No Silverware for Liverpool As They Drop Cup Final

As the season has gone on, the chances for silverware have dwindled for Liverpool.  Everything was on the table at season's start, but now there was only the league cup and maybe the Europa League.  With so many games remaining in Europe, the league cup was the focus on this day but the opponent was no pushover in Manchester City.

The first half left much to be desired, but didn't end up costing anyone anything.  In the 23rd minute, Liverpool caught on the counter attack.  Sergio Aguero almost picked out the bottom corner and Simon Mignolet got a tip to it and deflected it just enough to knock it to the post.  While Liverpool had a bit of possession, they just never threatened.

However, every time City got into the box, they were swarmed by Liverpool defenders but you just had a pit in your stomach expecting a penalty.  In the 33rd minute, Liverpool got a free kick just outside the box and wasted it, which was something you figured could not happen in this match.  Coutinho took it off the initial touch and whether he was crossing it or shooting, all he did was slice it away from target.  It was seemingly not the Brazilian's game as in the 45th minute the ball was deflecting around and came to Coutinho who vollied it nowhere near target again.

The first half was mostly much ado about nothing with both side wasting some opportunities.  Unfortunately it didnt take long for a goal to be scored in the second and it wasn't scored by the Reds.  Fernandino put City up 1-0 in the 49th, slipping one just underneath Simon Mignolet and into the far-side side netting.

 It wasn't the best of goals to give up, but people who have never played the position don't understand how difficult it is to actually stop the ball when it's on the ground and closer to you.  After that tally it was all about missed chances for both sides.  In the 55th minute, Sturridge slid one through into the box but Milner blasted it wide.  Then in the 60th minute Sterling missed an absolute sitter that should have made it 2-0 but instead left Liverpool with life.  Only two minutes later, the Reds were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Moreno swung his leg blindly at Aguero.

In 77th minute, Milner was again fed in the box and elected not to shoot and nothing came of the lame cross.  Two minutes after that, Sterling pooched another one wide right in front of net, further solidifying what Liverpool supporters already believed about him.  It was shaping up to be the kind of day where Sterling's misses would be the only enjoyment to take from the match.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, in the 84th minute the Reds pressed up.  Sturridge got the ball across the area to Adam Lallana.  After Lallana smashed it off the near post, Coutinho was alone on the spot to bang home the rebound.  In the 87th min, Mignolet makes a huge save on the doorstep and then came up with another brave stop lunging in front of Yaya Toure in the 88th minute.

With nobody claiming the dramatic goal at the death the two teams went to extra time.  It actually seemed like it could end up being Liverpool's day as the extra periods went on.  Despite appearing to have less energy, they kept plugging away and getting breaks.

Divock Origi took a good turn in the 12th min but fired it over the goal by almost as much height as distance he was away from the goal.  Then, Aguero almost ended it in the 15th minute, but another fingertip save by Mignolet kept it out.  Following that, it was Liverpool's turn to waste chances.

In the 17th minute, Lallana got in Sturridge's way on a clear header.  Then moments later, Caballero denied Origi, on his own header, on the doorstep.  Milner almost connected with Origi in the 21st minute and if Origi could have only gotten a toe to it, it may have scored.  A minute after, Milner almost went from hero to goat as he nearly botched the game trying to head it to Mignolet and Aguero put it over the goal.  No goals were given up though and to the dreaded penalty kicks.

Penalties:
Can - make, Lucas - miss (save), Coutinho - miss (save: hesitation BS), Lallana - miss (save)
Fernandino - miss (post), Navas - make, Aguero - make, Yaya Toure - make

As you can see, Liverpool fell on penalties 1-1 (3-1).  What is frustrating is the Reds' inability to take a simply kick.  You're 12 yards out with nobody to beat but the keeper and they just look absolutely terrible.  Coutinho tried that ridiculous hesitation step that makes my blood boil every time I see it.  Lucas' shot was ok but he would have been better served to shoot right down the middle and then Lallana's was just a top save by Caballero.

Conversely, many people will blame Mignolet because they have a personal vendetta against the man.  However, he guessed correctly on every shot.  It just came down the penalty takers for City were better than those for Liverpool.

Some will say City deserved to win, given the amount of chances they wasted.  City won and Liverpool did not.  This was the type of match where deserve had nothing to do with it.  Liverpool would not have "deserved" to win if they had but they did not "deserve" to lose.  Everything transpired and this was the outcome.  There were several things that could have changed one way or the other and the outcome could have been completely different.

It was positive to see the Reds battle until the end.  They have clearly adopted the spirit of their manager and if they can pick up on that so quickly, it bodes well for future teams when better players trickle in.  For now though, it is just more evidence that the players on the pitch just aren't the quality we thought or need.  Yes, the Europa League remains but as of this moment it's just a pipe dream and the silverware Liverpool had the best shot at slipped through their grasp.

Random Thoughts:
- Not to harp on the goalkeeping issue, but I really do get frustrated by the lack of understanding people who have never played the position.  Yes, Mignolet would have been better served by standing his ground and making a kick save.  However, when you have players within six yards of target and you have miliseconds to make a decision, it's never as simple as the pundits and toolboxes that yell at TVs make it.

- Say goodbye to Daniel Sturridge.  While I really hope he was playing for time and just trying to get the match to penalties, seeing him on the ground grasping at his calf gives me the impression that he will be listed as injured within a day or two and most likely miss the rest of the year.

- I still have hope for Christian Benteke, but that means absolutely nothing since I had hope for Mario Balotelli.  For whatever reason, the Belgian has fallen off the face of the earth as far as Jurgen Klopp is concerned and is looking like another wasted transfer.

- Going back to the Sturridge issue, it made me think - why is it that it seems like it's always attacking players that get cramped up and injure themselves?  I know that's not 100% accurate, but just in general it seems like you only see attacking players go out in such a way.  Yes, strikers sprint more, but defenders are constantly on the move and you just don't seem to see them laboring and walking and struggling as much.

- Ugh, Liverpool as I said did not "deserve" to win, but jeez if Milner could have put away his chances.  It was not his best of days offensively, to be sure.

Walk On