tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11553331904464764452024-03-02T10:54:36.036+00:00The Red Socks DiariesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-53585961768070557752012-08-30T10:45:00.001+01:002012-08-30T10:48:13.384+01:00Brendan Rodgers: Early Impressions <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Brendan Rodgers gave his first press conference as Liverpool manager, it was faultless. His respect for the traditions of the club, his honesty about his “short career” and his infectious drive and determination bought him the good will of even the most sceptical fans. He summed it up like this: </span></div>
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“For me, what I want to do is prove my worth and prove my honesty and commitment to Liverpool Football Club. History judges you as a manager, that's the reality of it. So it won't be now, it will be history – and I hope history will allow me to walk alongside some of the great managers here.” </div>
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Rodgers is a great talker, but history will judge him on his actions rather than his words. There have been lots of positives since he joined but there are already some niggling concerns which are explored in detail below. </div>
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<u><b>Transfer Talk </b></u></div>
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Rodgers has been too honest with the media when it comes to transfers and, in some press conferences, he has shown a small club mentality. He needs to learn quickly that at Liverpool every sentence a manager utters is magnified and this can lead to seemingly innocuous comments being blown out of all proportion. He also needs to learn that at Liverpool we do our business behind closed doors, not through the media. </div>
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When asked about whether Daniel Agger could be sold, Rodgers responded by saying “Every player has a price.” This was a schoolboy error which led to a spate of “Agger up for Sale” headlines. Rodgers had fed the vultures and, in doing so, risked unsettling his best defender. </div>
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When asked about Andy Carroll’s potential move to Newcastle he almost said the right thing, “I would need to be a nutcase to even consider at this moment to let Carroll go out.” He then let his true feelings clear by saying “unless there are other solutions.” It is hard to imagine Rodgers saying he would let Gerrard leave if he could find another solution, and the media interpreted his comments to mean “Carroll is surplus to requirements.” </div>
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If Carroll or the fans were in any doubt about where he stands with Rodgers, it was put to bed with these extraordinary comments: “I am talking generically here, I'm not sure we are in a position to have £35m players as third-choice strikers.” How that statement is generic is anybody’s guess, and it was yet another example of a man who is far too honest when it comes to discussing his players with the media. </div>
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He is not much better when it comes to the players coming in. When asked about Liverpool’s interest in Dempsey, he said "Ian Ayre has spoken with the club to see what the position is. That is where we're at. He's a very talented player but we don't like to talk about other clubs' players." His comments led to an official complaint by Fulham to the Premier League and unsettled Dempsey to such an extent that he has not played for Fulham since. The final part of his statement “we don’t like to talk about other clubs players” was all he needed to say. </div>
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It will be very interesting to see how Rodgers handles the media when the pressure is really on. His tendency to be too honest with them could turn into a noose around his neck. </div>
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<b><u>Lucas Injury </u></b></div>
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Lucas is out for three months with an injury that may not have been so severe had Rodgers and the medical team got a crucial decision right. After such a long layoff with a serious knee injury, Lucas needed to be wrapped in cotton wool. This did not happen and he was allowed to start the game against Manchester City despite carrying a thigh injury. In the post match interview Rodgers said, “in the warm-up Lucas felt his thigh muscle when he took a shot." As soon as he knew there was a problem, Rodgers had an opportunity to say "I'm not risking him." He did not take it.</div>
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We will never know how long Lucas would have been out for had he been withdrawn prior to the match, but there is no doubt that the decision to play him was ill advised, even bordering on reckless. This is not directly Rodgers fault, but when it comes to team selection the buck stops with the manager. </div>
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<b><u>Where is Plan B?</u></b> </div>
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Swansea City were electric at the beginning of last season. Their brand of attacking football was a breath of fresh air and, importantly, it was delivering results. However, there was always a question mark about whether they had a “Plan B”. As one Swansea fan put it, “don't expect a Plan B because Rodgers believes in Plan A so much. It can be frustrating at times ... when you're a goal down with 89 minutes on the clock you don't want to see your back four stroking it about in leisurely fashion!” Liverpool fans who watched the WBA game will relate to this. It was very frustrating to watch us outnumbered and getting outplayed, yet seemingly unwilling to try something different. The decision to bring on Joe Cole instead of Andy Carroll with twenty minutes to go summed this up. Even two goals down with ten men, Rodgers stuck to his philosophy. </div>
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The biggest risk with this philosophy is that teams will bully us into defeat. It happened to Swansea against Stoke and Everton last season and it could well happen to Liverpool this term. With a team like Barcelona you do not need a Plan B because they execute Plan A so effectively, but there is a big question mark over whether a similar philosophy will bring similar success at Anfield. Ultimately, the success or failure of Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager will be dependent on how well Plan A is executed, because there is no Plan B. </div>
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I have highlighted these concerns in the hope that they are teething problems rather than the tips of some very big icebergs. I will come back to this article at the end of the season to see how he has progressed with his handling of the media, his ability to get big decisions right and, most importantly, the success or failure of his football philosophy.</div>
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My twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc">www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc</a></span>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-91029859126537000052012-06-16T19:51:00.001+01:002012-06-16T23:46:32.198+01:00New Anfield: A Response to John W Henry<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The likelihood of Liverpool
getting a new stadium has taken a massive step backwards following an interview
given by John Henry to The Anfield Wrap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He states that “no one has
ever addressed whether a new stadium is rational” and then sets out an argument
built around it being economically irrational for the new stadium to be built.
The full interview is available here: </span><a href="http://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2012/06/john-w-henry-on-the-stadium-question/">http://www.theanfieldwrap.com/2012/06/john-w-henry-on-the-stadium-question/</a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To put some factual evidence
behind his argument, Henry posted the following chart showing the revenue per
seat for various clubs:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Henry cherry picks Arsenal
and Chelsea from the above list to show that their revenue per seat far
outweighs Liverpool’s. He then points to the fact that they are situated in
affluent London to back up his point. What he does not explain is why
Manchester United, situated in Salford which has a similar macro economy to
Liverpool, are able to generate £500 more per seat than Liverpool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">L</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">et’s analyse the two clubs
to see where this extra revenue comes from. Liverpool’s season tickets range
from £725 to £802, whilst United’s range from £532 to £950. United have a
bigger scale because they have more seats, but the average for both clubs is
around £750. This backs up the point that the macro economics are comparable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">S</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">o, how do United generate
£500 more per seat per year than LFC? The answer is that Manchester United’s
corporate and premium seating far outweighs Liverpool’s, and it is the
corporate customers who drive up the revenue per head. No matter how successful
Liverpool are on the pitch, we will never be able to match United for spend per
head in the existing Anfield due to its infrastructure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When you take into account
the fact that United also have 30,000 more seats than Liverpool, it is clear to
see that staying at Anfield will lead to United’s spending power outgrowing
Liverpool’s exponentially in the coming years. Success for Liverpool on the
pitch will not help this aspect of our finances much, and it is a myth that
global commercial income can bridge the gap. The truth is that the biggest gap
between the revenues of the two clubs comes from match days and if we do not
act it will continue to grow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Henry’s argument is this:
“If Anfield yielded £1550 per seat, without adding seats, LFC match-day revenue
would rise from £41M to £71M.” What he fails to mention is that the current
Anfield has no room for more corporate facilities. He also fails to mention
that United’s increased spend per seat comes not from Joe Public paying more,
but from corporate guests paying more. We have the fan base to match United on
this front, but we do not have the infrastructure. That is why the new stadium
is absolutely critical to our medium and long term success.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When Henry suggests that our
future success on the pitch and through our global commercial revenue will lead to a new stadium, he is trying to get us
to buy into the notion that he can get the cart to pull the horse. It won’t.
His strategy will lead to us standing still, or moving backwards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is one potential chink of light at the end of the tunnel: "Redevelop Anfield". We have recently learnt that the previously impossible task of demolishing 1800 homes behind the main stand, and offering the residents a payment for these homes so low that they cannot afford to buy elsewhere, is back on the cards. It will be interesting to see what has changed since John Henry said in 2011 that redevelopment posed "so many obstacles."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Ian Ayre now speaks of "great dialogue" with the residents, a comment that bemused and angered the Salisbury residents committee (who have met Ayre just once) in equal measure. Salisbury have said "everybody can see which way this is going now." What they mean is that compulsory purchase orders will be sought and a massive fight will follow, one that could well end up with the European Commission and drag on for years. If you are wondering about timescales, a similar process started in the Edge Lane area of the city in 2001, it went to the High Court in 2006 and the European Court in 2009. The legal dispute was finally resolved in 2010, and the project is still a work in progress. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">The brutal truth is this: Without
a new or redeveloped stadium, Liverpool have no hope of being able to compete
with Chelsea, City, Arsenal or United financially no matter how well the team performs. Mr Henry needs to act on the stadium plans, and act now.</span></div>
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My Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/joescouse_LFC">www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Here are some interesting stats:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool (33) have hit the woodwork more times than Aston Villa, Bolton, Norwich & Stoke combined (31). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have hit the woodwork 25% more times than second placed Fulham.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have hit the woodwork more times than Manchester United and Arsenal combined.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the table: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow me on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JoeScouse_LFC">https://twitter.com/#!/JoeScouse_LFC</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All stats via @eplindex</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-92202014238417543362012-04-28T19:44:00.000+01:002012-04-29T19:23:42.394+01:00The Americanisation of The Liverpool Way<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool FC need to evolve in order to progress. Stating the obvious, for this to happen we need revenue. Without the Champions League or a new stadium, revenues are hard to come by, so new innovative streams of income need to be found. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is really important that, as we search for new revenue streams, we stay true to who we are. We must never deviate from the blueprint for success that Bill Shankly set out for the club, an ethos that can be summed up in three very simple statements:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We play “pass and move” attacking football. Our fans always get value for money from the team. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only important people are the fans. Everything the club does is for them. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do our business behind closed doors. We do not wash our dirty laundry in public. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These things together will bring success, and success will make the people happy. That, in a nutshell, is The Liverpool Way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the credit of Fenway Sports Group, they have taken the time to understand these guiding principles and the critical importance of them. When asked last year about the Kenny Dalglish contract negotiations, Henry responded “What is going on in that regard is private. It is something called The Liverpool Way.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This brings us on to the recent announcement that Liverpool will be the subject of a fly on the wall documentary by Fox. The documentary will give viewers a close look into the inner workings of our club. What will this mean for the blueprint for success fed down to us from Shankly? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly, we will get to see the pass and move philosophy being bred into players at all levels of the club. The documentary will offer us a unique insight into how we are applying our traditions and ethos to the modern day game. It could offer fans who have doubts about the direction Dalglish is taking the club some reassurance that we are on the right track. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do we really need a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">documentary</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to show us this though? Surely the judgement on whether or not we are playing the right brand of football comes from our performances on the pitch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secondly, it is opening the gates of Anfield and Melwood to the fans. If the fans are the most important people, why shouldn’t they be allowed to see what goes on inside the club at every level? Fenway Sports Group must have great confidence that the cameras will capture the club in a way that enhances our image around the world and increases our global fan base. We are the only English club to grant our fans this much access. That’s got to be a good thing, right? Well, not necessarily. In opening the doors to our fans, we are also opening it to our fiercest rivals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third element is the most concerning one. By its very nature, a fly on the wall documentary has to be dramatic. Every drama must have highs and lows, and it is how the low points are edited that will be most important.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having watched the HBO 247 series</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, there are two key elements that make this type of documentary a success. The first thing they do really well is offer an intimate portrait of the players and staff. Cameras follow them into their homes to give a truly unique insight into their personal lives. They show “hotel hang time” and the banter between the players. Anybody who has seen LFC TV’s Melwood Soccer Skills show will see that we probably have nothing to worry about on this front. The banter is healthy at Melwood. Our team spirit is strong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second element of the show is all about the cameras getting up close and personal with the team during the highs and the lows. In HBO's 247: The Road To The Winter Classic series it is the locker room rant by New York Ranger’s coach John Tortorella that is arguably the best part of the whole series. It is this sort of drama that the producers will be looking for from Liverpool FC. Is that really something we want the world to see?