Liverpool 1-0 Anzhi - Post Match

[Muddled]

I know traditionally, the flair players get most of the credit, but what a monster of a performance from Skrtel. He clattered his man early to show him he was there and nothing got past him from then on in; He covered and provided support for Wisdom, he was dominant in the air and on the ground and cleared his lines when others were pissing about ... he even had a decent pop at goal!

It freed up Agger to do the aesthetically pleasing things (whilst having a commanding game himself).

[Danish_Pastry]

This isn't right - the keeper can't be challenged when he is in possession of the ball - nowhere do the rules state that the keeper must have two hands on the ball.

Apart from carding Agger which was wrong as it wasn't dangerous play, I thought the ref was great tonight.

Although the OLD saying, that a keeper has to have both hands on the ball, it is so, that both the free-kick and the carding were correct. The free-kick as the keepers handling is more than having the ball i both hands, and the carding as any attempt to take the ball of the keeper is rules as dangerous play. See both links below:
...
the USSF publication “Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game” that spells out goalkeeper possession:

12.16 GOALKEEPER POSSESSION OF THE BALL
The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when the ball is held with both hands, held by trapping the ball between one hand and any surface (e.g., the ground, a goalpost, the goalkeeper’s body), or holding the ball in the outstretched open palm. Once established, possession is maintained, when the ball is held as described above, while bouncing the ball on the ground or throwing it into the air. Possession is given up if, after throwing the ball into the air, it is allowed to hit the ground. For purposes of determining goalkeeper possession, the “handling” includes contact with any part of the goalkeeper’s arm from the fingertips to the shoulder.

While the ball is in the possession of the goalkeeper, it may not be challenged for or played by an opponent in any manner. An opponent who attempts to challenge for a ball in the possession of the goalkeeper may be considered to have committed a direct free kick foul. However, a ball which is only being controlled by the goalkeeper using means other than the hands is open to otherwise legal challenges by an opponent. The referee should consider the age and skill level of the players in evaluating goalkeeper possession and err on the side of safety.

http://www.askasoccerreferee.com/?p=2270

...

and with reference to FIFAs rules (here), it is said, that:

Can a Player Kick the Ball While the Keeper is Handling It?
According to the Laws of the Game, neither a player on the keeper's team nor an opposing player can kick the ball while the keeper is handling it. As a keeper, the Laws of the Game state that you cannot be challenged by an opposing player while handling the ball. In addition, the Laws of the Game include violations for playing in a dangerous manner. This is defined as performing any action that may injure either another player or yourself, regardless of which team the other player is on.

If you attempt to kick the ball while either your keeper or the opposing team's keeper is handling it, the Laws of the Game state that you must be penalized for playing in a dangerous manner. Depending on the desired outcome of this dangerous play and whether or not contact was made between players, this violation is penalized with a free kick, penalty kick or the offending player being sent off for the violation.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/417343-if-a-soccer-goalie-has-his-hand-on-the-ball-can-a-player-kick-it/#ixzz2ANxhCx3B

I had to check myself, as I thought it was harsh, but it was correct.

[Phoenix07]

Thought we controlled the game and dictated the tempo, which is pleasing to see.

Defensively, I must've been watching a different game, because there were large gaps between the back four and the midfield, which Anzhi tried to get through a couple of times.

Wisdom's workrate and strength was good to see. Two tough away games now and we may have to win one of those.

[the rev leeroy brown]

couple of good performances tonight. skrtel was a real rock for us in defense, sahin put in a tidy shift with a couple of strong challenges which surprised me and kept it simple on the ball and assaidi was a real threat every time he got on the ball running at the defense.

i also thought downing, after a slow start, put in a decent game as well. a dodgier last 20 mins with a few wayward passes but he impressed me tonight.

i agree with a few on here saying assaidi should start against the bitters and also those saying gerrard should be dropped. he was really out of the game all night yet again with only one noteworthy long pass to his credit.

[DannyMan2006]

Good performance as Anzhi are no mugs. In fact, they're a very good team. So to control the game for about 70 minutes and create plenty of decent chances shows we're heading in the right direction.

Away to Anzhi will be a tough game, but a victory at home to YBB and an away point in Italy would see us through. Fantastic night.

[Rich]

I think some of the praise is over the top to be honest. Hey-ho everyone has an opinion.

