Let me preface today's blog with the fact that I did not see the entirety of today's match due to another DVR SNAFU (Which did not end up mattering as I saw the entire first half). Liverpool's faint glimmer of hope for Champions League football has been all but dashed. A midweek clash with Hull City, a squad fighting to stay above the relegation zone, seemed to be the good medicine Liverpool would need following a disappointing weekend match against West Brom. Despite manager Brendan Rodgers' claims that the club played well on the weekend and just did not score, the team failed to answer the call in a time when three points are ever so precious.
Again, three points were needed to continue any hope of playing in Europe's top competition in this Tuesday match and Liverpool, again, failed to answer the bell. This club, simply, has been a disappointment this season. Despite glimmers and flashes of what could be, there have been far too many bad performances from the team.
Liverpool did create chances. 12 shots and nine on target are not stats to be scoffed at, but the quality of some of the attempts leaves much to be desired. While the Reds could easily have had two or three goals in the first half - one coming off Mario Balotelli's backheel that went straight at the keeper, one coming off Coutinho's one-timer that went straight at the keeper and one that Jordan Henderson shot straight at the keeper - the bottom line is that the team did not finish their chances. As fans we want to believe that there is talent in this squad, but either it is not being utilized correctly or it is simply not there.
People may blame Mario Balotelli for the loss, and would not be completely incorrect, but in fairness he was in position to make three Hull City attackers offside. Unfortunately, the pass went to the one attacker smart enough to stay onside and nobody defended the ball. Yes, Balotelli played the man offside and shoulders a large bit of blame, but the lack of urgency in attempting to defend that ball was shocking. Premier League defenders should not be standing with their feet in quicksand and watching the ball go over their heads as though they were watching the first rocket blast into outer space.
One can also argue that the lack of urgency in this squad is quite alarming. Fine, you go down by a goal in a late season match, only three days removed from your last match and one on the road. But to see little to no fight after the halftime break is shocking. If not for Simon Mingolet, a goalkeeper many fans were willing to place on the sacrificial altar during the January window, this team would have lost many more than 10 games. The score would have been much worse than 1-0 in today's match as well. Mingolet has been a rare bright spot in the month of April as the team has crumbled around him.
The sad part of all this is we have reached the point where cold, hard, calculated moves must be made. Personally, I really like Brendan Rodgers. But if he has lost the ear of this team and seems unable to pull off the moves to keep Liverpool in the upper echelon, then he must go. Raheem Sterling is a great young talent. However, as good as he is and can be, seven goals is not good enough. I would not advocate selling him, but he has to do more than simply dribble and show speed to be a player deserving of the money he wants. Coutinho is in the same boat. He is a fantastic player, but more must be accomplished. He cannot simply keep the ball on a string and show filthy moves and then blast the ball over the bar. Sadly, despite their lack of truly accomplishing anything this season, those two have been the lone bright spots on this squad (at least in attacking terms).
Again, once the season is finished and every result tabulated, I will go more into depth about what this team needs and who is just not good enough. As supporters, though, we are incredibly disappointed and frustrated right now. Unfortunately, last year seems to be fools gold and we all took a piece. Everyone knew, the loss of one of the top five players in the world in Suarez was going to be a big blow, but we did not know that it would deprive the team of all its scoring. Nobody has stepped up to fill the void and players that were to be counted on in important roles like Daniel Sturridge and Lucas continue to get injured if you look at them the wrong way.
Even taking the supporter hat off, this team has become difficult to watch. The club is slow at the back, ineffective through the midfield and lack cutthroat, clinical finishing in attack. At this moment, we are all at a loss. Anger presents many options and opinions in the heat of the moment, but many are lacking any true thought or consideration. The winds of change are surely stirring inside the Shankly Gates, but for now all the fans can do is hope the season ends on an up-note. It is a sad state of affairs, given the promise going into the year, but that is what they are left with.
Walk On.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Champions League All But Gone
Liverpool came into this weekend with much to do. They needed results in pretty much every match, with all three points to come from as many games as possible. Only getting one point against a team like West Brom was not something that favored Liverpool's chances of sneaking into the top four. Unfortunately for the Reds, that is exactly the result they gained in this road match. Draws against Chelsea or even Stoke would've been more stomachable, but now the Reds must walk on with the knowledge that they could not break down a team that has flirted with relegation a few times this season.
Liverpool came out positively, as they usually do before it all goes to pot. Even without Daniel Sturridge, Lucas or Sakho, this was a team filled with enough talent on the ball to be able to do things. And things they did, until the final third. Liverpool were strong on the ball, mixed up the attack fairly well and plunged ahead with speed. Unfortunately, that same bug bit them that has been an issue all season. That bug is a lack of scoring punch.
Daniel Sturridge, for all his talents, has been a non-factor all year because he is either injured or played with a fear of getting injured. Raheem Sterling is a fantastic talent for the future, but a combination of contract disputes, a possible lack of off-field maturity and a simple positional change have limited what he has been able to accomplish this season. Mario Balotelli appears to be a failed experiment, both of his own doing and a lack of support when on the field. There are little to no true striking options coming off the bench, woefully proven by Fabio Borini coming into this match as a sub after having not even been included in the team for several weeks.
Despite the relative negativity of options, the Reds had their chances. Steven Gerrard narrowly missed on a free kick that was literally on the edge of the penalty box, in the first half. Balotelli put one over the bar as did a few other Liverpool attacks. The first half seemed littered with potential chances wasted by putting too much on and under the shot.
If the first half was a half of shots missing over the bar, the second was a half filled with chanced put off the bars. The Reds' best chance - one that probably should've been finished off - was a scramble in the box in the 56th minute. After an early scramble on the left side, Balotelli slid for a shot that was blocked by the defender. Coutinho then put it back in the mixer only to have it saved. The rebound came to Jordan Henderson. While Henderson was granted little time to decide, his shot came too low and was blocked instead of hitting a relatively open net.
Balotelli linked well on a chance for Jordan Ibe in the 63rd minute. Ibe's shot grazed the defender's leg and then crashed off the crossbar. Coutinho just missed one of his trademark long shots as it skimmed off the top netting in the 81st minute. Finally, a fitting end for Liverpool's day was a cross from Gerrard at the death that was narrowly headed wide by Dejan Lovren.
Liverpool had 74% of the possession. They more than doubled the shots taken of their opponent, 22-10. While those stats should be encouraging, they really are not. Despite 22 shots, only 5 were listed as on target, compared to four for West Bromwich Albion. As previously mentioned, Liverpool just did not take care of their opportunities. Give the opponent some credit. West Brom packed it in, often with seven or more players in the box, but Liverpool just did not have that finishing touch as they have not had much of the year. West Brom also had a pretty good record against the Reds in recent times.
The game itself was not a travesty. Liverpool had their chances. Liverpool defended reasonably well, though West Brom could have scored a couple times - one in particular that was too close was the opportunity cleared off the line by Lovren. Interestingly enough, when I awoke today the first thought in my head was what to write if this ended up being a goalless draw. Now I'm kicking myself.
