We all knew that the undefeated streak probably would not last the rest of the season. We all knew that a poor performance was bound to come. Supporters just hoped that it would not come against their hated rival, Manchester United. Unfortunately for them and the team, it did.
Liverpool came out of the gates and never really found their footing. The Reds were on their heels from the word go. Credit does have to go to the Red Devils of Manchester United as well. They came out and dominated the match. They implemented their game plan and did not allow Liverpool into the match, regardless of the Red's form. They were strong on the ball. Manchester dominated possession. They closed down every lost ball and were physically imposing on the smaller Liverpool squad.
Credit given, Liverpool did not do enough to affect the game. Alberto Moreno was absolutely horrible in this game. His passes were off the mark consistently in the opening 15 minutes. He gave the ball away in key areas. He was lackadaisical getting back on defense. Really, the only positive he put forth was his attacking speed.
Rarely, if ever do I put blame with any one player and you cannot do so here. However, Moreno can be put at fault during both goals, which does not help his case. Moreno had a giveaway near the sideline that gave possession to United, which they ended up turning into the first goal for Juan Mata. Then, upon reviewing the play, Moreno lost his marker - again Mata - who recieved a cheeky little chip over the defensive line and was coolly finished off by Mata with a sparking side volley.
As I mentioned, blame cannot solely be placed on one player. Daniel Sturridge did little to affect the game, other than blasting the ball past David De Gea to give the team life with around 20 minutes to play. Raheem Sterling saw little of the ball and when he did, he just did not have that extra burst or nice touch to really get himself into space. Coutinho had a couple flashes, but nothing that really tested the opponents. Adam Lallana played ok, but failed to equalize the game in the 36th minute which would have completely altered the game. Again, United did an excellent job of shutting down the Liverpool attackers, but the Reds themselves did not do enough to really turn up the pressure either.
The really disappointing portion of the match came just after half time. Everyone that saw the match, knows. Liverpool's captain, their leader made a huge mistake that he even admitted played a huge role in costing his team the game. Steven Gerrard came on for Adam Lallana at half-time and made several positive passes in his opening 30 seconds in the match. However, two sliding tackles made on the captain apparently got under his skin and the second one earned a stomp on the lower shin of Ander Herrera.
It was a moment of madness. Any of us who have played have experienced it - that point where the blood just hits the boiling point and the primal urges override our normal brain functions. At the highest level, in a match of such importance one would just expect better of a player so experienced in just those situations. What made matters worse, if that is even possible after putting your team down by a man, is the fact that it occurred so soon. Only 33 seconds of clock had elapsed by the time Gerrard was sent to the locker room.
Liverpool fans are left to ponder what kind of impact their longtime captain might have had if he kept his cool. Supporters are left to wonder what changes may have happened. Would Manchester United's second goal have come? Would Gerrard have directed traffic well enough to avert the tally? Would he have orchestrated a more well organized attack and allowed the Reds to take hold of the half? We'll never know.
It was an all-around performance by Liverpool, which fans have become accustomed to. Unfortunately, it was not the kind of all-around performance they are used to seeing. Instead of the entire team playing well and pressing the issue, the entire team played poorly and had their part to play in the team losing. Fans can, and certainly will, point to the Lallana miss (which would have been the goal to keep it tied given the way everything played out) or the yellow card that could have been red on Phil Jones as things that did not go in their favor. They will look to the ineffectiveness of the attack. Ultimately, the team as a whole did not do enough to deserve the win.
The season is not over. Liverpool remain in fifth spot and the top four is not out of reach. Important games remain, including another important one on the road against Arsenal in two weeks. Liverpool may benefit from an extra week of rest and training. Regardless, they must regroup. They have not tasted defeat in the league since December 14, against the very same team. This loss will taste extra bitter for the team and sting a little longer for the fans given what might have been. However, as their famous anthem states: Though your dreams be tossed and blown, Walk on with hope in your heart. Brighter days are ahead.
Random Thoughts:
- Brendan Rodgers has to find a way to get the scoring touch back. Daniel Sturridge has managed to score some goals, but he simply isn't the player he was last year yet. The team was flying high with Sterling at the top of the spear, so to speak, and hasn't quite acclimated to Sturridge being up there. As a complimentary point, Sterling looks lost at times as a wing back. He gives constant effort, but he needs to be up top. Lallana is skilled, but I really don't understand why he is not playing wing back with a top three of Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge.
- I really cannot stand Merouane Fallaini. The guy has talent, no doubt, but I honestly think I would be sick to my stomach if Liverpool ever signed him. I do not like his demeanor, the way he carries himself or his reactions any time he is touched.
- Thank goodness for Simon Mingolet's return to form. As a keeper, I know stopping a penalty takes more luck than skill. However, seeing him keep Wayne Rooney scoreless at Anfield in ten years, on a penalty kick of all things, was a lone bright spot in an otherwise depressing game.
- It's a good thing Liverpool will get an extra week to think things over. They will be without Steven Gerrard for sure and, given the recent suspensions around the league, will be without the services of Martin Skrtel as well. Those are key cogs to this squad, so other players are going to have to step up to keep one loss from spiraling into more.
- He is no Steven Gerrard, in skill or leadership, but it was good to see Lucas in the lineup once again. He will be needed during the absence of Gerrard for sure. That excitement was tempered by the sight of Lucas next to Glen Johnson though.
Walk On
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Sometimes Lucky is Better Than Good
A win is a win is a win. That's what Liverpool fans must tell themselves after a somewhat frightful performance against Swansea. Liverpool were playing in their first Premier League match in what seemed like forever - in reality it had only been 12 days. Swansea, by no means are a pushover. They are not considered by any as a top team in the league but they do have solid players at many positions and are currently in 9th place.
