Liverpool and Everton on a Monday night. As fans of either side would say, there could be nothing better than to have the spotlight to themselves for the 227th Merseyside Derby.
It would be a contentious game, but a fun one. Neutrals might not have gotten much enjoyment out of it, but it was a solid rivalry game as opposed to some of the ones we have seen in recent memory.
It was a very slow build for either team, despite the energy pouring forth from each player. In the 37th minute, the first real chance came for Liverpool. After a great passing buildup, including a dummy run by Mane, the pass was too far behind Origi. He lifted it high and wide even from in close to goal, but there was little opportunity for him to do much else with it.
Conversely, Liverpool were fortunate not to concede in the 44th minute. Funes Mori was not defended during a corner kick and the Reds got lucky he did not put a powerful header on target.
Liverpool came alive, a bit, in the 50th minute. A miscue at the back could not be capitalized as Maarten Steklenburg made a save and then the Reds kept scrambling but could not get that final ball toward net.
It is unfortunate that Liverpool don't have more of an aerial presence. When Everton's goalkeeper got hurt, it would have been the perfect time to just flight balls into the box. Instead, the Reds gained no advantage from him staying on for a minute or two and gave Everton a chance to make the change and get Joel Robles warmed up.
Midway through the second half, Ross Barkley should have been red carded for his challenge on Jordan Henderson. Hendo was lucky not to be more injured. As an official, I understand the yellow, but on replay (if officials had the luxury) it would have been a sending off.
The chances began to come a bit more often for the Reds later on. Roberto Firmino failed to convert a bicycle kick in the 77th minute.
It would have been almost impossible to get his foot on as the cross didn't have enough air under it by the time it got to the Brazilian. Then he almost broke the deadlock in the 80th minute with a fantastic volley from the penalty spot. Unfortunately, Robles was up to the task, diving to his left and getting palms to it.
Just when it seemed all was gone and the Reds would have to settle for a point against another inferior opponent, they found that bit of magic. Second half substitute Daniel Sturridge found his way past a couple defenders and sent a slow roller toward net.
It beat Robles but clanged off the post. Sadio Mane managed to get to it before the lunging goalkeeper and pop it in in the fourth minute of added time. The Reds almost had another when Firmino went five hole on Robles, but Ronald Coleman spoiled it with a fantastic sliding block on the line.
In the end, it was a fantastic win even if the team did not dominate the way they could have. As far as rivalry games go, it was a solid match for both sides. Those are the ones you love to win. When your opponent did enough to deserve a point and you crush their spirits, it's very satisfying.
Liverpool didn't play their best by any stretch. When you get three points though, it all gets cleaned in the wash.
This is the game that the Reds have not been winning in recent weeks. They dropped a terrible result to Bournemouth and then managed a disappointing draw with West Ham. To finally win a match they have struggled to finish off in recent form is quite the relief.
Now Liverpool must keep that form going against teams they have to beat. You're going to have big wins or tough losses against the top of the table, but it's those middle and lower teams where you must get the three points.
Random Thoughts:
- I am not one of those that has continually bashed Dejan Lovren. Given his skill set, I think he has performed as well as can be expected most days with the obvious exception here and there. That said, I have been rather impressed with Ragnar Klavan. I'm not sure an injury should keep Joel Matip out of the lineup once healthy, so maybe a combo of Klavan and Matip would work nicely in the center.
- Given their form, when healthy, it is almost impossible not to have a front three of Firmino, Coutinho and Mane. That said, the bit of magic Sturridge can muster when he is on his game is hard to keep on the bench. It's a pity that he has been so injury prone. Someone with his skill should never have been taken out of the lineup, though we all know why it happened and nobody can complain that it did happen.
- In your too much information of the day, I managed to miss the blasted goal. Just when I decided nobody was going to score, I went to use the bathroom. Of course, moments later I can hear Arlo White screaming about Mane's winner. What can you do?
- Given Liverpool's defensive woes, it seems unlikely they can truly mount a challenge for the league. The win at least gives them a chance since they will be second in the table during Christmas. That means they don't have to worry about vaulting over teams, but can rather worry about their own results and hope Chelsea falter in the second half.
Walk On
Showing posts with label Jordan Henderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jordan Henderson. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2016
Friday, September 16, 2016
Liverpool Stun The Blues At Stamford Bridge Again
First thing's first. Apparently, I'm a terrible Liverpool fan. I swore this game was going to be on Saturday, so I missed much of the first half. Shame on me.
Anyway, what a performance in the end. Liverpool came out and took advantage of a Chelsea squad that seemed to be put on their heels right away.
The Reds got things off to a cracking start with an early goal. Liverpool managed to keep the Chelsea attack quiet in the first ten minutes or so and then set off to find their own tally. It was not long after they found it.
In the 17th minute, the Liverpool attack began on the left hand side, something that would become almost a theme. Peeling back from the corner, Coutinho received the ball and sent a pinpoint cross to the back side.
Astoundingly, the Chelsea defense had left at least three red kits alone on the back step and Liverpool took advantage. Dejan Lovren had taken a step back onside just before the kick and then neatly tucked away the chance. All he had to do was take the beautiful cross and then slip it just to the right of Thibaut Courtois for the lead.
The interesting thing was the lack of push back from the Blues. They trodded up field now and then, forcing the odd corner kick or set piece. However, they had almost no real threat on goal in the first half, let alone after the initial Liverpool goal was taken.
The Reds took full advantage of the lackluster play by their rivals and put another one in. Again building up from the left hand side, the Reds pushed down toward the corner. This time Chelsea captured control but failed to make a good clearance.
Jordan Henderson picked up the errant ball and scored one of the best goals you'll see all year. Taking it from about 25 yards out, the captain put a right foot through the ball and could not have placed it any better if he threw it.
The shot hurled up into the air and bent back down with the perfect amount of curl. Courtois made a valiant effort to stop it, but no goalkeeper was going to get it as it went into the upper 90 to make it 2-0 to Liverpool.
The Reds finished out the first half and took the lead into the break. They had played about as well as anyone could hope and it was all about seeing it out from then on.
Chelsea did eventually mount a comeback. However, the lone goal did not come until the 61st minute. They had a bit more possession, but still managed little in the attack for the first five minutes or so. That wasn't to last forever though.
Who else but Diego Costa ended up putting one in for Chelsea. In the end, the defending by Liverpool wasn't the best but there wasn't too much they could do about the finish.
Matic got on the end of a ball in the box and took it endline. Joel Matip pulled up from his slide, worrying he was going to create a penalty. Other players blindly slid around attempting to thwart the cross, but Matic got it to Costa who just bumped it in.
It was game on from there. Costa almost had the equalizer in the 65th minute. The Chelsea striker spun and fired one on goal. It forced a good save from Simon Mignolet to keep it out.
The goal put the nerves into the Reds, and definitely their fans, for the final half hour. Fortunately, the team did not let on. They went back to work.
Although they would not find paydirt the rest of the match, they still created. Case in point was Divock Origi. The Belgian, who came on for Daniel Sturridge, lept up and thought he had the head ball goal for sure in the 81st. Courtois showed why he is still considered one of the best keepers in the world by turning it away.
Antonio Conte, the first year Chelsea manager, waited until the 84th minute to make massive changes. It was too little, too late. The Reds saw out the finish and earned a hard won three points.
The win puts Liverpool, at least temporarily, tied for second spot on points and in fourth place on goal differential. It's far too early to put the Reds in the discussion for top four spots right now, but Jurgen Klopp has them playing like a team that will be there at the end.
The win provides Klopp his second win in a row at Stamford Bridge. Arsene Wenger is the only other manager to do that in his first two matches at Chelsea.
What benefits Liverpool right now, is what benefited Brendan Rodgers' squad that finished in second place. Liverpool have no European matches to take their focus away from the league. We've seen it help the Reds and it helped Leicester win the league last season.
The likelihood of Liverpool taking the league is slim. They are just too vulnerable defensively. However, if they keep up their current form and clean up their bad results against lower level teams, we could be seeing more European nights come next season.
Random Thoughts:
- For the love of all that is holy, can we please avoid another Sturridge injury? I know I can't be alone in worrying that it is more than just a precautionary move to take him out so early. Not even an hour in and he has to come off. He did not have his customary disgruntled look either, which means he knew he needed off. Only bad can come of that.
- A win against Chelsea should and is reward enough. It is made all the sweeter by the fact that the ESPN FC crew were so certain that Chelsea would take the game handily. I know they are paid to give opinions and I have been in that spot before too. When they go against your team so easily though, it's nice to have that little extra satisfaction of the broadcasters eating their words.
- LFC will have a good opportunity to rid themselves of this bad habit of allowing minnows to take down the big fish. They face Derby County midweek in the League Cup and then Hull at the weekend. Two wins should be expected as these men need to start playing like they're at the top of the league when they play those further down.
Walk On
Anyway, what a performance in the end. Liverpool came out and took advantage of a Chelsea squad that seemed to be put on their heels right away.
The Reds got things off to a cracking start with an early goal. Liverpool managed to keep the Chelsea attack quiet in the first ten minutes or so and then set off to find their own tally. It was not long after they found it.
In the 17th minute, the Liverpool attack began on the left hand side, something that would become almost a theme. Peeling back from the corner, Coutinho received the ball and sent a pinpoint cross to the back side.
Astoundingly, the Chelsea defense had left at least three red kits alone on the back step and Liverpool took advantage. Dejan Lovren had taken a step back onside just before the kick and then neatly tucked away the chance. All he had to do was take the beautiful cross and then slip it just to the right of Thibaut Courtois for the lead.
The interesting thing was the lack of push back from the Blues. They trodded up field now and then, forcing the odd corner kick or set piece. However, they had almost no real threat on goal in the first half, let alone after the initial Liverpool goal was taken.
The Reds took full advantage of the lackluster play by their rivals and put another one in. Again building up from the left hand side, the Reds pushed down toward the corner. This time Chelsea captured control but failed to make a good clearance.
Jordan Henderson picked up the errant ball and scored one of the best goals you'll see all year. Taking it from about 25 yards out, the captain put a right foot through the ball and could not have placed it any better if he threw it.
The shot hurled up into the air and bent back down with the perfect amount of curl. Courtois made a valiant effort to stop it, but no goalkeeper was going to get it as it went into the upper 90 to make it 2-0 to Liverpool.
The Reds finished out the first half and took the lead into the break. They had played about as well as anyone could hope and it was all about seeing it out from then on.
Chelsea did eventually mount a comeback. However, the lone goal did not come until the 61st minute. They had a bit more possession, but still managed little in the attack for the first five minutes or so. That wasn't to last forever though.
Who else but Diego Costa ended up putting one in for Chelsea. In the end, the defending by Liverpool wasn't the best but there wasn't too much they could do about the finish.
Matic got on the end of a ball in the box and took it endline. Joel Matip pulled up from his slide, worrying he was going to create a penalty. Other players blindly slid around attempting to thwart the cross, but Matic got it to Costa who just bumped it in.
It was game on from there. Costa almost had the equalizer in the 65th minute. The Chelsea striker spun and fired one on goal. It forced a good save from Simon Mignolet to keep it out.
The goal put the nerves into the Reds, and definitely their fans, for the final half hour. Fortunately, the team did not let on. They went back to work.
Although they would not find paydirt the rest of the match, they still created. Case in point was Divock Origi. The Belgian, who came on for Daniel Sturridge, lept up and thought he had the head ball goal for sure in the 81st. Courtois showed why he is still considered one of the best keepers in the world by turning it away.
Antonio Conte, the first year Chelsea manager, waited until the 84th minute to make massive changes. It was too little, too late. The Reds saw out the finish and earned a hard won three points.
The win puts Liverpool, at least temporarily, tied for second spot on points and in fourth place on goal differential. It's far too early to put the Reds in the discussion for top four spots right now, but Jurgen Klopp has them playing like a team that will be there at the end.
The win provides Klopp his second win in a row at Stamford Bridge. Arsene Wenger is the only other manager to do that in his first two matches at Chelsea.
What benefits Liverpool right now, is what benefited Brendan Rodgers' squad that finished in second place. Liverpool have no European matches to take their focus away from the league. We've seen it help the Reds and it helped Leicester win the league last season.
The likelihood of Liverpool taking the league is slim. They are just too vulnerable defensively. However, if they keep up their current form and clean up their bad results against lower level teams, we could be seeing more European nights come next season.
Random Thoughts:
- For the love of all that is holy, can we please avoid another Sturridge injury? I know I can't be alone in worrying that it is more than just a precautionary move to take him out so early. Not even an hour in and he has to come off. He did not have his customary disgruntled look either, which means he knew he needed off. Only bad can come of that.
- A win against Chelsea should and is reward enough. It is made all the sweeter by the fact that the ESPN FC crew were so certain that Chelsea would take the game handily. I know they are paid to give opinions and I have been in that spot before too. When they go against your team so easily though, it's nice to have that little extra satisfaction of the broadcasters eating their words.
- LFC will have a good opportunity to rid themselves of this bad habit of allowing minnows to take down the big fish. They face Derby County midweek in the League Cup and then Hull at the weekend. Two wins should be expected as these men need to start playing like they're at the top of the league when they play those further down.
