Liverpool F.C. – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Gameweek 33
It certainly wasn’t a thriller, but a win against the Villa. The dodgy hairstyle to match his play, as an attacker has a bad hair day. A Red future for the Shaq, despite coming under attack. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, another week reviewed at the world’s favourite football club Liverpool F.C.
The Good
Returning to winning ways against Aston Villa with a 2-0 win at Anfield. Goals from Sadio Mané and a second half effort from youngster Curtis Jones was enough to see off the resilient Midlanders.
Jürgen Klopp made a number of changes to the side that suffered the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City days earlier, with Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Firmino dropping to the bench. More with preservation in mind than retribution.
A windy Anfield and dry playing surface were cited by both Mané and Klopp as reasons for the teams apparent difficulty in dispatching with their struggling visitors. That said, overcome them they did. But not before Divock Origi, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain we’re all substituted as they struggled to cope with the conditions.
The win was only looking a possible after the introduction of the three rested players. Their presence bringing stability to what has to be said was a shaky midfield and attack with the Ox and Origi’s labouring stints. Considering the substitutes played in the same wind and in the same dry pitch, it’s obvious their performances weren’t just down to God and the groundsmen.
Overall a deserved win and a demonstration that Fenway Sports Group need to do some shopping this transfer window if the manager’s standards are to be maintained. Without the captain, Wijnaldum and Firmino, this game was screaming “bore draw” all day long.
A special mention must go to Pepe Reina who played in goal for the visitors. A great player who will always be held in the just regard from Liverpool fans.
@curtisjr_10 (19 years, 157 days) is the youngest player to score in PL for Liverpool since Trent Alexander-Arnold scored his 1st PL goal in Dec 2017.#YNWA #Liverpool #LIVAVL pic.twitter.com/tJoofgqEPC
— Eka Prasetya 🐺 (@EPras92) July 7, 2020
The Bad
An obvious choice this week has to be Origi’s hair do. I mean, what’s that all about. I’m no fashion expert but I’m sure the Guinness hairdo went out with the departure of Djibril Cisse. Shocking!
In fact, the minute I saw it, I thought “he’s in for a shocker tonight”. And so it came to pass. A ropey hairdo, to match a ropey performance. Personally, I’d say you need confidence to sport a barnet like that and Origi clearly has plenty of it. Judging by his showing against Villa, it would be fair to say its a tad misplaced.
A more standard and discreet trim would have suited his performance far better. A short Bad this week but deservedly so. The less said the better.
Origi looking like a pint of guinness #LIVAVL #origi
— Owen LT (@OwenTweedy5) July 5, 2020
The Ugly
The mauling this week of Xherdan Shaqiri in his home country by veteran manager Arno Rossini. The interview was cited by the Mirror as it appears increasingly likely that the 28 year-old Swiss international will remain at the club, despite falling out of favour at Anfield. In principle because the club doesn’t see themselves receiving a transfer fee that they think reflect his value due to Corona.
The improved performances of Naby Keita and the emergence of youngsters such as Jones and Harvey Elliot in the Reds midfield, means Shaqiri is becoming surplus to requirements at Anfield. Rossini claimed the player is “not a champion” due to his lack of game time.
His inability to impose himself on games, in addition to a rather unconvincing demeanour has not been lost on the one-time F.C. Sion manager, who refers to the former Bayern Munich squad player’s no doubt swollen bank balance, resulting from two big moves which both seem to have failed to a large extent.
“Xherdan is not a champion,”
Rossini went on to say that Shaqiri is watching games often from the “best places” which basically means the bench, adding that he is “not one that always gives his best”. Notwithstanding the comments after the article in defence of the midfielder – and in social media, many Reds fans remain divided over his contribution.
Shaqiri definitely has ability this is for sure. However, his commitment when called upon can’t honestly be compared to that of Henderson, Keita, or even that of Guinness head Origi. A sad indictment of a player that has often promised much but arguably is yet to truly deliver.
Swiss coach Arno Rossini slams Liverpool attacker Shaqiri: Not a champion; only a spectator https://t.co/YIiaOQPBkv pic.twitter.com/EJWqKCoerv
— Inter Milan Insider (@Go_InterMilan) July 2, 2020
On This Day
… In 1991 Virgil van Dijk was born in Breda, Netherlands. The Dutch international joined the Reds from Southampton in New Year’s Day in 2018 following a protracted transfer saga the summer before. The imposing central defender has become an integral part of this current title-winning team. Happy Birthday Virgil!
On a sad note this would have been the 32nd birthday of former Liverpool defender Miki Roqué who joined the club back in 2005. The then 17 year-old went on to make a substitute appearance against Galatasaray in the Champions League. A former team mate of Pepe Reina, he sadly passed away on 24th June 2012 after a battle with cancer at the age of just 24. YNWA.
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