This match was seemingly well set up for Liverpool. They had their captain, Steven Gerrard returning to the lineup, if not the starting XI. They were well rested with eight days between matches. All the important pieces to the team were fully fit or at least approaching that status. The team was unbeaten in March, with the only blemish the last few months coming in the Europa League against Besiktas.
Funny how things don't always work out the way you might plan. Liverpool created a decent chance with a shot straight at the keeper by Adam Lallana in the first five minutes, but were nowhere to be found offensively for the rest of the opening 45. Full credit does need to go to Swansea as they were sharp on the ball, good defensively and created chances. However, Liverpool were very sloppy on the ball - especially in the final third - and lacked much passion or enthusiasm for the game in the opening half.
It was very reminiscent of the terrible fixture against Burnley, eight days prior. Liverpool were not sharp and allowed an inferior opponent to employ their gameplan to good effect. They let their recent cup form bleed into the Premier League, which hasn't happened in some time. The Reds were extremely fortunate to be level at the break as Simon Mingolet was called on several times to bail out his squad.
Mingolet made a fine diving save on Bafetimbi Gomis, stretching out to his right on a ball slid nicely on the ground - a save which is incredibly difficult for keepers, which always begs the question of why people don't shoot on the ground more often. Then later in the half, the Belgian was called upon again, this time diving spectacularly through the air to the left and parrying away the curling shot by Gylfi Sigurdsson.
They were incredibly important saves, not only to keep the game level but to really prove that Mingolet's form had returned. The Belgian international would probably have conceded both chances early in the season. Instead, Mingolet has regained his confidence and looks very headstrong and confident on all balls he attempts for. Even manager Brendan Rodgers agreed. "He's been outstanding. We needed him first half," said the Irishman. "We were still in the game because of [him]. He's been excellent. As I said, the team suffered at the beginning of the season, but clearly now you see his confidence along with the team's."
Mingolet kept the team in the game the first half, but Liverpool needed better in the second and got it. Their chances were still limited, but the Reds did a much better job of stringing passes together. They were cooler on the ball and found the open spaces. One thing they did do well at the end of the first half, was work the ball side to side to tire out Swansea which paid off in the second.
Ultimately though, the Reds were extremely lucky to get the win. Jordan Henderson scored the lone goal of the match with pure hustle and no skill. Martin Skrtel played a very nice through ball, deflected by Daniel Sturridge, into a hole in the defense. Henderson charged it down and had the defender's sliding clearance deflect off his leg and over the top of the keeper Fabianski. It was a goal that provided both relief and comedy to Reds' supporters as they got the goal they needed, but had it come at the expense of a team that deserved a result from the way they played.
Sturridge did almost score at the end of the match, failing to get that final curl on a right footed shot that dinked off the far right post, but really even with their improved play, Liverpool did not create enough to fully deserve the win that came anyway. In the end though, when a season ends, nobody remembers how the wins came as long as they came.
Liverpool have kept themselves in an enviable position within the table. Despite remaining in fifth place, the Reds are only two points behind Manchester United and three behind Arsenal with fixtures coming up against both over the next two weeks. If Liverpool stay on form and get a bit of luck from other games, they could honestly climb as high as 2nd in the table by season's end. Top four is still the goal, but last year proved that you never know which clubs slip up - no pun intended - at the wrong times.
Random thoughts:
- Raheem Sterling needs to sign the contract. I don't know what figures have officially been offered, but as good as the young man is he still has learning to do. Liverpool are better equipped to allow that to happen and learning under Brendan Rodgers is the better place to do it rather than the superclubs where he would only be the 4th or 5th best player and yanked out of the lineup as soon as a bit of bad form crept in. All the pundits said today, and I agree, that Sterling will get even bigger money down the road when he earns it, but shouldn't be chasing only dollar signs right now (or pounds or Euros as the case may be).
- Where is Mario? Again, I realize that I am one of the lone voices in this camp, but I don't understand why Balotelli fails to really get a game after scoring two important goals for the team. By no means has he earned anything close to a starting position, but other than being a childhood fan, Rickie Lambert has done even less to be in the team sheet through my eyes. I wish I could see what Rodgers sees in training to make these decisions. C'est la vie.
- It's been amazing to see the downfall of Manchester City in recent weeks. Less than a month ago, City and Chelsea were almost assured of being the top two clubs at the end of the season. Now, through bad form or bad luck, City have opened up the entire thing. It would be an amazing turn of events, given the form of Liverpool and Arsenal and United's penchant for getting points regardless of form, to see City fall completely out of the top four after having the second spot almost locked up not long ago.
- Despite the good form of Joe Allen recently and my affection for Brendan Rodgers, I disagree that Gerrard has not earned the right to be placed back into the starting lineup as soon as he returned to fitness. Again, Allen played well but you could just see the team light up when their leader returned to the field. Gerrard has lost a big step in terms of pace, but he makes up for it with his touch and pure leadership on the pitch.
- I love Daniel Sturridge. He is and will be incredibly important to Liverpool's chances of doing good things the rest of the season. However, after his initial two games returning from injury, he seems to have gotten worse each game. He shies away from any contact. He doesn't chase down balls unless he knows, with all certainty, that he will track it down. His shot has been lacking and doesn't seem to be getting into those intuitive areas that will lead to goals. He really could've used that last ball going in, but hopefully he will find the back of the net soon. His confidence needs it.
Walk On.
