Europa League Semi-Final: Liverpool F.C. Vs. Villarreal C.F. - 3-0 (3-1 on aggregate)

 

So, we’re through. Liverpool Football Club’s first European cup final since Athens in the Champions League back in 2007. An era where we were spoilt rotten when Rafa Benitez’s men constantly terrorised teams around Europe. Not only the team whom he managed, but Benitez himself struck the fear of god into all opposition back in those days. Take us on out your peril was the mantra. His tactical nous had shifted the paradigm of European cup competition. Now that paradigm is being morphed into a new guise, courtesy of one Jürgen Klopp, to the point where Liverpool are beginning to bear similar fruition to the Benitez days.

Looking at the statistics and they will suggest it the home leg against Spanish side, Villarreal, was something of a cakewalk. But 2-0 ahead against a very well organised opponent knowing that a solitary away goal would send the visitors through, it didn’t feel comfortable. Certainly not the levels of comfort supporters felt under Benitez. Not yet, anyway. A perfect example of that was Alberto Moreno’s careless nudge on Denis Suarez inside the box, which could have easily resulted in the referee awarding a penalty to the away side.

However, with the benefit of hindsight, it all proved somewhat academic in the end. Klopp’s go-to man in Adam Lallana put the tie to bed, neatly tucking home an initial scuffed attempt by Daniel Sturridge. We were through. The Liverpool faction of bed-wetters  suggesting we were out of the competition some seven days earlier thanks to a late Villarreal goal could rest easy (a large proportion probably weren’t around in the Benitez days). Onward and upwards. Unquestionably, this one was for the 96 and their families who, after the long and arduous battle for justice, finally received it. Destination Basel. History awaits with back-to-back Europa League Champions, Sevilla, standing in the way of silverware and a potential return to Champions League football. Here are my observations from the game.

      - The inclusion of Emre Can swung the tie in Liverpool’s favour. He was like a one man wrecking ball, penetrating through the midfield with his incessant marauding incursions. Most players coming back from injury take two to three games until they are in rhythm, but the young German was something akin to a new toy that had just been unwrapped from underneath the Christmas tree. When all is said and done at the season’s end, I think many will suggest that Emre Can has been Liverpool’s most improved and most important player under his fellow countrymen, Jürgen Klopp. It would be hard to disagree.

      -  Although Emre Can dismantled Villarreal’s midfield from the opening whistle, James Milner’s role in the demolition shouldn’t be overlooked. Earlier on in the season, Klopp seemed reluctant to slot the England international into the centre of midfield. With time, it’s evident that Klopp’s trust in Milner has become paramount, to the point where the vice-captain is now one of his most entrusted lieutenants. Our finest working-class hero since Dirk Kuyt.

     - From maligned and very much with one foot out the door, to becoming the team’s first choice centre-half, Dejan Lovren has become the bedrock of Liverpool’s defence under Klopp. It was another assured display from the big Croatian, who has galvanised a solid partnership with stalwart, Kolo Toure. How the tides have turned and although many players have divided opinion in the past (Martin Skrtel, Lucas Leiva et al), I don’t think anyone has turned it round quite like Dejan Lovren. It’s a great credit to the man.

     - Like the Can/Milner alliance, Lovren’s performances have been helped by Kolo Toure, who hasn’t let anyone down when called upon. For a 35-year-old to be performing the way he is at this level is a testament to the Ivorian's complete and utter professionalism. Don’t be surprised if he is offered another contract at the end of the season.

     - Roberto Firmino’s performance was one of his best in a Liverpool shirt. I’ve always maintained the belief that his work off the ball is just as important as the work he does on it, however the hallmark of his performance against Villarreal was his ability to keep possession. Oh, and that turn on Roberto Soldado…

     - Daniel Sturridge. Since coming back from injury, much has been made of his future at Anfield. From Klopp’s decision not to select him in every match to unremitting questions about his attitude, many of the backyard psychologists and body language experts would have been muzzled by Sturridge’s performance. Although not as lethal in front of goal as we are used to seeing, he hit the target when it counted. When all is said and done, I firmly believe the boy from the Midlands is Liverpool’s best player.

     - Like a conductor in front of his orchestra, Jürgen Klopp took centre stage at the end of the game, motioning to all quarters of the Anfield faithful in raw jubilation. The emotion with each fist-pump and each “c’mon!”  It was one of those moments that, in time, will be written into Liverpool Football Club folklore. I won’t lie, the scenes of triumph which filled my lounge room left me dewy-eyed. To think that Jürgen Klopp is the manager of Liverpool Football Club. It’s still a fact that is quite difficult to fathom.

