Result : Liverpool (3) 3 Arsenal (0) 0 Scorer : Robbie Fowler (26, 29, 31). att: 30,017 teams: Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Keown, winterburn, Jensen (linighan 74), Schwarz, Campbell, Wright, Smith, Merson (Davis, 74). Liverpool: James, Jones, Nicol, Ruddock, Byornebye, McManaman, Redknapp, Molby (Thomas 57), Barnes, Rush, Fowler.
The same side once again except Keown in for the injured Bould. Linighan and Davis were on the bench. Well for twenty minutes this was a breeze. Comfortably controlling anything Liverpool tried to mount and looking fairly dangerous ourselves. The windy conditions didn't help but hardly seemed to affect our play. Then after twenty minutes all hell broke loose. Keown tripped Rob Jones out on the wing and got booked for an incredibly tame challenge. Pity he wasn't sent off. From the resulting free kick Koewn missed the cross and the ball broke off someone straight to Fowler's feet. From eight yards out he could hardly miss. Two minutes later and with the no tackling rule clearly affecting our players, McMannaman was allowed to run from the half way line and played the ball wide to Fowler who's left foot shot went in off a post. This really wasn't going to be our day. Another couple of minutes later and Barnes sent Fowler through. Seaman appeared to have the ball covered but as Keown went crashing in the ball broke straight to the feet of Fowler who finished well from a tight angle. What have we done to deserve this ?. The Liverpool fans couldn't beleive it either. Well the game was really all over from here on in. Though we had lengthy periods of possession, Liverpool still looked the more likely to score. We desperately needed a break. Ian Wright was sent sprawling in the box by Ruddock. Not really a pen but I;ve seen worse given. The ball broke to Schwartz but was far to wide. Every goal mouth scramble just wouldn't fall. Dixon had a blistering shot that went just wide. Seaman was forced to save a couple of long range efforts. As the game drew on, out players looked like they had played two hard games in a week, whereas the Liverpool players looked very fresh. Merson was bought off having done bugger all again. Seems like his broken nose is effecting him. Jensen was also replaced and things looked a bit more secure with Linighan at the back. Our crossing and passing got worse as the game went on, but then at 3-0 down it does get a little hard. I didn't think we played that badly. Liverpool were certainly the sharper side but things could hardly have run better for them. Having said that I think we could have played all night and not scored. The two full backs played well again but the unfortunate Keown seems to create confusion whenever he plays. Hopefully Linighan will be restored tomorrow night. I also think we need three in midfield. It wouldn't suprise me if Merson is dropped and Selley or Hillier is bought in.
Liverpool's new Kop looks like it will be fairly decent when its finished. One of the stewards also mentioned the away end was going to be done taking the ground to 50,000+.
The Blackburn game tomorrow is looking a bit important. Were already 6 points behind Newcastle. We were always going to have a difficult start to the season. Things won't look so bad if can win tomorrow.
Trev
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