LIVERPOOL 2 FOXES 2
Report by Graham Tracey
A thoroughly miserable first 45 minutes of the football year suddenly transformed into a rousing performance which restored hopes that we will be appearing at grounds like Anfield again later in 2015.
I travelled in hope to the game, based both on our success at Hull and given how unimpressive Liverpool were at our place less than a month ago. Despite the wet weather, there was a terrific atmosphere in The Park pub behind the Kop before kick-off, although the inventive and passionate songs did not seem to make the short journey over into the stadium, which was quiet apart from our own fans.
Nigel Pearson should be congratulated for his team selection, in terms of leaving Schlupp in his usual attacking position on the left rather than dropping back to replace the suspended Konchesky. De Laet came in at left back, and had a comfortable game on his weaker flank, untroubled by the Reds. Vardy started alone up front, but significantly before too long was joined by Nugent after Drinkwater had to come off with a groin injury.
We nearly made a dream start, as Mahrez hit the inside of the post with a second minute free kick, catching out Mignulet in a gambit similar to Spurs’ winner on Boxing Day. If only Spurs had come back out off the post and this one had gone in – the impact of fine margins could not have been more clear. Further chances for us ensued – Mahrez wastefully shot wide on his weaker foot after a terrific break and low cross from Schlupp, and then another free kick deflected over with the keeper wrong-footed.
There was always the worry that we would be punished for not scoring when on top, but no one could have predicted the ridiculous circumstances. A low cross was blocked on the goalline by a sliding Morgan, and to the disbelief of the whole team the ref pointed to the spot. It would have been harsh had the ball even hit his hand, but when the news came through by text that it had hit him in the face, it was the latest in this season’s frustrations. Steven Gerrard made no mistake with the penalty.
Worse was to come five minutes before the break, when the ball was played onto Simpson’s hand from a couple of yards away, and to utter disbelief the ref gave another penalty, which Gerrard dispatched to the other side of Hamer, who was yet to be tested from open play.
When Gerrard announced that evening that this would be his last season at Anfield, I wondered whether his decision was prompted by embarrassment at the decisions in his team’s favour today. Every touch for the rest of the half was met with shouts of handball from our fans, but with QPR and Hull winning at half time, our fortunes were at a new low tide mark.
The frustrating thing was that Liverpool were really poor. Sterling was anonymous up front, and Lallana and Coutinho showed nothing other than brief cameos. In particular, the home team looked jittery even knocking it square at the back.
Whether or not Pearson made a stirring talk at the interval, or whether little needed be said as the sense of injustice was motivation enough, we gave a second half arguably even more impressive than against United. Nugent had been impressive since his introduction, and towards the hour mark he superbly scissor-kicked home Vardy’s knock-down with the outside of his foot from outside the area. It was every bit as good as the half-volley which may well have won the game at Villa had the keeper not made an incredible save then – fine margins once again.
I was sat in the home end with Liverpool supporting friends, and must say fair play to the crowd as not one person reacted negatively to my instinctive jump up and shout of celebration. Within a couple of minutes we were in dreamland, as Schlupp stroked the ball home from the D to send our vocal fans wild.
With half an hour to go, I would normally have happily settled for a point, experience (such as QPR away) suggesting there was ample time for our comeback to count for nothing. But one headed chance aside, we dominated the rest of the game, and I would have loved to play on for ‘next goal wins’.
Unfortunately our corners were too easy to properly test the under-fire Mignulet, and Schlupp and Mahrez’s balls from open play just didn’t fall quite right for anyone. But the overall performance was superb. Hammond in particular always seemed in the right place at the right time. When he was replaced by Cambiasso, it was notable that the Argentine was encouraging players forward to go for the win, whether on Pearson’s instructions or his own.
While everyone else picked up at least a point, and it remains frustrating that we have chucked away at least half a dozen points which would have seen us outside the bottom three, today gave me great hope that we are capable of putting together a run of victories which could see us to safety. However, January transfer activity and the games against our relegation rivals will probably dictate our destiny.
LEICESTER: Hamer 6, Simpson 8, De Laet 6, Wasilewski 7, Morgan 7, Schlupp 9, Hammond 8 (Cambiasso 6), James 7, Mahrez 8, Drinkwater 6 (Nugent 9), Vardy 8 (Ulloa 6)
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation