Bleed Liverpool Red.

Farrah Nair, 22. Twitter - @farrahnair  Instagram - @farrahnair

[nathanielclynes]

[ohmacallister]

Keeper chat with Bogdan and Mignolet

[steven-gerrard]

[gerrardly]

Steven Gerrard - recipe and reviews. insp (x)

[wonderlandfromhell-deactivated2]

Steven Gerrard should never be associated with the word ‘last’ but here we are, with his last training practice and his last game and his last kit and he way he’s being touted as the last of an era and if that doesn’t break your heart then you don’t know what last means because last means the end.

[daisycutting]

Steven Gerrard on FA Cup’s 50 Greatest Moments

[anfieldbelle]

FA Cup Semi-final post match: Liverpool v Aston Villa

Our dreams of seeing Gerrard lift the FA cup on his birthday at the ‘Anfield South’ in May….dead and gone. Brendan’s Reds paid for their tactical shambles over the course of the 90 minutes, seeing Aston Villa through to the finals with a 2-1 victory.

I’m still angry, I’m still upset. Disappointed more than anything.

Where do I even begin?

First, let me just apologize for being way too positive that we would have made it to the finals l o l thought that this whole going into this with a positive mindset would have been a good thing….well.

I’m going to start off by saying that both Brendan and the players are to blame for this, and I will pretty much end it with the same assertion; we bottled it. Big time.

Alright, now we can get into this.

| Our System |

Big fan of knowing that a vital player is out of the squad because of an injury an hour before kickoff….NOT. Lucas’s absence proved to be immense.

Come kick off, it looked like the obvious 3-4-3 from Rodgers. A back 3 of Lovren, Skrtel and Can; a midfield 4 of Moreno, Gerrard, Allen and Henderson; and an attacking 3 of Coutinho, Markovic and Sterling. Or was Gerrard made to play in the attacking role with Lazar in midfield as right wingback instead? I’m too confused at this point with what Brendan put us through on the weekend. But either or, it proved to make absolutely no difference to be quite honest.

I wasn’t a fan. This 3-4-3 system, that saw us go on an impressive unbeaten run since our defeat to United in December last year, has been well and truly found out.

It was evident from the get-go. The dull display went on for quite a period. We were too deep,  affording Villa way too much space and time and they were pressing much higher. After the poor start from the Redmen, Rodgers decided to make a tactical switch and went with a  4-2-3-1; shifting Moreno back.

We instantly looked more positive and god bless Phil for gifting us the lead. Although it did take a slight deflection, but who’s bothered?

But of course, Liverpool doing their best impression of, well, Liverpool….conceded. Villa equalized, courtesy of Benteke, just 6 minutes after we took the lead. It was way too easy for Villa. Well what else would you expect when you give that much space to your opponents in dangerous areas?! Emre there, literally taking his time to stroll back, W H Y??

However, am I shocked? Not in the slightest.

It was a dreadful first half. We put no pressure when we don’t have possession and we’re slow and predictable when we do. The system wasn’t working and our players never looked bothered. Phil and Markovic were perhaps the only ones that had a decent first half. Everyone else, INTO THE BIN. It was painful to watch. There was no fluidity in our football. I genuinely felt my heart shrinking up and quite possibly vaporizing into the damn abyss (I enjoy being dramatic, I really do)

Second half, and rightly so, Brendan brought Mario on. Everyone pretty much wanted to see that. We definitely needed the presence of an ACTUAL striker and I was glad it was Mario. Although I didn’t really agree with bringing Markovic off, as he was one of the two whom I thought was alright in the first half…But well, I’m not the manager am I, what do I know?

Thus, Brendan changed his system, yet again. And surprise, surprise, 4-1-4-1. I wanted to walk off a cliff. In fact I should have walked off a cliff. Mario as a lone striker. Really? Are we doing this again?? HAVE WE NOT LEARNT ANYTHING AT ALL???

