After a lengthy break (around 16 days), Liverpool returned to action. They seemed to have everything set up for a victory but that's why we play the games.
Liverpool was going up against Leicester. The Reds had their form back with a strong win over Tottenham, Leicester was reeling from the unpopular firing of Claudio Ranieri and the Foxes had not scored a Premier League goal in 2017.
All set up for Liverpool right? Not so fast my friend.
The Foxes came out with a lot of energy in the first few moments. Liverpool looked shaky on the backline and just a step slow. Their goalkeeper kept them into the contest with a couple early saves, but it would not last long enough.
Liverpool's defensive lapses were clear when Leicester scored the opening goal in the 28th minute. Lucas, who has played valiantly but is not a defender, was charged with marking Jamie Vardy. However, he was shoulder to shoulder with the striker as the through ball was played and Vardy scored on a breakaway with, really, only Simon Mignolet to beat.
Liverpool did not hang their heads. They almost came up with a moment of brilliance just a short time later. Coutinho was denied the equalizer only a minute or so later when Kasper Schmeichel made himself big, diving to stop the Brazilian's one timer.
Despite the Reds dominance through midfield, they could not really spring things on the attack. That left too much room for the Foxes to feel they were in the game. The Liverpool defensive woes continued as well.
In the 40th minute, the Reds failed to fully clear the ball from the penalty area. Liverpool looked lost when defending their own 18 yard box and Danny Drinkwater managed to make them pay. With the ball falling perfectly to him, he volleyed it from about 22 yards and curled it perfectly into the side netting.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, the Foxes looked like the team that won the 2016 Premier League title as opposed to the team that was in danger of being relegated. Liverpool came through the tunnel to open the second half with spirit, but spirit does not win games alone.
At one point, the Reds had 79% of the possession. They were pressing up the field and trying to probe the defense. They could not find a hole though.
Like the previous season, Leicester were not interested in playing an open game once they had a solid lead. The Foxes had plenty of players back to defend each push up the field. Then Leicester poached another one.
Against the run of play, a cross found Vardy. Vardy headed it home for his second of the game and a 3-0 lead with less than 30 minutes to go.
Liverpool tried some things, including some subs and brief formation changes. None of it was enough though.
There were bright spots. A bit of brilliance with some solid passing along the left and a good run by Emre Can was finished off by Coutinho. The forward's first goal in 16 games made the score 3-1.
In the end there was not enough moments of brilliance by the Reds. Schmeichel made some good saves to deny Liverpool any attempts at a comeback, but you just never felt like it was going to happen.
From a neutral perspective, it was a fine game to behold. There was solid defending, good countering and enough offense to keep even borderline fans entertained. Even as a non-neutral, it was hard not be taken in by the storyline of it all, especially with the fans salute to Ranieri.
From a Liverpool perspective, it was a disappointing performance. Even with a manager as good as Jurgen Klopp, this team continues to come out flat at the most random times. You can chalk it up to the time off, but that's no excuse.
Liverpool must find a way to defend better even when they have the current players on the field. The Reds have to be more cognizant of counter attacks, because that has almost crept up to a level spot with set pieces as the team's biggest weakness.
The Reds could have lept over Arsenal back into the top four. Now they remain a point behind with the Gunners having a chance to push the gap to four with a game in hand. Fortunately, Liverpool face Arsenal next and can keep their fate in their own hands.
Random Thoughts:
- Where is Ragnar Klavan? I appreciate the talents of Lucas and James Milner, but you cannot have two midfielders comprising the left side of your defense? Liverpool brought this guy in and it seems hard to imagine that even a young central defender is not preferable to a midfielder out of position. Who knew that we would all be clamoring for Dejan Lovren.
- As far as I'm concerned, the biggest issue missing from Liverpool after their break, other than the speed level, was killer instinct. Possession does not mean a thing if you can't finish. Liverpool seemed hesitant to let fly in an attempt to keep pushing further or find that extra bit of space that never materialized. The Reds are at their best when they feel free to have a go from anywhere.
- I mentioned it above, but it bares repeating - Liverpool have to keep counterattacks to a minimum. It's impossible to have none, especially against good teams. Still, when the Reds did enough through the flow of the game to earn some points but looked absolutely lost at times when Leicester flung balls over the top, it's a big problem.
Walk On
Monday, February 27, 2017
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Real Liverpool Finally Show Up In 2017
Liverpool FC entered their pivotal clash with Tottenham on the wrong side of a streak. The Reds had a skid of three games without a win.
Additionally, they had only won one game since the start of the calendar year. They had looked solid in a couple of those matches, but things just were not going well by the final whistle blow.
So, it was important that Liverpool got off to a good start to get things rolling downhill instead of the usual uphill battle. That's exactly what happened in this instance, setting Anfield alight.
It was the player that had been missing in many of those matches that got things rolling. Sadio Mane scored in the 16th minute with a nice finish. After a great ball from the midfield, Mane used his speed to get through on a breakaway, cut back toward his right in the penalty box and tucked it past Hugo Lloris.
That goal was enough to get us all excited about the other 74 minutes, but we did not have to wait for long for another. It was Mane again in the 18th minute.
