To celebrate or not to celebrate... This is the question

Then and now. Same old, same old...

Going through the electronic rags last night as you do, I came across Oliver Holt's article in the Mirror in which he supported Jonjo Shelvey's non-celebration against Liverpool calling it a "...throwback to the time, 40 years ago when..."  Likening Shelvey's case to the Denis Law goal for Man City against Man United back in 1974.  I think there is an assumption here that a celebration is some kind of mocking or disrespectful action. If done correctly, this is never the case. Otherwise, it can no longer be called a celebration but an insult - which of course incites anger and resentment. To treat an honest celebration in any other way is both draconian and backward.

Firstly, these two scenario's are very different indeed. Wasn't that goal the goal that pretty much condemned United to relegation that year? I can understand him not celebrating that. I still don't agree but I can appreciate why he chose not to celebrate the goal. Law clearly held United in great esteem and there is no problem with this. Secondly, I don't believe the match between Liverpool and Swansea was as severe as for either team. It's clear Shelvey would have loved to stay at Liverpool and become a part of Brendan Rodgers' revolution. It's also clear that for whatever his issues the Liverpool support, me included, had and still retain a liking for Shelvey. He's a decent player and overall, a good honest lad who always gave of his best for the club and will do so for Swansea. 

This is what the LFC faithful have always asked of their players. But ask yourselves this. Has Shelvey not earned the right to celebrate that goal? It was top drawer stuff and deserving of celebration by both sets of supporters. I didn't like him scoring. Not because I have anything against him more because it was against Liverpool. But, that's just the way it goes - and especially with the team's current defence and Martin Skrtel the reincarnate of Phil Babb! Having said that, I didn't and wouldn't have given him any abuse. Fair play to the boy, and privately he must have been happy that he's shown Rodgers what he let go. That's the second goal he's scored against Liverpool. The last one an equally impressive effort at the Liberty Stadium. 

Holt refers to a "kinship" from this bygone era. Kinship, for me is a relationship. An understanding. A closeness and respect as one would have for a family member or close friend. This surely works both ways? Liverpool, and all fans for that matter should be more accepting of another's achievements. For one that was once your own and most importantly, left with dignity and good intent, it is our duty in kinship is to support him. After all, it's not unheard of for the Kop to applaud opposition goals, and this from players who never played for the club and celebrated keenly. Does it matter then that he played for Liverpool FC?

Aren't Liverpool fans supposed to be known for their knowledge and appreciation of, all things good in football? Does this have to be conditional. Provided Shelvey shows no disrespect in his celebration - index finger on the lips, hand to ear etc - then a joyful celebration should be accepted as his right. Liverpool's supporters did rightly applaud Shelvey's goal but I like to think that had he celebrated as any other player would, then the supporters would and should have reacted in the same way. 

Another point I didn't like about the article is that Holt compared the situation to that of Cristiano Ronaldo when he scored for Real Madrid against Manchester United. Really? Which Cristiano Ronaldo is he talking about? The mercenary who shamelessly courted a move away from the club that brought him to the world stage? Let's face it, he certainly didn't leave so he'd be "guaranteed first team football" which is a claim made on occasion. Probably correct for Shelvey, but a million miles away for Ronaldo. Didier Drogba is also mentioned and this I agree with. He loved Chelsea and Chelsea loved him. I'm sure he could have taken his pick of the giant Spanish sides but stayed put. In any case, if he scores for Galatasaray tonight he should celebrate. Joyfully and respectfully. Chelsea's supporters owe him that. 

A celebration is what it is: An acknowledgement of a happy event. Do this respectfully and this is all anyone can ask. Then it can be enjoyed by all. This is what I call kinship and it shouldn't cause a problem. Anything else is simply concession. After all, as Kool and the Gang said "We're gonna have a good time tonight, let's celebrate, it's alright"!

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Fortunate win keeps Reds in the hunt

A Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde performance this afternoon gave Liverpool another three points to stay in

Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde... You decide.

touch with the Premiership's leading pack. Two goals from each of Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson saw off a spirited Swansea side under the stewardship of their new boss Garry Monk. Whilst Swansea deserve some credit in a thrilling match for the neutrals, Liverpool's defence were akin to a 12th man for Swansea at times. Attacking flair and clinical finishing at one end, and suicidal defending at the other.

If there was any more proof required that Brendan Rodgers needs to beef up his defence in the next transfer window, then this must surely be it. The calamitous displays of Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Kolo Touré make me wonder where the team would be were it not for the current forward line. The words "mediocrity" and "mid-table" come to mind.

Liverpool started brightly enough and were two up after superbly taken goals from Sturridge on three minutes and then Henderson 17 minutes later to put the reds firmly in the driving seat. At this point one would think it should have been game over for Monk's men, but alas, enter the Dr. Jekyll defence. In fairness to Swansea, there were warnings to Liverpool before then with the impressive Jonjo Shelvey and Wilfred Bony, continually being allowed space to run at the home side's defence, without any sign of a challenge until far far too late. Shelvey got the Swans back into the game with a wonderful effort, in every way equal in quality to Henderson's strike a few minutes earlier.

