Football Extended

After 538 days without a capacity crowd at Anfield, there 58,000 of us crammed into our home to watch Liverpool grind out a 2-0 win over a feisty Burnley side.  It may be only the second game of the season, but results like today are the type champions get against teams who come to play hoof-ball and frustrate the home team. Burnley had absolutely no intention to play football, instead relying on long balls upfield to hope one of Chris Wood or Ashley Barnes can flick a header on to one of Dwight McNeil or Johan Gudmunsson on the wings. They came to kick and shove and frustrate Liverpool players to prevent their regular fluid style of play. That didn’t happen. Liverpool players were excellent with the ball at their feet, particularly the midfield three who kept the play moving well and recycled play when necessary. Jordan Henderson’s return to the side was very welcome as he replaced Fabinho, who didn’t play due to personal reasons.  Speaking of the lineup, there was a full Pre...

The Reds score three at Carrow Road on the opening day of the 2021/22 season to silence early doubters. The Premier League is back! With the European Championships taking up much of our summer entertainment, it seems like it has been an age since Liverpool wrapped up their 2020/21 campaign against Crystal Palace at Anfield in May. Similar to our title winning 2019/20 season opener, Liverpool faced newly promoted Norwich City on this seasons opening day - this time away from home at Carrow Road.  Klopp's selection reflected what many thought the Liverpool team would look like with many players not yet at full fitness due to their pre-seasons being cut short due to their exploits at the Euros and still recovering from injuries picked up last season, with the likes of Thiago and captain Jordan Henderson missing from the first team. After 301 days without playing a competitive game, Virgil van Dijk returned to the starting line up along with Joel Matip, who also missed a hefty chunk of...