Liverpool faced off against Watford looking to wash away the bad taste in their mouth from their previous game. As has become somewhat the norm, Liverpool failed to do anything against a lower level team and fell to Crystal Palace.
Unfortunately for the Reds and their fans, they were playing against another mid-to-lower level team in Watford. Watford came into the early May fixture set in 13th place (out of 20) and 26 points behind Liverpool.
Nevertheless, things started out as almost all matches against these smaller clubs have. Liverpool had most of the possession but could not do anything with it.
To top off the lack of attack, the Reds were faced with an early injury. Coutinho, one of the few people on the Reds capable of attacking one-on-one, injured his right leg. Though he tried to hobble on for a few minutes, it was all for naught. Jurgen Klopp and the staff were forced to take him out in the 13th minute and put in Adam Lallana.
People who have read this blog long enough know I am not the president of Lallana's fan club. He is a decent player with some good skill, but he is not Coutinho. The one thing both have in common is an ability to disappear for long stretches.
Fortunately, Lallana is a quality enough player to at least fill the void. He might not have as much creativity and skill in tight quarters, but he can finish when given the opportunity and a bit of space.
Alas, for Liverpool that space was hard to come by in the opening 45. The Reds threaded passes through the defenders, but there always seemed to be a double team awaiting the recipient of the pass.
A few long balls here or there got the Reds as far forward as the penalty area and a cross or two even got inside. There just was not much room to do anything.
While it does not make for an exciting game to watch, you have to marvel at the ability to keep shape for so long and not get drawn out. On the flip side, Liverpool wants to be considered a top-tier team and top-tier teams find ways to break down those kinds of defenses.
Lallana almost created a bit of magic in the 41st minute. With a long strike off a goalkeeper's punch from a corner, Lallana smashed a volley that rang off the crossbar. Unfortunately, it would not cross the goal line and goose eggs remained on the scoreboard.
Just when it seemed like things would go into the break even, there was a bit of brilliance out of nowhere. With a little chip cross into the box from the right hand side, Emre Can was waiting.
Unbelievably, he went for the bicycle kick and connected. Whether intentionally or not, he got a bit of loft on the shot instead of power. That was enough to lob it over the goalkeeper and give the Reds a spectacular goal for their 1-0 lead.
The second half was a little different, but not much. Liverpool still had most of the ball, but they were not afforded much more space.
Watford did venture forward more in an attempt to equalize, but the Reds could not spring counters too much. Capoue almost found the tying shot, but was rewarded with a yellow card when he protested too loudly after not being given a corner when Simon Mignolet tipped it over the bar.
Liverpool should have doubled the lead in the 76th minute. Lallana was fed into the box alone, but the ball took a bobble and fell behind him. The defender was able to clear and the Reds did nothing with the ensuing corner.
The end of the contest was not exactly the stuff of legend. Too many balls aimlessly up in the air by both squads.
Daniel Sturridge came achingly close to scoring in added time. If not for a huge save from Gomes, it would have been 2-0.
In the end, Liverpool gained the 3 points. It was not a pretty but they won.
Watford almost tied it at the death, but we're denied by the bar. Liverpool failed to capitalize on the break. Those final moments crystalized the game.
The Reds can't find ways to break down packed defenses. Still, they found that one moment and finally made the most of it.
Random Thoughts:
- can Liverpool get some luck with injury? For the last few years their stars keep going down. Danny Ings has been gine, Sturridge can't stay in, Mane is out and now Coutinho. Those are just the big names. All teams have injury, but it seems the Reds get them even worse.
- it's hard to pinpoint who needs to go or stay. As individuals, Liverpool have good players. If you can't comfortably beat the minnows though, you can't keep pinning title hope on other teams losing.
- you win how you win. However the Reds need to know they cannot rely on their back four to see these games out. Too many chances against. Liverpool must keep pressing to relieve pressure.
