Hello,
Two wins in 2011 is a great way to start the new year although Roy Hodgson might not feel the same way getting sacked the day before the match as Liverpool manager. With some big names like Rooney, Vidic and Van Der Sar rested/injured/sick with virus, Johnny Evans, Hernandez and Kuszczak got the call. Former Liverpool and Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish, who by the way is getting the Liverpool accent, failed to get the dream start he was looking for as Manchester United ensured his second stint as the new Liverpool boss began with an FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford.
While Liverpool did seem to have momentum for much the game, it was one of those "blah" games. Very tight, unimaginative and scrappy. United started the game with a penalty goal after Berba was taken down in the box by Daniel Agger. While some considered it a "soft" penalty, this writer is confused. If contact is made within the penalty area by a defender, bringing the opposition player down, it is a penalty. Severity has no grounds here. Was it a blatant, flying, two footed/studs tackle: no. The fact remains, Berba was fouled in the box. I hear commentators saying "yes it was a foul" than, in the box, it has to be penalty. If I could give my own personal RED TILL DEAD opinion, Berba is a big guy and does not go down easily. Fans of United have seen him get kicked in the legs by two players and he still maintains control of the ball. If he went down, I believe he was fouled.
Enough about that.
Giggs, who by the way has scored in every PL year since inception, kicked in his 157th goal in 855 appearances giving the reds of Manchester a 1-0 lead.
After that, a flying captained named Stevie G got a straight red card. Now, Ryan Babel of Liverpool put a picture of referee Howard Webb in a United shirt, stating he is a puppet of Fergie after the game but I think you need to read the rule book. You see, when a scouser, sorry, player launches himself forward with both feet/studs in the air at a player that is a red card. It was a dumb tackle which not only cost Liverpool the game but also could really hurt them as Gerrard will miss the next three PL games. His link up with Torres is so important to that team. So, let us review, Liverpool in shambles, mid-table, out of the FA Cup, sacked their manager and now has lost a key player in their push to make the top 5. That player also missed a penalty kick in the last game.
The second half was about 50/50 with Liverpool looking, at times, to be a man up, not down. When United took control, they had some chances with Berbatov, Evra and Rafael coming close and Evans hitting the post with a thunderous header. Evans had his first good game in what seems like at least a year.
My only concern from this game, which I have mentioned before, was the disappearance of Hernandez. He did not contribute much if anything to this game. Coming off the bench seems to be his strong suit at the moment.
Once again United does not play well but gets the win.
Bring on the Saints.
See you next time.
Derek
Monday, January 10, 2011
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