The Premiership season so far
You will know, dear reader, that arbitrary constant enjoys its sport. What red-blooded male doesn't? [Enough of the cliches — ed.] It is thus that your two humble writers may very well follow the Premiership season, somewhat sporadically there can be no doubt, and record some thoughts on it here.
Both correspondents growing up in the 1980s, it should be obvious to most that arbitrary constant's humble writers are both Liverpool supporters. This follows because, neither being born in Liverpool, they were simply "glory hunters", with the Liverpool team of the 1980s being, by far, the best around (at home and in Europe). Those heady days have been re-visited with two appearances in three Champions League finals (and one victory), but with no associated success in the Premiership.
I was hoping that might change this year, and Liverpool's opening victory against Aston Villa was encouraging. This is especially the case given that Liverpool have drawn 3 and lost 1 of their last 4 opening matches (with their last opening day victory against Aston Villa in 2002 / 03). With such a good result, and the nature of its execution (a late winner having been dragged back equal following the award of a penalty), my hope looks well placed and I think Liverpool will challenge for the title this year.
The majority of yesterday's match against Chelsea was also encouraging: Liverpool dominated the match, had by far the best chances, and deservedly led for most of the match thanks to a great goal from the new signing, Fernando Torres. And yet, history will record that Liverpool drew 1–1 with Chelsea; what history won't record is that Liverpool were literally robbed by some exceptionally poor refereeing by Rob Stiles. Without a poor decision to award a penalty that clearly wasn't a penalty, Liverpool would have won.
In only the second game of the season, you'd think this wouldn't matter. But yesterday's match was a chance for Liverpool to think their way into contention. A draw is ok, but the win, obviously, would have been better.
Still, Manchester United are crapola at the moment, Chelsea aren't firing on all cylinders as yet, and Liverpool have had quite enough bad luck in their first two matches. If all plays out over the long term, Liverpool are looking good. We'll be following it here, and brushing up on our cliches in the interim.
Filed in Sport