Walk On
Showing posts with label Watford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Watford. Show all posts
Monday, May 1, 2017
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Liverpool Crush Watford But Still Concede A Goal
Liverpool came into their match with Watford expecting three points. The last time that was the case, the Reds got blanked in a rather depressing match against Burnley early in the year.
Though the match opened up closely, you didn't get the feeling that this would end the same way. Watford was focusing on defending, but there just seemed to be too much space for the Reds to not get goals.
The chances came, but from odd spots. The visitors almost got the first score of the game when a challenge in the midfield blasted a ball toward the Liverpool goal. It wasn't overly close in the end, but it was enough to put a small lump in Loris Karius' throat.
For Liverpool, it was central defender Lucas with two chances. He has not scored in six goals, but was unlucky to not find one early in the first half. Still, the team would not be held off the sheet for long.
Sadio Mane scored in the 27th minute with a fantastic flick from the corner. Coutinho made the wise choice to go short on the corner to Milner. The Brazilian got it back at a better angle and flung it into the box where Mane lunged toward it and just let it glance off his forehead.
Not even a full three minutes later, in the 30th minute, Coutinho finally got his own goal. Slicing through two defenders, he tucked it into the lower right side with power. It was a fitting finish to make up for the one he had just flashed wide minutes earlier.
It had seemed like Liverpool took their foot off the gas, but this offense can strike like lightning. In the 43rd minute, they got the ball up field with only a few touches. Adam Lallana served the ball in and Emre Can headed it back to where it came from, leaving the new goalkeeper absolutely nothing to do but stand there.
Liverpool were capable of being up by five or so. Nevertheless, being up by three and keeping Watford off the board for 45 minutes was a very good start.
LFC came out with the same kind of energy in the second half, but it looked a bit too easy. They looked like a team that was more interested in setting up something fancy or getting goals for those that didn't have them yet instead of taking the game by the throat.
That didn't keep them from scoring though. Some lax defending from Watford in the 57th minute allowed a cross to find a wide open Firmino. His goal made it 4-0. That wouldn't hold for long.
The Reds pushed numbers forward after a giveaway in midfield, fresh off a poor clearance by Watford. Firmino bullied his way onto the ball into the box on the right. He then slipped a deft pass to Mane, who put it to sleep with all the care of a new parent. That made it 5-0 just before stroke of the 61st minute.
Unfortunately, despite all the goal scoring, the Reds could not keep the defense compact. Liverpool got loose at the back following a couple subs, though the subs had nothing to do with it as players. Karius made some great saves to keep the clean sheet until the 75th minute.
Then, the defending became too poor and Janmat was all alone in the area. He bent it around the keeper and gave Watford its first goal of the game, keeping Liverpool's streak of not having clean sheets alive and well.
We have long known that Liverpool does not have the best defending in the league. It is a very makeshift unit, trying to do its best on most nights. Still, it is disappointing for the team to have played so well and then lose that extra little cherry of the clean sheet when Watford had not pressured until those late moments.
Liverpool were very unlucky to not return the margin of victory back to five earlier than they did. The team kept trying to set up Daniel Sturridge, but the home ground woodwoork was not kind. He did pick up an assist on Georginio Wijnaldum's score in the 91st minute, which at least got him off the goose egg in a red shirt.
In the end, it was a fantastic win, but the clean sheet gone spoiled it just a little. You can't be too disappointed with that fact though because Liverpool took advantage of other team's slipups. The Reds are atop the table for the first time in what feels like forever.
It is only by a point, but to see Liverpool on top alone feels pretty good.
Random Thoughts:
- I like Ian Darke as a broadcaster very much. He might have been a little too colorful with his description of Joel Matip though. As a broadcaster myself, I'm not sure I'd describe the lanky defender as slim and elegant.
- Say what you want about his demeanor or ability to stay healthy, but you have to feel for Sturridge. He should have had two goals and maybe more, but was denied by the posts twice and the goalkeeper just as many times.