I wanted to be proven wrong. But of course I wasn’t. Not in anyway saying Mario was bad, he definitely put a shift in and in my opinion was our best player in the second half. Got caught offside a few times where he should have undoubtedly kept himself on. However, he never stopped trying throughout the 45. Also let’s not forget the bit where he was wrongly flagged offside when he was what, a yard onside? These officials need to get checked I swear to god. Cc; @ The FA.

But it was obvious that Mario needed someone to feed off, he had minimal service and even when he did, the deliveries were questionable. And when Brendan decided to bring on another striker, he decided the 90th minute was a good time to do so…. with just 4 minutes of time added on. Too late don’t you think Brenny lad?  I despair. To the ends of the earth.

Villa were always one step quicker, they were more dynamic and showed more desire in the second half. They were constantly putting pressure on us and we just kept backing off and affording them all the space in the world, time and time again. I swear we’re brain-dead sometimes. We just couldn’t keep up. With Aston Villa. No offence but, We, Liverpool Football Club, couldn’t keep up with Tim Sherwood’s Villa. Stab me in the face. Now.

If anyone was going to score next, it was them. And so they they did. Delph punished us, putting Villa 2-1 up.

You would think that seeing we needed to chase for an equalizer to at least force this into extra-time, we would show more desire and urgency. Brendan certainly showed his desire by bringing our ‘El salvador’ Glen Johnson on… We’re better off bringing on a piece of rock if I’m being honest. We didn’t even bother. Well we started to show up in the 85th minute or something, as we always do. But a little too late I think boys, just a tad.

Villa deserved it. They were the better team. We were just, simply put, shit.

| Our Players |

It was an important match, our only chance of winning a trophy to at least make this season acceptable at the very least, and every one of them decided that this was the best time to not show up.

Phil and Raheem, whom let’s be real, we were all mostly relying on to make the difference, were quiet for most of it. Emre’s beautiful godly looks couldn’t mask his substandard performance. But then again he was made to play centre-back, right-back and centre-mid in a space of those 90 minutes. Sums up our day doesn’t it? Moreno, Skrtel, Allen, Hendo, meh. Lovren too. But just for his uncalled for shot into outer space in the last few seconds of added time, he deserves to be tied up and thrown into the Mersey.

Steven Gerrard. urgh. Watching him performing like that was infuriating. I’m sorry, I don’t know how many times I can actually say this. I love him with all my heart but he just simply doesn’t have it anymore. His performance last night said it all. We all wanted this trophy for him more than anything and the person we wanted this most for didn’t even look like he cared. I mean I know he obviously did but his performance didn’t show for. You can’t possibly disagree with me there.

If one or two players failed to show up, I’d have been fine with that. But how is it possible that EVERYONE was underwhelming. How could you not possibly be fired up for this?! It’s your god damn FA Cup semi final match. It’s yours. What excuse can you even offer to us that would be good enough? Let me answer that for you. NONE. 

Disappointed with all of ya’ll.

| Our Brendan |

Switching tactics thrice in 90 minutes….and not even one system worked.

How did we get to this Brendan? We made Villa look like world-beaters.

Let’s start with binning 3-4-3. It’s done.

Really annoyed with his persistence to play Mario as a lone striker. Remember when we pretty much did that all the time in the first half of the season? Mario up front on his own and Gerrard holding midfield. We’ve made a full circle, back to square 1. Never worked back then, didn’t work on Sunday, won’t work ever. This hardheaded attitude needs to go.

Also with Gerrard. If Gerrard started ahead of Lucas last night, I would have said that Brendan did it out of sentiment. But there was no way I could say he was guilty of that on Sunday as it was probably necessary. The moment Lucas became unavailable for selection, Brendan looked to Gerrard as a replacement for Lucas, and I understood that decision for his inclusion. But what I would have appreciated from Brendan was for him to have the guts to take him off. Fine, he might have wanted to leave Gerrard on in case if this were to go to penalties, but it was obvious that he wasn’t coping and as manager, he should have made the call.

What made everything worse were what he said post-match. How Gerrard was “excellent”. Brendan, please. Why do you do this? Also how perhaps “the occasion got to us…” Do not even start with me. Worst. Excuse. Ever.

| What’s left? |

What do we have left of this season? Finishing top 4 is thin but once again, like I’ve said, still mathematically possible so I hope we go all out and just go for it instead of just giving up.

Once the season ends, a massive overhaul is needed at this club.I could go on and on about this but this post is getting far too long, so I’ll save that for another day.

At the end of the day, we got what we deserve. Head’s up, on to the next.

As always, do share!

Farrah Nair YNWA xx

[anfieldbelle]

FA Cup Semi-final preview: Liverpool v Aston Villa

We head to Wembley on Sunday for our FA Cup semi-final clash against Aston Villa, and boy, I’m exceptionally nervous! (But yet, confident really). We’ve gone head-to-head with villa seven times in the FA Cup, where we were victorious in six of our meetings. We’ll go into this, I hope, feeling confident after our victory against Newcastle on Monday night, which we really needed after losing 2 consecutive matches in the league prior. Similarly, Sherwood’s Villa would also be going into this on a high after their win over Spurs at the Lane last weekend.

Thank god Stevie and Skrtel are both done serving their suspensions and we get to have them back in the squad. Also not forgetting Balotelli and Flanno who are both back in training. We’re going to have a strong bench again!! Bless. Our bench for the previous 2 or 3 matches made me want to cry. It was painful looking at that bench and knowing deep down inside your heart that these subs would pretty much do nothing for us if/when we bring them on. I feel horrible for saying that but you know it’s true.

Sakho and Lallana are both still unavailable due to injury. Sturridge is a doubt but I really do hope we won’t rush him or force him back into this too quickly because we definitely do not need to worsen his situation. Plus he was missing from first-team training, so it’s a huge possibility he will not be taking any part in this. Oh and yes, we’ll be missing Ibe too as he’s cup tied.

Now I guess the biggest wonder on everyone’s mind is, will Captain Fantastic start on Sunday or nah?

Brendan mentioned in his presser that Stevie is match ready, so we could see him starting. BUT. But, I’d rather him not. Alright come at me! I know we only have a couple of games left to see Stevie play in a red shirt but it is essential we do not start him out of sentiment. It pains me, I love him with all my heart but we simply cannot. What I’d do and I’m positive quite a number of people share the same view, is that we should bring him on as an impact sub.

My Starting XI

I usually never take this long to come up with my prediction for our Starting XI, but man I took way too long for this one. Must be hard to be Brendan eh?

This is pretty much how I think we’d set up. THINK. Not the one I’d want because if it were me I’d want Balotelli to start, just because I actually like playing with an actual striker. You feel?

I’d once again go with a back 4 because, sorry, like I’ve said about a bazillion times, if we’re missing either one of Can, Skrtel or Sakho, we shouldn’t really risk going with a back 3. Besides, making a makeshift back 3 deal with Benteke? Na-uh I don’t think so! He scares me. So that remains. Skrtel and Can as our centre-back 2, pretty much cause I trust them both. Moreno on the left, that’s a given. Oh and Glen on the right only because I know Brendan won’t use Manquillo (Why Brendan??), so Glen it is then. 

Midfield 3 of Allen, Lucas and Hendo. Also ridiculously obvious why I’d want a back 4 instead of a 3 only because I do not want Hendo to be played in that godforsaken right wing-back role (I’m #campaignagainstHendersonasRWB for life). 

Lastly, Raheem, Phil and Markovic as our front 3. I do hope it’s Phil as a false 9 again because that was fun! Although I somewhat have a feeling we’d have Raheem down the middle but no biggy, just shift Phil into Raheem’s position. 

If this doesn’t work, which it will fyi, then at least we’ll have Stevie and Balotelli to bring on from the bench. But Stevie to definitely come on in the second half and do a madness! I obviously meant do a madness in a good way not like getting another red card within 30 seconds of just coming on kind of madness. Obviously. 

I think this should be easy for us, I have a good feeling about this.

Eyes on the prize lads, let’s get to the finals! (And win the damn thing thanks love you!)

As per, do share with me your thoughts!

Farrah Nair YNWA xx

[baharini-s-blog]

Today marks the 26th anniversary of Hillsborough, where 96 football fans died at a football match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest. What followed was a massive coverup to conceal the police force’s failings and a farcical inquest which returned the verdict of “accidental death”, and together with newspapers like the Sun, blamed the supporters for this tragedy. But due to the unending determination and campaigns from friends and family members of the victims, the original verdict was overturned in 2012, and new inquests are still going on. Today, please spare a moment and a prayer for all those fans who,just like us, travelled to support their team and see their favourite players. Stand in solidarity with people who lost siblings, parents, friends, and never forget that those people died following their love, the love that brings us all together as football fans and as a community. The 96, and all the other people who died in similar tragedies all around the world, will always be a part of our family, and they will never be forgotten  

“Goodbye my old friend, I’ll see you in Heaven one day still wearing red.”

[captainhendos]

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

[anfieldbelle]

Post Match: Liverpool v Newcastle

3 points and a clean sheet. Amen.

Genuinely so made with the result! Didn’t have a good feeling about it from the start, what more knowing Sturridge was ruled out with an injury just 1 hour before kick off, YET AGAIN! I was like “nah there is no way we’re winning this now, we’re doomed.” Miss positivity right here everybody~~

So our starting 11….

Made a few wrong picks, starting with the back.

Did mention in my preview that I thought we’d most probably see a Moreno, Lovren, Kolo, Can backline and if it isn’t that, we would see Can partnering Lovren in the middle, with Johnson filling in on the right, and that was what we saw indeed. Sturridge missing out meant that we got to see Ibe come in.

Before kickoff, the majority of those I followed on twitter were pretty much debating amongst each other if it was going to be a 3-5-3 or a 4-3-3. I wasn’t too fussed about it if we went with either to be honest. But I will admit that my only concern if we went with 3 a the back was that it’d meant Hendo would be played out of position as RWB, and ya’ll know how I feel about Hendo as RWB….. or if we played with 4 at the back, Can would be playing as a centre-back 2, and I didn’t really know how I felt about that one.

Come kickoff, 4-3-3 it was.

Impeccable minute’s of silence observed before kickoff for the 96. Never fails to bring a tear to my eye. Massive thanks to the travelling Newcastle fans. 

Raheem on the left and Phil as a false 9 through the middle. The only goal of the half came from Raheem who scored a beauty of a goal just 8 minutes in, such a quality finish! Also not forgetting that switch of play from Hendo, brilliant ball for an assist. And oh boy, we were sensational for the first 25 minutes! Absolutely relentless football, non stop pressing. Newcastle hardly managed to get out of their own half. Had to keep reminding myself that it was after all only a struggling Newcastle who has failed to win their 4 previous PL matches....

Should have been more than 1 up. Always a risky thing with Liverpool. We can never convert our chances. But then as you’d expect, Liverpool pretty much Liverpool-ed ourselves the moment we fell off the pace, allowing the magpies to get at us. They definitely finished the first half stronger of the two.

Newcastle carried the momentum they ended the first-half with into the second. We struggled. A lot. I want to say I’m surprised but I really wasn’t. I was expecting us to concede any minute given the way we were performing and with Newcastle constantly piling on the pressure. We did bring on a striker and I’m all for a striker but that was pointless because Fabio contributed nothing really. Raheem missed a sitter. Unreal. Couldn’t believe he missed this one and converted his first effort brilliantly. Should have had a hat-trick in fact. Johnson and Lovren made me want to walk off a cliff. What’s new? Thank god Skrtel will be back and hopefully if we want to keep to 4 at the back, we start using Manquillo instead because why in the world not?? 

