A LIST of things to start.
- Benteke’s performance was mad.
- Enrique really enjoyed himself in the end. And should have been slipped in during that final attack. He’d have buried it and run into the Kop and just got off. Oh Captain my Captain. Feels like there are life lessons to be learnt from him somewhere.
- Kevin Stewart’s got his testimonial to look forward to next year.
- Seriously, pick the bones out of Benteke’s performance.
- Joe Allen could end up being a proper player for someone.
- Clinton Morrison was pulling for more tugs than anyone I have ever seen.
- “We pay your benefits” is a dreadful shout. Though Devon and Cornwall vote Tory on the whole so, you know. One of them. Have you had a look at the Beckett Report? Christ.
- Teixiera should have had the last half an hour through the middle.
- Liverpool never got dragged down to Exeter’s level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcrSXeIuG_U
The last one on that list is the most important.
When Jürgen Klopp arrived he mentioned dragging sides down and killing them. Exeter had their chance at their place and Liverpool weren’t having that at Anfield, though the second and third could have come sooner.
Instead, the Reds decided to play well right through the side. Every Liverpool player looked a division minimum above Exeter’s level.
In games like these you too easily end up playing the “predict the career trajectory”, which is never entirely fair.
What is worth pointing out is that across his two cameos Ojo has looked a front three player in a way Adam Lallana, James Milner and Jordon Ibe all arguably haven’t recently.
Does this mean he will be better than them or have a career at the level they have either had or will have?
Not at all.
He could end up a front three player in the Championship. But he is a front three player and immediately you see the difference.
And Ilori can centre half. What was he up against? Not enough, that’s for sure. And you worry he could be bullied by the grocks of the Premier League. But the lad will have a top-flight career in a country somewhere. Just don’t see it being here; we’re too agricultural.
He is though an object lesson in the madness of these loans. Because what is the value of Granada when you could be dealing with the Ighalos of the world putting you in a headlock?
Why spend £7million on a lad and never even try and inoculate him against alehousery when you play in a league where it is endless?
Match ratings: Liverpool v Exeter City
The Reds now have West Ham United to look forward to. Which will leave the manager with a selection quandary.
I hope he gives Brannigan and Smith another go. Both deserve it though both could struggle. They show and show and show. The thing you want more than anything.
Elsewhere, it will be difficult. Liverpool shouldn’t lose to a side three times in any season and West Ham will want the cup run. The selection will tell us a lot.
In the meantime, this match tells us something — the shape will always be good under Klopp. Benteke is a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a secret. Enrique can come for a pint whenever.
One of them.
A list to finish:
- Joe Allen
- Sheyi Ojo
- Joao Teixiera
Because goals. But you know that by now. They take football matches away from alehousery.
Long may they continue.
Up the younger Reds. They’ll do for me tonight.
The Benteke performance was comedy gold. Excellent for two of the three goals, but can’t seem to finish himself yet he still has 7 goals this season.
I love Joe Allen and I would like to seem him start in the league just because he offering a goal threat and lord knows we are goal shy.
He’s too one footed. Beats the keeper, but terrified to cut it into an open net with his left leg. Watch him, he’s more one footed than Tony Adams.
Words cannot describe Benteke’s ‘performance’. He’s lazy and clueless. He is to football what you are to fashion.
*what Paul Tisdale is to fashion.
‘◾Clinton Morrison was pulling for more tugs than anyone I have ever seen.’
I’m convinced he never left the center circle. It was phenomenal. Think Oakley earned his ice bath tonight though, the old timer. The less said about the ‘Exeter’ supporters (I tell you what, if people make the homes like they made it all the way to Anfield tonight they’ll be flying up) and that manager’s get up, the better.
Yeah, the West Ham draw is a bit of a headache really. The last team I’d have wanted, as in I would’ve honestly just preferred Arsenal or City. Still unsure how Everton live with themselves over losing home, away and cup against us 2011/12.
Think ive sussed what that Exeter managers clobbers about.
He has to wear these elaborate costumes that feature a hat because hes bald and is ashamed of it.
It would be the perfect plan if at the end of the game he didn’t take it off to speak to the cameras.
Pulis does something similar with his cap.
Just go bald gracefully.
It has been great to have a proper left back playing in these cup games
Benteke is a player that can spend 95% of the match being utter rubbish then does 2 things good. Was like that at Villa
Dunno whether that cuts it as Liverpool
It doesn’t.