Walk On
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Despite Shaky Moments, Liverpool Dominate the Defending Champs
Thank goodness the international break is over. The United States played quite well during their qualifiers and Christian Pulisic looks like the genuine article. Still, without the club games to watch, it gets rather boring.
There was not much boring about Liverpool's start against the Foxes of Leicester. Leicester opened up quite positively, but Liverpool managed to weather it. Then, they built up their own attack. The first goal came in the 13th minute.
James Milner brought it up the left wing. Daniel Sturridge made a good run toward the flag, dragging opposition defenders with him. This left Firmino relatively open toward the middle. He took a great first touch that put the ball around the defender and at the top of the area, where he slipped it just under Casper Schmeichel.
Liverpool began flirting with a bit of danger afterward. You expect a pushback following any goal, but Leicester began to string things together. They just missed scoring an equalizer in the 20th minute when they flashed one just wide of the left post right in front of Simon Mignolet.
26th minute, it was almost 2-0. Liverpool got a clever cross into the front of goal from the endline. Sturridge got a solid right foot on it, but knocked it right into the sprawled out hands of Schmeichel. It was a fantastic save, but Sturridge will, no doubt, feel he should have done better in the end.
The Reds were playing some great football, but couldn't seem to get the finisher. They had wave after wave of attack for about five minutes. Then the score came. Another push up the field found Sturridge in the box. He had a cheeky backheel back toward the spot. Sadio Mane manged to just flick it over the keeper and into the net in the 31st minute. In the end, it may have gone over the goal if it had not hit Schmeichel's hand, but it scored nevertheless.
Just when it seemed like Liverpool were putting a stranglehold on the game, their makeshift backline came back to bite them. Lucas, playing centerback for some head scratching reason, was trying to roll a pass back to Mignolet. He misshit the ball and then, due to pressure, toe poked it well past the keeper and right to Jamie Vardy, who smashed it into the back of the net.
The Reds were still up by a goal after that, but the game had switched. Mignolet almost allowed the equalizer when he flailed at a cross and missed and the header just bounced off the crossbar and over. Fortunately, Lucas made amends right before half. Leicester got away with some fouls and sprung a break. Lucas' sliding challenge avoided what would have been a three or four on two attack.
The first 45 was almost flawless in attack for Liverpool. Sadly, the defending was hit or miss and the turnover was just unthinkable. It would be up to the Reds to seal things up defensively in the second half and hopefully keep the attacking prowess going and reward the Kop. The Foxes would clearly want their say in the match before its end too.
The second 45 began with a bit of a lull, but not for too long. The first ten minutes or so went by with only a hitch or two. Nothing major on either side. Then, the Reds came back to life.
Sturridge was again denied by a strong save in close. However, Liverpool kept on the front foot and would not let the ball out. Just as it seemed the attack would peter out, the ball was laid off to the right for Adam Lallana. The winger unleashed the fury on the ball and as the announcer said, if not for the net, the ball would still be sailing. 3-1 to the good guys in the 56th minute.
In the 61st, it seemed as though the opposition would bring it within one goal again. Vardy was put in possession of the ball in a very dangerous area. Just to the left, near the spot, the striker took a strong swing through the ball. Mignolet had come out confidently, slid right into the shot and the save almost turned into a counter attack.
Honestly, Liverpool should have been up 4-1 in the 79th minute. They had a good deal of buildup play from the wings. The ball finally got popped into the area for Firmino. It bobbled around a few times and then fell back to Jordan Henderson. Normally a calm player, the captain just ripped it dozens of rows up into the Kop instead of into the upper netting.
It almost looked like the Reds would butcher another chance to go up by 4-1. Schmeichel had come almost to the half line to make a challenge he was never going to win against Mane. Mane then took a few dribbles and instead of going for a looping shot himself, he centered it to Firmino.
The pass was rather weak, but Firmino took a touch to get around the defender. He still managed to push it into an empty net and take the three goal lead into stoppage time. It would end up being a nice finish, but a bit scary in terms of doing too much with it.
Ultimately, Liverpool won quite comfortably. There were a few nervy moments here and there, but if Lucas had not made that mind bogglingly strange error, then Liverpool would have had a clean sheet. When it's all taken into consideration, three points and a dominant performance against the defending champions is a good result.
Nobody knows how Leicester will finish this season. They are still defending champions and Liverpool took them to task. Now, the Reds must just find ways to finish off the minnows since they seem to play so well against the sharks and the whales.
Random Thoughts:
- I do not like the round patches for the league on the sleeve. The logo, when not up close, looks too much like the WWF Panda. For some reason, round patches just look odd too.
- My, oh my. What is going on with the back four? We know Clyne will be good and Matip seems to have settled in quite well. Lovren has his issues, but he is replaced by Lucas? I know you want Lucas to get some games, but no. Just no. Milner seems to be adapting to his wingback role, but this just seems like a mess in the making that might cost the team points later in the year.
- There's no way of knowing how good other teams will be. That said, this squad is shaping up a lot like the one that finished second in the league a few seasons ago. I'm not saying they'll finish that high, but they have tons of scoring prowess and are shaky at the back. If they can keep the offense rolling, then the wins could pile up. If the defending becomes too much of a hinderance, it could be another up and down year, which we have already seen signs of.
Walk On
There was not much boring about Liverpool's start against the Foxes of Leicester. Leicester opened up quite positively, but Liverpool managed to weather it. Then, they built up their own attack. The first goal came in the 13th minute.
James Milner brought it up the left wing. Daniel Sturridge made a good run toward the flag, dragging opposition defenders with him. This left Firmino relatively open toward the middle. He took a great first touch that put the ball around the defender and at the top of the area, where he slipped it just under Casper Schmeichel.
Liverpool began flirting with a bit of danger afterward. You expect a pushback following any goal, but Leicester began to string things together. They just missed scoring an equalizer in the 20th minute when they flashed one just wide of the left post right in front of Simon Mignolet.
26th minute, it was almost 2-0. Liverpool got a clever cross into the front of goal from the endline. Sturridge got a solid right foot on it, but knocked it right into the sprawled out hands of Schmeichel. It was a fantastic save, but Sturridge will, no doubt, feel he should have done better in the end.
The Reds were playing some great football, but couldn't seem to get the finisher. They had wave after wave of attack for about five minutes. Then the score came. Another push up the field found Sturridge in the box. He had a cheeky backheel back toward the spot. Sadio Mane manged to just flick it over the keeper and into the net in the 31st minute. In the end, it may have gone over the goal if it had not hit Schmeichel's hand, but it scored nevertheless.
Just when it seemed like Liverpool were putting a stranglehold on the game, their makeshift backline came back to bite them. Lucas, playing centerback for some head scratching reason, was trying to roll a pass back to Mignolet. He misshit the ball and then, due to pressure, toe poked it well past the keeper and right to Jamie Vardy, who smashed it into the back of the net.
The Reds were still up by a goal after that, but the game had switched. Mignolet almost allowed the equalizer when he flailed at a cross and missed and the header just bounced off the crossbar and over. Fortunately, Lucas made amends right before half. Leicester got away with some fouls and sprung a break. Lucas' sliding challenge avoided what would have been a three or four on two attack.
The first 45 was almost flawless in attack for Liverpool. Sadly, the defending was hit or miss and the turnover was just unthinkable. It would be up to the Reds to seal things up defensively in the second half and hopefully keep the attacking prowess going and reward the Kop. The Foxes would clearly want their say in the match before its end too.
The second 45 began with a bit of a lull, but not for too long. The first ten minutes or so went by with only a hitch or two. Nothing major on either side. Then, the Reds came back to life.
Sturridge was again denied by a strong save in close. However, Liverpool kept on the front foot and would not let the ball out. Just as it seemed the attack would peter out, the ball was laid off to the right for Adam Lallana. The winger unleashed the fury on the ball and as the announcer said, if not for the net, the ball would still be sailing. 3-1 to the good guys in the 56th minute.
In the 61st, it seemed as though the opposition would bring it within one goal again. Vardy was put in possession of the ball in a very dangerous area. Just to the left, near the spot, the striker took a strong swing through the ball. Mignolet had come out confidently, slid right into the shot and the save almost turned into a counter attack.
Honestly, Liverpool should have been up 4-1 in the 79th minute. They had a good deal of buildup play from the wings. The ball finally got popped into the area for Firmino. It bobbled around a few times and then fell back to Jordan Henderson. Normally a calm player, the captain just ripped it dozens of rows up into the Kop instead of into the upper netting.
It almost looked like the Reds would butcher another chance to go up by 4-1. Schmeichel had come almost to the half line to make a challenge he was never going to win against Mane. Mane then took a few dribbles and instead of going for a looping shot himself, he centered it to Firmino.
The pass was rather weak, but Firmino took a touch to get around the defender. He still managed to push it into an empty net and take the three goal lead into stoppage time. It would end up being a nice finish, but a bit scary in terms of doing too much with it.
Ultimately, Liverpool won quite comfortably. There were a few nervy moments here and there, but if Lucas had not made that mind bogglingly strange error, then Liverpool would have had a clean sheet. When it's all taken into consideration, three points and a dominant performance against the defending champions is a good result.
Nobody knows how Leicester will finish this season. They are still defending champions and Liverpool took them to task. Now, the Reds must just find ways to finish off the minnows since they seem to play so well against the sharks and the whales.
Random Thoughts:
- I do not like the round patches for the league on the sleeve. The logo, when not up close, looks too much like the WWF Panda. For some reason, round patches just look odd too.
- My, oh my. What is going on with the back four? We know Clyne will be good and Matip seems to have settled in quite well. Lovren has his issues, but he is replaced by Lucas? I know you want Lucas to get some games, but no. Just no. Milner seems to be adapting to his wingback role, but this just seems like a mess in the making that might cost the team points later in the year.
- There's no way of knowing how good other teams will be. That said, this squad is shaping up a lot like the one that finished second in the league a few seasons ago. I'm not saying they'll finish that high, but they have tons of scoring prowess and are shaky at the back. If they can keep the offense rolling, then the wins could pile up. If the defending becomes too much of a hinderance, it could be another up and down year, which we have already seen signs of.
Walk On
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Ings And Henderson Return, but Liverpool Settle For Draw
Liverpool came into the day with plenty left to play for. They were still fighting for a European spot, just as a back up in case they fail to win the Europa League. They were also fighting for money.
According to the broadcasters, each spot up the table earns about an extra million in your pocket. Unfortunately, the day did not get off to a rousing start.
In the 13th minute, West Brom break through the Liverpool defense to take a 1-0 lead. The Reds defense was caught flat footed as Leko sliced through them and then Rondon finished it off. Rondon took it on the right side of the box, took a quick touch around the defender and slotted it just under Adam Bogdan.
In typical Jurgen Klopp fashion though, the Reds didn't give up. It wasn't really a team effort that equalized the game. Jordan Ibe took the game on his shoulders. Ibe, who has all but disappeared in recent weeks to months, came out like a man in form. He cut through the West Brom back line from the center line, into the box and as Benteke led some opposition away, Ibe finished it off from the center of the box in the 23rd minute.
After those goals, it somewhat settled into a typical end of season affair. Liverpool had a chance or two into the attacking third, but nothing that created much danger. The most interesting thing was actually the yellow cards. Brad Smith got one for simulation and then James McClean was awarded one for a rather foolish challenge on Jon Flanagan, well in the Liverpool area.
The first half was about what one would expect, outside of conceding the goal. Liverpool dominated the possession by almost 50% in the difference. However, given the mixture of regulars who were either returning from injury or had fallen out of the starting XI and the younger players, there wasn't enough cohesion to really get things rolling.
Liverpool just escaped the hangman's noose right away in the second half. After giving away a free kick, Rondon got a flick off the head that beat Bogdan but rang off the nearside post. The defenders were composed enough to make the clearance and the Reds survived the exchange.
The second half was much the same as the first, minus the possession. West Brom actually had the better of the chances as they threatened the target quite a few times.
Most of them never truly made it on target with any danger, but it still was a bit too uncomfortable for supporters of the Reds. Rondon will also feel unlucky not to have scored. After missing several in the first half and the flick earlier in the second, in the 66th minute he bobbled an initial chance, but still got a shot on goal that was barely deflected wide.
In a bit of good news for the team, both Danny Ings and Jordan Henderson entered the game in the 64th minute. Neither of them did anything spectacular, but just being on the pitch was enough for them given their injuries.
In the end, the game would finish 1-1. It was a fair result given the overall nature of the game, but again a bit disappointing for fans simply because West Brom were one of the lowest scoring teams in the league and their club conceded.
The focus now shifts to Basel, Switzerland and the matchup with Sevilla. Liverpool will have it all to do. The Spaniards are two time champions in this competition and Liverpool have gotten by more on guile and will than actual skill in many fixtures. They'll need it all to come up with a win on Wednesday, but there's no reason they cannot summon it.
Random Thoughts:
- It was good to see Hendo and Ings back. It's unlikely Ings will have shown enough to get into the Europa Final squad, but I loved his energy earlier in the season. You can never tell who will stay or go under a new manager, but I'd like to see Ings get a good run under Klopp.
