West Brom - Post Match

[Fredo]

Yeah St. John is an utter xenophobe. Can't stand him.

[Reece]

Well said, Frenchman

[Fredo]

[sssiho]

St John - He might be a miserable sod now, but he knew how to stick the ball in the back of the net.

[Lecter]

Liverpool FC 0 West Brom 1: Roy Hodgson's return stirs painful memories for LFC

by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
Apr 23 2012


IT WAS just like the old days at Anfield yesterday. Roy Hodgson sat in the dugout as Liverpool FC lurched towards an embarrassing defeat against mediocre opposition and the home supporters headed for an early exit.

But this time there was no face-rubbing from Hodgson, no frantic gesticulating in a desperate bid to change what was unfolding in front of him.

Instead the biggest challenge facing him was trying to keep a lid on his delight.

The glory belonged to Hodgson on his return to Merseyside as gallingly his West Brom side became the latest beneficiaries of Liverpool’s glaring deficiencies.




Following the warm welcome the former Reds boss was afforded when he walked out of the tunnel, three points came gift-wrapped.

From the ecstatic high of the FA Cup semi-final triumph over Everton, Kenny Dalglish’s men came crashing back down to earth.

The script was so painfully familiar. Another tale of woe to add to a league campaign packed full of them.

Chances missed, woodwork struck, penalty appeals turned down and a horrendous defensive blunder which put the ultimate smash and grab raid on a plate for the Baggies, who celebrated their first victory at Anfield for 45 years.

The doom and gloom merchants will cast a glance at the Premier League and ask exactly what has changed since Hodgson’s torrid 191-day reign was ended with his sacking in January 2011.

Liverpool were stranded in mid-table when his services were dispensed with and today they stand eighth.

They are a massive 37 points behind leaders Manchester United and 16 points adrift of the fourth place they set their sights on last August.

The statistic that they are closer to the relegation zone than Champions League qualification is tough to take considering since Dalglish was appointed they have made £113million worth of signings.

Yet there is good reason why yesterday’s final whistle was met with only a smattering of boos compared to the torrent of dissent which followed similar dismal defeats under Hodgson.

Some will argue it’s simply a case of blind loyalty to Dalglish but that’s rubbish.

The majority of supporters can see with their own eyes that progress has been made. Lifting the Carling Cup was testimony to that and so is the fact this Liverpool side will return to Wembley in 12 days’ time in a bid to complete a memorable domestic Cup double.

Aside from silverware, the fans have something else which didn’t exist during Hodgson’s sorry stint at Anfield – hope.

Under the previous regime, the Reds were rudderless.

They had a manager clearly out of his depth, who specialised in negative tactics and lowering expectations, while placing his trust in flops like Christian Poulsen and Paul Konchesky.

Of course everything isn’t rosy now but it’s a darn sight better.

Clearly there are problems which need addressing but most have faith in the boss’ ability to find solutions this summer.

They remember how low Liverpool had fallen and know that patience is required as Dalglish builds for the long term.

Take yesterday’s game. There was little wrong with the overall performance.

The hosts had 61% possession, 28 attempts on goal and 15 corners. For long periods it was total domination but in the final third once again they were found wanting.

You could hardly point the finger at a lack of desire, commitment or spirit. There was no post-Wembley hangover, no-one was guilty of coasting.

The reality is the lack of a ruthless streak which cost Liverpool during the opening day stalemate with Sunderland in the autumn remains a major issue in the spring.

It explains why the Reds have taken just 24 points out of 51 at Anfield and why they must now win their final two games against Fulham and Chelsea just to match the paltry tally of seven home league wins they managed in 1953/54 when they were relegated from the top flight.

West Brom became the 12th visiting team out of 17 to depart with something to show for their efforts – 45 years to the day since the Baggies’ last win at Anfield was secured by Jeff Astle.




How different the afternoon may have turned out had Dirk Kuyt not fired wastefully wide when teed up by Luis Suarez inside the opening 10 minutes.

It was a glorious opportunity but such was the Reds’ stranglehold on proceedings it didn’t look like it would matter.