- The shutout aspect probably isn't as important to some. As a goalkeeper, these were the games that were frustrating because there was no reason the chances should have even come.
- Nothing to do with the game, but how in the world did Danny Ings get hurt? He hasn't played in forever and then suffers a knee injury that will knock him out? Injuries happen, but to lose almost all or all of a season due to a training injury seems excessive.
Walk On
Though the match opened up closely, you didn't get the feeling that this would end the same way. Watford was focusing on defending, but there just seemed to be too much space for the Reds to not get goals.
The chances came, but from odd spots. The visitors almost got the first score of the game when a challenge in the midfield blasted a ball toward the Liverpool goal. It wasn't overly close in the end, but it was enough to put a small lump in Loris Karius' throat.
For Liverpool, it was central defender Lucas with two chances. He has not scored in six goals, but was unlucky to not find one early in the first half. Still, the team would not be held off the sheet for long.
Sadio Mane scored in the 27th minute with a fantastic flick from the corner. Coutinho made the wise choice to go short on the corner to Milner. The Brazilian got it back at a better angle and flung it into the box where Mane lunged toward it and just let it glance off his forehead.
Not even a full three minutes later, in the 30th minute, Coutinho finally got his own goal. Slicing through two defenders, he tucked it into the lower right side with power. It was a fitting finish to make up for the one he had just flashed wide minutes earlier.
It had seemed like Liverpool took their foot off the gas, but this offense can strike like lightning. In the 43rd minute, they got the ball up field with only a few touches. Adam Lallana served the ball in and Emre Can headed it back to where it came from, leaving the new goalkeeper absolutely nothing to do but stand there.
Liverpool were capable of being up by five or so. Nevertheless, being up by three and keeping Watford off the board for 45 minutes was a very good start.
LFC came out with the same kind of energy in the second half, but it looked a bit too easy. They looked like a team that was more interested in setting up something fancy or getting goals for those that didn't have them yet instead of taking the game by the throat.
That didn't keep them from scoring though. Some lax defending from Watford in the 57th minute allowed a cross to find a wide open Firmino. His goal made it 4-0. That wouldn't hold for long.
The Reds pushed numbers forward after a giveaway in midfield, fresh off a poor clearance by Watford. Firmino bullied his way onto the ball into the box on the right. He then slipped a deft pass to Mane, who put it to sleep with all the care of a new parent. That made it 5-0 just before stroke of the 61st minute.
Unfortunately, despite all the goal scoring, the Reds could not keep the defense compact. Liverpool got loose at the back following a couple subs, though the subs had nothing to do with it as players. Karius made some great saves to keep the clean sheet until the 75th minute.
Then, the defending became too poor and Janmat was all alone in the area. He bent it around the keeper and gave Watford its first goal of the game, keeping Liverpool's streak of not having clean sheets alive and well.
We have long known that Liverpool does not have the best defending in the league. It is a very makeshift unit, trying to do its best on most nights. Still, it is disappointing for the team to have played so well and then lose that extra little cherry of the clean sheet when Watford had not pressured until those late moments.
Liverpool were very unlucky to not return the margin of victory back to five earlier than they did. The team kept trying to set up Daniel Sturridge, but the home ground woodwoork was not kind. He did pick up an assist on Georginio Wijnaldum's score in the 91st minute, which at least got him off the goose egg in a red shirt.
In the end, it was a fantastic win, but the clean sheet gone spoiled it just a little. You can't be too disappointed with that fact though because Liverpool took advantage of other team's slipups. The Reds are atop the table for the first time in what feels like forever.
It is only by a point, but to see Liverpool on top alone feels pretty good.
Random Thoughts:
- I like Ian Darke as a broadcaster very much. He might have been a little too colorful with his description of Joel Matip though. As a broadcaster myself, I'm not sure I'd describe the lanky defender as slim and elegant.
