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| Not wanting to spoil things, but this wasn't the final score... |
I'm ultimately not sure why we're playing this game. It seems like a return favour for when Klopp let Critchley have a go on the first team or something. We're clearly fit and ready to go, so why go to Anfield and play against a team like them? Probably something about learning or character or whatever, but I'm really not looking forward to this as much as maybe I should be. I'm also worried that the rest of the squad might not believe Ollie Turton when he says 'I used to play here' and that Matty Virtue might get upset if Klopp doesn't remember him. They're not just football robots y'know, they're people.
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It takes a full minute for us to touch the ball and Liverpool look slick and skillful on a bowling green but it's surprisingly Blackpool who nearly break through first with CJ Hamilton racing down the right but supplying Jerry Yates with heavy cross that is just not quite where where he wants it. Yates gesticulates, but it looked to me as if he got caught slightly between throwing himself at it and going with his feet.
We're off again and a lovely three man move looks like its unlocked the door but Matip stretches to deny Kaikai. So much for their good start, we look their match so far.
Liverpool slice us open twice on the left within a minute but Nottingham looks every bit £75 million as he controls a dangerous cut back with one touch, takes a look and clears to a Blackpool shirt.
Minutes later, Notts' value has dropped somewhat as he passes back to Maxwell without noticing Firmino is all over him. Liverpool don't punish the mistake and try and football it round for a bit but we won't settle for that as Hamilton punishes an even more lazy pass with a tough challenge, emerging with the ball, racing towards the Kop and drilling it low and hard into the bottom right corner. I'm enjoying this much more than I feared I might.
Maxwell twice denies Mane in the same move, excellent saves but Liverpool are offside anyway so it doesn't matter. Again Maxwell is looking assured.
There's a bit of a breather where there lots of good football but nothing much happens.
Pool's next moment comes from James Husband who is surprisingly nimble in a tight corner, swinging a cross that Allison takes under pressure from Hamilton.
Liverpool almost break through but more impressive work from Notts denies a Firmino flick header, the big lad taking a whack in the face from the ball but standing tall against his man.
Yates is involved with a beautiful give and go, winning the ball well, off loading, racing away down right and receiving the return pass in his stride, the move comes to nothing, but it's an example of the fluidity of the forward line.
Maxwell makes a couple of solid stops, getting behind Liverpool efforts well.
Pool shout for a penalty as Allison cleans out Hamilton. It looks like the referee has given a corner but it turns out he has pointed to the spot after all. Yates steps up as the keepers kicking his studs against the post echos round the ground. Yates hammers the pen into the bottom left corner and me and my lad leap off the sofa as one.
Yates nearly bursts through again but over runs it and we're absolutely on fire.
Liverpool serve a warning that they might douse the flames as Keita hits post from the edge of the box but almost straight away Ward misses a chance to fire at goal with Allison out of his goal having cleared but not convincingly.
Liverpool have the next chance as Milner has the ball on the left, he stops and the game stops with him as everyone stands of him and waits to see what he'll do. He choose a simple lay back, from which the ball is stabbed through to through to Salah, but Nottingham dives in front and prevents an almost certain goal.
When it comes, Liverpool's first is easy, a corner, a header, a goal, but we're not bowed by the setback as from the next Liverpool attack, Nottingham wins possession then gallops forward, going past a man on the way before feeding Yates who finds Kaikai but Allison spreads himself to deny us at the near post.
The last action of the half sees the again impressive Keshi Anderson smothering a clear Firmino chance - the Brazilian gets away, but Keshi gets back to him like a piece of elastic and makes a superb challenge.
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Pool have been magnificent. Husband has had a great game, Nottingham almost imperious, Hamilton has looked superior to his Liverpool marker and we've been so busy and alert. There's a feeling that in the last five minutes Liverpool stepped up the gears but it's been impressive to see how well the unfancied partnership of Notts and Big Marvin have done against a forward line that will go down in the annals of time as 'better than Rochdale's'
Put simply, we've done exactly what we did to Everton, to Liverpool. We've played with intensity, commitment and skill and looked every inch their equals, if not more. Yates has had a good game, troubling the Liverpool centre halves, Robson is just a Rolls Royce in midfield, you don't notice him because he just shows, gets, gives and is so calm. Anderson is the most committed player I can remember for years and has skill to match his effort. Sullay hasn't been vintage, but he's done ok and it's not quite fallen for him, no one has been poor and overall, we've looked like a real team.
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We make some subs, with MJ Williams, Jack Sims, Dan Kemp and Bez Lubala replacing Robson, Maxwell, Hamilton and Kaikai.
Liverpool make some changes too and release some of their freakish genetic experiments onto the pitch and immediately look better for it.