They should have had a penalty when Maxi Rodriguez was clumsily tripped by Billy Jones but referee Neil Swarbrick waved away appeals for a spot-kick.

Suarez was a constant menace and after a neat interchange with Glen Johnson his fierce strike was parried by Ben Foster and Rodriguez lashed the rebound over.

Pepe Reina, who returned after serving his three-match ban, pulled off two fine saves to thwart Chris Brunt and Liam Ridgewell but the Reds were soon back in the ascendancy.

With Jordan Henderson much improved in his favoured central role and Jay Spearing a bundle of energy alongside him, the chances kept on coming.

Just before the break Foster diverted Daniel Agger’s effort past the post with his leg.

In the second half it was a similar story and the Reds lay siege to the Baggies’ penalty box.

Henderson went agonisingly close to ending his eight-month goal drought, latching on to Andy Carroll’s pass and lashing a shot against the underside of the bar. The ball struck the back of Foster but somehow stayed out.

Suarez fired over from a tight angle before Kuyt’s deflected effort left Foster beaten but cannoned back off the post. Remarkably, it was the 30th occasion in the Premier League this season that the Reds had been denied by the woodwork.

Carroll and Spearing both failed to capitalise during a goalmouth scramble and then Henderson blazed just wide.

Dalglish sought inspiration in the form of Craig Bellamy and Stewart Downing but it didn’t happen. With 15 minutes to go the Reds shot themselves in the foot. Johnson carelessly gifted the ball to Youssouf Mulumbu who set Peter Odemwingie clear on goal.

The Nigerian striker slotted past Reina and a shell-shocked Liverpool struggled to summon a response.

For the first time the chant “There’s only one Roy Hodgson” echoed around Anfield. It was a bitter pill to swallow but the Reds must pick themselves up.

With an FA Cup still to be won, this isn’t the time for inquests.

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Kuyt (Bellamy 68), Henderson, Spearing (Shelvey 83, Rodriguez (Downing 74), Suarez, Carroll. Not used: Doni, Coates, Carragher, Kelly.

WEST BROM: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Brunt, Dorrans (Cox 86), Mulumbu, Thomas (Andrews 69), Odemwingie (Scharner 83), Long. Not used: Fulop, Tchoyi, Shorey, Dawson.

GOALS: Odemwingie 75.

CARDS: Booked – Agger, Shelvey..

REFEREE: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

ATTENDANCE: 43,660.


Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...#ixzz1sqxmNdxg

[Maxiedge]

He should be saving that all day long.

Pepe's actually done this a few times this season where, because of a bad mistake from an outfield player, he kind of only half-heartedly does his job in goal.

wouldn't swap him for any other keeper in the world but I think he needs to stay focused and concentrated even if we give the ball away cheaply.

[Lecter]

Liverpool 0 West Bromwich Albion 1: Roy Hodgson has last laugh but keeps smile hidden


Tony Barrett

Last updated at 3:28PM, April 22 2012



The triumph of inferior opposition over Liverpool was the story of Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated six-month tenure at Anfield. It was also the tale of his return as West Bromwich Albion recorded their first victory in 45 years at the ground where their manager endured what he called the most challenging period of his career.

Hodgson repelled suggestions that this was his revenge, insisting that the pleasure he derived stemmed from the quality of the opposition rather than their identity. But this was his chance to prove that he was a better manager than he showed during his brief spell in charge of Liverpool and the result indicates that he took it.

Kenny Dalglish was entitled to argue that the final outcome was anything but a fair reflection of the game that led up to it, given Liverpool’s almost total dominance of possession and chances. But the path to becoming a former Liverpool manager, as Hodgson will testify, is paved with hard-luck stories and this was another unpalatable setback that neither Dalglish nor his wasteful team could afford.

That Liverpool created a staggering 27 goalscoring opportunities and spurned all of them yet again underlined the weakness that has undermined them all season.

“It’s not one of those days. It’s happened seven or eight times,” Dalglish said. “It sounds repetitive but we’re not looking for an excuse, all we need is a bit of good fortune.”

