Video: Luis Suarez v. Norwich

Et tu, 'blanca?

Et tu 'blanca?

Those Gerrard passes at the end to Carroll and Luis were just sublime.  I was waiting for those.  He remains irreplaceable for me so I really hope he can go to 35 with his $6million bionic groin dong.

Look everyone.  KK has got the team creating against ManUre, mid table sides and new comers.  It doesn't matter who's playing, or in what position or how much someone's developing or how much the team knows each other.

That's pretty awesome.  Add to that, the fact that a single extra final pass would give a fine tally of goals and just stop and think where we are in little more than 8 months of Kenny and Steve Clarke, including an off season.

The second half of the season is going to be awesome.  All the signs of progression are that Kenny isn't hanging about and seems to know how to get these guys playing.  Maturing together is only going to add to them.

8 months and a bit.
8 months and a bit.
8 months and a bit.
8 months and a bit.
8 months and a bit.
8 months and a bit.

Hey folks, I know I'm preaching to the converted here for the most part, but if you'll do me the courtesy of indulging some rant-therapy, I'd be obliged....

I'm gonna go ahead and admit that the sickeningly large proliferation of knee-jerky, reactionary,  numpties out there have worn me down over the past 24 hours. The belief amongst these idiots that everything is fucked and Dalglish doesn't know what he's doing is so prevalent and the need for instant gratification is so great that it sometimes feels like being rational and calm is, in fact, the insane position. So, if you need me, I'll be the one in the restraints gibbering wildly about perspective, progress and (sorry knee-jerk-offs) patience.

Nobody WANTS to wait for success. Nobody who bleeds Liverbirds (or who has liver-bleeds like me) WANTS to have a season of development and patchy performances as almost an entire team gels. But if some would pause the frantic throwing of toys out of their prams maybe they might see that the assumed 'right' of Champions League footy next season is a BIG ask. The sense of entitlement of some 'fans' is astounding.

Am I happy with our chance-conversion rate? Am I fuck.
Am I happy with the level of dominance and general standard of play required to create those chances? Well...yeah.
The emerging narrative about Suarez's profligacy and lack of a clinical edge is horseshit but as one or two have duly noted, he could turn on the radar for team-mates at times. Overall though, he is second only to Silva in the list of players any team would covet.

Am I chuffed with the performances of Charlie, Hendo, Stew-pot and Andy? Am I fuck.
Am I quick to vilify the four lads for their underwhelming contributions? Well, a bit maybe...after all that's what fans do. We all love a moan. There are limits, however. With the exception of the afore-mentioned Chaz (and Andy at Ibrox), none of the others could be faulted for lack of effort and that goes a long way in my book. To be fair to Adam, it's not that he doesn't try, it's just that he patently can't/doesn't-know-how-to operate as a holding midfielder. Critics pointing to his role in the goal Norwich scored fail to acknowledge that Stevie was caught upfield too. That's not how it should work and I have LONG said that our Captain doesn't play the holding role well. My player-of-the-season to-date, a certain J Enrique didn't exactly cover himself in glory with his efforts to stop the cross either, to be fair. While I'm at it, the Carra-haters trying to blame him for that defensive cluster-fuck can piss-off with Arsene Wenger. That one's on Pepe. Our veteran centre-half was very good on Saturday.

So the question is....WHY are so many SO quick to become haters? It's like some people cannot wait to say 'I told you so'. That's just depressing and I have no truck with it.
Am I 100% behind the manager's selections, tactics and substitutions? Am I fuck.
Am I suddenly going to lose faith in the best and most successful manager LFC has had in the last 30 years? Well, why don't you guess the answer to that one?

At any given time the 11 Redmen on the pitch this season have been good enough to beat the oppo. That they have not is down to a curious mixture of under-performance from some players,  bad-luck, appalling finishing and some tactical issues for which Kenny must be held accountable. The point is that this group of men is working FOR us and there is a coherent strategy at work at LFC. Let's not lose sight of that in our envy of the cash-rich denizens of mancunia and our need for everything to happen yesterday. 3 or 4 games can change everything and if we were almost sneaking in the back-door to the CL last year than surely we are closer this year.

