WELCOME TO THE HEART OF THE KOP!

Hi and welcome to the heart of the kop a blog site purely devised for news of Liverpool Football Club.

You are welcome to post comments on any aspect of the club whether it be to do with performance on the pitch or anything else to do with the club.Any funny stories from fans travels will be included if you post as a comment i will publish on the blog.Anyhtingh that will add to the poipularity of the blog will be included.Strictly no vitriol,abuse or otherwise will not be tolerated.This blog is aimed at FANS not band wagon supporters.

Lets remind ourselves how famous Liverpool FC are and how successful. League Champions, 18 times, F.A. Cup Winners 6 times, League Cup Winners 7 times,European Champions 5 times, Eufa Cup Winners 3 times, Super Cup Winners 2 times and numerous Charity Shields.In short the most SUCCESSFUL ENGLISH CLUB EVER.

Now to business.... Arsenal 3 Liverpool 0


Liverpools current run of 5 successive wins came to an abrupt halt at the Emirates when a rampant Arsenal finished up clear and decisive winners on the day. Liverpool started with Kuyt and Crouch up front with Zenden in the midfield to replace the luckless Sissoko.Gerrard again was on the right of midfield with Mark Gonzalez on the wide left.On paper this looked a strong side but in reality lots of frailties were uncoverd by an Arsenal side that were up for the game.They played at a high tempo and Liverpool struggled to keep up.The faster the game was played the more Liverpool looked ill at ease with their passing game.Although Liverpool defended well for most of the half with only limited chances at the other end you had the feeling that Arsenal would score and it was only a matter of time.When Arsenal come forward it is always with numbers giving them better chances to score.Liverpool on the other hand when they did get forward never seemed to have enough men.Anything that came high in the box was dealt with comfortably by the Arsenal defence, Peter Crouch never really being able to make an impact.Gonzalez on the left was never really successful and maybe should have been subbed before half time.His time will come , im sure but it may have been wiser by Benitez to include a more experienced player such as Bellamy on the left.Steven Gerrard was never really in the game either only producing one effort on goal and that in the second half after Pennant came on.
The team although on paper are quality players but dont seem to be able to put it together when they play the top sides at the moment.

All three Arsenal goals were clinical but on analysis were all a result of poor defending by one or two players in and around the box. The Sky coverage focused on Gerrard and Riise arguing after Gallas goal as he scored from about 6 yards out with a header from an unmarked position.In reality Reina in goal was equally at fault here.When the ball came in he was rooted to the goal line and never moved.Gallas barely had to jump at all to get his head to the ball.Reina should have come and claimed it. Steve Finnan was caught wrong footed forlornly appealing for offside for the second goal.Poor defending again.He should have cut out the play and made it awkward for the scorer.In fact he was nowhere near the ball.It may be a bit harsh on Finnan as he has been the most consistent player.Carragher and Hyppia turned in their usual consistent performances.The rest of the team on the day were average at best.Despite Arsenal being a very good side there is no doubt that there were too many players again not at the races.

The Championship is out of the question.Arsenal , Chelsea and Man Utd are well in front of this current Liverpool team and it showed all too clearly at the Emirates. Rafa we need a quality left sided defensive player not a make do that Risse has become.Pepe Reina im afraid is not a top class goalie , in fact i wouldnt even rate him in the top 10 in the division.Our other area of concern is the midfield.Zenden gives the ball away too much.Gerrard either does too much or too little.Alonso is missing something too.For a suposedly great passer of the ball a lot of his passes are over hit plus he is not the greatest tackler. If we have any players in the reserves who can play a solid midfield role keeping it simple and not giving the ball away thern we need to look at deploying them now! Danny Guthrie surely must be given a chance in the first team.Yes im afraid if we want to compete with the top three we definitely need 3 quality players.



Next up //Boro at the Riverside....