In the grander scheme, this result just further cemented the uncertainty Liverpool will go into the summer with. Regardless of your feelings on him, Brendan Rodgers' job is in increasing jeopardy. Regardless of who the manager is next year, depth at striker is going to be a huge need in the off season. What is there to do about Mario Balotelli? His resale value will be exceedingly low, but if you keep him then he needs to be in a system where he is not the lone striker. His work rate and skills simply do not allow that to be a viable position for him. However, he is no longer the type of talent you can build a system to fit either. The defense has plenty of question marks as well, but I'll save that for the end of the year.
Though the game itself was simply boring, what is crushing about it is that it almost wipes out any chance at the Champions League. Realists will say it was almost impossible to begin with, but there were enough opportunities left for it still to be a reality. Now, there's just too much left to chance even if the Reds were to win out. While Liverpool has a seemingly easy schedule with only Chelsea left as a major obstacle, the teams ahead don't have much on their ledger either. Manchester United finishes off the year with matches against Everton, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull. Given their form, Arsenal seems the only likely spot they might drop points. City, meanwhile, end against Tottenham, QPR, Swansea and Southampton. A more slippery slope, perhaps, but still unlikely to produce the kinds of results Liverpool would need.
Liverpool currently sit nine points behind second place Manchester City, with five matches to go. If Liverpool win four of those they gain 12 points. 15 points if they upset Chelsea and won them all. Unfortunately the math just doesn't favor them. Even with all 12 or 15 points, that means that their opponents can only pick up 3-4 points of their remaining games. Sadly, that just isn't going to happen.
Random Thoughts:
- Many will disagree with me, especially given this result, but I still feel Rodgers is a good enough coach to win at Liverpool. I stated in my video blogs that Liverpool needs to put feelers out on Jurgen Klopp. If he is willing to come and not use Liverpool as a bargaining chip, then the time for change may be now. If not Klopp though, I don't see much out there that would really be better. Rodgers' failings have mainly come during the off seasons. He is a great tactitian and makes changes in season to turn things around. He must be better at judging players not in his system though, if he is to really return Liverpool to their previous heights.
- From a personal standpoint, I have come to the conclusion that Sturridge will never be fit enough to fully be counted on by Liverpool. I would not sell him for a pittance, but if you continue to try and build your offense around him, I just don't believe he will give you enough games. Sturridge can still be a valuable piece now and then if you keep him, but significant changes need to be made to the Reds' attack.
Walk On.
Liverpool came out positively, as they usually do before it all goes to pot. Even without Daniel Sturridge, Lucas or Sakho, this was a team filled with enough talent on the ball to be able to do things. And things they did, until the final third. Liverpool were strong on the ball, mixed up the attack fairly well and plunged ahead with speed. Unfortunately, that same bug bit them that has been an issue all season. That bug is a lack of scoring punch.
Daniel Sturridge, for all his talents, has been a non-factor all year because he is either injured or played with a fear of getting injured. Raheem Sterling is a fantastic talent for the future, but a combination of contract disputes, a possible lack of off-field maturity and a simple positional change have limited what he has been able to accomplish this season. Mario Balotelli appears to be a failed experiment, both of his own doing and a lack of support when on the field. There are little to no true striking options coming off the bench, woefully proven by Fabio Borini coming into this match as a sub after having not even been included in the team for several weeks.
Despite the relative negativity of options, the Reds had their chances. Steven Gerrard narrowly missed on a free kick that was literally on the edge of the penalty box, in the first half. Balotelli put one over the bar as did a few other Liverpool attacks. The first half seemed littered with potential chances wasted by putting too much on and under the shot.
If the first half was a half of shots missing over the bar, the second was a half filled with chanced put off the bars. The Reds' best chance - one that probably should've been finished off - was a scramble in the box in the 56th minute. After an early scramble on the left side, Balotelli slid for a shot that was blocked by the defender. Coutinho then put it back in the mixer only to have it saved. The rebound came to Jordan Henderson. While Henderson was granted little time to decide, his shot came too low and was blocked instead of hitting a relatively open net.
Balotelli linked well on a chance for Jordan Ibe in the 63rd minute. Ibe's shot grazed the defender's leg and then crashed off the crossbar. Coutinho just missed one of his trademark long shots as it skimmed off the top netting in the 81st minute. Finally, a fitting end for Liverpool's day was a cross from Gerrard at the death that was narrowly headed wide by Dejan Lovren.
Liverpool had 74% of the possession. They more than doubled the shots taken of their opponent, 22-10. While those stats should be encouraging, they really are not. Despite 22 shots, only 5 were listed as on target, compared to four for West Bromwich Albion. As previously mentioned, Liverpool just did not take care of their opportunities. Give the opponent some credit. West Brom packed it in, often with seven or more players in the box, but Liverpool just did not have that finishing touch as they have not had much of the year. West Brom also had a pretty good record against the Reds in recent times.
The game itself was not a travesty. Liverpool had their chances. Liverpool defended reasonably well, though West Brom could have scored a couple times - one in particular that was too close was the opportunity cleared off the line by Lovren. Interestingly enough, when I awoke today the first thought in my head was what to write if this ended up being a goalless draw. Now I'm kicking myself.
In the grander scheme, this result just further cemented the uncertainty Liverpool will go into the summer with. Regardless of your feelings on him, Brendan Rodgers' job is in increasing jeopardy. Regardless of who the manager is next year, depth at striker is going to be a huge need in the off season. What is there to do about Mario Balotelli? His resale value will be exceedingly low, but if you keep him then he needs to be in a system where he is not the lone striker. His work rate and skills simply do not allow that to be a viable position for him. However, he is no longer the type of talent you can build a system to fit either. The defense has plenty of question marks as well, but I'll save that for the end of the year.
Though the game itself was simply boring, what is crushing about it is that it almost wipes out any chance at the Champions League. Realists will say it was almost impossible to begin with, but there were enough opportunities left for it still to be a reality. Now, there's just too much left to chance even if the Reds were to win out. While Liverpool has a seemingly easy schedule with only Chelsea left as a major obstacle, the teams ahead don't have much on their ledger either. Manchester United finishes off the year with matches against Everton, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull. Given their form, Arsenal seems the only likely spot they might drop points. City, meanwhile, end against Tottenham, QPR, Swansea and Southampton. A more slippery slope, perhaps, but still unlikely to produce the kinds of results Liverpool would need.
Liverpool currently sit nine points behind second place Manchester City, with five matches to go. If Liverpool win four of those they gain 12 points. 15 points if they upset Chelsea and won them all. Unfortunately the math just doesn't favor them. Even with all 12 or 15 points, that means that their opponents can only pick up 3-4 points of their remaining games. Sadly, that just isn't going to happen.