Patience is unpalatable for a guy like me who's been waiting 21 long-ass years for the title to come back to Anfield, a guy who's youth was spent gorging on title after title, cup after cup. More recently, Rafa restored our dignity and status amongst the very elite in Europe and in doing so applied a salve to our bruised egos but still no title came. Those relatively barren years give you perspective and teach you humility. Fowler knows I don't revel in humility and under-achievement and I would love the opportunity to be as obnoxious in victory as any trophy-drunk manc. Until then, I wait, I love and I hope, glad in the knowledge that so many like-minded souls are with me. YNWA.

 ppl wudnt be sippin on that haterade if it didnt taste so goddamn sweet...  that's why i only drink bitters.

Et tu, 'blanca?

That was awesome.

Yup. Nice one Trev. Oh, and fair play for the snarkiness/sense combo below!!

Snarky, Donal? Me? Surely not..?!!

Someone please explain to me the coherent strategy at work at LFC. I would love to be enlightened!

If that's a genuine invitation Redarmy, let me humbly try to "enlighten" you to the coherence that is screaming out at me; 

FSG have returned to the tried and tested method of appointing from within the LFC family with Kenny. Kenny, in turn, has appointed a proven and successful right-hand man in Steve Clarke. 

The policy with regard to transfers (whether you like it or not) is the very embodiment of coherence. Young, predominantly British talent is being recruited based on their potential and re-sale value. 

On the field the tactics are less concrete or set in stone but it would appear that in the manager's first 11 there will be attacking full-backs, Lucas sitting, Gerrard and Adam playmaking, two nominal wide-men with defensive and pressing duties and Mr. Luis Suarez.  

Of course, if you were just taking the piss then we can choose to ignore this and just bitch about our favourite hate-object...incoherently.

I love what FSG is doing, don't get me wrong, I totally approve of their method of appointing from within as well as making funds available for new players.
But I can't help but worry most about on the field strategy and transfers. You mentioned transfer policy as the very embodiment of coherence, but how does this policy relate to on the field tactics?

In my humble opinion, you need to know first and foremost how you want to play to be able to get the right players for your system. That is what I call strategy. Sadly we're doing it the other way round, we're buying players for their potential and re-sale value, but we don't know what to do with them on Saturdays.

When asked about Henderson recently, Kenny said: "I still don't know his best position!"
Sure, splash out 20 mill, we'll find out if we need you later. I'm not even talking about the 35mill elephant sitting on the bench. Can't see him beeing an effective right winger either.

But still, the future of LFC looks bright. We'll find our system and the guys who fit in, we have no choice anyway! YNWA

Hey Redarmy. Listen, I hear you as regards the relative effectiveness of the new boys but they were clearly bought with a plan in mind. Kenny knows Hendo is a high-energy player who will eventually move inside but can do a job out right. (How good a job he's doing is questionable). His comments about Jordan's best position is classic Kenny caginess and misdirection with the press.
Adam was bought to compliment Stevie and Lucas. We've had precious little chance to see that at work.
Carroll was always going to be a long-term project but what irks you and I is how far off he currently seems (that, and the sneaking suspicion that he's not arsed at times). Downing came in to offer width and has had a decent if unspectacular impact.
It's probably unecessarily harsh to dismiss Comolli and Dalglish's transfer activity as lacking strategy but I'm as frustrated as you with the lack of immediate return on FSG's cash.
Kenny's as LFC as it gets and as canny an operator as you'll find...even if that isn't painfully apparent just now. 

Oh, Luis is such an entertaining player. In the long run I can see him getting frustrated with the lack of quality in the squad. I think he's already feeling like he has to do it all by himself and that shows in the relative lack of assists. Who blame him? Would you feel good about passing the ball to Carrol?

there is something missing from this video...o he didnt score?is it possible?

Somewhat off-topic, but it did get me thinking. During the QPR-Chelsea match today (a truly surreal match, btw) John Terry is supposedly caught on camera calling Anton Ferdinand a "black c--t". He later released a statement denying he said it--or, at least, that he said it in that context. (Basically, he thought that Ferdinand was accusing him of that during the game, and what the cameras caught was him denying that he said it.)

Here's my thing. If the camera can catch Terry doing that ONCE (with or without context) then how, HOW can they not catch Suarez doing the same thing TEN TIMES?