- Lucas is a fine player and I respect his talents. However, the combination of him playing as a central defender by itself and then pairing him with Martin Skrtel is a nightmare.
- Springboarding off that idea, what ever happened to Steven Caulker? I understand you can get both Lucas and Allen on with this formation, but Lucas is a midfielder. Defensive as he might be, he just shouldn't be a central defender in my opinion.
- Liverpool spent way too much time defending in the second half. I understand this is a makeshift squad, but they did fine in the first half and looked like a recreation league side at times in the second.
- I still think he has a good future, but Ibe is too much like Raheem Sterling at times. Incredible skill, but a penchant for taking on too many defenders when better options are available.
- Even as a fan of Brendan Rodgers, there is no doubt this club is better under Klopp. That said, it's all the more disappointing that their inconsistencies had them finish in eighth, which is lower than any finish under Rodgers.
- Nothing to do with the West Brom game, but I'm not liking what I'm hearing about the Europa Final. Telling people without tickets to stay away, rumors of Liverpool supporters being kept out or not able to buy extra tickets. It just doesn't have a good smell.
Walk On
According to the broadcasters, each spot up the table earns about an extra million in your pocket. Unfortunately, the day did not get off to a rousing start.
In the 13th minute, West Brom break through the Liverpool defense to take a 1-0 lead. The Reds defense was caught flat footed as Leko sliced through them and then Rondon finished it off. Rondon took it on the right side of the box, took a quick touch around the defender and slotted it just under Adam Bogdan.
In typical Jurgen Klopp fashion though, the Reds didn't give up. It wasn't really a team effort that equalized the game. Jordan Ibe took the game on his shoulders. Ibe, who has all but disappeared in recent weeks to months, came out like a man in form. He cut through the West Brom back line from the center line, into the box and as Benteke led some opposition away, Ibe finished it off from the center of the box in the 23rd minute.
After those goals, it somewhat settled into a typical end of season affair. Liverpool had a chance or two into the attacking third, but nothing that created much danger. The most interesting thing was actually the yellow cards. Brad Smith got one for simulation and then James McClean was awarded one for a rather foolish challenge on Jon Flanagan, well in the Liverpool area.
The first half was about what one would expect, outside of conceding the goal. Liverpool dominated the possession by almost 50% in the difference. However, given the mixture of regulars who were either returning from injury or had fallen out of the starting XI and the younger players, there wasn't enough cohesion to really get things rolling.
Liverpool just escaped the hangman's noose right away in the second half. After giving away a free kick, Rondon got a flick off the head that beat Bogdan but rang off the nearside post. The defenders were composed enough to make the clearance and the Reds survived the exchange.
The second half was much the same as the first, minus the possession. West Brom actually had the better of the chances as they threatened the target quite a few times.
Most of them never truly made it on target with any danger, but it still was a bit too uncomfortable for supporters of the Reds. Rondon will also feel unlucky not to have scored. After missing several in the first half and the flick earlier in the second, in the 66th minute he bobbled an initial chance, but still got a shot on goal that was barely deflected wide.
In a bit of good news for the team, both Danny Ings and Jordan Henderson entered the game in the 64th minute. Neither of them did anything spectacular, but just being on the pitch was enough for them given their injuries.
In the end, the game would finish 1-1. It was a fair result given the overall nature of the game, but again a bit disappointing for fans simply because West Brom were one of the lowest scoring teams in the league and their club conceded.
The focus now shifts to Basel, Switzerland and the matchup with Sevilla. Liverpool will have it all to do. The Spaniards are two time champions in this competition and Liverpool have gotten by more on guile and will than actual skill in many fixtures. They'll need it all to come up with a win on Wednesday, but there's no reason they cannot summon it.
Random Thoughts:
- It was good to see Hendo and Ings back. It's unlikely Ings will have shown enough to get into the Europa Final squad, but I loved his energy earlier in the season. You can never tell who will stay or go under a new manager, but I'd like to see Ings get a good run under Klopp.
- Lucas is a fine player and I respect his talents. However, the combination of him playing as a central defender by itself and then pairing him with Martin Skrtel is a nightmare.
- Springboarding off that idea, what ever happened to Steven Caulker? I understand you can get both Lucas and Allen on with this formation, but Lucas is a midfielder. Defensive as he might be, he just shouldn't be a central defender in my opinion.
- Liverpool spent way too much time defending in the second half. I understand this is a makeshift squad, but they did fine in the first half and looked like a recreation league side at times in the second.
- I still think he has a good future, but Ibe is too much like Raheem Sterling at times. Incredible skill, but a penchant for taking on too many defenders when better options are available.
- Even as a fan of Brendan Rodgers, there is no doubt this club is better under Klopp. That said, it's all the more disappointing that their inconsistencies had them finish in eighth, which is lower than any finish under Rodgers.
- Nothing to do with the West Brom game, but I'm not liking what I'm hearing about the Europa Final. Telling people without tickets to stay away, rumors of Liverpool supporters being kept out or not able to buy extra tickets. It just doesn't have a good smell.
Walk On
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Liverpool Win the Game As Defenders Bury Their Heads In the Sand
For whatever reason, games against Norwich City take on much more fear than they should. Liverpool had not been beaten by the Canaries in 22 years, but these games always seem to produce a bit of doubt. Will the Reds produce or will they be overconfident? Those questions came right to the forefront at the start of this away match.
Liverpool failed to come out with any energy or intensity and produced a very dull affair. Norwich actually dominated the proceedings in the first five minutes or so before the Reds finally started taking more possession. Liverpool eventually scored the first goal of the game, but it really came against the run of play. Roberto Firmino managed to slip past the defense as he was played onside by a near-side defender when Firmino was on the far side. The Brazilian chunked the shot, in reality, but it clipped off the goalkeeper's foot, then off the post and in. It was the kind of fortune that would be in rare supply on this day.
The game settled into another lull before the dread began to creep in. Norwich, regardless of possession or flow, just seemed to be more on the front foot. When that has happened in much of this season, nothing good usually follows for Liverpool and nothing did. Liverpool again succumbed to their failures on corner kicks for the equalizing goal. None could clear the ball far enough and it fell to Mbokani, who backheeled it in. Then, rubbing salt in the wound, the former Evertonian, Steven Naismith smashed one in after sneaking in past the slumbering Liverpool defenders in the 41st minute.
One would have hoped that the halftime talk might have livened things up, but it only got worse in the second half. Norwich still pushed forward with vigor and found themselves up by two goals not long into the second 45. Alberto Moreno inexplicably went for another challenge on the endline after miraculously getting away with the first and was called for the penalty. Hoolahan's shot was just slotted over Simon Mignolet, who had guessed correctly, and made the score 3-1. The game seemed almost hopelessly out of reach, but Liverpool - as is their want - like to always show some glimmer.
Not even a full two minutes afterward, Jordan Henderson found a bit of space in the now napping Canary backline and slotted home a right footer. Unfortunately for Liverpool, it drew them within one instead of drawing the game. Fortunately for them, it would not be their last score. Showing a rare bit of teamwide form, Liverpool scored after several successive good touches. Firmino actually started off the play with a one touch flick toward the near sideline. Milner kept the movement going and then the oft maligned Adam Lallana managed to chase down the ball and smartly play it into space in the box. Firmino was in that space and he coolly nudged it over the keeper to knot the game at three.
Then, as inexplicably as they lost the lead, Liverpool regained it. Some strange Jedi mindtrick must have come into play because Russel Martin tried a backpass that was unnecessary even if James Milner was not in the path. In fact, Milner was and he made Norwich pay when he nudged it just to the right to throw the keeper off and then rolled it in. 4-3 was the score after that play with still at least 15 minutes to go. Those 15 minutes would not end quietly.
Bassong tied up the game in the 92nd minute after Liverpool just stood around again. Red jerseys seemed rooted to the ground as they just flailed about while the defender put one home. Then, only moments later, Lallana scored to put Liverpool back on top just before the final whistle. In the end, it was an absolutely terrible match that will be celebrated because three points were taken by Liverpool. So much was wrong with everything that happened defensively and in midfield and the attack really did not look like something that could put together 5 goals. Nevertheless a win goes in the back pocket and perhaps Liverpool can build off it with the knowledge that they probably did not deserve the result.
Random Thoughts:
- Perhaps I should hate on more players. While in reality, fans should know they have absolutely no affect on the field, it seems like the more I dislike a player or the more I am ready for players to be sold the better they perform. Joe Allen has been a goal scoring machine and Adam Lallana was actually productive. In the spirit of this, I have soured greatly on Benteke so I fully expect a hat-trick in his next start.
- Springboarding off the last idea, it is time to totally redo this team. It's almost impossible to have a completely different XI by next summer, but there just isn't enough quality as a squad for Liverpool. Lots of us like players as individuals, but there is no longer any one player that you can say must be kept or there is no way you could find a replacement. Klopp needs to have free reign in bringing in his players and sell off everyone else.
- Can we please get more former goalkeepers as color commentators? As a broadcaster and goalkeeper, I'm constantly sickened by the constant phrase of "he's got to to better with that" or be stronger or the worst: He's got to cover that near post. If you haven't played keeper, you don't have the first clue what goes into the spot. That's not to downplay anyone's feelings on an individual play, but I'd just like these people to be put into those actual situations and see how, in their infinite wisdom, they would have done differently.
Walk On
Liverpool failed to come out with any energy or intensity and produced a very dull affair. Norwich actually dominated the proceedings in the first five minutes or so before the Reds finally started taking more possession. Liverpool eventually scored the first goal of the game, but it really came against the run of play. Roberto Firmino managed to slip past the defense as he was played onside by a near-side defender when Firmino was on the far side. The Brazilian chunked the shot, in reality, but it clipped off the goalkeeper's foot, then off the post and in. It was the kind of fortune that would be in rare supply on this day.
The game settled into another lull before the dread began to creep in. Norwich, regardless of possession or flow, just seemed to be more on the front foot. When that has happened in much of this season, nothing good usually follows for Liverpool and nothing did. Liverpool again succumbed to their failures on corner kicks for the equalizing goal. None could clear the ball far enough and it fell to Mbokani, who backheeled it in. Then, rubbing salt in the wound, the former Evertonian, Steven Naismith smashed one in after sneaking in past the slumbering Liverpool defenders in the 41st minute.
One would have hoped that the halftime talk might have livened things up, but it only got worse in the second half. Norwich still pushed forward with vigor and found themselves up by two goals not long into the second 45. Alberto Moreno inexplicably went for another challenge on the endline after miraculously getting away with the first and was called for the penalty. Hoolahan's shot was just slotted over Simon Mignolet, who had guessed correctly, and made the score 3-1. The game seemed almost hopelessly out of reach, but Liverpool - as is their want - like to always show some glimmer.
Not even a full two minutes afterward, Jordan Henderson found a bit of space in the now napping Canary backline and slotted home a right footer. Unfortunately for Liverpool, it drew them within one instead of drawing the game. Fortunately for them, it would not be their last score. Showing a rare bit of teamwide form, Liverpool scored after several successive good touches. Firmino actually started off the play with a one touch flick toward the near sideline. Milner kept the movement going and then the oft maligned Adam Lallana managed to chase down the ball and smartly play it into space in the box. Firmino was in that space and he coolly nudged it over the keeper to knot the game at three.
Then, as inexplicably as they lost the lead, Liverpool regained it. Some strange Jedi mindtrick must have come into play because Russel Martin tried a backpass that was unnecessary even if James Milner was not in the path. In fact, Milner was and he made Norwich pay when he nudged it just to the right to throw the keeper off and then rolled it in. 4-3 was the score after that play with still at least 15 minutes to go. Those 15 minutes would not end quietly.
Bassong tied up the game in the 92nd minute after Liverpool just stood around again. Red jerseys seemed rooted to the ground as they just flailed about while the defender put one home. Then, only moments later, Lallana scored to put Liverpool back on top just before the final whistle. In the end, it was an absolutely terrible match that will be celebrated because three points were taken by Liverpool. So much was wrong with everything that happened defensively and in midfield and the attack really did not look like something that could put together 5 goals. Nevertheless a win goes in the back pocket and perhaps Liverpool can build off it with the knowledge that they probably did not deserve the result.
Random Thoughts:
- Perhaps I should hate on more players. While in reality, fans should know they have absolutely no affect on the field, it seems like the more I dislike a player or the more I am ready for players to be sold the better they perform. Joe Allen has been a goal scoring machine and Adam Lallana was actually productive. In the spirit of this, I have soured greatly on Benteke so I fully expect a hat-trick in his next start.
- Springboarding off the last idea, it is time to totally redo this team. It's almost impossible to have a completely different XI by next summer, but there just isn't enough quality as a squad for Liverpool. Lots of us like players as individuals, but there is no longer any one player that you can say must be kept or there is no way you could find a replacement. Klopp needs to have free reign in bringing in his players and sell off everyone else.
- Can we please get more former goalkeepers as color commentators? As a broadcaster and goalkeeper, I'm constantly sickened by the constant phrase of "he's got to to better with that" or be stronger or the worst: He's got to cover that near post. If you haven't played keeper, you don't have the first clue what goes into the spot. That's not to downplay anyone's feelings on an individual play, but I'd just like these people to be put into those actual situations and see how, in their infinite wisdom, they would have done differently.