Random Thoughts:
- Many will disagree with me, especially given this result, but I still feel Rodgers is a good enough coach to win at Liverpool. I stated in my video blogs that Liverpool needs to put feelers out on Jurgen Klopp. If he is willing to come and not use Liverpool as a bargaining chip, then the time for change may be now. If not Klopp though, I don't see much out there that would really be better. Rodgers' failings have mainly come during the off seasons. He is a great tactitian and makes changes in season to turn things around. He must be better at judging players not in his system though, if he is to really return Liverpool to their previous heights.
- From a personal standpoint, I have come to the conclusion that Sturridge will never be fit enough to fully be counted on by Liverpool. I would not sell him for a pittance, but if you continue to try and build your offense around him, I just don't believe he will give you enough games. Sturridge can still be a valuable piece now and then if you keep him, but significant changes need to be made to the Reds' attack.
Walk On.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
The Season That Got Away?
Hopes ran incredibly high for Liverpool Football Club coming into this season. In reality, it was never going to be easy with lots of new faces and the gaping hole left on the score sheet by the sale of Luis Suarez. However, it was impossible to contain the enthusiasm of the supporters after nearly ending the long drought of a league title the year prior. As the year progressed though, that enthusiasm has turned to exasperation as the Reds' fans have seen their team falter and slip on multiple occasions this year.
Liverpool came out positively in the FA Cup semifinal against Aston Villa. They enjoyed the better of the possession in the first half and pushed forward a decent amount, although the chances weren't always there. Aston Villa did have their own opportunities to go forward as well, though despite the announcers claim that they deserved better, Villa's opportunities came only due to Liverpool's lack of cohesive defending.
Liverpool even took the lead in the match as well. The Reds did not dominate the way they should have, but they made enough of possession for much of the first half. Steven Gerrard's tackle in the midfield led to possession. The ball pinged around the midfield players, including Jordan Henderson and Lazar Markovic, before Raheem Sterling laid it back to Coutinho. Coutinho ran onto the ball, took a shot that was deflected by defender Jores Okore and the ball hit the back of the net.
That was the last good run of form for the club the rest of the afternoon. The goal was created by the hole left by injured Nathan Baker, but Liverpool failed to take advantage again. Okore did settle in after creating the deficit, but Liverpool did little to bother the back line of the Villans. Aston Villa did do plenty to bother Liverpool's back line though.
Christian Benteke, the in-form striker in England, was the man to knot it up. Benteke was left reasonably unmarked in the 36th minute. Villa found him after slicing through Liverpool's defenses and he was not about to miss. The game was tied at the half and many suspected there would be changes to the Liverpool XI and they were right. However those changes proved to change little, if anything about this lackluster performance.
Mario Balotelli was brought on right out of the tunnel for Lazar Markovic, who was invisible during his 45 minutes on the pitch. Balotelli's inclusion, pushed Gerrard back into a defensive role after the captain did nothing in his time spent on the attack. Later in the half, Glen Johnson was subbed in for Joe Allen, in a bit of a head scratcher, since the Liverpool attack was the side of the game that seemed to really be suffering.
The changes, whether tactical or via substitution, did nothing to change the outcome of the game. Aston Villa managed the game winner nine minutes after the half. The Villans once again carved up the Liverpool defense and Fabian Delph took care of his business. Liverpool did try their best to create chances late on in the match, but it was too little too late.
Steven Gerrard had a pair of free kicks that were sent straight at the keeper. Mario Balotelli failed to cleanly settle the ball in the 60th minute, on the edge of the box, that could have led to a solid chance. Gerrard had an excellent chance on a head ball that seemed to be going in only to have it headed away by the defender placed on the back post. Balotelli charged forward quite often, but could do nothing in the end to change the fate of the Reds. Fittingly the match ended with a blast from Dejan Lovren that went about 10 yards off target.
There will be no miraculous ending to Steven Gerrard's chapter of the long story in Liverpool history. The Reds now have no chance at any silverware this season despite making the semifinals of both the league and domestic cups. The chance at European football is also slipping away as Liverpool's league form has faltered at the worst possible moment as well. A season that started with so much promise has melted into an amalgam of despair and anger for all parties involved.
Perhaps this team will prove its detractors wrong. Perhaps they will rally themselves in the league and sneak into the top four before the season's end. Perhaps. More likely is that all dreams of any tangible positives for this season have been dashed like waking from a dream. Time will tell. Regardless, the players on this team have to prove that they belong in a Liverpool shirt because as of right now massive changes could be on the way unless things radically change.
Random Thoughts:
- Gerrard settled into the match late on, but was non-existent for most of it. Say what you will about lack of playing time in recent months or injury or constant shifting of position, Gerrard simply was not the player we have become accustomed to seeing. Fox Sports' Warren Barton put it very well - it is simply time for Gerrard to move on. He does not provide enough in attack and is too slow in defense. Nothing can take away from anyone's memories of his spectacular play over the course of his career and this was not the way anyone hoped he would leave. However, his best days in the Premier League have faded into memory and the move to MLS looks like the best choice to be made each time.
- Linesmen need a refresher in what is offside. Aston Villa, honestly, deserved to win that match but Liverpool were robbed of an equalizer by the incorrect offside call in the 89th minute. Some may argue that the defenders may not have let up a step had the flag not gone up, but as it stands, Mario Balotelli was not offside and ended up slotting the ball into the back of the goal. Unfortunately, it was called offside and the result is a loss.
Walk On
Liverpool came out positively in the FA Cup semifinal against Aston Villa. They enjoyed the better of the possession in the first half and pushed forward a decent amount, although the chances weren't always there. Aston Villa did have their own opportunities to go forward as well, though despite the announcers claim that they deserved better, Villa's opportunities came only due to Liverpool's lack of cohesive defending.
Liverpool even took the lead in the match as well. The Reds did not dominate the way they should have, but they made enough of possession for much of the first half. Steven Gerrard's tackle in the midfield led to possession. The ball pinged around the midfield players, including Jordan Henderson and Lazar Markovic, before Raheem Sterling laid it back to Coutinho. Coutinho ran onto the ball, took a shot that was deflected by defender Jores Okore and the ball hit the back of the net.
That was the last good run of form for the club the rest of the afternoon. The goal was created by the hole left by injured Nathan Baker, but Liverpool failed to take advantage again. Okore did settle in after creating the deficit, but Liverpool did little to bother the back line of the Villans. Aston Villa did do plenty to bother Liverpool's back line though.
Christian Benteke, the in-form striker in England, was the man to knot it up. Benteke was left reasonably unmarked in the 36th minute. Villa found him after slicing through Liverpool's defenses and he was not about to miss. The game was tied at the half and many suspected there would be changes to the Liverpool XI and they were right. However those changes proved to change little, if anything about this lackluster performance.
Mario Balotelli was brought on right out of the tunnel for Lazar Markovic, who was invisible during his 45 minutes on the pitch. Balotelli's inclusion, pushed Gerrard back into a defensive role after the captain did nothing in his time spent on the attack. Later in the half, Glen Johnson was subbed in for Joe Allen, in a bit of a head scratcher, since the Liverpool attack was the side of the game that seemed to really be suffering.
