Liverpool came into the road leg of their Europa League matchup with Besiktas seemingly in control of their own destiny. Despite a relatively slim lead of only 1-0, from the controversial Mario Balotelli penalty kick at Anfield, all the power was in Liverpool's hands. They had a slight margin for error with the one goal lead. They had momentum coming off a huge win over the weekend over Southampton, where they dominated most of the game. All Liverpool had to do was score one goal and they would force the Turkish side to score three goals to win, due to the away goal rule.
Liverpool could not accomplish such a feat. The Reds came out in the first half and both squads probed at each other. Neither really had great chances in the first fifteen to twenty minutes, but the flow of the game was what would be expected given the circumstances. Liverpool did what they set out to do, according to Brendan Rodgers' prematch statements. They held up the ball, knocked it around and did their best to absorb the match until the initial wave washed over Istanbul. It worked.
You can disagree with the tactics or want to see Liverpool come out flying right from the opening whistle, but it worked...in the first half. Liverpool held to their game plan in the opening 45 minutes and took the energy out of Besiktas. Liverpool dominated possession and sprung several attacks from the 20th minute until halftime. Honestly, Liverpool should have been 1-0 up at the half. Daniel Sturridge has regressed after his firecracker start returning from injury.
Sturridge did not complete a run toward the goal line, where he would have had a chance at a Raheem Sterling cross. Instead he planted himself on the penalty spot where even a chip cross would have been difficult to complete. Sturridge was sprung on a semi-breakaway in the 28th minute, but was not at fault for failing to score there - the awful pitch at Besiktas' temporary home would not allow for any true rolls or bounces. Sturridge was also given a great through ball by Balotelli in the 33rd minute, but instead of striking it first or second time, he tried to dribble around two or three defenders.
Sturridge has some excuse, though it is not much of one given his status in the team. This match was really the first game since returning from injury that he was asked to go all 90 minutes and then some. It was clear as the match wore on that Sturridge's fitness is not up to his own standards. He is by no means out of shape, but is appearing more like a man that has not played for half a season rather than one of the feared strikers in the Premier League.
Regardless of Sturridge's failings in the first half or disappearing in the second, the entire team is at fault in the second half. Blame for that has to be with the manager. Long has this blog been a safe haven for Brendan Rodgers, whether during the difficult times at the start of the season or when every choice made by the boss was pure gold. However Rodgers failed his team in the second half. Liverpool came out and once they saw the pressure that Besiktas was going to throw at them, they capitulated. Liverpool sat back and tried to defend for 45 minutes, which is something that almost no team can do, especially one that is not known for being the most stout at the back end.
Perhaps it was a tactical decision made in the locker room at the break. Perhaps it was merely tired legs taking over for the Reds' midfield and defenders. Perhaps the players thought the Turkish side were going to roll over after the wave of attack that Liverpool had thrust upon them to end half number one. Whatever the reasoning, Rodgers needed to change something. Well before Liverpool conceded the equalizing goal, you could sense what was coming.
Liverpool did not look like a side that were simply defending and repelling each Besiktas attack with ease. This was a team that was under constant duress and flailing balls away just to catch a breath. If the choice to defend was tactically made, Rodgers should have seen it was not effective and undone it. If it was the case of the players thinking their opponent would not have the energy to pounce on them, then Rodgers needed to plant the seed either from the sideline or at the half that the match was not anywhere near over.
Instead, Liverpool did nothing with possession, gave the ball away constantly, backed away from attacks with speed and ultimately let up the tying goal. Tolgay-Ali Arslan capitalized on the mistouch from Demba Ba and ripped one that split the defenders and curled away from a diving Simon Mingolet. The Reds finally mustered up a bit of possession and looked more in control of the game following the equalizer, but really did not threaten. It became more of cat and mouse game with both sides seeking to not make the mistake that would cost the game rather than actually trying to seize it.
Rodgers continued to make slightly odd decisions in his substitutions as well. While nobody can fault the idea of taking Balotelli off to keep the team at 11 men, given his earlier yellow card, it seemed odd given that Liverpool seemed to be playing for penalties and Balotelli is the best on the squad that was in Turkey. Jodan Ibe came off for Javier Manquillo in a decision that was odd given Ibe's youth and thus potentially more stamina and the fact that Manquillo is more defensive minded and, again, Liverpool were seeking penalties. Finally Rickie Lambert came on, which is fine, but took off Daniel Sturridge who you would think would be needed to take penalties. Some will argue you don't want to waste all his energy on this match with Manchester City coming up, but once you've played 105 minutes, what danger does it really pose?
Liverpool failed to really threaten in the extra time. Both sides looked completely spent and the match went to the dreaded penalty shootout. It was tied 4-4 after all eight kickers had hit the back of the net. There was still a sense of dread about the entire process from a Liverpool perspective though. Even though all four kickers converted, there did not seem to be the coolness and calm with which Besiktas took their kicks. That sense of foreboding was proved correct when Dejan Lovren stepped to the spot as Liverpool's fifth penalty taker.
Lovren actually had a decent match up to that point. He was not going to be man of the match candidate, but he was solid given the amount of playing time he has had in recent weeks. He was strong on the man and strong in the air. If his feet would not fail him so often, he would be a very good defender. But a goalscorer he is not. Lovren should not have been in that situation. It is hard to understand including him in your top five penalty takers, even with all the injuries on the squad. It is even harder to understand why he would be placed last, when you know all the pressure put on that kicker if it actually gets to that point.
The even more puzzling quandary is why Raheem Sterling had not kicked. You can take all the penalties in practice you want, and perhaps practice statistics are why Lovren was in, but your top players have to be your top performers. In hockey, top players often want to be left off the shootout because they don't like it or feel they don't do well in it. Perhaps that was the case young Sterling made and left himself off the top five list. Whatever the reason, Rodgers has to have number 31 on that top five list. Injuries or not, Gerrard or not, Balotelli or not, Sturridge or not, I have a hard time believing that Raheem Sterling would not be one of those penalty takers.
Ultimately Liverpool got what they deserved. They shrank from the occasion and bowed out of all European competition with a whimper. Brendan Rodgers is a fine manager and deserves all the credit in the world for helping Liverpool turn things around. He still has a lot to learn about competing in Europe however. The danger now is that Liverpool cannot let this performance seep in. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. All that awaits at the end of this week's tunnel is the goliath, Manchester City. Whether City take their revenge for a poor European showing of their own or continue to slip back remains to be seen. One thing is for certain, Liverpool have to rebound quickly. Liverpool can keep City on their heels, but it will take much better than they showed on this night.
Random Thoughts:
- I hate penalty shootouts
- Mario Balotelli had a hell of a first half. He set up the potential Sturridge goal, drew important fouls, got under the skin of several defenders and held up the ball nicely when needed. It would be interesting to see if he still exited the game had he not received a yellow card. The shot near the end of the first half, left much to be desired however.
- Daniel Sturridge needs a rest. Unfortunately for him, it won't come soon as I cannot see him not playing significant minutes against Manchester City. Perhaps a respite against Burnley midweek, but the rest of the squad's fitness may determine that as well.
- I hate penalty shootouts
- Liverpool's passing was just horrendous. Normally I fully understand when players are gassed or put in poor positions etc, but it was just inexcusable. From the second half on, the passes at the back were too weak, the passes in the midfield were off the mark and everything was just bad. Hopefully that is not a reoccurring issue as it will lead to bad things in the future.
- I hate to pile on BR, but the decision to not even include Coutinho on the bench may have cost him. Replacing Balotelli with Coutinho would have been much more attacking minded than Lallana proved to be. Lallana is a very good attacking player, but he was obviously given instructions to help solidify the midfield, where Coutinho knows nothing but attack.
- Did I say how much I hate penalty shootouts?
- Some people may point to the number of important players out. Yes it is not good for the team to not have Coutinho, Gerrard, Lucas, Markovic, Sakho and Henderson, but the team was still set up in a positive manner. They had the strike tandem of Balo and Sturridge, which I still believe could work. Allen has stepped up his game the past few weeks and Ibe continued to show talent beyond his years. Toure and Lovren were the question marks and within the confines of 90 minutes they were fine. Something just lacked and I would hope that even in the recesses of their minds, the players would not use the absences as an excuse.
