Blackpool 2, Liverpool 1: The Long Road Back

Nice to see that the comments have mostly been of a positive nature. I personally was quite relieved (and timidly optimistic) with the style of play last night. It was largely positive and it was just awesome to see Torres score so early. If Dalglish can maintain this style of play while tightening a few screws, I think we'll see something more reminiscent of our (almost) title winning run from 2 years back.

Here's the thing, though: I think it was a combination of two factors: player confidence and the starting lineup. Jova and Poulsen weren't playing much football in the last month and Johnson clearly didn't have enough confidence or skill with his left foot. He still made good runs forward, but struggled to get crosses in. Other than that I think the players are still subconsciously shaking off the effects of the last manager's tactics. To start with such a high gear (in relation to other games this season) I can forgive them for being a little sloppy.

Positivity people!

Honestly here is my thoughts:
Kenny hasnt had enough time yet and so S Clarke.
More work on the training ground specially in passing and posession.
If players like the one in Blackpool can be disciplined, how come players of LFC calibre cant? It can happen.
Needs time, Kenny is not a quick fix magician but we shouldnt have been very optimistic from the day Roy started losing away games.
Keep the faith but its not going to be an easy ride.

Well we got the 'passing it round quickly' bit off to a good start. It was just 'picking the best option, passing it so it actually reached him, and then him controlling it and repeating the dose up to the business end' that was a tad iffy. A lot of mistakes in possession, running out of room, giving it away, and then being made to pay for it by a team that is just loving sticking it up the big boys. (Confess to a soft spot for Tangerines and the bristling Mr Holloway - and they do have a nice line in candy).

But patience Grasshopper. While no-one can be happy losing, I do feel an almost Zen like calm surrounding me as Special K goes about his business. I'm holding back the bile, swallowing the spittle and resisting the urge to punch the cat. He needs time. And he deserves that time without overly impatient knobs like me jumping onto his cute Scotty back when things don't go our way immediately. We are in a huge fucking hole, and one we've been digging ourselves over some few seasons. I hate to open the blinds to the harsh light of day here guys, but it will take a bit of fixing.

I'm confident Kenny will eventually get the best out of the cattle we have. Whether that is good enough to keep them on the list, LFC out of the Championship, and him in the job, that is the question. To suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune to...oops, sorry, wrong play. Where was I? Oh yes...and we may be surprised by those who actually do improve (a la Lucas this season?).

Bit of a ramble, apologies. Been a long day, and it's still fucking raining, still 27 degrees Celsius (=shitloads fahrenheit), and it's still 10,000% humidity. Hope you feel better soon Ed. The bride's been crook with a bout of laryngitis for the past 4 days poor soul. It's been great.

Well I just woke up, glad to see that it's still Rafa's fault.

There is something stagnant about the current collective and a transfusion of talent is needed in all areas of the club. Each tinker seems to bring about minor improvement and so it is arguable that for rapid and tangible improment FSG needs to bite the bullet and make wholesale changes to the squad, moving on asap anyone who does not fit their plan for the future.

A good start would be to make this a full blown Scottish revolution – with King Kenny back, Steve Clarke to his right as coach and the rumoured bringing in of highly credentialed Celtic man Peter Lawwell as chief executive, Blackpool’s Charlie Adam for £8 – 10 million would be an inspired acquisition in the midfield. He seems hard as nails and simply a gun. And if they elect not to keep Kenny on at season’s end, I’m still plumbing for Owen Coyle.

Chelsea have lost a bunch lately but no one is saying they are a terrible squad. Liverpool isn't a terrible squad, but some changes have to be made. Then again, some of these players haven't been on the pitch very often as Hodgson only liked his favourite 11. Kenny has to try some different things and we will lose some as some players have to get to know each other. I'm tired of whining so I'm just going to support them. Besides, with Hodgson we were likely to lose every away game, so Kenny only has to win a few to better that. Otherwise I expect them to be more aggressive at home and get a decent amount of points there.

The only thing I can think of that would really tick me off is if Kenny gets a lot of flack when he has obviously sent the team out to attack which is what I believe we all wanted. Hopefully the passing and finishing will improve with time.

