Liverpool have been linked with Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri many times over the last two years, and it appears that 21-year old Bayern Munich star would definitely consider a move to Anfield.
Last summer, multiple sources in Germany and the UK (including the Liverpool Echo) reported that Brendan Rodgers planned a €24m move for Shaqiri, and in December 2013, ITV Sport reported:
"The Reds are confident about securing a deal for Bayern Munich's Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri"
When asked this weekend about Liverpool's interest, Shaqiri said that he's 'feeling good' at Munich, but added:
"When you hear these names [Liverpool/Borussia Moenchengladbach), of course you have to listen to the offers if one of these top clubs is interested"
When quizzed last July about Liverpool's interest in Shaqiri, Franco Moretti - the Swiss star's Agent - told TMW:
"Liverpool? The boy is not moving to Monaco, that's for sure."
This could be read in several ways, but in my view, it is implicit confirmation of LFC's interest in Shaqiri. After all, Moretti specifically and emphatically wrote off Monaco's chances, but failed to deny the Reds' interest and/or chances of signing the attacker.
Shaqiri - recently hailed as 'world class' by Munich's Sporting Director Mattias Sammer - made only 17 starts for Bayern last season, and the signings of Mario Gotze and Thiago Alcantara have made it even tougher for the Swiss star to establish himself in the first team.
Things are even worse this year, and after seven months of the season, Shaqiri has made only eight Bundesliga starts for Bayern. Clearly, with the vast array of elite players at Munich, the Swiss youngster is going to find it increasingly difficult to make the breakthrough.
Does Shaqiri have the motivation to leave for regular first-team football? Based on his comments over the last year, I doubt it. And who can blame him? He's managed by Pepe Guardiola; plays for one of the world's best teams, and is surrounding by top class players.
As for Shaqiri being 'world class'. No chance. He may have the potential to achieve that, but right now, he hasn't made a specific, measurable impact at the three levels of football (Domestic, European, and World), so he can't (IMO) be considered world class.
Still, worth a bid in the summer?
Author: Jaimie K
Last summer, multiple sources in Germany and the UK (including the Liverpool Echo) reported that Brendan Rodgers planned a €24m move for Shaqiri, and in December 2013, ITV Sport reported:
"The Reds are confident about securing a deal for Bayern Munich's Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri"
When asked this weekend about Liverpool's interest, Shaqiri said that he's 'feeling good' at Munich, but added:
"When you hear these names [Liverpool/Borussia Moenchengladbach), of course you have to listen to the offers if one of these top clubs is interested"
When quizzed last July about Liverpool's interest in Shaqiri, Franco Moretti - the Swiss star's Agent - told TMW:
"Liverpool? The boy is not moving to Monaco, that's for sure."
This could be read in several ways, but in my view, it is implicit confirmation of LFC's interest in Shaqiri. After all, Moretti specifically and emphatically wrote off Monaco's chances, but failed to deny the Reds' interest and/or chances of signing the attacker.
Shaqiri - recently hailed as 'world class' by Munich's Sporting Director Mattias Sammer - made only 17 starts for Bayern last season, and the signings of Mario Gotze and Thiago Alcantara have made it even tougher for the Swiss star to establish himself in the first team.
Things are even worse this year, and after seven months of the season, Shaqiri has made only eight Bundesliga starts for Bayern. Clearly, with the vast array of elite players at Munich, the Swiss youngster is going to find it increasingly difficult to make the breakthrough.
Does Shaqiri have the motivation to leave for regular first-team football? Based on his comments over the last year, I doubt it. And who can blame him? He's managed by Pepe Guardiola; plays for one of the world's best teams, and is surrounding by top class players.
As for Shaqiri being 'world class'. No chance. He may have the potential to achieve that, but right now, he hasn't made a specific, measurable impact at the three levels of football (Domestic, European, and World), so he can't (IMO) be considered world class.
Still, worth a bid in the summer?
Author: Jaimie K
Without a doubt Shaqiri is worth a bid he's a superb player
ReplyDeleteDon't look like he played a lot this season, so we'll have to see the level he's at if we try to get him, but that aside that's the type of player i'd like us to go for in the summer, players good enough to compete for the starting XI and give us enough quality to compete for the league next season and have a good champion's league campaign at the same time.