The reaction from the ex-Liverpool midfielder was somewhat muted presumably as a sign of respect to the fans of his old club. Personally, I find this quite lame. If a player scores, especially in the way that Shelvey did, then he has every right to celebrate it in my opinion. Whether it's against his old team or not. Four minutes later the visitors were level due to what can only be described as laughable defending by Liverpool. A clear free kick against Skrtel for needlessly tripping Shelvey with his trailing leg - after a perfectly timed tackle - allowed the game to be brought back to parity. Bony heading in past Simon Mignolet with yet more help from the hapless Skrtel. Much to the annoyance of the home fans. Again, the pendulum swung back when Sturridge bagged his second of the game to restore Liverpool's lead. Again, you'd think Liverpool would get a strangle hold of the game now. Again, this was clearly too much to hope for.

The second half continued in as equally a shambolic manner as the first, as Dr. Jekyll, or Skrtel as he's often called, brought Bony down in the area to prove that you can't continually drag opponents to the ground or take their shirt off and expect to get away with it. Bony stepped up and slotted home to bring the game back to 3-3 with his second of the game. Liverpool were rattled. Not really by Swansea, but by their clear lack of any cohesion. The Mr. Hyde-like midfield and attack worked tirelessly, only for the Dr. Jekyll-like defence to undo the good work.

Rodgers substituted Daniel Agger, who it must be said was not having his happiest of returns to the team, with none other than Kolo Touré. Things could only get worse one thought and the anxiety of the Anfield faithful was felt every time he touched the ball. In fairness to him, he wasn't that bad although he was still bad enough. The introduction of Joe Allen for Raheem Sterling a few minutes earlier gave Liverpool some much needed zip in midfield, and things seemed to take a different slant. The home side started to play as if they actually knew each other and Allen's endeavour down the left was beginning to bear fruit.

Finally with 15 minutes remaining, the very same Joe Allen was involved again as his run down the left and switch to Luis Suarez who's cross saw Henderson pounce on the rebound from his initial shot to restore Liverpool's lead. Gerrard went close late on and hit the post, but other than that, there wasn't much else to shout about. by now Liverpool were looking more assured and saw out the rest of the game in relative ease. Special praise must go to Jon Flanagan who was absolutely immense at right back. He has come on leaps and bounds this season and one has to wonder when Martin Kelly, equally capable will get his chance for a run in the team. Let's face it, he can't do any worse than Glen Johnson, who was "ok" in his first game back but seems to be showing his age from what I can see. Come on Brendan save the club another £12m and give the boy a chance.

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Liverpool looking good value for money

The annual summer transfer frenzy is now officially up and running, and the papers are full of speculation and links based on insider contacts, hope and in some cases pure imagination. However, with that said, only half of the Premierships clubs have flexed any financial muscle thus far, with the usual moneybags suspects Manchester "hard-up" City leading the way with over £50m spent already.

What I've found surprising is that although Aston Villa have been the most busy, bringing in five players for a total of around £11m, I see the supposedly cash-strapped Liverpool currently running second to Citeh in the spending stakes. With the current acquisitions of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto costing a reported £12m or thereabouts, and the imminent arrival of Simon Mignolet for £10m, the Liverpool Chief Financial Officer Andy Hughes is now sweating over the departure of £22m from the cash ledger. The perennial big spenders, Chelsea are yet to draw their wallet in anger, and Manchester United and Arsenal only have spent a massive £2.8m between them... With Arsenal contributing, er... zero.

You see, as far as I was aware, Liverpool are supposed to be skint. "We need to build a 700,000 seater stadium so we can keep up with the likes of Chelski and Manyoo" they say. "We can't compete anymore because we've been left behind financially". "We're poor..." they cry. Well, they don't seem to be doing that badly. 

On reflection, Liverpool's decline over the last few years is not, in my opinion down to a lack of funds. Lets face it, it's not as if they've been scratching around for a transfer kitty this last few years. The main reason is simply down to adopting a poor recruitment policy of picking up average players on massive salaries. Poor use of funds, rather than a lack of it. After all, the Reds are currently lying in 5th place in the current Premiership Rich List, and on the strength of that, not as poor as we'd imagine. Am I the only one that's noticed this?

In terms of revenues, Liverpool have, potentially, some large income from the departures of Luis Suarez - at least around £35m by all accounts (excuse the pun) but surely a profit on the £23m purchase price - and Jonjo Shelvey, who's lack of discipline, composure and overall poor form seems to have earned him a place on the sales ledger, so perhaps £7m for him as reported. I don't expect Liverpool to get anywhere near that amount for Jay Spearing who is allegedly being tracked by Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers, perhaps £3m at most. Add to that the possible sale of Pepe Reina and there is a likely healthy profit in the air. Surely a pleasant prospect for Mr. Hughes. 

It's near on certain that once the rest of the top four get their readies to hand, I think Liverpool will fall down the transfer spending table. However, it's clear to see that things are not as bleak as many Reds supporters would imagine. That coupled with the astute purchases made by Brendan Rodgers so far, don't paint too bad a picture for the club in the short to medium term, and especially so if that can be translated into results on the pitch. 

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen