A Cup win for Liverpool? Just Capital

My apologies for the pun in the title, but usually league cup wins don't stir much emotion for a club with the prestige of Liverpool these days.  However, given current form and results, it may have been just what the doctor ordered.  Now then, don't let anyone fool you.  There are still questions about Liverpool that need answering, but basking in the glow of a win makes those questions seem at least a bit less pressing.

Liverpool again failed to score in a first half where they dominated possession.  Swansea City were more than content to sit back, defend and see if anything materialized via a counter attack.  Nothing did materialize, of course, but the plan of attack worked so well that the Swans gained momentum and confidence during the last five to ten minutes of the first half.  They carried that over into the second as well.  Once again, taking nothing away from the run of play from Swansea since they set up a nice goal from Marvin Emnes, but a lack of commitment from the Reds defense on certain plays almost doomed them again.

While 25 minutes still remained following the goal, many supporters no doubt, had visions of another early cup exit for their beloved club.  Liverpool had nothing to show at that point and to many did not seem capable of showing much more.  Despite overwhelmingly positive possession, they were goalless in the first half and came out with little energy in the second.  The Reds mustered little offense even after.  But, to the joy of the Kopites, the night would not end in doom and gloom.

Mario Balotelli, of all people, came on in the 79th minute to score and equalize only 7 minutes later.  The team and supporters had struggled through not only 21 minutes of desperation, seeking to knot up the game, but so many matches hoping the Italian enigma would perform.  While it was still not his top form, the goal was a weight of so many shoulders.  Mario is still seeking his first official Premier League goal since leaving Manchester City.  But scoring the type of goal he did, in the fashion he in a moment when hope was dwindling has to boost his confidence at least a bit.

Dejan Lovren, another much maligned player, also got off the coal for Christmas list for awhile when he nodded in the game winner in the 95th minute, only seconds before the official's final whistle.  Normally a win in the Capital Cup would just fall by the wayside.  A win, coming from behind against Swansea City might even be seen as an unsuccessful match.  However, given the recent run of form for Liverpool it must be looked at in a positive light.

The Reds did not give up.  That has been something that supporters are most irked about in recent games.  Liverpool's lack of fight once things don't go their way.  The team did not let falling behind a goal end their night this match.  Two much maligned players, two off-season high-profile signings, came through when the team needed them most.  Much has been made over the quality of the summer signings, since many have either not performed up to snuff or simply have not made it off the bench.  Lazar Markovic played reasonably well and showed signs of quality before making way for Adam Lallana.  Loveran, rightly or wrongly, has been blamed for many of the defensive failings of Liverpool but provided a game winner and was solid at the back.  Balotelli's woes in a red shirt have been well documented, but the man came up with a huge goal that while provided a beautiful ball by Fabio Borini, still needed a top class finish to hit the back of the net.

As previously stated, this win by no means erases all the questions that supporters have.  It may even raise a few.  The shape of the team is still a huge point of contention.  Many, including this writer, support Brendan Rodgers and his decisions.  However, the stubbornness to continue to play a one striker formation has some scratching their heads.  Fabio Borini finally received a chance to play with Rickie Lambert but as a winger instead of a striker.  Rogers is so concerned with getting his midfield players time on the pitch, it may be to the detriment of the team.  The part I question in regard to the formation choice is the fact that Liverpool will play with two strikers when Daniel Sturridge eventually returns.  So why avoid that formation so avidly when he is not there?

Other question marks remain as well.  The defense, while better, still has gaps and lapses in judgement and marking.  Set pieces still force one to hold their breath until the ball is clear.  The team, as shown in last weekend's match against Hull, still woefully underperforms against lower teams.  But despite all that, a normally unimportant Cup match may prove to be what this team needed.  It was a confidence boost.  It was a shot in the arm.  While there is still much to work on during training sessions, the joy of a win makes things seem much less daunting.  Confidence is something that was clearly lacking from several players in the squad.  Supporters can now hope, even if only fleetingly, this will carry over to the weekend fixture against Newcastle.  Liverpool must keep the confidence rolling.  Matches won't become easier due to one league cup win, but perhaps players can feel a bit looser around the collar and just go out and perform now.

Hopefully Mario Balotelli can carry the confidence of an important goal, no matter the fixture, and silence a few critics.  Being one of the few remaining fans of the man, I would love to sit here and gloat and say I told you so to the detractors.  However, one goal does not give anyone that right.  Balotelli must still perform in the league.  This one match does show that the team needs him to perform for them to perform.  If Balotelli can live up to any of his potential, it makes it that much easier for the rest of the team to do their jobs.  Regardless of how you feel about the Liverpool striker, a good performance from him against Swansea was a good thing and will hopefully lead to better things for the player and the team going forward.  Here's looking forward to the weekend.  Walk on.