The LFC File

A Blog about Liverpool FC and the Premier League

LFC NewsLFC OpinionMatch ReportsWeekly

LFC 21/22 – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Gameweek #16

Ben Green

Anfield welcomed back a hero, and sent him away with zero. A poor game from the man in black, thus deserving of the flak. Former teammate is taken down and made to look a total clown. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Another week reviewed at Liverpool Football Club.

The Good

Coming out victorious against Aston Villa on Saturday. The 1-0 win was hard-earned with the returning captain fantastic’s stubborn side almost holding out for a share of the spoils.

Liverpool had the lion’s share of possession but due to a mixture of bad finishing and terrible refereeing (see The Bad below), their winning margin was slim. Throw in a first half doused in heavy rain for the complete picture.

Mo Salah was awarded a (rather soft) penalty after 67 minutes when he was bundled over clumsily by Tyrone Mings. The number 11 was quiet for long spells in the game as Liverpool concentrated their efforts down the Villa right. Andy Robertson was more involved than in recent games I got the impression.

Jürgen Klopp done well too keep the team focussed on an occasion where emotion threatened to take over. The stage was somehow set up for the prodigal son to return and leave victorious and Liverpool’s endeavour ensured the narrative stayed in their favour.

The Bad

The standard of refereeing in the Villa game. Fans of both teams had plenty to complain about with referee Stuart Attwell making some bizarre decisions throughout the game.

In the end, Liverpool were awarded a dubious spot-kick after three more worthy incidents were waved away.

In the end it became somewhat of a joke as even Klopp could be seen laughing with the fourth official, following one particular incident where a goal kick was awarded when the ball clearly ricocheted off a Villa defender.

Perhaps one could say it’s easy to criticise the referee but to be fair when they perform like this, one often has no choice.

Elsewhere, games involving the other contending teams Manchester City and Chelsea were also decided with penalties. Whoever coined the phrase: truth is often stranger than fiction, must have been a football fan.

The Ugly

Steven Gerrard’s hilarious humbling of former teammate Michael Owen after the game. Don’t get me wrong. There was only thing Ugly about this is the clinical brutal honesty with which Gerrard responded to Owen’s question.

The Villa boss was being interviewed at post-match by former teammate and Reds striker Robbie Fowler when Owen (in the television studio) asked how the former captain felt coming back as an opponent, adding that he “hated” it.

Gerrard’s response was as simply cold and to the point, replying hilariously “If I’d played for Man U, I’d hate coming back too!”

This response brought howls of laughter from the studio as well as Fowler.

I think it’s fair to say that Owen, having played for the club’s arch rivals, hasn’t endeared himself to former teammates, let alone the Anfield faithful. The former no. 10 is often routinely mocked for his time with the noisy neighbours and quite rightfully so.

Good News…

The latest edition of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly is now available. “3rd Against All Odds“. A bit late this time, but better late than never as they say! Order a copy from the Amazon store here.

YNWA

Ben Green

Avid LFC supporter for 50 of his 53 years. Seen it all, ups and the downs. Now praying for a return to winning ways. Whichever way it comes!

Share via
Facebook
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Powered by Social Snap
Copy link
CopyCopied
Powered by Social Snap