Walk On
Showing posts with label Besiktas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Besiktas. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Liverpool Victorious Amid Potential Controversy
There are several issues that emerged from what should've been just a nice victory for the team. I'll try to address each while trying not to have an article that is magazine length. Before we get to the 400 pound gorilla in the room, let's focus on the actual match first. Clearly, from the title, you can discern that Liverpool were victorious in their first match in the Europa League tournament.
From the start, everything seemed to be going in Liverpool's favor. They were drawn to have the opening game of two legs at home. They were drawn against Besiktas, who are top of the Turkish league, but Liverpool have had an outstanding record against Turkish teams, especially at Anfield. The Reds have also had all the momentum in recent weeks.
Brendan Rodgers put out a very solid team, with very few changes from the previous weekend. Jordan Ibe was in play instead of Lazar Markovic due to Markovic's astonishing four game European ban. The Reds came out and dominated the opening of the match, stringing together solid passes and working the ball up the field against a Besiktas formation that was clearly set up to play defense and counter. Liverpool did a good job of holding the ball for the first portion of the first half, but when the chances weren't really coming in droves, the Turkish side began gaining confidence. Liverpool were very lucky not to concede as their counterparts had fantastic goal scoring opportunities, including one that forced a miraculous save from Simon Mingolet in the 32nd minute.
Liverpool had their moments in the second half, both offensively - in a positive manner - and defensively - in a negative fashion. As another example of manager's choices that continue to pay off, Rodgers put out even more offense in an attempt to win a game that was scoreless until the 85th minute. Mario Balotelli, Raheem Sterling and Dejan Lovren all came in as attacking minded subs. People will say Lovren is a defender, but the choice to insert him was still attacking minded because it allowed Emre Can to be pushed forward into a more positive midfield role.
Then came the controversy. Liverpool gained their win when Jordan Ibe made a brilliant run up the right wing and sliced into the box. Ibe was taken down and the Reds were awarded a penalty kick. Mario Balotelli slotted home the spot kick into the bottom left corner and that was all she wrote about the actual game. Liverpool had an opportunity for a second goal late in the contest, but the ball did not find its intended target and Besiktas were able to escape Anfield down only a goal heading home.
However, instead of being able to focus on a victorious night at Anfield and setting themselves up for a potential run at a European trophy, Liverpool fans are being forced into a silly controversy and having to choose sides when they should be uniting. By now everyone has seen the incident, so I won't waste space describing it in detail. With little to no actual detail coming out of any players' mouths, fans are left to speculate. Was Jordan Henderson intending to take the kick? Was Daniel Sturridge asking Henderson to take the kick or was he asking Henderson to tell Balotelli to let Sturridge take the kick?
The bottom line, for me, is it doesn't matter. Henderson is a fine player and is growing into the role that Rodgers wants him to play as team captain. Henderson is not and never will be Steven Gerrard. That does not mean that he cannot be a decent captain. No two captains are exactly alike in either playing style or team management. Regardless of who wears the armband though, Henderson would not be my top choice to take a penalty. There were two to four players on the pitch I would've chosen to take the penalty before Jordan Henderson. There are plenty of football captains around the world who are not the designated penalty taker as well. So Balotelli taking the kick and converting should not be a big deal.
Was Sturridge telling Henderson the captain should take the kick or making a case for himself? Neither option really changes anything either. Plenty of people argue over kick taking chances. Usually it is done on free kicks, when it is a little less contentious but there are no ill effects going forward. It was disheartening to see the trio part with some discord and Sturridge seemed a little churlish when congratulating the goal scorer. However, one should hope that the actual players left their discord on the pitch and will be fine going forward.
The other discouraging thing out of that was Steven Gerrard's comments. While Gerrard has earned the right, as both a club legend and team captain, to speak his mind and give whatever answers to a media member's question he chooses, what Gerrard actually did was pour gasoline on the fire. There is a section of both the media and general public that will latch onto anything negative regarding Mario Balotelli and Gerrard saying his actions were in poor taste did nothing to assuage those people's feelings.