There was an element of bad luck to their latest defeat, as emphasised by Jordan Henderson and Dirk Kuyt both striking the woodwork with Ben Foster beaten. There was also a feeling of inevitability when Peter Odemwingie took advantage of Glen Johnson’s mistake to become West Brom’s first goalscorer at Anfield since Garth Crooks in 1985.

Yet to put Liverpool’s latest reversal down to a combination of fate and fortune would be to turn a blind eye to the shortcomings that means they are now just one point above Hodgson’s side. West Brom were simply the latest opponents to discover that Liverpool’s ability to take chances is negligible in comparison to their ability to create them.

“We had to ride our luck,” Hodgson acknowledged. “Liverpool piled on the pressure, particularly in the second half and it was a tough rearguard action and maybe we deserved a bit of luck. I understand that Kenny and his team will feel very aggrieved to take nothing from the game and I can’t argue with that.”

Hodgson could also have pointed out that Liverpool won more league games at Anfield during his spell in charge than they have this season under Dalglish. To do so, though, would have flown in the face of the neutral welcome he received, one he feared might not have transpired .

“The Liverpool supporters gave me a terrific reception, and that was very courteous of them,” Hodgson said. “I would have been disappointed if it had been otherwise, because I have a lot of respect for the Liverpool fans.”

The temptation now will be for Hodgson’s admirers to cite this victory as the latest evidence of how hard done by he was during his time at Liverpool. It will also give succour to those who claim that the greatest crime he committed at Anfield was not being Dalglish. But in everything other than the result the evidence that Liverpool are better off without him was compelling, particularly in terms of the free-flowing attacking football they played that was several levels above what was produced while Hodgson was in residence.

The problem for Dalglish, though, is that unless the day comes when the outcome of football matches is decided by artistic merit the present Liverpool side will continue to fall short of expectations. The 27 points they have dropped at home is perhaps the statistic that will worry him most as it illustrates that even the departure of his predecessor has not cured Liverpool’s chronic inability to make inferior opponents suffer.

Liverpool (4-4-2): J M Reina 6 — G Johnson 6, M Skrtel 8, D Agger 6, J Enrique 6 — D Kuyt 6 (sub: C Bellamy, 68min 6), J Spearing 6 (sub: J Shelvey, 83), J Henderson 7, M Rodríguez 7 (sub: S Downing, 74) — A Carroll 7, L Suárez 7. Substitutes not used: Doni, S Coates, J Carragher, M Kelly. Booked: Agger, Shelvey. Next: Norwich City (a).

West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): B Foster 7 — B Jones 6, G McAuley 6, J Olsson 6, L Ridgewell 6 — C Brunt 6, Y Mulumbu 6, G Dorrans 6 (sub: S Cox, 86), J Thomas 5 (sub: K Andrews, 69 5) — S Long 5, P Odemwingie 7 (sub: P Scharner, 83). Substitutes not used: M Fulop, S Tchoyi, C Dawson, N Shorey Next: Aston Villa (h).

Referee: N Swarbrick Attendance: 43,660

[Lecter]

Liverpool 0 West Bromwich Albion 1: match report



LIVERPOOL


0 - 1

FT

WBA



Sunday, April 22 16:00

Premier League

Anfield







(HT 0-0)

ATT: 43,660


Odemwingie (75)







By Chris Bascombe, at Anfield

10:00PM BST 22 Apr 2012


Roy Hodgson presided over one too many Anfield embarrassments while he was Liverpool manager. He was all too willing to accept responsibility for the latest.


There are those who believe the Merseyside club are unrecognisable from the one Hodgson left last season after a grisly six months in charge.


As the 64-year-old West Bromwich Albion manager basked in the glory of what is surely the most professionally nourishing win of his career, he would not have noticed much difference.


A miserable home defeat, boos from the Kop and a recurring sense of disbelief at Liverpool’s stagnating league position. This was mercilessly called 'The Hodgson Effect’ when he was sat in the home dugout. Nowadays, it is just called bad luck.