Benteke sets up two, does a couple of lovely clearing headers in our box and misses multiple chances, including a one on one where he messed his kecks and didn’t even end up squaring it. Wrecks your head, it really does.
Nice summary :)
Alehousery. Excellently put!
Never until tonight did I think Benteke would be a good player for us. It was an interesting performance to say the least but I reckon the fella’s gonna be alright, just as soon as he (finally!) buries a one-on-one. Moved much better throughout and has clearly learned from Klopp on the training ground. Showed quick feet on his dribble to set up the third.
Allen was ace. He’s good isn’t he? Better fitness now making the difference or what? It’s odd.
“Luis Suarez left coz you’re shit”; “Gerrard slipped on his arse”; “We pay your benefits”
Imagine travelling all that way on a Wednesday night to see your team get beat 3-0 by the U/21’s with Enrique is captain.
All the best with the rest of your life, lads.
Really really good point about Illori, you just know he’ll be good somewhere else in a few years , leading to everyone moanng about hey we let him go!!
Er Exeter is Labour. Makes the chant worse I suppose.
My daughter is presently in Bamako, and previously spent three years in the jungles of Panama. She was born in San Francisco, not a bad place to call home but she tells all she is a scouser, like her dad. much like the lads who played under Jack Charlton where Irish. On occasion she wears her LFC shirt, and no matter how remote a corner of the globe she is in, the shirt is recognised and she is made welcome by all. Somehow, I doubt that happens very often to those from Exeter, or any other place for that matter. Ian H, chill, it is just the green devil in them.
Ibes shot was over the line.
Part of it was’nt
Good point this:
“[Ojo] could end up a front three player in the Championship. But he is a front three player and immediately you see the difference.”
Still, I’m dreaming of a front three of Ibe, Ojo and Origi in 3-4 years time.
the whole squad should sit down and watch the first goal. CF holding and linking play, FB supporting from wide and midfielders going beyond the striker. very simple. 1-0.
Worzel Gummidge’s big day out
Maybe I’m being an idiot, but it was Teixeira’s first goal for the club, yet his reaction was not excitement, joy, elation or anything. He never played for Exeter, and who knows when/if he’ll score his second Liverpool goal. Chance lost.
Millions of kids would love to score goals for us, we want players with passion and love for the club. I felt disgusted to see this kid’s reaction.
Either he knows he’s leaving or he should be sold.
Or he doesn’t want to go mad celebrating the third goal in a 3-0 defeat of a lower league side.
Neil has someone ghosted this report for you ? If so he is very good !
The conundrum is always the same for players coming through our ranks
are they good enough now to improve the team or at least good enough not to be exposed too often and then improve enough to become successful . eg Flanno.
If not then look around the lower leagues and across Europe at our nearly men. It would probably make a great “where are they now” piece
It’s clearly Neil’s work. How many invalid sentences do you need? Give the lad some credit.
After a goal like that, I would give the lad Ojo a start at the weekend.
The worst that can happen is he doesn’t score…
Love the Ojo goal. The defence just leave him to it but opportunities will always arise like this. He just puts it in the net. No fuss. Simple. It was the perfect opportunity to shoot and he did. Get so wound up when players shoot constantly when there’s a defender stood right in front of them.
Joe Allen. Joe. Allen.
Does the stuff that isn’t obvious as a DM. Put into his proper position further up and he starts doing the very obvious, like he’s putting together a personal highlight reel for YouTube. The curler to Sturridge. The backheel to Ibe. The 90th minute equaliser. The deadlock breaker.
Just bossing the pitch. From “let me help out here” to “let me handle this.” Taking a step up like Henderson did. Seems that MOTM against the Netherlands did his confidence some good. Should have been wearing the armband.
I’d like to see Allen-Can-Henderson become our de facto in a 4-3-3. Loads of energy and intelligence to compensate for Can’s indiscipline, but Can’s bravado gives a sharper edge to proceedings. A nice balance struck.
If you have Coutinho and Firmino up front with a striker, that would be 5 tenacious pressers of the ball who know how to hunt in packs. Not one against the long ball merchants, but against any team coming to play I’d fancy my chances. That striker needs to have a clinical final ball, though.
Exeter voted Labour at the last general election