The game started with us very much on the front foot with us taking a deserved early lead after 4 mins with a run of individual brilliance dancing past two defenders by Sterling celebrating his call-up today for England.
A sign of the injury woes to come started with Cissokho taking a knock on his ankle and having to be stretchers off after 10 minutes forcing us to bring on Agger when we were trying to rest him before the massive game vs United on Sunday.
With an early lead unlike the previous league game vs Villa we went hunting with more hunger for goals - Agger headed against the base of the post and had another effort superbly saved by Bialkowski; Gerrard hit the woodwork, while Sturridge’s aim unusually deserted him.
That is until we got a deserved second goal with Gerrard playing a perfect ball through for the super confident striker Sturridge to finish with aplomb.
At 2-0 it seemed only a matter of time before we would add a deserved 3rd and maybe 4th before halftime. The only strike that Mignolet had to worry about was a long distance free kick frome Lambadie which Mignolet parried away poorly. Whereas County just hoped to keep the score to 2-0 until halftime so that manager Kiwomya could try and influence the score with his tactics to bring County back into the game.
This wish was granted and County knew that the next goal would either bring them back into the game or finish the game as a spectacle. They therefore started the second half more positively and Liverpool showing signs of complacency took their foot off the pedal.
The lifeline County craved was given to them after 62 minutes by their big striker Arquin who smashed the header past our helpless keeper Mignolet.
We continued to go into our shell after their first goal and brought on more pressure from County who by now were growing in more confidence every passing second.
Joe Allen then picked up a hamstring injury which enabled Henderson to come onto the pitch to strengthen the midfield with his power running.
The quiet Alberto just seemed to gauge what was going on but couldn't influence the game as he would have wished.
We brought on Coutinho for Alberto to try and secure possession and create the decisive third goal.
Unfortunately this didn't happen and the unthinkable happened and County equalised through sub Coombes to take the game to extra time to the delight of 3,000 travelling County fans.
During extra time with all substitutes used Toure had a groin pull whilst defending and had to be stretchered off which was the biggest disaster to the massive Rodgers gamble of playing so many first team players.
With us now down to 10 men we were under serious threat to being a victim to a major upset at home with County now dictating play.
On the verge of halftime of extra-time with Sterling now playing as a makeshift right back, shoulder barged the County attacker but the ref ruled it as no penalty from the resulting counter attack Coutinho fed Sturridge on the left side of attack and Sturridge full of confidence shot across the County keeper for our third goal against the run of play.
5 minutes into the second half of extra-time Henderson burst through the centre of midfield and calmly slotted home to wrap up the win 4-2.
Positives - Continued confidence of Sturridge - long may it continue- he looks like a top striker so far this season.
The fight shown by the team despite being down to ten men.
Negatives - Toure injury - not sure how bad the groin injury is but we are now hoping that Skrtel is able to play or we will be struggling for experience against Man Utd.
The team chosen by Rodgers was very strong but it backfired because we didn't get the win secured early.
Man of the match - Striker supreme Sturridge!
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Toure, Wisdom, Cissokho (Agger 10min), Gerrard, Allen (Henderson 65), Alberto (Coutinho 72), Ibe, Sturridge, Sterling.
Subs not used: Brad Jones, Aspas, Lucas, Borini.
Booked: Wisdom, Sterling.
Goals: Sterling 4, Sturridge 29, 105, Henderson 110.
Notts County: Bialkowski, Dumbuya, Liddle, Smith, Stevens, Bell (Coombes 82), Labadie, Fotheringham (Boucaud 72), Campbell-Ryce (Thompson 71), Arquin, McGregor.
Subs not used: Murray, Spiess, Tempest, Nangle.
Booked: Campbell-Ryce, Arquin
Goals: Arquin 62, Coombes 84.
Attendance: 42,231.
What a debacle last night how sloppy can you get? Injury woes now. Not what you need before the Mancs turn up on Sunday is it? :-(
ReplyDeleteJan Thomson
A good win on Saturday and last night as well but damage has been donewith Aly Cissokho limping off after 9 mins and Toure late on. This isnot very good as we are playing Utd on Sunday.
DeleteMo
PS. Yes someone by he name of Joe Allen went of injured as well.
As I mentioned before we need to know go out and pay the wonga to capture Mamadou Sakho - if it means paying an extra £2m to secure him (£12m instead of £10m) then so be it !!!There is just about time to get him in before Sunday's game vs Utd - if we can sign him before midday on Friday.If not it looks like Skrtel will have to play as we can not expect Wisdom to be able to handle RVP for 90 mins (well I just don't see him being able to - at this stage of his early LFC career)I fear that Toure may be out for 6-8 weeks with the groin injury, Cissokho 's injury was not as bad as he made out so he should be out for about 2 weeks and Allen's hamstring injury was just a case of bad warming up - that should be about 2-3 weeks as well.
