Sexist & in their 50s!

Andy Gray and Richard Keys are in hot water this morning following their off-air comments about Sian Massey, the female official who ran the line in yesterday’s match between Wolves and Liverpool at Molineux, according to the Mail on Sunday, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349729/Own-goal-Mic-captures-Sky-presenters-sexist-diatribe-female-linesman–Apprentice-star-Karren-Brady.html?ITO=1490.

The first thing that struck me about this (non) story is that the Mail make sure to report Ms. Massey’s age. No mention is made of either Mr. Gray’s or Mr. Keys’ ages. Is this not a rather sexist attitude of the Mail to take? I don’t remember other officials’ ages being mentioned when they came under the spotlight.

Far be it from me to defend these two dinosaurs, (is that ageist?), but having read the alleged comments, I must say there is nothing I would not expect to be said between two male colleagues in their 50s in a male dominated industry. The comments about women not knowing the offside rule were exchanged jest, not on air, and not directly to Massey.

Does this make it right? No. But neither does it make it such an offence that either Keys or Gray should have it so highlighted. Had they uttered these sentiments on air, then it would be understandable, extreme but understandable as I’m sure there would have been complaints from some viewers. But they didn’t!

I’m sure some will disagree with me here, but I don’t think Andy Gray and Richard Keys have case to answer. They have been far more disrespectful to men in the game in the past! If Sky take any action against them, it will mean we are just a few steps away from the ‘Thought Police’.

YNWA
Julian

julian@empireofthekop.com

VIDEO : Build up to 3rd goal

Thanks to @lfcdel for sending me this video showing the build up to the 3rd goal against Wolves. Keep an eye on Kuyt, he starts on the right :-)

The Daily Antoine: 23rd Jan 2011 – Liverpool F.C. News update

Great win yesterday more…
(Brilliant, thank you Kenny)

Kenny praises the players for the performance and also is tight-lipped about transfers more…
(Nice one Kenny, the Liverpool Way is back)

Kenny says that this is the best job of his life more…
(It’s always good to be the king :-) )

And looks like the Suarez bid might be accepted more…
(Excellent news)

Kuyt would welcome Suarez more…
(Of course)

Holloway claims that the bid for Adam is disgraceful more…
(Don’t go all Bruce on us now)

Rafa is still a working class hero more…
(YNWA)

And the former gaffer throws his support behind Kenny more…
(Legend)

Martin Kelly believes that Kenny will get things going more…
(YNWA)

Tommy Smith would like to see Torres as stand-in skipper more…
(Yeah)

He talks about how Werner is restoring the Liverpool Way more…
(Agree)

And Werner backs Comolli more…
(Of course he does)

And RBS are returning to court to prevent Hicks and Gillett from filing suit more…
(Hicks and Gillett out, oh wait they are gone :-) )

And Kyriakos Papdopulos is being linked by Footylatest more…
(Where do they find these names?)

Niko Kranjcar is being linked again more…
(Love the Air Malta headrests)

Jose Mourinho is being linked to take over in the Summer more…
(LOL)

And finally Harry Redknapp was mugged in Madrid more…
(Word got out that he carries a lot of cash)

On Twitter @empireofthekop

Joy

Wolves 0 Liverpool 3

Wolves 0 Liverpool 3

This was much more like it. We played football as we should always play it, passing and moving on, and attacking the goal. The score was three nill to us but it could have been a lot more.

Firstly Torres and Meireles had two good chances before the Merieles put a pin point pass into the path of Torres who smashed it into the goal. Then in the second half Meireles scored a fantastic volley which not even a dozen goalkeepers would have been able to save.

A bit later on Jonjo Shelvey replaced Christian Poulson in midfield and really should have scored his first goal for Liverpool seconds after coming on when Meireles passed it to him one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

It was a shame for the lad that it didn’t hit the back of the net but we were in the driving seat for sure by this time.

In the dying minutes of the game Torres hit his second and our third goal of the game, but and killed the game stone dead.

