Liverpool lost 1-0 at Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime, failing to score for a second consecutive Premier League and looking pretty terrible in defence, as ever this season.
There were many major concerns; an absolute lack of attacking spark, with no shots on target in the first half; Brendan Rodgers’ persistence with the 4-2-3-1 formation that isn’t working; the use of Raheem Sterling, wasted out wide; isolating Mario Balotelli up front for long periods.
That’s without mentioning the dire defending of Glen Johnson and Dejan Lovren, both hugely at fault for the goal before Alberto Moreno‘s mistake six yards out from his own goal.
It was an extremely poor display and with Real Madrid and Chelsea up next, it could be a very long week for Liverpool fans.
We round up reactions from fans and media after the defeat.
Many focussed on the defending of Lovren:
That today from Lovren was 90 minutes of the most atrocious, ill-judged, clueless performance you'll ever see from a "top" centre-back.
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) November 1, 2014
https://twitter.com/M_Sweeting/status/528555747647713281
Not for the 1st time this season Lovren's display has been riddled with mistakes. There must be a kid in the #LFC academy who can do better.
— Nik Postinger (@nikpostinger) November 1, 2014
And Johnson:
Goal conceded comes from a Glen Johnson complete lack of football intelligence, cutting onto left foot and shooting as he always does. Poor.
— Colin Spreag (@ColinSpreag) November 1, 2014
Let's take a moment to appreciate Glen Johnson thinking shooting here was a good idea. pic.twitter.com/70jTB8AOmT
— Matt Ladson (@mattladson) November 1, 2014
While others looked at the bigger picture and concerns that things are far from improving but actually going backwards:
Remember when Rodgers used to learn from his mistakes and change things that weren't working?
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) November 1, 2014
Liverpool look a shadow of side that played with such vim and vigour last season. Steven Gerrard the best of a bad bunch.
— Ben Smith (@BSmith) November 1, 2014
That was awful. Sterling and Coutinho a non factor from beginning Tactics not getting the best out of the players
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) November 1, 2014
It’s the manager’s job to have a coaching staff who can cover all aspects of a game, and to mitigate his team’s weaknesses/exploit strengths
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) November 1, 2014
Devoid of ideas, movement, pace and an obvious game plan. Another abject performance in a season littered with them. Time to ask questions.
— Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) November 1, 2014
In Rodgers 1st 6 months team wasn't playing well but you could see a style being put in place and progress made, albeit slowly. Not so now.
— Paul Grech (@paul_grech) November 1, 2014
this is going poorly. no one could have guessed 4-2-3-1 with Balotelli isolated, Johnson starting, Sterling on right, etc would go poorly.
— nate (@natefc) November 1, 2014
Everything we did well last season we have lost this, It isn't just Suarez we've lost, it is the style, tempo & intensity of game. #LFC.
— Si Steers (@sisteers) November 1, 2014
Sterling not being utilized. Balotelli has not looked threatening as a lone striker. Tactics have been all wrong from LFC today
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) November 1, 2014
"Passed the ball well" Brendan Rodgers has a Hodgson moment. He needs to be careful, beginning to sound like a bullshitter.
— Matthew Sproston (@spros1) November 1, 2014
If we didn't have balotelli as a scapegoat then Rodgers would be under a lot more criticism.
— Paul Smith (@PaulSmithJnr) November 1, 2014
Rodgers was brilliant at solving problems last season. Now, he has to solve his (arguably) biggest one yet.
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) November 1, 2014
The pressure is certainly mounting for Rodgers.
Fan Comments