Madness and Missed Chances Doom Reds

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