Not really sure what went wrong but it was frustrating. We completely went full retard. But thank god Joe extended our lead, great finish! Needed that second! Cannot imagine if we had to hold on to our 1 goal lead till the final whistle went. We probably would have held it anyways, but it wouldn’t have been good for my heart.

The most heart-warming moment came when Anfield rose to give Jonas Gutiérrez a standing ovation when he came on to replace Obertan. It was beautiful. Gave me goosebumps. No other club in the country would see their fans doing that. None. This is exactly why I support this club. 

Also, Sissoko’s challenge. Can we talk about that? NASTY. Should have been a straight red that. Potential leg breaker, thank god Lucas didn’t have his foot fully planted on the ground.

But hey, everyone finished this in one piece and yay 3 points!

My main points of the night:

Are we sure Mario is still ill at this point? 

It’s nice when Raheem is great. And when we play him on the left/down the middle. I’ve missed watching this Raheem. It’s been some time.

Hendo was great. Brilliant isn’t it when you play him in the right position? 

Lucas, damn. Phenomenal.

Lovren was alright for most of the first half and then suddenly he forgot he was a footballer??? Almost gave away a damn penalty. That was a peno all day everyday! Dingbat.

Johnson. What’s new? Yards behind pace and constantly shying away from making tackles.

Migs. King. 13 clean sheets so far eh? Get him his Golden glove!

Philippe Coutinho. That’s it. No other words are necessary.

(Also Emre Can is beautiful)

We needed that victory. Now just 4 points behind City. I’m not giving up on Top 4, we can do this! Now on to the next!

But first, Wembley. Really curious to see how we’ll set up then! However, I’ll get into that in my FA cup Semi-Final preview.

Make it to the final lads, nothing less.

As per, share with me your thoughts!

Farrah Nair YNWA xx

[kopzone]

[anfieldbelle]

A minute of silence for the 96

[golden-skies-ahead]

I am not from Liverpool.

I am not even from England.

I was not even born yet on that spring day.

But on April 15, we are all Scouse. Because if you wear the Red shirt with pride, if you raise your voice and sing with the Kop, if your heart beats a little quicker when you see your players step onto the pitch, if you love the beautiful game, every April 15 you mourn the loss of 96 souls like yours and mine taken too soon.

We are all Scouse because no one should go to a football match and not come home. We are all Scouse because no one should have to suffer the blame for a horrific tragedy almost 30 years on. We are all Scouse because justice has never been done. We are all Scouse because their memory will and must carry on.

Never forget them, and never stop fighting for justice.

[anfieldbelle]

Liverpool vs Newcastle Preview 13/4/2015

Trying to get up a preview of Newcastle/Liverpool after watching United V City but I can’t even string a proper sentence together because I’m mad at how City couldn’t have crumbled last season instead?! Unreal.

Alright then, to more important matters. After 2 straight defeats in the league, Liverpool look to try and get back to winning ways against Newcastle at Anfield on Monday Night. The same can be said for the Magpies as they look to avoid a 5th straight consecutive defeat in the league.

Firstly, playing on a Monday night? urgh. I don’t really like playing on Monday nights, do you? We always seem to be underwhelming. Or is that just me then? lol moving on….

We’d still be missing a few key players for this fixture. Stevie and Skrtel would still be unavailable as they will be serving their final match suspension, Lallana is still doubtful and Sakho will be out for sometime with a hamstring injury that he picked up during our FA cup quarter-final against Blackburn. Genuinely so gutted. I’m hoping he wouldn’t be out for that long because he has been vital for us in defence, SO WE NEED HIM! Especially from now on, seeing City have completely shot themselves in the foot, I’d like us to win every remaining game. Big ask I know, but nothing is impossible is it?

