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EastStandBlue

Life President
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
15,519
Liverpool haven’t exactly had the best of luck this season. Karma paid it back with a vengeance tonight as troubled Merseyside club recorded a precious win against a Spurs side battling with them for that coveted 4th place finish.

The game started at a tentative pace, with Spurs looking to make Liverpool work hard for possession. A clever piece of play saw Bale released down the left flank and the Welshman whipped in an inviting cross that came inches from colliding with Kyriagkos and a certain own goal. Seconds later, Liverpool had the lead. Reina launched the ball forward towards Aquilani, who collided with Dawson as the defender failed to clear. Dirk Kuyt, freshly deployed as a sole forward in the wake of Torres’ absence, slotted past Gomes to give Liverpool the lead and the relief was clearly evident within The Kop.

The rest of the first half was a drab affair dictated by two midfields who collided with each other at every opportunity. Javier Mascherano could consider himself lucky to have only received a yellow card as his persistent fouling certainly caught the eye of Joe Jordan. Just before the break, Spurs were denied a stonewall penalty as Kyriagkos attempted a premature attempt to swap shirts with Peter Crouch in the box as Bale whipped in another free kick. In a moment that can only be described as utter lunacy, Howard Webb’s official on the far side saw it in his power to award Liverpool the free kick.

I dread to think of the repercussions should there have been a referee assessor in the crowd tonight, as it was only one of several key decisions the officials got wrong. None more costly than the incident just after half time…

Defoe, clearly offside, was walking back when a ball flew over the top towards Kyriagkos, who laid it back into the path of Pepe Reina. Defoe moved quickly to rob Reina of the ball, outfox the sprawling Kyriagkos and slot home for what should have been Spurs’ equaliser. The officials had other ideas, and the linesman eventually flagged for offside.

Liverpool eventually ran out 2-0 winners, Kuyt converting a penalty at the second attempt in the dying minutes. Liverpool have the win they so desperately need against one of their positional rivals, but don’t let this mask the frailties that are still lurking in the background like a prospective Arab takeover bid.

Had the officials been spot on, like Howard Webb so frequently is, then the result could well have been different. A packed Liverpool midfield toiled against a fleet-footed Tottenham midfield, Lucas as persistent in giving possession away as Mascherano was in fouling. Special mention, however, goes to Alberto Aquilani, who looks no more of a £20million midfielder than I do, and I’d probably be able to play more than 60 minutes per week without a rest.

This result will paper over the cracks and Liverpool’s form in the Premier League isn’t actually any worse than anybody else’s. They still face tough competition for a Champions League finish, but Rafa’s promise looks ever so slightly more realistic tonight.
 
I do not agree that the little bit of luck Liverpool had last night when the penalty was not given make's of for the shocking run of fortune they have endured this season.

It probably should have been a penalty but no more than in the first game at White Hart Lane when Ekotto fouled Voronin in the box but referee Dowd was not brave enough to point to the spot again in closing stages of the match

With regard to the 'Spur's equalizer' the whistle was blown before hit the net and although the first phase and second phase of the offside law makes it a little confusing it could also be argued that Defoe fouled Reina anyway. Typically Andy Gray tried to make a big deal out of the decision but ultimately Spur's got what they deserved out of the game.

Strange really that although Spur's are now just one point above Liverpool they are perceived as having a great season whilst Liverpool's is a disaster but ultimately that probably relates to expectation biased on previous season's.
 
Spurs were pretty awful, Liverpool were up for it. Despite all the clamour for Benitez to quit they have 3 wins and a draw in the last 4 league games, and again won without Gerrard and Torres!
 
With regard to the 'Spur's equalizer' the whistle was blown before hit the net and although the first phase and second phase of the offside law makes it a little confusing it could also be argued that Defoe fouled Reina anyway. Typically Andy Gray tried to make a big deal out of the decision but ultimately Spur's got what they deserved out of the game.

Until Kuyt was hit by a sniper in the second half, Spurs were mounting all kinds of pressure on the Liverpool defence that crumbled under such pressure at the weekend. More than giving Liverpool time to recoup, Spurs struggled to regain any momentum and when Keane came on it seemed to confuse other players as to what position they were all supposed to be playing.

As for the incident above, as soon as Kyriagkos touched the ball it starts a new phase of play and Defoe is onside. Reina had ample time to clear the ball up the field and he desperately clambered over Defoe as soon as he realised what had happened. Still, with such a confusing offside law mistakes like these will happen.
 
Until Kuyt was hit by a sniper in the second half, Spurs were mounting all kinds of pressure on the Liverpool defence that crumbled under such pressure at the weekend. More than giving Liverpool time to recoup, Spurs struggled to regain any momentum and when Keane came on it seemed to confuse other players as to what position they were all supposed to be playing.

As for the incident above, as soon as Kyriagkos touched the ball it starts a new phase of play and Defoe is onside. Reina had ample time to clear the ball up the field and he desperately clambered over Defoe as soon as he realised what had happened. Still, with such a confusing offside law mistakes like these will happen.

Yeah its ridiculous as you say by the letter of the law (I think!) it was a goal, poor officiating. Something has to be done, its either offside or it's not!
 
I watched the game. Not sure what to make of Defoe's finish. Rules are not overly clear. whilst two players touched it . the guy was offside and liverpool could have just taken it , he then charged down at pace when liverpool could claim they had already done their job of ensuring he was offside. in defence of the other views that the goal should have stood.
 
Javier Mascherano could consider himself lucky to have only received a yellow card as his persistent fouling certainly caught the eye of Joe Jordan.

Good grief! I have an image of little Javier in some sort of death leap towards big Joe's head ... hope Joe's eye is alright. ;)
 
Good grief! I have an image of little Javier in some sort of death leap towards big Joe's head ... hope Joe's eye is alright. ;)

There was a particular incident in the second half where Mascherano and Insua were time wasting near the touchline. Knowing what Joe Jordan is/was like, and judging by the stare he was giving the pair of them, I can only imagine every inch of his fibre wanted to pummel the two little Argentines into the ground.
 
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