      By Simon K.

 

Diaries Of A Wannabe: An Update on The Straight and Narrow and Other Things...

Once again, apologies for the lack of output throughout these parts of late. Along with the daily grind of fulltime employment (yuck), I have been working on a few projects which have been taking up most of my spare time. One including the follow up to Borrowed Time which, all things going well, could be out by the end of the year.

Thanks to all who have purchased my second book, The Straight and Narrow. If you are yet to check it out and feel slightly compelled to do so (recommend to degenerates or people who incessantly feel marginalised), then hit this page for purchase details and further information about the book. Below are some nice Amazon reviews, thus far.

 

 

Borrowed Time also garnered its first piece of public praise from the backwater readership.

 

 

A big thanks for the kind words to those three lovely people who felt compelled to cobbled together some words. On initial suspicions I thought it was my Mum, but alas she’s more of a Mills and Boon type of person!

Onward and upwards.

Simon K.

Discussion Points: Liverpool F.C. Vs. Everton F.C. - 4-0

If you can’t stick your head in for a word after Merseyside Derby delight, then when can you? Plus, work has been quiet of late, which is an accurate barometer for the level of activity around these parts…
 

Although the player ratings are a distant memory, I thought of cobbling together some observations from this morning’s match against our bitter (no other way to put it) rivals, Everton. A match in which the rampant Reds came away as 4-0 victors. Here are some recollections I took away from the match: 

• Players like James Milner were built for the pointy end of the season. While many displayed a furrowed brow throughout the early parts of the season, opinions have turned about as quick as a pit-bull does on its next door neighbour. In the calendar year, Milner has 14 assists to his name. More than any other player in the Premier League this year. While Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have been on form since the turn of the year, one could argue that it’s Milner’s form more than any other player which has set Liverpool in its current upward trajectory. For the season, Milner has racked up 18 assists and 7 goals in all competitions. I can still hear Manchester City fans bemoaning his exit. How they still yearn to have a player of his quality on the books. The England International’s experience is invaluable and quite simply, a price can’t be put on that. Credit must go to Brendan Rodgers for Milner’s acquisition. 
• Daniel Sturridge scored his 50th goal for Liverpool Football Club. Only Roger Hunt and Fernando Torres reached this milestone in fewer games. The boy from Birmingham has scored 42 goals in 66 Premier League games for Liverpool. 50 goals in 87 games in all competitions. Suffice to say, when Sturridge plays, Liverpool’s chances of success increase rather dramatically. We already knew that, though, right?
  

• Divock Origi was once again revelling in the furnace of first team football, putting the Reds ahead just before half-time. Things seemed to be going swimmingly until Ramiro Funes Mori committed an atrocious tackle that could well have ended the young Belgian’s season. Leading up to the match, Jürgen Klopp talked about derbies and in the heat of passion a player should injure himself, not others. Funes Mori didn’t get the memo in what was a dog act and to add further insult, the player’s actions after his dismissal were a complete and utter disgrace. Shameful stuff and I would imagine the Everton P.R. machine to be in overdrive in order to quell the flames which are moving their way regarding this spineless incident. 
• Mamadou Sakho. The cult hero was once again imperious and involved in the most pivotal moment of the match. His last ditch tackle on Romelu Lukaku was the turning point and subsequently, Liverpool scored twice shortly before the half-time break. The second goal scored by Sakho himself and indeed his second goal in as many starts; both of which he scored in front of the Kop. The city of Liverpool has always loved a fighter and a person who defies the odds. Sakho may have his critics (mostly from the blue half of Merseyside), but like Milner, those resistance voices recede as each game passes. The man simply is Boss! 
• I have always maintained that the sign of a good team is not how they score, but indeed, when they score. In my opinion, between minutes 40 and 45 are the most crucial in the game of football. Liverpool has scored four goals within this timeframe over the last two games. This statistic alone illustrates that this team is most certainly moving in the right direction and while some may see this as a minute facet of the team’s overall performance, it’s the minor attentions to detail, the one percenters, which can transform a team from a losing one to a winning one and Jürgen Klopp is undoubtedly steering this team into the latter waters.  
• Simon Mignolet devoured three hotdogs and a cup of tea (milk, no sugar) during the last 45 minutes between the posts. I understand one of the kind stewards at the Kop end procured these tasty delights for him. 

 

By Simon K.

Europa League Quarter-Final: Liverpool Vs. Borussia Dortmund - 4-3 (5-4 on aggregate)

Firstly, grovelling apologies for the lack of posts on here of late. I will explain a little more in a separate post later this week.

