Liverpool (0) Newcastle United (1): Magpies Capitalize to Punish Sorry Reds
When the points are tallied up in May, six points can make a massive difference; following today’s reversal at the hands of a resurgent Newcastle United, there’s little doubt that things aren’t quite right at Anfield.
Liverpool are two wins off where they were at this stage last season, and though there’s still a lot of football left to be played, the differences between the two sides stand in sharp contrast to each other — though their defensive frailties have remained frustratingly consistent. That, of course, was the story today with Alberto Moreno gifting Ayoze Perez his second goal in as many matches after the Reds backline failed to deal with a cross from Paul Dummett.
One mistake. One goal. Another defeat.
It’s easy to get hung-up on the post match doom and gloom, and after a performance like that, it’s hard to blame anyone for singing “woe is me”. There were points last season when I wondered if anyone could keep us from scoring — now, after our second outing in the Premier League without finding the net, I’m starting to wonder if and when the goals will even come.
That’s not some thinly veiled critique of Mario Balotelli, or the rest of our attacking recruits, either. Saying that we’re missing Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge is like saying water is wet or clean air is good; there’s really no point in going over it. The real problem, the way I see it anyway, is that the talent is there, but it’s just not clicking.
Integrating new players into a new team, and in most cases, a new league is never easy, but then you look to a side like Southampton, who lost supposedly two of their best players over the summer and brought in a host of new faces, and they’ve been humming since the first shot. Things at Anfield just aren’t right.
That’s not some thinly veiled critique of Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, or any of the coaching staff, either, but questions are going to start being asked in short shrift if results don’t turn around soon. Don’t get me wrong, on the back of last season, the Northern Irishman deserves our support — 100% of it as well. That being said, one amazing season does not an infallible manager make.
That’s it for me; I’ve got a combo platter of hangover and frustration to get through before the day is done and tapping on this keyboard isn’t doing my head any good. I’ll expand on some of these ideas in the future if I find some time, but focus is shifting soon — we’ve got a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to fret over.
–Steven