Well, that was some performance we put in Tues nite, considering the 2 divisions and 57 places between the sides. The effort was undoubtedly there, and no shortage of skill either. Not a single player let us down (there’s not a lot you can do sometimes if someone is simply better than you) and Coach Conor even joined in, proving he doesn’t have to be tactically intransigent. In came O’Keeffe (from the wastelands of Stockport) to be the right hand side of a back 5. No Roberts (hurrah!) and De Givigney and Tennai Watson joining Shepherd in a back 3. Ogbeta, too, was back.
Not that we entered with any hope. I was at Man City v Exeter on Satdy. 10-1. I’ve seen how easy it is for these teams to destroy these other teams. ‘Ah, but Man City are better than Liverpool.’ That’s as maybe. And Exeter are better than us. What level of hiding would we accept tonite? 6? 7? ‘Not double figures.’
And it was all us for the opening 28 seconds, as we pile forward and DKD has a header off the post. It was at the far end, mind, (The Kop End). Typical. There’s our shot for the evening and I’m not even sure how we got that. (I am now, I got home yesterday...went from Liverpool to County Durham for a dental appointment, such is my desperation to keep my NHS dentist...and Sarah had bookmarked the match on TNT. So I came home, had my dinner, then watched Liverpoo v Barnsley all over again. It was great!)
Where was I? Yeah, so we didn’t just have a DKD header. He had another (soft) long shot saved, Bland hit a 25 yard half volley the keeper had to dive across goal for, and Cleary put in several crosses and generally terrorised them down our left. And these weren’t their under 21s either, these were fully paid up members of their Championship-winning squad last season. Van Dijk, Gomez, Andy Robertson...Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Scottish Argentinian MacAllister and Sir Boz Lie. They were all there. But don’t worry if you think you’re missing out on British record transfer (£120m) Wirtz, or 70 mill Ekitike, they’ll be on later, along with Konate. (OK, he’s rubbish.)
We’ll forget the bit where we held out for all of 8 minutes before Szoboszlai (yes, I looked him up) rocketed it into the net from 25 yards. I was a bit critical of Cooper at the time, but let’s be honest, there isn’t a 3rd division player can kick a ball as hard as he hit it. Similarly, their 2nd flew over Cooper’s head before he saw it. Still, 36 minutes in and only 2-0. I think we’d have settled for that.
But then we’re BACK IN IT. Whatthehell just happened? Did their bloke just GIVE Phillips the ball with an open goal? When’s the linesman gonna stick his flag up? Surely they can think of SOME reason to disallow it, but no, Adam Phillips (allowed beyond the centre circle by Coach Conor) has rediscovered his scoring touch, albeit in bizarre circumstances, Szoboszlai backheeling it into his path in the 6 yard box. I’ve never seen a goal like it, and I get Coach Conor’s rant that it was disrespectful to little old Barnsley, this world class player thinking he can take the p*** out of some 3rd division yokels, but honestly, I couldn’t give a monkeys. I wish he’d done it half a dozen more times! Half-time, and I saw this thing I haven’t seen at half-time since...ooooh….August? September? Smiling Reds fans!
2nd half, Cleary continues to take the game to them. The champions of England are so petrified, they have 2 players on him, yet he still manages to beat Sir Boz before going down in the box. Penalty? I’ve seen em given, but I didn’t think so. I thought he was looking for it. The endless debate on telly brought a split decision, so, really, it’s whatever the ref decides. Shades of Liddell at Old Trafford, 1998? If we didn’t get that one, we’re not getting this one.
Then, on the hour, the cavalry. Wirtz, Ekitike and Konate come on, followed on 73 by Gravenberch. We reply with a free transfer who’s not had a club for several months, and POTY Kelly (why was he not starting? Ill? Tactical genius (possibly!!!)) Then a pensioner, and Georgie Gent. And it tells, as the Scousers nick a couple of late goals, another world class finish (this time from Wirtz) and a sweeping move in the 95th minute for 4-1. ‘It was never a 4-1 game’ moaned Nice Guy Chris later. And perhaps he’s right…the xG was 1.98 v 1.19.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Cleary. Superb. Took the game to them. Ally McCoist’s MOTM.