Walk On
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Liverpool Deserve Better, but Settle for a Point Against West Brom
Liverpool came in waves. They looked like scoring early in the game, pushing so many numbers forward at the West Brom defense. However they were unable to connect on the final ball that would've put them ahead. West Brom came back for a few moments and while they didn't truly create a scoring chance, they did enough to at least threaten. After gaining their composure, the Reds charged forward again and were rewarded.
After several close calls and missed passes, the Reds finally hit on all cylinders for a goal in the 21st minute. Coutinho, who was very good all half with the exception of his finishing, sent in a great cross to the far side of the box. Jordan Henderson finished off a header from Lallana that saw the captain in a bit of space in the area where all he had to do was get a good foot on it. Henderson did just that and put his team up by a goal. Sadly, for as good as Liverpool looked in attack, the lead did not last all that long.
Whether under Brendan Rodgers or Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have struggled on set pieces including corner kicks. Just such a play was where they were made to pay. Simon Mignolet came after the ball but missed on a wild, swinging punch. Despite the bevy of red shirts in the box, the follow-up shot found it's way through and Liverpool shockingly found themselves level. Even removing the sting of the goalkeeping mistake, it was a punch to the throat for Liverpool and their fans because West Brom really hadn't done enough to deserve to be on level footing.
Almost rubbing salt in the wound, West Brom looked like they had gone up by a goal on the stroke of halftime. Liverpool looked clueless on the set piece once again. They allowed three, if not four, attackers to get in behind them. Despite the fact that it was correctly ruled offside in the end, did not alleviate the fact the Reds appeared to be rooted into the field when the ball was struck. It was a rather disappointing way to end a fairly positive 45 minutes of play but only being level seemed much better as well.
The second half played out very similarly to the first. Liverpool came out with good energy and possession. Again, they looked more than capable of scoring within the first five to 10 minutes. Benteke barely missed a goal from a header in the 51st minute that would have really put a strangle on the momentum. The same could be said of Dejan Lovren's chance only minutes later. It was deflected out for a corner, but was just begging to be taken and claim the game for Liverpool.
Much the same way as the first half went, though, West Brom found themselves poaching something from the clutches of nothing. Again, coming off a set piece corner, Liverpool just looked lost and allowed Olsson to knick one in after his tally was wiped off the board with the offside call at the break. Similarly to the first half, it wasn't just disappointing to see the ball hit the back of the net but to also see it come from nothing. Liverpool were in charge of the match only to see it slip from there fingers, if only momentarily.
The Reds seemed to gain confidence on the pitch after a nasty injury to Lovren. Lallana had an opportunity to score in the 80th minute that was smartly saved, but should have been finished off as well. Benteke butchered a head ball chance a minute later. In the end though, luck favored Liverpool - at least in the grand sense.
Liverpool avoided disaster when Rondon mucked up a glorious chance in the 88th minute, spraying a shot wide when all he had was Mignolet to worry about. Moments later Henderson smashed an opportunity right at the goalkeeper and Jordan Ibe blasted one just wide after that. But then Liverpool were favored by fortune in the 97th. Origi, who came on puzzlingly for the injured Lovren, took advantage of the advantage given by the official. His shot was deflected off a defender into the back of the net and gained Liverpool the point they deserved.
While Liverpool probably should have gotten all three points, they deserved the one. The old adage says sometimes it is better to be lucky than good and that was true on this night. It was a mixture of relief, due to Liverpool almost losing to both Newcastle and West Brom, and the feeling of getting what was owed. Liverpool can't rely on that luck every match, but they'll take it for this one.
Random Thoughts:
- Overall, Adam Lallana had a pretty decent game. I still wonder what he has over the heads of Liverpool's managers. Whether Rodgers or Klopp, they continue to use Lallana in a starting role when he seems to do little on the field to deserve it. Granted, we are not there for daily training but it just doesn't seem like he produces enough to have that spot.
- Mignolet deserves some blame for the first West Brom goal, but not nearly the amount he will be given. I admit I am biased, being a keeper that also struggled on corner kicks, but people do not realize how difficult a skill it is to rightly judge the flight of a ball and connect with it when there are so many bodies in the box. There is constant chatter to get a new keeper, but Mingolet is one of the best pure shot stoppers around. Unless they can get someone who is a 100% upgrade, it would be foolish to seek out someone who is simply a little bit better at handling corner kicks.
- I am still a supporter of Brendan Rodgers, but those are the kind of games his teams would probably have lost. Jurgen Klopp has definitely instilled a huge amount of belief and energy in this LFC squad.
Walk On
After several close calls and missed passes, the Reds finally hit on all cylinders for a goal in the 21st minute. Coutinho, who was very good all half with the exception of his finishing, sent in a great cross to the far side of the box. Jordan Henderson finished off a header from Lallana that saw the captain in a bit of space in the area where all he had to do was get a good foot on it. Henderson did just that and put his team up by a goal. Sadly, for as good as Liverpool looked in attack, the lead did not last all that long.
Whether under Brendan Rodgers or Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have struggled on set pieces including corner kicks. Just such a play was where they were made to pay. Simon Mignolet came after the ball but missed on a wild, swinging punch. Despite the bevy of red shirts in the box, the follow-up shot found it's way through and Liverpool shockingly found themselves level. Even removing the sting of the goalkeeping mistake, it was a punch to the throat for Liverpool and their fans because West Brom really hadn't done enough to deserve to be on level footing.
Almost rubbing salt in the wound, West Brom looked like they had gone up by a goal on the stroke of halftime. Liverpool looked clueless on the set piece once again. They allowed three, if not four, attackers to get in behind them. Despite the fact that it was correctly ruled offside in the end, did not alleviate the fact the Reds appeared to be rooted into the field when the ball was struck. It was a rather disappointing way to end a fairly positive 45 minutes of play but only being level seemed much better as well.
The second half played out very similarly to the first. Liverpool came out with good energy and possession. Again, they looked more than capable of scoring within the first five to 10 minutes. Benteke barely missed a goal from a header in the 51st minute that would have really put a strangle on the momentum. The same could be said of Dejan Lovren's chance only minutes later. It was deflected out for a corner, but was just begging to be taken and claim the game for Liverpool.
Much the same way as the first half went, though, West Brom found themselves poaching something from the clutches of nothing. Again, coming off a set piece corner, Liverpool just looked lost and allowed Olsson to knick one in after his tally was wiped off the board with the offside call at the break. Similarly to the first half, it wasn't just disappointing to see the ball hit the back of the net but to also see it come from nothing. Liverpool were in charge of the match only to see it slip from there fingers, if only momentarily.
The Reds seemed to gain confidence on the pitch after a nasty injury to Lovren. Lallana had an opportunity to score in the 80th minute that was smartly saved, but should have been finished off as well. Benteke butchered a head ball chance a minute later. In the end though, luck favored Liverpool - at least in the grand sense.
Liverpool avoided disaster when Rondon mucked up a glorious chance in the 88th minute, spraying a shot wide when all he had was Mignolet to worry about. Moments later Henderson smashed an opportunity right at the goalkeeper and Jordan Ibe blasted one just wide after that. But then Liverpool were favored by fortune in the 97th. Origi, who came on puzzlingly for the injured Lovren, took advantage of the advantage given by the official. His shot was deflected off a defender into the back of the net and gained Liverpool the point they deserved.
While Liverpool probably should have gotten all three points, they deserved the one. The old adage says sometimes it is better to be lucky than good and that was true on this night. It was a mixture of relief, due to Liverpool almost losing to both Newcastle and West Brom, and the feeling of getting what was owed. Liverpool can't rely on that luck every match, but they'll take it for this one.
Random Thoughts:
- Overall, Adam Lallana had a pretty decent game. I still wonder what he has over the heads of Liverpool's managers. Whether Rodgers or Klopp, they continue to use Lallana in a starting role when he seems to do little on the field to deserve it. Granted, we are not there for daily training but it just doesn't seem like he produces enough to have that spot.
- Mignolet deserves some blame for the first West Brom goal, but not nearly the amount he will be given. I admit I am biased, being a keeper that also struggled on corner kicks, but people do not realize how difficult a skill it is to rightly judge the flight of a ball and connect with it when there are so many bodies in the box. There is constant chatter to get a new keeper, but Mingolet is one of the best pure shot stoppers around. Unless they can get someone who is a 100% upgrade, it would be foolish to seek out someone who is simply a little bit better at handling corner kicks.
- I am still a supporter of Brendan Rodgers, but those are the kind of games his teams would probably have lost. Jurgen Klopp has definitely instilled a huge amount of belief and energy in this LFC squad.
Walk On
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Liverpool Fail to Show Up Against Rivals United
Most rivalries are derbies. Liverpool and Manchester United are one of the strongest rivalries in the game despite the distance between cities. Both teams' success has bred contempt, but the successes have fell by the wayside in recent years. Despite the buildup, the first half did not live up to anything. Liverpool failed to get into a real attacking position for the first 20 minutes of the contest. The Reds defended well overall, but United did have a few chances. Memphis Depay used his speed and strength to create a couple chances in the 23rd minute.
Another disappointing aspect to the game was how static both sides were. Brendan Rodgers, who seemed to pride himself on changing formations in previous seasons, seems dead set on a lone striker setup now when Danny Ings would've been better suited as a striker. Credit to the player though, he tracked back well and did his best in the first half to act as a true winger. The same can be said for Firmino. The young Brazilian is doing his best to fit into the English game, but seems to pick either defending or attacking during each possession and will give up on the other.
This team is still struggling offensively and not just in terms of goal production. Players would not make runs, despite Emre Can imploring players to push forward. When Liverpool had the rare bit of possession, the ball was not sent in the path of anyone who might've been making a run. Nothing managed to come off for Liverpool. Even a great setup in the 36th minute was ruined by Benteke managing to run offside even though he had all the players in his vision. To rub salt in, the chance was put wide before Benteke officially knew he was offside.
For one of the most storied rivalries in the game, it was one of the worst halves of football seen in some time. Mistakes by both teams cost them nothing. Liverpool players constantly just stood rooted to the grass, staring at the ball as defenders closed in on their teammates. I can only imagine the things said by supporters of the Red Devils as, despite all their possession, did little to impact the game either.
The broadcasters sounded like they were announcing a baseball game that had long since ended in terms of score, just not innings. The halftime whistle was merciful, but the sad truth said by Lee Dixon was that Brendan Rodgers was likely happy with the performance. Being pleased with a draw after 45 minutes is fine, in and of itself, but to be pleased with the Liverpool performance was nothing to praise.
To start the second half, United made an odd decision to take off Depay. Memphis was one of the few bright spots between the two sides and did not appear to be laboring. However, Louis van Gaal took him off in favor of Ashley Young. The second half began much the same way as the first until a foul against Nathaniel Clyne. Liverpool failed to close down a weak pass across the top of the box from the free kick, only to see Daley Blind smash one past the defense and into the back of the net. Liverpool failed to wake up even after the goal. Only moments after the goal, Bastian Schweinsteiger was open on the back post and failed to cleanly handle the ball to let the Reds off the hook.
Liverpool finally got a bit of a spark after the 55th minute. They created a couple good chances, one intended for Benteke only to be cleared away after a mistake from David De Gea and then a second one smartly saved by the Spaniard after a decent volley from Danny Ings. The positivity continued in brief splashes and glimpses. In the 65th minute there was a scramble after a corner kick, that honestly, left one scratching their head as to how Liverpool failed to put it in.
The positive feelings came crashing down however, as Gomez gave up a ridiculous penalty with only 20 minutes remaining in the contest. The tackle was further proof that nobody in the game has any sense when it comes to which foot to use when sliding in.
Jordan Ibe came on as a sub for Ings and in the 84th min almost scored, only to see De Gea poke it away. Christian Benteke gave Reds fans a glimmer of hope with an absolute smashing goal with the bicycle in the 85th minute. However, the good feelings were short lived. Only moments later, Anthony Martial made Martin Skrtel look like a grade school defender and put the difference back up to two, neatly slotting the ball past Simon Mingolet.
The final score was fitting of which team did enough to win, however it was not indicative of the contest as a whole. Liverpool deserved to lose and United deserved to win. However, United were not a team that were deserving three goals. They were not a great attacking side and did little with all the possession they had. Liverpool gifted them the penalty and two defensive miscues led to the other goals. On the flip side, Liverpool never truly looked a threat. A few set piece chances and a bit of magic from Benteke were all that put any semblance of a dent in the game.
Liverpool must decide what they intend to be. Tactics change depending on opponents, but the style of play and a belief you can win must always be there. Liverpool had neither. The Reds were missing Jordan Henderson and Coutinho, but missing players can no longer be the excuse for this club. Luis Suarez is one of the best strikers in the world and was a fitting excuse for why the goals disappeared last season. However, if this club is built to where one or two players can make a change in the very spirit of the team and how it plays, then changes need to be made.