ReplyDeleteBut we'll probably have to offload a few players before that (don't want to see players not in the squad but still on the book, taht would be a waste of money)
Definitely. Crackin player
ReplyDeletePace -check; strength-check; versatilty-check; youth-check; hunger-check not quite getting a fair rub of the green at his current club-check, the kind of qualities that tickle Rodger's fancy. Let's face it, Liverpool will be linked with a million wingers from now until the summer, no doubt including Koply...what's-his-face again, but I feel that ship has sailed, and there will be interest from other clubs that will push his price up considerably. Shaqiri looks a very good player indeed, and with Champion's League footie all but sewn up, we should be looking to attract players of his calibre. On a side note, I've always thought he has an odd physique for a winger - built like a brick sh*t house.
ReplyDeleteHe may turn out to be like Sturridge and Coutinho. Would love to see him in the team if the price is right.
ReplyDeleteYes please!
ReplyDeleteShould Allen continue to be in the 1st team at Coutinhos expense?
ReplyDeleteWith any other game Jamie, would a blatant hand ball not be a yellow card in the box? Regardless of the teams playing? Are you challenging the rules of the sport. I may be mistaken on your angle. Please educate me.
ReplyDeletegood unbiased article. respect to you. signed a manchester united fan
ReplyDeletedepending on the opponent i'd say
ReplyDeleteim afraid sakho will be unhappy soon - skrtel/agger are rock solid at the moment.. should we give skrtel a rest once, to give sakho a go?
And by the way, Suarez's run onto Sturridge's 'assist' for the 3rd goal, was that not one of the best runs/takes you've ever seen? As far as I can see Sturridge shot at goal and Suarez latched onto it. AMAZING take and finish, eh?
ReplyDeleteGoing to be interesting to see how Rodgers sets the team up from now on. Is Rodgers going to persist with the diamond formation when we are away from home? If that is the case then Allen will play.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment it does not matter who is in the team and who sits out. Winning is all that matters and that is exactly what we are doing right now.
The measurable impact argument could've been used against buying Sturridge. Pace, strength & skill as long as we don't get ripped off!
ReplyDeleteWhy no comment of Rooney diving? and then asking the ref for a penalty for the rest of the match? some supporter your are? pick your own side to bits but let the oposition do as they they like ? is Ferggie your dad?
ReplyDeleteI HAVE SEEN FERGGIE DO JUST THAT? DOES THAT MAKE IT OK BEING A MANAGER? IMAGINARY CARD IS RIFE? MOURHINIO DID IT LAST WEEK? WHEN THEIR BOSS DOES IT PLAYERS WILL FOLLOW, ROONEY DOES IT ALL THE TIME?
ReplyDeleteIn a crunch match against a hated rival humans sometimes do behave out of order. Yes they did ask why rafael was still on the pitch - but so did the commentators! Further Rafael in the second half did an equally bad tackle which went unpunished.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the dive is concerned - sturridge didint get a stonewall penalty almost straight away when he was hacked down by carrick. Further vidic was totally reckless when he went flying in no holds barred - the sight of a man coming like that is enough to send anyone down.
Suarez too could have had 2 penalties when he was twice tripped up by fellaini and since you are having a go it would only be balanced to mention that too.
If the shoe was on the other foot im sure united players would have behaved in exactly the same way - if not worse. Did not Rooney dive? Did he not claim a penalty for the next half hour!
Do you honestly think if LFC stop all other teams will? grow up? there is no team in the prem that does not do all that happened yesterday? start off with Sturridge then as always end up with Suarez, join the bash Suarez club? supporters like you that will make him want to leave again. personally i would rather you stopped supporting LFC than see him go.
