21 Dec 2014

'Tonight, I wish...': Borini reveals the reason behind Arsenal red card. LFC career-killer?

After almost a month in the Premier League wilderness, Liverpool striker Fabio Borini returned to the LFC squad for today's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, but after coming on as a second-half substitute, the Italian proceeded to get himself stupidly sent off, which could spell the end of his Liverpool career (such as it is).

After the game, Borini tweeted:

"Sometimes passion gets the better of you, and tonight I wish I had thought a little more"

Borini arguably deserved his red card, and I doubt many LFC fans will (credibly) argue otherwise:



In my view, Rodgers' treatment of Borini is a disgrace this season, and it's possible that Italian's pent-up frustration at being repeatedly ignored spilled out onto the pitch today. Borini was a transfer mistake from the start, but the reality is he's never been given a run of games, so his frustration is understandable.

Things could now get even worse for Borini, though - the red card will not endear him to Rodgers, and consequently, it may be even more difficult for him to get back in the team, (especially when Daniel Sturridge finally returns from injury).

That said, in his post-match press conference, Rodgers seemed magnanimous about the issue, and appeared to sympathise with Borini. He noted:

"It [the second yellow) was probably unfortunate. His [Borini's] foot was up, but it was harsh. We've got no complaints. We move on"

I wouldn't put too much stock in this, though. Rodgers is often a smiling assassin at Liverpool, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if this red card is the final nail in Borini's Anfield coffin.

Over the summer, Liverpool reportedly blocked loan moves to some 'very important clubs', but hopefully, the Reds will reverse this policy in January. Just let Borini leave already, even if it is on loan.

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58 comments:

  1. He's Mr doom and gloom :)

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  2. Shouldn't have acted like a petulant child. I remember thinking when he got his first yellow that we would end the game with 10 men because of him, it's all good to have passion and drive but throwing the ball away in anger is just childish. 21 players went most of the game without doing it, then he has to completely throw away an energetic and promising performance by going into a shocker of a challenge.
    Overall though, great performance, but it did highlight the major deficiencies in the squad at the moment. We do need a prolific CF and a defensive engine in the midfield. Sterling performed well, but was better when shifted to the wings, and Lucas was decent in the forst half, but completely lost what legs he had. Impressed by Lallana and Marko, hopefully starting to silence some of their detractors. High hopes for the serbian though, he really looked impressive, but does it very effortlessly. Couti was brilliant, but his final pass is still way off. Gerrard can't seem to run with the ball anymore, preferring to receive, pivot, pass, instead of receive, look, move, pass. Shouldve been 4-0 up at the break, shouldve been a red for flamini, shoulda shoulda shoulda. 1-1 vs Arsenal is a good result, Merry Krimbo everyone!

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  3. I agree mate. I think it's personal between BR and Borini and I don't like to see that. Borini has heart and work rate in abundance, two things we've been seriously lacking in this season. Should've been given a chance

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  4. I'd bet you wouldn't bet on that

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  5. Totally agree mate. Good post

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  6. Borini is a dead man walking IMO. Poorly treated by BR and now this red card will just be the final nail as Jamie said. By the way, good prediction, Jamie! 2 - 2 you said, 2 - 2 it is. Reckless goals conceded again in this game. I maintain it's a coaching problem, even though I like BR.

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  7. If the red card doesnt end his Liverpool career the fact that he appears to have spat at the Arsenal bench as he comes off may just do it

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  8. Worked alright though didn't it?

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  9. Until the red I thought he was doing pretty well. He had some good runs and a good cross or two, but that was pretty boneheaded. If...if...if only we didn't yield that silly first goal...and if we only had a striker.

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  10. He deserves better treatment from BR, he deserves more time off the bench (not starter quality). Hopefully BR values his energy more as seen in those few minutes today, and give the lad a peptalk on how not to lose his heads over incorrect ref decisions. But he definitely had buyers waiting in January.

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  11. Merry Christmas to ye.

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  12. I'd love to know why not playing Lambert (at that point) makes him arrogant?

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  13. You'll never crack his code dude. Best not to ask why

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  14. We still don't have a leader in defence. That's an issue. I still maintain that Skrtel is an issue, though many like him. A proper defensive mid and goalkeeper would help too. We basically have no-one with authority in any of the key defensive positions (GK, CB, DM).