The changes, whether tactical or via substitution, did nothing to change the outcome of the game. Aston Villa managed the game winner nine minutes after the half. The Villans once again carved up the Liverpool defense and Fabian Delph took care of his business. Liverpool did try their best to create chances late on in the match, but it was too little too late.
Steven Gerrard had a pair of free kicks that were sent straight at the keeper. Mario Balotelli failed to cleanly settle the ball in the 60th minute, on the edge of the box, that could have led to a solid chance. Gerrard had an excellent chance on a head ball that seemed to be going in only to have it headed away by the defender placed on the back post. Balotelli charged forward quite often, but could do nothing in the end to change the fate of the Reds. Fittingly the match ended with a blast from Dejan Lovren that went about 10 yards off target.
There will be no miraculous ending to Steven Gerrard's chapter of the long story in Liverpool history. The Reds now have no chance at any silverware this season despite making the semifinals of both the league and domestic cups. The chance at European football is also slipping away as Liverpool's league form has faltered at the worst possible moment as well. A season that started with so much promise has melted into an amalgam of despair and anger for all parties involved.
Perhaps this team will prove its detractors wrong. Perhaps they will rally themselves in the league and sneak into the top four before the season's end. Perhaps. More likely is that all dreams of any tangible positives for this season have been dashed like waking from a dream. Time will tell. Regardless, the players on this team have to prove that they belong in a Liverpool shirt because as of right now massive changes could be on the way unless things radically change.
Random Thoughts:
- Gerrard settled into the match late on, but was non-existent for most of it. Say what you will about lack of playing time in recent months or injury or constant shifting of position, Gerrard simply was not the player we have become accustomed to seeing. Fox Sports' Warren Barton put it very well - it is simply time for Gerrard to move on. He does not provide enough in attack and is too slow in defense. Nothing can take away from anyone's memories of his spectacular play over the course of his career and this was not the way anyone hoped he would leave. However, his best days in the Premier League have faded into memory and the move to MLS looks like the best choice to be made each time.
- Linesmen need a refresher in what is offside. Aston Villa, honestly, deserved to win that match but Liverpool were robbed of an equalizer by the incorrect offside call in the 89th minute. Some may argue that the defenders may not have let up a step had the flag not gone up, but as it stands, Mario Balotelli was not offside and ended up slotting the ball into the back of the goal. Unfortunately, it was called offside and the result is a loss.
Walk On
Monday, April 13, 2015
Liverpool Keep Hope Alive with Win Over Newcastle
The odds of getting into the top four are fairly slim for Liverpool Football Club, but at this point in the season all they can do is the best they can and see where the chips may fall. With this in mind, Liverpool got off to a good start both overall and within the match itself. The Reds dominated the opening 20 to 25 minutes and came away with an early lead for their efforts.
Brendan Rodgers did an excellent job of changing the team shape, given his lack of choices for the team due to injury and suspension. Liverpool were without Daniel Sturridge, Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel, all of whom usually play an important role in the team. Instead of just jamming his pieces into the same formation, Rodgers went to a back four defensively and placed Raheem Sterling on the outside with Coutinho in the middle to create mismatches in attack.
The tactic paid off in the ninth minute when Jordan Henderson sent in a nicely weighted long cross from the right. Sterling neatly coddled it with the laces, sliced through two defenders and finessed the shot over the monstrous Tim Krul. Again, the opening 25 minutes went almost all Liverpool's way. Coutinho showed fantastic skill in the 22nd minute, with a nifty settle, deft flick and cross toward goal. The cross was too pacey but showed Liverpool's dominance in attack for those kinds of moments.
Liverpool also looked positive against the physicality. Newcastle were very physical after going down by a goal and the smaller Reds side managed that side of the game very well. Liverpool's downfall in the second part of the first half was on the counter attack. The Reds were extremely positive when in possession, but when they gave it up, the Magpies created several chances. Newcastle continued their attack and continued to come close to evening the game at the end of the first and opening 10 minutes of the second half.
Mingolet had a top chance hit right at him in the 28th minute, Dejan Lovren was very lucky not to concede a penalty in the 38th minute, Mehdi Abeid nearly knotted it up with a blast just over the bar right before half and Mingolet smartly dove to the right and parried away a chance in the first minute of extra time before halftime.
Despite the occasional defensive lapses, Liverpool got the job done and kept the sheet clean. Simon Mingolet was not called upon often, but came up big for his club when asked to. The back four were not stellar by any means, but played well enough given the opponent to do their job. It is a system that will not work against every opponent, but that almost makes the performance a bit better when you aren't used to something and it works anyway.
Attacking, Liverpool have not looked much better throughout the season. There have been better flashes of brilliance, but as a whole, this game showed much promise. Sterling shook off the media hype and the backlash of the fans and scored. Joe Allen, of all people, gave Liverpool a cushion when he booted home a volley after missing the initial header. Jordan Henderson looked revived and bombed up the field off the ball like a true attacker. Coutinho, though kept off the scoresheet, was excellent on the ball. He made good decisions and continues his growth as a player. The way he keeps the ball on a string is, at times, mind boggling. Sterling and Coutinho dribble into trouble sometimes, but if they can continue to grow as players and make good mental decisions, those moments are more forgivable.
The big question now for Liverpool is what to do about the lineup. The FA Cup semifinal looms on the weekend and results must be continued to keep any chance at the top four alive. Given those important fixtures, do you tinker? Despite his skill and problems created for defenders, the team has often played better when not relying on Daniel Sturridge to score. Despite his legend status and calmness on the ball, Steven Gerrard has been inconsistent in his time on the pitch. Conversely, despite their recent good run of form, do you trust Lucas and Allen to not revert to early season form? Do you trust an attacking trio bereft of a true striker?
These are questions that only Brendan Rodgers can truly answer. Once he makes those choices, it is down to the players to perform. There were many, yours truly included, that questioned the starting XI for the Newcastle match. Players are the ones that ultimately decide whether managers choices will pay off or not. In the end, no fan can say they don't want Gerrard or Sturridge on the team sheet. It merely remains to be seen what contributions they have left to make and whether those contributions are made in 90 minutes or less.
Plenty remains this season for Liverpool. Silverware can be obtained. Manchester City continues to leave the door unlocked and the window cracked on top four possibilities. It is not what fans envisioned after last season's glorious run and heartbreaking end. However, when the club is at least in a position to look to themselves and still have good things happen then the season is still on a spot to be looked upon positively. Now it falls on the players to end it right.
Random Thoughts:
- Say what you will about the contract situation and who is to blame, Raheem Sterling is still a great talent. He is not the finished product yet though. A player worthy of the salary he is reportedly demanding would finish off the left footed chance in the 57th minute. Yes, the 6'4 Krul is a daunting physical presence, but Sterling needs to finish that. It could have haunted his team. Instead it did not and the young player can focus more on the training ground to get a better weak foot.