Despite my relative youth, I see things through old school eyes most times. You should respect authority, when warranted and should conduct yourself in a certain manner. Did Balotelli do this in the grand sense? Probably not. However, I do not feel he showed anyone up. He was not completely disrespectful in his actions. He would not have done the same thing to Steven Gerrard, but I don't feel he was disrespecting the captaincy of Jordan Henderson by his actions either. Balotelli is egotistical and forthright.
Many of the talents in the game are, whether we agree with it or not. Whether Henderson was the "designated penalty taker" or not, players like Luis Suarez or Gareth Bale or Diego Costa would have all done the same thing no matter who had the armband. Liverpool fans will all take their sides and voice their opinions. Yet, they should all still support Balotelli and the rest of the players regardless. Fans should want Balotelli to be returning to form because that means there are more options and more talent to be put on the pitch. Fans should want there to be harmony in the dressing room because the better the team gets along, the more they can easily connect on the pitch.
Another issue that popped up during this game was more of an overall question and it was posed by the broadcasters on Fox's showing of the game. It was an intriguing question that fans, pundits and the manager himself could all have vastly differing views on. The question was, with Liverpool still alive in several competitions, where do you focus your energies? You have an opportunity at English silverware in the FA Cup. You have an opportunity to still push into the top four in the league. You also have a chance to get a Champions League spot as well as a European trophy if you go all out in the Europa League.
So the big question now - with no clear answer - is where do you put your full energies. All contest deserve a full effort from the starting XI and looking for a result. Nobody is saying that you want to lose a competition, however all have merits. Sometimes that is not the case. The Capital One Cup is often looked at as a competition that teams do not mind bowing out of.
Liverpool are deep enough that they could conceivably stay in and look to win all of their goals still ahead. The problem becomes whether you wear out your players. Liverpool's success has come from sticking with a fairly consistent starting XI, with a change here or there. Do you keep all those players playing in all competitions and hope for the best when your team has had such injury problems? Or do you change it up, use your depth and focus your main starting players on one competition. If that is your option, which do you place more value on?
On the surface, the Europa League generally falls lowest on the totem pole. On the surface, the league would be the highest priority and then the FA Cup. However, things are not always as they appear on the surface. The Fox broadcast made a point and it makes sense. This weekend's match against Southampton may provide the answer. Southampton are currently in fourth in the table and four points above Liverpool. Though there are also two other teams above the Reds, the outcome of that match might make it easier to focus on a certain competition.
If Liverpool lose, then they are further away from the top four and have lost to one of their main competitors. That result would make it easier to focus on the tournaments. A win over Southampton keeps Liverpool at least three points from the top four and possibly only one point away from a Champions League slot. It definitely is an intriguing question that will come to bear if the team can keep their form.
Random thoughts:
- Steven Gerrard is a legend and I hold him in high regard. However, in this instance, I feel he would've been better suited in taking a page from Brendan Rodgers' book in how to answer the penalty question.
- It always amazes me how quickly certain sectors of the public lash out. As soon as anyone suggests Balotelli has stood up to Henderson, it makes Henderson a bad choice as captain. As I said in the main article, Henderson is not and never will be on the level of Gerrard. But the man is only 24. Not all captains are fully ready to lead their team to the fullest right from the get go. Henderson may yet grow into a quality skipper for the Reds.
- To answer my own question regarding the competitions, unless Liverpool get smacked against Southampton, I feel the league still comes first. Cup competitions all come down to the draw. If you get a favorable draw, then you can put your best foot forward. If not, then nothing is certain in tournament formats even if you have the better squad on paper. Focus on steadily moving toward a top four spot with plenty of games left in the league and see how each draw goes in the Europa and FA.
- I hate to feel so strongly about a player just now getting their first big game action, since so many look good in spurts and then fall off. But right now, Jordan Ibe looks like the real deal. He has speed very close to Raheem Sterling and a body more like Sturridge and great footskills. He also has shown himself to not shrink from the occasion. He takes players on like a veteran or like a player who does not know any different at the very least. If he continues to improve, then his future with the Reds could and should be extremely bright.