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  15. Imagine if we made Kenny the caretaker again and we were brilliant again, they wouldn't know what to do!

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  16. His kicking is far superior. He's basically a non-entity in the 'keeper stakes though. Might as well play Gerrard in goal.

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  17. And ye also mate. I dont know about you guys, but it's going to be a belter over here! This week we haven't got a day under 30 degrees C, Chrissie Day is 33. I love an Aussie Christmas...

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  18. I have much to say on this ... I shall now say it:


    Skrtel does seem to be at the core of many of the goals we concede and I've always said that when things go wrong he panics and makes poor decisions. Lovren and Sakho seem to be more willing to just get in there and commit to a tackle while Skrtel is the proverbial chook with his head cut off. He's a great defender when things are going to plan and everything is working. Of course the problem is that goals don't usually get conceded when everything is working. All the defenders make mistakes equally so I don't focus on Skrtel if he just stuffs something up, so long as the right intent is there and he's not just standing around looking confused.


    In terms of a leader I do think that it's a bit of a cop-out for the coaching staff. A well drilled defensive unit doesn't need to rely so much on a leader, they just know their roles and they have a plan for every scenario. Rodgers may think that he's coached the defensive formation but if defenders are hesitant and don't seem to make quick decisions then the training has clearly fallen short. A leader in the defensive unit will e.g. help maintain a high line but he can't do anything about defenders taking conservative options in their positioning or not being aggressive in attacking the ball.


    Much of that kind of stuff is helped by having confidence in the guys around you, that's for sure, and maybe having one simply brilliant defender in the mix can inspire everyone else. I think that's what Carra did more than anything else, he just inspired confidence. I'd question his actual on field leadership because if you're not born in Liverpool having someone yell at you in angry scouse is 99% of the time is going to mean feck all.

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  19. The way Fabio sprinted back down the tunnel still makes me giggle. 'Ah, sh**. Oh well, thanks everyone! Gotta zip!'


    Coutinho was pretty impressive. If the guy improves his shooting technique, he will score a lot more goals, and become a lot more valuable to us; alas, he scuffs more than half his shots. Gerrard should give him some tips. His final pass is more about a matter of form and whoever is playing striker in front of him. He needs movement.


    Markovic is starting to settle in now. He's definitely not polished yet, but the guy obviously has a lot of talent; and I've always seen it. Unfortunately though, you expect 20 million pound signings to almost immediately create an impact- but that is in no way, shape or form Lazar's fault.


    Gerrard needs to quit pointless 50 yard cross-field passes all the time. They're spectacular when pulled off, but often time just unneeded. It instigated an Arsenal goal today.


    Lucas has no legs. Definitely need another DM, but Lucas has still done admirably.


    After Skrtel scored, I felt bad about my criticisms of him early on in the match, but I stand by those. He's got a lot of passion, and can definitely get us a goal when we need it (especially against Arsenal), but he's so inconsistent defensively. I can't believe he let Debuchy dominate him like that.


    Jones has looked a lot more composed than Migs, and his distribution IMO looks better. His throws/kicks actually find a free man. In saying that, he should have done a lot better in the 2 goals Arsenal scored. Positioning totally wrong for the first one, which disallowed him to jump for the ball. Bad shot-stopping for the second.


    Henderson...just looks stale. I can't really remember what he looks like on the field when he's in form. Is he actually just an overrated workhorse? I don't know. I know he was playing in an unnatural position, but this applies for a lot of other previous games too.

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  20. Disgusting. Christmas should be miserably cold and spent with barely tolerable family members as we all struggle not to slump defeated in our almost futile attempt to maintain the facade of seasonal bonhomie but the bitter cold nips at us and keeps our backs straight and resolve strong.

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  21. To be honest Jaimie your opinion is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard. You spout drivel to beat the band. You say you base your site on critical realism. Why does realism need to be critical? Surely realism is just realism. You put forward stats as a way to avoid common sense and are devoid of any real insight. You add nothing of true meaning to any debate about Liverpool.

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  22. You just bought yourself a ban methinks...

