The Sunday Head to Head

Liverpool,so so close!

An emotion filled week was the lead up to the big clash on Super Sunday as Man U clashed with Liverpool at Anfield.

The first meeting between these 2 giants of English football since the Liverpool fans have been cleared of the blame for the Hillsbourgh disaster.

Sir Alex called for calm between fans as it can easily get out of hand between fans of one of the fiercest rivalries in football. Even sending a letter to the United fans to not provoke the Liverpool fans.

The emotion was then channelled into the game.

As is always the case in games of this nature emotions will be up and down as tackles are made. The was very evident when Shelvey was sent off for a 2 footed tackle early in the game.

After a goalless 1st half, Stevey G put Liverpool ahead. Was this to be the kick-start they needed to get their season started?

It was not to be as Rafael equalised for Man U. And then the proverbial penalty Man U always seem to get when it counts. This is a subject Thatsportsite will discuss sometime.

Up steps RVP, who made no mistake? 2-1 Man U.

That would be the final score.

So another frustrating day for Liverpool and  fans? More questions will now be asked, is Mr Rodgers the right man for the job. And can he get Liverpool back on track to have a decent season?

Thatsportsite has said before he is not the right man for the job. At that time Mr Rodgers was lacking fire-power up front.

Yet ironically today it was the defence that let Liverpool down after going ahead early in the 2nd half.

Mr Rodgers, you need to get the balance right all in the same game. Your fans are being patient.

But patience only lasts so long with the fans.

Its time you started turning the corner and make Liverpool the powerhouse club Thatsportsite knows it can be.

By: Joker Stephen
“The game is the leveller.”

Man United going about business as usual

For all of the emotion of Justice for the 96 preceding Liverpool’s derby match against Man United, as well as Liverpool’s determination to win this match, the sum total of it all is victory to the Red Devils.

Some disgusting chants in the crowd and other fan behaviour was evident, and it seems inevitable that in certain segments this will always be the case.

As for the actual football – Liverpool supporters can point to how perhaps the emotion of the situation overtook their players’ footballing composure, and how the tactical system employed by Brendan Rogers has yet to become as effective as it was for Swansea F.C. last season.

There will justifiably be debate surrounding the merits Liverpool’s red card and the penalty awarded to Manchester United but the soberly honest Liverpool fan at the very least should admit that, no league victories thus far points to their problems going beyond debatable refereeing decisions.

The disappointing reality for Liverpool F.C. is that, as much as Manchester United has traditionally made all of the P.R. noise to support the hype around the rivalry between the two, United genuine rivalry concerns lay with the Manchester City, Chelsea and occasionally Arsenal over the last 5 years.

Sunday’s match saw United really just going through the motions and almost sleepwalking, up until when Steven Gerrard scored the goal for Liverpool. United then really got going and Liverpool’s attacking threat simply folded – moreso after they went down to 10 men.

By appointing Brendan Rogers to take charge of matters, Liverpool have given themselves a good chance of becoming a genuine title threat once again – much as it may not seem that way at present.

What yesterday’s match showed however, is the gulf which exists between United and Liverpool. Face it Liverpudlians, a part of Sunday’s performance seemingly indicates that you’ve ‘turned the corner’ but it’s turning the corner into the middle positions of the league log, not turning the corner to title contention.

By: Newman Clinton

“We aiming for number 2”

The Sunday Head to Head