ReplyDeleteJamie k only a man who has never done anything wrong in his entire life should take such a moral stànd and as I doubt that you have been an angle I don't understand what you would be making the comments you are. And there's a lot of assuming being done by yourself you say that they were demonstrating with the ref and in a way they was but it was polite as commented on by the mr Hawthorne and what's wrong with asking the ref why he hasn't played the game to the letter of the law (where deliberate hand ball is a yellow even if you've just been booked) As for the dive nano last year springs to mind and as I'm a great believer in karma then it's just them getting back what they ave done to others. It must be a lonely place all the way up there on that moral high ground guess that's why you talk so much shit
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with the first incident, there are many people that still believe its a penalty.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2582116/Clattenburg-got-nearly-big-decision-right-Liverpools-win-Man-United-inconsistency-left-scratching-heads.html
Completely agree with both points. For the Sturridge incident, I can only tell that BR must talk hard with every players. Not only from fair play ethics, even from image pint, players must not create the suspicion in officials that LFC players are simulators. Suarez is still paying for his image created in early days of English football as a diver.
ReplyDeleteFor the second instance, I think no professional should advocate for another pro to be sent off, there is another professional to judge it neutrally. However, I give Luis a bit space considering that he had suffered so much for Evra issue.
It was blind justice that SG missed the spot kick. However, Mr. Referee did compensated MU by not awarding LFC a genuine penalty few minutes later. Only looser was probably Vidic, for such a great player, his last "Reds derby" 'll not be a happy memory.
I'm curious how you know what Suarez and Henderson were saying to the referee...more likely than them saying "Clattenburg give Rafael a yellow gosh dernit!" they were probably asking why he hadn't given Rafael the yellow, which is a perfectly legitimate question...if Rafael wasn't already on a yellow he would've gotten one for that handball. I agree that Suarez shouldn't be flashing the card symbol, but the idea that Suarez and Henderson having a conversation with the referee should leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth seems silly to me - anybody who has ever played competitive football has remonstrated with referees over one thing or another, there's really nothing wrong with it. As for the Sturridge dive, I agree with you...I'm no fan of diving, he should've stayed on his feet and tried to score...also just FYI that clip of Sturridge against Man City can't be from earlier this season, since he's wearing last seasons jersey.
ReplyDeleteRight on...I'm starting to see a pattern on this website, JK stops replying to comments that argue against his point as those comments become more and more persuasive...
ReplyDeleteAnd language experts maintain is not in South America...it actually is often used as a term of affection in cultures down there.
ReplyDeleteBrendan did what every manager does in his interview immediately after the match - he hedged and gave an explanation that could exonerate Sturridge. He saw it happen at full speed, and at full speed it looks like a penalty, it's only in the slow motion replay that you can clearly see it's a dive. Brendan has come out in the past, in public, making it very clear that he does not condone diving. After he gets a chance to review the incident I'm sure he'll have a quiet word with Sturridge. Also, BR has shown he's a principled guy...it seems very unlikely to me that he would hide his true feelings on this to avoid "upsetting the apple cart", I think if a reporter asks him about this AFTER he's gotten a chance to see slow motion replays, BR will give an honest answer.
ReplyDeleteAgger was at fault against Van Persie at least three times on Sunday, any one of which could have led to a goal. He's not and never will be rock solid. Sakho will be back.
ReplyDelete1. Its not con...in football its call taking advantage of a situation. There's a referee to judge the game n if he say its a penalty , Its a penalty :) ... Yes he dived but he did not pressure the referee into giving the penalty....That decision was made by the referee. On the City game referee saw wat he did n he got yellow......Its either u get it to go your way or against it. Again the referee IS the man making the decision as thats how the rule stated ;).... Theres no rule in football saying that u cant TRY to take advantage of a situation n TRY to make it go your way by playing Soccer. If wat u labelled as cheating in the game get Red Card straight, by 90min u be left wth half on each team lol. 2. When u know a player of opposite team is on yellow, yes try to get him off as that will give numeric advantage to your team . Again there is no rule saying that u cant do that lmao . In Soccer as i remember well, only the keeper is allowed to use the hands in the pitch. A player who uses his hand gets a yellow card n on case to case could get a red .THE REFEREE who as usual in game of Soccer/Football is in charge decided to give the player a chance(lenient ).... Suarez n Henderson was just shock that no card was shown n asked the referee as the rule stated otherwise. YNWA
ReplyDeleteSuarez and Hendo didn't aggressively attack Clattenburg. During the game Suarez repeatedly asked "Yellow" and Henderson said "HOW" when the ref chose not to give it. This is highlighted, but when Rooney was in the refs face for 10 minutes after not being awarded a penalty for jumping into Skrtel and trying to milk one, it's overlooked.