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  23. What "treatment" are you talking about? If Borini is not good enough then he shouldn't play, end of story. Rodgers is there to make tactical decisions, not to be nice to the players and give them all a fair go. This isn't some Sunday social league where everyone gets to be subbed on, it's professional football. Borini was very firm in his desire to stay at the club and fight for his place. This is the reality of that decision. The notion that Rodgers is obliged to give him a "run of games" is absurd. Rodgers is obliged to do what is best for the team and there are far far better players available than Borini. If Rodgers was purposely not playing Borini just to send him a message and try to force him out of the club I would agree but there is no evidence of that whatsoever.

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  24. Why? What has Borini done to deserve playing time?

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  25. Borini isn't good enough, but he's played better than Lambert and Balo... In my opinion, the Italians should go and Lambert should be that old veteran in the background that comes in for last resort, but if Borini is playing better than any other striker, he shouldn't be snubbed off the team sheet... The

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  26. I'm not convinced he is better. I like the guy, don't get me wrong, but I'm really not sure he's all that effective. The tactics have generally been to play one up front and I can't see Borini doing any better than Lambert did. Of course now that Sterling is playing there I think Borini's role will be exactly what we saw against Arsenal. That is if he stays. I expect him to be gone in January.

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  27. You are ignoring the fact that Jaimie is completely clueless.This is just more of the same old drivel the peddles to get a reaction. It has no relation of the actual reality of the situation.

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  28. You very naughty man Jaimie

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  29. Hahaha I've never had a cold Christmas mate, all of mine have been parties by the pool/beach, cold beers carried by bikini-clad women, koalas serving hors d'oeuvres, Santa donning sunnies and flip-flops and drinking a tin of Emu Export (NOT Fosters!). This is actually a mild-ish Chrissie this year, here in Perth we've been through high 30's, even low 40's at this time of year. You think cold Christmas' suck, try a 41 day when your aircon is on the fritz and it is literally too hot to go to the beach!

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  30. I hate the heat. It threatens to melt my icy heart.

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  31. Its only going to be 21 where i live and we havent seen a 30 degree day in weeks.

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  32. For reals? Where abouts are ya?
    Come on over to Perth, where the weather is always that little bit too hot and everythings that little bit too expensive.
    And where the sharks are that little bit too hungry...

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  33. HAHAHA I am from country South oz where its cold most of the time and there aint many sharks coz theres no one swimming around to eat.

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  34. Good to see some fire yeah it was stupidity but as i've said for a long time there's been a bit of passion lacking amongst the team cant fault his it would be hypocritical.

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  35. An absolute disgrace, the TEAM comes first, his outburst was a lack of professionalism, should be fined a months wages, and told to pack his bags, absolutely nothing to do with BR, Borini is not good enough, end of.
    If Skirts had not rescued the game, how would we view his idiocy.

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  36. what has gerrard done
    what has lovren done
    what lambert and balo did to get a good run of games
    this guy showed willingness to go and get that defence
    his shots tested scheszny more then sterlings and anyone else
    worked hard for team
    and then moved quickly out of stadium after red so it doesnt waste time :)

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  37. I mentioned earlier. Shift Sterling to wing back in place of Markovic and play Borini as a striker.

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  38. Friend, this is why he needs game time.. A string of games to show what he is capable of, as he had couple of good chances in the few minutes of Arsenal game..

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  39. He's at training every week, who knows how many days a week. If he can't impress at Melwood (which I assume he isn't) then it would be nuts to give him a string of starts in the PL.

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  40. Markovic currently looks far more likely of causing havoc than Borini.

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  41. not good enough...........next

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  42. nothing to do with BR? didn't he sign Borini after coaching him at chelsea and swansea, but then every manager is allowed to sign one duff player. Hang on.........

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  43. To say nothing of the midfield .-)

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  44. I dont think the red should have much impact. Marko got his stupid red and hes played in every game since then. The first yellow was stupid though. I agree with the positions we need to strengthen but I'd add a goalkeeper. Jones isnt the answer either. He just gets beaten too easily. On MOTD they held Skrtel responsible for their second but for me it was Gerrard for not getting ahead of Giroud. And then Jones got nutmegged like a 5 year old

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  45. 1-1? Don't you mean 2-2? I agree though, Markovic seems to be settling very nicely, been an excellent week for him, Lallana is getting better with every game, looking more and more like a Liverpool player, I thought Borini looked good when he came on, yes he was silly throwing the ball down like that, but thought he looked dangerous and was the catalyst for us to push on for an equaliser with the energy he had when he came on. He was unlucky not to have a goal with a very good header, matched by a very good save from Szczesny.

