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The post match reactions from our manager Graeme Edwards following all Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League games during the month of February - another challenging month for the club following a poor January.
Premier League Round Nine
Liverpool 0 Southampton 2
Ever largening sections of our support booed us off the park after this one and it's little wonder as we're on a shocker of a run with 5 defeats in our last 6 league games.
We tried mixing things up from the start but despite it being N v N we conceded immediately and thereafter we never really looked like scoring (again), even managing to concede again later on after we'd gone all out attack. We did have the better of the stats but as has been said a thousand times there's only one stat that really matters.
A tricky trip away to our local rivals across Stanley Park in the FA Cup up next and if we lose that then it will be no exaggeration to say we'll be in the midst of a fully blown crisis. I need to get my act together pronto.
FA Cup Round Three
Everton 0 Liverpool 3
We certainly haven't had our troubles to seek of late and went into this one on the back of some terrible league form and with confidence rock bottom.
We expected to face a counter attacking approach but gambled that our preferred passing style would finally click into gear. Goalless at half time and with the game on a knife edge we finally managed to make the breakthrough in the 54th minute through de Tomas which resulted in Everton changing to a more adventurous approach and we were able to capitalise with a double from Mudryk.
No doubt 3-0 flatters us but we were certainly worth the win and are pleased to progress into the next round as already it's looking like the only chance we'll have to compete for silverware this season.
Premier League Round Ten
Liverpool 0 Newcastle 0
Another game where we comfortably out shot the opposition but as has been the case of late we just couldn't hit the back of the net, Newcastle's keeper turning in a man of the match display in the process. If we keep out performing the opposition and having the likes of 20 shots in a game I have to believe that lady luck will eventually turn and we'll start winning but certainly at the moment it just feels that no matter what we do it won't work.
Maybe we need to create next to shag all and the goals will start to flow again as seems to be the case for some other teams.
Well played though to the Geordies, they came and had a proper go so you have to give them credit for that and it wouldn't have been a massive shock if they'd nicked it.
Next up a trip to the unpredictable Hammers who have been putting together a good unbeaten league run.
Premier League Round Eleven
West Ham 0 Liverpool 0
Groundhog Day once again for us as we have umpteen more shots on target than the opposition (9 to their 3) but yet again we can't hit the back of the net for love nor money and therefore here we are again failing to win. Quite incredible how feeble we are in front of goal given the chances we generally create. I'm usually too cowardly to play A but that day is surely rapidly approaching as we try to find a solution to this mess.
All about the cups already for us which is embarrassing this early in the season.
Played Toddy lad
Champions League Group Game Three
AC Milan 0 Liverpool 1
As bad as our results have been in the league, thankfully - at least so far anyway - that hasn't been the case in the cups and we continued our good start in the Champions League with an away win at the San Siro.
Felt fairly sure we'd be facing the counter attacking tactic and so give the old European style a bash. Having got ourselves ahead in the 1st half we then resorted to a hoof ball approach for the remainder of the game. It wasn't exactly scintillating but any win in this competition is not to be sneezed at especially on the road so we're very pleased with ourselves.
Sitting pretty at the half way stage but still a lot of hard work to be done. Feels like our home game against Milan next up will be absolutely pivotal because after that it's away games against Paris Saint Germain and Man City and I wouldn't anticipate many points coming from those fixtures.
Premier League Round Twelve
Liverpool 1 Barnsley 1
Another poor result for us as we conceded with the final kick of the game. We stuck with the passing approach that has done us no favours this season and it was no shock to face the conservative counter attacking set up from our visitors.
We got ourselves in front but in truth the stats were pretty even and we can't really grudge Barnsley their last gasp leveller. Again I probably have only myself to blame for not trying to adjust things when we got ahead.
We're beginning to be a bit like Roy McAvoy on the 72nd hole in Tin Cup with our passing approach. Failing miserably but determined to persist with it regardless until it finally works.
Relegation scrap now in full effect.
Premier League Round Thirteen
Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 2
A trip down memory lane right enough - it's been too long Mr Brunton but great to see you back. Still holds FFO's most impressive feat (in my opinion) when he went an entire league campaign undefeated with Bristol Rovers. A true legend.
