Anfield Asylum - All PostsYou're Being Very Un-Dudehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46831/anfield_asylum-fave.png2014-12-17T22:27:52+00:00http://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/rss/current/2014-12-17T22:27:52+00:002014-12-17T22:27:52+00:00A Farewell Note From Anfield Asylum
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<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>You've probably noticed that the flow of articles here has slowed to a trickle in recent weeks. The reason for this is that Anfield Asylum is at the end of its journey -- this weekend I will be moving my work to The Liverpool Offside where I'll write a few articles every week. SB Nation wanted to consolidate Liverpool blogs, and while it's a move that saddens all of us here at the Asylum, it is also understandable considering a dual team blog set up made little sense in the long run.</p>
<p>I've had a fantastic time working here over the past few years as a writer, manager, and perhaps most importantly, as a community member. My enjoyment has come from all of the people who have read and commented here through the roller coaster fan experience that we've all endured, from Rafa to Hodgson to King Kenny to Brendan Rodgers. Thank you to each and every one of you guys for being a part of this. It's been a pleasure being part of this community.</p>
<p>This all is pretty sudden, but that's the way these things go sometimes. I've been told that all of the articles that have been written on Anfield Asylum will be preserved, so the hard work that has been done here will not be lost. Hopefully I can continue my interactions with you guys in the future -- I can be reached on email and Twitter at any time.</p>
<p>Thanks again to everyone. It's been a great run, and I'm proud that I was a part of it.</p>
<p>YNWA,</p>
<p>Dan Bernstein</p>
https://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/2014/12/17/7376837/the-end-of-the-road-a-farewell-note-from-anfield-asylumDan Bernstein2014-12-16T23:45:02+00:002014-12-16T23:45:02+00:00Pressure Test: The Bournemouth Preview
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<p>The heat is on going into our League Cup tie against Bournemouth on Wednesday</p> <p align="center"><b>US: 2:45PM BeIN Sport</b></p>
<p align="center"><b>UK: 7:45PM Sky Sports 1</b></p>
<p align="left"> </p>
<p align="left">Brendan Rodgers has admitted he'll play a strong side following our defeat to Man United, while the 45 minutes for <b>Mario Balotelli </b>at Old Trafford<b> </b>could prove to be important in terms of where he figures in this match. <b>Kolo Toure </b>played 75 minutes at Castle Greyskull after<b> Glen Johnson</b> was taken off early, while hopefully <b>Raheem Sterling </b>will be pushed back out wide or behind the striker, and maybe even rested for the weekend, after an unimpressive shooting performance against our bitter rivals.</p>
<p align="left">As mentioned above, Glen Johnson is injured after having a decent run of games, which could allow <b>Javier Manquillo </b>a shot at the spot for the forseeable future, who hasn't been seen since being taken off at half time in our win against Leicester at the start of the month. <b>Mamadou Sakho </b>could finally make his way back in this game as well after being out since October, but will likely be eased back into action after such a long lay off.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Emre Can </b>is likely to get a game, most likely in place of Henderson ahead of the weekend's big encounter with Arsenal. He played well against Chelsea in November but hasn't really been seen since, <b>Lucas </b>may come back in for <b>Joe Allen</b>, who played the full 90 at the weekend, while Phillipe Coutinho and <b>Lazar Markovic </b>give us attacking options. One thing's for sure. It'll be <b>Brad Jones </b>in goal as Rodgers has dropped <b>Simon Mignolet </b>"indefintely" after his increasingly poor displays.</p>
<p align="left">Bournemouth aren't a side to be taken lightly. They're top of the Championship table after a great start to the season. Their most recent performance being a 5-3 win over Cardiff City. All their players are playing reasonably well, with striker <b>Callum Wilson </b>among them. He has 12 goals in 23 appearances, and will be important for them.</p>
<p align="left">The Reds visited Bournemouth in January of last year, where we picked up a 2-0 win on a largely unimpressive day. The fans for Bournemouth were hugely important. They never let their team's heads drop, and we go into this match expecting much of the same. Their manager has said that he doesn't underestimate us, despite our poor form of late, and that this, of course, is a massive game for them. It wouldn't be too far out to say that this is also a massive game for us as well. A lot of things ride on this, for the players, for the manager and even the club as a whole heading into the festive period.</p>
<p align="left">Key matchups will include Callum Wilson with the likes of Kolo Toure and/or <b>Dejan Lovren</b>, after Lovren's noticeably poor displays have left him out of favor with the fans and manager alike. Whether players like Coutinho or Markovic can indeed provide the spark we need is another thing that will be interesting. Both players have been misfiring as of late and it may well be up to who gets the rub of the green.</p>
<p align="left">-Other thoughts</p>
<p align="left">Well... We know what we need to do. We can't afford to be cute about this anymore. We need ruthlessness. Strength, vigor, and passion. All these things've been lacking this season and I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we're sick of it. (Johnathan)</p>