In the meantime, most of us of the Red persuasion are still catching our collective breath from last Thursday’s heroics. I’m still at great lengths to describe what actually happened and can’t honesty do so without being overcome with hypnotic emotion.

The words below succinctly capture the raw emotion of just what the result against Borussia Dortmund actually meant and will mean for years to come. It was a performance that will be ingrained in the history of Liverpool Football Club. Given the circumstances, it may have failed to reach the lofty heights of that auspicious night in Istanbul, but make no mistake about it. The Europa League quarter-final tie against one of Europe’s finest teams in Borussia Dortmund was a close rival to that defining evening in Turkey.

Regarding the below abstract, I would like to thank the author, Mark, who plies his trade for the written word over at the Red and White Kop forum. Known to the RAWK brethren as Yorkykopite, Yorky was kind enough to give me permission to use his words. For that I say thanks. The below dispatch is far too impressive to float adrift in the backwaters of the World Wide Web, so I thought I would share with those who are interested.

Justice for the 96.

Y.N.W.A.

 

Only Liverpool. Only Anfield.

Usually when supporters make this sort of claim about their club it's wishful thinking. Understandable, maybe, since every football fan wants to believe there's something special about their club. But when we say it about Liverpool you can hear the echo across the world. Cock an ear and you can hear it now. In Spain, in Italy, in France, in Latin America, in Asia...in Germany. "Only Liverpool. Only Anfield".

That was a special night and it was turned into History and Folklore the very moment it was over, so much so that Past, Present and Future all seemed to be wrapped up in each other as the players and coaching staff converged on the pitch at the end to immerse themselves in the full delirium. For a few immense minutes Anfield disappeared over the event horizon and you had to keep reminding yourself that the game was over and we had won and that Dortmund would not be coming back.

I loved Tuchel's befuddled interview at the end. There was no logic or rationale behind what happened, he said, and no reasonable explanation for the strange turn of events. Everything was going according to a logical plan and then....something unplanned happened. It was almost comically 'German' in its bewilderment and it needed another German, in the shape of the Liverpool manager, to shed some light.  "Something happened in the stadium", said Jurgen, "You could feel it, you could see it and you could smell it". Over the next 24 hours time and again he credited 'Anfield' as the "thing" - that never-say-die inner belief that comes sweeping off the old terraces here and which is the child not just of sentiment but experience. We know it can be done because it has been done - again and again. 

In the aftermath people mentioned St Etienne and Roma, Inter, Chelsea and Olympiakos - famous games where we'd defied the odds to emerge victorious. And of course they mentioned Istanbul (as, apparently, did Klopp himself at half time). Oddly enough no one seemed to mention the closest parallel of all (since it was in a UEFA Cup Final here in '76). But many RAWKites will remember the Reds being rather outclassed by a fine FC Bruges side led by the brilliant forward Lambert and falling 0-2 behind before the Kop helped suck in 3 Liverpool goals in 5 minutes to send us on our way to UEFA Cup trophy #2. Who'll bet against us now going on to #4 after this similar ride? 

And, boy, what a great tournament this has become and what a valuable trophy it really is. It's no exaggeration to say that the most passionate and most meaningful European clash of the week was at Anfield, just as it had been a few backs against Manchester United. Is this the year that the Champions League takes a back seat to the Europa? It's hard to be objective, of course, but I think it is.

We were being outclassed weren't we? Just as with Bruges 40 years ago, Dortmund looked too slick and too clinical. Two mistakes by our two Brazilians high up the field were instantly and terrifyingly punished. Their revitalised midfield appeared to be chock full of jet-heeled players - Reus most obviously, but Castro and Weigl too -  who were able to cruise with the ball into whatever narrow gaps we left and send crisp and penetrating passes to the outrageously gifted pair of Mkhitaryan and Aubemeyang. For 15 minutes we simply couldn't get a grip - our defence forced in to a series of horrible first-team clearances that simply found another yellow shirt ready to institute the next mass attack. Meanwhile our expressive talents had no wriggle room at all. Firmino looked off the pace, Coutinho was mobbed every time he got the ball and Lallana, for all his running, simply found cul de sacs.