Anyway we made the trip to Selhurst Park on the back of a horrible run of league results that sees us flirting with the relegation spots so to say we were in need of a win is an understatement. We set up 42031E expecting the counter attacking approach from Palace and we got ahead early. We changed to N which only served to leave things in the balance the rest of the way with the home side giving as good as they got until veteran substitute Jordi Alba fired in an injury time goal to finally let us breathe easily. 2-0 is harsh on Palace though.
We need to try and build on this but we've got some really tough fixtures ahead so it's going to be easier said than done.
As I say great to see you back Rob, all the best for the rest of the season and beyond.
Champions League Group Game Four
Liverpool 2 AC Milan 1
This game burst into life in the final 20 minutes - ironically right after Milan switched from an attacking style to match our counter attacking set up. Our young striker Niang came off the bench to put us ahead in the 72nd minute but the celebrations had barely died down when Milan equalised through their own young substitute Kalou. The game looked to be heading for a draw and a massive missed opportunity for us but for the 2nd game running Jordi Alba came off the bench to score in injury time to send Anfield into absolute meltdown. Feel like we deserved it too looking at the stats.
If I've done my sums correctly we are already guaranteed to progress as Milan still have to play Paris Saint Germain so that's a great feeling in such a tough group. The aim from here on in has to be to try and finish top of the table although in all honesty you can often end up facing just as difficult a quarter final tie finishing as group winners.
Premier League Round Fourteen
Liverpool 0 Man Utd 2
Worst performance of the season by far as we tried to catch our opponents off guard by playing a long ball style for the first time this season - safe to say it backfired spectacularly and Man Utd absolutely deserved their win.
As if things weren't bad enough for us in the league this season we heard a small group of fans singing for the return of previous manager Hamza. I mean I knew things were bad but holy smoke they must be worse than I thought.
A trip to face the in form Spice Boys next - not what we needed with the way we're playing.
Premier League Round Fifteen
Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0
Another game another defeat and another 90 mins where we can't find the back of the net.
We played attacking in the hope of scoring first and trying to control the game from there but with Chelsea alternating between passing and counter attacking I felt it was inevitable they would take the lead and on the stroke of half time they did just that. Thereafter it was C v C and in truth I was never convinced we were going to score and Chelsea ran out deserved winners.
Steve has the Spice Boys going well and full credit to him they are challenging up at the top whereas we are trending majorly in the opposite direction and our lack of goals is absolutely appalling.
We have to start getting results quickly but with Man City up next (in the league) things are more likely to get worse before they get better.
Played Steve
FA Cup Round Four
Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 4
Finally we produce a strong attacking performance with our shot shy team suddenly remembering how to stick the ball in the back of the net. We've tried various tactics and formations in the league most of which have resulted in epic failure so today felt a bit like going back to basics with a 523P set up.
Honestly hadn't a clue what Villa would play under their new manager but they also played a passing style. The game was evenly poised at 1-1 at half time but by the hour mark we had got ourselves 4-1 in front and that's how it finished. Both sides had over 20 shots so it was a good open game and there's no question that the final score line is harsh on Villa - for once our front players did well particularly Mudryk who got himself a brace.
With the misery we're enduring in the league the cups have become absolutely vital to our season so delighted to progress into the quarters where we'll face Southampton at home and I reckon both managers will be happy enough with that draw.
Premier League Round Sixteen
Liverpool 2 Man City 0
After consecutive feeble defeats against Man Utd and Chelsea I can't say we went into this game against another of the Premier League's better sides with much optimism. City have started the season well and we've been absolutely atrocious in the league but we actually performed well in this one and two late goals from Mudryk and de Tomas gave us a deserved win and a much needed 3 points.
Even with the win we still sit in an embarrassingly low 15th position in the table rapidly approaching the half way stage of the season which is totally unacceptable for a club of this stature. We are only 2 points off the relegation places and the pressure is on to start getting results and climb the table. We've deliberately stayed clear of the transfer market recently but maybe it's time to try and freshen things up a bit.
Next up a trip to Elland Road and of course our last visit there was when we tossed away the league title on the final day of last season so it would be nice to go there and exorcise those demons but again we know it will be far from easy as Tim and his Leeds side are always tough opposition.
