Liverpool v. Celtic [R]

Sounds like Liverpool are back with a bang regardless of how abysmal we were.

 

The game was awesome.

I was in row 1, so between me and the pitch was nothing!

Celtic and LFCNY sang throughout the game and even though I was a 'pool fan in red in the Celtic section everyone was united because we were soccer fans in the USA.

The only down part was the anal Rentscheler field cops, who yelled at people for standing the whole game. One guy got taken away for it and the crowd yelled "Cheerio" at him.

Oh yeah, there was one pitch invader, very funny. He got paraded around the field by the cops and he was wearing an LFC jersey. The security was clearly not ready for thousands of drunken English/Scotch/Irishmen and their drinking, singing, dancing, clapping, and cheering, but it was all good spirited and amazing.

Hopefully I can make the Roma game in NJ too.

 

Well, I watched the match on FSW, and I just have to say, WOW. Whatever has happened to the squad this summer, whether it be Rafa, or whatever. That was most definitely NOT the same team that played last year, 3 cheers for everyone who played tonight in red. Bring on Tottenham. Up the REDS!

 

Incidentally, I just want to give you guys some props for not putting out a rubbish side like ManUtd did. You also have CL qualification, so I'd have understood if I'd seen a team of Diaos and LeTallecs, but you fielded almost your first team unit. Good on you.
I feel bad for the Celtic players. They played us in the heat of Seattle just two days ago, and then had to fly all the way to Hartford. That's gotta suck.

 

Was at the match. BRILLIANT!!!
The bus just got back and the Liverpool supporters were in full voice... Loved the game. We looked dominant. Celtic played a very young team, but all credit to the side, we played our style and owend the match. Ciise and Biscan looked great-- I'll take them anyway they come. We had movement like never before. It was a great match to attend-- love the REDS in the USA!!! So thrilled to see the lads in person.

off to bed, happy as can be.

 

Well, I’ll save the ‘gushing’ for after we play a real opponent – sorry Celtic. They have looked awful twice in a row – the asst coach was quoted as saying that these games are really just for conditioning, and they’ll be fine when they open their season with Motherwell! ;^) No kidding? I bet DC united would be ‘fine’ against Motherwell.(OK, don’t beat me up for that one!)

I do not pretend to be anywhere as knowledgeable as most here, rarely being able to watch Liverpool even on TV, but the ball possession and controlled setup offensively struck me as a decided change from our offensive style in recent years. Much more patient build-ups last night, rather than the hurried, low percentage through passing of last year. Only the long balls from Risse to Owen was reminiscent of our offense under GH. Of course, I can’t imagine too many Prem teams ceding midfield the way Celtic did last night, but does anyone else think that Benitez may have instituted some long overdue overhauling/restyling of the offense?

Cisse was a wonderful signing – amazing speed – I can envision a more dynamic flowing offense with he, Harry, Owen and Baros racing into space presenting SG with so many more options than in the past. I also thought, contrary to some here, that Baros was very effective with the ball – making several runs down the right side (the long lost RW option perhaps?) and coolly laying back a header in the box for Biscan, who also played well. It will be interesting to see how Benitez uses these guys. Biscan’s play is important it seems, as Benitez was quoted after the game as saying that he was done buying. Since most have felt that Liverpool needed to add a CM to the squad after last season – perhaps he and Hamann (who is still around, surprisingly since he was linked to a return to the Bundesliga) have impressed Rafa enough that he doesn’t feel it necessary?

Couldn’t read much defensively, as Celtic didn’t pose much of a threat. I am looking forward to the Roma game, as they should present a much sterner challenge. Hope no one gets hurt slipping on the wet turf due to the slobbering Italian stallion.

 

I went to a game last night with two friends, a Liverpool fan and a Celtic fan from Glasgow. Atmosphere was good, good singing by the liverpool fans. Nice little stadium except the security seemed to be anal, asking both sets of fans to take down flags and banners they had draped over the side. They looked rather childish, the security did.
As for the game, I must admit Liverpool looked very good, Baros and Cisse did great. They were in a different class (and this coming from a ManUtd fan!). You probably didnt see this on TV but Benitez was up and about 80% of the time directing players etc. Seems to be must more hands on than Houlier. As for Celtic, I don't know what they're thinking playing in 100 degree heat on the west coast on Saturday, flying to Hartford and playing on Monday and then playing Man Utd on Wednesday.

 

Excellent report, Suss.

 

They are thinking about making a couple million bucks so they can try to sign some new *stars* like Henri Camara or Robert Earnshaw.

