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Liverpool Story — February 2014

Hello everyone, welcome back, it’s time for another update! After a good January we had quite a difficult month ahead of us, including a trip to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona. Before that we had some league games to play and we wanted to win all of them to cement our place at the top of the table.

First up was a trip to the DW Stadium, we were facing struggling Wigan. After a poor January I was hoping for a change in fortune for Torres, and he couldn’t have done any more in this game. He put us in front early on with a shot from a tight angle that beat the keeper, he got his positioning all wrong. Soon after he doubled his tally with a classic counter attack goal, a Wigan corner was cleared, Gignac latched onto it and played a wonderful 40 yard pass to Torres, who slotted in. It was 3-0 before the break, Otamendi headed in from a corner. It was another goal from a corner for us, we have looked increasingly dangerous from them since I tried out FM Guru’s tactic. I would advise anyone to read this post, it really increases scoring chances. After Otamendi’s goal Wigan pulled one back, but Torres wasn’t finished, he intercepted a backpass, rounded Kirkland and sealed his hat trick.

After that success it was back to Anfield for us, we were facing Chelsea, currently third in the league. I expected a tough game but thankfully I was wrong, as soon as Torres put us ahead early on, it was one way traffic. Torres was tormenting Terry and Subotic with his pace, and he scored again just two minutes later, another through ball was placed into his path, and he made no mistake. Just six minutes later he completed his hat trick, in just twelve minutes, when Sanchez was through he unselfishly squared it and El Nino made no mistake. It was some way to return to form from him, making up for his poor previous month. The scoring was completed before half time, we hit them on the break again, and Silva grabbed his first league goal of the season with a tap in. It was a fantastic performance from us, but slightly worrying was Terry’s performance, I don’t think he’ll be in the England team come the World Cup, because he is just so slow.

After that great win we welcomed high flying Burnley to Anfield, they were in 5th place before the game. Burnley set out to defend and the match was a poor one. We managed to grab all three points when Sanchez’s cross was tapped in by Silva, his second in two games. We should have scored more, but at least we had won.

After the game, in training, Torres twisted an ankle and will be out for 2 weeks. I knew straight away that he was out of the Bracelona game, which was the next but one match, it was a huge blow for us.

Hopefully the next match will be more entertaining than the Burnley game, we were at home again, this time Tottenham travelled to us for our FA Cup 5th Round tie. The match was better, thankfully, with both teams creating chances. It was us that got the lead, Gignac hammered in a free kick from all of thirty yards, a stunning way to put us ahead! We continued to play well but had to wait until the 70th minute to kill the game, substitute Roman Vavilov was first to Insua’s cross to place it in. Vavilov got his second, our third, in the final minutes, Gerrard’s ball played him in and he poked it past Gomes. So we are into the 6th round, a good performance from the team.

After the game it was the big one, we were travelling to the Camp Nou. Without Torres I played a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Gerrard behind Gignac.

Looking at their line up I was worried, they had the hugely creative Xavi and Iniesta in midfield, supplying two of the world’s best wingers, Messi and Ribery. Despite that we started very well, and dominated the early stages. We were rewarded when Gerrard rifled in from the edge of the area following a corner. We were still playing better but Barca equalised, Iniesta unlocked our defence and found Ribery, who didn’t miss from 8 yards. We went into the break level, I was pleased with our performance, especially as we had an away goal. After the break Barca began to dominate possession and shots, but we were looking dangerous on the counter. We couldn’t break through though, and neither could they, Reina made a couple of brilliant saves and we left with a very good 1-1 draw.

After our good performance in Catalonia we were back to the Premier League just four days later, facing bottom side Portsmouth at Fratton Park. A lot of the players were tired after the Barca match, so I rested quite a few of them, as we were only facing Portsmouth. Niklas Danielsson put us ahead when he beat three players and put it in, a wonder goal from a player who hasn’t lived up to the fee payed for him yet. Roman Vavilov made good use of a rare league start, he scored our second before half time, to give us another solid win.

During the game Jack Wilshere went off injured but fortunately it was only concussion, he should be back before long.

So after that very good month we have opened up a big lead at the top of the table, I am certain that we will win the league again this season.

We have a nice little rest now, before we face Everton in the merseyside derby.  Also next month we have our huge second leg with Barca, we are currently in a strong position, and I am fairly confident we can triumph. The month looks a gruelling one, it will surely stretch our squad, but I think we can cope.

That’s all for now then friends, thanks for reading, and hopefully we can beat Barca next month, what do you think? Can we do it?

11 комментариев

11 Comments

  1. cory berman

    14 марта, 2010 at 21:51

    ive got a feeling you might scrape a victory but be careful not to be to defensive as barca wont play for a draw!! i was right aboy torres he scored two hat tricks in two games i knew he would prove everone, again, that he is a quality striker

  2. Laxeyman

    14 марта, 2010 at 22:47

    @Cory, thanks I will probably play a 4-5-1 formation like they do in the second leg, as Magnanelli stupidly got himself sent off, so I’ll have to bring Aquilani in. I am glad Torres is playing well again, it was only a minor blip, like you say he is a quality striker.

  3. Jaffa

    14 марта, 2010 at 23:02

    well done-torres is amazing! Sorry but could u post a link so I can download ur tactic? Thanks!

  4. Darren Smith

    14 марта, 2010 at 23:20

    Well done Laxeyman,

    some great results there. Its good to see you slaughtering teams and Torres scoring so many goals. Good luck for next month and I hope you but Barca for both of us…they are the one team I just can’t beat!

  5. Laxeyman

    15 марта, 2010 at 00:15

    @Jaffa, thanks, the only problem is keeping Torres fit. Unfortunately I can’t post the tactic, I’ve saved it but I can’t find it anywhere on my computer so I can’t post it.
    @Darren, thanks, I’ll try and beat Barca for you!

  6. Lye

    15 марта, 2010 at 01:31

    Hi Laxeyman, good job in the premier league as usual. The title will be yours anyway so won’t be touching too much on that:) Great draw against Barcelona, it will be a slight advantage to have but they really look dangerous with Messi and Ribery on the wings. I believe you can beat them in Anfield though as you are really strong at home. Good luck.

  7. Johnny Karp

    15 марта, 2010 at 08:59

    Well done Laxeyman, that away goal at Nou Camp is extremely important. The second leg won’t be easy, if you give Barca too much space they can always score once or twice. However, I think that you will win the game, good luck! The Premier League title should be all yours by the end of March ;)

  8. Laxeyman

    15 марта, 2010 at 09:36

    @Lye, yes Barca have two of the best three wingers in the world, the other one being my player Silva, in my opinion, so they are certainly dangerous.
    @Johnny, thanks, I’m fairly confident we have what it takes to beat them, provided we stay strong at the back.

  9. Kevin

    15 марта, 2010 at 10:06

    Hi Laxeyman
    Well done on another excellent month. To echo everyone else you should easily win the EPL. Good luck in the return leg against Barcelona.

  10. Sears

    16 марта, 2010 at 19:31

    Solid month again.Great draw away to Barce.I believe the great atmaispheor in Anfield will shock Barce and you should claim victory.Keep up the league form,its yours provided no slip-ups happin!

  11. Laxeyman

    16 марта, 2010 at 19:41

    @Kevin, thanks I am sure we will win the league once again.
    @Sears, thanks, we shall see if the atmosphere helps, it’s certainly great, having been twice myself.

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