https://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/2014/12/16/7402455/pressure-test-the-bournemouth-previewJohnathan Ace2014-12-13T22:30:02+00:002014-12-13T22:30:02+00:00Into The Fire: AA's Man U Preview
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<p>After heartbreak in the Champions League, we go to Old Trafford against a Man United side in decent form.</p> <p align="center"><b>US: 8:30 AM EST-NBC Sports</b></p>
<p align="center"><b>UK: 1:30 PM BST-Sky Sports 1</b></p>
<p align="left"> </p>
<p align="left">It's a game which neither set of players should need any geeing up for. Liverpool against Man United is a match steeped in history and is amongst the best, if not <i>the </i>best rivalry in Football, and even all of sport. Both teams come into the game on opposite sides of the form spectrum, but this is a game where form goes out of the window.</p>
<p align="left">After the exit at the hands of Basel in the Champions League in midweek, <b>Brendan Rodgers </b>said that we didn't really deserve to go through, as most fans would agree, and everyone around the club expects much more from the team and even Brendan himself if we're gonna make anything of this season.</p>
<p align="left">Injuries have been a problem for us, however, though <b>Mario Balotelli </b>has been back in training after a thigh problem and will have a late fitness test to judge if he could feature. <b>Adam Lallana </b>broke two ribs against Leicester, but looks ready to go. <b>Kolo Toure </b>didn't feature in midweek after a minor injury, but also looks to be fit enough. One also wonders where <b>Fabio Borini </b>is following another dip in form from <b>Rickie Lambert</b>, as the Italian hasn't even made the XI in recent weeks.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Lazar Markovic </b>had a decent game in midweek before getting a silly red card. He may feature in some role after said impressive performance, and will look to show why he should be in the squad more often.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Phillipe Coutinho </b>was a late sub against Basel, hopefully he'll be used tomorrow in an attempt to get some creativity which the side's been lacking in recent games. Phil hasn't had the best of seasons, and maybe needs to start scoring and contributing a little more. There's no better game, or better time than this, as this essentially kicks off an important Christmas period for the Reds.</p>
<p align="left">This game is a big one for Man United too, who are in decidedly good form. They'll be without <b>Angel Di Maria </b>and <b>Daley Blind, </b>but <b>Phil Jones </b>and <b>Chris Smalling </b>are likely to feature.</p>
<p align="left">The midfield will again be massive. <b>Marouane Fellaini </b>(AKA Elbows) has been on impressive form lately, in an advanced role to the one he played last season after a slow start to the year which had him regularly sat on the bench or used as a half time substitute.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Jordan Henderson </b>will no doubt be a big player for us here. His work rate and never say die attitude will be needed here. <b>Steven Gerrard </b>will probably be played in the number 10 role, while Lucas sits in the holding role and Phil Coutinho and <b>Raheem Sterling </b>on the wings, maybe Adam Lallana in there as well. Maybe perhaps Borini up front to run the channels, or Balotelli and Borini up front in the diamond if he's fit.</p>
<p align="left">The defense for both sides has been a problem this season... The Mancs' biggest problem is having to adust to the back three even with the injuries to Smalling and Jones, which has seen <b>Tyler Blackett </b>and <b>Paddy McNair </b>come in, while <b>Marcos Rojo </b>has also been used at Center back. The first objective, whatever combination is used, should be to get at them. They aren't settled together, (although that's much like ourselves as well) and could be susceptible.</p>
<p align="left">-Other thoughts</p>
<p align="left">-Please, lads... Please be better than Tuesday. We need this more than them. It's quite simple. (Johnathan)</p>
https://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/2014/12/13/7387515/into-the-fire-aas-man-u-previewJohnathan Ace2014-12-08T23:45:01+00:002014-12-08T23:45:01+00:00Another Beauty Please: AA's Basel Preview
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<p>With our Champions League lives on the line, we welcome Basel to Anfield knowing nothing but a win will be enough.</p> <p align="center"><b>US: 2:45 PM-Fox Sports 1</b></p>
<p align="center"><b>UK: 7:45 PM-ITV1</b></p>
<p align="left">Anfield will be rocking tomorrow night as the Reds look to hammer themselves into the knockout phase of the Champions League, but know only a win will get them through, and a loss or draw would see the Swiss side go through.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Brendan Rodgers </b>has called for his side to "stay calm", and has urged his charges to feed off of a sold out Anfield stadium, as, on nights like this, The Kop tends to be a living, breathing, otherworldy animal. Despite this, Brendan feels that his side can show composure as well, which they'll have to have in order to progress.</p>
<p align="left">The spotlight undoubtedly will be on <b>Steven Gerrard, </b>as everyone must remember that wonder goal against Olympiacos in 2004, when the Reds were in a similar situation, and went on to win the European Cup. In the advanced number ten role he's played, he's found a new lease of life, and was brilliant against <b>Leicester</b>, stepping up and scoring the second Liverpool goal as we went out 3-1 winners, but wasn't able to help break the deadlock at the weekend as a late substitute.</p>
