It is a shame for me that a derby match that ended 3-3 will be remembered for a poor referee decision. I do not think anyone with a limited understanding of football will disagree that the Belgian should have been given his marching orders immediately. And yet he wasn’t. I shudder to think what the results might have been if the roles were reversed. Surely Suarez would have been sent off, banned, flogged…and probably blamed for the collapsed stadium in Sao Paolo as well.
In fact, it was not only Liverpool that was hard done by with poor referee decisions last weekend. Rooney should have been sent off (and Moyes’ defence of him is disgusting…he is really growing into his Man United role), Wes Brown shouldn’t have been sent off, and (in my humble opinion) the tackle of Bolasie was at worst, a yellow card offence.
It is a shame that this inconsistency, bordering on incompetence, is spoiling the game. A single point could determine who the Champions will be and who gets relegated. One point could determine who is in the Champions League and who is in Europa. A poor referee decision could cost the teams pride, silverware and millions of pounds. Something needs to be done.
So how do we beat them?
That being said, Liverpool need to and should collect nine points from our next three games - starting with a visit to Hull on Sunday. Having just been beaten at home by Crystal Palace, Steve Bruce will be wanting his team to respond against the Reds. Although the result was disappointing, I do not see Bruce making too many changes to his squad. The team that was beaten was the strongest they could have put out, perhaps adding Danny Graham to the mix.
My first concern is how we defend dead ball situations. For example, Everton’s first goal against us. We drop back far too deep when the ball gets played in. This means that no matter who wins the first ball, the chances are the second ball will still land inside the 18 yard box. Just once, I would like us to play the off side trap from a deep dead ball. As the free kick taker is approaching the ball, instead of dropping off and going with the runners, we should push up and play them all offside. This will make Hull hesitant to just flood Mignolet’s goal area the next time around. Hull will be looking at the dead ball situations to punish us, and I am afraid the way we are currently defending dead ball situations…they well could.
All this being said, we should score at least three goals in this match, and leave with all three points.
And our competitors…
Everton will be disappointed that Liverpool got a late equaliser against them, but still happy that they maintain their unbeaten home record. They welcome Stoke to Goodison Park on Saturday, and should collect three points in this match.
Arsenal travel to Cardiff, and I think this will be an upset. Cardiff’s home form is impressive, picking up a win against Manchester City and drawing with Manchester United. Even their defeat to Spurs required a 90th minute winner. Add to this, the fact that Arsenal have played Champions League midweek and Cardiff’s confidence from the United match, and I think I smell a draw in the Welsh air.
Tottenham Hotspurs were embarrassed by Manchester City, and it did not only cost them points, but all the other clubs competing for the Champions League spots as well. That 6-0 thrashing has increased Man City’s goal difference to +22. For me, that is the equivalent to having an extra point with the league being so tight. They next host Manchester United at White Hart Lane. AVB will need a response from his team.Manchester United will be buoyed with an impressive 5-0 away win in Germany midweek. Tottenham are traveling to Norway on Thursday for the Europa League so fatigue may play a role in this result. If AVB had any sense, he would take a weaker team to this match, and give his better players a rest. I actually think AVB may redeem himself in this match, but I will not be putting any money on it. A draw may be the most likely result.
Chelsea host Southampton and I expect all three points to stay in London. Man City then host Swansea and I expect another match in which City will win big.
Follow Kurt Ellis on Twitter @kurtellis2
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