This match was seemingly well set up for Liverpool. They had their captain, Steven Gerrard returning to the lineup, if not the starting XI. They were well rested with eight days between matches. All the important pieces to the team were fully fit or at least approaching that status. The team was unbeaten in March, with the only blemish the last few months coming in the Europa League against Besiktas.
Funny how things don't always work out the way you might plan. Liverpool created a decent chance with a shot straight at the keeper by Adam Lallana in the first five minutes, but were nowhere to be found offensively for the rest of the opening 45. Full credit does need to go to Swansea as they were sharp on the ball, good defensively and created chances. However, Liverpool were very sloppy on the ball - especially in the final third - and lacked much passion or enthusiasm for the game in the opening half.
It was very reminiscent of the terrible fixture against Burnley, eight days prior. Liverpool were not sharp and allowed an inferior opponent to employ their gameplan to good effect. They let their recent cup form bleed into the Premier League, which hasn't happened in some time. The Reds were extremely fortunate to be level at the break as Simon Mingolet was called on several times to bail out his squad.
Mingolet made a fine diving save on Bafetimbi Gomis, stretching out to his right on a ball slid nicely on the ground - a save which is incredibly difficult for keepers, which always begs the question of why people don't shoot on the ground more often. Then later in the half, the Belgian was called upon again, this time diving spectacularly through the air to the left and parrying away the curling shot by Gylfi Sigurdsson.
They were incredibly important saves, not only to keep the game level but to really prove that Mingolet's form had returned. The Belgian international would probably have conceded both chances early in the season. Instead, Mingolet has regained his confidence and looks very headstrong and confident on all balls he attempts for. Even manager Brendan Rodgers agreed. "He's been outstanding. We needed him first half," said the Irishman. "We were still in the game because of [him]. He's been excellent. As I said, the team suffered at the beginning of the season, but clearly now you see his confidence along with the team's."
Mingolet kept the team in the game the first half, but Liverpool needed better in the second and got it. Their chances were still limited, but the Reds did a much better job of stringing passes together. They were cooler on the ball and found the open spaces. One thing they did do well at the end of the first half, was work the ball side to side to tire out Swansea which paid off in the second.
Ultimately though, the Reds were extremely lucky to get the win. Jordan Henderson scored the lone goal of the match with pure hustle and no skill. Martin Skrtel played a very nice through ball, deflected by Daniel Sturridge, into a hole in the defense. Henderson charged it down and had the defender's sliding clearance deflect off his leg and over the top of the keeper Fabianski. It was a goal that provided both relief and comedy to Reds' supporters as they got the goal they needed, but had it come at the expense of a team that deserved a result from the way they played.
Sturridge did almost score at the end of the match, failing to get that final curl on a right footed shot that dinked off the far right post, but really even with their improved play, Liverpool did not create enough to fully deserve the win that came anyway. In the end though, when a season ends, nobody remembers how the wins came as long as they came.
Liverpool have kept themselves in an enviable position within the table. Despite remaining in fifth place, the Reds are only two points behind Manchester United and three behind Arsenal with fixtures coming up against both over the next two weeks. If Liverpool stay on form and get a bit of luck from other games, they could honestly climb as high as 2nd in the table by season's end. Top four is still the goal, but last year proved that you never know which clubs slip up - no pun intended - at the wrong times.
Random thoughts:
- Raheem Sterling needs to sign the contract. I don't know what figures have officially been offered, but as good as the young man is he still has learning to do. Liverpool are better equipped to allow that to happen and learning under Brendan Rodgers is the better place to do it rather than the superclubs where he would only be the 4th or 5th best player and yanked out of the lineup as soon as a bit of bad form crept in. All the pundits said today, and I agree, that Sterling will get even bigger money down the road when he earns it, but shouldn't be chasing only dollar signs right now (or pounds or Euros as the case may be).
- Where is Mario? Again, I realize that I am one of the lone voices in this camp, but I don't understand why Balotelli fails to really get a game after scoring two important goals for the team. By no means has he earned anything close to a starting position, but other than being a childhood fan, Rickie Lambert has done even less to be in the team sheet through my eyes. I wish I could see what Rodgers sees in training to make these decisions. C'est la vie.
- It's been amazing to see the downfall of Manchester City in recent weeks. Less than a month ago, City and Chelsea were almost assured of being the top two clubs at the end of the season. Now, through bad form or bad luck, City have opened up the entire thing. It would be an amazing turn of events, given the form of Liverpool and Arsenal and United's penchant for getting points regardless of form, to see City fall completely out of the top four after having the second spot almost locked up not long ago.
- Despite the good form of Joe Allen recently and my affection for Brendan Rodgers, I disagree that Gerrard has not earned the right to be placed back into the starting lineup as soon as he returned to fitness. Again, Allen played well but you could just see the team light up when their leader returned to the field. Gerrard has lost a big step in terms of pace, but he makes up for it with his touch and pure leadership on the pitch.
- I love Daniel Sturridge. He is and will be incredibly important to Liverpool's chances of doing good things the rest of the season. However, after his initial two games returning from injury, he seems to have gotten worse each game. He shies away from any contact. He doesn't chase down balls unless he knows, with all certainty, that he will track it down. His shot has been lacking and doesn't seem to be getting into those intuitive areas that will lead to goals. He really could've used that last ball going in, but hopefully he will find the back of the net soon. His confidence needs it.
Walk On.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
The Dangers of the FA Cup
The dangers of the FA Cup reared their head for Liverpool FC in their match against Blackburn Rovers. The Reds are in the midst of a fight for a top four spot in the English Premier League with important fixtures approaching against Arsenal and Manchester United. Now, with a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup quarterfinal, Liverpool are forced to find an open date to have the replay and expend more energy.
