ES Soccer Thread

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

19 hours ago, SkinInsite said:

It's a VARtastic holiday season.

 

🤣 

 

Joking aside, Wolves were ridiculously hard done to yesterday IMHO in the latest VAR disgrace. 

 

That's 4 games VAR has F up this weekend alone. I mean strictly speaking the offside decisions have all been correct. But it's the whole process that's wrong and the reasoning to behind it to begin with. Trying to decide such minute margins is beyond ridiculous (not least when the technology itself isn't 100% accurate to begin with and is down to subjective human decisions as to where to place the lines), it TOTALLY goes against the spirit of VAR was brought in for to begin with! WTF happened to 'CLEAR AND OBVIOUS!?!!!!!' When did that cease to be a thing as it was sold under?

 

I've stopped saying anything on it as I'm resigned to the view that sometimes it'll go for you and the other side will be F. Sometimes it'll go against you and you'll be F. I believe, as of just before Chrimbo, those that are keeping records on VAR decisions have researched there'd be absolutely no change in our lead at the top of the table as we've neither gained nor suffered to any outright degree. So it's not like I'm speaking from a position of benefit/ negativity as regards LFC. But I can speak as a match-going fan, and it's absolutely killing the game from that aspect by taking all emotion out of the equation. The very essence of what the games all about. Yesterday at Anfield for example, albeit they ultimately got both decisions right under the way the system/ rules currently are, the fact it took a good 5 minutes or so to reach each conclusion just killed the moment. Sadio's goal being awarded was more a shrug and ' F finally!' than a mad celebration of arms and legs as it should have been.

 

Virtually no paying fan is for it. The mediots/ pundits are now starting to turn against it and are no longer drawing the party line. It's F up virtually every other game in some description ..... Just HOW much worse does this failed experiment have to get before it's pulled?

 

Single worst thing to come into the live spectacle in my lifetime. And the longer this carnage continues, the more it'll turn people off going the match.

 

Hail. 

Edited December 30, 2019 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

You wait 7-years for a trophy. And then 'BOOM', 3 of them are bagged in 7 months. And in so doing, become the first British side to hold all 3 UEFA/ FIFA Majors,  the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Club at the same time.

 

From the best side in all of Europe. To the best side in the whole of the World. To a side on the precipice of ending 30-years wait to add a 19th English title. And doing so with such a ridiculous consistency barely before seen not only at Anfield but in the entire history of the English top-flight-

 

37 league games played over the course of 2019.

31 wins, 5 draws, and a solitary defeat to open the year at City last January 3. Scoring 88 goals and conceding just 28. Keeping 15 clean-sheets in the process.

98 points out of a possible 111 available. An absurd standard that completely obliterates anything else in Europe's top 5 leagues of the Calendar year. (In PL terms,  that' s 6 more points than City who have played 1 game more over the duration.).

An average of 2.65 per game. The highest in the clubs entire history. (In the PL era, only Mourinho's 2005 Chelsea side have averaged a higher points-per-game total with 2.66. .1 from 1 more game played.).

And the second-highest points total over a full year LFC have ever accumulated. (1982. But those 107 points came over 46 games. 9 more games than the 2019 vintage have played. ).

In the PL era, only Utd in 1993 (102 points from 43 games/ 4 more points from 6 more games), and Chelsea in 2005 (101 points from 38 games/ 3 more points from 1 more game), have collected more points over a full calendar year.

 

To go from putting up the fourth-highest total points in English top-flight history last season, agonisingly falling short by a single point of a PL/ European Champions League double, to then turn around and not only maintain those historically high standards this season, but the raise the bar even further to nigh on perfection levels at halfway (P 19 W 18 D 1 L 0 F 47 A 14), leading to a gigantic 13/14 point lead (depending on whether you consider Leicester or City the second-best in the Country), with a game in hand, is just mind-blowingly outstanding. Whilst many expected L'pool to slip backwards, and City to power on to a third straight title, the converse has happened with Guardiola's outstanding Champions regressing as Klopp's ' Mantality Monster' Reds surge on showing a hunger, determination and unprecedented work ethic to settle for nothing less than a win every time they take to the field like we've never been privileged to witness before.

 

2 years ago City raised the bar to absurd levels. Which in turn forced Liverpool to raise their standards to match that. And now they've smashed completely through that bar and taken it on to astronomical levels which even City and all their millions can't keep pace with. 
 

The manager is rightly keeping everything grounded as he says the right things. But this awesome gang of Reds aren't so much having a title race as a record-breaking one-team procession to the finish line. As exemplified in glorious technicolour with their absolute decimation of the leagues second-placed team, in their own house, down at Leicester last Thursday in as close to a complete, dominant perfection as you could ever wish to see. From a side that is now as close to perfection as it possibly could be. That can beat you any which way you chose to set up against them. As they invariably do 99 times out of 100. A squad full of ridiculous quality and desire. Who are totally unified as one. Lead by the best Coach currently working in World Football who has fostered that unity to an extent that the connection between fans, players and manager has never been as high in my lifetime. And something that the club hasn't experienced on that level since the days of the great man who the German is cut from the exact same cloth. Bill Shankly.

