Liverpool Story — January 2014

Hello everyone, sorry for the delay, and welcome back! At the end of 2013 we had won the World Club Cup, and had two games in hand on Man City, who were two points behind us in second. We had quite a tough schedule coming up, including a trip to Arsenal at the end of the month.

First up was a home tie to Bolton, on the very first day of the year. I never really expected Bolton to put up much of a challenge to us, and I was proved right when Gignac scored the opener, he moved on to Torres’ pass and finished. We continued to dominate, but couldn’t get a second before half time. Nine minutes after the break it was two-nil, Gignac got his second with a powerful freekick that beat the keeper for pace. We probably should have scored more after that, but it wasn’t to be, with Torres rattling the bar. The game finished two-nil, a comfortable victory for us.

After that game we had only a three day break, we were facing Championship side Leyton Orient, at home. I sent out a very young team that included 15 year old Melvin Delamare, who was signed for $14m in the summer. Delamare immediately showed his huge potential, in just the seventh minute he beat a defender and fired it in from 20 yards. It was a fantastic way to start his career, he endeared himself to the fans straight away. It was two-nil soon after, Manuel Pereda’s shot was saved and Jack Wilshere pounced on the rebound. He doesn’t miss from 5 yards. I was very confident at that stage, but we were in for a shock. Orient scored, and that made our young defence jittery, and we conceded another soon after. After being two up we were suddenly going in level. I was still confident, but I was beginning to get a bit worried before Wilshere popped up again to slot home and seal a three-two win. The result looks close but in actual fact we dominated the game, and should have scored more.

Just four days later we were back in the Premier League, we had a trip to Middlesborough coming up. They were struggling in fifteenth place, and we brushed aside with relative ease. Otamendi nodded in a corner, Insua slotted in after staying up from a corner, soon after Gignac scored a wonder goal when he beat three players and placed it in. The final goal was scored by Gignac again, he headed in Sanchez’s cross to round off a good victory. We had now opened up a good lead over Man City, I was pleased about that as I want to wrap up the league as early as possible.

The next game was another away one, this time at Wolves. I was expecting a good performance after the victory over Middlesboro’ but unfortunately we couldn’t do that. We were dire, so were they and the match just drifted into a boring nil-nil draw. The closest either side came was when Torres struck a post from 20 yards, but otherwise very little happened.

After that disappointing result we had to bounce back quickly, Man United were visting Anfield in what was sure to be a difficult match. Man United had the tricky Giuseppe Rossi and Wayne Rooney up front, but it was Joe Mattock who got their goal, he lashed in from 10 yards. Despite going behind we were playing well, and we got a deserved equaliser when Jourdain stabbed home the loose ball following a corner. I thought that was to be the last of the scoring but in the ninty-fifth minute Alexis Sanchez pounced on Mascherano’s rebounded shot and poked it under Foster to secure a dramatic win. It was a very good win, a thrilling way to do it, and the late goal sent the fans into raptures.

There was  no respite though, and four days later we travelled to Sheffield United, a tough game. We got off to a great start, though, Gignac continued his good form by scoring the only goal with a header in just the third minute. We were missing David Silva, who had been injured since the Wolves game. The match became very dull after the goal, we should have scored again, but Sheff Utd posed little threat and we held on for the win.

Next up for us was the result of our victory over Leyton Orient, a home game against West Ham, in the FA Cup 4th Round. I sent out a strong team, as I felt it was like another league game, and was rewarded with a good win. Gignac scored once again, and Torres finally got his first goal of the year, with a powerful header. The third was scored by Niklas Danielsson, who nodded in Gignac’s right wing cross.

We were safely through to the fifth round, when we will face Tottenham, at home. I was disappointed by this because it effectively means another legaue game, whereas facing a lower league team is both easier and sometimes more interesting.

We had one more game to play in this gruelling month, and it wasn’t an easy one, it was away at Arsenal. The match was so even it is almost impossible to describe it. We matched them for possession, shots and corners, but we had more clear cut chances. It was near the end when the deadlock was finally broken. Jack Wilshere converted Insua’s cross with a rare header to seal a victory for us that we probably didn’t deserve. Still, we weren’t complaining and it was another good victory for us.

That’s how it was then folks, that concludes a good month for us. I have been particulary pleased with the defensive performances this month, we only conceded three goals, a very good effort from the unsung heroes at the back.

Here is the league table. We have opened up a three point lead, that could stretch to six after we have played our game in hand. I feel sure we will win the league, as the competition is just so poor.

Next month will be another tester, the standout match is the first leg of our Champions League tie against Barcelona. They are currently second in Liga  BBVA, but looking through their squad it seems very good. However we have a good chance, hopefully we can grab an away goal in that game.

That’s all then, thanks for reading, and wish me luck against Barca!