Report

IBO Reporter: Spot51

|Liverpool kicked off in their black strip and Saints settled into an unexpected shape. We were defending as a 5-4-1 with Downes between THB and Jack and Fraser at left-back. AA dropped back on the left, Dibling on the right and Tall Paul was the lone striker. It was more fluid when we had the ball with KWP, Fraser and even Flynn allowed to get forward.

Liverpool dominated the early possession but the conditions (and our low block) prevented them from creating any chances. Indeed, the first shot on target came from us with Mateus shooting from range and Kelleher saving. That spurred Salah into action and his shot was tipped round the post by McC who then rose to collect the corner. Saints were able to get out and in their next attack AA went down under Konate’s challenge. It was soft and (VAR did check) outside the box anyhow.

On 11m, we got our first sight of Tall Paul’s impressive control as he received the ball, turned and went past 3 Liverpool players. Our fans cheered in appreciation. We were “in the game” and the first booking soon arrived when Bradley felled Lallana on halfway. The Ref gave the foul and, after Adam’s stern stare, added the yellow.

Liverpool kept coming but McC was coping with everything he had to. They got a second card when TP dispossessed Salah on halfway and burst past Konate who hurled him to the ground. On 21m Salah tried to beat McC at his near post but our keeper blocked it away before Lallana became the first Saint booked for standing on Gravenberch’s foot in a midfield tussle.

From this point, Liverpool pushed us back and had our penalty area under siege. Both Sbozlai and Gakpo had shots which Alex stopped but the pressure was building. Then, following a much tamer effort from Jones, we shot ourselves in the foot.

We’d been under the cosh for several minutes and McC had the ball. He needed to keep it, usher our players forward and kick it long. Instead, with black shirts in and around our box he rolled it to Mateus who was immediately closed down. The ball fell for Flynn by the post who could also have lumped it away but chose to pass straight to Sbozlai on the edge of our box.

Those of you who don’t watch international football may be unaware of Sbozlai’s ability to score outrageous, long-range goals. Looking up he saw McC covering the left side of his goal so he put it high into the top right corner and they led 0-1. Damn & Blast!

One thing I love about the Saints is the team spirit. Not much has gone our way since August but the heads rarely drop and there was plenty of time to get back into the game. We went back onto the attack and pushed them back. When a ball was played into the box, up popped Flynn Downes, eager to make amends, turning and drawing a decent save from the Irish stopper.

The game was held up for a while as Lallana had gone down clutching his hamstring. We know better than to expect 90m from the old boy but it was sad seeing him go off so soon. He’ll be a big miss if it is a long-term injury. Joe Aribo replaced him.

Saints continued to play around the league leaders without creating much till Dibling picked up the ball on 40m. He drove past their midfield and towards the box. Andy Robertson came to meet him but didn’t take the ball. Over went Tyler and the Ref pointed to the spot. On commentary, Jamie C was shitting himself. The slow-mo showed it was a foul but VAR had to decide where. On the line is in the box and MO confirmed the onfield decision.

Adam Armstrong stepped up and hit it hard and low. The keeper guessed right and got in the way but the ball looped black towards our #9 who kept his volley (with his swinger) low. It squeezed under Kelleher and Saints were level at 1-1.

McC nearly gifted the leaders a second goal when he inexplicably passed to Gakpo on 45m. Thankfully the forwards' shock and Taylor’s reactions allowed England’s future captain to block the shot. There were +6m to play.

Nunez tangled with Jack as Liverpool prepared to launch the ball into our box. Saints cleared but the Uruguayan pansy was lying on the deck holding his face. Liverpool had the ball but their #9 stayed down till Virgil put it out. Nunez then rose, Lazarus-like, and began bitching at the Ref. Replays showed it was handbags but no foul and a better Ref would have booked Nunez for cheating.

There was still time for the highlight of the half. Tall Paul received the ball deep in his own half and breezed past 3 of theirs. He then took on 2 more looking to pass back but playing it wide to KWP who had swapped wings with the Wee Man. Wonderful football and the cheers from the Home fans must have proved, once and for all, that he should stay a Saint. Half time and still level - 1-1.

Good to hear the fans still getting behind the team and TP in particular. One thing I find embarrassingly low-life is the booing of Virgil. He left a decade ago and he'd never have had the career he deserved if he'd stayed here. Let it go FFS!

No changes at half-time as Saints kicked off. Gakpo had been detailed to kick TP out of the game which he achieved on 49m. It was a cheap yellow to get rid of their tormentor. On came Ugo and, in keeping with tradition, he was soon booting Gakpo up in the air. Nice work Son.