The FA Cup is a competition worth winning. It is worth putting energy in to get to the finals. Liverpool are one step away from getting to play in Wembley Stadium, which is something both the players and fans want - not just for the team, but for Steven Gerrard. However, for a club trying so hard to put focus on one thing or the other, the FA Cup has presented Liverpool with almost as many problems as positives.
In the match itself, Blackburn deserves a lot of credit. They came into the fixture with a gameplan and executed it perfectly. It was a gameplan that many of us don't like. Regardless of who you support, most fans of the game don't like when teams focus solely on defense and have 11 players behind the ball. However, when there are 26 spots between two clubs then the gameplan makes sense.
Blackburn did not only play defense. They managed a few attacks up the field in the first half. Simon Mingolet came up with a huge save. Alex Baptiste rose above the defenders, got solid contact from the header and hit the ball toward the upper corner of the goal. Adam Lallana tried to head it away, but was too close to the effort to have sufficient reaction time. Mingolet sprung to his left, stuck out the left pallm and struck the ball away.
Liverpool did not play a poor game, by any means. The Reds held onto the ball fairly well, dealt with the Rovers' chances with efficiency and did create problems in the back end of Blackburn's defense. The problem Liverpool ran up against was that final, critical ball just did not seem to find the mark. Raheem Sterling and Coutinho were sublime in control of the ball. The ball was often attached to their shoelaces so tightly that one could wonder if they had magnets in their boots.
Unfortunately, Blackburn's plan kept them at bay. There were almost always two defenders on the ball. If Liverpool's skill managed to get through the first wave, then there often a third or fourth defender collapsing on the ball as well.
As previously mentioned, credit has to go to Blackburn. They defended how they needed and absorbed the speed and skill of the Liverpool wingers. Let us not forget that they did knock off two Premier League teams to get to this quarterfinal stage as well. Some will point out it was Swansea and Stoke, but the bottom line is that those sides are in the Premier League and Blackburn is a midtable side in the Championship. Even manager, Brendan Rodgers agreed that Blackburn was to be credited.
"You've got to respect the opponent as well," said Rodgers. "We've been on a great run of form, winning games. It's difficult. We've got to go to Blackburn now and win, but we're more than capable of doing that."
All things being equal, Liverpool played a decent game but just could not manage to find that final ball or cross or slip through that last hole to score. It brings up the dangers of playing in a cup competition when you're in a situation such as Liverpool.
If they had no chance of reaching the top four or were solidly in, like Manchester City or Chelsea, the FA Cup would not be presenting any sort of problems. It would simply be a chance at silverware with little other worries from it. Instead, Liverpool are forced to divide resources. They are forced to either rotate the squad more to keep players fresh or use the same squad again and risk either crashing out of the Cup or dropping an important fixture in the league.
These are not excuses if Liverpool fail to get into the top four or win the FA Cup. These are simply the realities of football. Liverpool failed to force the issue, failed to create that little bit of magic and will now have to play the replay. The Reds have the skill to win on the road. The problem now, outside of the obvious extra energy sapped from the legs comes with the scheduling issues.
Apparently, there is some sort of agreement that FA Cup games not be scheduled during Champions League fixtures. Therefore, due to Liverpool's league match against Swansea being on a Monday the only open date falls between the clubs matches with Manchester United and Arsenal unless something else is worked out. That could be the worst case scenario, but it is what it is.
Liverpool have set goals of winning a competition and getting back into the top four. Both are still attainable. Champions League is probably a bigger financial windfall, therefor the league would take a bit of priority. But one match should not determine the rest of the season. Liverpool have proven they are capable of going on the road and getting the job done. The FA Cup is still a winnable competition. The club has the skill to still accomplish both, but they've made it a little harder with two consecutive replays.
Random thoughts:
- I love the comment from Stewart Robson about the official. Basically he said on another day, with another official there may have been as many as four penalties. I agree that none were blatant and needed to be called.
- Liverpool do need to find more ways to get the strikers involved in central areas. The Reds don't have the height to be looking for crosses, but they need to figure a way to get Sturridge and/or Balotelli involved more in the box. Sturridge got himself into a few good places by his own accord and Balotelli was basically a nonfactor. It's great to have the skill and speed of Sterling and Coutinho on the wings but you cannot expect them to create their own shots from those positions every game.
- It's good to see Mingolet playing so much better. He was a bit apprehensive at times when the sun was in his eyes, as any keeper would be. Outside of that, he has rebounded incredibly well after being taken out of the team. Even as a defender of my fellow keepers, I admit that he will likely never enter the upper crust of world goalkeepers but if he keeps up his current form then there may not be a clear replacement that will be available.
Walk On.
The FA Cup is a competition worth winning. It is worth putting energy in to get to the finals. Liverpool are one step away from getting to play in Wembley Stadium, which is something both the players and fans want - not just for the team, but for Steven Gerrard. However, for a club trying so hard to put focus on one thing or the other, the FA Cup has presented Liverpool with almost as many problems as positives.
In the match itself, Blackburn deserves a lot of credit. They came into the fixture with a gameplan and executed it perfectly. It was a gameplan that many of us don't like. Regardless of who you support, most fans of the game don't like when teams focus solely on defense and have 11 players behind the ball. However, when there are 26 spots between two clubs then the gameplan makes sense.
Blackburn did not only play defense. They managed a few attacks up the field in the first half. Simon Mingolet came up with a huge save. Alex Baptiste rose above the defenders, got solid contact from the header and hit the ball toward the upper corner of the goal. Adam Lallana tried to head it away, but was too close to the effort to have sufficient reaction time. Mingolet sprung to his left, stuck out the left pallm and struck the ball away.