Firmino hints at what is to come with a volleyed effort that brings a decent save from Sims. The equaliser is not long in coming as Ekpiteta clearance smacks against Mane who controls and shoots. Sims saves well from the initial shot, but the rebound ricochets against Mane again, hits the bar, then bounces perfectly for the striker to tuck it away. It's a scruffy goal and a bit lucky, but from then on, Liverpool are cruising.
They're soon in front as Grant Ward concede possession, Sims saves again from Salah's shot, but from the loose ball Liverpool pull it back and Firmino hammers it home. Lots of hands on hips and aghast looks amongst the defence, but it feels as if we're running in treacle.
Kemp, who is the highlight of the second half for the Mighty, does great work, stealing the ball from Milner and finding Yates who has to fight to turn, looking for all the world like he's being held but his shot is blocked and balloning over the bar and the resulting corner comes to naught.
Yates with an excellent run is the only other moment in the first 15 minutes where we threaten. It's way more disjointed and Liverpool have stepped up a gear and we look less comfortable. With new players who've barely trained with us its not surprising and it's notable how much more nervous we look without Maxwell at the back. He's really good with his feet, something you only notice when he's not there.
We make more changes and Madine, Shaw, Howe, Feeney, Antwi and Thorniley join the action, leaving only Big Marv on the pitch from the starting 11.
Not surprisingly, there ensues a spell where Pool simply can't get the ball away, Feeney culpable early on of a poor clearance, granting Liverpool about 45 seconds of making us back pedal and chase shadows before they work an opening and Harvey Elliot slots past Sims who gets a hand on, but one that only helps the ball into the bottom corner.
The fifth is not long in coming, Firmino with a stunning run that from the moment it starts looks unstoppable. Big Marvin almost manages with a sliding interception. He's close but no cigar and Firmino retains possession and pull back for Minamino to tap in an easy finish.
We're still trying though and Feeney reminds everyone that he still exists by skinning his man and racing down the right flank and playing a curling ball looking for Madine that they hack out for a corner.
We have a nice move with Williams spreading play, Kemp collecting on the touchline and releasing Feeney down the line with a slide rule pass who crosses and again, they clear for a corner and again, the corner causes Liverpool no issues.
Kemp then does a nice bit of footwork, coming inside off the right and with a cross come shot forces a hurried bit of work from the Liverpool keeper.
Madine almost makes a contribution to the game by holding the ball well, seeing Lubala running inside him and almost pulling off a back heeled through ball. Almost, but not. Lubala takes a while to get up to speed with the rotating strikers thing, spending most of the half stood on the left touchline, but towards the end he seems to become more mobile. Madine does very little other than jog about. He can't still be carrying that knock, surely?
Kemp, Feeney and Lubala link to force another corner and it looks like we might be able to save a bit of face here. 5-3 would be fine. Needless to say, the corner is off no threat at all.
Liverpool's sixth sees a totally unmarked Origi tap in at the far post after a cross from a totally unpressurised wide man. Whether Liverpool have played much better or our own performance has been much worse, they are scoring without really having to work for it.
The seventh sees a looping cross hung in after a short corner, Liverpool are first to what seems like about 5 flick ons and and some precociously hot housed wonder kid who I can't be arsed looking up his name taps home. I've given up by now and it looks like our defence has too.
There's a moment at the end that could bring a little cheer as Feeney runs through middle, feeds Madine who has come wide (so that's a thing he did to be fair), he lays off to Kemp and the low ball across goal looks for Antwi, who slides, Gazza-Euro 96-esque, but can't connect. It would be the least we deserved but it's not to be.
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Liverpool murdered us in the second half and what we learned was our kids and reserves aren't as good as their kids and reserves. Who knew?! We also made more changes than them as they finished with at least Milner, Keita and Firmano playing the 90 minutes and players like Curtis Jones on the pitch. We had less obvious class by the final whistle is all I'll say. Our kids were playing at Myerscough and Bamber Bridge last year, there's weren't.
Madine still looks completely off the pace. I don't disregard his ability, I spent time last year sticking up for him but he just didn't put himself about at all. That's all I can say. Clearly, the task was a bridge to far for some of the young lads and we looked leaderless and overwhelmed. Like the Blackburn game, it's unlikely that the second half team that finished will start together in any meaningful match.
Liverpool's first choice side were subdued and cautious, they couldn't cope with our starting 11 at times. Their kids were electric, knowing that they had nothing to lose and might as well give their all. Our second 11 wasn't even in the same world as them.
But lets not be too glum. It looks as if Critchley has built a very good side, in very little time on the evidence of the first half. We've got a dangerous mobile attacking unit, a composed midfield and a surprisingly decent defence, despite all the anxiety about the latter unit, it did well enough. The second half was a different story, but it's probably asking a bit much for him to produce two sides capable of beating the Champions in the course of a single transfer window.
