Liverpool Winning Games In Manchester United Style

It's not something any Liverpool supporter wants to think about, but right now Liverpool are winning in the same way Manchester United was winning earlier in the season.  The wins aren't pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but at this stage of the season three points is really all that matters.  Liverpool dominated most of the play in the opening 45, but failed to make a notch on the scoreboard.  Roberto Firmino blasted one off the post in the 25th minute after faking out two defenders.  Firmino was very solid in the first half, but just could not add to his league goal tally, which only sits at one currently.  Firmino was also denied with a spectacular save by Vito Mannone off his header in the 36th.

Liverpool had 66% of the possession in the first half, but couldn't break down the Sunderland defense.  As the game moved along, the Blackcats came close to countering as well.  The back four switched off for a moment and former Red, Fabio Borini almost poached a goal in the 33rd.  Sunderland also wasted a dangerous free kick when Adam Johnson skied it from just outside the box after a foolish challenge from Sakho.

Whether by skill or pure luck, Benteke took advantage of an early miscue by the Sunderland defenders and Liverpool scored only seconds into the second half.  The pass seemed to go through several bodies without taking a solid touch only to find the Belgian alone in the box behind everyone as he slotted it just past the keeper.  After that, there was very little to speak of for either team, both positively or negatively.  Liverpool were extremely clumsy in the 77th minute and almost conceded.  A poor Firmino clearance almost led to a goal.  Late substitute, Jordan Ibe, butchered a chance in the 88th minute that would have sealed the game by smashing the shot over the bar.  Then Benteke did the same as he shot into the goaltender in the 92nd.

Ultimately the three points were earned and the team moved up to seventh and within five points of a Champions League spot.  They also tied themselves on points with hated rival, Manchester United.  Much like their rivals, the wins have not been visually pleasing to the fans but they all count the same at the end of the year.  The interesting thing to view has been the different trajectories of the teams.  Despite being equal on points, United is in crisis and might fire their manager while Liverpool are on more of a slow, steady rise and are being praised for falling in line with Jurgen Klopp.

One of the things that remains a concern is the lack of goals.  Liverpool are currently the only team in the top ten that are not on the positive side of goal differential.  Liverpool's main problem seems to be they win games by one goal and then lose by multiple goals.  As well as the Red's defense can play at times, they need to figure out a way to score more frequently.  The defense is not good enough to win all the games for the team, so more goals are an absolute must.  The same is said for the Red Devils.  It's not an enviable position for Liverpool fans to be in - to be compared to anything from Manchester - but when the Champions League and even the top of the league is still within at least a dream, then the Reds will take it.

Random Thoughts:
- I'd like to thank either NBC Sports or ATT Uverse for saying the game started at 2pm.  I turned it on a minute after 2 and the game was already 16 minutes in.  At least nothing major happened.

- The sport is one of inconsistency, but the Brazilians of Liverpool need to find a way to do more in every game.  While Firmino had a pretty decent showing, Coutinho was almost nonexistent.

- Say what you will about the tackle, but many Reds' fans had to be worried when Sakho looked to be injured.  Skrtel is already nursing an injury and Sakho, himself, only recently returned from injury.  With only Kolo Toure in central defense left, any further injury might force Emre Can back into the uncomfortable role of defender.

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