The FA Cup always throws up some shock results but Barnsley beating Liverpool at Anfield is the biggest shock of the weekend by far. I am baffled how Liverpool lost to the Championship side that were beaten 3 – 0 by Argyle on Tuesday. The match stats suggest that Liverpool should have won the tie easily but couldn’t manage to convert pressure into goals, 20 shots on target and only one made it into the back of the net. Although all credit to the Barnsley keeper for making some top class saves to deny Liverpool time and time again. When Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring in the 32nd minute from an almost stationary position in the Barnsley box unleashing a rocket from 12 yards out. You would be excused for thinking the floodgates would open for Liverpool, but it wasn’t to be, Stephen Foster heading Martin Devaney’s cross goal bound 11 minutes after the half time interval to square things up. Liverpool still looked the most likely to score again but Luke Steele thwarted every attempt to score Liverpool made. The game was looking like it was heading for a 1 – 1 draw and a replay at Oakwell when out of nowhere Brian Howard’s turn and shot from 20 yards out crept just inside the post in what was almost the last kick of the game! So Liverpool are out in the 5th round against all expectations but well done to Barnsley for weathering the storm and taking their opportunities better than Liverpool. As is par for the course the fans are calling for the head of Rafa Benitez on a silver plater. But I think that would be counter productive as instability in the team will mean Liverpool going on the slide. Sure Liverpool are going through a rough patch right now but sacking the manager isn’t the answer. But sadly it’s a cut-throat world in the premiership with chairmen willing to wield the axe if a few results go against the club! Liverpool need to move on past this defeat and concentrate on their game against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Last night I tested my willpower to see if I could control my drinking. stopping drinking completely is relatively easy to achieve but being able to have a few beers and then be able to stop is the real challenge. And I am happy to say that I achieved my goal, I decided I would have three beers and then stop and I even paced myself instead of guzzling down beer like it’s going out of fashion. I am actually more proud of myself for knowing my limits than not drinking. I didn’t even get depressed or argumentative like I normally do when I drink. I just enjoyed a few drinks and having a chat with some people. I never wanted to give up drinking forever, I just wanted to be able to control my drinking, something that I have struggled with for some time. Although I worry what Erin thinks now as I went straight to bed (and texted her to say I was doing so) last night instead of being up until 6 – 7am. Not because I had a drink, but because I didn’t sleep well the night before only managing to grab about 90 minutes and I had to be up for 10am(ish) to go to my father’s for Sunday lunch. Erin doesn’t know that I had a drink last night, I will tell her today if she wants to talk to me, I got the impression she was pissed off with me because I just wanted to sleep last night!
