[Hightown hope]

‘Ironic really, that on a night when we mourned a manager of exemplary grace and class, Mourinho came to Anfield and behaved like the very antithesis of the dignity that Gerard Houllier stood for.

Hopefully, we gave him something to smile about up there; we gave Jose something to whinge about, which is almost as satisfying.’ TAW

I thought Spurs were excellent last night, defended really well until minute 92, and looked very dangerous on the counter, and I don’t really get the criticism I’ve read in the papers about their style of play – it can’t have come as a surprise to anyone, it’s been very effective, they were playing the Champions at Anfield, and while I take your point, Sean, that we are fallible, why would Jose change what has been successful all season?

Having said that, he is a graceless twat of the highest order. I know his diatribe at the end was only a means to deflect the fact away that his team got deservedly beaten by a team that was missing VVD, Gomez, Thiago, Jota and Matip, at least 3 of whom would have been definite starters, and a team with a young centre back making his PL debut against one of the best attacks currently around in Europe, and a young midfielder making maybe his 15th appearance for the club.

A big statement of a result, but make no mistake, it’s not the last we’ll see of Spurs this season. Certainly top 4, unless Jose loses it spectacularly, which always could happen, along with City and Chelsea. What a good night, only spoiled this morning by finding we are remaining in Tier 3, so the prospects of getting back to work are as remote as ever.

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[Hightown hope]

Very sad about Gerard Houllier. As Mikus says above, he really was responsible for re-igniting Liverpool as a credible force in English football. That Treble season was one of the most fun seasons of going to Anfield, with so many memories still so clear 20 years later. I will never forget the Roma match, his first time back after his illness. His very presence gave the crowd an energy which transferred to the team. It was a perfect harmony between manager, crowd and players and the atmosphere was just wonderful. Gary Mac’s goal at Goodison, Owen’s goals in Cardiff to rob Arsenal of the FA Cup, and of course my first European final in Dortmund, a truly wonderful occasion in so many ways.

He was a gent who loved the city of Liverpool having lived there as a young man, and Liverpool fans loved him. He probably does not get the recognition that certainly 2 of his successors have got, but he put the building blocks in place for later successes. We even forgave him for buying Diouf, Diao and promising to us that Bruno Cheyrou was the new Zinedine Zidane!

RIP, Gerard…Hou let the Reds out!!

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[Hightown hope]

Great performance yesterday…can’t fault any of them, but special mention to Kelleher, the 2 centre backs and Hendo and Gini who completely bossed the midfield. And of course our Duracell bunny, Andy Robertson, whose fitness levels are incredible. £8m? Unbelievable bargain.

I think the season is shaping up to be a thriller. A case could be made for any of Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs or City to win it. I still feel that without VVD and Gomez, we will get found out. If Matip does stay fit, it may be different, but he never has before. My top 4 prediction is Chelsea, City, Liverpool and Spurs in that order. I know 9 will disagree, but I really think Chelsea could do it this year. They are a young side with very few obvious weaknesses, and attacking talent all over. If they can all stay fit, they’ll be a rael threat.

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[Hightown hope]

Yeah, Marine are a small club from Crosby in Merseyside, never getting anywhere near the league or even the Conference. I used to go a few times when I was kid, as the ground is only 3 or 4 miles from where I lived. It’s a lovely little club, and they must be absolutely delighted by this draw. My guess is that it could only have been bettered by either Liverpool or Everton. I am thrilled for them!

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[Hightown hope]

…and Marine win with a 120th minute winner!! 🍾🍾 liverpool-Marine in the 3rd round??

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[Hightown hope]

What happened to that young Scottish midfielder who did so well against Liverpool in the cup a couple of years ago. Was his name Gilmour? Not heard anything about him since then

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[Hightown hope]

gj – glad for your 2nd team, Chorley yesterday. My 2nd team, Marine, are in a similar position today with an opportunity to reach the 3rd round for, I believe, only the second time. I used to go and watch them alot when I lived on Merseyside as a teenager, but confess I’ve not been for probably 25 years now, though I still look out for their results. Anyway, hope you’re well, and looking forward to meeting up in the New Year sometime, Covid restrictions permitting.

