Liverpool Snatches a Draw From the Jaws of Victory

It was always going to be a tough task - turning around Liverpool FC.  There were those, like myself, that had consumed the kool-aid and believed the signings were good and the team just wasn't playing up to snuff.  Then there were those, that while overly negative at times, probably had a better grasp on what the truth of this team really was.  Liverpool, for all their successes in years past, for all the money they've spent and for as close to a title they came just a few seasons ago, really aren't one of the big boys at the moment.

As has been the case the last few weeks, regardless of who was the manager, Liverpool managed to create a few chances but they simply don't have the ability to finish right now.  In his midweek meetings with the press, Jurgen Klopp even acknowledged his players seem to be experiencing a bit of anxiety in the attacking end.  The team has a lot of skill on the ball, but there just isn't that true threat on goal.  Granted, much of that, at the moment, is due to injuries.  Christian Benteke did not start the match against Southampton even though he was fit enough to be in the squad and Daniel Sturridge continues to prove that he may be the Derrick Rose of the Premier League - boatloads of talent that is rarely on the field.

Divock Origi has the ability to develop into a top class player, but he is far from the finished product right now.  He has done his best in the last couple matches featured in a starting role, but just appears more suited to the role being asked of Adam Lallana than the main striker.  Whether from a forced perspective or simply wanting a change of pace, Klopp wisely put on the big Belgian after the half.

Almost immediately, Benteke had an impact.  Only two minutes into the second 45, Lallana played a ball through to the left.  Benteke ran onto it and almost slid it back across to the Englishman, with Coutinho waiting even further along if it slipped through.  Alas, it only went for a corner, but Liverpool used that energy to keep up the pressure and earn two more corners immediately after.  The second half also served as a wake-up call for the Anfield faithful.

The glow of Klopp's arrival perhaps wearing off just a bit, the first half saw the Red's supporters a bit quiet and apprehensive like they were in the final few weeks of Brendan Rodgers' reign.  In the second frame, they were more lively even breaking out a brief rendition of some songs during the 52nd minute.  Despite the good vibes, the apprehension remained on the field.

Liverpool still looked decent when in attack mode, but like a baseball hitter gripping the bat too tightly, they were just pressing too much.  Alberto Moreno blasted one across the face of goal with too much pace in the 56th minute and then ripped one 20 feet over the bar a minute later.  Moreno did make up for those miscues with an absolutely perfectly timed tackle in the box when Southampton seemed to have a breakaway in the 60th minute.

Firmino came on for Lallana in the 67th minute and then the game entered a rather dull period.  The squads traded trips up the field and then back with little to show.  As things seemed determined to settle into another goalless draw, James Milner took the ball up the right side in the 78th minute and lofted one into the box.  It seemed too far out for much to come of it, but Benteke got full power behind the header and placed it right into the upper 90 for Liverpool's first goal.  It was a top notch goal and one that fans will hope gives Benteke the lift to further goals coming.

Unfortunately, the good feelings were short lived.  The bane of Liverpool, no matter who they have in the back four, has been set pieces and a long free kick was their undoing in this match.  Unable to clear the initial attempt, Gaston Ramirez headed it back across the goal for Mane to finish off past a lunging Milner and Simon Mingolet.  While there was little blame for any one player, it just had that stomach turning feel of Liverpool snatching a draw from the jaws of victory.

The bottom line is that this team remains disappointing.  Southampton is a good side, but Liverpool needed to find a way to win.  Other than a bit more optimism in the stands and a bit more effort shown on the field, there has been no difference in the results of Rodgers and Klopp.  That's no knock against the new manager, just the truth.  It's a bit of a harsher reality for those of us that drank the aforementioned kool-aid, because we're coming to the realization that the players simply aren't good enough.

Injuries have played a huge role in results but nobody has outperformed themselves simply because they have a new manager.  Coutinho seems to have actually regressed a step since the change.  There is definitely a more positive vibe with Klopp in charge, but it just hasn't translated onto the field and into goals.  Klopp seems to have shored up the defense overall, but they've also conceded a goal in two of the three games the German has been in charge.  In the end it's just more proof that the turnaround may be farther away than any of us envisioned and definitely farther away than we had hoped.

Random Thoughts:
- I was glad to see Liverpool legend, Stevie Nicol actually agreed with me about Adam Lallana, since it had seemed I was alone in the thoughts that he's just not that great.  He has technical ability unmatched by many in the game.  However, he cannot score and doesn't seem to do a great job of setting anyone else up to score either.  He would be a nice change of pace player off the bench, but as a starter he just isn't getting it done.

- I'm eager to see what new and creative ways people come up with to put this result on Simon Mingolet.  I understand it's the trait of typical lazy fans who have no concept of how to play the position, but I always get a tickle out of their insane need to blame goalkeepers for any goal.

- I keep hoping for the day when Liverpool will have two healthy strikers.  Perhaps I'm old fashioned or perhaps I'm too stuck in the old American style but I just think you need two true strikers.  Benteke is a strong man, but especially in the Premier League, if you don't have the second layer of attackers capable of providing quick support, then a holding striker just isn't going to create enough offense.

Walk On