- I was glad to see smiles on the faces of Balotelli and his teammates in training today. Regardless of how you feel about him, Liverpool are a more dangerous team if he is in form, if he has a good relationship with his teammates and if there is no rift going forward. There is never complete harmony in a locker room, but there cannot be an actual rift and expect there to be success.
Walk On.
From the start, everything seemed to be going in Liverpool's favor. They were drawn to have the opening game of two legs at home. They were drawn against Besiktas, who are top of the Turkish league, but Liverpool have had an outstanding record against Turkish teams, especially at Anfield. The Reds have also had all the momentum in recent weeks.
Brendan Rodgers put out a very solid team, with very few changes from the previous weekend. Jordan Ibe was in play instead of Lazar Markovic due to Markovic's astonishing four game European ban. The Reds came out and dominated the opening of the match, stringing together solid passes and working the ball up the field against a Besiktas formation that was clearly set up to play defense and counter. Liverpool did a good job of holding the ball for the first portion of the first half, but when the chances weren't really coming in droves, the Turkish side began gaining confidence. Liverpool were very lucky not to concede as their counterparts had fantastic goal scoring opportunities, including one that forced a miraculous save from Simon Mingolet in the 32nd minute.
Liverpool had their moments in the second half, both offensively - in a positive manner - and defensively - in a negative fashion. As another example of manager's choices that continue to pay off, Rodgers put out even more offense in an attempt to win a game that was scoreless until the 85th minute. Mario Balotelli, Raheem Sterling and Dejan Lovren all came in as attacking minded subs. People will say Lovren is a defender, but the choice to insert him was still attacking minded because it allowed Emre Can to be pushed forward into a more positive midfield role.
Then came the controversy. Liverpool gained their win when Jordan Ibe made a brilliant run up the right wing and sliced into the box. Ibe was taken down and the Reds were awarded a penalty kick. Mario Balotelli slotted home the spot kick into the bottom left corner and that was all she wrote about the actual game. Liverpool had an opportunity for a second goal late in the contest, but the ball did not find its intended target and Besiktas were able to escape Anfield down only a goal heading home.
However, instead of being able to focus on a victorious night at Anfield and setting themselves up for a potential run at a European trophy, Liverpool fans are being forced into a silly controversy and having to choose sides when they should be uniting. By now everyone has seen the incident, so I won't waste space describing it in detail. With little to no actual detail coming out of any players' mouths, fans are left to speculate. Was Jordan Henderson intending to take the kick? Was Daniel Sturridge asking Henderson to take the kick or was he asking Henderson to tell Balotelli to let Sturridge take the kick?
The bottom line, for me, is it doesn't matter. Henderson is a fine player and is growing into the role that Rodgers wants him to play as team captain. Henderson is not and never will be Steven Gerrard. That does not mean that he cannot be a decent captain. No two captains are exactly alike in either playing style or team management. Regardless of who wears the armband though, Henderson would not be my top choice to take a penalty. There were two to four players on the pitch I would've chosen to take the penalty before Jordan Henderson. There are plenty of football captains around the world who are not the designated penalty taker as well. So Balotelli taking the kick and converting should not be a big deal.
Was Sturridge telling Henderson the captain should take the kick or making a case for himself? Neither option really changes anything either. Plenty of people argue over kick taking chances. Usually it is done on free kicks, when it is a little less contentious but there are no ill effects going forward. It was disheartening to see the trio part with some discord and Sturridge seemed a little churlish when congratulating the goal scorer. However, one should hope that the actual players left their discord on the pitch and will be fine going forward.
The other discouraging thing out of that was Steven Gerrard's comments. While Gerrard has earned the right, as both a club legend and team captain, to speak his mind and give whatever answers to a media member's question he chooses, what Gerrard actually did was pour gasoline on the fire. There is a section of both the media and general public that will latch onto anything negative regarding Mario Balotelli and Gerrard saying his actions were in poor taste did nothing to assuage those people's feelings.
Despite my relative youth, I see things through old school eyes most times. You should respect authority, when warranted and should conduct yourself in a certain manner. Did Balotelli do this in the grand sense? Probably not. However, I do not feel he showed anyone up. He was not completely disrespectful in his actions. He would not have done the same thing to Steven Gerrard, but I don't feel he was disrespecting the captaincy of Jordan Henderson by his actions either. Balotelli is egotistical and forthright.