But then, credit to the boys, they did begin to get a foothold of sorts. A Lallana swivel set up Origi who was denied by an excellent tackle in the 16th minute, while the same two players combined to present Alberto Moreno with a decent chance at the far post. Then in the 20th minute Lallana, of all people, lost his sextant and failed to locate his standing foot with the goal gaping. But a little belief had been injected into the Reds and from then on the contest was about trading blows and Dortmund knew they had a game. They continued to be the more incisive but with Coutinho getting more of the ball and the excellent Moreno hitting clever infield balls and opening up the left wing we started to look worthy opponents, as we had in the first leg.

I'll leave someone else to describe the second half. Maybe prose isn't the right vehicle and we should wait for an epic poem to be written instead. It was just unreal, although at 3-3 it was also inevitable, as Tuchel later admitted. In the last chaotic five minutes, played to a frenzied Anfield symphony, it was almost certain that something had to give, some pillar had to come crashing down. Our players sensed it, Moreno acting - twice - as ball-boy at opposite ends of the pitch to save precious seconds; Joe Allen scampering first right, then left, then right again, in search of a place to stick his sword.

And then a moment of sublime cool. Milner had to hoist that free kick into the penalty box you thought. But, no, Sturridge had a better idea. Rather than facing an easy ball into the box from way out Sturridge's courage - and Milner's desire to turn the free kick into a One-Two - meant the Dortmund defence was suddenly facing something more awkward. The fact that Sturridge messed up before recovering to produce an unexpectedly quick pass into Milner's path simply added an extra twist to the drama. A brilliant goal to finish a brilliant match.

A match full of passion, and empty of histrionics - no cheating (well almost no cheating), no diving, no time wasting, no feigning injury, no inflicting injury. Such spirit from both teams. Such respect for the game.

A word on the skipper for the night. Yes, his corners were bad. But James Milner edged out Lovren and Emre Can for Man of the Match for me. Forget the corners and look at the quality if his crossing from open play. A lung-busting run on the right and a perfect low cross might have been converted in the first half. Then of course at the end he lengthened his stride beautifully to collect Sturridge's clever pass and float a "just fucking hit me" cross onto the head of the big Croat. And how far did Milner run (and run with purpose)? It must have been a half marathon as he went in search of space to receive the ball and support colleagues in distress. He was always there and always ready to take responsibility.

So another legendary night for Anfield, and across the football world homage was duly paid. In the German press it was admitted that not even Dortmund's stadium has ever come close to matching the "intensity" of Anfield on Thursday.  Maybe the reason is obvious. As admirable as the Dortmund following is in many ways, it is not 'in the moment'. Others on this site, and the Anfield Wrap, have alluded to this, the oddly regimented nature of their travelling support.  Football atmospheres are about dialogue, not monologue. The crowd feeds off the team which feeds of the crowd. That is why, when it works properly, the fans are called the '12th Man'. They are actually playing the game. But you can't play the game if you're facing the wrong way, as Dortmund's cheerleaders do, and treating atmosphere like it's a mechanical ritual or a piece of orchestration in search of a game. You can't be part of the game as a fan if you can't see what's happening on the pitch because some massive flag keeps blowing across your line of vision. You can't be a proper fan - or even a proper man - if you're been told what to do by a bloke with a drum and a loudhailer.  And I wonder how much genuine inspiration players take from the constant drumming and chanting that bears no relation to anything they are doing on the pitch?

Of course that sort of support will never catch on at Anfield. It's a bit 'North Korean' for us, a bit too much like totalitarian kitsch. But wouldn't it be a marvellous thing if we could bottle the brew we manufactured on Thursday night and take a healthy swig before every home game? Klopp and the boys deserve no less.

In the meantime Europe's watching us again. Come on You Mighty Reds.

 

Words by Yorkykopite.

 

Simon K.

The Straight and Narrow - Available Now!

 

 

 

Afternoon, folks.

 

Just a quick note to say that my new book, The Straight and Narrow, is out now and available from all major vendors. Links below.

 

For more information on The Straight and Narrow, check out this page.

 

A big thanks to Australian eBook Publisher, namely Wendy Smith and Glen Holman. Also a warm thank you to Gary Young, who has once again come up trumps with the artwork.

 

Finally, thanks to all my family and pals for their continued support.

 

Purchase from:

 

Amazon

Google Play

ITunes

Kobo

 

 

I am currently working on some more material, including a series of short stories which will be available for free later this year. Stay tuned for updates on here and on my Twitter.

 

 

By SK.

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion Point: The Big Short

So, thanks to a good mate of mine I recently had the pleasure of checking out the The Big Short. An excellent film, for all the reasons which makes an excellent film just that.

Films like this extend the conversation beyond “the ball game”, to quote Steve Carell, not to mention various other luxuries we as occupants of the Western World are afforded.