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  46. Nothing beats Wollongong, even if it is horribly muggy here, but agree with beach on Chrissie day, perfect way to spend it.

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  47. Can't blame Jones for Giroud's goal, loads of keepers get nutmegged, as a keeper you can't keep your legs closed all the time and when a player hits it low and hard like Giroud did, it's very hard, almost impossible to close your legs on time, I've seen the best keepers in the world, Casillas, Neuer, Lloris, Buffon, they have all been beaten that way. Jones was in no way at fault in that goal. Saying that however, he is not the answer for goalkeeper for us. I'm glad the Valdes rumous have quietened down as I believe he is very overrated. Still think Mat Ryan, the Aussie keeper playing for Club Brugge is worth taking a serious look at, he has impressed in the CL, was keeper of the season in the Belgian league last season in his first season with the club, first season in Europe. He's only young and is only going to get better, there was even interest by Real Madrid last season.

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  48. Not to forget it was Gerrard's needless long pass that gave the ball away for the second goal in the first place.

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  49. We look inventive, the rest will come. Brad Jones is the worst goalkeeper is the second worst goalkeeper I have seen in a Liverpool shirt (Mike Hooper no.1) The first goal he pulled out of diving and the second he could have kicked. Shocking keeper. If migs plays that's three points for me. Overall we are moving in the right direction. I still believe BR to b a serial scapegoater but maybe he's learning from his mistakes.

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  50. I think the coaching is likely an issue, but from a fan's point of view it is hard to appraise that beyond looking at our circus style defending and saying "this isn't right". That's why I lean more on the leadership thing. Whilst with the coaching of the defence, we can see the net result is bad, we can't see what leads to that end. We don't see the means that deliver that faulty end. With the leadership aspect, we can see the means and the end.

    I think beyond the mistakes of people not going for the ball in a controlled systemic way and the general panic in our defence, it is very evident in our total lack of game management and nerve in pressure situations. If I was a betting man, I'd have put a decent wedge on us conceding straight after our goal. It was the first thing I said after we scored and when we conceded that free-kick, I had a preposterous level of certainty it'd result in a goal.

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  51. Not really. Look at the goals.

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  52. I agree Ryan is a very talented goalkeeper but right now I'd prefer if we went for someone settled. Someone proven. Someone like Cech or Stekelenburg. I'd gladly swap both Jones and Migno for Ryan though on top of someone experienced that is. :-)

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  53. Totally agree. With the first goal I think Skrtel was off balance a bit and Debuchy put his hands on him just as he was trying to jump. Disappointing, but he made up for it at least. Henderson is being wasted on the right side of midfield again to accommodate Gerrard. Instead of worrying about a soon to be 35 year old we should be worrying about developing the future of LFC and Hendo fits into that (also I think we would have been in for Song if he didn't play in Gerrard's position)...

    Loving that we've dropped the immobile strikers and have gone for the pace and fluidity of Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling and Markovic! It will save Rodgers from the sack and bodes well for our future😄

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  54. Think we should keep Lucas and get another DM. If we only have one, we risk a major injury disruption.


    Gerrard should be nowhere near the DM role.


    Agree with your thinking about Henderson, too.

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  55. "LFC Career killer?" Strange headline?

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  56. In the overall context of the game, I dont think you can focus on those two moments to make a generalisation on the system used. It worked to great effect for 98 of the 100 minutes played, our defense played the ball around and hardly looked 'caught out', the defense transitioned neatly into attack and we completely outplayed Arsenal in a game that we should have put a few more past the keeper, but that's hardly a 3 man defenses fault is it? To say that the 3 man defense didnt work seems to be a bit of 'losing the forest for the trees'. Then again, I'm not 100% sure if you mean THAT back 3 (ie: Skrtel, Kolo and Momo) or you mean the back 3 system.. Or both?

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  57. Sakho was quality. But 3 Cbs should not be beaten in the air or be outfoxed by one striker. I would say Skrtel and Toure did not look upto scratch. Skrtel with poor awareness and positioning for the goals and Toure lost the ball out of play a numerous amount of times.

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