The Liverpool Offside - Liverpool v. Newcastle, 11.04.12Zeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2012-11-04T19:09:40+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/33591032012-11-04T19:09:40+00:002012-11-04T19:09:40+00:00Recap: Suarez Brilliance Saves a Point for Reds
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<figcaption>Alex Livesey</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool drop another two points at Anfield in a match they dominated, this time getting a moment of absolute brilliance from Luis Suarez to secure a draw against Newcastle.</p> <blockquote>
<p><b>Liverpool 1:</b><i> Suarez 67'<br></i><b><a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Newcastle</a> 1: </b><i>Cabaye 43'</i></p>
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<p>Little changed today, from the starting lineup for Liverpool to the product that was produced on the pitch. Neither of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110848/pepe-reina" class="sbn-auto-link">Pepe Reina</a> or <span>Glen Johnson</span> was fit, leaving roles open for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110066/brad-jones" class="sbn-auto-link">Brad Jones</a> and <span>Jose Enrique</span>, and the rest of Brendan Rodgers' eleven is what we've seen for most of the season. Youngsters on either side of <span>Luis Suarez</span>, <span>Joe Allen</span> holding, and <span>Steven Gerrard</span> and Nuri Sahin responsible for driving forward from the midfield.</p>
<p>That drive, both from the midfield and the rest of the squad, nearly paid off in an opening ten minutes that saw Liverpool completely pin their guests back. <span>Raheem Sterling</span> ran rampant down the left, and a series of quick interplays and crisp passes created some of the most exciting buildup <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> managed this season. No final product early, but a display that was consistent with a pre-match atmosphere that saw Anfield bustling and the supporters in full voice.</p>
<p>As is so often the case, though, a period of pressure and dominance gives way to a relative dry spell in which the opposition packs the area and asks serious questions of Liverpool's ability to be creative. The hosts couldn't yet again, and as the first half settled in it seemed less a matter of <i>when</i> a goal would but <i>if</i>. It was an all to familiar scene, with moments of excitement around the final third and couple of close scrapes for either side but no final product.</p>
<p>But the narrative isn't the narrative unless it continues, and in the 43rd minute <span>Yohan Cabaye</span> made sure Liverpool didn't forget that they're living Groundhog Day each and every time they take the pitch. It was a different angle but very nearly a replica of what happened on the opening day of the season at West Brom--corner cleared away, controlled first touch, arrowed volley past a helpless goalkeeper. Both <span>Andre Wisdom</span> and Brad Jones could have done better, though little could be argued about the quality of the control and strike by the French midfielder.</p>
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<p>It's hard to say if it's a good or bad thing that Liverpool are at least familiar with needing to come back from adversity; they've been in a position of having to respond to something negative so often that it's almost second nature. Dominate play, create a few good chances, concede a goal and the lead on the opposition's first chance. So at least we knew that as far as a response went, Liverpool are well-versed in knowing what to do.</p>
<p>That didn't lead to anything immediately, but after <span>Jonjo Shelvey</span> came on for Suso--who'd done well to that point--the hosts were more threatening, and the equalizer came with just over twenty minutes to play. That had nothing to do with Shelvey or Suso or anyone else, however. Just Jose Enrique lofting a long pass to an onrushing Luis Suarez, who controlled magnificently with his chest, coolly took a touch around <span>Tim Krul</span>, and walked it into an empty net all within a matter of seconds. It was breathless stuff, and the type of goal that should have spurred Liverpool on to victory.</p>
<p>It nearly did minutes later, as the Uruguayan created a chance for Shelvey after dancing around multiple Newcastle defenders. Suarez put it on a plate for the young midfielder, but all he could muster was a tame poke that Krul quickly pounced upon. A rightful sending off for Fabricio Colocinni followed for a dangerous challenge on Suarez, and it seemed only a matter of time. Two more chances would come for Shelvey, and all three proved to be the best chances Liverpool would have after Suarez leveled. None were taken, and it's another two points lost for Liverpool in a match most will feel they should have won.</p>
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<p>Praising the performances of the team as a whole and the individuals involved feels hollow, even if there was some very encouraging play on the day. Each of the forward men gave a solid account of themselves, with Suarez terrorizing on surely tired legs and getting the amazing goal, Sterling resurgent after fading over his past few appearances, and Suso showing skill and intelligence in possession. Sterling very well could have had the go-ahead goal on a break but took one touch too many, allowing <span>Ryan Taylor</span> time to recover with a perfectly-timed slide tackle; otherwise neither looked particularly dangerous in front of goal, with Suso cutting in and forcing a few corners.</p>