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The recent disclosures by the club, that Fox will not film during the FA Cup Final and that the club has full editorial control, are reassuring for fans but may well cause Fox an issue. If they let Kenny Dalglish loose in the cutting room they may have a very short series indeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems inevitable that there will have to be some drama. Without some fireworks, it will be a ratings flop and that defeats the object. They will find it incredibly difficult to get the balance right. How can they paint</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> an intimate portrait of the club without showing us washing our dirty laundry in public?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We now must wait to see how Fox's editors, guided by FSG, portray one of English sport's greatest institutions. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If this series is done well, it will market the club in America in a positive fashion. If it is done badly, it will make us a laughing stock.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Follow Me: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc">www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-12047488173582431652012-04-22T11:31:00.000+01:002012-04-22T11:48:59.008+01:00The Changing Shape of LFC's Revenue Model<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2012 Deloittes Money League was recently published, and there were some interesting numbers for Liverpool fans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We continued to slide down the Money League table, falling behind Inter Milan into 9th place (our 2009 high point was 7th).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is Deloittes 5 year view of our total revenues:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgN99iQD_kI6OQgZJWpuqCmY3FAGZa9aqG_-KJVpFRSfiGQMG7qTK9bqZIvre2M7bTvhURQgCUHNIyXrv7G7nOU5G_ceIbt-o6MMma3dFxNCMf0qfUylzCczSb0mm6XM_Dx27KuUhRhY/s1600/LFc+5+year+revenue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgN99iQD_kI6OQgZJWpuqCmY3FAGZa9aqG_-KJVpFRSfiGQMG7qTK9bqZIvre2M7bTvhURQgCUHNIyXrv7G7nOU5G_ceIbt-o6MMma3dFxNCMf0qfUylzCczSb0mm6XM_Dx27KuUhRhY/s400/LFc+5+year+revenue.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is really interesting is how the revenue model is changing. Here is how things look in a snap shot:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOf2ndYds_EhnW4MrgAsm1zEe-edilXY1HmgGv8rdbOUCv-6YuuePcyawWfhv7IEKxPITN2oezdzkgHm0xiT4iJJz9RKSyLxsT9bmoo9DVg_FooTtVo5_0vZyTZR1SkFDbpig5vx7zUv0/s1600/LFC+Revenue+Model.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOf2ndYds_EhnW4MrgAsm1zEe-edilXY1HmgGv8rdbOUCv-6YuuePcyawWfhv7IEKxPITN2oezdzkgHm0xiT4iJJz9RKSyLxsT9bmoo9DVg_FooTtVo5_0vZyTZR1SkFDbpig5vx7zUv0/s320/LFC+Revenue+Model.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see, we have lost significant revenues from TV and Match Day due to the lack of Champions League football. However, we have made up some of these losses due to the strong sponsorship deal signed with Standard Chartered. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we participated in The Champions League, "Broadcasting" accounted for 43% of our total revenue. Last year, it dropped to 36%. Before we signed the deal with Standard Chartered, "Commercial" made up just 34% of out total revenue. It now represents 42%. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What these numbers show is just how good a job Ian Ayre did as Commercial Director, bringing in the revenue to enable us to compete in the transfer market with clubs enjoying the financial benefits of Champions League football. The numbers also show us just how crucial it is that we get back into that competition for the 2013/14 season.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next year's accounts will show a further shift towards "Commercial" as the key driver of revenue. "Broadcasting" and "Match Day" revenues will fall further due to non-participation in the Europa League whilst our commercial revenue will grow thanks to the new kit deal with Warrior. It is looking highly likely that "Commercial" will soon account for 50% of our total club revenue.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are only two ways we can buck this trend: 1) Get a new stadium 2) Get back into the Champions League. The big risk is that the longer we go without both of these revenue drivers the harder it will be for us to strike such lucrative sponsorship deals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2012/13 season will be a crucial one for Liverpool's future, both on and off the pitch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow me ... </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JoeScouse_LFC">https://twitter.com/#!/JoeScouse_LFC</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-34562123394211238632012-04-09T14:41:00.000+01:002012-04-09T14:45:39.527+01:00Selling Dirk is Moneyball Gone Mad<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Reports in the news recently suggest that Dirk Kuyt could
be on his way out of Anfield for as little as £1m. The story has been reported in
numerous newspapers and interestingly by Dominic King, who is a respected
Liverpool reporter with good contacts at the club. It would therefore appear
that this is more than just ‘paper talk’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The thinking behind the move is that Kuyt’s wages of £70k
are excessive and, given his age, such money could be used more efficiently by bringing
in a younger player on a lower wage. Kuyt also has just one year left on his
contract, hence the low fee. It is classic FSG style ‘Moneyball’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However, it is in cases like this that the Moneyball
model is fundamentally flawed. There is no way we could replace what Dirk Kuyt
offers Liverpool for £1m, and £70k per week is below the going rate for a top
class midfielder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The fact that Kuyt is one of the more mature members of
our squad is actually a benefit. We are short of players who are proven to
excel at the very highest level, something Dirk Kuyt has done throughout his
career. Having him around for another year makes perfect sense as Liverpool’s
transition continues. Selling him for £1m makes no sense at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a player who has scored in the quarter finals,
semi finals and final of the Champions League. This is a player who started
every game of the 2010 World Cup for Holland, who was instrumental in their march
to the final. This is the man who came off the bench in the 100<sup>th</sup> minute
of the Carling Cup final to score a goal, clear an effort off the line and then
score again in the penalty shoot out. Without him, the Carling Cup could well be
sitting in Cardiff now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When the going gets tough, Dirk Kuyt gets going. He sweats
blood for the cause every time he puts the shirt on. He is a vital cog in our
chain and the squad will be weaker next season without him. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His agent has confirmed he wants to stay, so let him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If we are looking to replenish our squad, we should start
with some of our newer flops, not a tried, tested and trusted legend.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc" target="_blank">Click Here to Follow Me on Twitter</a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-53081195438176828802012-04-03T23:11:00.001+01:002012-04-03T23:27:01.676+01:00Closing The Gap: Why FSG Must Act Now<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The gap between Liverpool
and Manchester United can be measured in more than just league points. The
total annual gap between the two clubs in terms of revenues generated now sits
at a very concerning £148m per year. The chart below shows how this is broken
down:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLqsmVy-NEBXfLAGlBPdXpJBs1XQ2zUSiTduIIe3udFd_cJleV_jtNmn44CZfdlvyGDsMp8SlXepxImc3n7mRCsX-fGCt1bhzounjo7kyUV5QskNJK0GmxutNt1mvu4GNzAftsU7CKks/s1600/rev+pic+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLqsmVy-NEBXfLAGlBPdXpJBs1XQ2zUSiTduIIe3udFd_cJleV_jtNmn44CZfdlvyGDsMp8SlXepxImc3n7mRCsX-fGCt1bhzounjo7kyUV5QskNJK0GmxutNt1mvu4GNzAftsU7CKks/s400/rev+pic+1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Source:
Deloittes Football Money League 2010/11</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are the same numbers
broken down by the actual revenue gap between the two clubs for each sector:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUTKtNTVJEgVL9FLAhpWm14SNaJ2r-HESIrHI1SStkvMdVsC3mXneCGUiX5eD4exLTYnfLV6e_0zR7J0n3sTHFy5sqFs56lAtO8IKoqYxYNgGfuIldclFVLtpjIcL6Fvc-zFxNls9qME/s1600/rev+pic+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUTKtNTVJEgVL9FLAhpWm14SNaJ2r-HESIrHI1SStkvMdVsC3mXneCGUiX5eD4exLTYnfLV6e_0zR7J0n3sTHFy5sqFs56lAtO8IKoqYxYNgGfuIldclFVLtpjIcL6Fvc-zFxNls9qME/s400/rev+pic+2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A large part of the gap in
TV revenue can be closed by Liverpool’s actions on the pitch. For example, £30m
in TV revenue would be immediately generated through participation in the
Champions League. This scenario would also mean a higher merit payment from The
Premier League (c. £6m) and more lucrative gate receipts and commercial
sponsorship opportunities (up to £4m). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The £26m commercial gap
could be partially closed by selling naming rights for the existing Anfield
stadium. Whilst this would not generate anywhere near the £400m paid by the Abu
Dhabi government for the Etihad stadium, it is not inconceivable that it could
bring in an additional £15m per season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is how the revenue gap
between Liverpool and Manchester United would look if we incorporate the £55m
of increased income detailed above:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB84ld_5IBBpR8LkuYF-l22-DTnGFD95GRn9Xy8KNEUHsc-1QPN7c_8zKWOjXsa591sw7oOXbkF0wSxbKtL113r56Z-SWJrou202G3BG3fAIN7keBFPD15S3fk2RiGC3l_Ohyphenhyphen0bNYAulA/s1600/rev+pic+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB84ld_5IBBpR8LkuYF-l22-DTnGFD95GRn9Xy8KNEUHsc-1QPN7c_8zKWOjXsa591sw7oOXbkF0wSxbKtL113r56Z-SWJrou202G3BG3fAIN7keBFPD15S3fk2RiGC3l_Ohyphenhyphen0bNYAulA/s400/rev+pic+3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Clearly, even with success
on the pitch there is still a very significant gap between the two clubs. The
majority of this gap comes from the difference in match day revenue. Even with
Champions League qualification, the match day revenue gap would stand at £66m
per year. Here is a breakdown of this huge difference:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VTFIX5tZXwaSXSpgUGP17f0EGap9syKl16vlfyXccVBWYTckdF4aHAJyLPdhX_owcv6ii8-rV8j-3cUATPrd_nwxZGFCzPtjOLdzVql7Cc1XH_mZ2rojuut3dtqVpB-O53GpYakpNPg/s1600/Rev+Match+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VTFIX5tZXwaSXSpgUGP17f0EGap9syKl16vlfyXccVBWYTckdF4aHAJyLPdhX_owcv6ii8-rV8j-3cUATPrd_nwxZGFCzPtjOLdzVql7Cc1XH_mZ2rojuut3dtqVpB-O53GpYakpNPg/s320/Rev+Match+Day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Source: Swiss Ramble<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This revenue gap is a huge
problem for Liverpool. From 2013/14, the FFP rules will put severe restrictions
on a club’s ability to invest over and above its annual income. Even if Liverpool
manage to qualify for the Champions League each year, the £93m revenue gap Manchester
United will command will mean that they can invest far more heavily in squad
improvements. The doomsday scenario for Liverpool is that United’s superiority
off the field will inevitably be matched with more success on it, as the
quality of both squads drifts further apart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">United’s Achilles Heel<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There is another aspect to
the FFP rules which does not sit as comfortably in United’s favour: that of club
debt. The following chart shows the sheer scale of United’s debt and the
financial burden it puts on them each season. Here is a breakdown of their
actual profit performance last year:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CMhnT96wlDfDc7TewjAFf6QicHrsBPQuWQxzFx1s7UBzAibJm6B9qUPJlt6pHcNMsrXIhGMoNN9Sj1QzAOCHh2pM5F6-5GbWga-kgfSPPzTs7X_yFtb38vnJfjzvQGZicrNjakPD8dA/s1600/rev+pic+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CMhnT96wlDfDc7TewjAFf6QicHrsBPQuWQxzFx1s7UBzAibJm6B9qUPJlt6pHcNMsrXIhGMoNN9Sj1QzAOCHh2pM5F6-5GbWga-kgfSPPzTs7X_yFtb38vnJfjzvQGZicrNjakPD8dA/s400/rev+pic+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Source: Swiss Ramble</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Any operating profits United
make are massively reduced by their need to service the £540m acquisition debt.
In 2011 alone, the interest payable was a whopping £43.5m. The net effect of
this in terms of FFP is that United will have a break even spend allowance of £45m
per year. However, given that the last Liverpool FC accounts available show a
£2.3m loss before interest, and the general consensus that FSG will not spend more
than they earn, this total is highly likely to be considerably more than
Liverpool’s available spend. That is, of course, unless Liverpool’s revenue
streams are significantly increased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Put simply, in order to operate
on a par with United off the pitch, Liverpool must get back into the Champions
League and get the right financial model in place for a new stadium. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Given how fundamental a new
stadium is to Liverpool’s finances, why is there not already a spade in the ground?
<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The answer to this question
comes through the key words ‘right financial model’. FSG are reportedly looking
to generate £150m of the estimated £300m cost through up front sponsorship
deals. Should they pull this off, the cost to service the additional £150m
would be somewhere in the region of £10m per year. This cost would be offset by
an additional £1.2m per game in match day revenue (Based on £47 per head) which
would bring in close to £35m per year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There are lots of risks
attached to this financial model. If FSG are unable to secure the funding up
front, the debt servicing costs could double. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Another risk factor comes
from the possibility that Liverpool will fail to fill the stadium or attract
corporate guests, leading to the revenue per head being significantly reduced. This
is a very real possibility, given that the Isla Gladstone corporate facility
was only half full during the last days of the Hodgson era. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet another risk is that there could be short term cash flow issues affecting Liverpool’s
ability to compete in the transfer market and therefore the league. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">However, taking everything
into account, there is absolutely no alternative for FSG: They must find that
right financial model for a new stadium, and find it now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The consequences of building
works not starting in the immediate future are almost too much to bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Follow Me on Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/joescouse_lfc" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Note: The main source for
the Premier League finances in this article is the exceptional <a href="http://www.swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/">www.swissramble.blogspot.co.uk</a>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-31198644150805965772012-03-25T13:21:00.004+01:002012-03-25T13:21:59.353+01:00Why Does Carroll Keep Getting Dropped?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool are a much more effective team with Andy Carroll
than they are without him. That is not an opinion, it is a fact. For proof, take a look at the following chart, showing our
results when he does and doesn't start:</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9Pa_hcbt90SCNcKL_pRXyxuNAxQcmByzWyz7pYqt1mXMq3F0MiJWcRxkdTdjFnJP0SG1pZW-uZ8CYbBqzNiGqy2D_voT3xziXQVSmBZ8-buMf0qdE_D_he4oZI8v2EYVdWy23LabvL0/s1600/Carroll+Chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9Pa_hcbt90SCNcKL_pRXyxuNAxQcmByzWyz7pYqt1mXMq3F0MiJWcRxkdTdjFnJP0SG1pZW-uZ8CYbBqzNiGqy2D_voT3xziXQVSmBZ8-buMf0qdE_D_he4oZI8v2EYVdWy23LabvL0/s400/Carroll+Chart.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool Performances With and Without Carroll Starting<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Carroll starting, Liverpool’s record is W13 D4 L4 – a 62%
win percentage. When he hasn’t started, it drops to W8, D6, L7 – a 38% win
percentage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not a coincidence. The work he does off the ball,
dragging defenders out of position and generally being a nuisance, creates the
space for the likes of Suarez and Gerrard to exploit. In the 3-0 win against
Everton, he was a constant menace, jumping for just about every ball that went
up in the air and not allowing either of the central defenders any time to
settle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In their first start together, Suarez, Carroll and Gerrard
showed that together they could offer Liverpool a formidable attacking threat.