[rudedog]

Although the OLD saying, that a keeper has to have both hands on the ball, it is so, that both the free-kick and the carding were correct. The free-kick as the keepers handling is more than having the ball i both hands, and the carding as any attempt to take the ball of the keeper is rules as dangerous play. See both links below:
...
the USSF publication “Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game” that spells out goalkeeper possession:

12.16 GOALKEEPER POSSESSION OF THE BALL
The goalkeeper is considered to be in control of the ball when the ball is held with both hands, held by trapping the ball between one hand and any surface (e.g., the ground, a goalpost, the goalkeeper’s body), or holding the ball in the outstretched open palm. Once established, possession is maintained, when the ball is held as described above, while bouncing the ball on the ground or throwing it into the air. Possession is given up if, after throwing the ball into the air, it is allowed to hit the ground. For purposes of determining goalkeeper possession, the “handling” includes contact with any part of the goalkeeper’s arm from the fingertips to the shoulder.

While the ball is in the possession of the goalkeeper, it may not be challenged for or played by an opponent in any manner. An opponent who attempts to challenge for a ball in the possession of the goalkeeper may be considered to have committed a direct free kick foul. However, a ball which is only being controlled by the goalkeeper using means other than the hands is open to otherwise legal challenges by an opponent. The referee should consider the age and skill level of the players in evaluating goalkeeper possession and err on the side of safety.

http://www.askasoccerreferee.com/?p=2270

...

and with reference to FIFAs rules (here), it is said, that:

Can a Player Kick the Ball While the Keeper is Handling It?
According to the Laws of the Game, neither a player on the keeper's team nor an opposing player can kick the ball while the keeper is handling it. As a keeper, the Laws of the Game state that you cannot be challenged by an opposing player while handling the ball. In addition, the Laws of the Game include violations for playing in a dangerous manner. This is defined as performing any action that may injure either another player or yourself, regardless of which team the other player is on.

If you attempt to kick the ball while either your keeper or the opposing team's keeper is handling it, the Laws of the Game state that you must be penalized for playing in a dangerous manner. Depending on the desired outcome of this dangerous play and whether or not contact was made between players, this violation is penalized with a free kick, penalty kick or the offending player being sent off for the violation.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/417343-if-a-soccer-goalie-has-his-hand-on-the-ball-can-a-player-kick-it/#ixzz2ANxhCx3B

I had to check myself, as I thought it was harsh, but it was correct.

He didn't kick it out of the keepers hand though - he headed it so shouldn't have been considered dangerous play (the criteria for a booking).

[dww]

I agree. First half I thought he was a real handful, its easy for us to forget I think that he really is playing up top on his own, so often the ball comes to him with nobody in front of him and he still has several players to beat to get a clear sight of goal. His movement and his invention are top class, yes a lot of the time what he tries doesn't come off but i really think if he was partnered up there with one or two players who have real goal scoring instincts we'd see him creating an awful lot more goals like the one he setup for Sterling on Saturday (and the one Shelvey should have scored in that game too).

I think he's somewhat badly suited to being a sole forward in some ways - he is always looking to go forwards/towards goal. Sometimes when you are isolated that is not a good option. His movement to receive the ball is good, it is his decision making when on it I think people are questioning.

[Robbie-fowler999]

Its Eid... why the **** am i reading threads ?

[yamiedo]

I know traditionally, the flair players get most of the credit, but what a monster of a performance from Skrtel. He clattered his man early to show him he was there and nothing got past him from then on in; He covered and provided support for Wisdom, he was dominant in the air and on the ground and cleared his lines when others were pissing about ... he even had a decent pop at goal!

It freed up Agger to do the aesthetically pleasing things (whilst having a commanding game himself).

Both Agger and Skrtel were solid. Reminded me of last season when they got that understanding and I think its returning again having started to adjust to the new system. They are both vital to our team. Delighted to have two reliable centre backs and one potentially world-class (Coates)

[Ams12]

Our CB's played well Skertle was outstanding and i loved that one stevie-esque run he had with a shot on target too! Agger well we all love the boy! Assaidi played well, great skill on the ball lots of positives tonight and long may it continue YNWA

[Vermilion]

[Phoenix07]

Is that Gerrard being the 'fox in the box' there?

[Vermilion]

Is that Gerrard being the 'fox in the box' there?

Funny you should say that, as when i saw the Downing goal again, i thought it looked very Gerrard like, the way he moved the ball and then hit it just reminded me of Stevie in his pomp..

[Gingawaria]

Mis-hit cross