Paul’s absence allowed Tyler more room inside which he used to good effect. Leaving a trail of defenders in his wake he cut across the pitch before fizzing a shot just past the angle of post and bar. We were definitely in this match.

Soon after, a huge cheer greeted McC’s decision to boot a backpass long. Liverpool’s next attack resulted in a corner on the right which McC tried to claim. It spilled from his gloves as he landed but Fraser (now at right back) took it wide looking for an outball.

Dibling had sprinted from our box into space on our right wing and Fraser’s pass up the line found him. With defenders converging, the youngster turned back and saw AA busting a gut to get forward. The pass was perfectly into the forward’s stride but two defenders were blocking his route. AA turned back and saw Fernandes arriving inside him. He picked out the Portuguese who got to the pass before his markers and slid it past Kelleher: 2-1 Saints. Bedlam! St Mary’s erupted in joyous celebration.

Surely time must soon be up! Sadly there was still over half an hour to play and we’ve seen leads evaporate in far less time this season. Saints probably realised attack was the best form of defence and looked for another.

Mateus returned the favour on 60m, sending AA into Liverpool’s box. He squeezed between two defenders but was sent flying as Kelleher came out feet first. The keeper had not touched the ball which was past him. Free kick to Liverpool! WTF?? Where was the foul and who on - if not Adam? Cheating bastards!

Slot brought on his other South Americans, Diaz and McAllister, to replace Gakpo and Jones. Diaz was soon involved, arriving at the far post only for a low cross from Nunez to flash behind him.

Two minutes later the league leaders were level. Gravenberch sent a beautifully flighted ball towards Salah. McC may have misjudged the flight of the ball in the wind but he clearly expected to get to the ball first. He didn’t. Salah’s touch was just hard enough to get past the keeper and cross the line in front of our retreating defenders. 2-2 FFS!

Sensing blood, Liverpool looked for a winner but when Diaz met a cross, McC tipped his header over the top. He failed to field the resulting corner but no harm came from that error. Next up was MacAllister who took a pot from a distance but just missed the goal.

On 73m AA tried to tackle Virgil but was late. He saw yellow and Liverpool had another chance to put the ball into our box. Sbozlai aimed and crashed it into our wall. We have folded from this position to lesser sides than LFC and there was a grim inevitability about the way we were penned back as they searched for a winner.

Our defence did their jobs and Dias was thwarted twice before THB stopped 2 efforts from Robertson. The earlier injuries meant Russ had just one more chance to make substitutions which he did on 78m. Off came AA and Fraser, replaced by Archer and Sugawara. This meant that Dibling and Mateus were doing the whole match.

How’s your luck Russ? I guess the empty vessels will have another stick to beat you with as 3 minutes later Suga gave away a penalty. Last month he sent on Fraser who conceded a match-altering penalty against Leicester. WTF is he doing??

This was a nailed-on penalty. True, it came off his chest but with his arm moving forward he stopped the ball from reaching Diaz at the back stick. Salah stepped up to take it: 2-3. BUGGER!

Salah was booked for taking his shirt off but still looked to add to his tally. On 85m he curled a shot just over the bar but Saints roused themselves to try and regain a point. Archer was involved with another incident in their box (Konate again) but you’re not getting them when PGMOL hates you. Salah then might have scored a third as he met a deflected cross from the left but his drive clattered off the foot of the post.

Liverpool replaced Nunez with the lesser spotted Endo just as +8m were displayed. Saints did summon one last attack ended by Endo’s foul on Aribo. The ball was launched into the box and Cap’n Jack nearly saved the day; sadly, his header was just over. There was just time for Jack to get carded for fouling Salah (far too late) before time was up. Another game that promised plenty but delivered nowt…

Of course, the result was expected but yet again we had a hand (literally in Suga’s case) in all of their 3 goals. Russ wants his team to retain possession and pissing about in your own box against a high press only works if you can retain the ball like Joe Aribo or Paul Onuachu. Otherwise just do the sensible thing and leather the frigging ball away.

Man Of The Match

|Despite the result, that was a good watch. I liked the spirit and work ethic of our team, if not always the application. This season I’ve sometimes struggled to find a MoM worthy of the name but today there were a few I could have chosen.

Tyler had a great first 60m and was involved in both goals. The early substitutions forced him to play the whole match when he ought to have been withdrawn.

Adam Armstrong was decent in that hybrid role and, with a goal and an assist, I rather regret not having him in my fantasy team. Mateus again showed he is a class act (try not to be on TV, lad) and took his goal beautifully.

However, the fans’ favourite, Tall Paul, is my choice. His hold-up play and ball-carrying were top-class, and to force the EPL leaders to kick you out of the game is another accolade. Get well soon, Big Man, we need you!