So I went to the game and quite frankly hated it.
This is not an analysis of the game in any way and I’m just talking about the experience.
As per usual (and I’ve been to Anfield a few times), it’s generally a very good ground to go to. The stands are massive and it’s basically a different version of Villa park. The big difference is it’s seen a lot more achievements in it’s time, which adds to the feeling of it being somewhat sacred.
I always like the experience of Anfield.
Consider that I’m currently staying about 3-4 miles from the ground.
I spoke to many a red fan asking the best options and the replies were all similar. It used to be not so bad getting in/out, but since they increased the capacity, it’s a nightmare.
And this time was different. Since my previous torrid time, which I don’t want to discuss any more, I can’t stand the cold. It really annoys me, as I’ve worked in the middle of nowhere in the middle of winter many times and it’s never been a problem. But the weight loss, which I just can’t put back on is probably the cause and I was already a skinny wretch beforehand.
But that’s how it is and the truth is, with the weather suddenly turning nippy, I really didn’t fancy going at all.
On arriving at the ground, I was already cold and stood in the stand where things just got worse. I was so cold by half time, I decided to leave, having not been able to concentrate on the game at all.
So basically, it was an hour trip each way and more involving a short drive, a train and a walk, as I decided to quickly walk to Lime St, in a vain attempt to warm myself up. Add in waiting time, it was more like an hour, 15 minutes.
I concluded that leaving the digs at 5.15pm, arriving back at around 11.50pm and spending about £100 just isn’t worth the hassle to me anymore. Particularly when I can just pay a sub or whatever and watch it on telly, with a far superior view and all the comforts of home.
So what did I think of the result?
Well, it wasn’t as bad as I thought, but the performance was poor and if it offered something, I’d have struggled, but stayed to watch more.
More of a concern is that we’re now 15th in the current form league. That probably won’t stay like that.
But it’s obvious that the Champion’s league is too much for the squad. The players just can’t handle the mental requirements in my opinion and swapping players out too much is detrimental to the team.
Which leads me to a question that’s very controversial, but nagging away at me.
What do we do now? Concentrate on doing our best in the CL?
Or prioritise the Premier League, to make sure we qualify again next year?
I know what Emery will want, because it’s best for him and his ambitions.
But I have said previously that the way forward for the club is to consistently keep qualifying for the very top table.
There’s absolutely no point getting to, say the quarters or semis if we’re not there next year.
And anyway, if we’re not playing in warmer climes, how am I ever going to see an away game again?
Emi!!!! Save of the year!!!!!!!!
Hard to see us scoring.
That should help us as I’m usually wrong
I can fxxxing smell a Villa goal!!!
COME ONNNNN!!!!!!!
They’ll disallow it.
Bent or what?
Bent.
Disgusting. Why bother playing? Joke competition. Elite? F*** off. Pathetic officiating not fit for Sunday league.
Wonder if a recorded phone conversation will come to light regarding disallowed goals and a good bet?
No, that could never happen 🤔
Should be compulsory and available on demand. By media or managers. Then there’ll be full transparency. And then they’ll have to stop cheating. Tom’s right. We should all walk away. But it’s a drug. And they know it.
No classic but they’re a good side, keep the ball well, don’t concede and dangerous on the break.
Happy with a point if I’m honest.
YOU are FUCKING KIDDING ME!
THAT WAS A GOAL. CORRUPT REF.
You sound surprised, mate.
I’m done with football! I don’t even get angry with these anymore because I see it all the time!
Corrupt
Football is being destroyed by VAR – no way was there any foul – it’s just bollocks and I’m completely f***ed off by it.
I’m totally done with it. Yellow cards everywhere for us in the first 20 minutes and Juventus get nothing for identical incidents. I cannot for the life of my understand what the hell just happened there. Mental!!!
Cheating happened, Tom. And there’s nowt we can do about it.
Yeah – completely and utterly corrupt – oh we can’t allow Juve to beaten by this upstart team from Brum.
I’m so angry I’m going to get completely bladdered.
If I was with u Hitch, I’d be smashing shop fronts in protest! We’d both wake up in the cells!!!
As for TNT, boy were they on fire when Juve were on the attack…
Ref told his family to put a few bob on Juve not losing.
Probably very true BFR – as fans I could see (had some streaming issues) the ref didn’t even go to the monitor. If that’s the case yet another example of VAR re-referring games.
I’m so f’ing mad – still!
Oh well off to a great Japaneses / Thai restaurant overlooking a fabulous beach for dinner – there’s always a (slightly soiled) silver lining 🙂
Enjoy Hitch.
I’m having a age matured Carling accompanied by a bag of original black country scratchings while admiring the beautiful Australian countryside.
Looks like many of us have ‘abandoned’ the old country 🙂
Not quite Hitch, I’m a celebrity… 😂🤣
With Labour, it’s hardly surprising.
How much is a dinghy to Calais?
🙈
I’m fuming before match as the streaming I normally watch on crashed before 7pm due to an outage
And couldn’t get villa commentary as villa tv didn’t recognise me email. That site is rubbish no end of trouble with it.
And then I hear villa had goal disallowed
Also we’ve only conceded 1 goal in champions league and that was stupid mistake
But in Premier league we concede like 2 per game what’s going on anybody know????
The teams in the PL are better than the teams in the CL.
Well we’re in joint sixth on points, two ahead of City and four ahead of Real. In reality this was a really good point and ensures that we make the play offs.
So cheer up all, we nearly won against the great Juventus. Who would have thought that just a few seasons ago?
My other half just asked why I bother. That was fucking awful. A cracking game, albeit with too many yellow cards, and a classic ending to the game, but the authorities say ‘No’.
So, so, so angry. If I was at the game I’d be gunning for Juve fans tonight which is totally wrong, and irrational, but is there any wonder why we all feel shafted.
Absolutely livid. Beyond angry.
Well Gil Manzano was the ref who is generally reliable in La Liga. In La Liga that would be seen as a foul nine times out of ten so we have to remember that it’s a European competition and accept some decisions that might not have been made in the Prem.
Not buying, 1874. Manzano sounds Italian. Surely not???!
No Manzano is a Spanish name and he honestly is a decent ref. What we all need to get our heads around is that refereeing in the CL will be different with a lot more ‘soft’ fouls being given.
As Unai said, in the Prem it wouldn’t be given but in Europe it was a foul.
Juve manager hugs the official on the touchline when he realises the decision. Says it all, doesn’t it?
Cheats – end of.
Was a brown paper envelope involved??
Cheating corrupt incompetent twat that was cheating at its worst
Feels like a defeat on the plus side we played well
He was cheating from the start. Handing out yellow cards like an overzealous parking officer. You know the type: the ones you’d like to punch. All designed to take the egde of Villa’s competitiveness and give them a bit more space. Meanwhile, no yellows for them for similar or worse. Joke.
Finn Azaz looking good at Boro. One that got away? Great goal today.
(Yet) another controversial VAR decision at BHA where Southampton were denied a goal after 4 minutes of searching for a reason so to do.
Is VAR’s main objective to disallow as many goals as possible?
4 minutes eh? Plenty of time to “place your bets”.