On topic: the fact that we can't finish is frustrating, for sure, and we need to fix it. But I'd be far more concerned if the team were showing no signs of creativity whatsoever. One person compared this game to the Hodgson-era, which--PLEASE. I'm not trying to paper over the faults, at all, but that is a complete overreaction.

hopefully suarez never said it, but considering his petulant nature, in the heat of the moment, i can definitely see him saying something along the lines of "negro, hijo de puta" or "negro de mierda"... there was a lot said about the various definitions of the term "negro" in spanish, but if its said in that type of context (and considering evra and suarez didn't seem to be discussing the weather, what other kind of context are we to assume it happened in...) there is only one way to read it... again, i hope he didnt, i rly do.

We are probably never going to get a definitive answer one way or the other, and like you, I am REALLY hoping Suarez didn't say anything at all, even just once. What I am really referring to is the likelihood of Suarez saying anything ten times, as Evra claims, without being caught even once by one camera.

can't see sky working that one out from pictures given their recruitment policy.

If you think of it the good way, Evra is just a sensitive guy who's insecure about his own skin color.  In this case, I guess I can forgive him coz I pity him.

If you think of it the normal way, Evra is just a, black or not, c--t who b-itches about everything.  He was one of the players who started the French Team mutiny.

If you think of it the bad way, this is a conspiracy plotted by the Scottish c--t.  Well, they just lost 1-6 at home to Citeh so in a way justice was served.

I'm sure this accusation of Suarez being a racist will die down until we play Manure again. I'm actually more worried about him being labelled as a diver.

Karma.

I am sorry if I came rather negative when I asked about that Hendo vs Meireles thing, I was just intrigued about it and wanted to know what the others felt about it. After the match all I can hope is that Comolli takes out his calculator and finds out the player with the best chance conversion ratio and gets him to Anfield. And Suarez, what a player. I also was shouting at the referee for his rather poor decisions against Suarez.

Walton didn't give much at all that game and nothing to Suarez.  But to be fair he didn't give much to Norwich either (less to give).  I think he wanted to keep the game flowing.

I'm sure this has been influenced by Suarez' developing rep of going over too easy.  I think part of that is the opponent's problem - most attackers maybe get 1 or 2 occasions to do it in a game because they're not as good as Suarez, but they are looking for it.

Ref's have been indoctrinated to believe in a physical game here and you should take a kicking playing up front.  Stoke get away with awful treatment and demand they should be allowed to play that way (and are allowed to).

But it's also something that Suarez is going to have to adapt in his game.  Once the establishment decide on an opinion (backed by SAF), they don't change it.

As far as personnel goes.  Leave it.  We will buy what we need.

We have a team that creates chances, whether it be against ManUre, a midfield side or a newcomer.  Doesn't seem to matter who plays or in what position.  An extra final pass and the goals flow.  

I think Kenny can feel very good about what he's achieved, and he's not finished yet.

i rly think we're set at the forward positions - maybe a tried and true back up or a developmental project type player (shane long wuda been the business) that can be picked up on loan or for cheap.  in light of what happened against norwich, id say a backup/competition for lucas is most important in january.  then, another twinkle toed wonder to complement downing in the wide areas.  kuyt does a job, but he'll never be mistaken david silva. 

and if possible, a Stud CB that can give us light at the end of the dani agger tunnel... love agger as much as the next guy, but... the CB can prolly wait for the summer, though so we can insure something of the level of hummels/subotic

what about jan vertonghen of ajax...he is so similar to agger.loves going forward,actually is  pretty good at it,good header of the ball.has a rocket of a left,defensively very good and is a defense leader...the only reason not to go for him is,he plays in dutch league but so did luis...

i rate the ajax defenders in general, and the book on him is he's just a bigger vermaelen, that would be awesome, so long as he doesnt come with the injury plague that vermaelen has... cud prolly pick up vertonghen for cheaper than the dortmund cbs...

I really hope that Adam Morgan gets in quickly. He seemed to be one who is very good at finishing, we have enough chance creators I daresay. A striker in the mold of Javier Hernandez would be definitely be in my Christmas wishlist. 

ultimately, we'll have to replace Dirk the Dude who I think is in his penultimate season. while he's a duracell bunny, that style can't last.  