<p>The midfield was a mixed bag, as it's been recently--Joe Allen distributed well but looked sloppy and tired at times, Nuri Sahin was more visible but still not as influential, and Steven Gerrard had moments that defied explanation on both ends of the spectrum. Same goes for the defense, who were anchored by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110183/daniel-agger" class="sbn-auto-link">Daniel Agger</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110728/martin-skrtel" class="sbn-auto-link">Martin Skrtel</a> but nearly undone by moments of indecision from Andre Wisdom and just plain bad decisions from Jose Enrique. This side needs stability at the back and through the middle, and a goalscoring threat for support up top, and right now they have neither.</p>
<p>I really wish we could start to draw some conclusions about Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers, but what frustrates right now is that Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers looks like Liverpool under every Liverpool manager since the 2009-2010 season. The style of play has changed, but the inability to get goals remains. More possession or dominance here or there, and variable quality in the personnel, but the same story. Always.</p>
<p>January may very well provide relief and signal an acceleration in the club's progress, but there's very real tests on the more immediate horizon. A long trip to Russia midweek, and then a very huge-feeling matchup with <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> at Stamford Bridge next Sunday. Let's hope that the progress that's possible in the short-term leaves Liverpool in better stead over their next two, and throughout a challenging two months before the new year.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2012/11/4/3599278/liverpool-1-newcastle-1-suarez-brilliance-amidst-the-same-old-story-Ed-2012-11-04T10:00:26+00:002012-11-04T10:00:26+00:00Matchday: Liverpool v. Newcastle
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<figcaption>Alex Livesey</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool host Newcastle in an important Premier League matchup for both sides at Anfield.</p> <p><b>Kickoff:</b> 4:00PM GMT/11:00AM EST</p>
<p><b>Ways to Watch:</b> Sky Sports 1 in the UK and Fox Soccer Channel in the US; H/T to <i>Mr. Snurb</i> for info on the delayed showing on FOX in the US (2:00PM EST/4:30PM EST depending on location)</p>
<p><b>Preview:</b> <a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2012/11/3/3594720/match-preview-liverpool-v-newcastle-11-04-12-premier-league-squad-news" target="_blank">Liverpool v. Newcastle</a></p>
<p><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2012/11/3/3594720/match-preview-liverpool-v-newcastle-11-04-12-premier-league-squad-news" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2012/10/27/3563386/match-preview-everton-v-liverpool-10-28-12-premier-league" target="_blank"></a><b>Comment:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">Join the conversation on the Liverpool Offside</a></p>
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<p><b>Liverpool:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Jones<br>Wisdom Skrtel Agger Enrique<br> Allen Gerrard<br>Sahin<br>Suso Suarez Sterling</p>
<p>Bench: Gulacsi, Henderson, Assaidi, Carragher, Shelvey, Downing, Coates</p>
<p><b>Newcastle:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Krul<br>Anita S.Taylor Coloccini Santon<br>BenArfa Perch Cabaye Gutierrez<br>Ba Cisse</p>
<p>Bench: Harper, Williamson, Ferguson, Bigirimana, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2012/11/4/3597374/matchday-liverpool-v-newcastle-premier-league-team-sheets-lineups-Ed-2012-11-04T02:34:00+00:002012-11-04T02:34:00+00:00Open Thread: Pre-Newcastle Overnight
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<figcaption>Chris Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>Five questions to pass the time as we await kickoff from Anfield.</p> <p><b>1) Pepe Reina and Glen Johnson or Brad Jones and Jose Enrique?</b></p>
<p><b>2) What's Liverpool's midfield three (taking into account Janey's premonition that Jordan Henderson will start)?</b></p>
<p><b>3) Given halftime changes in each of the last two matches, does it happen today? </b></p>
<p><b>4) Most important matchup for Liverpool, individually or otherwise?</b></p>
<p><b>5) First goalscorer for Liverpool?</b></p>
<p><b>Bonus: How many incidents get the full Zapruder involving Luis Suarez?</b></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2012/11/4/3597014/pre-newcastle-overnight-open-thread-five-questions-premier-league-Ed-2012-11-03T15:53:15+00:002012-11-03T15:53:15+00:00Preview: Liverpool v. Newcastle, 11.04.12
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<figcaption>Matthew Lewis</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool host Newcastle tomorrow afternoon at Anfield, hoping to get their third win of the league campaign and just their second from six league matches at home.</p> <p>We'll be getting used to seeing plenty of Liverpool during the next few weeks, even if the League Cup is no longer on the agenda. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> tomorrow, Anzhi on Thursday in Russia, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> at Stamford Bridge next Sunday makes for a challenging and crowded week, and one that'll reveal quite a bit about where Liverpool stand in the two competitions in which they're currently taking part. The FA Cup's still to be added to the mix, but for now there's more than enough to keep our blood pressure elevated.</p>