DeleteA hat trick of injuries in one game.
DeleteMo
Let us this evidence it will force their hands to get this guy in fast. The first goal might have been off-side though, no excuse.
DeleteEdet,
DeleteIf you are saying that Notts C 1st goal was off side, I will agree with you as that was what I thought when I saw the action reply.
All,
DeleteThis is a test.
Mo
Not going to make any excuses for the team last night at 2-0 up at home to a lower league team - we were very complacent and we should be able to close out a game like this and move on - if we had Toure would have been fit for Sunday's game against Utd.
DeleteLots of talk that we are favourites for your boy Sakho David but I suppose we've been here before this summer so best not get out hopes up.
ReplyDeleteDevastating to see the magnificent Kolo prone last night. Beside sturridge I'd say he's arguably are most important player at the minute so it is a massive blow for him to be missing the match on Sunday....
At 23 it is a travesty that he is not playing first team football for anyone at the moment curently in the reserves with PSG - he is a French International who has it all -the leadership and organisation skills, the presence and pace, the heading ability and all the hallmarks of being a colossus in our defence, just shocked that Chelsea or Man City are not snapping him up with their vast amounts of money.
DeleteCentre backs Thiago Silva and Alex are keeping him out of the PSG side - Alex is not on his level but seems to get on better with Silva (who some people rate as the best central defender in world football) and the back up to them is ?27m signing Marquinhos so Sakho is definitely not getting a chance anymore perfect chance for us to pick him up.
He owes me some agent fee for my hard sell !!! LOL
Liverpool are looking to bolster their defence with a deal for Paris Saint-Germain?s Mamadou Sakho.
DeleteBrendan Rodgers confirmed on Tuesday night that Liverpool are interested in the France central defender.
Sakho, 23, has won 14 caps for his country and can also play at left back. Barcelona are also monitoring him.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2403527/Liverpool-eye-deal-Paris-Saint-Germain-star-Mamadou-Sakho.html#ixzz2dLEf777m
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
What’s the betting Sakho’s having a Spurs medical by the weekend?
DeleteImpossible (in French).
DeleteMo
Very high, once they are done with the 3 new signings, he will be next on their radar.
DeleteLFC has got a few hrs to get him (Sakho) and to play in Sunday's game.
DeleteMo
Baz
DeleteThat would be a suitable end to this sorry transfer window. despite my usual optimism I am starting to feel very disillusioned with way this window has been managed. Increasing rumours that we are closing in on Ilori are increasing the frustration and this eriksen to spurs deal isn't helping. Whilst I have never been totally convinced by him and there is clearly some question marks if spurs are only club to serious go in for him despite all the hype of a few years and the fact he only has a year on his contract but having said that it is galling to see him go there for 10 mill when we spent 7 mill on alberto....
Where is Spuds getting all that money? They have not sold GB yet.
DeleteMo
Considering our transfer committee have had since January to draw up a list of targets and work on setting up deals it’s been a complete disaster. Fair enough we’ve missed out on our 3 top targets but we should have a long list of back up targets in case these top deals fall through. It seems that we never had any alternatives in mind, which amounts to gross incompetence.
DeleteSome people have been very handsomely paid for doing a very poor job. If we don’t bring in some quality players this window I hope that fans groups like SOS start asking some very uncomfortable questions about FSG. If their levels of investment remain steady, around 45 mil net so far over 2.5 seasons or 18 million per season then their professed commitment to getting us back into the top four simply doesn’t stack up, similar levels of expenditure are currently being enjoyed at clubs like Southampton and Norwich. It’s my personal opinion that FSG see the club as nothing more than a business that sells a lot of shirts / merchendise globally and generates decent commercial investment from sponsors whether we’re in the Champs League or not, so why risk substantial investment when treading water will do just fine.
You summed up FSG for me Baz - they tried to back King Kenny with serious spending but it flopped badly but since then they are afraid to go back in the water and spend big.
DeleteThey are ok for us to float around 6th/7th or 8th place - well I have more ambitions to get back to winning league titles so we seriously need to think where we are going under their owership if the money is not spent.
Mo, Sours already pissed me off by getting Soldado - the striker that I have been getting on Vic and Karl's nerves about with my talk of his clinical-ness and we let him join another club.
DeleteDavid, If they are happy to simply keep us as a ‘top half’ side then it’s an extremely short sighted strategy. 3 more years of this and all those punters in the far east and Asia will be swapping their LFC shirts for Citeh and Spurs kits. I’m glad FSG rode in and rescued us from the two cowboys but if they can’t take the club forward then they need to get off the pot and let someone else have a crack, they’ll still leave with a handsome profit.
DeleteExactly.
DeleteTotally agree Barry, this does question our genuine ambitions, as said previously, to commit to being at least a top four club rather than settle for a top 7 finish.