- Say what you want about his demeanor or ability to stay healthy, but you have to feel for Sturridge. He should have had two goals and maybe more, but was denied by the posts twice and the goalkeeper just as many times.
- The shutout aspect probably isn't as important to some. As a goalkeeper, these were the games that were frustrating because there was no reason the chances should have even come.
- Nothing to do with the game, but how in the world did Danny Ings get hurt? He hasn't played in forever and then suffers a knee injury that will knock him out? Injuries happen, but to lose almost all or all of a season due to a training injury seems excessive.
Walk On
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Liverpool Cruise Against Watford; Gain More Experience For Youth
Coming off their thrilling win in the Europa League on Thursday, you couldn't have been shocked to see a completely different Liverpool squad. Somewhat surprisingly, there were more players still in the lineup than anticipated.
There were still a lot of changed. Simon Mignolet, Alberto Moreno and Coutinho were the only holdovers from the Villareal game. Lucas and Allen were also the regulars playing again, though they didn't start the previous fixture. The changes, as they have in several games in the past, seemed to put Liverpool in a position of having to feel out their own game instead of just attacking Watford.
Initially it almost cost them. A careless backpass was almost intercepted, Moreno had to make a tackle to save a breakaway and a failed clearance from a cross led to a chance wasted by Almen Abdi as he flubbed it off his shin.
Liverpool on the otherhand were a bit like the ocean. Calm most of the time, but attacking in waves. They would probe forward and spend a moment or two in the attacking third before their infamiliarity with eachother would cause an errant pass. Benteke's inclusion also changed the offensive objectives.
The big Belgian is a fine player, but often gets glued to one spot. Instead of cutting in and out of the channels, he almost exclusively wants the ball served to him in the center and in the air. It isn't a bad thing, but it certainly creates a different dynamic. Daniel Sturridge may not run 100mph for every single ball, but he comes out wide and goes wing to wing and tries to find the open spaces. Benteke seems to be more willing to hope he can make spaces after getting the ball.
Much the way the entire first half had gone, the first goal of the game was a little underwhelming visually. Nevertheless it was a strong finish by Joe Allen to give Liverpool the 1-0 lead with about 10 minutes remaining in the half. The long ball into the box following a free kick was neatly nodded down by Benteke into the pathh of Allen who slid to knock it just under the diving goalkeeper.
The second half opened with much of the same from Liverpool, pushing numbers forward. However, it was a lapse at the back that almost and probably should have ended in a Watford equalizer. The defenders got caught flat footed and Odion Ighalo was left alone at the top of the box. He went for precision instead of power and that allowed Mignolet to get a fingertip to it, just enough to parry it wide about 10 minutes into the half.
The way much of the second half went, it seemed as though the game would either end 1-0 or Watford might find an equalizer. Then second half substitute, Roberto Firmino took it upon himself to change that. Receiving a pass from Benteke, the Brazilian took the ball about 20 yards, pulled it back from a defender and cut a shot into the side netting in the 76th minute.
Once on top by two, the Reds seemed to find a bit more comfort. They made several quality attacks, mostly through Benteke and were unfortunate to not add another goal. Fans always want to see as many balls hit the back of the net as possible, but this was a decent game that offered quality time to up and coming players.
Sheyi Ojo and Kevin Stewart got good experience, Jon Flanagan got a start and never seemed to wear down, Connor Randall and Cameron Brannagan got a few minutes of time and for all his faults, Bentke seemed to gain a bit of confidence and better effort.
Beating Watford isn't going to set the world on fire, but you can only defeat the team that is on the pitch. Liverpool did that and it's a positive given some of their poor performances following European games as well. It also kept the main roster rested so they'll be available for selection against Chelsea coming up.
Random Thoughts
- As a goalkeeper, I'm not quite sure why they would have needed to rest Mignolet if Danny Ward had been healthy. Granted, I'm not in the shape that pros are, but I can't imagine not being able to play two or three games in a week. It's not like us keepers are sprinting for 90 minutes.