 

Yesterday's winning end to 2019 against Wolves also brought around the 50th consecutive unbeaten league game at the now properly restored and then some 'Fortress Anfield' -

 

P 50 W 40 D 10 F 130 A 29 With 28 clean-sheets in there for good measure.

The last time L'pool lost at home in the PL is approaching 3 years ago. April 23, 2017. Crystal Palace. 1-2.

 

This all now equates to the third-longest unbeaten home run in English top-flight history. We are now chasing our own club record of 63 games unbeaten (1978-1980), and Chelsea's stupendous record Mourinho's first go-around of 86. (2004-2208.).

 

The club, in 4 and a half short years under Klopp, has turned around from the darkest of depths to now the highest of highs that has them currently THAT far ahead of every other club in World football it's not even funny. With the football club, on. most every level, as well run and front leading as it's ever been in its entire history. With the REALLY frightening thing, for every other club/ opposition fan out there, that they're nowhere near reached their ceiling with still LEVELS to come yet from this already historically outstanding gang of Reds.

 

2019 was a year, for those of a Red persuasion, that was off the charts brilliant. With the prospects of 2020 topping even that with the biggest party anyone has ever seen looming as the 30-year title drought ending is in sight. Coupled with the defence of the European Cup that wouldn't surprise anyone if it rolled all the way to the Istanbul final in May. Lest we forget that Klopp has the mind-blowing record of never having lost a two-legged European tie as manager of LFC. Going to three straight finals from three European campaigns with the Reds. It'd be a VERY brave man to bet against him making 4, and a stupendous 3rd consecutive appearance in the biggest game of all by the banks of the Bosporus in 5 months. Everyone will be together in one facility come the summer when the £50 million Kirkby redevelopment is complete and we move into that state of the art homage to a training facility. With the next stage of the ground redevelopment then kicking into gear with the Road End upgrade. And Minamino the first of what is only now the very best in players that can upgrade on what we currently have from January 1in another testament to a man who has been equally as instrumental in returning this majestic football club back onto its lofty perch above all others. The man who's at the top of his own individual field of football recruitment, Michael Edwards.

 

We've conquered all of Europe. Added World domination to that. The domestic rule is waiting to be crowned ..... Everything is set up for a new L'pool dynasty with no club outside of City showing any signs of remotely challenging these lads.

 

We've gone from one end of the spectrum to the other through this last decade. With the 2020's fixing to be one of the most enjoyable and trophy-laden yet we've ever experienced.

 

What a time to be alive. What a time to be one of Jurgens Reds!

 

Hail. 

Edited December 30, 2019 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

You win the Club World Cup, you then earn the right to wear the special FIFA Golden Badge on your shirts from the day you win it up until the final of the next year's tournament. It's part of the honour and prestige that goes along with the CWC. As we will now do in all our Champions League matches going forward. 

 

You would think that would be pushed front and centre by the PL as a genuine source of pride over the rest of the World at one of their marquee clubs becoming World Champions .....

 

 

But this is sadly the parochial PL. And in keeping with the insular, F up Country it represents, yesterday's game was the only time, domestically (unless the club appeal for FA Cup dispensation), that the golden World Champions badge will be on display on our shirt. 

 

ANY other Country, no less one that's ALL about the money and marketing possibilities as this. would be pushing the pride of the achievement of their premier club on the World stage. ANY other Country that is except this one. 

 

Betting firms/ Beer advertising et al- Perfectly acceptable additions to PL football shirts. 

 

Showcasing you're Champions of the World- Not so much. 

 

Absolute joke of a situation. We'll just have to remind everyone ourselves every week .....

 

'And now you're gonna' believe ussssssss, We're Champions of the WORLD!' 

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

So I might have been hasty on the above and the PL may have a point. 😋

 

From a Twitter post- 

 

The Premier League have allowed Liverpool to wear the FIFA Champions Badge for just one game.

 

Damn right; they shouldn't get special treatment!

Everton wasn't allowed to wear their 'We won the transfer window!' badge at all in 2017.

 

Hail. 

 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I completely missed this the other day- 

 

Proper F Scouse Legend! 

 

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hillsborough-campaigner-professor-phil-scraton-12383133

 

The ends the year PERFECTLY and should happen more often. 

 

Hail. 

 

 

 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

A NY, same arl VAR carnage-

 

 

It’s getting to be nigh on every game now.

 

Just admit this is a failed exercise and bin it already!

 

Hail. 