This time Liverpool came in force together. A shot from the right was initially saved from Lloris. The rebound came to the middle and the Spurs goalkeeper slid out to make another important stop. He could not control the rebound a second time and Mane was Johnny on the Spot from the left to bang it past and into the net to make it 2-0.
Mane almost had his third only moments later. Again coming down the right side, it appeared as though he got it through the goakeeper's legs and into the net. Unfortunately for those watching on television, it had just hit the side netting as Lloris barely got a leg on it as it went through the wickets.
As the game went on, Spurs got their way into it a bit more. Liverpool were a little lax on the backside and that allowed Tottenham a few chances. You almost got the feeling a goal before the half was coming. It never materialized.
The game settled in during the second half. Both teams pressed forward and created a chance here or there, but overall the game had calmed down quite a bit.
Coutinho missed a decent chance in the 74th minute. He slid it between the defender's leg, but it flashed wide of the left post.
Overall, it was an uneventful second 45. Other than the odd chance here or there the only things hitting the radar were potential injuries. Mane slipped on the warning track and appeared to tweak something for a moment. After that Adam Lallana got shaken up just moments later.
In the end, the victory was attained and that is what is most important. Liverpool needed a win and one against one of the big boys.
The Reds also temporarily jumped back into the top four. They are currently tied in points with Manchester City, who have a game in hand. However, Liverpool are now just one point back of the Spurs for second in the league.
It appears as though nobody will stay consistent enough to catch Chelsea. So, staying in the top four is the key issue right now and the Reds took a nice step to keep that focus alive.
Random Thoughts:
- To see Liverpool play so well against the team currently in second in the table is actually somewhat frustrating. It's great to see on the day, but it becomes sad that Liverpool can play so well against the top teams and have some of their worst games against the bottom feeders.
- At least the Reds can focus completely on the league right now. The Cup competitions were a distraction and while nobody wanted them to crash out of both, the Reds have no excuses going forward. It's league or nothing.
- As fans, we should savor the season because the summer is too long. However, this team needs to find some depth. I love James Milner and Lucas as players and admire their spirit for stepping into whatever role is asked of them. However, Liverpool cannot expect to keep winning and contending if they have midfield players in defender's roles. The Reds need players true to their position going forward.
Walk On
Additionally, they had only won one game since the start of the calendar year. They had looked solid in a couple of those matches, but things just were not going well by the final whistle blow.
So, it was important that Liverpool got off to a good start to get things rolling downhill instead of the usual uphill battle. That's exactly what happened in this instance, setting Anfield alight.
It was the player that had been missing in many of those matches that got things rolling. Sadio Mane scored in the 16th minute with a nice finish. After a great ball from the midfield, Mane used his speed to get through on a breakaway, cut back toward his right in the penalty box and tucked it past Hugo Lloris.
That goal was enough to get us all excited about the other 74 minutes, but we did not have to wait for long for another. It was Mane again in the 18th minute.
This time Liverpool came in force together. A shot from the right was initially saved from Lloris. The rebound came to the middle and the Spurs goalkeeper slid out to make another important stop. He could not control the rebound a second time and Mane was Johnny on the Spot from the left to bang it past and into the net to make it 2-0.
Mane almost had his third only moments later. Again coming down the right side, it appeared as though he got it through the goakeeper's legs and into the net. Unfortunately for those watching on television, it had just hit the side netting as Lloris barely got a leg on it as it went through the wickets.
As the game went on, Spurs got their way into it a bit more. Liverpool were a little lax on the backside and that allowed Tottenham a few chances. You almost got the feeling a goal before the half was coming. It never materialized.
The game settled in during the second half. Both teams pressed forward and created a chance here or there, but overall the game had calmed down quite a bit.
Coutinho missed a decent chance in the 74th minute. He slid it between the defender's leg, but it flashed wide of the left post.
Overall, it was an uneventful second 45. Other than the odd chance here or there the only things hitting the radar were potential injuries. Mane slipped on the warning track and appeared to tweak something for a moment. After that Adam Lallana got shaken up just moments later.
In the end, the victory was attained and that is what is most important. Liverpool needed a win and one against one of the big boys.
The Reds also temporarily jumped back into the top four. They are currently tied in points with Manchester City, who have a game in hand. However, Liverpool are now just one point back of the Spurs for second in the league.
It appears as though nobody will stay consistent enough to catch Chelsea. So, staying in the top four is the key issue right now and the Reds took a nice step to keep that focus alive.
Random Thoughts:
- To see Liverpool play so well against the team currently in second in the table is actually somewhat frustrating. It's great to see on the day, but it becomes sad that Liverpool can play so well against the top teams and have some of their worst games against the bottom feeders.
- At least the Reds can focus completely on the league right now. The Cup competitions were a distraction and while nobody wanted them to crash out of both, the Reds have no excuses going forward. It's league or nothing.
- As fans, we should savor the season because the summer is too long. However, this team needs to find some depth. I love James Milner and Lucas as players and admire their spirit for stepping into whatever role is asked of them. However, Liverpool cannot expect to keep winning and contending if they have midfield players in defender's roles. The Reds need players true to their position going forward.
Walk On
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