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[Hightown hope]

Adlab – think you’ve hit the nail on the head – and it’s not very often you and I agree! – VAR has sucked the life out of the game. Do we really want decisions reviewed to the nth degree, with that meaning the flow of the game is taken away, the celebrations are put on hold, and above all, it doesn’t even take away the controversy out of the game? I’m more annoyed about the offside yesterday than the penalty. Pre VAR, if that pen had been given, I might have had a little moan, but accepted it as a subjective call by the on field referee. Similarly if the linesman had flagged at the time for Salah being offside, I would have had a moan, but accepted it as reasonable human error (or not), but for the decision to take 3 or 4 minutes while all the players, pundits and fans are waiting for some faceless authority to make a decision miles away from the scene, is just ridiculous.

I want to talk about football, but every weekend VAR is hijacking the agenda, and that can’t be good for the game. We all know it’s not a conspiracy, Liverpool aren’t being ‘picked on’, the problem is endemic in our game, and indeed ruining it!

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[Hightown hope]

Nil,’I am aggrieved though, because with us, it’s become a frequent occurrence this season which has led to points being dropped.’

I think you have to take the feeling aggrieved out of it. Sure it’s been bad for us this season, but the point is that VAR is bad for the whole game, not just Liverpool

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[Hightown hope]

…and, like everyone else, I’m glad to see you back Steveo!

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[Hightown hope]

I would much prefer refs to be making occasional wrong decisions on the field, and we just live with it. It happens throughout football from kids footy up to the Championship, and football is still a great game. Has VAR improved? Can anyone honestly, hand on heart, say the game is better because of it? I very much doubt it. For me, it is infinitely worse.

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[Hightown hope]

9 – until VAR is sorted, we will all still be agonising over it. What’s the alternative? Just accept something that is ruining the game?

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[Hightown hope]

Pagan…it wasn’t just you and Chucky. I was, have been, and very much still am very much against VAR. I’ve been very vocal against since well before it was implemented. It just takes all the spontaneity out of the game, you can’t celebrate a goal…it’s fucking pathetic. Surely no-one wants matches decided by millimetres. Clear and obvious, daylight…fine, but the current refereeing and implementation means the whole thing isd farcical. If Salah’s goal had been given in the days before VAR, few if any Brighton fans would have said it was offside, and for me that says it all.

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[Hightown hope]

Mav…yeah forgot about Minamino. Certainly another bench option for Sunday and a starter for midweek

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[Hightown hope]

Mav…yeah forgot about Minamino. Certainly another bench option for Sunday and a starter for midweek

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[Hightown hope]

My guess for the line up on Sunday…

Allison
Milner, Matip, Fab, Robbo
Gini, Thiago, Keita
Jota, Bobby, Sadio

Subs – Adrian, Williams, Philipps, Tsmikas, Shaq, Origi, Jones

Still not a bad side that, you know! Of course, that side is picked on the assumption that Robbo will be fit and that there will be no further injuries in the internationals this week…some chance! Think Jurgen is more likely to risk Robbo against Leicester than Atalanta or Brighton the following week. He may well rest him in both of them. What are your thoughts??

I think both Williams, Tsmikas, Jones, Shaq and probably Origi will start mid week.

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[Hightown hope]

Maybe you’re right, Mikus…I should just shut up! 🤣🤣

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[Hightown hope]

Yeah, very sad news about Clem. He had just started at Liverpool when I went to my first game, and for ten years he was pretty much an ever present. He was one of the first keepers who almost acted as a sweeper for his defenders. But he was also responsible for probably the best save I ever saw live. My first game in the Kop against Wolves and I was right behind the goal, and the Wolves striker John Richard caught a volley so sweet from about 12 yards out, and Clem flew across the goal and tipped it round the post. A phenomenal save I was in a perfect position to witness it.

It was strange when he left Liverpool as we were very much top dogs at the time and it seemed a downward step to go to Spurs, but of course he went on to have a great career with them also. I was always biased of course but I considered him a better keeper than Shilton. A sad loss, but thanks for the memories, Clem

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[Hightown hope]

The last 7 or 8 weeks have been nothing short of disastrous for our club. Mane, Salah, Keita, and Thiago getting Covid, Virgil and Gomez getting season ending injuries, Thiago, Fab and Trent also being out for weeks, VAR denying us the winner at Goodison, giving a penalty against us v Sheff Utd, and it just goes on and on.

…but we are top of our Champions League group and still handily placed in the league. If any manager and group of players can overcome these trials, it is Jurgen and whatever players he still has standing

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[Hightown hope]

A bloody disaster, not least for Gomez himself

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