A poor performance all around: all players and coaching staff included. I do think that there were some very positive signs however. The midfield didn't get it right today, but I have to say they had a certain intent that showed what Kenny wants to bring back. They pressed, and they were constantly getting in and around the box (Raul and Lucas at least). However, the distribution was poor (not enough spread out wide, of course Kuyt and Jova were out wide and that does little to inspire). And, they didn't control enough. It seemed like everyone was looking for the killer pass, we needed to retain possession better, use a little caution, then BANG, spring into attacking action. Not once did we see a Roy squad with this type of intent (see Blackpool and home). And blaming Rafa still...really? I mean the majority of these players brought us our highest points total not too long ago. We just havn't seen any major investment, and the squad is aging fast.

Yep, squad's aging, club's made a profit the last four windows, and they've spent six months playing regressive football while Hodgson tells them they're barely fit to draw against Wolves.

Didn't agree with every aspect, from a managerial standpoint, but the intent was better. So yes, I don't think we need to find somebody new to completely throw under the bus five days (with a whole two days, max, of practice) after Hodgson got his walking papers. I desperately wanted a win, but I don't feel the need to string anybody up right now--aside from maybe those mindlessly looking for somebody, anybody, to string up right now. I get that it's sport and passion and blah blah blah, but there are times to dial it back a couple of notches.

It's Rafa Benitez's fault. He completely ruined Liverpool and now King Kenny reputation is being sullied by his mistakes. Rafa should have been sacked after the 2008/09 season with Kenny running the show last year. By now, we'd have won at least the league or challenging for it.

rafa very good manager...champion league and fa cup.what you think

moo

Although I think Kenny will change things for you, Hodgson had nothing to work with, a terrible squad left my rafa get the players out and start again that way Dalglish can do it his own way.

Sick of it - relegation might be a good thing, start from scratch - how the fuck did we get here?

What a shambles.We have got rid of the owners, and the manager, so now we need to get rid of the real problem--the players who lack passion as well as the basic skills.
What a load of rubbish.Everyone was blaming Roy for everything but some of Rafas signings are absolute crap.
Not one player in the team tonight would even get on the bench of the top 4 or 5 teams except possibly Reina.
Its going to be a long hard road back. I hope the new owners have deep pockets and are willing to spend a few bob.
If Roy had done what Kenny did tonight, with the team selection and subs can you imagine the abuse he would have got???
Things can only get better but I feel they will get worse first.
YNWA

I haven't caught on the doom and gloom yet. Maybe this would be type of performance I'd be sick of under Rafa. But compared to what we've seen these past six months, today and Sunday against Utd were positively refreshing!

Yes we have flaws and Johnson and Kuyt don't always impress. But we already knew that. If we continue to play like this, we'll be Europa League standard. With a good injection of players (mind you that's something we haven't had for many years now) and decent management - Kenny or otherwise - we'll be back in the top four within a season or two. After that, we'll take it from there.

Basically, today hasn't shown any weakness that we didn't already know. It's back to underperformance of the Rafa kind (as opposed to the Hodgson kind), which for now is already a great improvement. Bring on Everton.

If we continue to play like this, we'll be in a relegation battle come April.

I desperately want Kenny to not only succeed, but to stay on permanently. I'm convinced that with a revised young squad he can achieve as much as any new continental manager.

There's needs to be some adequate investment in this transfer window.

wtf? Looks like its gonna be rigatoni for dinner.

It seriously looks like a group of acquaintances whose only common friend is Steven. They disinterestedly hang out with awkward silences, small talk and lame jokes until Steven shows up. Then the party gets started. Am I the only one feeling that?

I might as well get things rolling. Anybody want to defend Johnson? Gets his back up and bites back viciously whenever anyone dares to question his form or performance and yet when it comes time to deliver, he is so, so poor. Am getting seriously tired of his all talk, no walk record at Liverpool.

Dirk Kuyt is all heart and has been one of my favorites for a long time – I know he loves LFC – however for all the good qualities he offers, conceding possession through diabolical first touches and deranged passing, in this game and against United, shows that when the tempo of a match s up, he is often found wanting. I fear his time with the Reds is coming to an end.

The need for new players to inject pace and vigour into the team has never been more apparent than tonight. Blackpool at times looked like Barca and we stood there, flat-footed, looking on in awe. I am so depressed.

Exactly! He's been one of the most frustrating to watch. Jogging around at half speed and giving up the ball so easily. There was one point when Lucas was bringing the ball up and looked over to his left at Johnson who was just leisurely jogging along and Lucas clearly was watching for Johnson to start making a run... but Johnson just kept jogging along alongside Lucas. Then Lucas put up his hands as if to say 'hey you gonna make a run or what?'. Its so pathetic to watch.

Can anyone recommend a website that its possible to check stats of the game like total touches, completed pass %, etc.?