September 12, 1908
Liverpool win again
Out Anfield way, there has not been much to complain of to date. Two stiff matches played and four points gained, in the face of a big injured list, is good. There was a £500 gate on Saturday to see Chelsea weaving patterns and Liverpool scoring in the points. What the Metropolitans were doing at Preston I know not; they certainly struck one as being a rare good side at Anfield, with the exception of two positions in defence.
If, as I said a week ago, Liverpool were a trifle lucky to win, I also added that they were plucky. Against both Chelsea and the Villa, Liverpool pulled off the victory after being a goal in arrears, and that, too, after having a lame leg to carry around. Percy Saul was knocked out of time against the Villa; on Saturday it was Jim Harrop’s turn. But to place him at outside left from centre half, and for John Cox to go inside right, was clearly an error in tactics, and it was remarkable how the team fell away when this was done, and then came together again directly after the side reverted to its original formation.
Comments.
In reviewing the Reds’ work, I would like to say that Sam Hardy stopped all that was stoppable, whilst Tom Rogers kept the visitors’ inferior wing fairly well in hand, although by no means reproducing his previous Tuesday’s brilliance. Alf West had an hot task on against Jimmy Windridge and Norrie Fairgray. At half-back Tom Chorlton was again the most successful. Harrop, of course, was handicapped with injury, and James Bradley ran and doubled like a man who was not quite sure of his own fitness.
Forward, the men were thrown out of gear with the removal of John Cox and Robert Robinson from their regular positions. Cox, however, appeared out of condition, and Joe Hewitt’s tendency to slowness was apparent. Robinson was a grafter both forward and half-back, whilst Arthur Goddard gave a capital account of himself. Ronald Orr won favour with the crowd, not only by reason of his two timely goals, but because he went usefully ahead for the full 90 minutes.
(Cricket and Football Field: September 12, 1908)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 