Liverpool did not play a poor game, by any means. The Reds held onto the ball fairly well, dealt with the Rovers' chances with efficiency and did create problems in the back end of Blackburn's defense. The problem Liverpool ran up against was that final, critical ball just did not seem to find the mark. Raheem Sterling and Coutinho were sublime in control of the ball. The ball was often attached to their shoelaces so tightly that one could wonder if they had magnets in their boots.
Unfortunately, Blackburn's plan kept them at bay. There were almost always two defenders on the ball. If Liverpool's skill managed to get through the first wave, then there often a third or fourth defender collapsing on the ball as well.
As previously mentioned, credit has to go to Blackburn. They defended how they needed and absorbed the speed and skill of the Liverpool wingers. Let us not forget that they did knock off two Premier League teams to get to this quarterfinal stage as well. Some will point out it was Swansea and Stoke, but the bottom line is that those sides are in the Premier League and Blackburn is a midtable side in the Championship. Even manager, Brendan Rodgers agreed that Blackburn was to be credited.
"You've got to respect the opponent as well," said Rodgers. "We've been on a great run of form, winning games. It's difficult. We've got to go to Blackburn now and win, but we're more than capable of doing that."
All things being equal, Liverpool played a decent game but just could not manage to find that final ball or cross or slip through that last hole to score. It brings up the dangers of playing in a cup competition when you're in a situation such as Liverpool.
If they had no chance of reaching the top four or were solidly in, like Manchester City or Chelsea, the FA Cup would not be presenting any sort of problems. It would simply be a chance at silverware with little other worries from it. Instead, Liverpool are forced to divide resources. They are forced to either rotate the squad more to keep players fresh or use the same squad again and risk either crashing out of the Cup or dropping an important fixture in the league.
These are not excuses if Liverpool fail to get into the top four or win the FA Cup. These are simply the realities of football. Liverpool failed to force the issue, failed to create that little bit of magic and will now have to play the replay. The Reds have the skill to win on the road. The problem now, outside of the obvious extra energy sapped from the legs comes with the scheduling issues.
Apparently, there is some sort of agreement that FA Cup games not be scheduled during Champions League fixtures. Therefore, due to Liverpool's league match against Swansea being on a Monday the only open date falls between the clubs matches with Manchester United and Arsenal unless something else is worked out. That could be the worst case scenario, but it is what it is.
Liverpool have set goals of winning a competition and getting back into the top four. Both are still attainable. Champions League is probably a bigger financial windfall, therefor the league would take a bit of priority. But one match should not determine the rest of the season. Liverpool have proven they are capable of going on the road and getting the job done. The FA Cup is still a winnable competition. The club has the skill to still accomplish both, but they've made it a little harder with two consecutive replays.
Random thoughts:
- I love the comment from Stewart Robson about the official. Basically he said on another day, with another official there may have been as many as four penalties. I agree that none were blatant and needed to be called.
- Liverpool do need to find more ways to get the strikers involved in central areas. The Reds don't have the height to be looking for crosses, but they need to figure a way to get Sturridge and/or Balotelli involved more in the box. Sturridge got himself into a few good places by his own accord and Balotelli was basically a nonfactor. It's great to have the skill and speed of Sterling and Coutinho on the wings but you cannot expect them to create their own shots from those positions every game.
- It's good to see Mingolet playing so much better. He was a bit apprehensive at times when the sun was in his eyes, as any keeper would be. Outside of that, he has rebounded incredibly well after being taken out of the team. Even as a defender of my fellow keepers, I admit that he will likely never enter the upper crust of world goalkeepers but if he keeps up his current form then there may not be a clear replacement that will be available.
Walk On.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Bland Midweek Win Pushes Liverpool Back into Fifth
Liverpool's midweek match against Burnley in the league provided no real surprises. Liverpool managed a relatively easy win over a side struggling to get out of the relegation zone. Burnley had only won four times in 27 matches prior and had not won at Anfield in 41 years. Therefor, the mountain for them to climb was always going to be a difficult one and the Liverpool players made it even steeper by coming out and doing their jobs.
It was by no means a perfect game. The Reds failed to convert on chances that they may have if clicking on all cylinders, but ultimately it did not matter too much. Daniel Sturridge had a pretty good game. Obviously his form has had peaks and valleys since his return, but he remains a key for the squad to get into the top four by the end of the season. Sturridge scored a very good goal. Jordan Henderson sent in a beautiful cross from the right wing and Sturridge slipped between two defenders to nod in the second goal of the game. However, he failed to score on a breakaway and turned away from a cross that may have led to a goal as well.
Sturridge's game continues to evolve as he regains his fitness. When he is at his best, he continues to be a catalyst for good things for Liverpool. The only downside to his current form is, at times, he seems to be bitten by the Balotelli bug. There are brief times where the effort appears to not be there. There are times he shrinks back from challenges and does not go full boar the way he had last season. This is forgivable given the several injuries he accrued before finally settling back in the team this year, but one can only hope that once he feels 100% confident that he will attack without holding back.
This was one of those games where there really wasn't a whole lot to glean from it. Liverpool won, which they were expected to do. They held onto the ball for the majority of the game, which they were expected to do. They limited the chances of their opponent, which given Burnley's goal differential of minus 20 before the match, didn't seem like too tall of an order.
Things were not negative coming out of this game though, despite the lack of enthusiasm from yours truly. Liverpool could have had more goals and should have, but other than that they did what they needed to do. They needed to win to stay within reach of the top four and did so, not knowing how the results of other matches were going. They got the victory without really expending a lot of energy as well, which is a definite plus given the 120 minutes they poured into their match against Besiktas and the emotion it took to get a victory over Manchester City only 3 days later. In addition to that, they got another clean sheet, which is something they struggled to do at the beginning of the year but are now getting in regularity.
As a team, nothing spectacular came from the match but as individuals there were several top notch performances. Coutinho continues to show that when his head is in the game, he is a game changer. He has speed, touch, shiftiness, an eye for the pass and an ability to score. The fact that Liverpool locked him up for several more years is a definite plus. Emre Can continues to show improvement and versatility. He is solid enough to use as part of the back three, but has shown the talent going forward and on the ball that he will be a very useful talent in the midfield in the years to come. Some have even gone as far to say that he will be the one to step into Steven Gerrard's shoes. I think those shoes are too big for Can to fill alone, but he definitely seems capable of making that void not as wide.
Joe Allen has also become quite the player in the recent weeks. He hasn't done anything flashy or put his name on the score sheet, but that is the point. Many fans, pundits and even myself often questioned why he was even in the squad, let alone the starting XI. Allen was weak on the ball, failed to win challenges and made poor decisions in his passing game in the first half of the season. But he has stepped up in a huge way since Gerrard's injury. By no means has the Welshman played like Gerrard, but he hasn't made mistakes and that's what you look for from a player of his quality. He doesn't need to make the flashy passes or fancy moves. He doesn't need to make pinpoint crosses or even stay on the ball long. He needs to be a linchpin in the midfield and an extra defender when needed and he has done just that.
Then there is Jordan Henderson. Henderson had plenty of scrutiny brought upon him with the penalty kick controversy a few weeks ago. He wasn't given a totally fair shake due to many assuming he will automatically be made captain once Gerrard comes to America. He did himself no favors by not playing particularly well either. However, the past few games he has really stepped up his game and not just due to the fact he has scored. Henderson has grown over the past couple weeks and dealt with adversity very well. He shrugged off the Europa League nonsense and came up huge for his team. Henderson scored an incredible goal in a big match against City that would have been the goal of the month or week, if not for Coutinho's strike. Then he scored a cracker of a shot against Burnley and dropped a cross right onto Sturridge's head for the insurance tally. Henderson might not be the captain in future years and will definitely never be the next Gerrard, but as long as he's the best Jordan Henderson he can be then he has justified his place in this club.
The bottom line is that Liverpool continue to win. Win pretty, win ugly, with with style or just get the job done. They did that today. It won't go down in the annals of Anfield as an historic or memorable match, but it didn't need to be. Over the course of a season, there are so many matches that it's impossible to show flair and style every single time. Even the super-clubs like Barcelona or Bayern Munich can't accomplish that. In the end, as long as the club continues to win then it doesn't matter how it was accomplished. Just continue to win and the rest will take care of itself.
Walk On
It was by no means a perfect game. The Reds failed to convert on chances that they may have if clicking on all cylinders, but ultimately it did not matter too much. Daniel Sturridge had a pretty good game. Obviously his form has had peaks and valleys since his return, but he remains a key for the squad to get into the top four by the end of the season. Sturridge scored a very good goal. Jordan Henderson sent in a beautiful cross from the right wing and Sturridge slipped between two defenders to nod in the second goal of the game. However, he failed to score on a breakaway and turned away from a cross that may have led to a goal as well.
Sturridge's game continues to evolve as he regains his fitness. When he is at his best, he continues to be a catalyst for good things for Liverpool. The only downside to his current form is, at times, he seems to be bitten by the Balotelli bug. There are brief times where the effort appears to not be there. There are times he shrinks back from challenges and does not go full boar the way he had last season. This is forgivable given the several injuries he accrued before finally settling back in the team this year, but one can only hope that once he feels 100% confident that he will attack without holding back.
This was one of those games where there really wasn't a whole lot to glean from it. Liverpool won, which they were expected to do. They held onto the ball for the majority of the game, which they were expected to do. They limited the chances of their opponent, which given Burnley's goal differential of minus 20 before the match, didn't seem like too tall of an order.
Things were not negative coming out of this game though, despite the lack of enthusiasm from yours truly. Liverpool could have had more goals and should have, but other than that they did what they needed to do. They needed to win to stay within reach of the top four and did so, not knowing how the results of other matches were going. They got the victory without really expending a lot of energy as well, which is a definite plus given the 120 minutes they poured into their match against Besiktas and the emotion it took to get a victory over Manchester City only 3 days later. In addition to that, they got another clean sheet, which is something they struggled to do at the beginning of the year but are now getting in regularity.
As a team, nothing spectacular came from the match but as individuals there were several top notch performances. Coutinho continues to show that when his head is in the game, he is a game changer. He has speed, touch, shiftiness, an eye for the pass and an ability to score. The fact that Liverpool locked him up for several more years is a definite plus. Emre Can continues to show improvement and versatility. He is solid enough to use as part of the back three, but has shown the talent going forward and on the ball that he will be a very useful talent in the midfield in the years to come. Some have even gone as far to say that he will be the one to step into Steven Gerrard's shoes. I think those shoes are too big for Can to fill alone, but he definitely seems capable of making that void not as wide.