Why, oh why, oh why have we not been playing like this all season?

A few more performances like this one and we might have a chance of a similar finish to last season, which given how our season has gone so far, would be excellent.

Wolves 0-3 Liverpool – Dalglish’s first win

The days of Roy Hodgson are now distant memories.

A superb brace from Fernando Torres, and a dipping volley struck on its sweet spot by Raul Meireles set Dalglish on his first win as Reds’ boss twenty years after his return to the hot-seat.

Much of the pre-match hype was built upon Liverpool’s woeful away record at the Molineux, with the Reds having never recorded a victory in their past 6 outings at the home of Wolves.

Yet it was a clash Liverpool fans were firmly anticipating, in hope and faith that a turnaround would be round the corner. Dalglish, commenting in his pre-match presser, said that he couldn’t be bothered if Liverpool were ‘battered’ and that 3 points took precedence over any positive performances.

However, not only did he get 3 points, but also an all-action, dedicated and gritty performance from all his Liverpool stars as they sought to retify the wreakage their away form as brought them all season.

A clean sheet, three goals, purposeful passing, and last ditch defending. It couldn’t get better than that could it? All players who are bestowed the honour of wearing the Liverbird on their chests demostrated why it is so crucial to uphold the club’s reputation and save this season.

Kenny Dalglish made only one change from the side that drew 2-2 against Everton last week, with Danish international, Christian Poulsen slotting in place of local lad Jay Spearing.

The game started off on an edgy note, with Poulsen picking up a booking just after 3 minutes. As the game started to crawl into life, Liverpool were striving with more endeavour, especially with a reinvigorated Torres threatening in the final third.

Liverpool players were displaying some nifty footwork, and Torres shot warning signs to Wolves’ defence as he drove a shot towards Hennessey, who could only parry it away.

Just under 10 minutes from half time and purpose paid off as a patient Liverpool got their reward.

Poulsen, under fire from Liverpool fans following his poor performances, spotted a run from Meireles and thoughtfully slided the ball through the whole of Wolves’ defence. Screams of offsides bellowed as Wolves’ players waved their hands in frenzy, only for them to see Meireles squaring the ball to Torres who gleefully slotted it into an open net, evading the despairing dive of Hennessey. Advantage Liverpool.

Early on in the second half, Kuyt could have doubled the lead if not for an on rushing Hennessey who made himself look like a giant to deny the Dutchman from bagging a goal.

Yet the Wolves keeper looked on in helplessness, when on the 50th minute, the ball fell to Meireles’ feet, who unleashed an unstoppable, deceivingly dipping volley which rifled to the top corner of the net. There was just no way for Hennessey to save that!

Liverpool were then forced onto the backfoot, with former Liverpool winger Adam Hammill brought on to add fresh impetus to a Wolves’ side sorely lacking in the final third.

For a good spell of twenty minutes or so, Liverpool defended with a lion’s heart, as they seeked to protect their two-goal cushion. They came through that period thankfully, and as the clock winded down, Wolves started to run out of steam and resigned themselves to facing the inevitable.

Liverpool had other ideas. Instead of just trying to protecting their lead they were rejuvenated and hungry for more. Towards the end of the whistle, Liverpool held the ball for extended periods of time, probing with precision and instinct.

And patience paid off once again, as Liverpool strung 30 passes in the build up to Torres’ 3rd goal.

It was magnificient, a joy to watch. That 1:30 min spell was Liverpool at its very best. As they say, ‘Pass and move it’s the Liverpool groove’!

The fans broke into chants of You’ll Never Walk Alone, there was unbelievable support and fans were waving scarves welcoming Dalglish’s second coming.

As the referee blew the whistle, the players heaved a huge sigh of relief. With that away demon now out of the way, the players can built upon this impressive performance and hopefully come away with 3 points on Wednesday night against Fulham at Anfield.

Meireles, a shining star. Torres, El Nino. And the best of Liverpool. With Gerrard to return after serving a three-game suspension, the best is yet to be.

Twitter @redsonfire