what has been said, surprisingly confirmed by official sources, The Kaiser wasn’t in a good mood at halftime.  We’ve had unacceptable levels of performance in the past, too many in fact, and so often we’ve heard lamentable excuses from within the inner sanctum with the players promising to try a bit harder next time.  If our manager thinks he has to stick the boot in then good – especially if it gets results.  If that’s what Jürgen did in Wales, I hope it hit and hurt any intended target.  Given the way I was feeling at halftime I’d have happily helped.  

Further Anfield expansion could be in doubt with the Boston Boys citing ticket prices as an issue.  Obviously they still think we should be paying more and the penny – or dime hasn’t yet dropped.  FSG own the club so it’s up to them what they do or don’t do.  Or should I play the Devils Advocate?  Is there something else in the wind meaning they don’t want to commit themselves to any further long term investment?  I’ll leave it at that because I don’t want to start any Chinese whispers and as I mentioned in the previous Editorial, this Fanzine will only deal with facts.

Welcome to another issue of RED ALL OVER THE LAND.  As always thanks to everyone who made it possible and the articles have rolled in.  So much so, I’ve had to hold a few intended features over until next time.  A word also to KADJ07, get well soon. 

If you want to say hello you’ll find me All Around The Fields where someone’s back garden used to be.  Or near a tree between the Media Entrance and the Hillsborough Memorial.

 

Red Faced Monday: After the Sky hype what a letdown.   In total agreement with The Kaiser that we should have done better and we need to get to grips with sides that just come for a point; West Brom won’t be much different.  Like we’ve said before the stats don’t mean a thing, the result does.  No doubt that De Gea won his side a point but he was hardly overworked was he?  I thought Daniel Sturridge had just about his worst game in a Liverpool shirt and maybe it’s also time Jürgen brought Danny Ings in from the cold; at least he deserves a place on the bench?  As far as the atmosphere being red hot as Sky had hyped I don’t think it ever got more than lukewarm.  Their fans were as obnoxious as ever but the fact they spent just about the whole 90-minutes singing about Steve Gerrard showed just what sort of game they were watching.  Mourinho probably thinks he’s still the special one but he looks more like yesterday’s man each time he comes on telly – and that’s a lot.  Fair enough his tactics worked but only because we didn’t have the answers to the problems set.  For two years Manchester United fans and the mass media that fornicate over them couldn’t stop stabbing Louis van Gaal in the back over his tactics but when was the last time we saw a Manchester United team come to Anfield and stick everyone behind the ball the way they did at time last night – probably in Dave Sexton’s time.  For us, I though Milner was excellent and Coutinho played in patches before being shackled or kicked.  One positive was the first clean sheet of the season but Karius does not fill me with confidence, four games now and he’s missed every cross he’s come for but when De Gea went to Manchester United he looked a bag of crap as well.

Not having a ticket for the game at Swansea I had to watch it on the box. The first half was like watching an old scary film that I’d seen many times over. Every time Swansea got near our goal I shut my eyes. I was just grateful that we were only one down at halftime. The air in the house was blue and I had to ask people to leave the room while I vented my feelings. Thankfully we did get better after the break and the equaliser came from a great ball from Henderson and he looks a far better player doing that than when he gripes at the referee and gets booked [again]. I don’t know about others but our latest man between the sticks had me looking for the nerve tonic – sorry Simon. One thing about our manager, he’s honest. “Not perfect, but good enough”. Amen to that.

As we made our way home from this game we wondered if we’d just witnessed what we called ‘Professional Sympathy’. I’m sure if we’d kept the foot down we’d have surely gone close double figures. We looked that good and Hull looked that bad. The three goals we scored from open play had a touch of class attached to them and the penalties were without argument as well. Adam Lallana is starting to look a bit good but Sadio Manè might just be the best bit of business we’ve done regarding players we’ve lifted from Southampton.
You have keep things in perspective because Hull looked every bit relegation fodder but even so that first half was pretty good. We showed not just quality and class but patience as well; like we knew the goals would eventually arrive and they did. How it was only three at halftime only the Gods might know.
Like the manager the goal Hull scored disappointed, some sloppiness that needs to be cut out and it spoilt Karius’s Premier debut especially as in the two games he’s played I don’t think he’s had to bother washing his gloves.
The biggest disappointment to me was the sight of hundreds deciding to depart the scene with almost ten minutes still on the clock. I can only assume these are the day-tripping half ‘n half wearer tourists who wanted to get out early to get a few selfies in outside the new Stand before the rest of the crowd got out? Real supporters should get those tickets.
Well done all those who gave the 27th minute applause in memory and honour of Gerry McIver, the club PR department should have hung their heads in shame as it took place.
Anyway, we managed to turn in a performance against a side we should beat don’t haven’t always done so, even under Jürgen. One of our worst displays last season was at Swansea, another chance therefore to show we can turn over the lesser lights awaits us in the Valley’s.

I thought we just did what we had to do against Derby and don’t think we ever needed to get out of second gear. We scored two quality goals but for some reason in the build up to the third the contribution by Lucas was seemingly missed by the Sky crews. He started things from inside our own penalty area and was as big a part of the goal as Little Phil who was given the assist credits [always baffles me does that – assist being part of the stats] and Origi who belted it into the net.
Many eyes of course were on Karius in goal and the interviewers were all over Jürgen about who’s going to be his ‘Number One’. After a game such as the Derby one it’s not fair to draw comparisons because when a team hardly has a shot they shouldn’t trouble the keeper. I’d agree he was a lot quicker off the line than Mignolet but he missed a couple of crosses that he came for, the one late in the game would have been scary if we weren’t already warming down. As far as his distribution was concerned I didn’t honestly see a massive difference although as somebody said afterwards, giving the ball to Moreno never seems a good idea. I’m not sure what’s more frightening, Alberto with the ball near our goal or his latest hairstyle? That’s a bit harsh because the much maligned full back had a decent game.
Although The Kaiser made several changes it was near enough a team of Premier standard and although the game was done and dusted and the foot well and truly taken off the gas at the time, it was great to see Danny Ings back. Get this guy up to speed and we’ve got another good option up front. Also good to see Emre Can back, probably not 100% ready but when he is the midfield options, like those up front improve.
It appears that Herr Klopp has hopes for young Ovie Ejaria and players coming through and getting some time on the pitch is never a bad idea.
I like our manager’s honesty and when talking of some players he doesn’t mind saying things like Origi didn’t have the rhythm and when speaking of Marko Grujic he suggested if his defensive skills were as good as his offensive skills we’d have an outstanding player. He might like to hug and kiss ‘em but he doesn’t mind telling a few home truths either.
Off the pitch I thought the away support was pretty good and it would be equally good to hear ‘songs’ such as ‘Born Under A Liverbird’ and ‘Don’t Worry About A Thing’ getting more of an airing at Anfield. I thought ‘We Played The Shite On A Wednesday Night’ was right up there. We don’t usually sing about Everton or anybody else unless we’re playing them but as news filtered through about their League Cup setback it did cause a little mirth.
So Spurs next and at home which is good. Be interesting to see what sort of side we send out in that one.