ReplyDeleteRafael could have easily been sent off, and so too Flanagan for constant fouling. I thought Clattenburg had a good game and was trying to be as lenient as possible. He didn't bottle any big decisions like Howard Webb has previously done.
Why not plead for the yellow? He handled the ball in the penalty area minutes after a clumsy challenge on Gerrard that got him a first. Getting Man U down to 10 men at that point may have sealed the game then and it was worth making a play for. Raphael ended up making some more crushing tackles and probably could have been sent off a couple times after that incident so if he had gone on to hurt someone I think you'd be singing a different tune.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are crazy. Of course Sturridge had to claim a penalty. I just don't understand what you're on about. He'd skinned Vidic, the defender had to let him go; he didn't, he lunged in. Sturridge was fouled whether or not there was contact. You claim a penalty in professional football by going down, that's how it works. Vidic stays on his feet and there's no issue. It's him, not Sturridge, that was responsible for the penalty.
ReplyDeleteI think we chased the right winger in January. IMO continue to go for Kopa that boy is class.
ReplyDeleteAgain, you advocating cheating. There was no contact! It doesn't matter if Vidic dived-in. Sturridge went to ground of his own volition, and that is cheating. He could've stayed on his feet, but he chose to hit the deck. If the same thing happens to LFC in the future, I sincerely doubt you'll be so accepting.
ReplyDeleteDon't advocate cheating but this was the most passionate game of the season and allowances should be made for the heat of battle . Don't let's lose the passion in the run in ....... Onwards and Upwards !
ReplyDeleteIf the referee doesn't think it is deliberate he shouldn't give the penalty. By the rulebook it is supposed to be deliberate to be a foul. Besides which his arm definitely moved into the path of the ball.
ReplyDeleteThe double jeopardy thing with sendings off and penalties is harsh but they're the rules. Suarez was clearly moving past Rafael into a dangerous position, so it's a nailed on yellow card and I've not even heard United fans arguing otherwise.
I also doubt there are many players that wouldn't have argued to the referee about a sending off there, the protests were justified and if United had gone on to get an equaliser with Rafael still on the pitch this could clearly have affected the outcome of the match.
He is not advocating anything. It was a penalty,and i'd say most forwards are coached from a young age to do what Sturridge did. This is isn't about being accepting it's about what is part of our game and football in general. Every club should agree to stamp this out of the game or put up and shut up. In a week where mind games were used to try and stop us getting penalties we go on to get 3........... I had to laugh.
ReplyDeletewhat goes round comes around, we are the less offenders. we won the game fair and square, experience says you get nothing at old trafford.
ReplyDeleterafael should of been sent off quite simple, hes got away with plenty in the past in these games. all the top teams put presure on the ref.
think we have been hard done by enough this season so far
what about the pen we should of had, if it was 0-0 or were losing 1-0 that would of been a major shout and gripe,,,,,,,,,again.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, both disappointing moments is a great win.
ReplyDeleteI did think there were 2 penalty claims that we should have had, but didn't. 4 or 5 penalties in one game would have no precedent and i doubt any ref would have given them.
Its a disgrace because the players are trying to influence the decision of the ref. They should stick to playing football and not run around the ref trying to get players sent off.
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything wrong with asking a ref why a player didn't get a blatant second yellow. Seriously, it's just the equivalent of when you throw your arms in the air after being blatantly fouled, as both gestures have the same intent of trying to convince the referee of making a decision in your favoured, are they both not? As for the. Penalty... I really don't know. It does look like a dive... But even if the completely objective Gary Neville , as well as graham poll, are calling it a penalty., then I'm obviously missing something! Neville/poll credibility > nick credibility.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I hate it when players ask for cards. You just don't do that. I mean, it's not the same as falsely branding someone a racist to get him suspended but it's still despicable.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I agree that asking for a yellow card was wrong. I remember Skrtel being on a yellow when he brought down Bony in the box for Swansea's penalty. Swansea players did not ask for another card for Skrtel. That is good to see - and in both cases the players let off are lucky, but the referee's view is that he does not want to spoil a good game and an awesome spectacle.