It is therefore very surprising that Carroll has not started a game in the
league since. Less surprising, given the stats above, is the fact that we lost the subsequent games without him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, if it is not his performances on the pitch that are
getting him dropped, what is it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carroll has yet to start more than four consecutive games
for Liverpool. For a young player trying to find his way into a new team, these
stuttering appearances cannot be helping his development as a player. When you
consider that he is getting dropped even when he plays very well, it is bound
to also be affecting his mentality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has had well publicised off the field issues since he
started his career. It could well be, therefore, that there are things happening off the
field that are stopping Kenny from giving him a good run of games on it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would be interested to know your views on why Carroll isn’t
a regular starter, because it is a mystery to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow me on Twitter : <a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc">www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc</a></span> </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-7706689216883948922012-02-17T14:52:00.002+00:002012-02-17T14:57:13.022+00:00Suarez’s Old Friends Show His New Employers What Loyalty Means<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a week in which Luis Suarez was left to walk alone by the power base of his current club, it was some old friends who showed the unreserved loyalty and support that he should have got from Fenway Sports Group and the Liverpool FC board. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The day started with Suarez’s Uruguay captain, Diego Lugano, claiming he "did not deserve" the criticism levelled at him throughout the past few months. Speaking with a level headed self-assurance, Lugano said "He has gone through a few months he did not deserve. He followed his principles. We live in a democracy and if you do not want to greet someone, do not greet them - and less so if that person has made you experience bad moments. It's a football argument and many false moralists and hypocrites have profited, and Luis is the only innocent party." <br /><br />This statement was followed up by Uruguay President Jose Mujica, who underlined that there is “solidarity with Suarez” throughout the country. In a direct reference to Evra’s privileged upbringing, Mujica said “He’s a child born from poverty who’s leagues away from having received academic training in diplomatic protocol.” <br /><br />The next event in an extraordinary day of support for Suarez came in the game between his former club, Ajax, and Manchester United. Before, during and after the game, the Ajax fans chanted Suarez’s name and even conducted a rendition of “We are not racist we only hate Mancs” in Dutch. <br /><br />During his spell at Ajax, Suarez scored 81 goals in 110 games, was awarded the captaincy of the club at the age of 22 and joined the likes of Cruyff, van Basten and Bergkamp in their “100 Club”. His place as an Ajax legend is comfortably secured. <br /><br />Following close behind the Ajax game was a match involving his first club, Nacional. Before the game, the players paraded a “Fuerza Luis” banner around the pitch to rapturous applause from all four corners of the ground. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5ncn6qFKBd5z4r4zjW1B9Rlol_KphyphenhyphenZe_WV8GS3V2yiuRebt1PTwArREJfmkusJW316q8pRsgI7qD75A3iCFUynKiOCpyKXiPVKPrTRD6r3NQeaxC9RtHu_Iq1PiwlfQklhyGkCk7oY/s1600/Suarezpic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5ncn6qFKBd5z4r4zjW1B9Rlol_KphyphenhyphenZe_WV8GS3V2yiuRebt1PTwArREJfmkusJW316q8pRsgI7qD75A3iCFUynKiOCpyKXiPVKPrTRD6r3NQeaxC9RtHu_Iq1PiwlfQklhyGkCk7oY/s400/Suarezpic1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the crowd, there were lots of banners in support of Suarez, including two which read “Suarez is from Nacional so Evra must be from (hated rivals) Penerol” and “Wash your mouth out Ferguson before you speak of Sir Suarez” </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9q5_B5xG4FH5dCZNSaYmW9a-_e0nDL-pIowISQ6ZxHQ10kHWokWm7c58_jzrCoUa7JJ0h0XcPAZs72GuQsLeQxDp5kNFYFKVIuhOwltMxrCMIZ2eIo5PzT3yeQmQamr1o41joMQlZnM/s1600/Suarezpic2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9q5_B5xG4FH5dCZNSaYmW9a-_e0nDL-pIowISQ6ZxHQ10kHWokWm7c58_jzrCoUa7JJ0h0XcPAZs72GuQsLeQxDp5kNFYFKVIuhOwltMxrCMIZ2eIo5PzT3yeQmQamr1o41joMQlZnM/s400/Suarezpic2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suarez will always be a hero in Nacional. He joined as an 18 year old in 2005 and scored 10 goals in 21 appearances to fire them to the domestic title. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The support Suarez has received from around the world is in stark contrast to the way he has been treated by Liverpool. Ian Ayre, the Managing Director, has changed his mind on Suarez based on the views of people who he perceives to be more important than the players and fans of the club. <br /><br />Speaking just a few weeks ago, Ayre said “We will support him and our fans will support him. We’ll work with him because he’s a great player and a great guy. He’ll get 100% support from Liverpool Football Club.” <br /><br />This 100% support did not last long. One article from a minor shareholder in FSG (New York Times) and some inappropriate comments from Standard Chartered were enough to convince Ayre to turn against Suarez. In cutting remarks over the hand shake incident he said “We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra”. <br /><br />The forced apologies from Dalglish and Suarez which accompanied this statement from Ian Ayre showed clearly that the current hierarchy at LFC are prepared to put money over morals. Worryingly for Liverpool, it was another sign that they have one of the weakest MDs in the Premier League. <br /><br />In the wake of the rebuke from those he should have been able to rely on for support, Suarez will have taken great comfort from the events at Ajax and Nacional. The incredible mark he has left on these clubs is clear to see. It underlines how fortunate Liverpool are to have him on their books. It also shows their terribly misplaced priorities over this affair. <br /><br />Two continents spoke with one voice yesterday to ensure that Suarez will not walk alone. In doing so, they showed up the current Liverpool hierarchy for what they are: misguided, financially motivated capitalists. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow me: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc%C2%A0" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc </a></span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-8478486720566801632012-02-12T21:06:00.000+00:002012-02-13T06:51:32.621+00:00Suarezgate: Why FSG Finally Got Involved<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The silence from Fenway Sports Group since the Suarez race row began has been deafening. Where did they stand on the scandal? Did they back Kenny, or were they embarrassed by the whole episode? As they never publicly commented on it, we will never know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing we can be pretty sure of is that, in the hours following Suarez’s refusal to shake Evra’s hand, FSG finally said to the Liverpool management “enough is enough.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking at the incident itself, Suarez’s refusal to shake Evra’s hand was not such a big deal. It was far less controversial than the racial abuse allegation which started it all. It was also less provocative than the T Shirts worn by the Liverpool players in support of Suarez. In many ways, it was a storm in a tea cup. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So why did that incident finally force FSG into action?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Firstly, there was the reaction of the players on the pitch, including their bust up at half time. The Manchester United players were in no mood to play the incident down and actively sought out a confrontation with the Liverpool players in the tunnel. The police got involved and the finger of blame was pointed at Suarez and his handshake snub. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All this occurred during the biggest game of the season, with a worldwide television audience of half a billion watching. Whoever was to blame, we did not portray the global image John W Henry had in mind for the club when he bought it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Secondly, the media and social network sites turned the storm in a teacup into a hurricane. This lead to John W Henry’s Twitter feed getting completely bombarded by a general public who had been whipped into frenzy by Sky Sports. In simple terms, Henry will care more about the global image of the club than he will about a local rivalry. The feedback he was getting on Saturday night was that our global image was in tatters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thirdly, and crucially, the New York Times decided to have their say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The New York Times owns 7% of FSG (until recently they owned 17.75%). Therefore, when they speak, Henry and Werner listen to what they have to say. In a direct challenge to their fellow board members, the Times position was as follows: “If the Fenway Sports Group is to be the responsible team owner in soccer that it has proved to be in baseball, it needs to get hold of Liverpool, its club in England's Premier League, and repair its global image fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"On Saturday, Liverpool lost at Manchester United, 2-1, allowing United to temporarily move into first place in the Premier League. There is no disgrace in such a loss; United, the defending English champion, is vying to keep that title this season, and it very rarely loses at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"But there was disgrace, witnessed by television viewers around the world, in the refusal of Liverpool's Luis Suarez to shake the hand of United's Patrice Evra before kick-off."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The article concluded by saying: "It is time for John Henry and Tom Werner, leaders of the Fenway Group that controls Liverpool, to state clearly the direction the team will take on this issue."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Within hours of this article being published, all the defiance in Liverpool’s dressing room had disappeared. Ian Ayre put a statement out which directly attacked Suarez. Kenny Dalglish sided with his managing director. Suarez fell into line, issuing his own unreserved apology. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It was a turn of events that demonstrated where the real power at Anfield lies: thousands of miles away in Boston. There is no doubt that FSG have the long term health of their global brand at heart, but their actions could have far reaching </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">implications</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> for Suarez and Dalglish. Serious questions are already being asked about what the future will hold for them.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It will be very interesting to see how events transpire. </span></div>
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Follow me: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_LFC">www.twitter.com/joescouse_LFC</a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-5129169003074690012012-01-19T20:12:00.001+00:002012-01-19T20:12:36.507+00:00Through The Fog: What Makes Liverpool FC Unique<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the wake of weeks of PR turmoil for the Liverpool FC, with the Suarez race scandal and the abuse of a black player at Anfield confounded by a national press with an anti-Liverpool agenda, us fans did what we do best. We came together as one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anne Williams has been waiting 23 years for justice for her son, Kevin, who died needlessly at Hillsborough. The government’s e-petition scheme finally gave her the opportunity she needed to force those responsible for Kevin’s death to be held to account. Together, we have helped Anne take a big step along the road towards getting that justice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The campaign started really slowly, with just a few thousand of the 100,000 signatures needed. Some notable journalists, like Tony Evans, were behind Anne’s quest for justice from the very start. However, the national media in general ignored it. Supporting Liverpool FC in the wake of all the scandal was not very fashionable on fleet street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are a lot of comments made mocking the so-called “LFC Family” on Twitter, but that is the best way to describe how thousands of Liverpool fans have united behind this common cause over the past week. Together, our voice was too loud to ignore and, slowly but surely, the mainstream media started to sit up and take notice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night and this morning, watching as 60,000 names turned to 100,000 with breathtaking speed, I felt a sense of pride to be part of this family. When the chips are down, and the world is against us, we stand together as one. Bob Paisley, who knew the club and fans as well as anyone, summed it up perfectly when he said, “When you're lost in a fog you must stick together. Then you don't get lost. If there's one secret to Liverpool, that's it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the past week, we have shown that our spirit makes us truly unique. We’ve shown once again that together, Liverpool Football Club can achieve absolutely anything. Just like we did in Istanbul, just like we did in Rome. Just like we have done on countless occasions on the fields of Anfield Road. And just like we will do again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more information on why the fight for justice is so important, visit this website <a href="http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/">http://www.contrast.org/hillsborough/</a> </span></div>
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Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc">www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-7365837771199684792012-01-01T13:53:00.000+00:002012-01-01T15:46:09.235+00:00Suarez, Evra & Reliable Witnesses<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The verdict in the Suarez case hung on the reliability of the witness testimony. In blunt summary, the FA decided that Evra was a more reliable witness and therefore found Suarez guilty. Here are the crucial parts of the testimony with some analysis...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><u><strong>Is the Word “Negro” Racially Offensive?</strong></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The panel of language experts used by the FA described the connotations of the word “negro” as follows:</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is important to grasp that the word "negro" is ambiguous in all countries and regions of </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Latin America. The word "negro" is by no means, however, always used offensively. The term can also be used as a friendly form of address to someone seen as somewhat brown-skinned or even just black-haired. It may be used affectionately between man and wife, or </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">girlfriend/boyfriend, it may be used as a nickname in everyday speech, it may be used to </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">identify in neutral and descriptive fashion someone of dark skin; several famous people in </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Uruguay are known as "el negro/la negra such-and-such". </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The experts concluded that if the panel believed Evra’s version of events, they could assume the word "negro" was used in a racially offensive way. However, they say of Suarez’s version of events:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>“The experts concluded their observations on Mr Suarez's account as follows. If Mr Suarez </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>used the word "negro" as described by Mr Suarez, this would not be interpreted as either </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>offensive or offensive in racial terms in Uruguay and Spanish-speaking America.”</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The panel therefore needed to deem one of the accounts to be false in order to establish guilt, since Suarez’s defence was proved to be inoffensive in racial terms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><strong><u>How Events Transpired</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The conversation began with Evra saying "Concha de tu hermana" which translates as "your sister's pussy". Evra says he meant “fucking hell”. There is no dispute about who started the argument: it was Evra. There is no dispute about who threw the first insult: Evra. The dispute is whether Suarez’s reaction used racially offensive words. The FA ruled that it did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">So, how unreliable a witness was Suarez, and how reliable was Evra? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Immediately after Evra’s insult, the video evidence that can be lip-read shows Suarez saying "What did you say?" Suarez, before this video evidence came out, told the FA he said “What did you say?" That is a reliable statement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">They both agree that Evra then said "Why did you kick me?" What they dispute is the answer. Evra claims Suarez said "Because you are black". Suarez claims he said "it was just a normal foul" then shrugged his shoulders. The video evidence shows Suarez shrugging his shoulders, backing up his testimony. So far, the video evidence supports Suarez.