- As crazy as fans and players can get in the top leagues like the EPL, I'm glad the worst you usually see is a stamp. A player for Pittsburgh in the USL straight up kicked a player from Red Bulls 2 with his spikes in the spine on May 7. There is video of it online if you want to see it. Quite the disgusting display.
- Defenders, or good defenders I should say, don't grow on trees but it will be nice to get some fresh blood in next season. I like Lucas, but playing him as a center back gives me fits. Sadly though, he's been more consistent than Skrtel who may be gone in the transfer window.
Walk On
There were still a lot of changed. Simon Mignolet, Alberto Moreno and Coutinho were the only holdovers from the Villareal game. Lucas and Allen were also the regulars playing again, though they didn't start the previous fixture. The changes, as they have in several games in the past, seemed to put Liverpool in a position of having to feel out their own game instead of just attacking Watford.
Initially it almost cost them. A careless backpass was almost intercepted, Moreno had to make a tackle to save a breakaway and a failed clearance from a cross led to a chance wasted by Almen Abdi as he flubbed it off his shin.
Liverpool on the otherhand were a bit like the ocean. Calm most of the time, but attacking in waves. They would probe forward and spend a moment or two in the attacking third before their infamiliarity with eachother would cause an errant pass. Benteke's inclusion also changed the offensive objectives.
The big Belgian is a fine player, but often gets glued to one spot. Instead of cutting in and out of the channels, he almost exclusively wants the ball served to him in the center and in the air. It isn't a bad thing, but it certainly creates a different dynamic. Daniel Sturridge may not run 100mph for every single ball, but he comes out wide and goes wing to wing and tries to find the open spaces. Benteke seems to be more willing to hope he can make spaces after getting the ball.
Much the way the entire first half had gone, the first goal of the game was a little underwhelming visually. Nevertheless it was a strong finish by Joe Allen to give Liverpool the 1-0 lead with about 10 minutes remaining in the half. The long ball into the box following a free kick was neatly nodded down by Benteke into the pathh of Allen who slid to knock it just under the diving goalkeeper.
The second half opened with much of the same from Liverpool, pushing numbers forward. However, it was a lapse at the back that almost and probably should have ended in a Watford equalizer. The defenders got caught flat footed and Odion Ighalo was left alone at the top of the box. He went for precision instead of power and that allowed Mignolet to get a fingertip to it, just enough to parry it wide about 10 minutes into the half.
The way much of the second half went, it seemed as though the game would either end 1-0 or Watford might find an equalizer. Then second half substitute, Roberto Firmino took it upon himself to change that. Receiving a pass from Benteke, the Brazilian took the ball about 20 yards, pulled it back from a defender and cut a shot into the side netting in the 76th minute.
Once on top by two, the Reds seemed to find a bit more comfort. They made several quality attacks, mostly through Benteke and were unfortunate to not add another goal. Fans always want to see as many balls hit the back of the net as possible, but this was a decent game that offered quality time to up and coming players.
Sheyi Ojo and Kevin Stewart got good experience, Jon Flanagan got a start and never seemed to wear down, Connor Randall and Cameron Brannagan got a few minutes of time and for all his faults, Bentke seemed to gain a bit of confidence and better effort.
Beating Watford isn't going to set the world on fire, but you can only defeat the team that is on the pitch. Liverpool did that and it's a positive given some of their poor performances following European games as well. It also kept the main roster rested so they'll be available for selection against Chelsea coming up.
Random Thoughts
- As a goalkeeper, I'm not quite sure why they would have needed to rest Mignolet if Danny Ward had been healthy. Granted, I'm not in the shape that pros are, but I can't imagine not being able to play two or three games in a week. It's not like us keepers are sprinting for 90 minutes.