ReplyDeleteI think players need to get away from refs and that be the end of it. I think players that approach a referee, remonstrate with him, shout at him or generally get in his face and don't walk away when they are told should be given a yellow card. All the arguing never changes anything, it's just idiotic and I think it's totally unacceptable. The decision has been made and opposition players have NO place telling the ref how to do his job. A calm and reasoned question from the captain is fine, and even if the captain gets a bit worked up that's probably OK too, but having multiple players mob the ref and get on his case is just ugly and I don't think it's right.
ReplyDeleteI think it can be a dive and a penalty. The tackle itself, even if Sturridge has to jump to get away, deserves a penalty. Sturridge chose to fall down instead of jump, but for me the penalty would be given either way. The problem is that if Sturridge just skips over the top of Vidic then nothing happens and the game goes on. I don't understand how that can be right.
ReplyDeleteI'm not advocating cheating, and there are circumstances in which I would and have judge any player harshly for simulation or diving. This just isn't one of them. Read the laws of the game, there's nothing about contact there. On the contrary, the rules have been developed in order to make it unnecessary for players to take hits in order to earn fouls. Vidic seriously messed up and got his just desserts. I hope I'd blame the defender every time in these circumstances: it's entirely his fault.
ReplyDeleteI do admire the integrity of your commitment to this question, by the way, and will try and make sure I am objective next time one of these decisions goes against us. Also feel, and it's worth mentioning since you drew some flak last week for your stance, that you deserve considerable respect this season: I think you've been vindicated on many fronts. Aspas and Alberto have not influenced the season at all; the loan signings have been terribly poor and Moses never came good; and you were right about Suarez in a way, too -- in that the player had to completely change his conduct on the field. Seems to me you and Brendan Rodgers think along the same lines, actually, a lot of the time.
Spot on, Utd spent the entire 2nd half (maybe 1st too ??) pleading furiously for nearly everything, it was their game plan once it became clear that they were following their seasons trend of playing crap.
ReplyDeleteRooney's reaction to not getting a pen when he jumped into Skrtel was quite simply disgusting (never close to a pen, not in a million years).
Then a few Utd players getting into daniel's face when we should have had a 4th penalty, if we are going to highlight Lfc things, then Utd's should be highlighted too.
I agree.
ReplyDeleteSuarez makes a card gesture then mouths "yellow, yellow" and Hendo clearly mouths "how, it's handball" and what looks like but I ma slightly less sure "he's got to go".
ReplyDeleteHe didn't run over though Jaimie and did the card thing from a distance. Then when close up kept his hands behind his back and was quite calm. I am not saying it's ok, above I have said I agree but lets not make it sound worse than it was. It was bad enough.
ReplyDeleteThey were obviously annoyed with conceding the penalties. All penalty shouts were in fact penalties apart from the Sturridge one, where he blatantly dived.
ReplyDeleteI also think Rooney was desperate to earn his team something, if United were winning or we didn't get 3 pens, then I don't think he would acted in such a way. But what's happened has happened, we move on.
If the reverse had occurred, I would have been happy that the referee was cheating the opposition, not us, Liverpool
ReplyDeleteHe made a beeline for the ref, and waved the imaginary card, so please stop trying to trivialise Suarez's behaviour.
ReplyDeleteI know he waved the card, like I said above he did it. He mouths the word yellow twice and he definitely goes to the ref but he didn't run at all. That is just false, his initial reaction is the card wave (again I don't like this and don't want our players to do it) but then is quite calm and doesn't get in the ref's face or anything like that. I am not trivialising just trying to keep it factual instead of (like you seem to have done) over dramatise the situation. Like I said what actually happened was bad enough, we as fans should condemn it. But lets condemn things that actual happened hey.
ReplyDeleteYou are trivialising it because you're being pedantic about what actually happened. Instead of just accepting that Suarez waved the card and tried to get a fellow pro sent off, you focus on irrelevant details about how quickly he moved across the field towards the ref. Does this change what happened? No.
ReplyDeleteNeed to just enjoy the victory and be quite! We don't see Chelsea fans complain when eto desides to take a dive or blantently hit some1. They get the victory the rest is history...
