And in fact, we are told if “Ekitike had been fit enough to lead the line, Liverpool would surely have triumphed.” (But what about the supposition that if one of Arsenal’s injured attackers had been injured, they might have won?)
The media also noted that Slot said after that he was, “Definitely happy with the performance,” which pretty much tells you where Liverpool are in terms of entertaining football and what their fans are happy to put up with.
Following this, we are told by Jonathan Liew: “Arsenal fans restless as Emirates groan returns.” So, poodle fans are happy, and Arsenal fans are not.
And by and large, that’s it, it’s all over, forget winning the league, because even if we do, the headlines will be “Was this the most boring league champions ever?” and “Arsenal win the league by default”.
But thankfully, we can move on to the FA Cup, where the referee is Tony Harrington, and while the media go their merry way upping Liverpool for a goalless draw, we can take a look at tomorrow. As usual, we look at the referee nominated for this game and his record compared with others.
Harrington has overseen 10 games in the league this season, blowing up for 19.2 fouls per game. This is 22% fewer fouls spotted per match than, for example, Simon Hooper, and thus one imagines Harrington is given this game to help Portsmouth along, since Championship defenders are generally less adept at tackling than Premier League defenders. Having a referee who sees fewer fouls is, therefore, obviously a benefit to the Championship side.
Harringon is particularly reluctant to see a tackle as a foul, seeing just 58% of the tackles in his games as fouls. This compares with Hooper, who sees 70% of tackles as fouls. Again, a boost for the Championship club with its less adept defenders. Double shin-pads for the Arsenal forward, I think.
Harrington is also reluctant to award penalties, which helps less adept defenders put the boot in as the last line of desperate defense. He has given only one penalty every five games, as opposed to, for example, referee Barrott, who gives a penalty every other game.
As for yellow cards, well, so odd is this referee we had better leave that topic for the next piece, later today.