Seasiders Smash Sorry Liverpool

‘Don’t disrespect us; we’re a good team and we care about our club.’

Famous words for a famous day.

As bad as Liverpool were yet again this afternoon, Blackpool were magnificent. Absolutely magnificent.

It’s after results like these that I struggle to put into words what the result means, how it happened etc. Indeed, this is probably the only time I ever feel sorry for journalists; how do you explain a result like that?!

Well let’s give it a go…

Liverpool recalled Steven Gerrard to the side after resting him in midweek (yes, that’s right, Gerrard was rested for a game against us… remarkable), and were probably as full strength as they could be, with Fernando Torres leading the line.

Ian Holloway made two changes; Luke Varney and Elliot Grandin replacing Brett Ormerod and Marlon Harewood.

Our visits to the ‘big four’ thus far haven’t exactly been pleasant, but the Seasiders approached this one differently – as expected – and really took the game to their hosts.

Charlie Adam had the first chance of the afternoon on just two minutes; his fierce freekick being beaten away by Pepe Reina.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher then beat Jamie Carragher and pulled the ball back expertly for DJ Campbell, but the striker couldn’t connect.

It was an open game though and Liverpool weren’t shy in going forward either. On one foray forward however Fernando Torres pulled up injured and had to be replaced by David N’Gog.

The Seasiders were continuing to dictate proceedings however with their expansive attacking game, but couldn’t quite find the breakthrough they needed; DJ Campbell spurning another chance, this time at the back post from a wonderful Eardley cross.

Liverpool were still a threat though; Dirk Kuyt burst clear but his pull back could only find a white ‘Pool shirt. Such defending was to be a cornerstone of ‘Pool’s win, especially in the second half.

‘Pool then had injury problems of their own; Craig Cathcart limping off to be replaced by Dekel Keinan. Matt Gilks also picked up a knock but soldiered on.

Gilks was indebted to Neal Eardley when the Welshman cleared a Kyrgiakos header off the line, before the Seasiders broke down the other end and were awarded a penalty for Glen Johnson’s clumsy trip on Luke Varney.

Charlie Adam did the business from the spot.

‘Pool then sat back and absorbed waves of Liverpool pressure before, on the stroke of half time, Taylor-Fletcher fed Varney who slotted the ball home.

HT: Liverpool 0-2 Blackpool.

Matt Phillips replaced Eardley at half time and the young winger impressed again, especially in his forays forward from right back.

However, the second half was similar to the Alamo at times as Liverpool poured forward, but time and time again the Seasiders were equal to their one-dimensional attack (the long ball).

Liverpool did have chances though; N’Gog missed a free header, whilst Joe Cole fired wide when in on goal.

Blackpool’s defending at set pieces came back to haunt them though when Kyrgiakos rose to head home a Gerrard freekick. Luckily for us, it was the only joy Liverpool were to have all afternoon.

Despite being pinned back, ‘Pool still looked dangerous on the break, but all too often their weary legs told when it came to the final ball.

With time running out, Ian Holloway threw Keith Southern on for Elliot Grandin as he looked to hold on to the lead.

And hold on they did, with Matt Gilks making a ridiculous save from Kyrgiakos at the death.

As Chris Kamara might say, ‘Unbelievable Jeff!’