So after Luis and Andy does Kenny want a winger or forward?  The next couple of years are going to be very interesting in transfer strategy.

But currently, we don't need more personnel to finish, just an extra final pass.

oops *mould :)

i dunno bout morgan, he's got reserve team star and bust written all over him... he's just got no physical attributes that project to the first team.  u can cite fowler till ur blue in the face, but if that's what morgan's shooting for he's got a hell of a lot of progressing to do...

Geoff Twentyman's the man to comment on the youth.  Where are you GT?

I know I say this a lot about Carroll as well, but Suarez is still only 24. He's just hitting the beginning of his prime years as a forward. 

Once the squad starts really clicking, he's going to be absolutely terrifying.

had carroll scored from that header...well forget it.

as much as the missed goals by Suarez, it's the missed assists (ok, not quite the same, but still...) i know we didn't pay 23 odd mil for el pistolero's assists, but there were a couple, three simple square balls to a wide open Kuyt that would have been invaluable - and half as hard as the magic he often conjures up.  

not saying he never assists: wikipedia says he's racked up 37 along with 89 goals in his 132 league games with ajax and lfc, but he's doing it less as his goal scoring rep (but not production) increases. that rep comes with pressure obviously, and it's not like he's got Higuain (or Nando) playing off his shoulder, and he's only 24. but i reckon he's a smart player so he'll get it sooner than later.

so yeah, shooters shoot, especially after they've done the creating, i just hope Luis sees that the panic bells he sets off in the box means teammates are gonna be more open as he soaks up the defensive attention. and when he remixes the simple layoff into his trick bag the defenders become a half step slower, his chances become easier, and we win more games.  

there you have it, me giving Luis Suarez footballing advice. HaHa.

you say true, i say thankya.

in some sense, it must be difficult to play off of suarez's imagination.  seemingly only gerrard and kuyt can read what suarez is trying to do currently... even still, the passes were on for dem two.  thats a chemistry that once developed will terrorize the world's best defenses, though. hopefuly it comes about before christmas...

What a fantastic player. One thing that I find interesting is just how many chances he makes for himself out of nothing. Our problems lay elsewhere, Luis Suarez is a gem and he is going to get better and better.

the guy is an absolute joy to watch. so happy he's in our team, we should fight for top spot otherwise he will go somewhere else. i sense he's desperate to win everything and rightly so with the quality he's got, so we better make the most of it. i read some of the fans commenting that we have to be patient. its ridiculous years have gone by, top players have come and gone by and nothing's happened. it will be the same for suarez!

Right-o, it's gotta be just a matter of time.  This talk of Suarez "not being a finisher" is understandably borne of frustration, but it is silly nonetheless.  He could have done better a few times yesterday, but he could have had a hat trick just as easily with a pinch of better luck.  The man is incredible (that turn at :25 is unworldly) and simple probability dictates that the goals will come.

If I'm chomping at the bit for the guys to get back out there and show what they can really do, I can only imagine how wee Luis feels.

One positive we can take is even if Gerrard and Adam were leaving horrible horrible holes in between defence and midfield, they are at least keeping the ball well enough - Adam completed 47/53 passes and Gerrard an impressive 74/84, both including corners, equalling two completion rates of over 88% - and unless you play for Barcelona that is an excellent score, especially compared to Adam's dark days against the likes of Stoke

they looked so good together...just needed some cover,spearing would have done the job...anyway lets beat old woy's brom.

nice statty mcstat-townage... adam and gerrard rly seem to have a natural chemistry.  surely a three man mid is the way forward, and if we're never going to see wee jay lace em up, it does seem hendo might be versatile enough to do a lot of the defensive work when lucas is out...

Wish I would have had the foresight to make this a drinking game. Every time Suarez doesn't convert a chance, take a shot; half-past seven in the morning kick-off be damned.

what about he takes his chance everytime you have a shot?

Oh, sir, I like the way you think.

I think it'll be another day before I can watch this, but thanks for posting it. How great would it be to have videos like this of every player, every game?

Would be even more instructive if done on players like Adam or Johnson/Skyrtel.