Brendan Rodgers has long prided himself on being able to prepare his team to succeed and mold them in a way that will give them an opportunity to succeed. This season has been anything but for the Irishman. The Liverpool manager must find it within himself and within his team to get it right or he will be out of a job and the club will be out of contention.
Random Thoughts:
- I have long supported Brendan Rodgers and when my head cooled off I still find myself in that camp in the grand scheme. However, if he has decided to be rigid in his formations and try not to lose instead of win then maybe it is time for him to go.
- Along those lines, Liverpool just didn't look into it. If they could have played the entire contest the way they played after the 55th minute, then perhaps it could have gone their way. Tactically I understand withstanding the initial wave, but Liverpool needed to take the game to United. Whether it was just that kind of day or Rodgers own tactics, Liverpool had absolutely no energy for two thirds of the contest and it was disturbing to see.
- This team cannot rely on what might be. All teams have injuries and all teams go through player suspensions. For the past two seasons so many, including myself, have been saying it will all be ok when this person returns or if that person gets back to form. If that is what we are still hanging our hat on, then this team will do absolutely nothing going forward.
- I feel bad for Benteke. He has the style and body to play as a lone striker and thrive. He has disappeared at times but is proving to be worth the money spent given the quality of the two goals scored. That said, he cannot do it alone. Liverpool is relying on him to do everything alone with little support the same way they have put way too much pressure on Coutinho. The rest of the team has to do more.
- Seeing the replay took the sting away, however initially watching the Martial goal had me seething at Martin Skrtel. People pick on Dejan Lovren, and rightly so, due to the number of mistakes he makes. However, it seems that though Skrtel makes fewer mistakes every mistake he makes seems to end up in the back of the net.
- Sadly the only positive for Liverpool now is that they have a lot of games coming up to try and turn things around. They have UEFA Cup, two league games and a cup game coming up within the next two weeks. Squad rotation will come into play, but they have to find positives to build some sort of foundation either for the rest of this season or at the very least for the next manager if it comes to that.
Walk On.
Another disappointing aspect to the game was how static both sides were. Brendan Rodgers, who seemed to pride himself on changing formations in previous seasons, seems dead set on a lone striker setup now when Danny Ings would've been better suited as a striker. Credit to the player though, he tracked back well and did his best in the first half to act as a true winger. The same can be said for Firmino. The young Brazilian is doing his best to fit into the English game, but seems to pick either defending or attacking during each possession and will give up on the other.
This team is still struggling offensively and not just in terms of goal production. Players would not make runs, despite Emre Can imploring players to push forward. When Liverpool had the rare bit of possession, the ball was not sent in the path of anyone who might've been making a run. Nothing managed to come off for Liverpool. Even a great setup in the 36th minute was ruined by Benteke managing to run offside even though he had all the players in his vision. To rub salt in, the chance was put wide before Benteke officially knew he was offside.
For one of the most storied rivalries in the game, it was one of the worst halves of football seen in some time. Mistakes by both teams cost them nothing. Liverpool players constantly just stood rooted to the grass, staring at the ball as defenders closed in on their teammates. I can only imagine the things said by supporters of the Red Devils as, despite all their possession, did little to impact the game either.
The broadcasters sounded like they were announcing a baseball game that had long since ended in terms of score, just not innings. The halftime whistle was merciful, but the sad truth said by Lee Dixon was that Brendan Rodgers was likely happy with the performance. Being pleased with a draw after 45 minutes is fine, in and of itself, but to be pleased with the Liverpool performance was nothing to praise.
To start the second half, United made an odd decision to take off Depay. Memphis was one of the few bright spots between the two sides and did not appear to be laboring. However, Louis van Gaal took him off in favor of Ashley Young. The second half began much the same way as the first until a foul against Nathaniel Clyne. Liverpool failed to close down a weak pass across the top of the box from the free kick, only to see Daley Blind smash one past the defense and into the back of the net. Liverpool failed to wake up even after the goal. Only moments after the goal, Bastian Schweinsteiger was open on the back post and failed to cleanly handle the ball to let the Reds off the hook.
Liverpool finally got a bit of a spark after the 55th minute. They created a couple good chances, one intended for Benteke only to be cleared away after a mistake from David De Gea and then a second one smartly saved by the Spaniard after a decent volley from Danny Ings. The positivity continued in brief splashes and glimpses. In the 65th minute there was a scramble after a corner kick, that honestly, left one scratching their head as to how Liverpool failed to put it in.
The positive feelings came crashing down however, as Gomez gave up a ridiculous penalty with only 20 minutes remaining in the contest. The tackle was further proof that nobody in the game has any sense when it comes to which foot to use when sliding in.
Jordan Ibe came on as a sub for Ings and in the 84th min almost scored, only to see De Gea poke it away. Christian Benteke gave Reds fans a glimmer of hope with an absolute smashing goal with the bicycle in the 85th minute. However, the good feelings were short lived. Only moments later, Anthony Martial made Martin Skrtel look like a grade school defender and put the difference back up to two, neatly slotting the ball past Simon Mingolet.
The final score was fitting of which team did enough to win, however it was not indicative of the contest as a whole. Liverpool deserved to lose and United deserved to win. However, United were not a team that were deserving three goals. They were not a great attacking side and did little with all the possession they had. Liverpool gifted them the penalty and two defensive miscues led to the other goals. On the flip side, Liverpool never truly looked a threat. A few set piece chances and a bit of magic from Benteke were all that put any semblance of a dent in the game.
Liverpool must decide what they intend to be. Tactics change depending on opponents, but the style of play and a belief you can win must always be there. Liverpool had neither. The Reds were missing Jordan Henderson and Coutinho, but missing players can no longer be the excuse for this club. Luis Suarez is one of the best strikers in the world and was a fitting excuse for why the goals disappeared last season. However, if this club is built to where one or two players can make a change in the very spirit of the team and how it plays, then changes need to be made.
Brendan Rodgers has long prided himself on being able to prepare his team to succeed and mold them in a way that will give them an opportunity to succeed. This season has been anything but for the Irishman. The Liverpool manager must find it within himself and within his team to get it right or he will be out of a job and the club will be out of contention.
Random Thoughts:
- I have long supported Brendan Rodgers and when my head cooled off I still find myself in that camp in the grand scheme. However, if he has decided to be rigid in his formations and try not to lose instead of win then maybe it is time for him to go.
- Along those lines, Liverpool just didn't look into it. If they could have played the entire contest the way they played after the 55th minute, then perhaps it could have gone their way. Tactically I understand withstanding the initial wave, but Liverpool needed to take the game to United. Whether it was just that kind of day or Rodgers own tactics, Liverpool had absolutely no energy for two thirds of the contest and it was disturbing to see.
- This team cannot rely on what might be. All teams have injuries and all teams go through player suspensions. For the past two seasons so many, including myself, have been saying it will all be ok when this person returns or if that person gets back to form. If that is what we are still hanging our hat on, then this team will do absolutely nothing going forward.
- I feel bad for Benteke. He has the style and body to play as a lone striker and thrive. He has disappeared at times but is proving to be worth the money spent given the quality of the two goals scored. That said, he cannot do it alone. Liverpool is relying on him to do everything alone with little support the same way they have put way too much pressure on Coutinho. The rest of the team has to do more.
- Seeing the replay took the sting away, however initially watching the Martial goal had me seething at Martin Skrtel. People pick on Dejan Lovren, and rightly so, due to the number of mistakes he makes. However, it seems that though Skrtel makes fewer mistakes every mistake he makes seems to end up in the back of the net.
- Sadly the only positive for Liverpool now is that they have a lot of games coming up to try and turn things around. They have UEFA Cup, two league games and a cup game coming up within the next two weeks. Squad rotation will come into play, but they have to find positives to build some sort of foundation either for the rest of this season or at the very least for the next manager if it comes to that.
Walk On.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Game In Hand Goes To Pot
Let me preface today's blog with the fact that I did not see the entirety of today's match due to another DVR SNAFU (Which did not end up mattering as I saw the entire first half). Liverpool's faint glimmer of hope for Champions League football has been all but dashed. A midweek clash with Hull City, a squad fighting to stay above the relegation zone, seemed to be the good medicine Liverpool would need following a disappointing weekend match against West Brom. Despite manager Brendan Rodgers' claims that the club played well on the weekend and just did not score, the team failed to answer the call in a time when three points are ever so precious.
Again, three points were needed to continue any hope of playing in Europe's top competition in this Tuesday match and Liverpool, again, failed to answer the bell. This club, simply, has been a disappointment this season. Despite glimmers and flashes of what could be, there have been far too many bad performances from the team.
Liverpool did create chances. 12 shots and nine on target are not stats to be scoffed at, but the quality of some of the attempts leaves much to be desired. While the Reds could easily have had two or three goals in the first half - one coming off Mario Balotelli's backheel that went straight at the keeper, one coming off Coutinho's one-timer that went straight at the keeper and one that Jordan Henderson shot straight at the keeper - the bottom line is that the team did not finish their chances. As fans we want to believe that there is talent in this squad, but either it is not being utilized correctly or it is simply not there.
People may blame Mario Balotelli for the loss, and would not be completely incorrect, but in fairness he was in position to make three Hull City attackers offside. Unfortunately, the pass went to the one attacker smart enough to stay onside and nobody defended the ball. Yes, Balotelli played the man offside and shoulders a large bit of blame, but the lack of urgency in attempting to defend that ball was shocking. Premier League defenders should not be standing with their feet in quicksand and watching the ball go over their heads as though they were watching the first rocket blast into outer space.
One can also argue that the lack of urgency in this squad is quite alarming. Fine, you go down by a goal in a late season match, only three days removed from your last match and one on the road. But to see little to no fight after the halftime break is shocking. If not for Simon Mingolet, a goalkeeper many fans were willing to place on the sacrificial altar during the January window, this team would have lost many more than 10 games. The score would have been much worse than 1-0 in today's match as well. Mingolet has been a rare bright spot in the month of April as the team has crumbled around him.
The sad part of all this is we have reached the point where cold, hard, calculated moves must be made. Personally, I really like Brendan Rodgers. But if he has lost the ear of this team and seems unable to pull off the moves to keep Liverpool in the upper echelon, then he must go. Raheem Sterling is a great young talent. However, as good as he is and can be, seven goals is not good enough. I would not advocate selling him, but he has to do more than simply dribble and show speed to be a player deserving of the money he wants. Coutinho is in the same boat. He is a fantastic player, but more must be accomplished. He cannot simply keep the ball on a string and show filthy moves and then blast the ball over the bar. Sadly, despite their lack of truly accomplishing anything this season, those two have been the lone bright spots on this squad (at least in attacking terms).
Again, once the season is finished and every result tabulated, I will go more into depth about what this team needs and who is just not good enough. As supporters, though, we are incredibly disappointed and frustrated right now. Unfortunately, last year seems to be fools gold and we all took a piece. Everyone knew, the loss of one of the top five players in the world in Suarez was going to be a big blow, but we did not know that it would deprive the team of all its scoring. Nobody has stepped up to fill the void and players that were to be counted on in important roles like Daniel Sturridge and Lucas continue to get injured if you look at them the wrong way.
Even taking the supporter hat off, this team has become difficult to watch. The club is slow at the back, ineffective through the midfield and lack cutthroat, clinical finishing in attack. At this moment, we are all at a loss. Anger presents many options and opinions in the heat of the moment, but many are lacking any true thought or consideration. The winds of change are surely stirring inside the Shankly Gates, but for now all the fans can do is hope the season ends on an up-note. It is a sad state of affairs, given the promise going into the year, but that is what they are left with.
Walk On.
Again, three points were needed to continue any hope of playing in Europe's top competition in this Tuesday match and Liverpool, again, failed to answer the bell. This club, simply, has been a disappointment this season. Despite glimmers and flashes of what could be, there have been far too many bad performances from the team.
Liverpool did create chances. 12 shots and nine on target are not stats to be scoffed at, but the quality of some of the attempts leaves much to be desired. While the Reds could easily have had two or three goals in the first half - one coming off Mario Balotelli's backheel that went straight at the keeper, one coming off Coutinho's one-timer that went straight at the keeper and one that Jordan Henderson shot straight at the keeper - the bottom line is that the team did not finish their chances. As fans we want to believe that there is talent in this squad, but either it is not being utilized correctly or it is simply not there.
People may blame Mario Balotelli for the loss, and would not be completely incorrect, but in fairness he was in position to make three Hull City attackers offside. Unfortunately, the pass went to the one attacker smart enough to stay onside and nobody defended the ball. Yes, Balotelli played the man offside and shoulders a large bit of blame, but the lack of urgency in attempting to defend that ball was shocking. Premier League defenders should not be standing with their feet in quicksand and watching the ball go over their heads as though they were watching the first rocket blast into outer space.
One can also argue that the lack of urgency in this squad is quite alarming. Fine, you go down by a goal in a late season match, only three days removed from your last match and one on the road. But to see little to no fight after the halftime break is shocking. If not for Simon Mingolet, a goalkeeper many fans were willing to place on the sacrificial altar during the January window, this team would have lost many more than 10 games. The score would have been much worse than 1-0 in today's match as well. Mingolet has been a rare bright spot in the month of April as the team has crumbled around him.