** Shepherd. Is this the same player I’ve watched all season? Headed, blocked, never looked under threat when in possession. Like a cross between Terry Butcher and Franz Beckenbauer. (Tho the ‘Shepherd Flop’ didn’t get him his usual free kick. It gets given everywhere except Anfield. Funny that.)
* DKD. It’s incredibly brave to keep possession when you’re up against world class players, but he did. His movement and touch all nite were incredible, as well as his industry in getting back.
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Cleary 2. Shepherd 3. O’Keeffe
Despatches:
Take a bow, Coach Conor. He didn’t just fill the defence, albeit he went back 5. There was still an attacking outlet, and it’s a travesty we conceded 4.
Take a bow, the players. Cooper, for that amazing save onto the bar, 2nd half, and the times he CAME OUT and claimed crosses. (I saw it with my own ears!) Watson and MdG ably supporting Shep (tho MdG not getting many mentions on the commentary, cos McCoist had no idea how to pronounce ‘De Givigney’…and to be fair, who does?) O’Keeffe was magnificent at right back, tho less so with the corners. Is it a tactic to hit the 1st man, cos Connell does that too? (Tho another well worked corner has him pulling it back for Phillips to hit. That could have easily been a goal had one of our players deflected it in.) It was great to see Ogbeta back. I’d feel more sympathy for an injured Josh Earl were I not more bothered about potentially conceding double figures.
Bland and Yoganathan ably protected the back 4, and ably assisted the front 3. Is this the future? Is it even this Saturday, or will Luca be handed his place back? (No prizes for correct answers.) Phillips scored the goal, and made the cross for DKD’s header. (Oh, nearly forgot, McGoldrick nearly scored with a late looping header at 3-2.) So even when he’s anonymous, he's involved. He was also half the answer for my fave fact of the nite – we had more ‘products of Liverpool’s academy’ on show than they had – Phillips and Yoganathan. So next time I’m slating either of these two, I’m blaming Liverpool. (Can’t stand them.)
Pre-match, Reedy and I met up with Chris, in the Excelsior, where I was asked by some Reds fans whether I was a Liverpool fan. This despite wearing a Barnsley shirt and tracksuit top. Are Reds fans a bit…thick? And did the commentator for the 4th round FA Cup draw REALLY say ‘Liverpool will play Brighton at home in the next round’? Cos that’s what we all heard. Then we took the tee-total waif Gally to a craft ale pub wot would only serve two-thirds of a pint...’unless it’s lager in which case you can have a pint.’ I’m not sure they endeared themselves to Reedy on that score. By now Jim was in attendance.
Then, a taxi there and one back, though where’s Jim when we’ve arranged to meet at The Twelfth Man outside the ground? He’s INSIDE, having a beer. A crap beer, but a beer nonetheless. In town, did we have another one before I led us through a shopping centre to a bar that was closed (apologies)? Luckily, we’d seen a lively little street further back where Reedy got a taste for Cruzcampo. He’ll deny it, of course...
Drink du jour: Neck Oil and Erdinger in The Excelsior (excellent pub), Deya Lil’ Zombies pale ale in The Dead Craft Beer Company, San Miguel and Cruzcampo in The Twelfth Man, more San Miguel in The Grapes, a lively hole in the city centre. ‘Home’ at 1:42 am. That hole was still open.
Away: 6,000 (60,206). I thought it was a disappointing atmosphere from our end, especially from behind us. It never really got going. Too in awe? Everyone dotted around away from their mates? (It didn’t sound as bad when I watched it on telly.)
The Damage:
£24 ent
£4 meat pie
£4 badge
£5 scarf
£35 accommodation (Travelodge)
£19 parking
c.£15 petrol
= c.£106
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