- Coutinho continues to amaze. As much as he frustrated and lacked skill last season, he has grown by leaps and bounds this season. As mentioned, he dribbles into trouble a tad too often but his touch in tight spaces is, at the moment, top ten in the world worthy.
- As a member of the Keeper's Union, I would be misguided not to bring up Simon Mingolet with praise. I honestly wondered if he would be able to recover mentally after being replaced by Brad Jones earlier this year. We will never know if he would have been reinstated if Jones did not get injured, but instead of wilting Mingolet came back with vengence. He is still not the perfect keeper and probably not in the top 10 in the world, but he has been a huge reason the club has performed so well - results against Arsenal and United not withstanding.
- I've been particularly pleased with the growth of Jordan Henderson. After a very slow start to the year, he has performed very admirably in the absence of Steven Gerrard and even when in the team with him. Henderson has been moved around from attacking midfield to defensive midfield to a wide position and done all reasonably well (some better than others obviously). The thing that I like about him is he is simply doing the best he can. He will never be another Gerrard and fans should not judge him in those shoes. But his decision making has improved as has his skill level this season. He cannot be judged based off others achievements, but whether he is the future captain or not, he has shown that he can be a valuable asset to this club.
Walk On.
Brendan Rodgers did an excellent job of changing the team shape, given his lack of choices for the team due to injury and suspension. Liverpool were without Daniel Sturridge, Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel, all of whom usually play an important role in the team. Instead of just jamming his pieces into the same formation, Rodgers went to a back four defensively and placed Raheem Sterling on the outside with Coutinho in the middle to create mismatches in attack.
The tactic paid off in the ninth minute when Jordan Henderson sent in a nicely weighted long cross from the right. Sterling neatly coddled it with the laces, sliced through two defenders and finessed the shot over the monstrous Tim Krul. Again, the opening 25 minutes went almost all Liverpool's way. Coutinho showed fantastic skill in the 22nd minute, with a nifty settle, deft flick and cross toward goal. The cross was too pacey but showed Liverpool's dominance in attack for those kinds of moments.
Liverpool also looked positive against the physicality. Newcastle were very physical after going down by a goal and the smaller Reds side managed that side of the game very well. Liverpool's downfall in the second part of the first half was on the counter attack. The Reds were extremely positive when in possession, but when they gave it up, the Magpies created several chances. Newcastle continued their attack and continued to come close to evening the game at the end of the first and opening 10 minutes of the second half.
Mingolet had a top chance hit right at him in the 28th minute, Dejan Lovren was very lucky not to concede a penalty in the 38th minute, Mehdi Abeid nearly knotted it up with a blast just over the bar right before half and Mingolet smartly dove to the right and parried away a chance in the first minute of extra time before halftime.
Despite the occasional defensive lapses, Liverpool got the job done and kept the sheet clean. Simon Mingolet was not called upon often, but came up big for his club when asked to. The back four were not stellar by any means, but played well enough given the opponent to do their job. It is a system that will not work against every opponent, but that almost makes the performance a bit better when you aren't used to something and it works anyway.
Attacking, Liverpool have not looked much better throughout the season. There have been better flashes of brilliance, but as a whole, this game showed much promise. Sterling shook off the media hype and the backlash of the fans and scored. Joe Allen, of all people, gave Liverpool a cushion when he booted home a volley after missing the initial header. Jordan Henderson looked revived and bombed up the field off the ball like a true attacker. Coutinho, though kept off the scoresheet, was excellent on the ball. He made good decisions and continues his growth as a player. The way he keeps the ball on a string is, at times, mind boggling. Sterling and Coutinho dribble into trouble sometimes, but if they can continue to grow as players and make good mental decisions, those moments are more forgivable.
The big question now for Liverpool is what to do about the lineup. The FA Cup semifinal looms on the weekend and results must be continued to keep any chance at the top four alive. Given those important fixtures, do you tinker? Despite his skill and problems created for defenders, the team has often played better when not relying on Daniel Sturridge to score. Despite his legend status and calmness on the ball, Steven Gerrard has been inconsistent in his time on the pitch. Conversely, despite their recent good run of form, do you trust Lucas and Allen to not revert to early season form? Do you trust an attacking trio bereft of a true striker?
These are questions that only Brendan Rodgers can truly answer. Once he makes those choices, it is down to the players to perform. There were many, yours truly included, that questioned the starting XI for the Newcastle match. Players are the ones that ultimately decide whether managers choices will pay off or not. In the end, no fan can say they don't want Gerrard or Sturridge on the team sheet. It merely remains to be seen what contributions they have left to make and whether those contributions are made in 90 minutes or less.
Plenty remains this season for Liverpool. Silverware can be obtained. Manchester City continues to leave the door unlocked and the window cracked on top four possibilities. It is not what fans envisioned after last season's glorious run and heartbreaking end. However, when the club is at least in a position to look to themselves and still have good things happen then the season is still on a spot to be looked upon positively. Now it falls on the players to end it right.
Random Thoughts:
- Say what you will about the contract situation and who is to blame, Raheem Sterling is still a great talent. He is not the finished product yet though. A player worthy of the salary he is reportedly demanding would finish off the left footed chance in the 57th minute. Yes, the 6'4 Krul is a daunting physical presence, but Sterling needs to finish that. It could have haunted his team. Instead it did not and the young player can focus more on the training ground to get a better weak foot.
- Coutinho continues to amaze. As much as he frustrated and lacked skill last season, he has grown by leaps and bounds this season. As mentioned, he dribbles into trouble a tad too often but his touch in tight spaces is, at the moment, top ten in the world worthy.
- As a member of the Keeper's Union, I would be misguided not to bring up Simon Mingolet with praise. I honestly wondered if he would be able to recover mentally after being replaced by Brad Jones earlier this year. We will never know if he would have been reinstated if Jones did not get injured, but instead of wilting Mingolet came back with vengence. He is still not the perfect keeper and probably not in the top 10 in the world, but he has been a huge reason the club has performed so well - results against Arsenal and United not withstanding.
- I've been particularly pleased with the growth of Jordan Henderson. After a very slow start to the year, he has performed very admirably in the absence of Steven Gerrard and even when in the team with him. Henderson has been moved around from attacking midfield to defensive midfield to a wide position and done all reasonably well (some better than others obviously). The thing that I like about him is he is simply doing the best he can. He will never be another Gerrard and fans should not judge him in those shoes. But his decision making has improved as has his skill level this season. He cannot be judged based off others achievements, but whether he is the future captain or not, he has shown that he can be a valuable asset to this club.
Walk On.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Liverpool Earn Wembley Appearance
Liverpool earned their way into an appearance at Wembley Stadium for an FA Cup semifinal match with Aston Villa. A hard fought replay against Blackburn Rovers went the Reds' way with a 1-0 win. In very few ways, if any, was this the game Liverpool fans were hoping for, but it was a victory. Following two bad losses to Manchester United and Arsenal in the league and several weeks of controversy surrounding the contract status of Raheem Sterling, Liverpool simply needed some positivity.