The sad part of all this is we have reached the point where cold, hard, calculated moves must be made. Personally, I really like Brendan Rodgers. But if he has lost the ear of this team and seems unable to pull off the moves to keep Liverpool in the upper echelon, then he must go. Raheem Sterling is a great young talent. However, as good as he is and can be, seven goals is not good enough. I would not advocate selling him, but he has to do more than simply dribble and show speed to be a player deserving of the money he wants. Coutinho is in the same boat. He is a fantastic player, but more must be accomplished. He cannot simply keep the ball on a string and show filthy moves and then blast the ball over the bar. Sadly, despite their lack of truly accomplishing anything this season, those two have been the lone bright spots on this squad (at least in attacking terms).
Again, once the season is finished and every result tabulated, I will go more into depth about what this team needs and who is just not good enough. As supporters, though, we are incredibly disappointed and frustrated right now. Unfortunately, last year seems to be fools gold and we all took a piece. Everyone knew, the loss of one of the top five players in the world in Suarez was going to be a big blow, but we did not know that it would deprive the team of all its scoring. Nobody has stepped up to fill the void and players that were to be counted on in important roles like Daniel Sturridge and Lucas continue to get injured if you look at them the wrong way.
Even taking the supporter hat off, this team has become difficult to watch. The club is slow at the back, ineffective through the midfield and lack cutthroat, clinical finishing in attack. At this moment, we are all at a loss. Anger presents many options and opinions in the heat of the moment, but many are lacking any true thought or consideration. The winds of change are surely stirring inside the Shankly Gates, but for now all the fans can do is hope the season ends on an up-note. It is a sad state of affairs, given the promise going into the year, but that is what they are left with.
Walk On.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Champions League All But Gone
Liverpool came into this weekend with much to do. They needed results in pretty much every match, with all three points to come from as many games as possible. Only getting one point against a team like West Brom was not something that favored Liverpool's chances of sneaking into the top four. Unfortunately for the Reds, that is exactly the result they gained in this road match. Draws against Chelsea or even Stoke would've been more stomachable, but now the Reds must walk on with the knowledge that they could not break down a team that has flirted with relegation a few times this season.
Liverpool came out positively, as they usually do before it all goes to pot. Even without Daniel Sturridge, Lucas or Sakho, this was a team filled with enough talent on the ball to be able to do things. And things they did, until the final third. Liverpool were strong on the ball, mixed up the attack fairly well and plunged ahead with speed. Unfortunately, that same bug bit them that has been an issue all season. That bug is a lack of scoring punch.
Daniel Sturridge, for all his talents, has been a non-factor all year because he is either injured or played with a fear of getting injured. Raheem Sterling is a fantastic talent for the future, but a combination of contract disputes, a possible lack of off-field maturity and a simple positional change have limited what he has been able to accomplish this season. Mario Balotelli appears to be a failed experiment, both of his own doing and a lack of support when on the field. There are little to no true striking options coming off the bench, woefully proven by Fabio Borini coming into this match as a sub after having not even been included in the team for several weeks.
Despite the relative negativity of options, the Reds had their chances. Steven Gerrard narrowly missed on a free kick that was literally on the edge of the penalty box, in the first half. Balotelli put one over the bar as did a few other Liverpool attacks. The first half seemed littered with potential chances wasted by putting too much on and under the shot.
If the first half was a half of shots missing over the bar, the second was a half filled with chanced put off the bars. The Reds' best chance - one that probably should've been finished off - was a scramble in the box in the 56th minute. After an early scramble on the left side, Balotelli slid for a shot that was blocked by the defender. Coutinho then put it back in the mixer only to have it saved. The rebound came to Jordan Henderson. While Henderson was granted little time to decide, his shot came too low and was blocked instead of hitting a relatively open net.
Balotelli linked well on a chance for Jordan Ibe in the 63rd minute. Ibe's shot grazed the defender's leg and then crashed off the crossbar. Coutinho just missed one of his trademark long shots as it skimmed off the top netting in the 81st minute. Finally, a fitting end for Liverpool's day was a cross from Gerrard at the death that was narrowly headed wide by Dejan Lovren.
Liverpool had 74% of the possession. They more than doubled the shots taken of their opponent, 22-10. While those stats should be encouraging, they really are not. Despite 22 shots, only 5 were listed as on target, compared to four for West Bromwich Albion. As previously mentioned, Liverpool just did not take care of their opportunities. Give the opponent some credit. West Brom packed it in, often with seven or more players in the box, but Liverpool just did not have that finishing touch as they have not had much of the year. West Brom also had a pretty good record against the Reds in recent times.
The game itself was not a travesty. Liverpool had their chances. Liverpool defended reasonably well, though West Brom could have scored a couple times - one in particular that was too close was the opportunity cleared off the line by Lovren. Interestingly enough, when I awoke today the first thought in my head was what to write if this ended up being a goalless draw. Now I'm kicking myself.
In the grander scheme, this result just further cemented the uncertainty Liverpool will go into the summer with. Regardless of your feelings on him, Brendan Rodgers' job is in increasing jeopardy. Regardless of who the manager is next year, depth at striker is going to be a huge need in the off season. What is there to do about Mario Balotelli? His resale value will be exceedingly low, but if you keep him then he needs to be in a system where he is not the lone striker. His work rate and skills simply do not allow that to be a viable position for him. However, he is no longer the type of talent you can build a system to fit either. The defense has plenty of question marks as well, but I'll save that for the end of the year.
Though the game itself was simply boring, what is crushing about it is that it almost wipes out any chance at the Champions League. Realists will say it was almost impossible to begin with, but there were enough opportunities left for it still to be a reality. Now, there's just too much left to chance even if the Reds were to win out. While Liverpool has a seemingly easy schedule with only Chelsea left as a major obstacle, the teams ahead don't have much on their ledger either. Manchester United finishes off the year with matches against Everton, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull. Given their form, Arsenal seems the only likely spot they might drop points. City, meanwhile, end against Tottenham, QPR, Swansea and Southampton. A more slippery slope, perhaps, but still unlikely to produce the kinds of results Liverpool would need.
Liverpool currently sit nine points behind second place Manchester City, with five matches to go. If Liverpool win four of those they gain 12 points. 15 points if they upset Chelsea and won them all. Unfortunately the math just doesn't favor them. Even with all 12 or 15 points, that means that their opponents can only pick up 3-4 points of their remaining games. Sadly, that just isn't going to happen.
Random Thoughts:
- Many will disagree with me, especially given this result, but I still feel Rodgers is a good enough coach to win at Liverpool. I stated in my video blogs that Liverpool needs to put feelers out on Jurgen Klopp. If he is willing to come and not use Liverpool as a bargaining chip, then the time for change may be now. If not Klopp though, I don't see much out there that would really be better. Rodgers' failings have mainly come during the off seasons. He is a great tactitian and makes changes in season to turn things around. He must be better at judging players not in his system though, if he is to really return Liverpool to their previous heights.
- From a personal standpoint, I have come to the conclusion that Sturridge will never be fit enough to fully be counted on by Liverpool. I would not sell him for a pittance, but if you continue to try and build your offense around him, I just don't believe he will give you enough games. Sturridge can still be a valuable piece now and then if you keep him, but significant changes need to be made to the Reds' attack.
Walk On.
Liverpool came out positively, as they usually do before it all goes to pot. Even without Daniel Sturridge, Lucas or Sakho, this was a team filled with enough talent on the ball to be able to do things. And things they did, until the final third. Liverpool were strong on the ball, mixed up the attack fairly well and plunged ahead with speed. Unfortunately, that same bug bit them that has been an issue all season. That bug is a lack of scoring punch.
Daniel Sturridge, for all his talents, has been a non-factor all year because he is either injured or played with a fear of getting injured. Raheem Sterling is a fantastic talent for the future, but a combination of contract disputes, a possible lack of off-field maturity and a simple positional change have limited what he has been able to accomplish this season. Mario Balotelli appears to be a failed experiment, both of his own doing and a lack of support when on the field. There are little to no true striking options coming off the bench, woefully proven by Fabio Borini coming into this match as a sub after having not even been included in the team for several weeks.
Despite the relative negativity of options, the Reds had their chances. Steven Gerrard narrowly missed on a free kick that was literally on the edge of the penalty box, in the first half. Balotelli put one over the bar as did a few other Liverpool attacks. The first half seemed littered with potential chances wasted by putting too much on and under the shot.
If the first half was a half of shots missing over the bar, the second was a half filled with chanced put off the bars. The Reds' best chance - one that probably should've been finished off - was a scramble in the box in the 56th minute. After an early scramble on the left side, Balotelli slid for a shot that was blocked by the defender. Coutinho then put it back in the mixer only to have it saved. The rebound came to Jordan Henderson. While Henderson was granted little time to decide, his shot came too low and was blocked instead of hitting a relatively open net.
Balotelli linked well on a chance for Jordan Ibe in the 63rd minute. Ibe's shot grazed the defender's leg and then crashed off the crossbar. Coutinho just missed one of his trademark long shots as it skimmed off the top netting in the 81st minute. Finally, a fitting end for Liverpool's day was a cross from Gerrard at the death that was narrowly headed wide by Dejan Lovren.
Liverpool had 74% of the possession. They more than doubled the shots taken of their opponent, 22-10. While those stats should be encouraging, they really are not. Despite 22 shots, only 5 were listed as on target, compared to four for West Bromwich Albion. As previously mentioned, Liverpool just did not take care of their opportunities. Give the opponent some credit. West Brom packed it in, often with seven or more players in the box, but Liverpool just did not have that finishing touch as they have not had much of the year. West Brom also had a pretty good record against the Reds in recent times.
The game itself was not a travesty. Liverpool had their chances. Liverpool defended reasonably well, though West Brom could have scored a couple times - one in particular that was too close was the opportunity cleared off the line by Lovren. Interestingly enough, when I awoke today the first thought in my head was what to write if this ended up being a goalless draw. Now I'm kicking myself.
In the grander scheme, this result just further cemented the uncertainty Liverpool will go into the summer with. Regardless of your feelings on him, Brendan Rodgers' job is in increasing jeopardy. Regardless of who the manager is next year, depth at striker is going to be a huge need in the off season. What is there to do about Mario Balotelli? His resale value will be exceedingly low, but if you keep him then he needs to be in a system where he is not the lone striker. His work rate and skills simply do not allow that to be a viable position for him. However, he is no longer the type of talent you can build a system to fit either. The defense has plenty of question marks as well, but I'll save that for the end of the year.
Though the game itself was simply boring, what is crushing about it is that it almost wipes out any chance at the Champions League. Realists will say it was almost impossible to begin with, but there were enough opportunities left for it still to be a reality. Now, there's just too much left to chance even if the Reds were to win out. While Liverpool has a seemingly easy schedule with only Chelsea left as a major obstacle, the teams ahead don't have much on their ledger either. Manchester United finishes off the year with matches against Everton, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull. Given their form, Arsenal seems the only likely spot they might drop points. City, meanwhile, end against Tottenham, QPR, Swansea and Southampton. A more slippery slope, perhaps, but still unlikely to produce the kinds of results Liverpool would need.
Liverpool currently sit nine points behind second place Manchester City, with five matches to go. If Liverpool win four of those they gain 12 points. 15 points if they upset Chelsea and won them all. Unfortunately the math just doesn't favor them. Even with all 12 or 15 points, that means that their opponents can only pick up 3-4 points of their remaining games. Sadly, that just isn't going to happen.
Random Thoughts:
- Many will disagree with me, especially given this result, but I still feel Rodgers is a good enough coach to win at Liverpool. I stated in my video blogs that Liverpool needs to put feelers out on Jurgen Klopp. If he is willing to come and not use Liverpool as a bargaining chip, then the time for change may be now. If not Klopp though, I don't see much out there that would really be better. Rodgers' failings have mainly come during the off seasons. He is a great tactitian and makes changes in season to turn things around. He must be better at judging players not in his system though, if he is to really return Liverpool to their previous heights.
- From a personal standpoint, I have come to the conclusion that Sturridge will never be fit enough to fully be counted on by Liverpool. I would not sell him for a pittance, but if you continue to try and build your offense around him, I just don't believe he will give you enough games. Sturridge can still be a valuable piece now and then if you keep him, but significant changes need to be made to the Reds' attack.
Walk On.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Liverpool Keep Hope Alive with Win Over Newcastle
The odds of getting into the top four are fairly slim for Liverpool Football Club, but at this point in the season all they can do is the best they can and see where the chips may fall. With this in mind, Liverpool got off to a good start both overall and within the match itself. The Reds dominated the opening 20 to 25 minutes and came away with an early lead for their efforts.
Brendan Rodgers did an excellent job of changing the team shape, given his lack of choices for the team due to injury and suspension. Liverpool were without Daniel Sturridge, Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel, all of whom usually play an important role in the team. Instead of just jamming his pieces into the same formation, Rodgers went to a back four defensively and placed Raheem Sterling on the outside with Coutinho in the middle to create mismatches in attack.