<p align="left">There are no new injury concerns. <b>Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Sturridge, Jon Flanagan </b>and <b>Suso </b>all remain out, while <b>Mario Balotelli </b>is also still struggling with his groin problem.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Raheem Sterling </b>turns 20 today, and has been back in form after a bad patch in November, which coincided with the whole team's general dip in form. But what better way to celebrate your birthday than a man of the match performance, which we will need from him tomorrow?</p>
<p align="left">Don't be surprised to see <b>Dejan Lovren </b>in defense tomorrow, as <b>Kolo Toure </b>has had a long run of games and will be needed for the massive game at the weekend with Man United, so the Ivorian could indeed be rested in order to be ready.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Lucas </b>has also had a renaissance of late, performing well in the holding role. He's likely to reprise that role in this match, and could be joined by <b>Emre Can</b>, allowing Henderson, Gerrard and Sterling to push forward. <b>Coutinho </b>could start, but as with Kolo, may be rested ahead of the weekend.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Phillipp Degen, </b>once a Liverpool right back, is now plying his trade with Basel. He'll likely make his return to Anfield and will hope to do a job, paired with a solid young center half in <b>Fabian Schar</b>, Basel's defense was miserly in the against the Reds in Switzerland, a match which ended 1-0 in favor of the hosts.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Marco Streller </b>scored the winning goal in that match, and despite being 33, he's still a big, powerful #9 type center forward, not unlike what Liverpool will look for from <b>Rickie Lambert, </b>as <b>Fabio Borini </b>seems to be all but out in the cold, even following decent performances in the League Cup and at the Bernabeau on Matchday four of the Champions League..</p>
<p align="left">One thing we must remember going into this game is that Basel have been here before, they've gotten a few scalps against Spurs and Chelsea, and even us. They're no stranger to this situation, so we have to be careful.</p>
<p align="left">-Other Thoughts</p>
<p align="left">-Patience is key. Don't force things. Let the game come to you. This is something we didn't do against Sunderland, and we paid for it. (Johnathan)</p>
https://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/2014/12/8/7353671/another-beauty-please-aas-basel-previewJohnathan Ace2014-12-06T14:56:25+00:002014-12-06T14:56:25+00:00Game Thread: Liverpool v. Sunderland
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<p>Three in a row? Thread away!</p>
https://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/2014/12/6/7344345/game-thread-liverpool-v-sunderlandDan Bernstein2014-12-05T23:45:02+00:002014-12-05T23:45:02+00:00It's A Trap!: AA's Sunderland Preview
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<p>With two successive wins under our belt, we need to make sure we don't get too confident against Sunderland.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><b>US: 10AM EST-NBC Sports</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>UK: 3PM BST-No Broadcast Available</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After wins against Stoke and Leicester, Liverpool come into the game agaist Sunderland finally back in the top half of the table, and everyone involved with the club has talked about having more confidence in recent weeks, going as far back as the Ludogorets 2-2 draw.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Simon Mignolet, </b>despite his poor recent form, has called for us to maintain that momentum against his former side. Mignolet almost committed a howler when he gave the ball to Leicester's Esteban Cambiasso when he was outside of his goal in midweek, though he could hardly be blamed for the unlucky OG that came off his back to open the scoring.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Mario Balotelli </b>is still in rehab following a groin strain from last month, while <b>Daniel Sturridge </b>has made his way to Los Angeles to undergo "specific" rehab on his thigh which has kept him out since early on in the season. <b>Jose Enrique </b>and <b>Phillipe Coutinho </b>should be available for selection following slight knocks.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Jordan Henderson </b>has had a good week, captaining the side in the win against Stoke and scoring to put the icing on the cake against Leicester, and he'll most likely be up against <b>Lee Cattermole </b>of Sunderland, a player who's likely to be buzzing 'round midfield making tackles on whoever he can lay his boot on.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Another one who's had a good run is <b>Lucas, </b>and despite making a few stupid challenges in midweek, he's been a revelation in the holding role, freeing up Gerrard to join the attack in the number ten against Leicester, or from the right against Stoke, with the Captain playing the role of game changer in the former, having started against The Foxes.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">For Sunderland, they come off of a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Man City, even though <b>Connor Whickham </b>gave the home side the opening goal. Despite a poor result on Wednesday, they held Chelsea, who'd previously looked unstoppable, to a 0-0 draw, where they defended well throughout.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">They'll be without a certain number of key players, including <b>Patrick Van Aanholt </b>who's suffering from a dislocated shoulder and is out until February. <b>Billy Jones </b>is suffering from a hamstring injury and isn't expected back until next week, while <b>Emanuelle Giaccerini </b>will also be missing because of an ankle problem and he, too, is expected back next week. They'll also be without <b>Seba Coates</b>, who joined Sunderland on loan from Liverpool and will not be able to play due to the regular loan agreement that an on loan player can't play against his parent club.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Sunderland have always been known as a physical side, with players like <b>Lee Cattermole, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, </b>and <b>Phil Bardsley </b>(who's now plying his trade with Stoke) ramming this fact home. However, they have players such as <b>Jordi Gomez</b> and the aforementioned Whickham to give them a bit of skill on the ball, while <b>Steven Fletcher</b>, a boyhood Red, has a decent record against us.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The thing we have to be weary of is Sunderland's ability to always employ an extra man in defense, and ability to pack the box, This worked to good effect for much of the first half against City, but they were eventually overran thanks to City's possession and passing ability, to which Liverpool can boast the same key attribute.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">And so, the passing will be key. We also have to make sure we don't let the physicality of their midfield overrun ours, as has happened in some of our shortcomings this season. The defense will also be crucial, and need to prevent the knock ons that both Whickham and Fletcher thrive on.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">-Other Thoughts</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We need to be as assured in defense as we've looked at times in the past couple games. There's still been shaky moments, but we've survived well. (Johnathan)</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">-For the love of god, someone teach Mignolet that he can't come out for a ball unless he KNOWS he can get there. Also that you can never, in any position, lose concentration. At this point however, I'd be inclined to start Brad Jones. (Johnathan)</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">-Watching Sunderland's game against Man City yesterday, I noticed that there were at times 6 or 7 defensive players in the box, defending crosses from wide... This means we should keep the ball on the ground, pass it around, and be patient. Don't force things. Look for easy passes. (Johnathan)</p>
https://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/2014/12/5/7339977/its-a-trap-aas-sunderland-previewJohnathan Ace2014-12-04T19:37:46+00:002014-12-04T19:37:46+00:00Samfield Road: The Revolution Starts Now?
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<p>Samfield Road: The Revolution Starts Now?</p> <p>We always knew that when and if there was a turnaround to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> season, the first few results were not going to be pretty. You never go from awful to breathtaking in the span of one or two matches. We'd like to think the ground-out victories over Stoke and Leicester, and they were every bit "ground out," is the beginning of the transfer back to what we thought Liverpool could be. We won't know that for several weeks, obviously. These matches don't have context yet. We hope, because otherwise they'll just go down as two more awful matches we had to sit through.</p>
<p>On Twitter, I had joked around with a #RodgersOut hashtag, and of course I've made my feelings on some of his decisions well known here. But then I saw actual stories, although just rumors, that Rodgers was actually on something of a hotseat. Liverpool were keeping tabs on Jurgen Klopp according to some, and were going to strike if he was available.</p>
<p>I found that jarring. After all, only three-plus months after nearly taking Liverpool to a never expected title would be too soon to jettison. Even one year, unless Liverpool were like just barely scraping above relegation or something and no one expects that to happen. Maybe you get a Klopp when you can no matter where you are with your manager, but that's probably not going to happen either.</p>
<p>I wonder if Rodgers, deep down and despite the obvious belief in himself that he has, would tell you if no one else was around that he knew last season was over-achievement and based on unsustainable factors. 52 goals from the strikers. 100 overall. So many goals from set pieces. Letting in 50 and almost getting away with it. If this were baseball, some of the metrics would point to a serious regression, and that's even if Luis Suarez was here.</p>
<p>But of course Rodgers can't come out and say, "We had so many things go our way last season that are not going to go our way this season so we should expect something of a step back." He'd have been launched into the Mersey had he done so. Sometimes Rodgers says some very silly things, but he likes to remain positive and I'm not sure there's anywhere else he could have gone.</p>