- As crazy as fans and players can get in the top leagues like the EPL, I'm glad the worst you usually see is a stamp. A player for Pittsburgh in the USL straight up kicked a player from Red Bulls 2 with his spikes in the spine on May 7. There is video of it online if you want to see it. Quite the disgusting display.
- Defenders, or good defenders I should say, don't grow on trees but it will be nice to get some fresh blood in next season. I like Lucas, but playing him as a center back gives me fits. Sadly though, he's been more consistent than Skrtel who may be gone in the transfer window.
Walk On
Sunday, December 20, 2015
The Force Is Not Strong With Liverpool Against Watford
My apologies for the title, but after a game like that one has to try and pick up their spirits. You know the day is not going to go well when the club allow a goal such as the one given up in the first few minutes. Rarely, in this writer's eyes, is the goalkeeper truly to blame for a goal but Adam Bogdan was at fault for the opening goal of the contest.
It appeared as though Bogdan overjumped in his attempt to claim the ball and had to adjust the position of his hands. He spilled the ball and while a case could be made that it was kicked from his grasp, you still expect a Premier League goalkeeper to be able to handle that sort of ball. Bogdan again looked panicked in the 34th minute when he wildly attempted to punch a ball that he could have easily claimed it. That original play did solidify two things, however. Firstly, Liverpool may be the worst they've ever been in the last three seasons at set pieces.
Whether corner kicks or free kicks, the Reds seem completely inept and unable to defend. Fans, quite rightly, shake in their boots every time because it's as though you can sense the goal will be conceded. Even when they do not concede, they never really look very confident during the transaction.
Secondly, unless a transfer can be made in the January window, perhaps the question of whether Bogdan should start over Simon Mingolet is now put to rest. It was by no means a majority, but there were growing rumbles that Bogdan should be given a look instead of Mingolet. He was given that chance and botched it almost from the start. Bogdan was a hero in the penalty shoot out in the league cup, but those competitions are probably where his talents are best served.
The Reds tried to do something positive. They had a blast from Nathaniel Clyne blocked in the ninth minute and then an opportunity again in the 11th. Despite any of that, Liverpool never really looked settled into the game. Understandably, they may have been complacent due to the fact that the club had not lost to Watford in the league in this century.
But the players needed to realize the position of their opponent in the table, not necessarily only focus on the name of the team. The Hornets currently sit in seventh, but have been as high as fifth at times this season and Liverpool treated them as though they were a team from the relegation zone. Liverpool never seemed interested or ready to match the energy and the physicality of their exuberant foes.
Liverpool just seemed completely unaware for the majority of the fixture. That point was nevermore evident than in the 38th minute. Adam Lallana was driving at the defender with Jordan Henderson streaking up the wing. Instead of easily finding his teammate, Lallana had a poor touch and took it right into the defender. No attack was gained at all
The game, as a whole, also showed what has been evident from the entire league this season but has now reared its head for Liverpool - there is absolutely no team this season that is very good. No disrespect to Leicester City, because they have earned their top spot, but when they are the top team in the league you can tell that nobody else is playing up to standard.
Teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool have just never gotten into a role for a long stretch. Liverpool can blow City out of the stadium and then drop games to Newcastle or Watford. The same has been true of all the "big clubs." There is absolutely nothing wrong with smaller clubs doing well or bigger ones struggling, but as far as the Reds are concerned, they had better figure out who they are and what they're truly capable of. If they do not, it will be another wasted season resting on the laurels of a coaching change as an excuse.
Random Thoughts:
- I believe Jurgen Klopp is doing the best he can, but these lineups without a true strikr are just not working with any consistency. No, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi have not lived up to expectation but they have to be given the opportunity. Granted, we do not see what these players do in training, but strikers have to be given the chance to produce.