The tactic paid off in the ninth minute when Jordan Henderson sent in a nicely weighted long cross from the right. Sterling neatly coddled it with the laces, sliced through two defenders and finessed the shot over the monstrous Tim Krul. Again, the opening 25 minutes went almost all Liverpool's way. Coutinho showed fantastic skill in the 22nd minute, with a nifty settle, deft flick and cross toward goal. The cross was too pacey but showed Liverpool's dominance in attack for those kinds of moments.
Liverpool also looked positive against the physicality. Newcastle were very physical after going down by a goal and the smaller Reds side managed that side of the game very well. Liverpool's downfall in the second part of the first half was on the counter attack. The Reds were extremely positive when in possession, but when they gave it up, the Magpies created several chances. Newcastle continued their attack and continued to come close to evening the game at the end of the first and opening 10 minutes of the second half.
Mingolet had a top chance hit right at him in the 28th minute, Dejan Lovren was very lucky not to concede a penalty in the 38th minute, Mehdi Abeid nearly knotted it up with a blast just over the bar right before half and Mingolet smartly dove to the right and parried away a chance in the first minute of extra time before halftime.
Despite the occasional defensive lapses, Liverpool got the job done and kept the sheet clean. Simon Mingolet was not called upon often, but came up big for his club when asked to. The back four were not stellar by any means, but played well enough given the opponent to do their job. It is a system that will not work against every opponent, but that almost makes the performance a bit better when you aren't used to something and it works anyway.
Attacking, Liverpool have not looked much better throughout the season. There have been better flashes of brilliance, but as a whole, this game showed much promise. Sterling shook off the media hype and the backlash of the fans and scored. Joe Allen, of all people, gave Liverpool a cushion when he booted home a volley after missing the initial header. Jordan Henderson looked revived and bombed up the field off the ball like a true attacker. Coutinho, though kept off the scoresheet, was excellent on the ball. He made good decisions and continues his growth as a player. The way he keeps the ball on a string is, at times, mind boggling. Sterling and Coutinho dribble into trouble sometimes, but if they can continue to grow as players and make good mental decisions, those moments are more forgivable.
The big question now for Liverpool is what to do about the lineup. The FA Cup semifinal looms on the weekend and results must be continued to keep any chance at the top four alive. Given those important fixtures, do you tinker? Despite his skill and problems created for defenders, the team has often played better when not relying on Daniel Sturridge to score. Despite his legend status and calmness on the ball, Steven Gerrard has been inconsistent in his time on the pitch. Conversely, despite their recent good run of form, do you trust Lucas and Allen to not revert to early season form? Do you trust an attacking trio bereft of a true striker?
These are questions that only Brendan Rodgers can truly answer. Once he makes those choices, it is down to the players to perform. There were many, yours truly included, that questioned the starting XI for the Newcastle match. Players are the ones that ultimately decide whether managers choices will pay off or not. In the end, no fan can say they don't want Gerrard or Sturridge on the team sheet. It merely remains to be seen what contributions they have left to make and whether those contributions are made in 90 minutes or less.
Plenty remains this season for Liverpool. Silverware can be obtained. Manchester City continues to leave the door unlocked and the window cracked on top four possibilities. It is not what fans envisioned after last season's glorious run and heartbreaking end. However, when the club is at least in a position to look to themselves and still have good things happen then the season is still on a spot to be looked upon positively. Now it falls on the players to end it right.
Random Thoughts:
- Say what you will about the contract situation and who is to blame, Raheem Sterling is still a great talent. He is not the finished product yet though. A player worthy of the salary he is reportedly demanding would finish off the left footed chance in the 57th minute. Yes, the 6'4 Krul is a daunting physical presence, but Sterling needs to finish that. It could have haunted his team. Instead it did not and the young player can focus more on the training ground to get a better weak foot.
- Coutinho continues to amaze. As much as he frustrated and lacked skill last season, he has grown by leaps and bounds this season. As mentioned, he dribbles into trouble a tad too often but his touch in tight spaces is, at the moment, top ten in the world worthy.
- As a member of the Keeper's Union, I would be misguided not to bring up Simon Mingolet with praise. I honestly wondered if he would be able to recover mentally after being replaced by Brad Jones earlier this year. We will never know if he would have been reinstated if Jones did not get injured, but instead of wilting Mingolet came back with vengence. He is still not the perfect keeper and probably not in the top 10 in the world, but he has been a huge reason the club has performed so well - results against Arsenal and United not withstanding.
- I've been particularly pleased with the growth of Jordan Henderson. After a very slow start to the year, he has performed very admirably in the absence of Steven Gerrard and even when in the team with him. Henderson has been moved around from attacking midfield to defensive midfield to a wide position and done all reasonably well (some better than others obviously). The thing that I like about him is he is simply doing the best he can. He will never be another Gerrard and fans should not judge him in those shoes. But his decision making has improved as has his skill level this season. He cannot be judged based off others achievements, but whether he is the future captain or not, he has shown that he can be a valuable asset to this club.
Walk On.
Brendan Rodgers did an excellent job of changing the team shape, given his lack of choices for the team due to injury and suspension. Liverpool were without Daniel Sturridge, Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel, all of whom usually play an important role in the team. Instead of just jamming his pieces into the same formation, Rodgers went to a back four defensively and placed Raheem Sterling on the outside with Coutinho in the middle to create mismatches in attack.
The tactic paid off in the ninth minute when Jordan Henderson sent in a nicely weighted long cross from the right. Sterling neatly coddled it with the laces, sliced through two defenders and finessed the shot over the monstrous Tim Krul. Again, the opening 25 minutes went almost all Liverpool's way. Coutinho showed fantastic skill in the 22nd minute, with a nifty settle, deft flick and cross toward goal. The cross was too pacey but showed Liverpool's dominance in attack for those kinds of moments.
Liverpool also looked positive against the physicality. Newcastle were very physical after going down by a goal and the smaller Reds side managed that side of the game very well. Liverpool's downfall in the second part of the first half was on the counter attack. The Reds were extremely positive when in possession, but when they gave it up, the Magpies created several chances. Newcastle continued their attack and continued to come close to evening the game at the end of the first and opening 10 minutes of the second half.
Mingolet had a top chance hit right at him in the 28th minute, Dejan Lovren was very lucky not to concede a penalty in the 38th minute, Mehdi Abeid nearly knotted it up with a blast just over the bar right before half and Mingolet smartly dove to the right and parried away a chance in the first minute of extra time before halftime.
Despite the occasional defensive lapses, Liverpool got the job done and kept the sheet clean. Simon Mingolet was not called upon often, but came up big for his club when asked to. The back four were not stellar by any means, but played well enough given the opponent to do their job. It is a system that will not work against every opponent, but that almost makes the performance a bit better when you aren't used to something and it works anyway.
Attacking, Liverpool have not looked much better throughout the season. There have been better flashes of brilliance, but as a whole, this game showed much promise. Sterling shook off the media hype and the backlash of the fans and scored. Joe Allen, of all people, gave Liverpool a cushion when he booted home a volley after missing the initial header. Jordan Henderson looked revived and bombed up the field off the ball like a true attacker. Coutinho, though kept off the scoresheet, was excellent on the ball. He made good decisions and continues his growth as a player. The way he keeps the ball on a string is, at times, mind boggling. Sterling and Coutinho dribble into trouble sometimes, but if they can continue to grow as players and make good mental decisions, those moments are more forgivable.
The big question now for Liverpool is what to do about the lineup. The FA Cup semifinal looms on the weekend and results must be continued to keep any chance at the top four alive. Given those important fixtures, do you tinker? Despite his skill and problems created for defenders, the team has often played better when not relying on Daniel Sturridge to score. Despite his legend status and calmness on the ball, Steven Gerrard has been inconsistent in his time on the pitch. Conversely, despite their recent good run of form, do you trust Lucas and Allen to not revert to early season form? Do you trust an attacking trio bereft of a true striker?
These are questions that only Brendan Rodgers can truly answer. Once he makes those choices, it is down to the players to perform. There were many, yours truly included, that questioned the starting XI for the Newcastle match. Players are the ones that ultimately decide whether managers choices will pay off or not. In the end, no fan can say they don't want Gerrard or Sturridge on the team sheet. It merely remains to be seen what contributions they have left to make and whether those contributions are made in 90 minutes or less.
Plenty remains this season for Liverpool. Silverware can be obtained. Manchester City continues to leave the door unlocked and the window cracked on top four possibilities. It is not what fans envisioned after last season's glorious run and heartbreaking end. However, when the club is at least in a position to look to themselves and still have good things happen then the season is still on a spot to be looked upon positively. Now it falls on the players to end it right.
Random Thoughts:
- Say what you will about the contract situation and who is to blame, Raheem Sterling is still a great talent. He is not the finished product yet though. A player worthy of the salary he is reportedly demanding would finish off the left footed chance in the 57th minute. Yes, the 6'4 Krul is a daunting physical presence, but Sterling needs to finish that. It could have haunted his team. Instead it did not and the young player can focus more on the training ground to get a better weak foot.
- Coutinho continues to amaze. As much as he frustrated and lacked skill last season, he has grown by leaps and bounds this season. As mentioned, he dribbles into trouble a tad too often but his touch in tight spaces is, at the moment, top ten in the world worthy.
- As a member of the Keeper's Union, I would be misguided not to bring up Simon Mingolet with praise. I honestly wondered if he would be able to recover mentally after being replaced by Brad Jones earlier this year. We will never know if he would have been reinstated if Jones did not get injured, but instead of wilting Mingolet came back with vengence. He is still not the perfect keeper and probably not in the top 10 in the world, but he has been a huge reason the club has performed so well - results against Arsenal and United not withstanding.
- I've been particularly pleased with the growth of Jordan Henderson. After a very slow start to the year, he has performed very admirably in the absence of Steven Gerrard and even when in the team with him. Henderson has been moved around from attacking midfield to defensive midfield to a wide position and done all reasonably well (some better than others obviously). The thing that I like about him is he is simply doing the best he can. He will never be another Gerrard and fans should not judge him in those shoes. But his decision making has improved as has his skill level this season. He cannot be judged based off others achievements, but whether he is the future captain or not, he has shown that he can be a valuable asset to this club.
Walk On.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Bland Midweek Win Pushes Liverpool Back into Fifth
Liverpool's midweek match against Burnley in the league provided no real surprises. Liverpool managed a relatively easy win over a side struggling to get out of the relegation zone. Burnley had only won four times in 27 matches prior and had not won at Anfield in 41 years. Therefor, the mountain for them to climb was always going to be a difficult one and the Liverpool players made it even steeper by coming out and doing their jobs.
It was by no means a perfect game. The Reds failed to convert on chances that they may have if clicking on all cylinders, but ultimately it did not matter too much. Daniel Sturridge had a pretty good game. Obviously his form has had peaks and valleys since his return, but he remains a key for the squad to get into the top four by the end of the season. Sturridge scored a very good goal. Jordan Henderson sent in a beautiful cross from the right wing and Sturridge slipped between two defenders to nod in the second goal of the game. However, he failed to score on a breakaway and turned away from a cross that may have led to a goal as well.
Sturridge's game continues to evolve as he regains his fitness. When he is at his best, he continues to be a catalyst for good things for Liverpool. The only downside to his current form is, at times, he seems to be bitten by the Balotelli bug. There are brief times where the effort appears to not be there. There are times he shrinks back from challenges and does not go full boar the way he had last season. This is forgivable given the several injuries he accrued before finally settling back in the team this year, but one can only hope that once he feels 100% confident that he will attack without holding back.
This was one of those games where there really wasn't a whole lot to glean from it. Liverpool won, which they were expected to do. They held onto the ball for the majority of the game, which they were expected to do. They limited the chances of their opponent, which given Burnley's goal differential of minus 20 before the match, didn't seem like too tall of an order.
Things were not negative coming out of this game though, despite the lack of enthusiasm from yours truly. Liverpool could have had more goals and should have, but other than that they did what they needed to do. They needed to win to stay within reach of the top four and did so, not knowing how the results of other matches were going. They got the victory without really expending a lot of energy as well, which is a definite plus given the 120 minutes they poured into their match against Besiktas and the emotion it took to get a victory over Manchester City only 3 days later. In addition to that, they got another clean sheet, which is something they struggled to do at the beginning of the year but are now getting in regularity.
As a team, nothing spectacular came from the match but as individuals there were several top notch performances. Coutinho continues to show that when his head is in the game, he is a game changer. He has speed, touch, shiftiness, an eye for the pass and an ability to score. The fact that Liverpool locked him up for several more years is a definite plus. Emre Can continues to show improvement and versatility. He is solid enough to use as part of the back three, but has shown the talent going forward and on the ball that he will be a very useful talent in the midfield in the years to come. Some have even gone as far to say that he will be the one to step into Steven Gerrard's shoes. I think those shoes are too big for Can to fill alone, but he definitely seems capable of making that void not as wide.
Joe Allen has also become quite the player in the recent weeks. He hasn't done anything flashy or put his name on the score sheet, but that is the point. Many fans, pundits and even myself often questioned why he was even in the squad, let alone the starting XI. Allen was weak on the ball, failed to win challenges and made poor decisions in his passing game in the first half of the season. But he has stepped up in a huge way since Gerrard's injury. By no means has the Welshman played like Gerrard, but he hasn't made mistakes and that's what you look for from a player of his quality. He doesn't need to make the flashy passes or fancy moves. He doesn't need to make pinpoint crosses or even stay on the ball long. He needs to be a linchpin in the midfield and an extra defender when needed and he has done just that.