Premier League Round Nine
Liverpool 0 Southampton 2
Ever largening sections of our support booed us off the park after this one and it's little wonder as we're on a shocker of a run with 5 defeats in our last 6 league games.
We tried mixing things up from the start but despite it being N v N we conceded immediately and thereafter we never really looked like scoring (again), even managing to concede again later on after we'd gone all out attack. We did have the better of the stats but as has been said a thousand times there's only one stat that really matters.
A tricky trip away to our local rivals across Stanley Park in the FA Cup up next and if we lose that then it will be no exaggeration to say we'll be in the midst of a fully blown crisis. I need to get my act together pronto.
FA Cup Round Three
Everton 0 Liverpool 3
We certainly haven't had our troubles to seek of late and went into this one on the back of some terrible league form and with confidence rock bottom.
We expected to face a counter attacking approach but gambled that our preferred passing style would finally click into gear. Goalless at half time and with the game on a knife edge we finally managed to make the breakthrough in the 54th minute through de Tomas which resulted in Everton changing to a more adventurous approach and we were able to capitalise with a double from Mudryk.
No doubt 3-0 flatters us but we were certainly worth the win and are pleased to progress into the next round as already it's looking like the only chance we'll have to compete for silverware this season.
Premier League Round Ten
Liverpool 0 Newcastle 0
Another game where we comfortably out shot the opposition but as has been the case of late we just couldn't hit the back of the net, Newcastle's keeper turning in a man of the match display in the process. If we keep out performing the opposition and having the likes of 20 shots in a game I have to believe that lady luck will eventually turn and we'll start winning but certainly at the moment it just feels that no matter what we do it won't work.
Maybe we need to create next to shag all and the goals will start to flow again as seems to be the case for some other teams.
Well played though to the Geordies, they came and had a proper go so you have to give them credit for that and it wouldn't have been a massive shock if they'd nicked it.
Next up a trip to the unpredictable Hammers who have been putting together a good unbeaten league run.
Premier League Round Eleven
West Ham 0 Liverpool 0
Groundhog Day once again for us as we have umpteen more shots on target than the opposition (9 to their 3) but yet again we can't hit the back of the net for love nor money and therefore here we are again failing to win. Quite incredible how feeble we are in front of goal given the chances we generally create. I'm usually too cowardly to play A but that day is surely rapidly approaching as we try to find a solution to this mess.
All about the cups already for us which is embarrassing this early in the season.
Played Toddy lad
Champions League Group Game Three
AC Milan 0 Liverpool 1
As bad as our results have been in the league, thankfully - at least so far anyway - that hasn't been the case in the cups and we continued our good start in the Champions League with an away win at the San Siro.
Felt fairly sure we'd be facing the counter attacking tactic and so give the old European style a bash. Having got ourselves ahead in the 1st half we then resorted to a hoof ball approach for the remainder of the game. It wasn't exactly scintillating but any win in this competition is not to be sneezed at especially on the road so we're very pleased with ourselves.
Sitting pretty at the half way stage but still a lot of hard work to be done. Feels like our home game against Milan next up will be absolutely pivotal because after that it's away games against Paris Saint Germain and Man City and I wouldn't anticipate many points coming from those fixtures.
Premier League Round Twelve
Liverpool 1 Barnsley 1
Another poor result for us as we conceded with the final kick of the game. We stuck with the passing approach that has done us no favours this season and it was no shock to face the conservative counter attacking set up from our visitors.
We got ourselves in front but in truth the stats were pretty even and we can't really grudge Barnsley their last gasp leveller. Again I probably have only myself to blame for not trying to adjust things when we got ahead.
We're beginning to be a bit like Roy McAvoy on the 72nd hole in Tin Cup with our passing approach. Failing miserably but determined to persist with it regardless until it finally works.
Relegation scrap now in full effect.
Premier League Round Thirteen
Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 2
A trip down memory lane right enough - it's been too long Mr Brunton but great to see you back. Still holds FFO's most impressive feat (in my opinion) when he went an entire league campaign undefeated with Bristol Rovers. A true legend.
