West Brom v Liverpool

After 3 promising performances, 2 against FC Gomel and 1 (a pre-season match) against Leverkusen, I was optimist that Liverpool can win their 2012/13 opening league game against West Brom. I must have forgotten that West Brom worked on their preparation for the game and the fact that Liverpool was still a work in progress! 

Truthfully it was a disappointing result. 0-3 lost and Agger got sent off. It's like season 2011/12 never ended. We had much control of the game in the first half. Well everything looked well until Agger was red carded. The players just lost their focus and they were not playing like they did for the first 45 minutes. (This is what I honestly feel!)

Let me put this in various views. As a fanatical fan, I would say the referee robbed us with a decent result. We may not win that game, but the score line could have been different or it could have ended with a draw. 

West Brom's 1st goal was a fantastic goal. No doubt about that. But their second goal, the penalty which was conceded by Skrtel, I don't think that should have been a foul in the first place. Technically yes Skrtel did clip Shane Long's ankle but was that a tackle?

Long came from behind and Skrtel was not even aware of him. The timing of when Skrtel wanted to make a pass coincide with the time Long stuck his leg to take possession. It was just unlucky. But as an experience referee, Phil Dowd could have interpreted the situation better. 

Not long after that Martin Kelly was bundled inside the box but no call was given. 

The 3rd goal, well again Liverpool was unlucky. A shot was deflected into the box where most of the Liverpool defenders were already pushing up their line. The ball fell nicely to a West Brom's attacker where he got ample time to float it across the goal where Lukaku just sent in a powerful header. Game over! 

Well, we can say that we were unlucky - again. The ref didn't have a great day himself. Well that's an opinion of a fan. 

Let’s look at it from the eyes of someone that is not a fan. 3-0 score line and 2 penalties in quick succession and lots of dramas, which was an entertaining game. 

Liverpool had plenty of possession in the first half but then West Brom came out on top on the 2nd half. Even after Liverpool was down to 10-men they never really sit back. They came out attacking and this enabled West Brom to make use of the empty spaces created by Liverpool. For a football fan, credit to both teams for an attacking and entertaining game of football. 

Finally lets look at the game as a neutral fan.Credit to West Brom and Steve Clarke when they somehow got their tactics spot on. Steve definitely has the insight into Liverpool's back four and he must have told Shane Long to keep on pressing against Skrtel and Agger. Agger got sent off and Skrtel conceded a penalty! 

Joe Allen had a great game. I like his passing and I believe he'd be a great asset for Liverpool. Gerrard doesn't seem to hit it off yet. He had a great 1st 45 but poor 2nd half. Playing with 10-men does not really justify his overall performance though. 

Borini, after a good game against FC Gomel he was a mediocre. Only came out late in the game but Liverpool were already down 2-0. Suarez just picked up from last season but his finishing let him down. Had an open chance with a header which he sent the ball wide. 

Lucas obviously is still not 100% fit but he will get stronger. 

Brendan Rodgers started with Agger and Skrtel. But both of them had an off day. West Brom's 2nd penalty should have not happened if Skrtel and the back line communicate better. Shane Long came from Skrtel's blind side, but anyone could have alerted him. 

Overall, credit to West Brom and Clarke. They fought hard and deserved the win. They could turn out to be a strong team if they can keep producing the same performance every week. 

Liverpoool - as far as I am concerned Rodgers will be a success at Liverpool. We are already seeing glimpses of the type football that Rodgers wants his team to have. He said that it is still in progress. The stats somehow are promising. If Liverpool can fix their scoring woes I'm sure we can finish this season better than we did last season.