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Next comes the crucial piece of Suarez evidence, the part the FA panel relied heavily on to find him guilty. Suarez said in his statement “I was trying to defuse the situation”. Under cross examination, Suarez more or less admitted that he was not trying to defuse the situation. The FA used this admission to discredit Suarez as a witness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The really important thing he says comes just after this comment: “Under no circumstances was this action intended to be offensive and most certainly not racially offensive. It was not in any way a reference to the colour of PE's skin.” This, the FA deemed, was also untrue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The other evidence the FA panel relied on was the fact that Suarez’s story changes slightly. However, all of the changes can be fully explained by the fact that the situation happened very quickly and the fallibility of memory means that the exact sequences of events often merge into one. The FA acknowledge this as a possibility but do not accept it as an excuse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">There are inconsistencies in Evra’s testimony. In his evidence, Evra states that he told the players after the game that Suarez said he kicked him "porque tu eres negro" (“because I am black”). None of the four Spanish speaking Manchester United players recalled Evra saying this in their witness testimonies. In the FA’s report, they confirm this is the case but state that it is possible the players simply forgot he said it. They do not point to the other possibility: that he did not say it. Under this scenario, it could be used as evidence that Evra is an unreliable witness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">There were four pieces of evidence presented by Suarez's lawyer to the FA that suggest Evra is an unreliable witness. The interesting one is the coin toss. Here is the transcript of that incident:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>“Mr Marriner explained that he used a FIFA coin which is blue on one side and yellow on the other. He asked Mr Evra, as the visiting captain, to call the colour. </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>Mr Marriner tossed the coin, it came down yellow, and he awarded it to Steven Gerrard </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>who elected to stay in their current ends. Manchester United had kick off. Mr Evra </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>remonstrated that he had called correctly but, Mr Marriner said, he had not. Mr Evra then </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>spoke to Ryan Giggs about it, and Mr Marriner walked over to Mr Evra to assure him that </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>he (Mr Marriner) had got it right. Mr Evra's evidence was that when such a coin was </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>used, he always called yellow given that the alternative, blue, is a Manchester City colour, </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>which he would never call. The toss came down yellow and so Mr Evra knew that he had </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>won it. He particularly wanted to change ends at the start, he explained to the referee that </em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>he had called yellow, and why he had done so. Mr Evra was angry but the referee did not c</em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><em>hange his mind.” </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Evra either could not remember what colour he chose or lied about it afterwards. This at best questions his reliability as a witness and at worst suggests he is willing to lie to gain an advantage. Crucially, he reacted outwardly far more to the coin toss than he did in the goalmouth when he claimed that Suarez used the word “negro” five times. Had that really been the case, surely Evra’s reaction would have been much stronger?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Another inconsistency is Evra's use of the term "ten times" to describe how many times Suarez allegedly said "negro". Evra has retracted this claim and said it was a "figure of speech". Really?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">What about previous form? Suarez has no history of any form of racism and is an ambassador for racial equality. Evra, on the other hand, has been at the centre of a racism scandal in the recent past. It was alleged that ground staff at Chelsea racially abused Evra in 2008. The allegation was thrown out and here is how the panel described Evra's testimony:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>"We find Mr Evra's description exaggerated... There was no good reason for Mr Evra to have run over and barged Mr Griffin as he did. It was unnecessarily and gratuitously aggressive of Mr Evra... Mr Evra's suggestion that he was concerned about Mr Strudwick's safety is farfetched. They were two grown men having an apparently strong verbal disagreement but no more than that. The clear implication by Mr Evra that Mr Griffin's pitchfork gave some reason for concern about Mr Strudwick's safety is ridiculous...We find Mr Evra's account exaggerated and unreliable. It is an attempt to justify a physical intervention by him which cannot reasonably be justified..."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Compare this to the conclusions drawn by the panel in the Suarez case:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>"We considered it improbable that Mr Evra would act in such a dishonest way in order to damage the reputation of a fellow professional whose footballing skills he admires, with whom he had had no previous run-ins, and who he does not think is a racist."</em></span></div>
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There is therefore evidence to suggest that both Suarez and Evra made statements that were not 100% true during this case, and that Evra has a history of doing this. By using Evra’s account as “the truth”, the FA have concluded that Suarez’s entire evidence can be completely discredited whilst the inconsistencies in Evra’s testimony, and past, can be ignored.</div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc" target="_blank">Follow Me On Twitter</a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-63698359580644256242011-12-21T18:43:00.001+00:002011-12-21T18:47:38.510+00:00Legal Hypocrisy in the Terry & Suarez Race Rows<div align="justify" class="SandboxScopeClass ExternalClass" id="mpf0_MsgContainer">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The two biggest football racism scandals in recent years have been, and will be, tried in very different ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First, there is the FA judicial process endured by Suarez. He was found guilty and banned for eight matches, a punishment which is almost certain to be challenged as to its legality by Liverpool FC. To get to the bottom of this legality, and the contrast to the Terry case, it is important to understand how guilt versus innocence is judged in the British system. There are two main processes. In the civil courts they refer to "the balance of probabilities". The winner of a civil case is the one who convinces the judge that their story is more than 50% likely to be true. In a criminal case, such as John Terry's, the crime must be proven "beyond reasonable doubt", or close to 100% certain, before the defendant can be found guilty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The FA have obviously gone down the civil law route with Suarez in coming to their judgement. Immediately you can see the unfairness in relation to how the Terry matter has been dealt with. 50.1% certainty to 99% certainty is a very big step indeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In any case, let's go down the civil route with Suarez and explore where the "balance of probabilities" lie. The alleged offence took place in a crowded goalmouth as a corner was being taken. It is reasonable to expect, therefore, that a conversation between the two players would have been overheard by at least one other person. All of the evidence we have heard suggests that it was not. Therefore, surely, the "balance of probabilities" is in favour of Luis Suarez. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Had the CPS looked at the Suarez case in the same manner that they have looked at Terry's, there is no way that they would have proceeded with a prosecution. There is not enough evidence for the case to have been proven beyond reasonable doubt. As it stands, Suarez must fight through a civil judicial process which appears to make up its punishments as it goes along.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In terms of the next steps, Liverpool must lodge an appeal with the FA within 14 days. That appeal will be heard and, from the FA's perspective, the case will then be closed. However, there is a body that can overrule the FA's decision - the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The CAS may find this case hard to overrule, given its subjectivity. The CAS tend to look into whether the correct legal steps were taken and whether all processes and procedures are legally watertight. For example, in the recent case of Wen Tong, a Judo star who was stripped of a gold medal for doping, the CAS ruled in her favour because the anti-doping agency had violated certain articles of the Judo federation's rules and regulations during her initial prosecution. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the case of Suarez, there is no evidential breach of procedure by the FA. What is being contested is a subjective judgement. Whether the CAS would get involved in such a case is questionable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Meanwhile, the Terry case will be judged on whether it is beyond reasonable doubt that he abused Ferdinand racially. This is much harder to prove than his guilt on the balance of probabilities would be. So what happens next? Terry will appear in a Magistrates court to try to clear his name. If he succeeds, the FA is likely to side with the official judicial process. If he fails, he will get a £2,500 fine and the FA will have a political green light to hand him a similar punishment to that given to Suarez. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The key point of difference is that Suarez hasn't been given this opportunity to clear his name in a court of law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The FA have played judge and jury and he will find the system incredibly difficult to break down. Put simply, the way both cases have been handled is completely unfair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If any club know how to win a court battle, it is Liverpool FC. The club will stand shoulder to shoulder with Suarez and do absolutely everything to help him clear his name. </span></div>
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Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc">www.twitter.com/joescouse_lfc</a> </div>
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More on criminal law vs. civil law: <a href="http://www.inbrief.co.uk/legal-system/difference-between-civil-criminal-law.htm">http://www.inbrief.co.uk/legal-system/difference-between-civil-criminal-law.htm</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-52918727342935210842011-12-04T14:32:00.001+00:002011-12-04T19:16:24.681+00:00Graft, Craft and How to Fill "The Lucas Role"<div style="text-align: justify;">
Getting the right mix of grafters and crafters is vital to a team's success. A grafter is the type of player who makes up for any failings in natural technical ability through sheer blood, guts and endeavour. Think Dirk Kuyt. On the opposite end of the scale you have crafters, players who have a very high level of technical ability but are are more tactile in their play. Jordan Henderson fits into this box. </div>
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<br />Liverpool's squad has many players who immediately strike you as being on one end of the scale or the other. In the graft box I would place Lucas, Kuyt, Carroll, Carragher, Flanagan, Kelly, Bellamy, Spearing and Skrtel. In the craft box I would place Maxi, Adam, Henderson, Enrique, Auerlio, Johnson, Coates, Downing and Shelvey. Then you have the players who you can't really put in either box, since they excel in both areas: Suarez, Gerrard and Agger.</div>
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I have plotted the players dependant on how far towards one end of the scale I perceive them to be: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSZ_5HL_DmS1FQlsm7NL7XKQpswobHdKSbrhW6KZaQRAolJci9Ha0fbdWCvzbyMYXLWqWYC-bT1YascJ8YaUkHOxkhty4LweZoJK2jUIqUZ5oyd999_jXTz24D-QD5OoMVZf9JAGxwiM/s1600/graftcraft1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSZ_5HL_DmS1FQlsm7NL7XKQpswobHdKSbrhW6KZaQRAolJci9Ha0fbdWCvzbyMYXLWqWYC-bT1YascJ8YaUkHOxkhty4LweZoJK2jUIqUZ5oyd999_jXTz24D-QD5OoMVZf9JAGxwiM/s640/graftcraft1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The higher up on the chart a player sits, the better (subjectively!) he is. The further to the left or right he sits, the more of a grafter or a crafter he is. Kuyt is on the far left, Henderson on the far right. At various positions along the top are the four truly world class players we have, the spine of our team. Lucas is the only world class player we have who is on one extremity of the scale, and the very nature of his position demands this. Like Mascherano, Gatusso and Makelele, Lucas is a world class grafter.</div>
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With this in mind, when looking for a direct replacement for Lucas you surely have to pick from the 'graft' box. This immediately discounts Shelvey, Adam and Henderson since the qualities these players possess are not applicable to the demands of the role. </div>
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In working this through you get to two possible solutions for how to solve the problem of filling the "Lucas role". The first observation is that we have three players who are of high value and tick the "graft" box in central defence. We also have two players in the "craft" box who are our highest value full backs. This blend suits a 3-5-2 formation, with five from Adam, Henderson, Kuyt, Spearing, Bellamy, Maxi, Downing, Suarez, Carroll, Gerrard and Shelvey filling the other positions on the field. Who Kenny picks from that list depends on whether craft or graft is most suited to the occasion. Gerrard and Suarez are certain starters regardless of the opposition since they excel in both areas and are, at their best, world class. This system probably leaves no room for Spearing as his role will be covered off by the extra centre back. Here is how it could look whilst Gerrard is still out:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVEDDedmXjfG96_IF1e2-TBcOur73v4Y5130r14Fjar7boMZfUQr2WVz3j7WeZjxqiTjSSpWMx7FWUFEIxvVe1HhSdqnPAJaKAT-CuC_YOK4DF-BizYD8I4zMZYIiAMo9YWlNAT78piE/s1600/this11352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVEDDedmXjfG96_IF1e2-TBcOur73v4Y5130r14Fjar7boMZfUQr2WVz3j7WeZjxqiTjSSpWMx7FWUFEIxvVe1HhSdqnPAJaKAT-CuC_YOK4DF-BizYD8I4zMZYIiAMo9YWlNAT78piE/s400/this11352.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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The second solution is to maintain the 4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1 formation and put in a direct replacement for Lucas. For this you need a player with high energy, good tackling ability and a cool head. Step forward Jay Spearing. He has all of these qualities in his game. The question is whether he can perform at a high enough level to be able to compensate for Lucas's loss. </div>
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The example I will draw on to answer this question is Lucas himself. The same questions being asked of him in replacing Mascherano are now being asked of Spearing in replacing Lucas. It is a classic case of apprentice turned master. Lucas stepped up to the plate, and so can Spearing. The dream scenario is for our future academy graduates, like Conor Coady, to look up to Spearing as a master of his art. If you think this sounds fanciful, read through the fans forum posts on Lucas from 2009. Only two years ago he was a figure of widespread ridicule. Here is the familiar looking shape with Spearing replacing Lucas:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1RCWbx7ouagQMGTpRwieEKoys1V1pOtVA_GVyYPuF5j1XaykY1Zln6fzK6VSwlDXWg7T_MVtGUXb80I_CfQIg3_PO2bYUz02_mJv-kevKU9NcHb4aMgdj6ZzjQKSxzEZjpXq9zLaG1k/s1600/this11442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1RCWbx7ouagQMGTpRwieEKoys1V1pOtVA_GVyYPuF5j1XaykY1Zln6fzK6VSwlDXWg7T_MVtGUXb80I_CfQIg3_PO2bYUz02_mJv-kevKU9NcHb4aMgdj6ZzjQKSxzEZjpXq9zLaG1k/s400/this11442.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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Whichever way Kenny goes, the great thing is that he has options. There is a plan B if plan A fails. Plan A for me is for Spearing to come in and make the role his own. In that scenario, at least some good will have come from Lucas's poor fortune. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-25468115934745251532011-11-10T18:20:00.000+00:002011-11-10T18:20:01.624+00:00Exclusive Interview with Lucas LeivaHere is the exclusive English version of Lucas Leiva's recent interview with LFC Brasil.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Going straight to the questions, how was it for you when you knew Liverpool were interested in signing you? What were your expectations?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: I found out about Liverpool’s interest in me in March 2007 when I was playing in the Libertadores Cup [like a Champions League of South America]. Rafael Benitez contacted my business manager and my father saying that he was interested in signing me. I was happy because my expectation was to go to a big club in Europe. </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2) Much is said about how difficult it is for Brazilians to adapt to life in England, and it is well known that you had a difficult start both on and off the pitch. Did it help having Fabio Aurelio around? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: It is always very difficult to switch countries, especially at such a young age (20 years). England is a country completely different from Brazil, from the language to the climate and the style of football. I had a very difficult start here in Liverpool, but I set my mind to the task of changing my style of play in order to succeed. Fabio helped me on my arrival, particularly within the club, but you end up with many things to learn by yourself. I had the awareness to change my style of football to improve and it paid off. </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3) You were on the receiving end of a lot of criticism from fans, especially in your first season. How did this affect you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: As I said earlier, I had a very tough start in the club where I ended up getting a lot of criticism. I felt that there was a lot of mistrust, but I tried to stay focused so that I could become an important player for Liverpool. Gradually, through hard work and dedication, I’m getting there.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">4) Throughout your difficult early career at Liverpool, Rafa Benitez always believed in you and your football. How was your relationship with him? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: Rafa Benitez was very important for me because he always recognised my work. He saw that I had always been devoted to improving as a player, so he was confident even when I received a lot of criticism. I do not know if any other coach would have the patience he had with me. I will always be grateful.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same fans who were so fierce in their criticism of you now worship you, even rating you as the most important player in the Liverpool team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did it feel to be voted Player of the Season by our fans?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: The award I received last year just shows how much I have improved as a player and the fans recognised that. Fans are fuelled with passion. When you win you are a hero, when you lose they call for your head. I tried to understand this and tried to improve, to reach a level high enough to receive their acceptance. Thank God it happened. It has been a huge accomplishment for me.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">6) We are all fans of your personality and how you have progressed in your career so far at Liverpool. In the game against Glasgow Rangers you captained the team from the beginning of the match. Do you dream of being the Liverpool captain one day?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: I had been appointed captain in a Europe League game when Hodgson was in charge but the game against Rangers was remarkable for me, and Kenny Dalglish has always given me great confidence since the beginning of his work here. Being captain of Liverpool is a great responsibility. I hope to have other opportunities, it gives me huge pride.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">7) Liverpool had a hard time last season on and off the field until the new owners took over. How did it impact the team?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: The new owners are doing everything to give us the resources to win titles. The club have signed many new players. It is normal for a new team to take time to gel, but I see our team much stronger than last year, despite acknowledging that the results have not been as good as we would like.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">8) Do you think your role on the team has evolved with the arrival of Kenny Dalglish? How is having King Kenny as coach?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: Kenny Dalglish is considered the greatest player in the history of Liverpool. He won all possible titles as a player and as coach has been very successful. Kenny always gives me confidence. I've grown a lot since his arrival. He was a player so he understands what it means to be a part of a team. This helps in his relationship with the group. </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">9) Lucas, you were formed at Grêmio’s Academy, and the classic Gre-Nal (Grêmio vs Internacional) is considered as the greatest rivalry in Brazil, do you feel the same pressure in the Merseyside Derby?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: At first I did not feel the same pressure as I did not understand the history of The Derby when I first arrived, but after a few years I started to understand what The Derby means for Liverpool fans. I now feel the same way before The Derby as I did before the Gre-Nals</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10) One last funny question that many wanted to know, will you ever let your hair grow again? With that mullet? (laughs)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>A: My days with long hair are gone. I enjoyed that period a lot. I liked my long hair, but it is gone. My life is in a different place now. Honestly, I do not see myself ever having long hair again.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>One more time thank you for your participation here. Not only the Liverpool fans, but all Brazilians are rooting for you to be a big success for both the club and the national team. And for sure, with the way you're going, you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>already have our vote for the best Liverpool player this season. Thank you, Lucas!</em></span></span></div>
Follow LFC Brasil on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/LFCBrasil">www.twitter.com/LFCBrasil</a> <br />
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You can see the Portuguese version at <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-display-url="http://liverpoolbrasil.com" data-expanded-url="http://liverpoolbrasil.com" href="http://t.co/pUXQZsx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://liverpoolbrasil.com">http://t.co/pUXQZsx</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-74692215232089557862011-11-08T21:06:00.003+00:002011-11-08T21:06:50.673+00:00Luis Suarez Statement: Full Transcript in Spanish & English<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you read the national Newspapers today you will notice that they all translate the Suarez statement slightly differently. To clear things up, Argentinian Scouser Ale Natalia has got hold of the full transcript and translated it. Follow her on Twitter for great insights into Liverpool. <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AleNatalia89">https://twitter.com/#!/AleNatalia89</a> </div>
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Ok, here is the Spanish: <br /><br />"Son cosas que pasan en el fútbol, cosas del momento, que a uno lo dejan mal. Ahora hay que esperar que se decida el tema y luego, tanto el jugador del Manchester como yo, vamos a tener que dejar las cosas claras. Y según para el lado que salga el fallo tendremos que pedir perdón. La Federación inglesa lo va a tener que aclarar con él, porque no hay pruebas de que yo le haya dicho algo racista. Y no se lo dije. Hubo dos partes de la discusión, una en español y otra en inglés. No lo insulté, solo fue una forma de expresarme. Lo llamé de una forma que sus propios compañeros del Manchester le dicen. Es más, ellos mismos se sorprendieron."<br /><br />There might be some slight idiomatic differences from my Spanish (Rioplatense Spanish, not even 'normal' Argentine Spanish haha) to Uruguayan Spanish, but here we go in English:<br /><br />"There are things that happen in football, things in [the heat of] the moment, that leaves someone feeling bad. Now we've got to wait to see this issue judged and then, as much for the Manchester player as me, we'll have to clear things up. And depending on where the judgement lies, one of us will have to say sorry. The English federation will have to clear it up with him, because there is no proof that I said anything racist. I didn't say it. There were two parts to the argument. One in Spanish and one in English. I didn't insult him, it was just my way of expressing myself. I called him something that his own team-mates at Manchester say to him. Moreover, [even] they were surprised".<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-32109666416208054592011-11-07T23:25:00.002+00:002011-11-07T23:25:54.627+00:00Will Poor Chance Conversion Cost Liverpool a Top 4 Finish?<div style="text-align: justify;">
The biggest problem with Liverpool so far this season can be summed up by comparing the three statistics in the following table:</div>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 523px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 8192; mso-width-source: userset; width: 168pt;" width="224"><col style="mso-width-alt: 4169; mso-width-source: userset; width: 86pt;" width="114"><col style="mso-width-alt: 3401; mso-width-source: userset; width: 70pt;" width="93"><col style="mso-width-alt: 3364; mso-width-source: userset; width: 69pt;" width="92"></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="78" style="height: 58.5pt; mso-height-source: userset;"><td class="xl65" height="78" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: 700; height: 58.5pt; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none; width: 168pt;" width="224"> </td><td class="xl66" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none; width: 86pt;" width="114">Minutes Per Shot</td><td class="xl66" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none; width: 70pt;" width="93">% Of Shots on Target</td><td class="xl67" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none; width: 69pt;" width="92">% Shots Converted Into Goals</td></tr>
<tr height="26" style="height: 19.5pt;"><td class="xl68" height="26" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; height: 19.5pt; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">Man City</td><td align="right" class="xl69" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">6</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl70" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">46%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl71" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">22%</td></tr>
<tr height="26" style="height: 19.5pt;"><td class="xl68" height="26" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; height: 19.5pt; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">Man Utd</td><td align="right" class="xl69" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">8</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl70" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">54%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl71" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">22%</td></tr>
<tr height="26" style="height: 19.5pt;"><td class="xl68" height="26" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; height: 19.5pt; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">Chelsea</td><td align="right" class="xl69" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">7</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl70" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">49%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl71" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">17%</td></tr>
<tr height="26" style="height: 19.5pt;"><td class="xl68" height="26" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; height: 19.5pt; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">Tottenham</td><td align="right" class="xl69" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">7</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl70" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">52%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl71" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">15%</td></tr>
<tr height="26" style="height: 19.5pt;"><td class="xl68" height="26" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; height: 19.5pt; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">Arsenal</td><td align="right" class="xl69" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">8</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl70" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white;"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">47%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl71" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">19%</td></tr>
<tr height="25" style="height: 18.75pt;"><td class="xl72" height="25" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; height: 18.75pt; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">Liverpool</td><td align="right" class="xl73" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">7</td><td align="right" class="xl74" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">39%</td><td align="right" class="xl75" style="background: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: 700; mso-pattern: black none; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline-style: none;">9%</td></tr>
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The first column shows how many minutes there are between each shot on goal. Manchester City have the most prolific attack, averaging a shot every 6 minutes. They are the only team in the league who shoot at goal more often than Liverpool. There is, therefore, nothing wrong with Liverpool's ability to create chances.</div>
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The second column shows how often each team hits the target. Manchester United are the most accurate in this area, hitting the target more times than they miss. Liverpool are the least accurate by a comfortable distance. </div>
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The third column shows how many shots are converted into goals. It is this stat more than any other which demonstrates our biggest weakness. The top two teams in the league convert 22% of their shots into goals, whilst Liverpool manage just 9%.</div>
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To put this into context, if Liverpool would have matched this 22% chance conversion, we would have scored a remarkable 33 goals so far this season. This equates to an extra 1.7 goals per game. The points those goals would have generated would have meant that, instead of fighting for fourth place, we would be in a title race.</div>
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Looking into the issue in more detail, here is how our four attacking players who have found their way onto the score sheet compare with each other:</div>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 380px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2962; mso-width-source: userset; width: 61pt;" width="81"><col style="mso-width-alt: 4169; mso-width-source: userset; width: 86pt;" width="114"><col style="mso-width-alt: 3401; mso-width-source: userset; width: 70pt;" width="93"><col style="mso-width-alt: 3364; mso-width-source: userset; width: 69pt;" width="92"></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="76" style="height: 57pt;"><td class="xl65" height="76" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: #f0f0f0; height: 57pt; width: 61pt;" width="81"></td><td class="xl66" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; width: 86pt;" width="114"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Minutes Per Shot</span></strong></td><td class="xl66" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; width: 70pt;" width="93"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">% Of Shots on Target</span></strong></td><td class="xl66" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; width: 69pt;" width="92"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">% Shots Converted into Goals</span></strong></td></tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24pt; mso-height-source: userset;"><td class="xl66" height="32" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white 1pt solid; height: 24pt; width: 61pt;" width="81"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bellamy</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl66" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 86pt;" width="114"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">32</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 70pt;" width="93"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">40%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 69pt;" width="92"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">20%</span></strong></td></tr>
<tr height="26" style="height: 19.5pt;"><td class="xl66" height="26" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; height: 19.5pt; width: 61pt;" width="81"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Hendo</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl66" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 86pt;" width="114"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">65</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 70pt;" width="93"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">60%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 69pt;" width="92"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">10%</span></strong></td></tr>
<tr height="26" style="height: 19.5pt;"><td class="xl66" height="26" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; height: 19.5pt; width: 61pt;" width="81"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Suarez</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl66" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 86pt;" width="114"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">20</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 70pt;" width="93"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">47%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 69pt;" width="92"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">9%</span></strong></td></tr>
<tr height="26" style="height: 19.5pt;"><td class="xl66" height="26" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white 1pt solid; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; height: 19.5pt; width: 61pt;" width="81"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Carroll</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl66" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 86pt;" width="114"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">26</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 70pt;" width="93"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">40%</span></strong></td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="background-color: black; border-bottom: white 1pt solid; border-left: white; border-right: white 1pt solid; border-top: white; width: 69pt;" width="92"><strong><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">8%</span></strong></td></tr>
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Suarez and Carroll are clearly the main contributors to both our goals tally and our low shot conversion ratio. There have been calls for Craig Bellamy to be given an opportunity in attack, and the above stats would appear to endorse this view. Bellamy has been generally used as a substitute so far this season, and has been coming off the bench to play in wide positions. Taking this into account, the fact that he manages to have a shot on goal almost as often as Carroll is impressive. He also has the highest shot conversion ratio in the team. Many would argue that, given how poor we have been in this department, Bellamy would be unlikely to do any worse.</div>
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To put the player stats into context, Van Persie has a 30% conversion, Van Der Vaart has 25% and Torres has 15%. All higher than our front two.</div>
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Hitting the woodwork 10 times obviously does not help, but we have to start converting chances. Put simply, our poor chance conversion will cost us a place in the Champions League if it does not improve considerably. I will update these stats later in the season.</div>
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Follow Me: http://<a href="http://www.twitter.com/joescouse_LFC">www.twitter.com/joescouse_LFC</a></div>
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.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-19942901634785849512011-11-01T13:35:00.003+00:002011-11-01T14:08:28.258+00:00Liverpool's Defensive Line - With and Without Carragher<div style="text-align: justify;">
There has been an ongoing debate for some time now about the impact Jamie Carragher's lack of pace has on the Liverpool defensive line. There is a theory that Carragher holds the line deep to prevent younger, quicker attackers stealing a march on him on the break. </div>
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Carragher's calf injury has inadvertently helped us find out whether this is true. By looking at the Liverpool defensive line with Carragher (against Norwich) and without him (against West Brom) we can test whether the theory has any basis in reality.</div>
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Here are the central defensive Chalkboards from both games. For clarity, these are passing chalkboards which show each defender's position on the pitch when in possession of the ball:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_tsZXpUcb54aqGqfJ3htwXb8hYQNn-zzPRnbT5bQPyI49EVfE_24iJyt6C3dym3BGicOHkrntZ8WuXbM19wB8gfbdF9AUPSV4bse5DFwiEHM5cO6A29JgkzAaWO7BSTGlYaevyAcgyg/s1600/Heatmaps+West+Brom+%2526+Norwich.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_tsZXpUcb54aqGqfJ3htwXb8hYQNn-zzPRnbT5bQPyI49EVfE_24iJyt6C3dym3BGicOHkrntZ8WuXbM19wB8gfbdF9AUPSV4bse5DFwiEHM5cO6A29JgkzAaWO7BSTGlYaevyAcgyg/s640/Heatmaps+West+Brom+%2526+Norwich.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the left hand side of the screen are the Norwich heat maps for Carragher (top image) and Skrtel (bottom image). On the right hand side of the screen are the West Brom heat maps for Skrtel (top image) and Agger (bottom image). </div>