Joe Allen has also become quite the player in the recent weeks. He hasn't done anything flashy or put his name on the score sheet, but that is the point. Many fans, pundits and even myself often questioned why he was even in the squad, let alone the starting XI. Allen was weak on the ball, failed to win challenges and made poor decisions in his passing game in the first half of the season. But he has stepped up in a huge way since Gerrard's injury. By no means has the Welshman played like Gerrard, but he hasn't made mistakes and that's what you look for from a player of his quality. He doesn't need to make the flashy passes or fancy moves. He doesn't need to make pinpoint crosses or even stay on the ball long. He needs to be a linchpin in the midfield and an extra defender when needed and he has done just that.
Then there is Jordan Henderson. Henderson had plenty of scrutiny brought upon him with the penalty kick controversy a few weeks ago. He wasn't given a totally fair shake due to many assuming he will automatically be made captain once Gerrard comes to America. He did himself no favors by not playing particularly well either. However, the past few games he has really stepped up his game and not just due to the fact he has scored. Henderson has grown over the past couple weeks and dealt with adversity very well. He shrugged off the Europa League nonsense and came up huge for his team. Henderson scored an incredible goal in a big match against City that would have been the goal of the month or week, if not for Coutinho's strike. Then he scored a cracker of a shot against Burnley and dropped a cross right onto Sturridge's head for the insurance tally. Henderson might not be the captain in future years and will definitely never be the next Gerrard, but as long as he's the best Jordan Henderson he can be then he has justified his place in this club.
The bottom line is that Liverpool continue to win. Win pretty, win ugly, with with style or just get the job done. They did that today. It won't go down in the annals of Anfield as an historic or memorable match, but it didn't need to be. Over the course of a season, there are so many matches that it's impossible to show flair and style every single time. Even the super-clubs like Barcelona or Bayern Munich can't accomplish that. In the end, as long as the club continues to win then it doesn't matter how it was accomplished. Just continue to win and the rest will take care of itself.
Walk On
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Liverpool Continue to March Up the Table
Liverpool managed a fantastic game against Manchester City, just days after a disastrous exit to Besiktas in the Europa League. While it certainly helped to get the huge boost that the Anfield faithful always provide, Liverpool came out with a zest for the game and with energy many feared would be lacking after expending 120 minutes of strength in Istanbul. Liverpool opened the game very positively, almost creating a chance mere minutes into the game.
Then the floodgates opened. Both teams bombed back and forth. Manchester City, title dreams slowly vanishing like that last sweet dream that fades into the morning, put forth a solid attack. Absorbing the first two or three minutes, they lashed out toward the Kop with reckless abandon. Their attacks often left holes in the back, which Liverpool were able to take advantage of in turn.
Despite his failings in Europe, Brendan Rodgers' decisions continue to bear fruit domestically. While the boss has labeled it as an injury, the consensus is that Coutinho was held out of the road game at Istanbul merely to give him a rest. Regardless of what the truth is, the decision turned out to be a genius one as Coutinho dominated the game from the Reds' point of view. The Brazilian talent was solid on the ball, made great decisions and slotted deft passes into places only his teammates could get the ball. Coutinho may not have scored the opening goal, but he formulated Liverpool's attack for most of the first half. He presented Manchester City with problems as he was too fast in some instances and too skilled to be marked in others.
Jordan Henderson, who despite recent games of solid play is not known for his clinical finishing, smashed what Arlo White described as one of the potential goals of the year. Little did White know what was to come later. Henderson, for his part, took the pass on the left side of the box. pushed it past the lunging defender and though it seemed as though he may have pushed it too far away, Vincent Kompany did not close the distance. Henderson then smashed a brilliant right footed curler into the upper 90 and Joe Hart stood no chance.
Liverpool's lead would not last forever, unfortunately for their fans. Though the Reds were able to withstand the onslaught in the opening foray of the match, their defensive lapses could not hold back the wave forever. Sergio Aguero managed to avoid several tackles as he slid along the top of the box. The City striker's skill managed to draw enough attention that Edin Dzeko slipped into the space between center backs. Dzeko took the pass neatly from Aguero, spotted it past the sliding Simon Mingolet and knotted up the game.
Both teams continued to take their chances and heading into the half, it appeared as though momentum may be sliding toward City. However, Liverpool took control of the game in the second half. Defying conventional wisdom which said City would have more energy having played on Tuesday and Liverpool on Thursday, the Reds took the game to their opponents. Coutinho took the game into his hands as well.
In the 75th minute, Coutinho scored a brilliant goal that was very similar to Henderson's but from an even tighter angle. Liverpool's manager had nothing but praise for his young player. "He is a joy to work with and a joy to watch," said Rodgers. "He is a kid who has so much ahead of him in the game. He is 22 years of age. People forget that he came to us at 19. He is a sensational footballer. To beat Joe Hart at that angle and power was a phenomenal shot."
Not only was it important to get the victory over City for the simple morale booster, of beating a team that is above you in the table and defeated you soundly earlier in the season, but to keep moving up the table yourself. Liverpool came into the match one point behind Southampton, who sat in sixth. The Saints lost on Saturday, which allowed Liverpool a chance to even tie for fourth spot. The win vaulted them two points over the Saints and into a tie with Arsenal. The tie did not last long as Liverpool's Merseyside companion, Everton, could not take down the Gunners but at least the Reds have a Champions League spot within an extremely realistic grasp.
Liverpool are the only Premier League team yet to lose a league match in the calander year of 2015. Rodgers believes working into a Champions League spot may be an even bigger accomplishment than hoped for. "If we can get into the top four, it is an even bigger accomplishment than last season because of our starting position."