There is more to it than that, but it must be stated if Hodgson had enjoyed as much good fortune as Liverpool’s manager as he did in this game, he would most probably still be in the job.


Not only that, he would be going for a second consecutive title and rotating his side in readiness for the Champions League semi-final.

Hodgson spent his entire Liverpool career under siege and for much of this game was on familiar ground.

The statisticians counted 27 clear opportunities for the home side, with Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson hitting the woodwork for the 29th and 30th time this season.

Liverpool’s attackers finish with all the poise of one of those fun-runners in the London Marathon. Luis Suárez struggles to ally individual brilliance with a consistent end product. Andy Carroll, looking slimmer and more confident, could not direct numerous headers past Ben Foster.

Maxi Rodríguez was denied what seemed a clear penalty in the first half, presumably because of a theatrical fall which would have made Ashley Young blush.

Kenny Dalglish’s regular laments about crossbars and missed chances do not excuse Liverpool’s appalling league position, but as each goal-line scramble ended with the ball somehow ricocheting to safety, there was a sense of comical incredulity with how they lost such a one-sided game.

“The woodwork was not our best friend again,” said Dalglish, who left out his captain Steven Gerrard as a precaution because of a tight hamstring.

“It’s been like that seven or eight times this season and it sounds repetitive. It’s not like there is something drastically wrong we can’t identify. Every team needs good fortune.”

Amid the shower of post-match number crunching demonstrating how the gods are conspiring against Dalglish’s side, others were more damning.

Hodgson won six league games at Anfield before his sacking in January last year. Here we are in April with Dalglish still trying to win his sixth of the season.

West Bromwich’s win also takes them to within a point of Dalglish’s expensively rebuilt Liverpool team.

A solitary point difference is not based on one lucky away win, but 34 flawed league performances. Hodgson, to his credit, accepted the view that fate was on his side.

With debilitating predictability as far as the Kop is concerned, West Brom broke on 75 minutes when Peter Odemwingie pounced upon Glen Johnson’s error.

He became the first West Bromwich player since Garth Crooks in 1985 to score at Anfield. In doing so, a 45-year-old winless hoodoo at this stadium ended.

As Hodgson’s name reverberated from a corner of Anfield he must have felt he had proved a point by collecting three.

“The Liverpool supporters gave me a terrific reception, and that was very courteous of them,” said Hodgson.

“I admired their courtesy and maybe I didn’t repay them too well by coming away with the win.”

[Lecter]

Liverpool 0 West Brom 1: Roy stands tall back at Anfield as Baggies stun Dalglish
By Dominic King
PUBLISHED: 17:52, 22 April 2012 | UPDATED: 22:38, 22 April 2012


Rows of empty seats, a stream of supporters scurrying to the exits and frustrated groans at the final whistle — Anfield has barely changed in the 16 months since Roy Hodgson’s last visit.
But rather than being subjected to mockery and ire, as was often the case when he was Liverpool manager, Hodgson was able to stand on the touchline with his head held high after guiding West Brom to their first win since 1967 at the stadium where he was once employed.
Given the misery he endured during a 191-day stay that began in July 2010, Hodgson could have been forgiven had he milked the victory secured by Peter Odemwingie’s 74th-minute goal. But, after inflicting another hefty blow to Liverpool’s peculiar season, he was in no mood to gloat.


The only consummation Hodgson took from a result that owed as much to good fortune as it did to the persistence of his players was the fact that three points keep West Brom on course for a top 10 finish.
‘The major satisfaction is winning at Anfield,’ said Hodgson, who remained rooted to his seat while the rest of his staff celebrated Odemwingie and his decisive strike. ‘This was always going to be a difficult game and Liverpool, as they have such good players, will ask a lot of questions of you.
‘Of course, I accept that Liverpool will feel aggrieved — I watched the game as well! But this is an excellent result and maybe it was written in the stars we would get it as it was 45 years to the day since West Brom last won here. It was a really gritty performance.’
It needed to be. Liverpool’s foibles at home this year have been chronicled at length but this should not have been a contest they ended up surrendering. As Hodgson noted, they set a blistering tempo and had seven excellent chances to score before the break.
‘You can go back over old interviews and it’s the same thing,’ said Kenny Dalglish. ‘We had a lot of attempts but couldn’t put it right. It’s been like that seven or eight times. It sounds repetitive.’ This was Anfield’s 17th fixture of the Barclays Premier season and, as the manager noted, it followed a familiar, weary pattern.