Anyway we made the trip to Selhurst Park on the back of a horrible run of league results that sees us flirting with the relegation spots so to say we were in need of a win is an understatement. We set up 42031E expecting the counter attacking approach from Palace and we got ahead early. We changed to N which only served to leave things in the balance the rest of the way with the home side giving as good as they got until veteran substitute Jordi Alba fired in an injury time goal to finally let us breathe easily. 2-0 is harsh on Palace though.
We need to try and build on this but we've got some really tough fixtures ahead so it's going to be easier said than done.
As I say great to see you back Rob, all the best for the rest of the season and beyond.
Champions League Group Game Four
Liverpool 2 AC Milan 1
This game burst into life in the final 20 minutes - ironically right after Milan switched from an attacking style to match our counter attacking set up. Our young striker Niang came off the bench to put us ahead in the 72nd minute but the celebrations had barely died down when Milan equalised through their own young substitute Kalou. The game looked to be heading for a draw and a massive missed opportunity for us but for the 2nd game running Jordi Alba came off the bench to score in injury time to send Anfield into absolute meltdown. Feel like we deserved it too looking at the stats.
If I've done my sums correctly we are already guaranteed to progress as Milan still have to play Paris Saint Germain so that's a great feeling in such a tough group. The aim from here on in has to be to try and finish top of the table although in all honesty you can often end up facing just as difficult a quarter final tie finishing as group winners.
Premier League Round Fourteen
Liverpool 0 Man Utd 2
Worst performance of the season by far as we tried to catch our opponents off guard by playing a long ball style for the first time this season - safe to say it backfired spectacularly and Man Utd absolutely deserved their win.
As if things weren't bad enough for us in the league this season we heard a small group of fans singing for the return of previous manager Hamza. I mean I knew things were bad but holy smoke they must be worse than I thought.
A trip to face the in form Spice Boys next - not what we needed with the way we're playing.
Premier League Round Fifteen
Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0
Another game another defeat and another 90 mins where we can't find the back of the net.
We played attacking in the hope of scoring first and trying to control the game from there but with Chelsea alternating between passing and counter attacking I felt it was inevitable they would take the lead and on the stroke of half time they did just that. Thereafter it was C v C and in truth I was never convinced we were going to score and Chelsea ran out deserved winners.
Steve has the Spice Boys going well and full credit to him they are challenging up at the top whereas we are trending majorly in the opposite direction and our lack of goals is absolutely appalling.
We have to start getting results quickly but with Man City up next (in the league) things are more likely to get worse before they get better.
Played Steve
FA Cup Round Four
Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 4
Finally we produce a strong attacking performance with our shot shy team suddenly remembering how to stick the ball in the back of the net. We've tried various tactics and formations in the league most of which have resulted in epic failure so today felt a bit like going back to basics with a 523P set up.
Honestly hadn't a clue what Villa would play under their new manager but they also played a passing style. The game was evenly poised at 1-1 at half time but by the hour mark we had got ourselves 4-1 in front and that's how it finished. Both sides had over 20 shots so it was a good open game and there's no question that the final score line is harsh on Villa - for once our front players did well particularly Mudryk who got himself a brace.
With the misery we're enduring in the league the cups have become absolutely vital to our season so delighted to progress into the quarters where we'll face Southampton at home and I reckon both managers will be happy enough with that draw.
Premier League Round Sixteen
Liverpool 2 Man City 0
After consecutive feeble defeats against Man Utd and Chelsea I can't say we went into this game against another of the Premier League's better sides with much optimism. City have started the season well and we've been absolutely atrocious in the league but we actually performed well in this one and two late goals from Mudryk and de Tomas gave us a deserved win and a much needed 3 points.
Even with the win we still sit in an embarrassingly low 15th position in the table rapidly approaching the half way stage of the season which is totally unacceptable for a club of this stature. We are only 2 points off the relegation places and the pressure is on to start getting results and climb the table. We've deliberately stayed clear of the transfer market recently but maybe it's time to try and freshen things up a bit.
Next up a trip to Elland Road and of course our last visit there was when we tossed away the league title on the final day of last season so it would be nice to go there and exorcise those demons but again we know it will be far from easy as Tim and his Leeds side are always tough opposition.