It wasn't the prettiest of games. Much of the first half, for Liverpool, was spent in possession that went nowhere. The Reds had the ball, knocked it around the back, pushed forward now and then but really created nothing. There was a nice flick back by Daniel Sturridge in the 16th minute that almost led to a chance. Coutinho had a sharp angle chance blocked in the 18th minute and Liverpool attacked reasonably well in the 20 minute stages. However, there was very little true pressure placed on Blackburn's keeper Simon Eastwood.
For a bit, it even seemed as though things would continue to pile up on Liverpool. Mamadou Sakho picked up an apparent hamstring injury and had to be subbed off in the 27th minute. The Reds were already shorthanded with suspensions to key players and the chosen substitute, Kolo Toure, was about as far from anything resembling good form as you can be in his time against Arsenal.
Things continued in the woe category as Coutinho appeared to have a golden chance in the 36th minute, when his shot seemed destined for the bottom right corner only to have Eastwood come up with a last second save. Eastwood was screened until the ball was about four yards out, which made the stop even more improbable. On the flip side of that coin, Simon Mingolet was called into action in the second half as well. Two huge saves, both diving to his left, probably saved the result for his club.
Mere moments after leaping to stop a drive heading for the upper left side of the goal, Mingolet kept one out of the bottom left with a save rivaling his counterpart. The Belgian keeper saw it very late and was screened by several of his own players. There was also a question of potential handball by Joe Allen, and by the letter of the law it may have been, but it was unintentional and did not alter the shot in any manner. That moment was really a catalyst for Liverpool.
They turned up the pressure in the 50th minute onward. They did allow the occasional counterattack or two, but really steadied the game. Kolo Toure had an excellent block in the 66th minute, not totally erasing his previous performance, but at least putting him back in a more positive light. Finally, Coutinho broke the deadlock in the 70th minute. Coutinho replaced Jordan Henderson on the corner kick and did not have a very good attempt, in all honesty. However, the Brazilian recouped possession, took a quick pass from Henderson in the box and rocketed a shot across the face of goal and in off the post.
One knock on the Reds' squad was their lack of urgency the rest of the half. Plenty could have gone wrong in the final 20 minutes and despite Liverpool's dominance of possession, they did not really seek out that second goal. It almost came back to bite them when Eastwood had a brilliant turn and shot in the box. Mingolet saw the shot late, but got down to block it and smother the 94th minute attempt and ultimately the Reds got the win.
Things haven't gone Liverpool's way lately and a win was sorely needed. While positives weren't abundantly available, they were there. The Reds did not crush the second tier opponent and did not look like world beaters, but they got the job done. They overcame the obstacle of suspensions to Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel and Emre Can. Toure did a reasonably good job of coming in and defending. Dejan Lovren was solid in possession and made no mistakes. Joe Allen will never be anyone's first choice, outside of perhaps his manager, but he did a solid job and did exactly what was asked of him in every way. Mingolet continued his top form. Sterling and Coutinho looked very positive as well.
Nobody will ever confuse Blackburn for a true stern test, but Liverpool did what was necessary and took enough away from the game to look forward instead of worrying too much about the last two games. That said, questions still linger for this side as they progress. Though Manchester City continues to leave the door cracked, gaining a top four spot will be incredibly difficult. The specter of a Europa League spot also looms. A league match against Chelsea is still on the horizon, but a date in Wembley Stadium is a pretty sweet carrot to put in your pocket. Now the team must simply look to themselves and do the best they can.
Random thoughts:
- I understand he was playing out of position, but I was confused to see Jordan Henderson constantly in the center of the field when he was technically listed as a wing back.
- Springboarding off that idea, again I realize that Henderson, Sterling or Adam Lallana are all out of position in the wingback position, but you have to put your best players in their best position and let the rest fall where it may. Sterling has been useless in the wing position and should always be part of the attacking trio in the current set up.
- Liverpool's defending corp needs to catch a break. Can will be available in the next match, but the injury to Sakho now throws more cloudiness into an already murky situation back there.
- Speaking of injury, given his recent history, Sturridge's asking to be subbed off was a bit troubling. He did not appear to be laboring, but one still worries when he asks to be removed.
- Liverpool supporters will always do their best to support whoever slips on the red kit. However, changes have to be made to this squad. Age and injury have played a huge role but players like Allen and Lucas just aren't good enough to be consistently relied upon and regardless of what formation Liverpool use going forward, they have to find a true wingback. The constant rotation on the outside is frustrating as a fan and provides no stability from a team standpoint.
- Things have been set up in a positive way for Liverpool. Aston Villa is probably going to be more concerned with staying out of the relegation zone and is in poor form to begin with. A finals appearance is not assured, but seems likely. Unfortunately, Liverpool may be forced to see an in-form Arsenal team once more, should that finals spot be attained.
Walk On.
It wasn't the prettiest of games. Much of the first half, for Liverpool, was spent in possession that went nowhere. The Reds had the ball, knocked it around the back, pushed forward now and then but really created nothing. There was a nice flick back by Daniel Sturridge in the 16th minute that almost led to a chance. Coutinho had a sharp angle chance blocked in the 18th minute and Liverpool attacked reasonably well in the 20 minute stages. However, there was very little true pressure placed on Blackburn's keeper Simon Eastwood.
For a bit, it even seemed as though things would continue to pile up on Liverpool. Mamadou Sakho picked up an apparent hamstring injury and had to be subbed off in the 27th minute. The Reds were already shorthanded with suspensions to key players and the chosen substitute, Kolo Toure, was about as far from anything resembling good form as you can be in his time against Arsenal.
Things continued in the woe category as Coutinho appeared to have a golden chance in the 36th minute, when his shot seemed destined for the bottom right corner only to have Eastwood come up with a last second save. Eastwood was screened until the ball was about four yards out, which made the stop even more improbable. On the flip side of that coin, Simon Mingolet was called into action in the second half as well. Two huge saves, both diving to his left, probably saved the result for his club.
Mere moments after leaping to stop a drive heading for the upper left side of the goal, Mingolet kept one out of the bottom left with a save rivaling his counterpart. The Belgian keeper saw it very late and was screened by several of his own players. There was also a question of potential handball by Joe Allen, and by the letter of the law it may have been, but it was unintentional and did not alter the shot in any manner. That moment was really a catalyst for Liverpool.
They turned up the pressure in the 50th minute onward. They did allow the occasional counterattack or two, but really steadied the game. Kolo Toure had an excellent block in the 66th minute, not totally erasing his previous performance, but at least putting him back in a more positive light. Finally, Coutinho broke the deadlock in the 70th minute. Coutinho replaced Jordan Henderson on the corner kick and did not have a very good attempt, in all honesty. However, the Brazilian recouped possession, took a quick pass from Henderson in the box and rocketed a shot across the face of goal and in off the post.