Also hopefully Mario recovers and we can have him on the bench at least. I’m aware that he hasn’t been delivering, but there is no doubting that he’s quality player and it infuriates me that Brendan just simply refuses to utilize him. W H Y?

However, we’ll have Emre again after his one match suspension. Bless. Also, Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan are back in training meaning they’ll both be available for selection. So that’s definitely great news!

My Starting XI

Right, so this is my starting 11 prediction. I have mentioned that a back 3 when it’s somewhat a makeshift defence, scares me. So i’d want us to stick to 4 at the back till we have all 3 of Sakho, Skrtel and Can back. I would bet my entire life that we’d see that midfield all the way till Sturridge up front starting on Monday. Don’t think Brendan would change that. However, I am a little conflicted with the back 4. I have a feeling that we’d see a Moreno - Lovren - Kolo - Can backline. But then again, there is a possibility that we’ll have Emre partnering Lovren in the centre, with Johnson on the right. I would prefer the first option, the one without a Johnson to be honest, but I’m not too fussed with either. They all performed fine last Wednesday so I’m all good. Also can I just point out that I wouldn’t start Flanno yet since he’s just been back from a lengthy injury. 

John Carver’s side have conceded 49 goals in the league so far, and if i’m not mistaken, it’s as many as rock bottom Leicester have conceded. So on paper, it looks like it’s the perfect game for us to capitalize on their defensive woes. However, it’s not as if it’s a surprise that we have the biggest issue in the scoring department this season.

It really should be easy for us. But I don’t trust us. I have trust issues with this football club. We could be 10 up against the team rock bottom of the league and I’d still get stressed out that they’d end up equalizing somehow. This is what happens when you’ve been let down one too many times in the past few seasons…

Really hope Ibe and Mario are included in the squad and come on at some point during the match. So if this doesn’t work 20 minutes in, 30 max….changes to come in the form of Mario and Ibe please and thank you.

I’m honestly so nervous it’s unreal. Win and we’d move back up to 5th with 57 points, just 4 points behind City. The majority of people I follow on twitter have seem to already given up on finishing Top 4 but nah I’m not having that! As long as it’s mathematically possible, I won’t rule anything out. Plus, haven’t we learnt anything! The ball is round and all that jazz, football is an unpredictable game, just about anything can happen. Positive thoughts my friends, positive thoughts~

Once again, do share with me your thoughts!

Farrah Nair

YNWA

xx

[anfieldbelle]

FA cup replay: Blackburn 0-1 Liverpool post-match thoughts

WE’RE ALL GOING TO WEMBLEY!!!!

(Credits: AnfieldLens)

Happy times guys, happy times!

Although, it was just Blackburn….and It’s only going to be just the Semis…..and we’re facing Villa in the semis (you know I don’t like facing them we seem to always struggle WHY)....so still quite a bit to go.

BUT STILL, HEY WEMBLEY :)

I’m absolutely buzzing!

I mean I know I sounded like an absolute downer in my preview but actually proper want us to go on and win this now.

So let’s get into it shall we?

When I first saw the line-up for tonight, it did appear that Brendan was going for a 3-4-2-1, but my heart was only going to accept this if we shifted Hendo back into the middle, dropping either Lucas or Allen. However, all 3 of Lucas, Allen and Henderson were starting and by how the starting XI was penned down, it did look like once again, we’d see Hendo out at right wingback.

I was questioning life at this point tbh…..I was throwing a hissy fit at 2 in the morning. Lovely. I hated the idea of Hendo at RWB yesterday, hate the idea of Hendo at RWB today and will still hate the idea of Hendo at RWB tomorrow. And for eternity. #campaignagainstHendoatRWB

Said in my preview that I believed we’d see back 3 of Sakho, Kolo and Lovren tonight. I mentioned that we could see the possibility of Kolo getting dropped for Johnson, which he did, so if we stuck with a back 3, it would have been Sakho - Lovren - Johnson. But come kick-off it did appear that we went with 4 at the back instead, meaning Moreno - Sakho - Lovren - Johnson. I was quite pleased with that. Still scared. But pleased.