ReplyDeleteIf u check Gary Neville's twitter he agrees it's a pen! Besides the dive .. Sturidge hurdled the challenge so there for its a pen.. As a striker u are not stupid enough to get caught and risk the chance to get injured..
ReplyDeleteHow have I not accepted that Suarez waved the card? I have said he has to others as well as you. Not sure what else I can say on that regard really. It's in black and white. I agree with your point on the whole but I just feel that describing it in the wy you did Vilainises Suarez more than necessary. I seem to have these discussions with you far far too often but the things you write paints a picture. It can create an idea that is to some degree false and needs pointing out. I thought you were a freelance journalist or something, isn't actual portrayal of events the minimum of that required of you?
ReplyDeleteMy point is (and you have made the same point at another stage) is that in the past Suarez would have actually ran to the ref waving an invisible card the whole way but this time his actions though objectionable were far less abhorrent. What we saw was Suarez doing what lots of players do. What you described is the bad old days Suarez. Or that is how it seemed to me.
Like I say I generally agree the waving of the card is a no no, trying to get the player sent of is a bang on too. Which is enough isn't it?
The rules say it's a pen. But the diving just takes away credibility and like we have seen regarding Suarez it could come back to bite him.
ReplyDeleteWhats the point in having a website of debate if u can't make ur point??? And your oppinion gets deleted.. It's proof that u are weak and can't discuss your oppinion! I think in slang that's called a p***y hole!
ReplyDeleteJamie k u are a coward of a man every kopite knows this! As soon as u look a fool on a debate u start deleting the comments! U should call ur website agree with kopite Jamie k or get expelled !
ReplyDeleteHow then can he make the definitive statement "He anticipates the contact and goes down, but it definitely wasn't a dive."...?
ReplyDeleteIf he had not seen it why not say that. "I will have to see that one again" if he wanted to deflect the question?
I'm no Rodgers basher, I have stuck up for him on this site more times than I can remember when things weren't going so well and a lot of people were calling him clueless, but I was disappointed in him Sunday.
Villainise Suarez? Give me a break. The speed with which Suarez approached the ref is the least relevant aspect of the incident. You're just focusing on irrelevant details to indirectly take the emphasis away from what happened. This is standard practice amongst fans.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I did not use the word 'run', I stated he 'raced' across to the referee, which is an accurate description. Suarez quickly went across to Clattenburg to start his bid to get Rafael sent off. The way I described it is perfectly accurate. 'Raced' doesn't mean 'run'; in this context, it means to move with speed, which is what Suarez did.
You are being pedantic, and in my view, it's fuelled by your subconscious inability to accept criticism of Suarez, even when it's fair.
"He ran over to Clattenburg brandishing the imaginary yellow card". Ran not raced. And he doesn't move at any speed, in fact he doesn't move much at all. I have watched it a few times now and it seems like you haven't. Clattenburg comes over to the incident as refs do. So not only did you say ran but it's in no way accurate. He doesn't move much and not at speed. I have just watched the incident again from a better angle as I am watching, on and off the full match again. Match highlights.com watch from 38 mins in.
ReplyDeleteContinuously accusing me of something that is not true has happened before, as if that means my point is meaningless instead of accepting that you have portrayed something in a certain way as it suits your point. I clearly like this site but there are many occassions when you sensationalise things.
I have criticised Suarez myself. Have you got some kind selective reading?
You're unbelievable. *In the article*, did I use the word 'run'? No. I stated he 'raced' across to Clattenburg/ That's the issue here, not something I said in the comment section.
ReplyDeleteSuarez did not stay still after the incident, he went across to Clattenburg. How else did Suarez end up inches away from the ref. Teleportation? T
I'm not accusing you of something that is not true. You are incredibly pedantic, as evidenced again by this exchange. The issue here is that Suarez waved the imaginary yellow card and tried to get a fellow professional sent off. Instead of focusing on that, you zero-in on something that's utterly irrelevant.
Great points.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if a player 'anticipates contact and goes down', how is that not a dive? Rodgers is basically admitting that Sturridge went down without contact.