DeleteLuke – very grateful for the Johnny Barnes article you circulated recently. An absolute legend that would be given the freedom of the park in today’s line ups. Thankfully, Sturridge is not being pigeon holed as a winger and is able to express himself freely – I’m sure Johnny B would have loved that freedom in an England shirt. Also agreed with the author that JB was up there alongside George Best.
I will be gutted if Real Madrid comes with a late bid for LS and Liverpool accepting same at this late hour. I know LS will throw the biggest tantrum that Anfield will almost go out of business. The rumor is growing louder by minutes.
DeleteEdet
Deleteyour not the only one! it will be disappointing if he leaves... but will be a big boost if he stays, will defiantly bolster our attacking option, lets just hope if he does stays, and does what he does best score goals.
when is the final curtain for transfer down?
There are two transfer windows in each Barclays Premier League season.
DeleteThe first commences at midnight on the last day of the season and ends on 31 August if a working day - or, if not, on the first working day thereafter, at a time determined by the Board.
The second transfer window commences at midnight on the 31 December and ends on the 31 January if a working day, and again, if not, on the first working day thereafter, at a time determined by the Board.
Temporary transfers can be made permanent outside of the transfer windows. For further information please see the rules in the Premier League Handbook.
Mo
David has usually been the king of the transfer window, so I await his confirmation.
DeleteTransfer window closes at 11pm Monday night.
DeleteIt closes at 11pm next Tuesday but Ian Ayre usually turns the lights out and jumps on his Harley at about 7:30pm.
DeleteSorry Dave’s right it’s 11pm Monday
DeleteYap, David probably got all his mobile phones ready, and waiting for the calls....lol
DeleteLOL
DeleteAs a bit of relief from depression of Liverpool's transfer strategy - check out the trailor for this inspirational documentary that is coming out soon....powerful stuff
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyK_yq0vkTE
All,
ReplyDelete1) I can't see RM making a bid for LS.
2) BR will get a couple of players in but don't think they will be top class ones.
3) If we draw against Utd on Sunday, in my opinion it would be a good result but if we were to beat them, now that would be an excellent/great/marvellous result and in with a good chance of finishing in the top 4.
Mo
1) Once Bale signs - Suarez will be next on their hitlist
Delete2) Sakho is class, Moses is average (one out of two players being top draw wouldn't be bad before the end of the transfer window)
3) If we draw that would be a very good result, if we win that is a massive step forward but too early to state our aspirations for the top 4, if we lose that will be a real reality check.
1) Once Bale signs - Suarez will be next on their hitlist - In the next transfer window.
DeleteMo
I agree if we win as great as it will be it will have little long term bearing on where we finish. We know we are capable of beating United in a one off, we should of beat them at anfield last season....but equally if we lose I think it will tell us little.
DeleteAll,
DeleteJust had a thought - Cardiff City v Man City.
On Sunday, it's just may be possible.
Mo
Keep the faith.
DeleteAnything is possible in football.
DeleteWith our defence in bad shape through injury I reckon it’ll be a tough ask to even get a point. I wouldn’t mind us lining up 3-5-2 just to pack on as much defensive muscle as possible, something like this could work if we didn’t just sit back and invite pressure –
DeleteMignolet
Wisdom Skrtle Agger
Johnson Gerrard Lucas Hendo Enrique
Coutihno
Sturridge
Utd will score first and then we will score 2 or we will win by 1-0 again.
DeleteMo
I never trust a three at the back, especially against a team of united's attacking capability.....but team wouldn't be that different not least because are squad is so bloody thin.....was thinking of ways of bolstering midfield and realised that with allen injured we're out of options...also with downing gone we have little in way of slightly more solid wide options....
DeleteGuys
DeleteJust think back on last Super Sunday - Cardiff Vs Man City was cast on stone away win. So before you give up believe up anything can happen in the 90mins show call football. Thank God I will not watch the show live.
I am sure that I am not the only fan that is glad that JA is injured. Otherwise he would have played on Sunday and may be cost us the game.
ReplyDeleteMo
Not his biggest fan but to be fair to him he’s improved so far this season and offers a fairly decent option coming off the bench around the hour mark just to freshen things up. Gerrard is always punctured after 60 mins these days and having the option of bringing Allen on to add some stability should not be sneezed at. It worked well against Villa for example.
DeleteHe didn't really do anything to influence the game vs Villa to be honest - he was just a number on the pitch in my opinion.
DeleteYeah, he didn’t tear up any trees but he was a fresh pair of legs all the same. Would rather have Allen come on that Alberto from what I’ve seen so far.
DeleteLets not judge Alberto just yet - he looks lightweight but we should give him more time to settle in.
DeleteNot slagging Alberto, just saying that if it was a choice between the two to come on late in the game against United I’d take Allen at the minute.
