Liverpool Returns to League Action With Solid Win

The Reds returned to league action after what seemed like an eternity of cup matches in recent memory.  They did so in fine fashion as well taking down West Ham United by a final of 2-0.  Liverpool could, and perhaps should, have had more goals as well.  In typical Liverpool fashion for this year, there were mistakes made along the way that keep their performances from being very good or great.  However, there cannot be too many complaints following a victory against a side that was a point up in the table before the match began.

Since columns are usually written by whiney, frustrated people I may as well join their ranks for a few paragraphs and begin with the things I saw wrong with this match.  Firstly, though a very talented player, Lazar Markovic returned to his shaky form from earlier this season.  Markovic has speed up and down the field and hustles non-stop.  It is his touch that falters him in important moments though.

In the seventh minute, Markovic failed to convert what should have been an early goal.  It was not a gimme shot, but still for one as talented as he and one with the aspirations of being an Anfield legend, you have to put those away.  Markovic also blasted one wide of the post just before the halftime break, which would have also put his team up by a goal again.  He was clearly disappointed in himself, but the shot was not overly rushed and though there were some players in front it has to be put in the net.

Markovic was by no means the only player to falter in their attacking.  Alberto Moreno was set up with a very nice cross by Raheem Sterling in the 47th minute.  Moreno was unmarked and managed only to flail his left leg at the ball and connect just enough to at least keep the ball in play.  Moreno is more of an attacking defender, in the mold of Roberto Carlos, but it was still a golden opportunity that needs to be better handled.  Jordan Henderson also continued to prove that there is a pretty big drop off from Steven Gerrard to himself.

Henderson should not aspire to be Stevie G.  It is an effort in futility.  Henderson just isn't the quality of Gerrard and probably never will be.  That does not mean that he is not or cannot be a top player at the club.  Henderson gives his best on the pitch almost every game.  He just lacks that final ball or touch that Gerrard brings to the captaincy.  There were two free kicks that pop to mind, including the 70th minute, where Hendo blasted it right into the wall.  He is not beyond learning to get better touch on those, but for right now Liverpool will have to find someone with better quality to replace Gerrard on free kicks come next season.

Before you begin to wonder where all this negativity comes from and think perhaps you were dreaming and the scoreline was reversed, fear not.  Liverpool was indeed victorious and there were many good things to come from the match.  Liverpool kept a clean sheet for the fourth match in a row.  The defense, while still questionable and still giving fans that queezy feeling, played a very solid match.  West Ham did not have a shot on target until the 32nd minute.  With the exception of set pieces, the Hammers really created nothing from the flow of play.  The one nit-picky item of mention regarding the back three was their inability to make quick passes out.  Too often in the first half, they were forced to retreat in possession.  This may well be due to a lack of off the ball movement, but the bottom line was West Ham continually pressured the ball and Liverpool were forced backward more than one would like.

The offense was very good.  As previously mentioned, they did not finish as many chances as they should have.  In addition to the misses by Henderson and Markovic, Jordan Ibe and Daniel Sturridge did not capitalize on chances in the 78th and 83rd minutes.  Overall, however, they were good on the passes.  Most balls were within a range that, even if they failed to do so, they had an opportunity to obtain and push into space.  Sterling continued to show his growth as a star and his connection with Coutinho as they connected on Liverpool's first goal.

Liverpool were a bit fortunate with the deflection, but the chip pass from Coutinho to Sterling was cheekily created and deftly handled.  Sterling then showed good composure - something that has at times lacked in his game this season - and slotted it past the goalkeeper.  While he still occasionally tries to over-perform, Sterling continues to show that when he is within himself and composed that he could be an all-world caliber player.  It may still be a likelihood to happen, Liverpool need to get pen to paper on a new deal for young Raheem.

One would be remiss to not mention the return of Daniel Sturridge as one of the biggest positives.  Sturridge lacked his usual first touch, no doubt caused by not playing a game since August.  He looked clearly rusty and a bit over-eager to run around.  However, both he and the team looked very good when together on the pitch for the first time in almost five months.  Liverpool looked very similar to their attack of last season with a formation of Sturridge, Sterling and Coutinho all rotating around.  If Sturrige had not scored, his return would still have been a good omen of things to come with the ease the attacking line slipped into with his inclusion.

Sturridge was not about to let a chance to put his own little chapter in the Anfield annals though.  15 had a couple of good chances, as mentioned, in the 78th minute.  Then, only two minutes later, Sturridge would bury one in the 80th minute to put his team up by two.  Not only was the shot powerful and accurate, but with his weak foot.  That is definitely an encouraging sign due to the fact that even when the SAS connection was flying last season, Sturridge's weak foot was often a weakness that he was uncomfortable using.  On this evening, Sturridge struck the ball with supreme confidence and coupled with the sharp angle, made the goal all the more impressive.

Liverpool may still have questions within the squad.  They may still not have quite enough to regularly challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, but they continue to move in positive ways.  The moves made in the lineup are beneficial more than hindrances, as they were earlier.  Lallana fit in well in his more central role and despite his falterings on this night, Markovic has proven that he is more than capable of playing a wing attacker or a more defensive winger position as well.  That does nothing but help the depth of this club as they continue forward with Europa competitions and the FA Cup.  Mistakes are made by just about any club.  The important thing, for now, is the belief has returned.  Walk on.

Random Thoughs:

- Liverpool need to take advantage of their fixture list in the league coming up.  With the exception of the City match on March 1, all of February and March feature winnable games.  If Liverpool can continue their current form, they could easily find themselves contending for a top four spot in April and May.

- Being a keeper, it pains me a bit to mention, but the manner in which keepers get so butt-hurt with the smallest of touches is aggravating.  Adrian, West Ham's goalkeeper, was brushed along the ribs by Coutinho - who was trying to avoid contact.  By his reaction, you would think Adrian had been shanked in the lunch line at the state penitentiary.  Really?  Goalkeepers are not accustomed to being hit, but these sorts of overreactions are not beneficial to the game.

- Speaking of overacting, I'm tired of players putting their teammates in peril because they want to lay on the deck in hopes of earning their opponent a yellow card.  Markovic went down in the box after being grazed along the face and stayed down for a good 30 seconds.  He is by no means the only player to do such things, but sooner or later those sorts of actions will be punished by an attack taking advantage of one fewer player involving themselves in the play.