<p>After the performance on Wednesday it's nice to have Liverpool playing again, even with the constant questions about how fit and rested the squad will be. Those questions will linger until January, when we'll have a whole other set of reasons for anxiety, but with the fringe and younger players looking less convincing than we'd hoped midweek, the squad we'll see tomorrow will be the one tasked with continuing to turn <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> start to the season in a more positive direction throughout the next few weeks and months.</p>
<p>It hasn't quite been the start to the season Newcastle would have hoped for either, particularly in comparison to last year. Twenty-two points from their first ten this season would see them just a shade off <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> in first, and last year it had them alone in third and just a point off United. This season they've been more up and down, sprinkling two losses and four draws among wins against Spurs in the opener and Norwich and West Brom in September and October respectively, three points ahead of Liverpool in tenth.</p>
<p>Pardew might be able to call on <span>Demba Ba</span> tomorrow, who'd been a doubt because of a calf injury, but he'll be missing Cheick Tiote, who received a three-match ban after his red card against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a>. Otherwise Newcastle should be at full strength; against West Brom they went with <span>Tim Krul</span> in goal, <span>Davide Santon</span>, <span>Danny Simpson</span>, <span>Fabricio Coloccini</span>, and Michael Williamson in defense, <span>Yohan Cabaye</span>, <span>Hatem Ben Arfa</span>, <span>James Perch</span>, and Jonas Guitierrez in the midfield, and Ba and <span>Shola Ameobi</span> in attack. <span>Papiss Cisse</span> came on in the second half to score the winner and could start tomorrow if Ba's unavailable.</p>
<p>For Liverpool:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Reina<br>Wisdom Skrtel Agger Johnson<br>Allen Gerrard<br>Sahin<br>Suso Suarez Sterling</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Both <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110848/pepe-reina">Pepe Reina</a> and <span>Glen Johnson</span> will be late decisions, with only <span>Martin Kelly</span>, Lucas, and <span>Fabio Borini</span> confirmed as absences. <span>Joe Allen</span> played a full 90 against Swansea in the League Cup and could likely use a rest, but there's no reason to think that he'd be excluded from the squad.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The questions about Reina and Johnson will be answered internally at some point today, and if neither of them are available then the natural inclusions are <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110066/brad-jones">Brad Jones</a> and <span>Jose Enrique</span>. Jones has dropped off a bit since the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/reading">Reading</a> win and Enrique showed clear rust in the derby, but there's not any other names capable of filling in right now. The other three are straightforward enough--<span>Andre Wisdom</span> at right back, with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110728/martin-skrtel">Martin Skrtel</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110183/daniel-agger">Daniel Agger</a> in central defense.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Lucas' return can't come soon enough for Liverpool's midfield, who now have to rely on Joe Allen for every match they're going to take seriously. He'll play tomorrow, likely with <span>Steven Gerrard</span> and Nuri Sahin; the Turkish international was left out completely midweek despite playing only 45 minutes in the Merseyside derby, and the captain is in line for his 600th appearance for the club and looked lively in the second half against Swansea. <span>Jonjo Shelvey</span> and <span>Jordan Henderson</span> will probably be on the bench, with both featuring for the full ninety in the loss on Wednesday and the latter playing out of position as the only available option at right back.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There's similarly few options in attack, with Suso, <span>Luis Suarez</span>, and <span>Raheem Sterling</span> seemingly the only choices available. <span>Joe Cole's</span> been banished to Russia, <span>Stewart Downing</span> is serving as his butler, and after playing nearly 70 minutes against Swansea, there's no reason to think <span>Oussama Assaidi</span> will make his first Premier League start.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It doesn't seem like there's really a break in Liverpool schedule this fall, and that's either a testament to the quality of the Premier League or where Brendan Rodgers' squad is at. It's probably a decent mix of both, with the fear that the latter carries a bit more weight at this point. Newcastle aren't in the type of form they were to start last season, but they'll pose a significant threat to a Liverpool squad that's lacking in depth and still finding its footing in nearly every facet of the game.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After so much difficulty finding a way to watch midweek, this one will be miles easier--kickoff's set for 4:00PM GMT/11:00AM EST<b> (DAYLIGHT SAVINGS FOR PEOPLE STATESIDE)</b>, and there'll be coverage on Sky Sports 1 in the UK and Fox Soccer Channel in the US. We'll have the open thread for pre-match discussion tonight the matchday thread to follow a few hours ahead of the start time, with team sheets set for an hour or so before the match.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">See you all around tomorrow for what'll hopefully be a nice way to wrap up the weekend.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2012/11/3/3594720/match-preview-liverpool-v-newcastle-11-04-12-premier-league-squad-news-Ed-