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We clearly spent more time near our own penalty area during the Norwich City game than we did against West Brom. The table below shows the difference:</div>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 508px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2742; mso-width-source: userset; width: 56pt;" width="75"><col style="mso-width-alt: 2706; mso-width-source: userset; width: 56pt;" width="74"><col style="mso-width-alt: 3437; mso-width-source: userset; width: 71pt;" width="94"><col style="mso-width-alt: 3035; mso-width-source: userset; width: 62pt;" width="83"><col style="mso-width-alt: 3218; mso-width-source: userset; width: 66pt;" width="88"><col style="mso-width-alt: 3437; mso-width-source: userset; width: 71pt;" width="94"></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><td class="xl77" height="21" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: windowtext 1pt solid; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; height: 15.75pt; width: 56pt;" width="75"></td><td class="xl78" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; width: 56pt;" width="74"></td><td class="xl79" colspan="4" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: black 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-right: black 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; width: 270pt;" width="359"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">Central Defence Heatmaps</span></span></td></tr>
<tr height="40" style="height: 30pt; mso-height-source: userset;"><td class="xl82" height="40" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: windowtext 1pt solid; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: #f0f0f0; height: 30pt;"></td><td style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: #f0f0f0; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: #f0f0f0;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;"></span></td><td class="xl69" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: red 1pt dashed; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: red 1pt dashed;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">Penalty Area</span></td><td class="xl70" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: red 1pt dashed; border-top: red 1pt dashed;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">Mid Defence</span></td><td class="xl65" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">Centre Circle</span></td><td class="xl83" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext; width: 71pt;" width="94"><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">Total Time in Own Half</span></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td class="xl84" height="60" rowspan="3" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext 1pt solid; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext 0.5pt solid; height: 45pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Norwich</span></td><td class="xl63" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: windowtext 0.5pt solid;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Carragher</span></td><td class="xl71" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: red 1pt dashed; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">17%</span></td><td class="xl72" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: red 1pt dashed; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">39%</span></td><td class="xl66" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">30%</span></td><td class="xl85" style="background-color: #8db4e3; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">86%</span></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td class="xl63" height="20" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: windowtext; height: 15pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Skrtel</span></td><td class="xl71" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: red 1pt dashed; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19%</span></td><td class="xl72" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: red 1pt dashed; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">45%</span></td><td class="xl66" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">19%</span></td><td class="xl85" style="background-color: #8db4e3; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">83%</span></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td class="xl63" height="20" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: windowtext; height: 15pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Total</strong></span></td><td class="xl73" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: red 1pt dashed; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>18%</strong></span></td><td class="xl74" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: red 1pt dashed; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>42%</strong></span></td><td class="xl67" style="background-color: #c5d9f1; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>25%</strong></span></td><td class="xl85" style="background-color: #8db4e3; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>85%</strong></span></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td class="xl86" height="61" rowspan="3" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: black 1pt solid; border-left: windowtext 1pt solid; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; height: 45.75pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">West Brom</span></span></td><td class="xl64" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: windowtext;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Skrtel</span></td><td class="xl75" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: red 1pt dashed; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">4%</span></td><td class="xl76" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: red 1pt dashed; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">67%</span></td><td class="xl68" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">24%</span></td><td class="xl87" style="background-color: #c2d69a; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">95%</span></td></tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><td class="xl64" height="20" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: windowtext; height: 15pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Agger</span></td><td class="xl75" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: red 1pt dashed; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">4%</span></td><td class="xl76" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: red 1pt dashed; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">59%</span></td><td class="xl68" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">24%</span></td><td class="xl87" style="background-color: #c2d69a; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">87%</span></td></tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;"><td class="xl89" height="21" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: #f0f0f0; border-top: windowtext; height: 15.75pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Total</strong></span></td><td class="xl90" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: red 1pt dashed; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>4%</strong></span></td><td class="xl91" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: red 1pt dashed; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>63%</strong></span></td><td class="xl92" style="background-color: #d7e4bc; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: #f0f0f0; border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>24%</strong></span></td><td class="xl93" style="background-color: #c2d69a; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: windowtext; border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext; text-align: right;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>91%</strong></span></td></tr>
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With Carragher on the pitch, Liverpool's defenders spent 18% of their time near their own penalty area. With Carragher out of the team, the central defenders spent just 4% in this area. It is a fact, therefore, that Liverpool's defensive line was higher against West Brom than it was against Norwich. Let's have a look at the result of this in both games:</div>
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<strong><u>Liverpool v Norwich Match Stats</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVSyKhj4EFxy8k4K8srRtyAhWWVIercMeCauJV5BUCPmgnwKpi7UpBBftqXmURLh0DVJEdYgpbs6mquefh20Xtqm19AkLoHsqgcY4ctwHej5TrO9WmiT2dXGzCchp90cYvJwmVFSyM_c/s1600/Stats+Norwich.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVSyKhj4EFxy8k4K8srRtyAhWWVIercMeCauJV5BUCPmgnwKpi7UpBBftqXmURLh0DVJEdYgpbs6mquefh20Xtqm19AkLoHsqgcY4ctwHej5TrO9WmiT2dXGzCchp90cYvJwmVFSyM_c/s400/Stats+Norwich.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>West Brom v Liverpool Match Stats</u></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAP2pMJW1vgDa1glfZRbHmaNrRTJeMJ34byHLAAsNyLtZWHH-QVsDTMEXfeAEzGS6A3oiMsxVvsmQIM8yJhILhICKVCndjfeqdkHbi6X05j8e8m8bBhELOgyhZXs0UZ92se9WOjPlpF0/s1600/wba+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAP2pMJW1vgDa1glfZRbHmaNrRTJeMJ34byHLAAsNyLtZWHH-QVsDTMEXfeAEzGS6A3oiMsxVvsmQIM8yJhILhICKVCndjfeqdkHbi6X05j8e8m8bBhELOgyhZXs0UZ92se9WOjPlpF0/s400/wba+stats.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The key stats to pull out of the two tables above are "Shots on Target" and "Shots inside the box". Lying deep against Norwich enabled them to encroach into our penalty area more, and they managed 7 shots on target. Against West Brom, we restricted them to shooting from distance and they only managed one shot on target. With 28 unsuccessful shots, we can bemoan a lack of composure in front of goal against Norwich. However, it was the 5 shots we allowed them to have in our penalty area that cost us two points. </div>
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The other difference in the two starting line ups is that Danny Agger played against West Brom. A positive way of looking at the differences in the defensive line is that Agger's pace enables us to play a higher line. Here are four heat maps from games where Carragher and Agger played together in central defence this season to test this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdWWiwSAlZIzlz1xN3l38QaDjMfCEq3osab7MCetH7HLBw75Aqz58Hj3QXxWkq-AnPasMD_mRBlQ1Tly1GcuGh0pzytEzNbrNGym9CCAYCo1UKclAHXLQMfbX5DzMtyIgYOqdb6xaYGw/s1600/Carragher+Heatmaps.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="521" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdWWiwSAlZIzlz1xN3l38QaDjMfCEq3osab7MCetH7HLBw75Aqz58Hj3QXxWkq-AnPasMD_mRBlQ1Tly1GcuGh0pzytEzNbrNGym9CCAYCo1UKclAHXLQMfbX5DzMtyIgYOqdb6xaYGw/s640/Carragher+Heatmaps.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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In all four games, Carragher is playing higher up the pitch than he did against Norwich. He obviously feels more confident getting forward when accompanied by the pacey Agger. However, in all but the game against Sunderland, Carragher's defensive line was deeper than that held by Agger and Skrtel against West Brom. We do, therefore, play deeper with Carragher in defence. The theory holds true. </div>
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Agger and Carragher are well suited partners in central defence, whilst Skrtel and Carragher are less so. </div>
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Liverpool have been very strong at the back in the first 10 games of the season. Only Newcastle and Manchester City have conceded less, so we must be doing something right. However, with Carragher turning 34 in January, he is not going to get any faster. The Liverpool defensive line whilst Carragher is in the team is definitely something to keep an eye on. </div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-20298956477464091892011-10-31T10:24:00.000+00:002011-10-31T10:37:13.924+00:00West Brom v Liverpool: Carroll & Suarez<div style="text-align: justify;">
It may surprise some people to hear that prior to the West Brom game, with just one exception, Andy Carroll has been on the pitch every time Luis Suarez has scored this season. Another remarkable stat is that they have only started 10 games together in 10 months. Their time together on the pitch has therefore been both fruitful and brief.<br />
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A lot of people have a misunderstanding about Carroll’s role for Liverpool. Many assume that he plays further forward than Suarez, like a classic No.9, waiting in the box for a cross to put his head on. In reality, however, Carroll is more deep-lying. This role is well suited to Carroll’s attributes: tall, powerful and awkward. Put simply, he is a nuisance to the opposition defenders. When Carroll takes up this deep position he forces defenders to make decisions, dragging them out of their comfort zone and creating the space for Suarez and the supporting midfielders to exploit. <br />
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A comparison of the heat maps for Suarez and Carroll during the West Brom game shows clearly the different positions they take up during a game:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6A-hv6gyzuyJxirQKn81xGZjmmXU2K5yn5fehPYAGNaGBKbodeIJvUrDk4O9o6z0AgbLarsRNheTqAu42Ir7D40An5RMDhPORxZw30mtJM7Xzfk2YMiK4m6OBCsJ6ZzfVFT2UVW43xl4/s1600/WBA1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6A-hv6gyzuyJxirQKn81xGZjmmXU2K5yn5fehPYAGNaGBKbodeIJvUrDk4O9o6z0AgbLarsRNheTqAu42Ir7D40An5RMDhPORxZw30mtJM7Xzfk2YMiK4m6OBCsJ6ZzfVFT2UVW43xl4/s400/WBA1.png" width="295" /></a></div>
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Carroll spent 36% of the game in and around the centre circle, and 26% of the game down the left flank. Two thirds of the game spent outside of the danger zone, being a nuisance. Suarez was more advanced, spending 50% of his time roaming around the right hand edge of the box, dragging one defender right whilst Carroll dragged the other left. This is highlighted from the heat maps of Olsson and McAuley, the West Brom central defenders:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhSURs4lENN-opUQIeBUtXBllO0qunAGIb1OZ1IzXQNsVXFdcQ2Ad00ms431Ks3ISr75E7aFopSOaVOJZa7AUNM4RZVOmhGUC-1KSMwv_uBXxyzlQZ-gdKHoXJKb8mEUEgLGPb54zHB4/s1600/WBA2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhSURs4lENN-opUQIeBUtXBllO0qunAGIb1OZ1IzXQNsVXFdcQ2Ad00ms431Ks3ISr75E7aFopSOaVOJZa7AUNM4RZVOmhGUC-1KSMwv_uBXxyzlQZ-gdKHoXJKb8mEUEgLGPb54zHB4/s400/WBA2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Carroll’s goal on the stroke at half time was a by-product of a stretched, and out of position, West Brom defence. A goal down and chasing the game, West Brom came forward, with Olsson playing the ball forward from midfield and McAuley at least 15 yards out of position: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q3p379QIHWYz9BRZ4MCGia2jgYW5rGNAYKwqFV7K3g3cPXBtKNGZQk1q9G2Tm0n1184ATN4RLVNwKN94WK387Qi4mxc5EzBivCyhyfUQOTmRqpfgdQZkOkSqDN84ONeH5TCw3QHZmuc/s1600/WBA3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q3p379QIHWYz9BRZ4MCGia2jgYW5rGNAYKwqFV7K3g3cPXBtKNGZQk1q9G2Tm0n1184ATN4RLVNwKN94WK387Qi4mxc5EzBivCyhyfUQOTmRqpfgdQZkOkSqDN84ONeH5TCw3QHZmuc/s320/WBA3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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When the West Brom move breaks down, Lucas plays a sublime one touch pass to Suarez. Importantly, Suarez moves from his position near the centre circle to a position closer to the touch line:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT34JvPhdfRU1SaBkY5JWsX8s0dNg6lsIwZasIK22klzFILcmj3yMDyAoxqinVhpF-z9P72bPZQPNsUWmPWdxYuuoXRRJlQPJ5_JmWx5eS1An_rhe0P5an7TH3mtXMTyoVoMD260zyt3Q/s1600/WBA4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT34JvPhdfRU1SaBkY5JWsX8s0dNg6lsIwZasIK22klzFILcmj3yMDyAoxqinVhpF-z9P72bPZQPNsUWmPWdxYuuoXRRJlQPJ5_JmWx5eS1An_rhe0P5an7TH3mtXMTyoVoMD260zyt3Q/s320/WBA4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This movement from Suarez takes full advantage of the poor positional play from McAuley, leaving Olsson in no man’s land between the two strikers. The inch perfect pass from Suarez, combined with Carroll’s intelligent movement away from Olsson towards the edge of the area, left Carroll all the time in the world to slot home Liverpool’s second:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4Texo8H_CqwoU4m6G7bLF8ZASvkLdrKcb8a4xm4AwWQhjHMLO-tNYbO6imI1hcvAKdhwKShnlJaDXGYJx-Kgnt0WzM3tlPzOXByw8Nk06Wr5UqyituMb1ZjiDff5N00TJEuY_OSXNok/s1600/wba6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4Texo8H_CqwoU4m6G7bLF8ZASvkLdrKcb8a4xm4AwWQhjHMLO-tNYbO6imI1hcvAKdhwKShnlJaDXGYJx-Kgnt0WzM3tlPzOXByw8Nk06Wr5UqyituMb1ZjiDff5N00TJEuY_OSXNok/s320/wba6.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is no doubt that McAuley’s poor positional play left a lot of space for the strikers to exploit. However, given the recent criticism about Liverpool’s ability to convert chances, it was a huge relief to see such clinical execution.<br />
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Carroll and Suarez were responsible for 11 out of Liverpool’s 16 shots during the game. Against Norwich, with Carroll on the bench, Suarez had by far most shots in the team. Against West Brom, Carroll had 7 shots on goal, almost double Suarez’s total. This clearly shows a sharing of the striking responsibility, in contrast to the game against Norwich where Suarez was a lone ranger. Carroll’s 7 shots are even more impressive when you revisit the stat from earlier: he spent two thirds of the game outside of the danger zone, making a nuisance of himself.<br />
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West Brom never really got started as an attacking threat during the game. Again, Suarez and Carroll can take a great deal of credit for this. They are both excellent at defending from the front, harrying defenders and stopping moves before they start. Of the 86 possession duels contested on the pitch, Liverpool’s two attackers were involved in 35 of them (Suarez 12 Carroll 23). To put these numbers into context, Lucas was only involved in 10 possession duels in the entire game. As ever, Carroll was a menace in the air, competing in 18 out of Liverpool’s 29 Aerial Duals. All in all, Carroll's contribution against West Brom was fantastic and he got the goal his display deserved.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgBP_ejDS5Cc88xc9VEvUoH1nEunP8otkW69COq2MblV019-hOOCwWTSLht96qfSvuu6dqmF-djrgKuiD33p_uqUuHInzSMG5qY_3bT7kDFQiyHlz-lKN648ZGAkS_sDLsyZa9nbQFZE/s1600/WBA5.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgBP_ejDS5Cc88xc9VEvUoH1nEunP8otkW69COq2MblV019-hOOCwWTSLht96qfSvuu6dqmF-djrgKuiD33p_uqUuHInzSMG5qY_3bT7kDFQiyHlz-lKN648ZGAkS_sDLsyZa9nbQFZE/s400/WBA5.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The stats from the West Brom game point to a partnership developing between Liverpool's two strikers which promises to blossom into the deadliest in the league. Suarez and Carroll have complimentary styles which, on paper, have always looked compatible. One thing they have not had, as of yet, is a run of games together. The performance against West Brom strongly suggests that they are going to be seeing a lot more of each other as the season progresses.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-81225531054131805542011-09-26T22:44:00.000+01:002011-09-26T22:44:37.628+01:00Stewart Downing: The First Six Games<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Stewart Downing came to Liverpool with many fans feeling that we had settled for second best after United had signed Ashley Young. Some even intimated that, in replacing Downing with N’Zogbia, Villa had improved their first team for a fraction of the price. Dalglish has always insisted that Downing was his first choice, and a look at his first six games for Liverpool helps to show why this was the case.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Downing made his debut against Sunderland on the opening game of the season. He played the first half on the left. A look at his heat map from the first half shows that he was regularly getting down the wing to the touchline, where he is at his most dangerous:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2YkbPAzDWOcnOByJvXjAVwSp0Pa-oyMVUj74-_FsDAwCJbFL5OQo-kPiGRCdvMHGqeuf0QKKji1kfHAUDAlgFtrIazFQEI39eA5qAjHogrFSlKrb4mZjq07YJ24uZRpkGuTh8_0g3lo/s1600/Henderson+Heatmap+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2YkbPAzDWOcnOByJvXjAVwSp0Pa-oyMVUj74-_FsDAwCJbFL5OQo-kPiGRCdvMHGqeuf0QKKji1kfHAUDAlgFtrIazFQEI39eA5qAjHogrFSlKrb4mZjq07YJ24uZRpkGuTh8_0g3lo/s640/Henderson+Heatmap+1.png" width="442" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">He played many penetrating balls into the danger area in the first half and linked up well with Enrique down the left hand side. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A turning point for his performance was when he switched to the right for one move in the first half, cutting inside in the 33<sup>rd</sup> minute and sending a thundering drive onto the crossbar. Had this move led to the debut goal his effort deserved, Liverpool would have gone in at half time 2-0 up, well on the way to a comfortable win. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This one successful move led to an experiment, with Downing playing on the right for the rest of the game. From this side of the pitch, he was much less effective, getting less of the ball and failing to make as many penetrating runs to the touchline. His second half heat map shows this clearly:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb7BZNVL9EFwDV0PWZQEsw58NLzz2OBmqHVouM-PW0BZyyJXtZXwK3B14Vb7BlOqwLhvsm8Xcz3Hllbq-m4Ji4fdeZNbHZEC9zJi_ytJnNw_CO6_zLZ7a06Ygjk1cGPokSfbW8JF2Scs/s1600/Henderson+Heat+Map+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGb7BZNVL9EFwDV0PWZQEsw58NLzz2OBmqHVouM-PW0BZyyJXtZXwK3B14Vb7BlOqwLhvsm8Xcz3Hllbq-m4Ji4fdeZNbHZEC9zJi_ytJnNw_CO6_zLZ7a06Ygjk1cGPokSfbW8JF2Scs/s640/Henderson+Heat+Map+2.png" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Against Arsenal, this experiment of switching Downing to the right continued. It was an extremely positive performance by him, with 55% of his possession taking place in Arsenal’s final third. His heat map shows that he spent almost as much time on the right hand side as he did on the left. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5unxJ5bzrdnTkhHDNzPdm_64hPoDJMpBZFHpDq88FOPZef7Fuf3qD1tW9hEFafSpuq0FV70-mBITipob-2jaLMVGLoiS_5fNgmnzs4Z8CPV79vLJ-bI-V7tRq7JEW5Y844cAnYZL9kY8/s1600/Downing+Heat+Map+Arsenal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5unxJ5bzrdnTkhHDNzPdm_64hPoDJMpBZFHpDq88FOPZef7Fuf3qD1tW9hEFafSpuq0FV70-mBITipob-2jaLMVGLoiS_5fNgmnzs4Z8CPV79vLJ-bI-V7tRq7JEW5Y844cAnYZL9kY8/s640/Downing+Heat+Map+Arsenal.png" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Henderson was again much more effective down the left hand side, and his partnership with fellow new boy Jose Enrique continued to flourish. Arsenal’s young full back, Jenkinson, was left chasing shadows as the two passed the ball around him down the left flank:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSbfwvOM1Tyj4bSIWSdJt1rrCrTnXZGCtaObHLMYfVfB0lFVPfipbLLhCpaNeXi3IgQJ2hNi9XbcWoWGymF2tOhUfw-M3rwatXYUAg1P2UBnJgouzzAsDN42zQoCOys_MNfaGhn-46_E/s1600/Downing+Enrique+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSbfwvOM1Tyj4bSIWSdJt1rrCrTnXZGCtaObHLMYfVfB0lFVPfipbLLhCpaNeXi3IgQJ2hNi9XbcWoWGymF2tOhUfw-M3rwatXYUAg1P2UBnJgouzzAsDN42zQoCOys_MNfaGhn-46_E/s640/Downing+Enrique+1.png" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The partnership between Downing and Enrique has been one of the highlights of the season so far. Both players are naturally left footed, very attack minded and they both possess the ability to pass and move quickly and accurately. Much of our good work so far this season has come from their link up play. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The importance of playing Downing on the left hand side is evident when looking at the heat map for the away defeat against Stoke. For the first time, he actually played more of the match on the right than he did on the left:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl514itMOj5nIcjHF_-EaVFHvw18DcQrA5b5wujE_4ciHDZHBGNhROxd3vG5Ks6YZF1CVgMWHhmti74mLidL8jkKZGjBDU5uP2QZy_7TNBRA7zavKSXQMHiuDhYYggb-X7j9tF1w0XJ5Q/s1600/Downing+Heatmap+Stoke.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl514itMOj5nIcjHF_-EaVFHvw18DcQrA5b5wujE_4ciHDZHBGNhROxd3vG5Ks6YZF1CVgMWHhmti74mLidL8jkKZGjBDU5uP2QZy_7TNBRA7zavKSXQMHiuDhYYggb-X7j9tF1w0XJ5Q/s640/Downing+Heatmap+Stoke.png" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His partnership with Martin Skrtel did not bear fruit. Skrtel does not have Enrique’s ability to drive into the final third on the overlap, and Downing does not have the ability with his right foot to get penetrating crosses into the box. This led to a situation where the interplay between Skrtel and Downing was completely ineffective. It personified the performance: Liverpool dominated possession but could not find a way through the Stoke defence. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Tottenham game again exposed Downing’s ineffectiveness on the right, although he is in no way to blame for the 4-0 defeat. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Based on the heat map in his sixth game against Wolves, the experiment of “Downing on the Right” is over:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsf5YaYRD58kyd4V2Dbda2jiEgU7fmWru60_HZ0OHTkyXKOKb-4LOg2UIZSZbPakVCxZBsVp1t0yEnpFA3YpZ43qpjFyTB1cvHqIA9lvnuN8l8gOa-7jGKeFbCkH0esQkh71hWoKtGtY/s1600/Downing+Heat+Map+Wolves.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsf5YaYRD58kyd4V2Dbda2jiEgU7fmWru60_HZ0OHTkyXKOKb-4LOg2UIZSZbPakVCxZBsVp1t0yEnpFA3YpZ43qpjFyTB1cvHqIA9lvnuN8l8gOa-7jGKeFbCkH0esQkh71hWoKtGtY/s640/Downing+Heat+Map+Wolves.png" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the first time this season, Downing did not get a touch of the ball on the right hand side of the pitch. He spent an astonishing 60% of his time in the left hand corner of Wolves’ half, where he is at his most dangerous. At times, he and Enrique were playing keep ball down the left so effectively that even their Liverpool team mates must have felt left out. The following chalkboard shows just how well this partnership is developing:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhMnK3P9Bie5_BB2ZsuQ75AcYQf_JMlfB4xRhzs_h9UXAgwG1qMP8dyGjNqbKX07zrGwiZ_gaFErV8VDKv1E24Hlk4EmkOsbIqq0p_9kcCDoTBy7Cf1pg4dZDUEimUxo2DO68dpsAsJo/s1600/Downing+passes+Wolves.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhMnK3P9Bie5_BB2ZsuQ75AcYQf_JMlfB4xRhzs_h9UXAgwG1qMP8dyGjNqbKX07zrGwiZ_gaFErV8VDKv1E24Hlk4EmkOsbIqq0p_9kcCDoTBy7Cf1pg4dZDUEimUxo2DO68dpsAsJo/s640/Downing+passes+Wolves.png" width="456" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking at the above chalkboard in more detail, it is also clear that Suarez and Carroll were benefiting from Downing’s dominance down the left, with each of them collecting the ball from him on the edge of the six yard box twice. Given the finishing ability of both strikers, if Downing is able to provide an average of four balls into this area each game we are in for some very high score lines.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Overall, Downing’s start to the season has been very consistent. The highlight has been the partnership with Enrique whilst the low light has been the largely unsuccessful experiment down the right. He has been a great asset to the team and is an early contender to be runner-up to Suarez for player of the season. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-84114686346959689202011-09-14T21:48:00.000+01:002011-09-14T21:48:49.596+01:00Jamie Carragher: Certain Starter?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At the age of 33, time is against Jamie Carragher. This season more than ever, his status as a first choice starter is under intense scrutiny. Big questions are starting to be asked openly by Liverpool fans about whether Carragher still warrants a place in Liverpool’s First XI. So, why are the murmurings of discontent growing louder by the week?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Passing</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One part of his game that is heavily under the microscope is his passing. Indeed, season on season, Carragher’s pass success rate for Liverpool is dropping at an alarming rate. In 2008/9 it was 84.1%, in 2009/10 it dropped to 76.5% and last season it fell again to 72.4%. These stats show clearly why the criticism of his passing game has intensified in recent years. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This season is no different. A quick scan over his passing chalkboards clearly highlights an issue:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuq4NsZytxCpmLi0C3fETEEwOSjPrTEUWtBslGGe7cFkfdd2Ec3oNN7t38Jl-YNKzuu0i7eIv7z1Ufnk2hjVM4mLMlsqyauwzKmwM3nSS5W1hGEyHqS2urNCcUf7h5kdfeRj0X-fRxTVs/s1600/Carragher+Long+Balls.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuq4NsZytxCpmLi0C3fETEEwOSjPrTEUWtBslGGe7cFkfdd2Ec3oNN7t38Jl-YNKzuu0i7eIv7z1Ufnk2hjVM4mLMlsqyauwzKmwM3nSS5W1hGEyHqS2urNCcUf7h5kdfeRj0X-fRxTVs/s640/Carragher+Long+Balls.png" width="384" /></a></div><div align="justify"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Carragher’s overall pass success rate this season is 80%, about average for the Liverpool team, but his long ball statistics tell a different story. Carragher has been responsible for 41 of Liverpool’s 180 long passes this season. Of these, only 17 have found their intended target, a 41% success rate. To put this into context, Daniel Agger has only attempted 15 long passes, with an impressive 66% success rate. The only Liverpool player who has played more long passes than Carragher is Jose Reina, who has a 53% success rate from his 54 long passes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Passing is therefore a weakness in Carragher’s game, and in chronic decline. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pace & Defensive Frailties</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Carragher has always been slow, but with age he has slowed even more. Liverpool’s line is getting deeper and deeper to make up for this lack of pace and this invites the opposition forward. For most of this season, our attacking play has disguised this issue. However, against teams like Manchester United and Manchester City we risk being left seriously exposed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There have been two key warning signs already this season. Against Bolton, Carragher’s howler in the penalty area resulted in their consolation goal. At the time it was lost within the glory of our 3-1 win. His mistake against Stoke, however, cost us the game. Carragher was unable to respond to Walters’ turn of pace in the penalty area and an arm across the chest was enough to gift Stoke a penalty. Walters went down very easily, but Carragher’s defensive lapse gifted him the opportunity to do so.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2 of the 3 league goals conceded by Liverpool this season have been caused by a defensive lapse by Carragher. However, his organisational and leadership qualities are amongst the best in the league. Also in his favour is the fact that Skrtel has his own defensive frailties whilst Coates’ is young and inexperienced. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Had we signed Dann, Cahill or Phil Jones in the summer, Carragher’s place in the first team would be in greater jeopardy than it already is. As it stands, he is holding on to a starting place by the skin of his teeth.</span></div><div align="justify"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-33223908238043317122011-09-09T22:09:00.000+01:002011-09-09T22:09:42.422+01:00In Bed With The Ultras: FSG’s Stealth Raid on Italy<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The recent purchase of AS Roma by a Boston based investment group did not set the back pages on fire. The deal was reported in the business pages, with the main focus being on Roma becoming the first Italian club to fall into foreign hands. The newsworthy element of the deal for Liverpool FC is that the consortium’s leader, Thomas DiBenedetto, represents 1/13th of Fenway Sports Group. </span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutcmi3NVSHjOC0W8aW9P9uz9Iw9SQcVlRmgpDMXipcb8W3A6zNfO_xk1o9aaUeU7DdiTrAhpAgh1lpu92nwRsl6zb60MTPhT0LOe1Q52zbEfjFAjsYb_CPDfDpED0mAlZuc-wQS02hb0/s1600/Roma+2+DiBen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutcmi3NVSHjOC0W8aW9P9uz9Iw9SQcVlRmgpDMXipcb8W3A6zNfO_xk1o9aaUeU7DdiTrAhpAgh1lpu92nwRsl6zb60MTPhT0LOe1Q52zbEfjFAjsYb_CPDfDpED0mAlZuc-wQS02hb0/s320/Roma+2+DiBen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas DiBenedetto, Co-Owner of the Boston Red Sox</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">DiBenedetto bought the club using a separate investment company, “DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC”. There cannot be a direct link between FSG and Roma due to strict ownership rules preventing groups from controlling more than one club participating in a UEFA competition. It is safe to assume, however, that the new relationship between the boardrooms could hardly be closer. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is both ironic and intriguing that the two football clubs who contested the European Cup Final in 1984 are now so closely tied, especially given the violence of the past three decades. The final in Rome is nostalgically remembered for Bruce Grobbelaar’s antics on the goal line, but many of the fans who were there have far more disturbing memories. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Following Liverpool’s win, large gangs of Roma’s “<i>Ultrà Curva Sud”</i> roamed the streets looking for victims to exert their revenge on. The Ultras showed no mercy, targeting families and children. A 13 year old boy was attacked with a machete and required over 200 stitches. Dozens of English fans were stabbed and the police were heavily criticised for offering no protection. It can be argued that the events in Rome acted as a catalyst for what happened at Heysel the following year.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The violence did not end there. In early 2001 Liverpool played Roma in a UEFA cup match and 14 fans were stabbed. Later that year the two clubs met in the Champions League and a further 5 Liverpool fans were stabbed. Over the next few years, fans of Real Madrid, Middlesbrough, Man United and Arsenal all visited Rome and experienced the gratuitous violence of the Ultras. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLoQdF1sRgpqmR8aqkYi7Ov-oTIrrCSL90Z8YnxbNCwb1K1rkBRVfthxTrKItMwM08_dpAO42UqzHI28PAa8T9fjwWio_eDLIyg8v0Vm-qoLJB1I5uy_JXw0xojMA6ZwlnEg24XouJ4c/s1600/Rome1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLoQdF1sRgpqmR8aqkYi7Ov-oTIrrCSL90Z8YnxbNCwb1K1rkBRVfthxTrKItMwM08_dpAO42UqzHI28PAa8T9fjwWio_eDLIyg8v0Vm-qoLJB1I5uy_JXw0xojMA6ZwlnEg24XouJ4c/s320/Rome1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The <i>Ultrà Curva Sud </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are massively influential. </span>During the 2004 derby with Lazio, 3 leaders of the group walked onto the pitch, approached Francesco Totti and threatened to kill him if the game continued. Totti spoke to the referee and the game was abandoned. Soon after, the stadium was set on fire and a huge riot erupted outside. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These events do not show up on balance sheets or annual reports, but they are major issues that DiBenedetto will face as he attempts to return the club to its former glory. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It will be interesting to see how the business relationship with Liverpool develops, but one thing is for sure: However close the two clubs become at boardroom level, the relationship between the fans is broken beyond repair.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-76264743951516155772011-08-22T23:42:00.000+01:002011-08-22T23:42:29.598+01:00Lucas Leiva: The Road to Redemption<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"And so you touch this limit, something happens and you suddenly can go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high."</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> Ayrton Senna, </span><u></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Mental toughness is a key attribute for any young player to possess, as Rafael Benitez alluded to when unveiling the 20 year old Lucas Leiva in 2007, “We believe he has the mentality and the character you need to do well in England" said Benitez. Looking at his competition for a starting place, Lucas was going to need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">His first challenge as a Liverpool player was to break into a team blessed with the finest central midfielders in England, Spain and Argentina. His youthful mistakes were benchmarked against the often superlative performances of those around him, and so it was inevitable that the critics would start to hone in on him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">In the 7<sup>th</sup> minute of his first big test, replacing Mascherano in the starting line up against Arsenal, Lucas made a terrible blunder that set Adebayor racing towards goal. Luckily, Liverpool got away with it, but first impressions last. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Following his performance in a dire 0-0 draw against Fulham, one journalist wrote, “The scouts who found him need to be seriously quizzed - it must be hard to find a Brazilian footballer with such limited ability”. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Things went from bad to worse from here. He gave away a penalty and was sent off against Everton as Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup. The following week he gave away another penalty, against Wigan, which cost Liverpool two vital points in the race for the title. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point in time, most reds would have been happy if he had never pulled on a Liverpool shirt again.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">On a sunny Saturday lunchtime in March 2009, Lucas started his fight back against the critics. Liverpool were at Old Trafford to play their title rivals in the biggest game of the season. With star midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso injured, Benitez called on Lucas, offering the 22 year old an opportunity to come of age.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Lucas rose to the occasion. He partnered Javier Mascherano in a midfield that completely outplayed Carrick and Anderson in the 4-1 win. He doubled up with the full-backs superbly well, rendering Ronaldo ineffective from the wing for the entire game and snuffing out Rooney’s infiltration of the midfield. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Lucas was at the centre of everything Liverpool did well. He had an 83% pass completion rate (against a Liverpool average of 75%) with an impressive 54% of these passes in the attacking half of the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won 77% of the tackles he went in for and won 54% of his 50-50 midfield duals. On top of this, he made no defensive errors in the entire match. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this against a Manchester United team who, up until this game, had been running away with the title.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPTKkbPhjLGCXqAepFF-RB6pAIutqI_sJovwGh_oMlDT1RdbM3rdqHffUSBtIbPzVyaTv5mBnsifC6BcT2ZnMXv2abu6Zte6tcKKogL5gWSMrzMxuihXeHowEMyceVDIuJkB8vnefe_s/s1600/Lucas1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPTKkbPhjLGCXqAepFF-RB6pAIutqI_sJovwGh_oMlDT1RdbM3rdqHffUSBtIbPzVyaTv5mBnsifC6BcT2ZnMXv2abu6Zte6tcKKogL5gWSMrzMxuihXeHowEMyceVDIuJkB8vnefe_s/s400/Lucas1.gif" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Interestingly, Lucas received mixed reactions after the game. The Guardian described his performance as “lacklustre” whilst The Telegraph reported that he played “superbly well”. Like many players of his ilk, the subtle brilliance of Lucas can often be missed by the untrained eye. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">The 2010 season started with Rafael Benitez coming out in the media to defend Lucas against the harsh treatment he had been on the receiving end of, "He is so good but still he was criticised. I do not understand why they do not criticise other players, more senior players, when they do not play well. But he will have a big season.” Lucas said of the criticism, “I have confidence in myself - you need that in life, not just football. So no matter what, I believe in myself and the manager does too.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">The prediction from Benitez that Lucas would have a ‘big season’ was correct. He started it by playing 6 games consecutively for the first time since joining the club and went on to play in 35 out of the 38 league games. His pass completion rate for the season of 84% was amongst the highest at the club, with a very impressive 72% of his passing inside the opponent’s half of the field. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">At the end of the season, he was voted “Young Player of the Year” by the fans, an accolade that would have been unthinkable back in 2008. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">By the 2010/11 season, with the departure of Javier Mascherano, Lucas had made the holding central midfield role his own. He made 33 appearances in the league, a total only bettered by the ever present players Reina and Skrtel. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">It was the best season Lucas had enjoyed in a Liverpool shirt. He had a pass completion rate for the season of 83%, with 66% of his passes going forwards and just 6% going backwards. In comparison, Liverpool’s total stats for the season show that they had a 77% pass completion rate, with 57% forward passes and 16% backward. Lucas, therefore, was significantly above average in terms of his passing accuracy and his ability to play penetrating passes forward. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">His performance in the away win against Chelsea is the perfect example of why he was voted the fan’s Player of the Year. He ran the game from start to finish in a ‘man of the match’ display. Here are the best bits:<span style="color: red;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzmxXU9jlWltdzqUmebdJW1Fv7aftqZ3dwylToVH-eae8RpVQ8WIVIgaqORIuw1GI9qgc7CwK3pYsdsi4B9MQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Lucas has started the 2011/12 season in the same manner that he ended last year. After a solid display against Sunderland he was pivotal in the win against Arsenal. His passing chalkboard shows just how often he penetrated the Arsenal danger areas:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Fr0gU325XWi5xH9AeLHRgslKymB0BsR0pbVVbGeGeW577NY8WW09k88CR_YcafeLMyVSbCAxvPeG-qWpBNNsh_C4MeI-BdPI6BwYDJ72TMQzspQ2dmbMMebxhtrb6NO9siyR0LfbnkA/s1600/Lucas2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Fr0gU325XWi5xH9AeLHRgslKymB0BsR0pbVVbGeGeW577NY8WW09k88CR_YcafeLMyVSbCAxvPeG-qWpBNNsh_C4MeI-BdPI6BwYDJ72TMQzspQ2dmbMMebxhtrb6NO9siyR0LfbnkA/s640/Lucas2.gif" width="382" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">The improvement Lucas has shown over the past two years has been phenomenal. The critical voices are almost mute, with just a few misguided murmurings from those sections of the crowd with untrained eyes. Benitez was right about his mental toughness, and he has become a certain starter under the new Dalglish era.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">It is easy to forget that Lucas is still only 24 years old. His best years are ahead of him and the great news for LFC fans is that they will be enjoyed at Anfield.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13pt;">Twitter: joescouse_lfc</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">I am running in The Great North Run for a great charity, “Children With Cancer”. You can sponsor me at <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/kiltyspage">http://www.justgiving.com/kiltyspage</a></span></i></div></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-77091701283936448922011-08-21T18:32:00.016+01:002011-09-25T19:33:43.348+01:00Jordan Henderson - The First Six Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">Part One</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUh-IUAohdxZNNlEZyAy99K1CK7lqDz5x2LZoT_B85irzdMOJXeH60X2-bx8MwmJra62cof_H3uDebtP7dDH33c6uj_IOD3SXYLEf9KoL8n32gZk8Cn1Ig9BOZkIZkQi_uNXc0_4DSbsY/s1600/jordan-henderson-128.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUh-IUAohdxZNNlEZyAy99K1CK7lqDz5x2LZoT_B85irzdMOJXeH60X2-bx8MwmJra62cof_H3uDebtP7dDH33c6uj_IOD3SXYLEf9KoL8n32gZk8Cn1Ig9BOZkIZkQi_uNXc0_4DSbsY/s320/jordan-henderson-128.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As Jordan Henderson left the field in the 61<sup>st</sup> minute against Sunderland, Lucas Leiva would have been excused for breathing a sigh of relief. The heat is off, a new whipping boy is in town. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Henderson has received some harsh treatment on radio phone-ins, message boards and on Twitter since his first competitive hour in a Liverpool shirt.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In assessing whether this criticism is justified, the first place to look at is his distribution. His pass completion rate against Sunderland was 88%, the highest in the team. Here is where stats can be deceptive. Henderson only made 31 passes in the entire game. As a point of reference, Charlie Adam made 63. Of his 31 passes, just 8 were played forwards (24%). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To use Adam as the reference point again, of his 56 passes 33 were played forwards (59%). This is a remarkable difference. The high pass completion rate emphasises where things went wrong for Henderson: he was so afraid of making a mistake that inertia set in.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His ineffectiveness with the ball proven, let’s look at how he performed when we were chasing the game. Henderson was involved in just 4 50-50s. In comparison, Adam was involved in 17. Adam won 47% of his possession duals whilst Henderson won none. This adds weight to the rants about Henderson being a bit frigid when it comes to getting stuck in. It would be great to see how Henderson performed in aerial duals, but he was not involved in any. The same goes for shooting: he had no shots on or off target. Tackling? One, and it was unsuccessful. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The verdict watching the match was that Henderson did not do a great deal against Sunderland. The verdict from the statistical analysis proves this point conclusively</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kenny Dalglish is the type of manager who will put his arms around the shoulder of a player who is struggling. He understands better than most the importance of confidence. Dropping Henderson after that display could have set him back months. It was no surprise, then, that Henderson got a chance to redeem himself against Arsenal. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">An analysis of his first full game for Liverpool helps us understand whether Kenny was right to stick with Henderson despite his abysmal display against Sunderland. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Henderson made a total of 59 passes against Arsenal, double the amount he managed against Sunderland. Impressively, his pass completion was 90% and importantly 24 of his passes went forwards. The improvement here is exponential and shows that Henderson has the ability to understand his development areas and make positive changes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a very important attribute for a young player to possess. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Henderson’s all round display was better against Arsenal than it was against Sunderland. He created 2 chances, made 2 successful interceptions and even managed a shot on target. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However, Henderson still has a long way to go if he is to become the complete midfield powerhouse. He lost all 5 of the 50-50s he went in for, meaning that he now has a record of attempting 9 50-50 challenges and losing every single one of them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He was not involved in any aerial duals meaning that, astonishingly, he is still to attempt to jump for a header against an opponent in a Liverpool shirt. He failed to make a single successful tackle in the entire match and was responsible for conceding 12 chances. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henderson again offered plenty of ammunition for those fans looking for a new whipping boy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">Part Two</span></u></div><div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Against Bolton, Henderson started his third consecutive league game for Liverpool. To his credit, it was comfortably his best performance in a Liverpool shirt. It was a day of firsts for Henderson. He managed to break his “Aerial Duel” duck, attempting to jump for two balls and even successfully heading one. He also got stuck in a bit, contesting an impressive eight 50-50 battles and coming out on top in four of them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Another first for Henderson was his goal. It was taken very well and offered us a glimpse of the player he could develop into. As well as his goal, he also created four goal scoring chances from open play. His performance was impressive but limited. He has a deft touch but no grit, more Lampard than Gerrard.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Liverpool followed up their excellent performances against Arsenal and Bolton with two poor defeats away from home. The first was against Stoke. Henderson’s stats for this game show that he failed to win a tackle, he lost all three of the 50-50s he went in for and he again failed to win an aerial duel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to square one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Against Tottenham the whole team had a car crash of a performance. It was a game so farcical it is hardly worthy of an analysis. It is fair to say, though, that making one tackle in a whole match is not good enough for a midfield player. With two players sent off, we needed the rest of the team to work extra hard. Henderson’s one tackle suggests that he did not even do the job of one man, never mind doubling up for those who were red carded.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His sixth consecutive league game, making him an ever-present this season, came against Wolves. With only one good performance so far, Wolves at home was Henderson’s chance to prove to the fans why he is keeping Maxi, Bellamy and Kuyt out of the first team. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A close look at this performance helps us to understand whether he is truly justifying his place in the first XI. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Passing is a key indicator of a good midfield performance. On the face of it, Henderson’s passing was decent yesterday. In the 72 minutes he was on the pitch he only attempted 25 passes, about one every three minutes, not exactly prolific. However, a total of 22 of them found their intended target, so one thing you cannot accuse Henderson of is being wasteful in possession. He was replaced by Dirk Kuyt, who made 9 passes in the 18 minutes he was on the pitch, which is one every two minutes. A 90% pass completion ratio shows that Kuyt, too, is very good at keeping possession.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A more in-depth look at the passing stats tells a different story. Only 28% of Henderson’s passes against Wolves went forwards. Given that we were attacking for most of the game, this is a very significant statistic. Rather than driving play forward, Henderson was holding things up. Kuyt’s play was far more positive. 66% of his passes went forwards during a period when Liverpool were basically playing out time for a 2-1 win. On top of this, 90% of Kuyt’s passes were made in the Wolves half of the pitch. He was a much more consistent threat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Another really key indicator of how much a player contributes from midfield is the “touch” statistic. This shows how many times each player touched the ball. In 72 minutes, Henderson touched the ball a total of 31 times, once every 2.3 minutes. Kuyt touched the ball 12 times in 18 minutes, once every 1.5 minutes. This is a really clear indication that Kuyt offers more than Henderson from the right side of midfield. He gets involved more, he makes more penetrating passes and his all round contribution is better. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After six games in a Liverpool shirt, Henderson has shown potential, but not much more. He has shown that he has a great first touch, he is an intelligent footballer and he has a sweet right foot. All the indicators are there. He should develop into a really good player. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However, he is not there yet, and he is keeping players out of the team who contribute more than he currently is. In my opinion, at this stage in his career Henderson should be starting from the bench and coming on for Kuyt after 70 minutes, not the other way around.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Against Manchester United and Everton it is vital that we put our strongest XI out. We cannot risk having passengers. Tackling well and playing penetrating balls from midfield are vital. Getting on the ball is vital. At this moment in time, Henderson is not doing these things often enough. He has simply not done enough in his first six games to warrant a starting place in either game. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking further forward, Jordan Henderson will come good, but he is a million miles away from his full potential.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1155333190446476445.post-31476324753659818732011-05-14T13:23:00.000+01:002011-05-14T13:23:48.275+01:002010/11: Echoes of 1959/60 & The Glory to Come<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Many Liverpool fans have remarked that they have never known a season like 2010/11. Indeed, it has been a season of downs then ups like no other in the memory of most fans. To find a season that resembles the current one, we have to go all the way back to the late 1950s. <span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In doing so, hope turns to excitement at the prospect of history repeating.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the summer of 1959, Liverpool were a club with a relatively glorious past (five league titles) who were languishing in the second division and in steady decline. They had a stadium that was not fit for purpose and a squad full of untalented and unmotivated players. There was some promise for the future, with a 17 year-old Scouser called Ian Callaghan bursting into the Liverpool team, but on the whole it was a depressing time to be a Liverpool fan.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After an unsteady start to the 1959/60 season manager Phil Taylor resigned, citing failure to return the club to its former glories as the reason for his departure. He said at the time, “I set my heart on it and strove for it with all the energy I could muster. Such striving has not been enough and now the time has come to hand over to someone else to see if they can do better." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The man who was called on midway through the season to galvanise the club was a Scot by the name of Bill Shankly. On being appointed, Shankly said, “The fans deserve success and I hope, in my own small way, I am able to do something to help them achieve it. I make no promises except that from the moment I take over I shall put everything into the job I so willingly undertake." </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One of his first games in charge was an FA Cup Fourth Round tie against Manchester United, a game which Liverpool lost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However, the second half of the season represented a turning point for the club. Shankly’s Liverpool, buoyed by a new and exciting training regime, started to give the fans something to smile about again. Of the final 19 games, with a renewed sense of togetherness, Liverpool’s record was W11 D5 L3. Liverpool finished the season in third place, one place short of promotion to the First Division. It was clear that the rebuilding program had begun.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The parallels between 1960 and 2011 are clear to see. As we began 2011 Liverpool had a stadium not fit for purpose, we got knocked out of the FA Cup by United and our manager was incapable of getting the best out of his players. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Much like 1960, local teenagers are bursting onto the scene. The fact that Ian Callaghan went on to become a World Cup winner and our record appearance maker should inspire the likes of Flanagan, Robinson and Kelly who all have the potential to play their way into the LFC folklore of the future. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Another parallel is how we fell just short of the position that would have catapulted us back into the big time, despite a great second half to the season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the promise of glory, the most exciting comparison is between Bill Shankly and Kenny Dalglish. There is a genuine feeling that January 2011, just like December 1959, will be seen as the moment when Liverpool FC was reborn. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As the season draws to a close, just like in 1960, we can look ahead with hope and optimism. We have a charismatic Scottish leader, a man of the people, uniting the club and reigniting the promise of a glorious future. It took a further four seasons, until 1963-1964, for Liverpool to clinch their sixth league title and their first of the new era. Let’s hope that, should it take four years again, everybody connected with the club has the same faith in Kenny as the people had in Bill.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3