One knock on the Reds' squad was their lack of urgency the rest of the half. Plenty could have gone wrong in the final 20 minutes and despite Liverpool's dominance of possession, they did not really seek out that second goal. It almost came back to bite them when Eastwood had a brilliant turn and shot in the box. Mingolet saw the shot late, but got down to block it and smother the 94th minute attempt and ultimately the Reds got the win.
Things haven't gone Liverpool's way lately and a win was sorely needed. While positives weren't abundantly available, they were there. The Reds did not crush the second tier opponent and did not look like world beaters, but they got the job done. They overcame the obstacle of suspensions to Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel and Emre Can. Toure did a reasonably good job of coming in and defending. Dejan Lovren was solid in possession and made no mistakes. Joe Allen will never be anyone's first choice, outside of perhaps his manager, but he did a solid job and did exactly what was asked of him in every way. Mingolet continued his top form. Sterling and Coutinho looked very positive as well.
Nobody will ever confuse Blackburn for a true stern test, but Liverpool did what was necessary and took enough away from the game to look forward instead of worrying too much about the last two games. That said, questions still linger for this side as they progress. Though Manchester City continues to leave the door cracked, gaining a top four spot will be incredibly difficult. The specter of a Europa League spot also looms. A league match against Chelsea is still on the horizon, but a date in Wembley Stadium is a pretty sweet carrot to put in your pocket. Now the team must simply look to themselves and do the best they can.
Random thoughts:
- I understand he was playing out of position, but I was confused to see Jordan Henderson constantly in the center of the field when he was technically listed as a wing back.
- Springboarding off that idea, again I realize that Henderson, Sterling or Adam Lallana are all out of position in the wingback position, but you have to put your best players in their best position and let the rest fall where it may. Sterling has been useless in the wing position and should always be part of the attacking trio in the current set up.
- Liverpool's defending corp needs to catch a break. Can will be available in the next match, but the injury to Sakho now throws more cloudiness into an already murky situation back there.
- Speaking of injury, given his recent history, Sturridge's asking to be subbed off was a bit troubling. He did not appear to be laboring, but one still worries when he asks to be removed.
- Liverpool supporters will always do their best to support whoever slips on the red kit. However, changes have to be made to this squad. Age and injury have played a huge role but players like Allen and Lucas just aren't good enough to be consistently relied upon and regardless of what formation Liverpool use going forward, they have to find a true wingback. The constant rotation on the outside is frustrating as a fan and provides no stability from a team standpoint.
- Things have been set up in a positive way for Liverpool. Aston Villa is probably going to be more concerned with staying out of the relegation zone and is in poor form to begin with. A finals appearance is not assured, but seems likely. Unfortunately, Liverpool may be forced to see an in-form Arsenal team once more, should that finals spot be attained.
Walk On.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Liverpool Gunned Down by Arsenal
The international break was not very kind to Liverpool Football Club. Following an incredibly disappointing performance against Manchester United, that saw the Reds fall 2-1, many had hoped that a little breather would be beneficial. It was not.
Arsenal came out and dominated the match right from the get go. If not for two great saves from Simon Mingolet, Liverpool would have been down 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the match. Instead, the Belgian keeper bailed out his club and they settled into the match - for the midsection of the first half anyway. Unfortunately for Liverpool, if the first half was a sandwich, the middle would have been a sweet tasty jam, but the bread was riddled with mold.
Liverpool were dominated in the first ten minutes, settled in and created chances in the middle of the first half and then fell to pieces in the last ten minutes. In a span of eight minutes, Hector Bellarin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez all bulged the net and Liverpool were finished. Even more interesting was how quickly things turned.
The Reds were actually on the charge just prior to Bellarin's goal. They had pressed their way into the attacking third, were stringing together passes and actually looked threatening. Liverpool, by all rights, should have taken the lead in the match when Lazar Markovic elected not to take a shot and passed it off to Raheem Sterling. The pass was too far for Sterling to get a foot on and as went the chance, so went Liverpool's offense for the rest of the game.
Liverpool did manage to score a goal from a Jordan Henderson penalty kick in the 76th minute, but really that came down to a lack of urgency from Arsenal. Being up 3-0, the Gunners took their foot off the gas pedal and got sloppy. They stood back and absorbed a little bit of pressure and Bellarin tackled Sterling, leading to the penalty. Arsenal would get another goal in stoppage time against a 10 man Liverpool squad when Olivier Giroud made the Reds' defense look silly and banged home the Gunners' fourth.
The bottom line is, Liverpool never had a chance and that's a scary thought. The Reds were the in-form team for the better part of four months, but when they are off they struggle to look like a team that is better than mid-table. For two games there has been a lack of form, a lack of defending, a lack of mental fortitude and worst of all, a lack of fire. As fans and observers, it seems unthinkable to be unable to get up to face your biggest rivals with so much on the line. Two games in a row that would have put them in the top four for sure had they won. Instead those two games may end up being their downfall.
Liverpool now find themselves in a position of trying to hold onto fifth place, standing only one point ahead of Southampton and Tottenham. They are not eliminated from a top four finish, but they have taken it out of their own hands. With only seven games remaining in the Premier League season, Liverpool are now seven points behind fourth place. The Reds have plenty of winnable games, outside of a match with Chelsea in early May, but manager Brendan Rodgers will have to work his magic touch and figure out a lot of what ails his club.
Liverpool find themselves in a situation that even the great Bill Shankly could not guide them out of. Not only have they played poorly the last two matches, but hair pullingly bad decisions have put their future in question. Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel and now Emre Can have all taken themselves out of competition with poor choices.
Brendan Rodgers was forced to play a defensive midfield comprising Joe Allen and Lucas that was ineffective at best and incredibly inept at worst. The back three, a lineup of Can, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho looked immensely uncomfortable on the ball and often put their own goalkeeper in tenuous situations. Now, with Can out, Rodgers must continue to tinker with a lineup that has increasingly few good options.
Liverpool must find a way to overcome this adversity. Whether there are problems in the locker room or if this is just one of the valleys for a team that has had plenty of peaks and valleys, the Reds have to figure out a way to come together. They simply cannot regress the way they have. Much like the beginning of the season, the midfield is non-existent. There is a void between the defense and the attack. Much of that is due to players being out of position or getting playing time following long layoffs, but there just cannot be excuses at this point of the season.
Markovic did little to affect the game other than the missed chance. Joe Allen and Lucas were not working together and Lucas was awful on the ball to begin the game. Toure and Sakho looked like high school freshmen, the way they passed and looked shaky. Jordan Henderson played very hard, like a captain should, but was listed as part of the top three to begin the game and after about three minutes, was playing behind Markovic. Sterling was back in a striking role after spending a couple weeks as a wingback, which is puzzling in and of itself.
Liverpool must regroup and quickly. They have an FA Cup tie, on the road, on Wednesday. On paper, it could be the perfect opportunity to turn things back around. In reality, it has just as much a chance to dash all preseason goals. Liverpool will be without three key players for the FA Cup match and next Monday's league game. The Reds still have much to play for, but they are not making it easy, for their fans or themselves.