[FanboyOf91]

Getting owned by a gutted Arsenal in 2020 smh.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

New Year. 

 

Utd are still utter ****e. 

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Mad how out of this next block of games, Utd is the easiest of the bunch. Manchester. Not Sheffield.

 

Sign of just how far the former has fallen with the latter now a far bigger threat down to the absolutely awesome work Wilder has done. Still, the toughest game we've had all year at Bramall Lane back in September. Which is testament to the ridiculous season Sheffield United are having.  And I wouldn't be surprised if this one is the hardest we'll have to work all year at Anfield too.

 

But throw in the very fact that is 50 and counting unbeaten in the league Anfield, under the lights, and this should ultimately end up a comfortable victory in the scoreline. Just bloody hard work getting to it.

 

2/3- 0 to the World's best as we start 2020 that's fixing to be even better, if that's at all possible, then the ridiculous, record-setting 2019 we've just said goodbye to.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Sheff. Utd having a morning session Stanley Park- 

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/SheffieldUnited/status/1212693159232376832

 

To be fair, the facilities are far better than they'd find at Everton. 

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Boss half-hour watch between two proper, humble gentlemen who also happen to be two proper, football all-time greats-

 

 

 

 

Hail. 

 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Honestly running out of superlatives for this gang of Reds we've never seen the like of so I'll leave it to the absolutely different class Chris Wilder-

 

 

Absolute quality.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Derby Day. In the single best straight knock-out cup competition in World football. Doesn’t get much better than that. 
 

And this one's even more fascinating to me as I have absolutely no incline what way we'll approach this personal wise? I mean, we're down to the bare bones with only 13 healthy senior players so options are limited in reality to begin with. Does he, if the sports science guys say they can go again, run a similar side out that played against Sheffield United? Does he mix and match like the League Cup and play a half experienced, half youth side? Does he only make  3 or 4 outfield changes, binging in Lallana and Origi off Thursday's bench, along with Minamino, plus one, maybe 2 kids? So many possible ways he can play this. I'm really intrigued as I wouldn't put money on any of those scenarios trying to second guess him.

 

I’d personally much rather go weak and lose at Tottenham a week Sat'day tea-time than do the same and lose to Everton. Which is still THE game of every season you want to win more than any other if you're from/ still live in the City. Along with the Ancelotti factor, and not losing the first one to him/ protecting the 20-year/ 22-game  unbeaten home Derby record that we are. 
 

But all that said, I sure as heck wouldn't be questioning the manager if he put 11 kids out Sunday avvy.  As sadly, no doubt, the reactionary lunatics that lurk all over social media would be doing. Aside from the crazy mad period we're in, having played Thursday night on top of all the injuries, how do you question the man who'll be the one to end 30 LONG years wait and bring home our 19th title come May? After already adding #6 and being the first to make us Champions of the whole bloody World! 
 

I'd forgotten, until I was reminded last night, that they'll be 8,000 L'pool obsessed mongs infesting our ground Sunday as we do our bit for care in the community to give them a day out. That should be 'fun.'

 

Anyone who thinks this doesn’t matter, regardless of personnel, is deluding themselves.

 

It's a Derby. In the FA Cup.
 

With all the massive connotations that competition means to this City and football club.

It NATTERS!

 

Up the relentless Reds!

 

Hail.

[SkinInsite]

Carlo must be rethinking somethings

[FanboyOf91]

Games like today are why I get pissed off when commentators say that Pep changed the culture of the EPL far more than Fergie did.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

*Sings 'Going down? Are we F! We're gonna' win the Cup! Going down? Are we F! We're gonna' win the Cup!'

 

That right yeah lads? You might want to start with putting together a best XI that can, yanno, even compete  with L'pool's third-string before you get ahead of yourselves ay? Gotta' love the Blues. They NEVER learn. I'd personally give up on footy. It's just not the sport for you lads. Not to take anything away from these ridiculous Reds who were sensational, but that was cringe from Everton. Turn the lights out tonight Carlo lad and lay low. The honeymoon is WELL and truly over and your heads on the block! And may God watch out for those poor, poor Everton wife's and girlfriends when their fella's get home after that!

 

And while we're on the subject, ANY (so called. Which is a strong enough point to make given this clubs irrevocable connection to the FA Cup) Red that thought going in that the Cup didn't matter and we'd sack it off. As I'm sure there's a lot of lurkers who read here and don't post..... Give your collective, delusional heads a SERIOUS wobble! You've just had your answer out on the pitch in spades from a manager who gave Ancelotti a masterclass through the superb display of the experienced pro's alongside the immense youngsters. To Liverpool FC. The FA Cup still massively MATTERS! You might not agree with team selections. You might, fairly, want to prioritise it behind the League and CL. But for ANY Red to flippantly try say they aren't arsed and it doesn't matter ..... Man have you got a LOT to learn about the values of your football club and the people of this City it primarily serves. Go educate yourselves before the next round. And if that offends you, then good! It should!