You've got a point - did Rodgers say something about how if Sturridge didn't go down he would've stomped on him or something? I'm trying to remember but I think he did - considering what happened to Charlie Adam recently, which I thought was ridiculous and shouldn't have been a ban, then Rodgers can make that argument. I don't think it's a good argument, but it can be made, and it's just a case of BR protecting his player. There are dives and dives, by which I mean some where people go down when there isn't even a tackle - a la the video of Sturridge at city - and some where people go down when they shouldn't in the face of a reckless challenge, which is what happened here. The argument can be made that if Sturridge doesn't go down in the face of that Vidic tackle he'll stomp on Vidic or get crunched by him or something, and again, I think it's a weak argument, but since Vidic made a reckless tackle it's an argument that can be made. I honestly don't think it matters though, we should all trust that BR is the right kind of boss and will have a word with Sturridge behind closed doors about this and hopefully stamp it out of his game over time. This dive didn't decide the fate of the match, nothing would've been different without it.
ReplyDeleteYou used it in a reply which I had read and responded to. Are you saying that you only mean the things in the article? So did you change your mind on what had happened or is there an amount of backtracking here?
ReplyDeleteWhen did I say Suarez stayed still? No he did move but as everyone (should know) when a foul is comitted the ref goes to the point of the foul. Clattenburg came in to the box. Like I had said above. This reading thing is easy if you give it a go.
I see what you are saying about it being irrelevant to the gander point but it was just a point I was making in regards to how you described something in a reply. Not the article itself. My reply to the article itself was "I agree".
This last sentence is a bit pathetic to be honest. I myself on quite a few occasions have criticised Suarez. I just do it about things he has done and they way he actually did them.
ReplyDeleteIt's not back-tracking, but the article represents my main POV. Clearly, I used the wrong word in the comment section, but the right one in the actual post.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the first thing that ruined the game for you again? All I see is you ranting about Suarez and his yellow card gesture. You would think it was Suarez that dove...
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's hard to describe Shaqiri as "world class" but that said he'd certainly be a fantastic addition to LFC and the starting lineup in all probability. Would create great competition with sterling, etc. Better than Konoplyanka IMO.
ReplyDeleteAt least he didn't stomp on Vidic's left foot. Fair play to what could have been a horror injury to Vidic. Look closely at Vidic's face. He is not even looking at the ball when he lunges in on Sturridge. IMO, if Sturridge doesn't start tripping before the lunge (he scuffs his right foot on the turf), I think he hops over and gets to the ball, cuts it back to Suarez who is unmarked and it is 3 nil.
ReplyDeleteAfter 27 games, Liverpool is in first place in the Fair Play Table. Man United 16th place.
ReplyDelete1) Agreed, it is an ugly side to football, the anticipatory foul, or leaving a trailing leg looking for the slightest contact. It's an unsavoury feature of the game, but any striker in that position where a defender dives in that heedlessly, is likely to go down, so I don't think Studge is to blame, rather the mentality honed into footballers to turn football into a no-contact sport.
ReplyDelete2) I think it makes complete sense for them to ask the question. Possibly they considered it deliberate handball, which is ironic, given Suarez's much more deliberate and much more vilified handball against Ghana. A deliberate handball, as we have seen, tends to receive a card, and Hendo and Suarez were just inquiring why according to the letter of the law as they understand it given the combination of circumstances, which they are entitled to do.
Glass half empty doesn't even begin to describe you Jaimie.
ReplyDeleteIf the glass was full to the brim, you'd find the empty space to complain about. The saddest thing is that you are actually PROUD of your unremitting negativity.
How about a mention of Rooney jumping into Skrtel and then chasing the ref while very aggressively claiming a penalty? Or the claims against Glen Johnson for handball? You might say they don't concern you as they were acts perpetrated by United players, but I think they should concern us. After all, they occurred in a game against us. If the ref had been weaker, United's unsportsmanlike conduct could have affected the outcome. I also think that to give a balanced opinion you have to look at both sides to gain the overall context of incidents.
ReplyDeleteI actually thought Luis looked like a cheeky child, smiling and saying "yellow, yellow?" and that he and Jordan were justified in asking why no second yellow.
And do you also think Carra spoilt the game when he did the same to Gattuso in Istanbul?