I’m not going to get into the nuts and bolts of The Big Short. I don’t often frequent in watching films, although I know I should be doing better on that front. The fact that Ryan Gosling is a mighty fine actor; the fact that the film provides snappy dialogue and a good balance between cutting-edge and raw cinematography. Other sites and blogs will provide far more articulate commentary on the subject.

This post is mainly to present some observations after watching The Big Short. You might think it’s complete and utter bullshit. Maybe not, however the important thing is that people are having the conversation. Here are some points to consider: 

• What’s to stop this mass catastrophe from happening again? The government bailed out these crooks with tax payers’ money. What’s stopping them from doing it again? I’d imagine bankers’ egos would be a similar size to their bank balances, so I wouldn’t put it past a collective group of educated criminals pulling a similar stunt.
• Governments don’t run countries in the Western World; banks do. They always have and always will, which leads me to believe that a similar stunt could happen in the near future. If not by the same methods, but certainly the same outcome. 

• Speaking of government’s, Barack Obama’s omission from the wrath is interesting. After all, Goldman Sachs was a major contributor to his campaign fund. For more information on that, check this out. Although speculative, I’d hedge my bets and say they are still lining his pockets in some way, shape, or form. I wouldn’t put it past the other major banks doing something similar. 

• While I say it’s interesting that the President of the United States of America escapes any verbal fury, it wasn’t Adam McKay’s and Charles Randolph’s intention to draw upon this facet in the long line of greed and that’s fair enough. They remained on their artistic course and didn’t contaminate the core of the story by railroading it. However, by the same token it almost feels like the elephant in the room. It’s okay to call a democratic leader out. It really is and while there are a lot of shy conservatives about, there’s just as many shy leftists afraid to call out the man who wrapped a package of "hope" and sold it to the world, as false as it is now. In fact, it always was. Whichever your political persuasion, the left are certainly not immune from parasitic tendencies and suffice to say Obama is in the long line of parasites known as politicians. In fact, the cynic in me says that this is somewhat of an oxymoron. What was it that Philip Kerr’s character, Bernie Gunther, once said? “Politicians are more crooked than the crooks”. Very true. 

• Although a platitude, it’s worth pointing out. There’s too much money in the world. Don’t agree? Well how about this. In terms of the world’s population, the richest 1 per cent own 50 per cent of the world’s total wealth. Still don’t agree? You must be wealthy. I am a believer that money should be distributed fairly throughout all social demographics. And before you ask: no, I’m not a socialist. I just believe in fairness. The problem here, however, is the world ostensibly hinges on this perpetuating ideology that there must be the rich and there must be the poor. If this simplistic view held by mass culture can’t change, then taking money from the global economy won’t affect the poor, simply because they haven’t got – or had - any to begin with. Which begs the question, why should the rich prosper from endless amounts of the stuff? 1 per cent of the world’s population own 50 per cent of the world’s total wealth. I know I’m repeating myself, but that’s worrying as much as it is staggering. Obviously this idea won’t materialise, though, because like the mortgage scam so succinctly exposed during The Big Short, banks and governments will always find a way for the rich to prosper, just like they will find a way to crush any spirit those of the lower socio-economic and working class still have. In fact, by this point, another film will probably be made on the very subject. 

• There’s a lot of talk during the film about the possibility and probability of things. Well, I’d say the probability of Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling et al voting for Obama back in 2009 is above that 5 per cent mark Steve Carell pointed out during the film. Paradox? Welcome to the life we live, folks; one convoluted headfuck where the contradictions actually contradict themselves.

 By Simon K.

U.S. Girls Australian/New Zealand Tour

Like all end of year lists, there are always artists who narrowly miss out on recognition due to their omission. Meghan Remy's U.S. Girls and more specially her excellent album, Half Free, was one album that was banging down the door to be included in my top 50 album list, however narrowly missed out.

U.S. Girls have announced an Australian and New Zealand tour for March and if Half Free is anything to go by, then this is a show not to be missed. Tour dates as follows:

March 5: Spectrum Now Festival (w/ The Jesus & Mary Chain, Alvvays et al) - Sydney, Aus

March 6: Sydney Opera House (supporting Sleater-Kinney) - Sydney, NZ
March 7: Whammy Bar - Newtown, NZ
March 9: Black Bear Lodge - Brisbane, Aus
March 12: Golden Plains Music Festival - Meredith, Aus

For tickets, visit Oztix.

Check out this interview with Remy via Vice, which touches on presidential elections and feminism. Insightful stuff.

 

By Simon K.