Liverpool continue to take their Kopites on a rollercoaster of a season. Their lack of success in Europe and the ups and downs of cup competitions have kept fans guessing and wondering. In the league, they have yet to let people down. A loss is bound to come at some time and Liverpool still have Arsenal and Manchester United above, but they have placed themselves in a position where things are in their hands. The Reds have winnable matches the next two league games and then face all-important fixtures against the Red Devils at home and the Gunners on the road. Points are at a premium. As long as Liverpool continue to pick them up in each game, then there may be more European nights at Anfield next season.
Random Thoughts:
- I cannot imagine not starting Daniel Sturridge if he is fit, but he seems to be proving himself more of an asset at this stage coming off the bench. He failed to put the nail in the coffin on a couple chances, but still threatened the goal and one has to figure if he was in full form he would've slotted the goals in.
- Liverpool deserved to win. Bottom line. That said, Manchester City failed to connect on several chances that, given their skill, you would normally expect them to finish off. The formation still suits the Reds, but I just worry about their defensive skill if faced with a team that is flying.
- Adam Lallana continues to be a bit of a mystery. Some games he looks fantastic, like this one against City. Others, he completely disappears like against Southampton. Perhaps the occasion of facing his former team was too much for him on that night.
Walk On
Then the floodgates opened. Both teams bombed back and forth. Manchester City, title dreams slowly vanishing like that last sweet dream that fades into the morning, put forth a solid attack. Absorbing the first two or three minutes, they lashed out toward the Kop with reckless abandon. Their attacks often left holes in the back, which Liverpool were able to take advantage of in turn.
Despite his failings in Europe, Brendan Rodgers' decisions continue to bear fruit domestically. While the boss has labeled it as an injury, the consensus is that Coutinho was held out of the road game at Istanbul merely to give him a rest. Regardless of what the truth is, the decision turned out to be a genius one as Coutinho dominated the game from the Reds' point of view. The Brazilian talent was solid on the ball, made great decisions and slotted deft passes into places only his teammates could get the ball. Coutinho may not have scored the opening goal, but he formulated Liverpool's attack for most of the first half. He presented Manchester City with problems as he was too fast in some instances and too skilled to be marked in others.
Jordan Henderson, who despite recent games of solid play is not known for his clinical finishing, smashed what Arlo White described as one of the potential goals of the year. Little did White know what was to come later. Henderson, for his part, took the pass on the left side of the box. pushed it past the lunging defender and though it seemed as though he may have pushed it too far away, Vincent Kompany did not close the distance. Henderson then smashed a brilliant right footed curler into the upper 90 and Joe Hart stood no chance.
Liverpool's lead would not last forever, unfortunately for their fans. Though the Reds were able to withstand the onslaught in the opening foray of the match, their defensive lapses could not hold back the wave forever. Sergio Aguero managed to avoid several tackles as he slid along the top of the box. The City striker's skill managed to draw enough attention that Edin Dzeko slipped into the space between center backs. Dzeko took the pass neatly from Aguero, spotted it past the sliding Simon Mingolet and knotted up the game.
Both teams continued to take their chances and heading into the half, it appeared as though momentum may be sliding toward City. However, Liverpool took control of the game in the second half. Defying conventional wisdom which said City would have more energy having played on Tuesday and Liverpool on Thursday, the Reds took the game to their opponents. Coutinho took the game into his hands as well.
In the 75th minute, Coutinho scored a brilliant goal that was very similar to Henderson's but from an even tighter angle. Liverpool's manager had nothing but praise for his young player. "He is a joy to work with and a joy to watch," said Rodgers. "He is a kid who has so much ahead of him in the game. He is 22 years of age. People forget that he came to us at 19. He is a sensational footballer. To beat Joe Hart at that angle and power was a phenomenal shot."
Not only was it important to get the victory over City for the simple morale booster, of beating a team that is above you in the table and defeated you soundly earlier in the season, but to keep moving up the table yourself. Liverpool came into the match one point behind Southampton, who sat in sixth. The Saints lost on Saturday, which allowed Liverpool a chance to even tie for fourth spot. The win vaulted them two points over the Saints and into a tie with Arsenal. The tie did not last long as Liverpool's Merseyside companion, Everton, could not take down the Gunners but at least the Reds have a Champions League spot within an extremely realistic grasp.
Liverpool are the only Premier League team yet to lose a league match in the calander year of 2015. Rodgers believes working into a Champions League spot may be an even bigger accomplishment than hoped for. "If we can get into the top four, it is an even bigger accomplishment than last season because of our starting position."
Liverpool continue to take their Kopites on a rollercoaster of a season. Their lack of success in Europe and the ups and downs of cup competitions have kept fans guessing and wondering. In the league, they have yet to let people down. A loss is bound to come at some time and Liverpool still have Arsenal and Manchester United above, but they have placed themselves in a position where things are in their hands. The Reds have winnable matches the next two league games and then face all-important fixtures against the Red Devils at home and the Gunners on the road. Points are at a premium. As long as Liverpool continue to pick them up in each game, then there may be more European nights at Anfield next season.
Random Thoughts:
- I cannot imagine not starting Daniel Sturridge if he is fit, but he seems to be proving himself more of an asset at this stage coming off the bench. He failed to put the nail in the coffin on a couple chances, but still threatened the goal and one has to figure if he was in full form he would've slotted the goals in.
- Liverpool deserved to win. Bottom line. That said, Manchester City failed to connect on several chances that, given their skill, you would normally expect them to finish off. The formation still suits the Reds, but I just worry about their defensive skill if faced with a team that is flying.
- Adam Lallana continues to be a bit of a mystery. Some games he looks fantastic, like this one against City. Others, he completely disappears like against Southampton. Perhaps the occasion of facing his former team was too much for him on that night.
Walk On
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