The Soccer Blog: Matchday: Liverpool v. Newcastle

Saturday, 11 December 2010

Matchday: Liverpool v. Newcastle

By: Ed | December 11th, 2010
stjames

Kickoff from St. James’ Park at 17:30 GMT, 12:30 EST.

Ways to Watch:

Match shown live on ESPN (HD) in the UK and Fox Soccer Channel (HD) in the US.

MyP2P.eu
Atdhe.net
ChannelSurfing.net

Liverpool:

Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Kuyt Meireles Lucas Maxi
Ngog Torres

Bench: Jones, Kelly, Aurelio, Poulsen, Cole, Jovanovic, Babel

Newcastle:

Krul
Simpson Enrique Campbell Taylor
Barton Tiote Nolan Jonas
Ameobi Carroll

Bench: Harper, Guthrie, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Smith, Ranger

In the run-up:

Biggest news of the past few days, other than the official site’s breaking statement about the urgency of voting for Rebecca Ferguson on X Factor tonight, is the revelation that Christian Purslow had a bit of an agenda when it came to the squad members. Roy Hodgson’s shared his response to the situation only yesterday:

“Christian was here for two years and is a big fan with strong opinions about players. He fed me the information. I listened, of course, but made it clear I was not going to act on it. To be fair, when we’ve spoken or texted he has been the first to recognise what a good job it was that we didn’t do these things, because the boys have turned out well.”

It’s not a revelation that Purslow had sights set on something different, or that those sights were nothing short of awful. And it’s still unclear who exactly was on this most devious of lists—probably not hard to guess that it included a fair few of the younger squad members, along with, as Rory Smith notes in the article (along with a few other names), one of the frontrunners for Liverpool’s Player of the Season thus far in Lucas. If the list Smith produced is accurate, at least 3 of the 4 names have been an important part of Liverpool’s ability to start to turn things in a direction other than freefall. Good judgment, Cecil.

If it hasn’t been done already, this sort of cements whatever legacy Purslow had during his brief time at the club—successful in helping push the sale of the club through and not much else. As we’ve talked about before, the importance of the former can’t be overstated, and Purslow’s role in that process was apparently vital. But beyond that, he couldn’t be gone quickly enough.

Glad that he left on good terms, and nice that he’s texted Hodgson about the error of his ways. But mostly just glad that he left.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Matchday: Liverpool v. SpursMatchday: Liverpool v. West HamMatchday: Liverpool v. SunderlandMatchday: Liverpool v. ArsenalMatchday: Liverpool v. Manchester United

Category: Matchday Posts, Miscellaneous, Premier League, Team News

Tags: Christian Purslow, Matchday Posts, Miscellaneous, Premier League, Roy Hodgson, Team News
« Match Preview: Liverpool v. Newcastle, 12.11.10 | Home | Newcastle 3, Liverpool 1: Objectively Not Good »JasonWe deserve to lose - the players (except Kuyt) had no desire to win which wasn't helped by Hodgson who looked lost when we needed him to stir the boys on.

This result proves how much we need a creative spark - Meireles was good at times but whenever we had Newcastle pinned down in their third we didn't have the ability to be clinical and give Torres a chance at goal.

Lucas who has looked good all season was back to ball watching and our shotty CD pair were put to the sword by Carroll.

I think Hodgson has a lot of important decisions to make this Jan...that is if he is still manager.
SimonAn insipid display, both defensively and offensively. I hope each night when I fall asleep that we'll have a day like Newcastle had this week, and that Roy's desperate face-rubbing will become some other club's problem.

It is dreadful that I feel a kind of pity for Roy, but I can't really describe the emotion in any other word. He is woeful. Ahhh, man, just end his misery already. For his sake and mine (ours)- what he's doing to the game LFC should be playing is starting to dampen my enthusiasm levels, and fan alienation is probably right up there with the worst ills that can strike a club.DfrukFu****' hodgson has got to fu****' GoA Christmas CarolSo who here predicted "3-1 to the good"?
I hope you blame Torres equally as you lament Kuyt's performance for fairness.EdUh, I did. Clever stuff pointing that out.

Can I both blame Torres and lament Kuyt's performance to ensure fairness? Should I do one first? Or can I throw Hodgson into the mix? Maybe you'd like to write the recap?Justin Bonebrake3-1 Newcastle. We got worked.NoelFSC commentator: "Andy Carroll! This season he can do no wrong!"

...um, about that...EdBad bad badNoelLovely... when Johnson's clearly been your best defender in your own end, it's probably not a good sign.NoelSo much for wanting Kuyt subbed off at the half.Eddiebabel on for ngog, and cole for maxi. come on roy, its 70 mins already!Joelto be fair, there were two bad errors by the CBs plus the shot was deflectedEdNot as pissed about the approach, but the execution has been pretty poor.JoelBabel on for Kuyt at the half. Stretch the game on the right and Kuyt has been giving the ball away and killing moves as per his recent form. Also keeps drifting much to far inside, leaving absolutely no one on the right and overcrowding the center of the pitch.NoelKyrgiakos is having just a touch of difficulty dealing with their forward pairing... still, just touch sharper in the final third and all that possession could lead to a couple.Eddieagreed noel. again meireles and lucas do look a good pairing, the newcastle cm cant get near them. Cant really remember any chance newcastle having except the goal. Hopefully all we need is that killer pass, that can get one of our strikers to score. Hence cole? and some pace from babel. An early liverpool goal in the second half would be great. so we have time to get the second goal.JoelThink most of that is because Mason is giving fouls for breathing on Carroll. That and Konchesky has been horribly out of position over and over. Johnson's been handcuffed by the early yellow as well.Eddiewe look dodgy at the back. Kyrgiakos has been sloppy against carrol, and he should have scored his chance. Lets go for it now, and put cole and babel on the flanks.NoelWell, at least Konchesky wasn't alone in that colossal display of fuckuppery.EdMarvelous piece of set-piece defending across the board.lfc4eternityNoted all the concerns about Kuyt this week and agree wholeheartedly.
There's no denying the amount of work he puts in, but his touch, control and passing have not JUST deserted him, those elements have been missing for a while (with a few notable exceptions).
Can't see why we can't try babel, other than the fact he probably will wander and not protrct Johnson as much.
Talking of whom, looks like he wants out, strange he starts playing quite well just when the window is near?NoelGee, I wonder if Aquilani and Insua might have been on this list of Purslow's, too.EdDo not like.GalahadThreepwoodJust a little worried about today's game, because it seems so obvious that we should squash Newcastle. I mean, Northampton and Blackpool seemed like they should be easy victories--until the match started and Roy began working his magic. Hell, Stoke seemed like an opponent we should have crushed, and look what happened. I still think we should win, but it's Roy in an away game, and that always makes me nervous.blog comments powered by Disqus