DeleteOne of those players cost ?15m.
DeleteYeah, he wasn’t worth that but it was hardly our biggest transfer cock-up of the last 3 years. There’s the £35 million Oak we planted in East London for example.
DeleteAlso, think it's premature to write allen off. He was one of our best players in first few months last season and then his form tailed away alarmingly. Clearly vastly over-priced but don't think that means he should be completely written off in the manner he has been. He was excellent for wales against Ireland a few weeks ago. Just at ramsay's renaissance at arsenal for an example of how a much maligned player can come back from brink to play a key role - looked absolutely finished last year and now looks like he could potentially become a key player for them. Lucas and to a lessor extent (so far) Henderson provide other examples....
DeleteI understand fans getting p*ssed off with players whose attitude and commitment is questionable (aforementioned £35 million oak) but think Joe Allen is a good pro, who we paid too much for and is struggling to assert a role for himself in team but could still play a very valuable role for us over course of the season....
Well I really hope so. I’m not writing off anyone at this stage but I want more from some players especially when they block opportunities for others to come through the ranks or into the club.
DeleteFair point. Seems Rodgers faith in Allen/desire to be vindicated by him coming good may be a reason we haven't strengthened in central mid this summer so he does need to step up this season.
DeleteDear All,
DeleteUnbelievable 12 comments on JA. For the price we paid for him, I am sure we could have some better.
Lets put it this way, if we were to put him for sale who would buy him and how much would we get for him?
Mo
Liverpool are expected to make a bid for Real Madrid midfielder Kaka, who has announced his intention to leave the Spanish capital.
ReplyDeleteParis Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho is edging closer to a departure from the French capital, with Liverpool and AC Milan emerging as the key contenders for his signature.
And Shay Given as well.
Mo
Kaka is well past his best and his knees are knackered but it would be great to see him in a Liverpool shirt all the same. PSG want 17 million for Sakho, unsurprisingly Ayre is trying to haggle (unsuccessfully) so expect him to go to Milan.
DeleteWe seem to be linked with every football players at the moment including FT.
DeleteMo
If they want £17m pay the price - Ayre didn't waiver on paying that much for the likes of Henderson or Allen - so I think they should pay the money he is very much worth it.
Delete... and we will soon be linked to Ronaldo and Messi !!!! LOL
DeleteApparently we are on the verge of signing Tiago Ilori for 7 million euros. He’s supposed to be a great prospect so it would be good news if true.
DeleteGreat prospects - are not what we need now - we need established players who can improve the side like Sakho - we have loads of prospects already, Wisdom, Robinson, Coady, Ibe, Sterling, Yesil, Morgan to name but a few.
DeleteI think he would go straight into the side, he’s a regular starter for Sporting Lisbon , they’ve been forced to sell because of money trouble.
DeleteHe is definitely not better than Skrtel or Toure so would not improve the side - we need players that will improve the side straight away.
DeleteYou never know we might go in for both of them. Apparently the AC Milan director has come out and said that they are no longer interested in signing a defender this Summer so that paves the way for us to move for Sakho.
ReplyDeleteIf Ayre has not gone out on his bike bearing in mind we are playing on Sunday and not Saturday.
DeleteThinking about it I doubt that we’d stick a new defender straight into the team for such a big game without giving them at least a few training sessions to learn the system so I fully expect Marty Skrtle to grace the pitch on Sunday regardless of any signings we make before then.
DeleteTotally agree - Skrtel will be found wanting again with the ball at his feet - he is a very good defender but not a ball playing one to bring the ball out from the defence.
DeleteIf Skrtel is fit, he should play. Hopefully, he suffered from a dip in form rather than not being able to bring the ball out. Sometimes you need to get what it says on the tin – first and foremost, we need a rough and rugged defender who is also dominant in the air. If in doubt whilst in possession of the ball, pass it to Agger or one of the central midfielders, who are usually only a few millimetres away from him.
DeleteI agree think skrtel's biggest problem last season was getting bullied by the likes of benteke and lacking aggression...
DeleteRodgers saying big Kolo has outside chance of making it for sunday. Would be a huge boost that....
That would be brilliant, he must eat his Weetabix seeing as he was on crutches Tuesday night.
DeleteNo dumb back passes this time from him please !!!!!
Deletebeeb report at 9:32 this morning still saying illori and sakho on way to Merseyside for medicals...
DeleteHope they’re not coming in via London!!
DeleteOr heading to Badison Park (Everton's crap ground!!!) LOL
DeleteNot unless they need to use the washroom facilities.
DeleteLOL!
ReplyDeleteCissokho out for 6 weeks - how the hell that happen ??? He must be brittle !!! LOL
Bale has agreed personal terms for his move to Real Madrid which means they will soon focus on getting Suarez.
And also a pay rise for Ronaldo if he stays!
Delete