<p>I listen and watch Rodgers, and it's clear he fancies himself in the same class as Mourinho and Pellegrini and Ancelloti and others. He just hasn't had the experience yet to get there. Everyone starts somewhere, I suppose. Then again, so did Villas-Boas. That didn't go so well for him. Most managers do, I guess.</p>
<p>It's just taken Rodgers longer than the other to wield something of an iron fist. The others certainly would have turned Gerrard into something of a squad player by now (and with Basel waiting on Tuesday, I'll be real curious to see if the captain plays against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a>). Lucas would have been inserted, and both Lovren and Skrtel probably would have been dropped. But that's ok, we're getting there, right? Rodgers seems to like to drop the hammer on those it's easy to drop the hammer on, like new signings and lightning rods. It's weird how Lovren got so much rope and Lallana didn't, even though Lallana missed almost all of preseason with an injury.</p>
<p>There are still problems of course. RIckie Lambert is going to turn into a fine paste if he has to go another 90 Saturday, and yet <span>Fabio Borini</span> can't even make the squad. Balotelli was only supposed to be out for a game or two, and it's now two weeks since that international break where he got hurt. Sahko was only supposed to miss a couple weeks. It's now 10. Are these players injured in an <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>-esque type way? Or are they being frozen out under the guise of injury.</p>
<p>Of course, we won't know how big these questions are until we know what happens. That's what drives you nuts.</p>
https://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/2014/12/4/7335917/samfield-road-the-revolution-starts-nowSamFels2014-12-04T18:45:20+00:002014-12-04T18:45:20+00:00Scouting Report: Sunderland
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<p>In a new feature, we look ahead to Liverpool's next opponents in the form of Sunderland, and just how we can get the jump on the Black Cats.</p> <p>Before the City game, Gus Poyet's side were unbeaten in their last four following that admittedly embarrassing defeat at the hands of Southampton, where they lost 8-0. Ever since then, they'd been playing much better football, most notably holding league leaders Chelsea to a draw.</p>
<p>They have, for as long as I can remember, have always been a very physical team. <b>Lee Cattermole</b>, thought by some to be a dirty player, has emphasized that more than once.</p>
<p>The physicality in midfield is one of Sunderland's best and most important qualities, but can also be a downfall. If they're up against a player who can speed past them, they're much more likely to concede frivolous fouls instead of sticking to the man and making sure another man is coming to help mark said attacker.</p>
<p>Sunderland will be without <b>Sebastian Coates, </b>who only just returned from injury against Man City, as he can't play against his parent club, having joined Sunderland on a season long loan from the Reds, in the summer.</p>
<p>In previous games against Sunderland, teams have been able to get behind the defense with the aforementioned pace, and quick passing. Sunderland combat this with their physicality and work-rate in midfield where players like Cattermole and new signing <b>Will Buckley </b>excel.</p>
<p>This isn't to say that they rely on midfield. When they don't have the ball, especially in the final third of the pitch, they tend to overload the box to stop crosses coming in, at times pushing as many as six to seven players at a time into the defensive penalty area to get the ball away.</p>
<p>To add to this, when taking on a man one on one, there's also a pretty good chance there'll be a man coming in to be an extra defender in case the first man gets beat.</p>
<p>They're also quite good at soaking up pressure, and regularly allow the opposition to have more of the ball, while they press and get in your face off the ball. This is also something Cattermole, who often is seen barking out orders to players around him, excels at, even if he is subject to the odd rash challenge now and again.</p>
<p>In attack, they have quite a versatile player in <b>Connor Whickham, </b>who can play up front, or on either wing. Lately, whilst <b>Steven Fletcher</b> is in decent form, he has played on the right wing. However, he started the match against City on the left, but switched to the right before scoring the opening goal in a 4-1 defeat.</p>
<p>With the amount of time the ball spends in defensive areas, Steven Fletcher is sometimes likely to leave his usual position as a target man and come short to receive a pass and start counter attacks. He did so as he set up Whickham for his goal, driving forward into an attacking position in midfield from a giveaway by City before a cute little reverse pass into the path to his strike partner, which deflected off of Pablo Zabaleta, and Whickham reacted quickest to loop the ball over Joe Hart and into the goal.</p>
<p>As he's shown in the past, <b>Sebastian Larsson </b>is a set piece specialist. He can get just the right amount of bend on a ball into the box for a man to get his head to, and has scored some amazing free kicks, and volleys in his time. I remember a goal in 2011 he scored at Anfield in a 1-1 draw and have genuinely been afraid of him ever since.</p>
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<p>And so, despite some shortcomings, we'll have a fight on our hands to continue our nice little run. We have some really important games to look ahead to, and a win here is vital.</p>
https://anfieldasylum.sbnation.com/2014/12/4/7334457/scouting-report-sunderlandJohnathan Ace