The first half was decent. Definitely not good enough by your Liverpool standard, but eh going into half-time not conceding? I’ll take it. Started off quite poor in the first 15-20 minutes, very underwhelming. Doesn’t help that the pitch was a total nightmare. But we slowly worked our way into it, got better in possession, good build ups but as usual lacking in the final third. Typical Liverpool stuff this.

And of course our only remaining great defender, Sakho got injured. It’s ok, it’s not like we needed these defenders anyways….Absolutely gutted! It looked like it was a hamstring problem, hope it isn’t too bad because WE NEED YOU MAMA!

Which then of course means Kolo replaces Sakho. Ahhhh Kolo, Johnson and Lovren all playing together, at once. This is my actual hell. or so I thought because what do I know?! All 3 of them were great tonight, especially Lovren. All did their bit of defending, no complaints from me. 

Then the second-half came and Migs our king was forced to make 2 crucial and obviously amazing saves just 2 minutes into the half. Swear my life flashed before my eyes. I thought, “well, this is it. We’re not winning this then. Screw everything!” Once again, WHAT DO I KNOW?

Sturridge was well poor tonight. His first touches were donkey shit. I’m sorry I love you but good god? Ridiculously frustrating! Not doubting his quality in the slightest because we all know he can deliver. I guess he needs a little bit more time since coming back from his 8374th injury.

But on to THE REAL DEAL NOW. Philippe what-an-absolute-magician-give-him-the-150k-instead Coutinho. This kid right here, on a different planet! Loved the little 1-2 between him and Hendo, great reverse pass from Hendo and Phil completely thumped that shot in! Great finish! We deserved it, obviously. Did think we needed at least 2 more goals to be on the safe side and all because you never know with Liverpool! Thankfully, Phil’s strike was enough to send us to through.

Although, pretty sure my heart almost stopped in the last minute of additional time when Blackburn’s goalie Eastwood came out, possibly the last chance of the match, ball landed to him and he hit it low and hard but thankfully straight at Migs! Even though Migs did spill it, he got to the ball anyways and even if he didn't Johnson was there to cover him so all was good. But I definitely almost died.

Really impressed with Mignolet, 12 clean sheets and counting in this calendar year! What a turnaround. Remember when everyone, me included, wanted him gone at one point? My Man of the Match. Phil was equally great tonight too, and Raheem close behind.

It wasn’t the most convincing performance, or by any means a performance worthy of bigging up, but we did what had to be done. Put in a professional performance. Needed a win and we got it, now on to the semis!

Of course now all that’s left....

I mean I’d like us to win it for us. But us is also Stevie, so yes basically win it for Stevie, who is also us. If you catch my drift. 

Now we have Newcastle next in the PL. I still have hopes of finishing in the top 4 and i’ll keep at it! Don’t stop me! ~positive thoughts~

As per, do share with me your thoughts!

Farrah Nair YNWA xx

[anfieldbelle]

FA Cup Quarter-final replay: Blackburn v Liverpool preview

Wednesday night we head to Ewood park for our vital, but also very unnecessary because we should have finished them off at Anfield, FA cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn. 

Win, and for the first time with Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager, we’ll head to Wembley for the semi-finals where Aston Villa awaits us. (Gosh, our bogey team. I CAN’T WAIT)

I can’t believe it’s been a month since we played them at Anfield! Gee time flies!

I would say Blackburn can go into this replay feeling confident in taking on the Reds that are currently lacking in confidence; having lost two pivotal games back to back for the first time this year. (Since November in fact, good god.) However, Gary Bowyer’s side’s home form recently isn’t any better either, having lost their last 2 home games in the championship.

Both sides have to put their recent poor form behind them. But then again, form usually goes out the window when it comes to the FA cup doesn’t it?

