This seasons running title objective will be thus-
After all those mad, historical, 90 plus points seasons between ourselves and City, the average points to win the PL over the last 5 years has returned to a far more ‘normal’ 89. For perspective, only THREE teams have topped 76 points the last 5 years. (City 4 times. Liverpool 3 times. Arsenal twice.). The average # of wins from the last 5 PL winning seasons is 27.
So, for the purposes of this, the season’s win target is 27. With a points target of 89.
Yesterday’s admin-
Title Defence Countdown:
1 win down/ 26 to go.
3 points down/ 86 to go.
Current PL unbeaten run:
P 2 W 1 D 1 F 5 A 3
1 Straight Win.
Current unbeaten home PL run:
P 18 W 14 D 4 F 44 A 17 CS: 5
1 Straight Win.
What a tremendous way to start a title defence with a top draw game of togger that had absolutely everything. All played out among the still raw emotion of remembering Diogo and André. Let’s start the first match missive of the season there …..
The tribute to them both before the game was as beautifully perfect, as it was heartbreaking emotional, to be a part of. I’ve only this AM seen what the mosaics read (
MASSIVE kudos to Andy Knott as always
), as I had my head bowed with watery eyes from 106 through it. The banner at the front below us letting his family know they’ll
ALWAYS be welcome in our Liverpool home just encapsulates what sets this football club and this fanbase apart from any other. As beautifully poignant as it was heartbreaking. And massive respect and kudos to the Bournemouth supporters for how they respectfully shared in our collective grief. The big banner of togetherness there end was superb. I can’t thank them enough. The completely off the cuff reaction from Mo, stood clapping for a few minutes solid as Diogo’s song bellowed out for the umpteenth time at the end, just brought the whole evening back into perspective and had a good few lads welling up. We needed that. They needed that. We needed that first game togetherness to properly remember him. It will do us both the World of good and Mo’s raw emotion shows the weight he’s been naturally carrying. Not that we needed any more motivation to go out and retain our title. But our loss will be our biggest strength and motivation all season long. One can only hope the rest of the football family shows their due respect over the weekend to remember such tragic loss of two young lives.
The less said about the despicable
, to be kind, who abused the wonderful Semenyo the better. Enjoy the life ban coming your way. The very least of what you deserve. We stand in solidarity with Antoine. That form of abuse is beyond vile and unacceptable. And the furthest thing one of the most interracially mixed and tolerant City’s in the Country stands for.
As for the actual game of football, as opening games go, that was one of the very best I’ve ever been privileged to be at. It had everything. Superb goals. Defensive mistakes. ‘Tattles flying in all over the park. Relentless effort from both sides. Absolutely woefully inept officiating. The up and down of emotions, to then show the mentality to comeback and win it like that, was awesome. All played out before a booming atmosphere. If that’s what this season has in store, it’s going to be one heck of a thrill a minute, exciting ride.
L’pool fully deserve to be 2 up just after half time. Ekitike had been sensational. So elegant. Almost Henry-esq in the graceful way he glides across the pitch. And so reminiscent of Torres in front of goal. Easy to see why he was so coveted across Europe. 3 G/A his first two competitive games is just what his play has deserved. Some of his interplay and flicks were ridiculous. Gakpo’s super second seemed to have the game done. Then Slot, of all people, has a moment of utter madness with some head scratching subs on the hour. Taking both FB’s off leaving you bemused at his thinking?
Bournemouth, who never gave us a second to breathe all night with their relentless work ethic, seize advantage of some absolutely woeful defending. Individually and collectively. And in no time, we’re suddenly back in a proper game at 2-2 from absolutely coasting home. Related side-note: Ibou, if you aren’t going to extend, and don’t want to be here, please do us all a favour and F off to Madrid or Paris before the months out aye lad? That was a really poor, lackluster game in the main from you that we honestly don’t need any more of. Then Slot regains his mind, makes changes to address his woeful first changes. Tweaking the system along the way. And the players show ridiculous mental strength to pick themselves back up off the floor, against a ridiculously relentless opponent, among all the emotion of the night, to do what Champions do and find a way to keep all the points. A thoroughly deserved 3 points. But man did we have to graft for them. In context, a superb 3 points with a lot of positives to take. And a lot for Arne to both work with them on, and reference back to, the next 10 days before we next play. Everything you’d want to take away from an opening game. Good and bad. Special mention to Dom who covered every blade of grass all 90-odd minutes. MOTM for me and a sensational team display from him.
Shout out to ourselves as the support all night was tremendous. And the let off when Enrico bagged what looked like the winner was epic. Arms and limbs everywhere. Honestly
NO better way to win a game than a last minute belter like that. Mo being Mo and adding his customary open day goal was just the cherry on top. Diogo’s song will be the catalyst for this season and will boom all (hopefully) 60 odd games we play. When team and support come together like last night, we are an unstoppable force. We proper need to up our game song wise though. The Ekitike and Gakpo efforts were woeful.
Work needed there. Thankfully we still have Chiesa’s banger to rock the night away.
I’d be remiss to not mention the disgraceful VAR decision and even worse explanation at 0-0. I mean we wouldn’t have got the brilliantly high level game we got if he had walked. But the fact he didn’t, and they’ve started from game one with a horrendous mistake, just sums up the current joke state of officiating in this Country. The less said about the continually inept Anthony Taylor the better.
First, very stern teat passed. 1 down. 37 to go.
The Champions are not giving their title up without a proper fight. You are all put on notice if you have aspirations to try take our trophy from us.
*Sings
‘ …..
He will take us to victory …..’
Up the Champion mentality Reds!
www.bbc.co.uk