From dominating possession to wasting chances, from clattering the woodwork to lamenting a refereeing decision. If you are wondering why Liverpool are out of the running for the top four, 27 squandered points at Anfield should give you an idea.
Had Liverpool not been so profligate at home, they would have been pressurising Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham but the reason Dalglish will make signing a new striker his top priority this summer was encapsulated in this chaotic 90 minutes.

While Liverpool mustered enough chances to win two games, they did not possess the gumption when it mattered, as was the case when Dirk Kuyt was sent galloping clear by Luis Suarez in Liverpool’s first attack of the game on nine minutes.
If the Dutchman had found the far corner rather than scuffing his drive wide of the post, Liverpool would, in all probability, have cantered to victory. As it was, Kuyt’s miscue set the tone.

Suarez smashed a chance wide shortly afterwards. Maxi Rodriguez had a penalty claim waved away after he tangled with Billy Jones; Jay Spearing fizzed a 25-yard drive wide and Daniel Agger fluffed his lines from six yards. West Brom’s only chance came when Pepe Reina thwarted Chris Brunt.
After the break, Liverpool continued to apply pressure. Jordan Henderson saw a precise drive thud off the bar, then Kuyt struck an upright with another chance; the magnificent Jonas Olsson cleared off the line from Andy Carroll on the rare occasion goalkeeper Ben Foster did not get in the way.

In total, Liverpool created 27 opportunities but the only statistic that mattered came when Glen Johnson erred badly, allowing Youssouf Mulumbu to send Odemwingie clear and become the first man since Jeff Astle to score a winning goal for West Brom at Anfield.
‘I am proud of the team,’ said Hodgson. ‘It’s a great day because it’s unusual for West Brom to beat Liverpool at home or away. It’s another hoodoo laid to rest. We rode our luck on a lot of occasions and maybe we deserved our good fortune.
‘It was also pleasing the support I got from the Liverpool fans. I didn’t repay them too well but I got the reception I was hoping for.’ And the result he had been dreaming about.

MATCH FACTS
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Maxi (Downing 74), Henderson, Spearing (Shelvey 83), Suarez, Carroll, Kuyt (Bellamy 68)

Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Carragher, Kelly

Booked: Agger, Shelvey

West Brom: Foster, Olsson, Ridgewell, McAuley Jones, Brunt, Thomas (Andrews 69), Dorrans (Cox 86), Mulumbu, Long, Odemwingie (Scharner 83)

Subs not used: Fulop, Shorey, Dawson, Tchoyi

Goal: Odemwingie 75

Attendance: 43,660

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1sr2dKVsI

[Suarez]

too late if we loose to Norwich next sat we will be joint 13th .....all this stuff about us playing well is crap there's something not right at the club.Is it the players? signed by the current management for a premium transfer fee .......some say it's bad luck what all season ...or is it the fault of the management and their coaching methods? can see us getting a good walloping by Chelsea in the cup final .......we didn't cover ourselves in glory against Cardiff that was a very fortunate cup win ....... as i said in a different post what i'd like to know is if we look for a new manager who will advise the current owners ? dalglish ? not sure after this poor poor season how much the owners will think of dalglish's views and opinions.....as for poor kenny i think all the time out ha had away from football has been undone since he came back and the poor man looks withdrawn and ****ed

How are we 13th if we lose against Norwich?

I agree with the bad luck view though, we can't blame an entire season on bad luck. Blame it on poor finishing, a squad thin of quality, pace and creativity, blame it on poor tactics at times and questionable substitutions (or lack of).

