Hasn’t that heading got a certain ring to it. Top of the league. Sounds good doesn’t it. Mind you as good as it sounds let’s not carried away. Let caution prevail and let’s trip out all the tried and trusted cliches. You know the ones, “you don’t win anything in October”. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint”…..and so on. And they are correct. Yes, we’ve had a great start (to add to the great end to last season I might add as well though) and we are top of the league, but let’s be sensible. Another cliche, there is still such a long way to go.
Caution aside for the moment though. Let’s also enjoy it while we can. And why not. Certainly Vinny, Clare and Luke who sit behind me on The Kop (pictured below) are enjoying us being top of the league. Like so many other Reds fans as well by the way.
Also like so many Reds, the passion just oozes out of Vinny, Clare and Luke. Isn’t it great that a family can enjoy the same passion together. And fair do’s enjoy it they do.
Great people to share the experience with. On a personal note, thanks Clare for reminding me to turn my back on the pitch as Jimmy Milner was shaping up to take the 95th minute penalty on Saturday. Why do I turn my back? It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in one day.
Top Of The League-Leicester Was A Toughie
There’s no doubt, ex-Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, has got Leicester playing some really good stuff. And realistically, if Saturday is anything to go by they are now one of the top teams in the Premier League. Some really good players there.
Yes, the game against Leicester was a toughie but in all honesty, we thoroughly deserved the win. I know Brendan Rodgers said he felt Leicester deserved a point. But, when all said and done, he would say that to his club’s fans and the rest of the watching public. It’s what manager’s do. Unless you’re Chris Wilder from Sheffield United it would seem though.
Realistically Rodgers was off the mark. We should have been well out of sight well before James Maddison’s equaliser in the 80th minute. Quite a few, more than acceptable chances, were created and missed along the way.
It was the type of game where you are saying, “we just hope these missed chances aren’t going to be costly”
James Maddison
While talking about James Maddison, as expected, only his goal was highlighted on Saturday. He took it well enough although it could be said Adrian may have done better.
So, what else did James Maddison do that was worth a mention? A quite blatant dive actually. Yes, all the focus was on Sadio Mane for the incident that led to the 95th minute penalty. But shortly before his equaliser, Maddison was involved in a rather theatrical piece of play acting down in the corner at The Kop end.
I said to my pal sat next to me that there wouldn’t be any mention of it on Match Of The Day, or any other media outlet. Let’s not forget, he has history of diving.
But why no mention? Could it be that he has that all important asset going for him when it comes to focusing on players that could be accused of diving? You know the one. That priceless asset that seems to shield certain players from having accusing fingers pointed at them. You’ve probably guessed it. The asset of course being, he is English.
Unless you were there you wouldn’t know he dived. But no doubt if Mo Salah would have done the same, they’d be talking about it ad infinitum. So, the media would have you believe that he doesn’t dive. Nor does Harry “pinch a goal” Kane. Nor Dele Alli for that matter. No siree, you wouldn’t catch any of those angelic English internationals diving would you?
I’m not saying our players are necessarily whiter than white on all occasions. But come on media, be consistent and be fair.
Being Consistent And Fair
Talking of being consistent and fair, will the real Alan Shearer stand up? Shearer made the claim that football is a contact sport and he felt Mane dived.
Mind you, this is the very same Alan Shearer who said this when Everton were awarded a penalty at Anfield:
Shearer on Calvert-Lewin dive: “You can’t give someone a reason to go down…”
Not like Alan Shearer to contradict himself is it.
The important thing as far as Liverpool were concerned was that the referee and VAR decided it was a penalty. Maybe the officials took heed of Shearer’s Calvert-Lewis opinion and they felt Marc Albrighton gave Mane a reason to go down after he clearly clipped him.
Anyway…….
James Milner-As Cool As You Like
Who better to have to step up in such a pressure cooker situation than James Milner. Coolness personified. No surprises that he despatched the resulting penalty with his usual aplomb.
What a signing Milner has turned out to be. His assist for our first goal was pure quality. Firstly, spreading the ball wide to Andy Robertson and then moving into a position to take a simple return from Robbo. As for the ball he threaded through for Mane – absolute perfection.
The only criticism I have of Milner’s situation at Liverpool isn’t a criticism of Milner himself. No. it’s a criticism of the fans. Come on you songs masters. Surely Jimmy deserves his own song. He has been a magnificent signing for us hasn’t he.
Top Of The League – Who’s Up Next?
Going into the international break top of the league is always a good feeling. We can stare at the table for a whole fortnight and smile. With an eight point lead we could do that anyway.
But, with the two weeks off for some, a great time to prepare for our next league game……against……yes, Manchester United. Away at Old Trafford on 20th October.
We know they’ve had a terrible start to the season, but however they are performing they always seem to raise their game against us. Let’s hope not on 20th October. And let’s hope we are not as tame as we were last time we played at OT last February.
Another team misfiring the week after – Tottenham Hotspur. Will Poch still be there?
Yes, it’s great to be top of the league. Some tough games coming up, let’s hope we remain top for the foreseeable future. Let’s say at least until after the Newcastle game on 17th May 2020.
Onwards and upwards. COYR; YNWA; JFT96
Fields Of Anfield Road
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