- Can we please not start Adam Lallana? Just once? The man is talented, but he is completely lost right now. He provides nothing offensively or defensively outside of a rare moment or two. I see no reason why Lallana cannot sit on the bench while Firmino stays in his position and either Benteke or Origi play up front. The trio of Firmino, Coutinho and a true striker can't be any worse than a trio of nothing but wingers.
- Klopp's honeymoon is over. Not with the fans, but with the players. The German may be unwilling to change much in January, but he will have to make big changes to the club to fit how he wants to play. The current group of Reds don't seem to be able to do it right now.
Walk On
It appeared as though Bogdan overjumped in his attempt to claim the ball and had to adjust the position of his hands. He spilled the ball and while a case could be made that it was kicked from his grasp, you still expect a Premier League goalkeeper to be able to handle that sort of ball. Bogdan again looked panicked in the 34th minute when he wildly attempted to punch a ball that he could have easily claimed it. That original play did solidify two things, however. Firstly, Liverpool may be the worst they've ever been in the last three seasons at set pieces.
Whether corner kicks or free kicks, the Reds seem completely inept and unable to defend. Fans, quite rightly, shake in their boots every time because it's as though you can sense the goal will be conceded. Even when they do not concede, they never really look very confident during the transaction.
Secondly, unless a transfer can be made in the January window, perhaps the question of whether Bogdan should start over Simon Mingolet is now put to rest. It was by no means a majority, but there were growing rumbles that Bogdan should be given a look instead of Mingolet. He was given that chance and botched it almost from the start. Bogdan was a hero in the penalty shoot out in the league cup, but those competitions are probably where his talents are best served.
The Reds tried to do something positive. They had a blast from Nathaniel Clyne blocked in the ninth minute and then an opportunity again in the 11th. Despite any of that, Liverpool never really looked settled into the game. Understandably, they may have been complacent due to the fact that the club had not lost to Watford in the league in this century.
But the players needed to realize the position of their opponent in the table, not necessarily only focus on the name of the team. The Hornets currently sit in seventh, but have been as high as fifth at times this season and Liverpool treated them as though they were a team from the relegation zone. Liverpool never seemed interested or ready to match the energy and the physicality of their exuberant foes.
Liverpool just seemed completely unaware for the majority of the fixture. That point was nevermore evident than in the 38th minute. Adam Lallana was driving at the defender with Jordan Henderson streaking up the wing. Instead of easily finding his teammate, Lallana had a poor touch and took it right into the defender. No attack was gained at all
The game, as a whole, also showed what has been evident from the entire league this season but has now reared its head for Liverpool - there is absolutely no team this season that is very good. No disrespect to Leicester City, because they have earned their top spot, but when they are the top team in the league you can tell that nobody else is playing up to standard.
Teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool have just never gotten into a role for a long stretch. Liverpool can blow City out of the stadium and then drop games to Newcastle or Watford. The same has been true of all the "big clubs." There is absolutely nothing wrong with smaller clubs doing well or bigger ones struggling, but as far as the Reds are concerned, they had better figure out who they are and what they're truly capable of. If they do not, it will be another wasted season resting on the laurels of a coaching change as an excuse.
Random Thoughts:
- I believe Jurgen Klopp is doing the best he can, but these lineups without a true strikr are just not working with any consistency. No, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi have not lived up to expectation but they have to be given the opportunity. Granted, we do not see what these players do in training, but strikers have to be given the chance to produce.
- Can we please not start Adam Lallana? Just once? The man is talented, but he is completely lost right now. He provides nothing offensively or defensively outside of a rare moment or two. I see no reason why Lallana cannot sit on the bench while Firmino stays in his position and either Benteke or Origi play up front. The trio of Firmino, Coutinho and a true striker can't be any worse than a trio of nothing but wingers.
- Klopp's honeymoon is over. Not with the fans, but with the players. The German may be unwilling to change much in January, but he will have to make big changes to the club to fit how he wants to play. The current group of Reds don't seem to be able to do it right now.
Walk On
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