SIX MONTHS AFTER it happened it remains quite haunting. It will go down as one of those Premier League ‘moments’ – the day Steven Gerrard slipped and lost Liverpool the league. Of course, it’s a little more complex than that but the psychological ramifications of the team losing 0-2 at home to Chelsea were monumental.
In the next game against Crystal Palace, Liverpool needed to score goals. At 3-0 up, they still wanted more. And we all know how the story ended.
But there’s an added intrigue to tomorrow’s lunchtime fixture – that bizarre midweek Champions League game against Real Madrid, where Brendan Rodgers left all of his big players on the bench in preparation for this forthcoming assignment at Anfield.
It was difficult to find any reasonable explanation for the decision. Liverpool had yearned for the Champions League for so long though none of the team’s best players were selected for a mouthwatering tie at the Bernabeu. Also, such a decision has placed enormous pressure on Liverpool to get a result tomorrow. If they don’t, then Rodgers will come in for plenty of criticism.
Andres Kudacki
Andres Kudacki
But, there’s a bigger issue should Liverpool struggle: they’ll have won just two games from their last seven and they’ll slip to a negative goal difference.
So much has changed in six months.
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2. Will there be a European hangover for Manchester City?
If Liverpool v Chelsea brings up memories from the past, so does a fixture between QPR and Manchester City.
Often forgotten in the haze of ‘Aguerooooooooo’ and the subsequent celebrations is that the Londoners led 2-1 after 92 minutes. And in recent years, QPR have always seemed to step up to the plate against City.
Before they dropped to the Championship, QPR faced City four times in the league between 2011 and 2013. Yes, City won three of the games but none of them were easy. There were a couple of 3-2 wins and a 3-1 victory while their last encounter was a scoreless draw. QPR have been competitive on each occasion.
Charlie Austin's scored three in his last two games for QPR who have begun to conjure some decent performances. John Walton / PA Wire/Press Association Images
John Walton / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Factor in another embarrassing European night for City during the week and QPR’s recent run of solid performances (they should’ve got something against Liverpool, ran Chelsea mightily close and picked up a 2-0 win over Aston Villa) as well as Charlie Austin’s good form, this has all the hallmarks of a potential banana-skin.
3. Southampton’s unlikely success likely to continue
The Saints have gone marching in this season, despite the massive upheaval in the dressing room. Somehow, Ronald Koeman has overseen an incredible start to the campaign and has gleefully watched two of his summer signings excel in the opening ten games.
Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic (both brought in from the Dutch top-flight) were warned by their new manager early on that they needed to be aggressive in the Premier League but they’ve seemingly had little problem in acclimatising to their new surroundings. Pelle has scored 9 in all competitions so far (6 in the league) while Tadic has cropped up with one league goal against Sunderland but has contributed six assists.
Pelle and Tadic have taken to the Premier League quite effortlessly with an impressive tally of goals and assists. Chris Ison / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Chris Ison / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
And one statistic stands out. Southampton are hitting the target at a more clinical rate than other teams. On average, they’re taking 13.7 shots on goal and 5.4 of them are on target. Compare this to the wild figures from Man City and Arsenal: 17.4/5.9 and 17.3/5.6 and Southampton’s attackers are economical.
At home to a struggling Leicester tomorrow, they’ll add to those impressive figures.
4. What will Manchester United’s defence look like?
When Marcos Rojo was prone on the ground at the Etihad last weekend, screaming out in pain and taking oxygen to cope with the agony of his just-dislocated shoulder, there was a collective groan from every United fan – another injury to a defender.
Marcos Rojo is the latest Manchester United defender set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines. Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport
Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
At least it’s entertaining to see Louis van Gaal desperately try and cobble a back-four together owing to a mixture of battered limbs and suspensions. Against City, United ended the game with Valencia on the right, Shaw on the left and Carrick and McNair in the middle.
Facing Crystal Palace tomorrow, it’s likely United will offer-up a similar foursome though Van Gaal will hope Rafael can shake off the knock that forced his absence from the derby and that he can get Jonny Evans back sooner rather than later.
5. A battle of the renaissance teams at the Hawthorns
Both West Brom and Newcastle have lost just once from their last six league games. But it’s the Baggies that have been the bigger surprise.
There wasn’t much of a reaction to Alan Irvine’s low-key appointment as manager, though when people did offer an opinion it wasn’t very complimentary. Having served as an assistant for so long, his management career has been uninspiring but he finally seems to have found a rhythm at the Hawthorns after a winless first five games. The recent success over Leicester was their first in a while though and that, as well as Saido Berahino’s international call-up, should give them plenty of confidence heading into the Newcastle clash.
West Brom will look to Saido Berahino to get them some goals against Newcastle. Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
For the Magpies, it will be hard to top last week. Successive wins over Manchester City and Liverpool was cause for major celebration though inconsistency is the core problem for Newcastle so undoing all their recent good work with a stumble against West Brom isn’t outside the realms of possibility.
12 minutes into the season, goal disallowed for offside check, hit the woodwork check, almost conceded a goal from away teams only corner (they usually go in) check.
The joys of being a pool fan. Groundhog Day!
Yes but Liverpool fans are laughable they do this every year and then they are crying for Christmas calling for the manager to sacked :)
Must have touched a nerve ha
You should watch it on the Arabian station I am. No idea what the commentator is saying but he’s making it the most exciting match in the whole world!!!
good game so far , you could hear the relief at anfield . up to the goal it was typical Liverpool under Rogers , nice passing football , chances made but they couldn’t finish their dinners .