Ultimately, our first team is better than theirs. Fact.
UTMP
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It takes a full minute for us to touch the ball and Liverpool look slick and skillful on a bowling green but it's surprisingly Blackpool who nearly break through first with CJ Hamilton racing down the right but supplying Jerry Yates with heavy cross that is just not quite where where he wants it. Yates gesticulates, but it looked to me as if he got caught slightly between throwing himself at it and going with his feet.
We're off again and a lovely three man move looks like its unlocked the door but Matip stretches to deny Kaikai. So much for their good start, we look their match so far.
Liverpool slice us open twice on the left within a minute but Nottingham looks every bit £75 million as he controls a dangerous cut back with one touch, takes a look and clears to a Blackpool shirt.
Minutes later, Notts' value has dropped somewhat as he passes back to Maxwell without noticing Firmino is all over him. Liverpool don't punish the mistake and try and football it round for a bit but we won't settle for that as Hamilton punishes an even more lazy pass with a tough challenge, emerging with the ball, racing towards the Kop and drilling it low and hard into the bottom right corner. I'm enjoying this much more than I feared I might.
Maxwell twice denies Mane in the same move, excellent saves but Liverpool are offside anyway so it doesn't matter. Again Maxwell is looking assured.
There's a bit of a breather where there lots of good football but nothing much happens.
Pool's next moment comes from James Husband who is surprisingly nimble in a tight corner, swinging a cross that Allison takes under pressure from Hamilton.
Liverpool almost break through but more impressive work from Notts denies a Firmino flick header, the big lad taking a whack in the face from the ball but standing tall against his man.
Yates is involved with a beautiful give and go, winning the ball well, off loading, racing away down right and receiving the return pass in his stride, the move comes to nothing, but it's an example of the fluidity of the forward line.
Maxwell makes a couple of solid stops, getting behind Liverpool efforts well.
Pool shout for a penalty as Allison cleans out Hamilton. It looks like the referee has given a corner but it turns out he has pointed to the spot after all. Yates steps up as the keepers kicking his studs against the post echos round the ground. Yates hammers the pen into the bottom left corner and me and my lad leap off the sofa as one.
Yates nearly bursts through again but over runs it and we're absolutely on fire.
Liverpool serve a warning that they might douse the flames as Keita hits post from the edge of the box but almost straight away Ward misses a chance to fire at goal with Allison out of his goal having cleared but not convincingly.
Liverpool have the next chance as Milner has the ball on the left, he stops and the game stops with him as everyone stands of him and waits to see what he'll do. He choose a simple lay back, from which the ball is stabbed through to through to Salah, but Nottingham dives in front and prevents an almost certain goal.
When it comes, Liverpool's first is easy, a corner, a header, a goal, but we're not bowed by the setback as from the next Liverpool attack, Nottingham wins possession then gallops forward, going past a man on the way before feeding Yates who finds Kaikai but Allison spreads himself to deny us at the near post.
The last action of the half sees the again impressive Keshi Anderson smothering a clear Firmino chance - the Brazilian gets away, but Keshi gets back to him like a piece of elastic and makes a superb challenge.
---
Pool have been magnificent. Husband has had a great game, Nottingham almost imperious, Hamilton has looked superior to his Liverpool marker and we've been so busy and alert. There's a feeling that in the last five minutes Liverpool stepped up the gears but it's been impressive to see how well the unfancied partnership of Notts and Big Marvin have done against a forward line that will go down in the annals of time as 'better than Rochdale's'
Put simply, we've done exactly what we did to Everton, to Liverpool. We've played with intensity, commitment and skill and looked every inch their equals, if not more. Yates has had a good game, troubling the Liverpool centre halves, Robson is just a Rolls Royce in midfield, you don't notice him because he just shows, gets, gives and is so calm. Anderson is the most committed player I can remember for years and has skill to match his effort. Sullay hasn't been vintage, but he's done ok and it's not quite fallen for him, no one has been poor and overall, we've looked like a real team.
---
We make some subs, with MJ Williams, Jack Sims, Dan Kemp and Bez Lubala replacing Robson, Maxwell, Hamilton and Kaikai.
Liverpool make some changes too and release some of their freakish genetic experiments onto the pitch and immediately look better for it.
Firmino hints at what is to come with a volleyed effort that brings a decent save from Sims. The equaliser is not long in coming as Ekpiteta clearance smacks against Mane who controls and shoots. Sims saves well from the initial shot, but the rebound ricochets against Mane again, hits the bar, then bounces perfectly for the striker to tuck it away. It's a scruffy goal and a bit lucky, but from then on, Liverpool are cruising.