Many of the talents in the game are, whether we agree with it or not. Whether Henderson was the "designated penalty taker" or not, players like Luis Suarez or Gareth Bale or Diego Costa would have all done the same thing no matter who had the armband. Liverpool fans will all take their sides and voice their opinions. Yet, they should all still support Balotelli and the rest of the players regardless. Fans should want Balotelli to be returning to form because that means there are more options and more talent to be put on the pitch. Fans should want there to be harmony in the dressing room because the better the team gets along, the more they can easily connect on the pitch.
Another issue that popped up during this game was more of an overall question and it was posed by the broadcasters on Fox's showing of the game. It was an intriguing question that fans, pundits and the manager himself could all have vastly differing views on. The question was, with Liverpool still alive in several competitions, where do you focus your energies? You have an opportunity at English silverware in the FA Cup. You have an opportunity to still push into the top four in the league. You also have a chance to get a Champions League spot as well as a European trophy if you go all out in the Europa League.
So the big question now - with no clear answer - is where do you put your full energies. All contest deserve a full effort from the starting XI and looking for a result. Nobody is saying that you want to lose a competition, however all have merits. Sometimes that is not the case. The Capital One Cup is often looked at as a competition that teams do not mind bowing out of.
Liverpool are deep enough that they could conceivably stay in and look to win all of their goals still ahead. The problem becomes whether you wear out your players. Liverpool's success has come from sticking with a fairly consistent starting XI, with a change here or there. Do you keep all those players playing in all competitions and hope for the best when your team has had such injury problems? Or do you change it up, use your depth and focus your main starting players on one competition. If that is your option, which do you place more value on?
On the surface, the Europa League generally falls lowest on the totem pole. On the surface, the league would be the highest priority and then the FA Cup. However, things are not always as they appear on the surface. The Fox broadcast made a point and it makes sense. This weekend's match against Southampton may provide the answer. Southampton are currently in fourth in the table and four points above Liverpool. Though there are also two other teams above the Reds, the outcome of that match might make it easier to focus on a certain competition.
If Liverpool lose, then they are further away from the top four and have lost to one of their main competitors. That result would make it easier to focus on the tournaments. A win over Southampton keeps Liverpool at least three points from the top four and possibly only one point away from a Champions League slot. It definitely is an intriguing question that will come to bear if the team can keep their form.
Random thoughts:
- Steven Gerrard is a legend and I hold him in high regard. However, in this instance, I feel he would've been better suited in taking a page from Brendan Rodgers' book in how to answer the penalty question.
- It always amazes me how quickly certain sectors of the public lash out. As soon as anyone suggests Balotelli has stood up to Henderson, it makes Henderson a bad choice as captain. As I said in the main article, Henderson is not and never will be on the level of Gerrard. But the man is only 24. Not all captains are fully ready to lead their team to the fullest right from the get go. Henderson may yet grow into a quality skipper for the Reds.
- To answer my own question regarding the competitions, unless Liverpool get smacked against Southampton, I feel the league still comes first. Cup competitions all come down to the draw. If you get a favorable draw, then you can put your best foot forward. If not, then nothing is certain in tournament formats even if you have the better squad on paper. Focus on steadily moving toward a top four spot with plenty of games left in the league and see how each draw goes in the Europa and FA.
- I hate to feel so strongly about a player just now getting their first big game action, since so many look good in spurts and then fall off. But right now, Jordan Ibe looks like the real deal. He has speed very close to Raheem Sterling and a body more like Sturridge and great footskills. He also has shown himself to not shrink from the occasion. He takes players on like a veteran or like a player who does not know any different at the very least. If he continues to improve, then his future with the Reds could and should be extremely bright.
- I was glad to see smiles on the faces of Balotelli and his teammates in training today. Regardless of how you feel about him, Liverpool are a more dangerous team if he is in form, if he has a good relationship with his teammates and if there is no rift going forward. There is never complete harmony in a locker room, but there cannot be an actual rift and expect there to be success.
Walk On.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