 

What a great little match. I'd love to give it tons of credit, but as noted, Celtic were truly rubbish, but it can't hurt the lads to go out and give a pounding like that, no matter what the circumstances. I can't believe I saw Henchoz get a goal, even a flukey one like that.

Positives - Owen looked like the hungry Owen of old. How long this lasts is beyond me, but he went out full strength. Murphy did well, especially when linking with Cisse. Pongolle looked great out there (see negatives). My favorite part of it is that we passed and kept posession like we should have. This is what I (sort of) envision of us doing if we want to carry the spirit of the Liverpool of old...pass and move, pass and move, then put the ball in the net when the opportunity presents itself. Just show a bit of patience and the (five) goals will come!

Negatives - Kewell, obviously...he's gotta step up. I imagine he's really getting a bit nervous right now. Hopefully, Rafa will have a word with him and tell him to relax a bit and go have fun while doing the best you can. Diao - what can you say?? He's totally ineffective. Pongolle - you played so well, but if you purposely clip a defenders heel one more time after being disposessed, then I hope the Anfield crowd boos you and your teammates give you a wedgie in the locker room. Cut that out, that is not Liverpool Football Club.

Good god, I forgot how much I hate Max Bretos...and Gorgio Canaglia (sic) ain't helping matters.

 

You know there will be, man. Go drink some warm milk and grab your blankie. We'll talk to you again on Friday.

 

Rats. I did a lap of the lot looking for the "greenish beige Ford Freestar", but alas I am colorblind, and one soccer mom van looked like another to me. (The four pints I had before we left had mostly worn off, but their remnants surely didn't help my search.)

I'll have the missus with me at the next game to help me identify color. You said you'd be parking near the big practice bubble? Hope to see you then. . .

That Cisse guy is crap. Let's unload him. And this Rafa clown? I'm tired of his boring, boring tactics. I nominate Emile Heskey for manager.

 

I'll give Celtic a bit of grace, it was 100 degrees here in Seattle and then a flight to the other coast. They still didn't seem to know what was happening though.

Stephane's goal was a bit of a fluke but their goalie liked to wonder too far off his line and 2 went over his head.

Loved the pass and move...mainly forward...! I got so sick of the old possession game when it would be passed back and back until they had to pass to Jerzy, he'd boot it way the hell up and we'd all start again.

Bretos and Gorgio are a joke but they were so impressed with Liverpool's game, I almost forgave them.

Did FSP deliberately trip or did him just run too close behind.?

 

I suppose you could argue either way, but the manner in which it happened and the total lack of effort in doing anything else (ie. trying to get the ball back) made it look very cynical to me. Maybe I should see a replay of it, but I remember immediately being a little dissapointed.

 

Fist time I was annoyed but in the replay he didn't seem to notice how close he was as he ran behind him. Or maybe he's just good but as you say, it won't be accepted in Anfield.

 

6-0 against WBA a couple of years ago, and the Blackburn 4-0 pasting was cool, too.

Back from CT very tired and with a sore throat. Will tell more later.

 

Your right, there were a few long-balls sent forward. Perhaps it was old habits showing through, but I like to think (fingers crossed) that it was a good balance of attacking variety.

 

Regarding Cisse...

I tried to tell folks in the transfer thread that Cisse is the real deal and faster than fcuk all...but some people insisted he was not that good.

Not saying that most guys that play soccer are slow, they are not, but speed and incredible athleticism is not the primary attribute that coaches look for in a footballer. You look for technique, handling and shooting skills, etc...size speed and stength are nice extra's are definitely important just not primary.

It's similar to an NFL quarterback, they have to able to read defenses, and throw really well...it's an added bonus when they can run like a running back (ala Michael Vick).

Well, the same goes for Cisse...he's a Michael Vick of soccer IMO...a solid footballer with insane athletic ability. Were he to have grown up in the states, he may have have been a fantastic wide receiver or running back in the NFL.

I can say with certainty that guys like Cisse who are so athletically superior to the guys defending them cannot be defended, only restrained, contained, and fouled. But Cisse will get his chances on goal by the dozens because there simply are very few, if any, footballers who have the speed/quickness and/or strength to defend him.

He's a beast...and he's only 22 going on 23. Yikes!

 

YES! Cisse was my favorite player of Ligue 1, and now I'll be closely following him with LFC. He's a very exciting player and he seems to show maturity beyond his years in his playing and his demeanor as well. I hope to see him perform well in the EPL this year.