FA Cup Match Goes From Terrible To Fantastic

Liverpool took on the Bolton Wanderers in an FA Cup rematch on Wednesday.  It was a match that on the surface looked like nothing but a negative.  Liverpool needed to focus on keeping their league form together, with a chance at a top four spot more alive than ever given the return of Daniel Sturridge.  The replay was a match that appeared like nothing but a waste of resources.  A game that, even if won, proved that the Reds did not have enough quality to dispatch of Bolton at Anfield.  A game that would tire legs if no squad changes were made or disrupt team chemistry if changes were made.

Even once the game began, those things were still at the surface.  Once the game finished, however, it was a different story.  Liverpool began the match with a reasonably familiar squad with Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic and Joe Allen really being the only changes from the weekly team.

The Reds came out and strung passes together.  They limited chances.  They pushed forward.  However, as has been the case multiple times this season, they failed to really create solid scoring chances in the first half.  It has been an ongoing theme that can be solved with a consistently healthy Daniel Sturridge, but only time can prove that true or untrue.  Defensively, Liverpool did enough to quell any uprisings from the Bolton offense but they still have not instilled a great confidence within the supporters.

This was further proved when Martin Skrtel lunged in and was called for a penalty.  Firstly, I don't think it was a penalty.  I've seen many worse things happen in the penalty box and not get called.  However, whether you or I think it was a penalty or not is immaterial.  The bottom line is that Skrtel put himself in a position where the official was given the opportunity to decide.  Skrtel is a fine defender as is Sakho.  Emre Can is a decent defender in matches such as these.  When faced with top talents, that has yet to be proven for sure.  Unfortunately as a unit, there are too many times when they put themselves in poor places on the field.

Whether it was a penalty or not, Liverpool put themselves behind the eight ball early in the second half and things looked bleak even when they looked positive.  Eidur Gudjohnsen made easy work of the penalty and it looked like Bolton would make that scoreline hold up.  Liverpool pushed forward, seeing that Bolton was going to do nothing but defend.  Can even moved up into a holding midfield role, reducing Liverpool's backline to two.  For a long time, it seemed as though even the all out attack coupled with being a man up would not yield the goal.

Make no mistake, Brendan Rodgers went for it in this match.  Every substitution was made for attack.  Even placing Jordan Henderson in at holding midfield was done with attack in mind.  The move actually, although briefly, placed Steven Gerrard as part of the attacking three.  Fabio Borini was inserted after that and finally Daniel Sturridge got his first taste of FA Cup action this year.  Liverpool bombed forward and threw everything at the goal.

Raheem Sterling chipped one off the post, Can slapped one off the crossbar and it just seemed as though Liverpool would not find that final magic moment to keep them in the match.  However, Can would not be denied.  Though he would not factor onto the sheet as the goal scorer, his ball through to Sterling was nothing short of fantastic.  A lovely lofted ball, reminiscent of the ball tossed to Fabian Johnson just before the US Soccer team left for the World Cup.  It would take a good finish from Sterling to prevent it from being just a good pass, but ultimately it was a world-class play that knotted up the game for the Reds.

Liverpool took a firm grasp on the match from there.  It seemed as though Liverpool were destined to be winners at that point, whether in extra time or a late winner.  In the end, the Reds would get the latter.  Phillipe Coutinho took a wicked shot from just outside the box and though it looked to be sailing high, it had a beautiful dip and knicked in just off the crossbar.

It was an interesting goal from multiple facets.  Firstly, Coutinho had been trying similar chances throughout the game, with none coming off obviously.  It was something he needed to keep up his confidence.  It came at a great time for the club, because win or lose, playing extra time may have been the worst case scenario.  With an important league match against crosstown rival Everton on the weekend, using up more precious minutes on the legs would have been just short of a disaster.  This goal prevented that.  Beyond that though, it instilled a belief back in the supporters that this FA Cup is important and has value.

Even in this space, it has been questioned whether putting a full squad out in a replay would be worth it.  It was not ultimately clear if this venture was the best use of resources, given the problems the club have had, the number of games in front and the goals still attainable.  However, with a performance such as this and a goal to win in the dying embers of the match it became evident that it was worth it.  The FA Cup, at least for this club at this time, is worth putting your all into.  The traveling fans obviously believed it.  So should we all, now.

Liverpool still have tough roads ahead.  Crystal Palace will be no pushover in the next round of the FA.  The Reds have winnable but still important league matches coming up.  They also have the Europa League beginning soon as well.  Brendan Rodgers is going to earn his money in the months to come, deciding who plays and when and which competitions are viable.  One can only hope it is more than just coincidence that a team known as the Reds will be playing at a Crystal Palace on Valentines' Day.  Supporters hope it is an omen.  We shall see.

Random Thoughts:

- When the season began, it was not very evident to yours truly why Fabio Borini could not get any time in the squad.  As the season goes on, it is no longer evident why he is now chosen over his international compatriot, Mario Balotelli.  Everyone has their opinion on either one, but from this perspective I really see no difference in the two of them other than "effort."  I put that in quotes, because all it is is running for running's sake.  Borini makes no difference in his time on the field.  He doesn't make a positive impact at all.  Balotelli has decent foot skills and has lots of talent, but it has not been brought forth.  People mainly fault him because he isn't running at all times.  Borini has speed, but little else.  His finishing is poor, his passing is poor but he runs.  I just don't see it any longer.

- I'm a little surprised that Adam Lallana was brought off so early.  I understand the rotation, to get Gerrard forward, but I'm curious as to why Allen was kept on so long.

- I think many supporters were hoping for additional ammo in the January window, but with the summer signings gelling very well with the squad - playing important roles in some cases - it probably was a good idea to keep the team as is.

Walk On