Liverpool lose to Villa but are NOT out of the title race

Ollie Irish

25th, August 2009

15 Comments

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Firstly, congrats to Villa, who not only needed this win but deserved it – although it should be said that Liverpool had their chances. First victory at Anfield in eight years. Have to say I didn’t see it coming.

A special mention goes to Liverpool old boy Brad Friedel, who was immense. All in all, it was a classic counter-attacking away win. Highlights below:

Secondly, I don’t think Liverpool are out of the title race, as some are inevitably suggesting. I don’t think they’ll win the league this season either (their best chance under Rafa came last season but they came up short), but then I said that before the first game. However, Rafa’s team can still compete for the title. Why? Because this title race is wide open.

With sides like Man City and Tottenham looking stronger than at any time since the Prem began (Liverpool won’t be the only big four team to lose at White Hart Lane this season), and honest sides like Burnley and Wolves scrapping for their lives, I think this will be the most competitive Prem campaign ever. As such, the big four will all drop points, and sometimes when you least expect it.

The title will be won with far fewer points than Man Yoo managed in 08/09, and so the fact that Liverpool have already lost as many games in 09/10 as they did in the whole of last season is not such a damning stat as it might be. And don’t forget that last season Man Utd managed just four points from their first three games.

Liverpool should be concerned though. The fact is, they don’t look anything like as settled as they did in 08/09. Fernando Torres looks distracted and frustrated, Steven Gerrard is not up to speed, Xabi Alonso is gone and sorely missed, Lucas is not so bad – that own goal won’t help his standing among Kopites – but he’s not yet good enough either, Rafa is moaning… at least Glen Johnson looks good.

Overall, the signs are ominous, but as I said before, to write anyone off after three games is ridiculous. Wait until Chelsea and Arsenal lose their first games, then we’ll talk again.

Posted in Aston Villa, Featured, Liverpool

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15 Comments

  1. Chringle says:

    German is such a beautiful language. Sounds like a bought of bronchitis.

  2. Mikey says:

    I have to agree, I thought it was one of the flukiest results you will ever see. Villa got lucky, it was though O’Neill planned it meticulously to show he is not tactically nieve after the 5-0 last season.
    Did we have 12/13 shots on target – and one goal. Fair play to Friedel, he was immense and the man of the match.
    Also, is it me or are referee’s letting defenders get away with murder on Torres. I saw at least one deliberate elbow in the back of the head.

  3. Xabi Alonso says:

    I thank god I left!

  4. chris b says:

    mikey
    torres is the new ronaldo (diving that is) and Mascherano should have been sent off. Villa deserved it, Liverpool had chances but Villa were always dangerous

  5. Jack says:

    Mikey – Defenders getting away with murder on Torres? Yes it definitely is just you! He has turned into a f**king girl over the summer!

  6. Kipmonster says:

    Liverpool ARE out of the title race as they clearly are not contenders. There is little artistry & craft in the team ( less since selling Alonso )& Liverpool’s football is huff & puff 100mph stuff. Torres & Gerrard are 2 exceptional players amongst a very average bunch. Liverpool’s biggest problem maybe is that the luck that the average teams of both of the Houllier & Benitez eras have so liberally enjoyed may have FINALLY run out.

  7. Simon Borg says:

    HOW VERY SAD FOR ALL LIVERPOOL FANS. EVERY YEAR WE BELIEVE THAT THIS YEAR IS FINALLY OURS. WE ARE LOADED WITH OVER PAID AND OVER RATED PLAYERS WHO NEVER GAVE US ANYTHING TO BE CHEERFUL ABOUT AND NOW ALREADY OUT OF THREE GAME WE LOST TWO .A BLOODY AWFUL SATISTIC AND WHATS WORSE IS WE LOOSE AT HOME. HOW CAN WE OVER TAKE CHELSEA ARSENAL AND UTD WITH PLAYERS SUCH AS BABEL,LIEVIA,VORONIN WHEN IT SHOULD BE VILLA SILVA ETC. WE WILL NEVER WIN TILL WE KNOW HOW TO BUY A REAL PLAYER AND NOT A HOPEFUL. AND IF RAFA IS THE MASTER TACTICIAN HOW COME GERRARD WAS NOT PUSHED BACK TO MIDFIELD WHERE WE LOOK MOST VUNERABLE?

  8. Philando Torres says:

    It was a poor performance. Too many misplaced passes, Voronin played, finishing wasn’t good enough and Friedel played a blinder. When you consider all that, the result is fair.
    I believe we’ll hit the form we showed at the arse-end of last season. I just hope we’re not too far behind by that stage.
    The start of last season produced some of the worst Liverpool performances I’ve ever seen. The only difference was, we were still winning those games. We’re not now. Which is a worry. Still, Ollie’s spot on about the top four dropping more points than usual this season. We’ve just got to get our shit together, do our job, and eventually our rivals will begin to get sloppy.

  9. pie man says:

    your comments about tottenham are interesting seeing as when i suggested pre season that they could be in the top 4 you asked if i was on drugs!

  10. Ollie says:

    Ah, but pie man/Ian – I didn’t say Spurs would be in the top four this season (they won’t), just that they had a stronger team than in recent years ;)

  11. K says:

    To be fair, Man City aren’t really looking stroker yet. They nearly conceded last weekend because of their selfish 150,000 a week players but I think with a better defence, they’ll finish 7th, maybe. Not a threat for Liverpools top 4 place yet.
    Spurs on the other hand… the scousers better watch out for that one

  12. Collie says:

    At what stage should mascherano have been sent off? When he accidentally bumped into Milner while lookin at the ball?? Liverpool were well under par but on another day they could have done enough to beat villa comfortably. Nothing gerrard did came off, it is still worrying that when he is off the pace liverpool are. I agree with torres turning into a little girl, he is doing my head in!

  13. soccer goals says:

    This has been a crazy start to the BPL.

  14. cfccarl says:

    Heres to a 20th season without the title! Exellent!

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