LFC Forever 2019/ 20

Sheffield Utd & Everton

I didn't post about the Sheffield United game because I've been obsessed with completing Mario Kart Wii - I can't tell you why a game I've had forever and rarely cared about is suddenly the most important thing. Also Doctor Who was on after the Everton match.
Despite Sheffield United's solid defensive efforts Mane and Salah scored a goal each. Van Dijk made sure they didn't have a sniff at goal either when it came to protecting that lead.

Today there were two matches. The women played Brighton away and lost 1-0. Not the way the new year was supposed to start. I tried to watch it but my Internet wasn't good enough.
The second a Merseyside Derby in the FA cup. Kopp was asked if Everton and Ancelotti made him want it more he said no but we all know it's absolutely yes.

We get to wear the world club cup badge again! The kids were the force of the team again with Adrian, Gomez, Milner, Lallana and Origi as the seniors.
When I read the team sheet out dad kept asking if it included regular senior players, Van Dijk, Robertson... no, no one like that!
Everton had three big chances in the first half producing big saves from Adrian. Milner had to go off after getting back to defend one chance he was replaced by Larouci. Even with our much less experienced defence having their work cut out, their last shot on target was before the half an hour mark.
Liverpool grew into the game after the initial nervousness and by the second half they were dominant. Everton were pegged back as the waves of attack came.
Minamino almost got to score a header but it was miss timed. We can't all be Merseyside Derby heros from our first match.
I didn't include him as a senior because it was his first game. He certainly looked lively and like a player . I wondered what language he was communicating in if he doesn't know too much English, does everyone else know enough Japanese or German? Maybe he knows footballing English. I never got on with learning languages so I find it fascinating how all these players find a way.

He lasted 70 minutes before being replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It was great to see him back and how much energy did he bring to the team?!

Origi had a shot saved. He was clever to have Pickford save it and win a corner since putting it in the net would've proved offside. That's how things work on Planet Origi.
It was Origi's turn to assist. Curtis Jones took the ball and put it in the top corner. Pickford got fingers to it but it hit the bottom of the crossbar and went in. What a strike! He wasn't even shocked, he knew as soon as he'd kicked it, he must do those every day with the u23s.

In my Oasis stories I occasionally give sort of cameos to our young players (actually so far it's been TAA and Brewster) as non footballers, I think he's gonna be the next one.

Rhian Brewster replaced Harvey Elliott. It was great to see him fit again.

With the lead they showed brilliant composure to keep the ball and not get reckless with trying to increase the lead. There were a couple of shots from AOC and Jones but they mostly made sure to keep the ball well.
When the whistle came I felt strange because Origi hadn't scored. Also the relief that we don't have a replay to schedule and we didn't have to play any more seniors than planned.

Shankly was right wasn't he? Our reserves were on average 5 years younger than their full strength team and we still beat them. Liverpool remain unbeaten in their past 23 home games against Everton in all competitions (W13 D10)

The display made me wonder if the league cup could've been different if they could've had Adrian. Sky Sports said only Ancelotti and Dean Smith have beat Klopp at Anfield and I strongly refuted that game as Smith beating Klopp - he wasn't even in the county what're you talking about?!
There was no VAR drama here, no mention of it in fact. Elsewhere they used the monitor in the Crystal Palace game. It's been used!

The draw for the next round is tonight.

Next up Spurs away, Saturday 11th January 2020, 17:30.
I keep forgetting Mourinho is their manager now and then I'll see him and think oh yeah that happened. Hopefully he can't cause us problems like he used to. He seems a much different person to his later Chelsea and Man United days.