I wouldn't be upset to see Rafa back, far from it, however, I think this season may have been good for Dalglish, it may have made him a better manager for next season. Whether that means we'll be good enough to get back in the top 4 is another thing, but then in the grand scheme of things do we have the finances to expect to be in the top 4? There have been big changes in the league over the last 5 or 6 years and the whole dynamic has changed. Unfortunately for us, we've stumbled from a couple of charlatans to a group who lack both the finances and the football knowledge to get us back to the top.

[Chris]

Our season is ****ing bizarre. Had 34 points after 19 games, nothing amazing but double it up and 68 points will go seriously close to getting 4th this season, think it may just do it given Newcastle's fixtures. Spurs can only get 71 and Chelsea 70 if they even win all their games which is unlikely.

On the other hand, 12 points from our last 15 games is relegation form! I think the Suarez ban had a huge impact and we are now in a rut they have no desire to get out of considering 4th is long gone. Lucas injury didnt help either but we were still plodding along ok for a bit afterwards. Oh well!

[Rich]

Our season is ****ing bizarre. Had 34 points after 19 games, nothing amazing but double it up and 68 points will go seriously close to getting 4th this season, think it may just do it given Newcastle's fixtures. Spurs can only get 71 and Chelsea 70 if they even win all their games which is unlikely.

On the other hand, 12 points from our last 15 games is relegation form! I think the Suarez ban had a huge impact and we are now in a rut they have no desire to get out of considering 4th is long gone. Lucas injury didnt help either but we were still plodding along ok for a bit afterwards. Oh well!

That was key.

[Tribute]

Lec said it earlier - Lucas injury (without cover) and not picking up a short-term poacher in the January window has cost us dearly. Still not sure if not buying in Jan was a Kenny decision or that FSG just put their foot down given previous cost (and little impact) of Carroll, Henderson, Adam and Downing?

Not sure Morgan or Ecclestone are ready/fit the bill, but in terms of hunger, drive and knowing where the back of the net is... I would love us to do 'a Rushie' and bring in someone from the lower leagues that just kills it. Jordan Rhodes springs to mind. Has the look of an exceptional talent, particularly finishing given the chances...

Slightly controversial I know - unproven, young, English (again!), but imagine if he did for us what he's currently doing for Huddersfield...

[Lecter]

Lec said it earlier - Lucas injury (without cover) and not picking up a short-term poacher in the January window has cost us dearly. Still not sure if not buying in Jan was a Kenny decision or that FSG just put their foot down given previous cost (and little impact) of Carroll, Henderson, Adam and Downing?

Not sure Morgan or Ecclestone are ready/fit the bill, but in terms of hunger, drive and knowing where the back of the net is... I would love us to do 'a Rushie' and bring in someone from the lower leagues that just kills it. Jordan Rhodes springs to mind. Has the look of an exceptional talent, particularly finishing given the chances...

Slightly controversial I know - unproven, young, English (again!), but imagine if he did for us what he's currently doing for Huddersfield...

Rhodes looks a prospect but its a big step up from his level to Premier League

If we were to gamble on a player from the lower leagues we should have possibly looked at Lambert from Southampton but they are likely to be promoted so think that will be difficult and expensive now

Jelavic is the one that stands out for me he looks a steal at £6/7 million

[Bender]

How are we 18th if we lose against Norwich?

I agree with the bad luck view though, we can't blame an entire season on bad luck. Blame it on poor finishing, a squad thin of quality, pace and creativity, blame it on poor tactics at times and questionable substitutions (or lack of).

I wouldn't be upset to see Rafa back, far from it, however, I think this season may have been good for Dalglish, it may have made him a better manager for next season. Whether that means we'll be good enough to get back in the top 4 is another thing, but then in the grand scheme of things do we have the finances to expect to be in the top 4? There have been big changes in the league over the last 5 or 6 years and the whole dynamic has changed. Unfortunately for us, we've stumbled from a couple of charlatans to a group who lack both the finances and the football knowledge to get us back to the top.

I don't know how are we 18th if we loose against norwich ?