Random Thoughts:
- Is Europa League even worth it? Arguments can be made that any extra competition would be beneficial to teach a young team how to prepare for extra matches. However, Liverpool's run a year ago and Manchester United's charge back this year would argue that not having the distraction of European matches and getting extra training time may be more beneficial. By no means would any right thinking person want Liverpool to tank, but if the team cannot finish top four then finishing behind Southampton or Tottenham may not be so bad.
- Raheem Sterling better get things figured out quickly. I fully understand wanting to maximize your earning potential, but the games against United and certainly Arsenal prove that he is not to a caliber that deserves 150,000 a week. Sterling is only a promising prospect. He has great skills and speed in spades, but his shot is poor and weak and he dribbles into defenders too often. He needs to sign the deal in the offseason, continue to grow as a player and person and then the bigger contracts will line themselves up.
- Brendan Rodgers needs to be more proactive. He can be a top manager, when he is on his game and things are working well. However, he tends to react a bit too slowly. He hesitated to switch from a back four formation early in the year and the team labored. Now he stuck too long with his 3-4-3 and given the troops available, was made to pay the price due to its ineffectiveness. It will be interesting to see, not only who lines up but how they line up against Blackburn.
A Happy Easter to you all. And as a shameless plug, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQi3KGDK7lDPU0AyvCbBOfA. I discuss the hot sports topics, with a Midwestern slant during the week.
Walk On.
Arsenal came out and dominated the match right from the get go. If not for two great saves from Simon Mingolet, Liverpool would have been down 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the match. Instead, the Belgian keeper bailed out his club and they settled into the match - for the midsection of the first half anyway. Unfortunately for Liverpool, if the first half was a sandwich, the middle would have been a sweet tasty jam, but the bread was riddled with mold.
Liverpool were dominated in the first ten minutes, settled in and created chances in the middle of the first half and then fell to pieces in the last ten minutes. In a span of eight minutes, Hector Bellarin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez all bulged the net and Liverpool were finished. Even more interesting was how quickly things turned.
The Reds were actually on the charge just prior to Bellarin's goal. They had pressed their way into the attacking third, were stringing together passes and actually looked threatening. Liverpool, by all rights, should have taken the lead in the match when Lazar Markovic elected not to take a shot and passed it off to Raheem Sterling. The pass was too far for Sterling to get a foot on and as went the chance, so went Liverpool's offense for the rest of the game.
Liverpool did manage to score a goal from a Jordan Henderson penalty kick in the 76th minute, but really that came down to a lack of urgency from Arsenal. Being up 3-0, the Gunners took their foot off the gas pedal and got sloppy. They stood back and absorbed a little bit of pressure and Bellarin tackled Sterling, leading to the penalty. Arsenal would get another goal in stoppage time against a 10 man Liverpool squad when Olivier Giroud made the Reds' defense look silly and banged home the Gunners' fourth.
The bottom line is, Liverpool never had a chance and that's a scary thought. The Reds were the in-form team for the better part of four months, but when they are off they struggle to look like a team that is better than mid-table. For two games there has been a lack of form, a lack of defending, a lack of mental fortitude and worst of all, a lack of fire. As fans and observers, it seems unthinkable to be unable to get up to face your biggest rivals with so much on the line. Two games in a row that would have put them in the top four for sure had they won. Instead those two games may end up being their downfall.
Liverpool now find themselves in a position of trying to hold onto fifth place, standing only one point ahead of Southampton and Tottenham. They are not eliminated from a top four finish, but they have taken it out of their own hands. With only seven games remaining in the Premier League season, Liverpool are now seven points behind fourth place. The Reds have plenty of winnable games, outside of a match with Chelsea in early May, but manager Brendan Rodgers will have to work his magic touch and figure out a lot of what ails his club.
Liverpool find themselves in a situation that even the great Bill Shankly could not guide them out of. Not only have they played poorly the last two matches, but hair pullingly bad decisions have put their future in question. Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel and now Emre Can have all taken themselves out of competition with poor choices.
Brendan Rodgers was forced to play a defensive midfield comprising Joe Allen and Lucas that was ineffective at best and incredibly inept at worst. The back three, a lineup of Can, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho looked immensely uncomfortable on the ball and often put their own goalkeeper in tenuous situations. Now, with Can out, Rodgers must continue to tinker with a lineup that has increasingly few good options.
Liverpool must find a way to overcome this adversity. Whether there are problems in the locker room or if this is just one of the valleys for a team that has had plenty of peaks and valleys, the Reds have to figure out a way to come together. They simply cannot regress the way they have. Much like the beginning of the season, the midfield is non-existent. There is a void between the defense and the attack. Much of that is due to players being out of position or getting playing time following long layoffs, but there just cannot be excuses at this point of the season.
Markovic did little to affect the game other than the missed chance. Joe Allen and Lucas were not working together and Lucas was awful on the ball to begin the game. Toure and Sakho looked like high school freshmen, the way they passed and looked shaky. Jordan Henderson played very hard, like a captain should, but was listed as part of the top three to begin the game and after about three minutes, was playing behind Markovic. Sterling was back in a striking role after spending a couple weeks as a wingback, which is puzzling in and of itself.
Liverpool must regroup and quickly. They have an FA Cup tie, on the road, on Wednesday. On paper, it could be the perfect opportunity to turn things back around. In reality, it has just as much a chance to dash all preseason goals. Liverpool will be without three key players for the FA Cup match and next Monday's league game. The Reds still have much to play for, but they are not making it easy, for their fans or themselves.
Random Thoughts:
- Is Europa League even worth it? Arguments can be made that any extra competition would be beneficial to teach a young team how to prepare for extra matches. However, Liverpool's run a year ago and Manchester United's charge back this year would argue that not having the distraction of European matches and getting extra training time may be more beneficial. By no means would any right thinking person want Liverpool to tank, but if the team cannot finish top four then finishing behind Southampton or Tottenham may not be so bad.
- Raheem Sterling better get things figured out quickly. I fully understand wanting to maximize your earning potential, but the games against United and certainly Arsenal prove that he is not to a caliber that deserves 150,000 a week. Sterling is only a promising prospect. He has great skills and speed in spades, but his shot is poor and weak and he dribbles into defenders too often. He needs to sign the deal in the offseason, continue to grow as a player and person and then the bigger contracts will line themselves up.
- Brendan Rodgers needs to be more proactive. He can be a top manager, when he is on his game and things are working well. However, he tends to react a bit too slowly. He hesitated to switch from a back four formation early in the year and the team labored. Now he stuck too long with his 3-4-3 and given the troops available, was made to pay the price due to its ineffectiveness. It will be interesting to see, not only who lines up but how they line up against Blackburn.
A Happy Easter to you all. And as a shameless plug, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQi3KGDK7lDPU0AyvCbBOfA. I discuss the hot sports topics, with a Midwestern slant during the week.
Walk On.
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