 

Honestly, as a Scouser, to see our young lads decimate the Ev the way they did the second half ..... to see the desire and determination, ala the first team (which is the biggest testament of all to the manager by the way. That he has that running through every level of the football club) ..... to get out there and say 'Yer know lads? Yuse are dog **** and we're gonna' embarrass yers. AGAIN!' ...... To be topped off by a local lad that's on a Trent like trajectory to be a career lifer here, scoring a goal of such stupendous quality we can't even laugh at the little armed freak over it ...... It doesn't get ANY better than that! I honestly haven't been more proud of a team in Red than what those lads did today. To the Ev's best. In front of watching Nation who must be sick to the back teeth us now ..... 'Even when they put the kids out they STILL take the P! this isn't funny any more!' 😋

 

Off to get back on the ale as I've typed too much for anyone on a moby. Let the party continue!

 

Back to the song ..... 'Going down? Are we F! (Got that right as we're safe already as we march imperiously on to #19) We're gonna' win the Cup! (Is right lads. We've won two. And we'll have two more to add to it along with the league come May.).

 

Up the Kindergarten Klopp Reds giving us the days of our lives!

 

Hail. 

Edited January 5, 2020 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

After Mo picking up the award of Africa's best player for 2017 and 2018,  now our other World Class African makes it three straight years of Red winners.

 

 

Congrats Sadio. Richly deserved after an absolutely sensational 2019.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Our kids have totally broken them. 🤣 🤣

 

The Ev, The gift that just keeps on giving and giving. 

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/MelissaReddy_/status/1214890089031053312

 

https://www.grandoldteam.com/2020/01/07/conscious-uncoupling/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-nike-kit-kylian-mbappe-transfer-news-a4330266.html

 

To once again play with an arl protest song about bad Americans for good, sorry GREAT Americans-

 

'Liverpool Football Club, has never been in better hands!'

 

Having the 20% share of all merchandising royalties/ 5% footwear in our own hands, something totally unique to club deals now is massive in itself. But when you throw in Nike's global reach/ Minamino blowing open the Asian market et al, allied to the club's complete dominance of World football right now that shows no signs of ending anytime soon, and the scope for rewards from this is mind-boggling.

 

A real testament to the business nous of FSG.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I thought ****coat had figured out how to play us his time away from the game? Wasn’t that what he was chatting on Sky? 
 

Totally bossed that half without breaking sweat. 

 

45 minutes to another record smashed Reds. Keep working! 

 

Hail.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Well that's been just about the perfect football watching Saturday to pick you up when you're full of flu and coughing and spluttering all over-

 

First, the U18's have another tremendous late comeback win this dinner time to maintain the North division title fight.

 

Then Utd drop another perfect walloping, ala Newcastle, to keep Ole bobbling along nicely in the job.

 

Rounded out in game 3 by these ridiculous Reds racking up yet another win to move SEVENTEEN points cler of City/ 16 clear of Leicester with a game-in-hand. And in so doing, breaking more history in setting the best ever start, through 21 games, any teams ever had in any of European football's top 5 leagues!! 61 points out of 63. The best start to a season in Europe's top leagues. EVER! It's just getting stupid now how much better than everyone else these lads are.

 

Over the past 38 league games, we've amassed 104 points. (33 wins, 5 draws 90 for, 26 against.) . That equates to the best season in English top-flight history. Absolutely off the charts insane.

 

30th successive league game we've scored in. A new club record.

 

6th successive league clean-sheat.  Our best for 14 years.

 

Superb win again against an absolute ****house who LIVES to spoil the party. Totally dominated, got in front, dug in to see it out. Whatever way you want to play it, we'll invariably find a way to beat you.

 

Special, special, SPECIAL football team that continue to smash records by the passing game.

 

And now a full week to properly prepare for Utd and protect our 51 game, nearly 3-year unbeaten PL run at Anfield.

 

Soz abar us if you're on the outside looking in at another L'pool dynasty with the best gang of lads we've ever been privileged to watch.

 

Up the Champions Elect Reds!

 

Hail. 

Edited January 11, 2020 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Fair play to Mourinho in the presence of the greatest manager in the World. 😀

 

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Meanwhile, at the other end of the East Lancs .....

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/GrizzKhan/status/1216140957604884480

 

Hail. 

 

[Old Bay]

On 12/24/2019 at 2:11 PM, Gibbs Hog Heaven said:

 

That might be one for the Brits haha. 

 

Hail. 

 

Iron Bru is not for me.  I was surprised at the taste of it.  I was expecting a dark cola because of the name.

[Berggy9598]

If Bruno Fernandes voluntarily agrees to move to United, do I then get to say I told you so about my statement that he wouldn't make Liverpool's starting 11?