Stoke capable of getting something here , pool keeper (bar save from Walters) and defence look nervey
It wasnt typical we got a goal and won. Usually we Dont get the goal and lose or draw. Long long way to go. Just cant seem to busy these teams. Long season ahead. Happy with the win though
Good win. Some terrific footy played by liverpool but should have scored more. Was almost the same ol story but for simon mingerlet and his busy hands. Arsenal have lost to Villa. Now just need the Swans to hold United for a footy trifecta of awesome
I agree with you Johanna, start of the silly season. Pubs become a no go area with TV’s churning out endless soccer at full volume and even when the game is over, constant replays of the game with over zealous, half hysterical commentary. The most hateful boring game that turns usually normal people into mindless morons.
There’s lots of football on today and we’ll have full reports from all the Premier League 3pm kick offs as well as a liveblog of the Manchester United, Swansea game later today.
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12 minutes into the season, goal disallowed for offside check, hit the woodwork check, almost conceded a goal from away teams only corner (they usually go in) check.
The joys of being a pool fan. Groundhog Day!
This is probably the best chance we will have of going top of the table this season, up the Pool!
They might even finish above Everton this time……in 6th!
Here we go Liverpool win one game and the idiotic fans will think “this is the year “
Every football fan has to think its their year you absolute muppet!
Yes but Liverpool fans are laughable they do this every year and then they are crying for Christmas calling for the manager to sacked :)
Must have touched a nerve ha
The fact that your here commenting on a Liverpool article is laughable!
Hat trick from Countinho please. Need a good start for the Fantasy Football.
Hat trick from Toure, even better!
Its pronounced Couchinyo buddy.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolazos!!!!! YNWA
You said it….FANTASY!!!
Well a win is a win. We’ll take that and yet another away goalkeeper gets man of the match at anfield. They never give us an easy day!
#topoftheleague
Michael Owen “one goal is never enough” , yes Michael because no game has never finished 1-0. BT pretty weak so far
You should watch it on the Arabian station I am. No idea what the commentator is saying but he’s making it the most exciting match in the whole world!!!
Thank god it’s on BT sport nobody will watch that drivel.
Fec that Leeds v Sheffield Wednesday is on now :)
Sturridge!
I don’t know if to have a nap or watch Liverpool on the box, sure what does it matter, il fall asleep watching Liverpool play anyway
Comedian
good contribution there Paul …
You must be a cricket or a bowling fanatic
Should have watched it then. It was a great game.
Obviously didnt watch it then. Clown
Up da Pool. YNWA.
Top of the table :-)
We are top
No your not……..United!
That Brendan Rogers is very false,he couldn’t lie straight in bed….I hate him…rant over.
Only a worried Manc fan would say such a thing
Alright it was a bit harsh but ya know what I mean,..I’m hung over aswell,might feel different after a snooze .
Why would Mancs be worried about mid table clubs?
Because they’re about to become one
Yeah, cus that usually happens alright! Champions in May, Midtable team by August!!
Dreamland, moyes is brutal!
That Sydney fein is a disgrace. Knows nothing about football
Because yas will be joining them soon enough with moyes there looks way out of his dept
good game so far , you could hear the relief at anfield . up to the goal it was typical Liverpool under Rogers , nice passing football , chances made but they couldn’t finish their dinners .
Stoke capable of getting something here , pool keeper (bar save from Walters) and defence look nervey
It wasnt typical we got a goal and won. Usually we Dont get the goal and lose or draw. Long long way to go. Just cant seem to busy these teams. Long season ahead. Happy with the win though
If Liverpool’s zero is still bigger than Stoke’s at the end, does that mean they win?
Good win. Some terrific footy played by liverpool but should have scored more. Was almost the same ol story but for simon mingerlet and his busy hands. Arsenal have lost to Villa. Now just need the Swans to hold United for a footy trifecta of awesome
Why is this crap on so soon. Can’t listen to today fm on sat afternoon any more
Why don’t you just go on the Internet and leave pointless comments instead
why are you reading a sports story and commenting if you have no interest ?
Your contribution to this thread is much appreciated. Keep it up
I agree with you Johanna, start of the silly season. Pubs become a no go area with TV’s churning out endless soccer at full volume and even when the game is over, constant replays of the game with over zealous, half hysterical commentary. The most hateful boring game that turns usually normal people into mindless morons.
Don’t worry Patrick, X-Factor will be back on soon
The only thing worse than mindless morons is people looking for articles to read so they can appear superior by commenting about mindless morons
Soccer? It’s called football. And why come to a football article if you hate it so much. Idiot
oh Look Liverpool are top. Enjoy it because that will be the only time you will be top of the Premier League.
Going to be funny as sh!t watching Moyes R’ Us getting their @ss handed to them against Swansea
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
How long was the gap before yas won the league again
You were saying asswipe!
Oh Man Utd again I see, well done!
BTW Joey O’Brien playing a stormer for West Ham again.
It the picture brendan Rodgers looks like he’s blowing up an invisible balloon.
The lee probert pic? Rodgers isn’t in any pics
United ejits on a Liverpool thread yet again.Obsessed much? Sad pathetic sheep.
Any other matches on Journal?
Guess not.
Hi Paul,
There’s lots of football on today and we’ll have full reports from all the Premier League 3pm kick offs as well as a liveblog of the Manchester United, Swansea game later today.
Steve
Glory glory Man United (as usual)