They're soon in front as Grant Ward concede possession, Sims saves again from Salah's shot, but from the loose ball Liverpool pull it back and Firmino hammers it home. Lots of hands on hips and aghast looks amongst the defence, but it feels as if we're running in treacle.
Kemp, who is the highlight of the second half for the Mighty, does great work, stealing the ball from Milner and finding Yates who has to fight to turn, looking for all the world like he's being held but his shot is blocked and balloning over the bar and the resulting corner comes to naught.
Yates with an excellent run is the only other moment in the first 15 minutes where we threaten. It's way more disjointed and Liverpool have stepped up a gear and we look less comfortable. With new players who've barely trained with us its not surprising and it's notable how much more nervous we look without Maxwell at the back. He's really good with his feet, something you only notice when he's not there.
We make more changes and Madine, Shaw, Howe, Feeney, Antwi and Thorniley join the action, leaving only Big Marv on the pitch from the starting 11.
Not surprisingly, there ensues a spell where Pool simply can't get the ball away, Feeney culpable early on of a poor clearance, granting Liverpool about 45 seconds of making us back pedal and chase shadows before they work an opening and Harvey Elliot slots past Sims who gets a hand on, but one that only helps the ball into the bottom corner.
The fifth is not long in coming, Firmino with a stunning run that from the moment it starts looks unstoppable. Big Marvin almost manages with a sliding interception. He's close but no cigar and Firmino retains possession and pull back for Minamino to tap in an easy finish.
We're still trying though and Feeney reminds everyone that he still exists by skinning his man and racing down the right flank and playing a curling ball looking for Madine that they hack out for a corner.
We have a nice move with Williams spreading play, Kemp collecting on the touchline and releasing Feeney down the line with a slide rule pass who crosses and again, they clear for a corner and again, the corner causes Liverpool no issues.
Kemp then does a nice bit of footwork, coming inside off the right and with a cross come shot forces a hurried bit of work from the Liverpool keeper.
Madine almost makes a contribution to the game by holding the ball well, seeing Lubala running inside him and almost pulling off a back heeled through ball. Almost, but not. Lubala takes a while to get up to speed with the rotating strikers thing, spending most of the half stood on the left touchline, but towards the end he seems to become more mobile. Madine does very little other than jog about. He can't still be carrying that knock, surely?
Kemp, Feeney and Lubala link to force another corner and it looks like we might be able to save a bit of face here. 5-3 would be fine. Needless to say, the corner is off no threat at all.
Liverpool's sixth sees a totally unmarked Origi tap in at the far post after a cross from a totally unpressurised wide man. Whether Liverpool have played much better or our own performance has been much worse, they are scoring without really having to work for it.
The seventh sees a looping cross hung in after a short corner, Liverpool are first to what seems like about 5 flick ons and and some precociously hot housed wonder kid who I can't be arsed looking up his name taps home. I've given up by now and it looks like our defence has too.
There's a moment at the end that could bring a little cheer as Feeney runs through middle, feeds Madine who has come wide (so that's a thing he did to be fair), he lays off to Kemp and the low ball across goal looks for Antwi, who slides, Gazza-Euro 96-esque, but can't connect. It would be the least we deserved but it's not to be.
---
Liverpool murdered us in the second half and what we learned was our kids and reserves aren't as good as their kids and reserves. Who knew?! We also made more changes than them as they finished with at least Milner, Keita and Firmano playing the 90 minutes and players like Curtis Jones on the pitch. We had less obvious class by the final whistle is all I'll say. Our kids were playing at Myerscough and Bamber Bridge last year, there's weren't.
Madine still looks completely off the pace. I don't disregard his ability, I spent time last year sticking up for him but he just didn't put himself about at all. That's all I can say. Clearly, the task was a bridge to far for some of the young lads and we looked leaderless and overwhelmed. Like the Blackburn game, it's unlikely that the second half team that finished will start together in any meaningful match.
Liverpool's first choice side were subdued and cautious, they couldn't cope with our starting 11 at times. Their kids were electric, knowing that they had nothing to lose and might as well give their all. Our second 11 wasn't even in the same world as them.
But lets not be too glum. It looks as if Critchley has built a very good side, in very little time on the evidence of the first half. We've got a dangerous mobile attacking unit, a composed midfield and a surprisingly decent defence, despite all the anxiety about the latter unit, it did well enough. The second half was a different story, but it's probably asking a bit much for him to produce two sides capable of beating the Champions in the course of a single transfer window.
Ultimately, our first team is better than theirs. Fact.
UTMP
Enjoyed reading that, enough facts and enough humour made it a worthwhile read. Thanks
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