My Starting XI

With Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel still serving the 2nd of their 3 match bans, and Emre Can who recently picked up a suspension after his second yellow at the weekend, this is how I’d like to see the team being set up on Wednesday night. Well, somewhere along those lines.

Mignolet in goal is a given. Now, I mentioned in my Arsenal post-match entry that i’d rather a back 4, as a back 3 that is missing either one of Sakho, Skrtel or Can is a little worrying to me, nevermind two! I’d rather have that one extra man, allowing us to be more compact at the back. Rather than be fumbling around and left exposed on numerous occasions because these 3, whichever 3 we put out, cannot seem work together. 

After some thought, I’d stick with a back 3. Seeing we won’t have Skrtel and Can, I’d keep with Toure and bring in Lovren. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if Johnson gets the nod ahead of Toure tomorrow, as he did struggle at the weekend. 

Also, our wingbacks can always drop back to provide support when needed. Even though Moreno has been left exposed one too many times in the previous 2 games, I think we’d be fine. In addition, from what we’ve seen, Markovic isn’t too bad when you need him to do some defending. But then again, I’d like to see Manquillo. What happened to that kid? Have we just given up on him or something? I’m pretty sure he’s capable of playing in the right wing-back role. Or if we happen to revert to 4 at the back, I wouldn’t mind seeing a CB pairing of Sakho and Toure/Lovren plus Manquillo and Moreno as our right and left full-backs respectively. (Must be tough being Brendan....) 

I think we’ll be fine at the back. But i’m still scared....

I’d shift Henderson back into the centre of the pitch alongside Allen. I’d drop Lucas, (i’m sorry I do love you) because he was a little rusty and off-paced at the weekend. But that’s alright I guess as he just came back from injury, so lack of playing time and all. But yes, Henderson in the centre, let’s be real, that’s where he’s best at. In the majority of occasions when Rodgers decides to shift him out wide, to either accommodate a lucas + Gerrard pairing in the centre some time ago (lol remember how much of a mess this was), or just last weekend with Lucas and Allen in the middle, Henderson always ends up being invisible. And what really is the point of a Henderson who is providing close to nothing? Because you know when he’s being played in the right position, he delivers. He does. So, drop Lucas, have Allen and Henderson in the middle, with Moreno on the left and Markovic on the right as our wingbacks.

No surprise I’d have Sterling and Coutinho playing in behind Sturridge. Although at some point, if nothing is working, I’d like to see Balotelli come on up top with Sturridge. Of course he’s subject to a late fitness test. I still have so much faith in this pairing, I want this to work SO BADLY. But....oh well.

If I get the XI spot on, and these are the 11 starting on Wednesday, this side should easily beat Blackburn. But we’re Liverpool Football Club….we don’t do things the easy way do we? This will probably go into extra time and down to penalties. I’ll put money on this!

Now let me know what you think or how you’d like to see the team being set up.

Here’s hoping that my post-match Blackburn post would be a positive one.

Farrah Nair YNWA xx

[anfieldbelle]

Good match report. Our manager is an incompetent blowhard with his head up his ow backside and he belongs in midtable, that's his level at the moment. Unfortunately he's keeping us there too while he's still learning his job. Also, Captain Henderson disappeared in a big game AGAIN, a game that really mattered, under pressure, so not Burnleys and Swanseas, etc. I didn't even remember he was there until the pen but he was wasted a bit by Brendan formation that's useless against big teams.

Thank you :)

I would say that some of the things Brendan has done that has been quite questionable and I’m not a fan of how he obviously favors/disfavors some players more than the others for whatever reason. But I feel like getting rid of him is the worst thing we can do, it’s like taking 10 steps back. We’d have to go back to step 1 and do this all over again. So i’d like to see him for a little more while. 

Ahhh yes Hendo. Agreed he went missing yet again, but definitely because we played him out wide instead of in the middle. That always happens tho doesn’t it?

[football-indy-blog]