Then there is Jordan Henderson. Henderson had plenty of scrutiny brought upon him with the penalty kick controversy a few weeks ago. He wasn't given a totally fair shake due to many assuming he will automatically be made captain once Gerrard comes to America. He did himself no favors by not playing particularly well either. However, the past few games he has really stepped up his game and not just due to the fact he has scored. Henderson has grown over the past couple weeks and dealt with adversity very well. He shrugged off the Europa League nonsense and came up huge for his team. Henderson scored an incredible goal in a big match against City that would have been the goal of the month or week, if not for Coutinho's strike. Then he scored a cracker of a shot against Burnley and dropped a cross right onto Sturridge's head for the insurance tally. Henderson might not be the captain in future years and will definitely never be the next Gerrard, but as long as he's the best Jordan Henderson he can be then he has justified his place in this club.
The bottom line is that Liverpool continue to win. Win pretty, win ugly, with with style or just get the job done. They did that today. It won't go down in the annals of Anfield as an historic or memorable match, but it didn't need to be. Over the course of a season, there are so many matches that it's impossible to show flair and style every single time. Even the super-clubs like Barcelona or Bayern Munich can't accomplish that. In the end, as long as the club continues to win then it doesn't matter how it was accomplished. Just continue to win and the rest will take care of itself.
Walk On
It was by no means a perfect game. The Reds failed to convert on chances that they may have if clicking on all cylinders, but ultimately it did not matter too much. Daniel Sturridge had a pretty good game. Obviously his form has had peaks and valleys since his return, but he remains a key for the squad to get into the top four by the end of the season. Sturridge scored a very good goal. Jordan Henderson sent in a beautiful cross from the right wing and Sturridge slipped between two defenders to nod in the second goal of the game. However, he failed to score on a breakaway and turned away from a cross that may have led to a goal as well.
Sturridge's game continues to evolve as he regains his fitness. When he is at his best, he continues to be a catalyst for good things for Liverpool. The only downside to his current form is, at times, he seems to be bitten by the Balotelli bug. There are brief times where the effort appears to not be there. There are times he shrinks back from challenges and does not go full boar the way he had last season. This is forgivable given the several injuries he accrued before finally settling back in the team this year, but one can only hope that once he feels 100% confident that he will attack without holding back.
This was one of those games where there really wasn't a whole lot to glean from it. Liverpool won, which they were expected to do. They held onto the ball for the majority of the game, which they were expected to do. They limited the chances of their opponent, which given Burnley's goal differential of minus 20 before the match, didn't seem like too tall of an order.
Things were not negative coming out of this game though, despite the lack of enthusiasm from yours truly. Liverpool could have had more goals and should have, but other than that they did what they needed to do. They needed to win to stay within reach of the top four and did so, not knowing how the results of other matches were going. They got the victory without really expending a lot of energy as well, which is a definite plus given the 120 minutes they poured into their match against Besiktas and the emotion it took to get a victory over Manchester City only 3 days later. In addition to that, they got another clean sheet, which is something they struggled to do at the beginning of the year but are now getting in regularity.
As a team, nothing spectacular came from the match but as individuals there were several top notch performances. Coutinho continues to show that when his head is in the game, he is a game changer. He has speed, touch, shiftiness, an eye for the pass and an ability to score. The fact that Liverpool locked him up for several more years is a definite plus. Emre Can continues to show improvement and versatility. He is solid enough to use as part of the back three, but has shown the talent going forward and on the ball that he will be a very useful talent in the midfield in the years to come. Some have even gone as far to say that he will be the one to step into Steven Gerrard's shoes. I think those shoes are too big for Can to fill alone, but he definitely seems capable of making that void not as wide.
Joe Allen has also become quite the player in the recent weeks. He hasn't done anything flashy or put his name on the score sheet, but that is the point. Many fans, pundits and even myself often questioned why he was even in the squad, let alone the starting XI. Allen was weak on the ball, failed to win challenges and made poor decisions in his passing game in the first half of the season. But he has stepped up in a huge way since Gerrard's injury. By no means has the Welshman played like Gerrard, but he hasn't made mistakes and that's what you look for from a player of his quality. He doesn't need to make the flashy passes or fancy moves. He doesn't need to make pinpoint crosses or even stay on the ball long. He needs to be a linchpin in the midfield and an extra defender when needed and he has done just that.
Then there is Jordan Henderson. Henderson had plenty of scrutiny brought upon him with the penalty kick controversy a few weeks ago. He wasn't given a totally fair shake due to many assuming he will automatically be made captain once Gerrard comes to America. He did himself no favors by not playing particularly well either. However, the past few games he has really stepped up his game and not just due to the fact he has scored. Henderson has grown over the past couple weeks and dealt with adversity very well. He shrugged off the Europa League nonsense and came up huge for his team. Henderson scored an incredible goal in a big match against City that would have been the goal of the month or week, if not for Coutinho's strike. Then he scored a cracker of a shot against Burnley and dropped a cross right onto Sturridge's head for the insurance tally. Henderson might not be the captain in future years and will definitely never be the next Gerrard, but as long as he's the best Jordan Henderson he can be then he has justified his place in this club.
The bottom line is that Liverpool continue to win. Win pretty, win ugly, with with style or just get the job done. They did that today. It won't go down in the annals of Anfield as an historic or memorable match, but it didn't need to be. Over the course of a season, there are so many matches that it's impossible to show flair and style every single time. Even the super-clubs like Barcelona or Bayern Munich can't accomplish that. In the end, as long as the club continues to win then it doesn't matter how it was accomplished. Just continue to win and the rest will take care of itself.
Walk On
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Liverpool Continue to March Up the Table
Liverpool managed a fantastic game against Manchester City, just days after a disastrous exit to Besiktas in the Europa League. While it certainly helped to get the huge boost that the Anfield faithful always provide, Liverpool came out with a zest for the game and with energy many feared would be lacking after expending 120 minutes of strength in Istanbul. Liverpool opened the game very positively, almost creating a chance mere minutes into the game.
Then the floodgates opened. Both teams bombed back and forth. Manchester City, title dreams slowly vanishing like that last sweet dream that fades into the morning, put forth a solid attack. Absorbing the first two or three minutes, they lashed out toward the Kop with reckless abandon. Their attacks often left holes in the back, which Liverpool were able to take advantage of in turn.
Despite his failings in Europe, Brendan Rodgers' decisions continue to bear fruit domestically. While the boss has labeled it as an injury, the consensus is that Coutinho was held out of the road game at Istanbul merely to give him a rest. Regardless of what the truth is, the decision turned out to be a genius one as Coutinho dominated the game from the Reds' point of view. The Brazilian talent was solid on the ball, made great decisions and slotted deft passes into places only his teammates could get the ball. Coutinho may not have scored the opening goal, but he formulated Liverpool's attack for most of the first half. He presented Manchester City with problems as he was too fast in some instances and too skilled to be marked in others.
Jordan Henderson, who despite recent games of solid play is not known for his clinical finishing, smashed what Arlo White described as one of the potential goals of the year. Little did White know what was to come later. Henderson, for his part, took the pass on the left side of the box. pushed it past the lunging defender and though it seemed as though he may have pushed it too far away, Vincent Kompany did not close the distance. Henderson then smashed a brilliant right footed curler into the upper 90 and Joe Hart stood no chance.
Liverpool's lead would not last forever, unfortunately for their fans. Though the Reds were able to withstand the onslaught in the opening foray of the match, their defensive lapses could not hold back the wave forever. Sergio Aguero managed to avoid several tackles as he slid along the top of the box. The City striker's skill managed to draw enough attention that Edin Dzeko slipped into the space between center backs. Dzeko took the pass neatly from Aguero, spotted it past the sliding Simon Mingolet and knotted up the game.
Both teams continued to take their chances and heading into the half, it appeared as though momentum may be sliding toward City. However, Liverpool took control of the game in the second half. Defying conventional wisdom which said City would have more energy having played on Tuesday and Liverpool on Thursday, the Reds took the game to their opponents. Coutinho took the game into his hands as well.
In the 75th minute, Coutinho scored a brilliant goal that was very similar to Henderson's but from an even tighter angle. Liverpool's manager had nothing but praise for his young player. "He is a joy to work with and a joy to watch," said Rodgers. "He is a kid who has so much ahead of him in the game. He is 22 years of age. People forget that he came to us at 19. He is a sensational footballer. To beat Joe Hart at that angle and power was a phenomenal shot."
Not only was it important to get the victory over City for the simple morale booster, of beating a team that is above you in the table and defeated you soundly earlier in the season, but to keep moving up the table yourself. Liverpool came into the match one point behind Southampton, who sat in sixth. The Saints lost on Saturday, which allowed Liverpool a chance to even tie for fourth spot. The win vaulted them two points over the Saints and into a tie with Arsenal. The tie did not last long as Liverpool's Merseyside companion, Everton, could not take down the Gunners but at least the Reds have a Champions League spot within an extremely realistic grasp.
Liverpool are the only Premier League team yet to lose a league match in the calander year of 2015. Rodgers believes working into a Champions League spot may be an even bigger accomplishment than hoped for. "If we can get into the top four, it is an even bigger accomplishment than last season because of our starting position."
Liverpool continue to take their Kopites on a rollercoaster of a season. Their lack of success in Europe and the ups and downs of cup competitions have kept fans guessing and wondering. In the league, they have yet to let people down. A loss is bound to come at some time and Liverpool still have Arsenal and Manchester United above, but they have placed themselves in a position where things are in their hands. The Reds have winnable matches the next two league games and then face all-important fixtures against the Red Devils at home and the Gunners on the road. Points are at a premium. As long as Liverpool continue to pick them up in each game, then there may be more European nights at Anfield next season.
Random Thoughts:
- I cannot imagine not starting Daniel Sturridge if he is fit, but he seems to be proving himself more of an asset at this stage coming off the bench. He failed to put the nail in the coffin on a couple chances, but still threatened the goal and one has to figure if he was in full form he would've slotted the goals in.
- Liverpool deserved to win. Bottom line. That said, Manchester City failed to connect on several chances that, given their skill, you would normally expect them to finish off. The formation still suits the Reds, but I just worry about their defensive skill if faced with a team that is flying.
- Adam Lallana continues to be a bit of a mystery. Some games he looks fantastic, like this one against City. Others, he completely disappears like against Southampton. Perhaps the occasion of facing his former team was too much for him on that night.
Walk On
Then the floodgates opened. Both teams bombed back and forth. Manchester City, title dreams slowly vanishing like that last sweet dream that fades into the morning, put forth a solid attack. Absorbing the first two or three minutes, they lashed out toward the Kop with reckless abandon. Their attacks often left holes in the back, which Liverpool were able to take advantage of in turn.
Despite his failings in Europe, Brendan Rodgers' decisions continue to bear fruit domestically. While the boss has labeled it as an injury, the consensus is that Coutinho was held out of the road game at Istanbul merely to give him a rest. Regardless of what the truth is, the decision turned out to be a genius one as Coutinho dominated the game from the Reds' point of view. The Brazilian talent was solid on the ball, made great decisions and slotted deft passes into places only his teammates could get the ball. Coutinho may not have scored the opening goal, but he formulated Liverpool's attack for most of the first half. He presented Manchester City with problems as he was too fast in some instances and too skilled to be marked in others.
Jordan Henderson, who despite recent games of solid play is not known for his clinical finishing, smashed what Arlo White described as one of the potential goals of the year. Little did White know what was to come later. Henderson, for his part, took the pass on the left side of the box. pushed it past the lunging defender and though it seemed as though he may have pushed it too far away, Vincent Kompany did not close the distance. Henderson then smashed a brilliant right footed curler into the upper 90 and Joe Hart stood no chance.
Liverpool's lead would not last forever, unfortunately for their fans. Though the Reds were able to withstand the onslaught in the opening foray of the match, their defensive lapses could not hold back the wave forever. Sergio Aguero managed to avoid several tackles as he slid along the top of the box. The City striker's skill managed to draw enough attention that Edin Dzeko slipped into the space between center backs. Dzeko took the pass neatly from Aguero, spotted it past the sliding Simon Mingolet and knotted up the game.
Both teams continued to take their chances and heading into the half, it appeared as though momentum may be sliding toward City. However, Liverpool took control of the game in the second half. Defying conventional wisdom which said City would have more energy having played on Tuesday and Liverpool on Thursday, the Reds took the game to their opponents. Coutinho took the game into his hands as well.
In the 75th minute, Coutinho scored a brilliant goal that was very similar to Henderson's but from an even tighter angle. Liverpool's manager had nothing but praise for his young player. "He is a joy to work with and a joy to watch," said Rodgers. "He is a kid who has so much ahead of him in the game. He is 22 years of age. People forget that he came to us at 19. He is a sensational footballer. To beat Joe Hart at that angle and power was a phenomenal shot."
Not only was it important to get the victory over City for the simple morale booster, of beating a team that is above you in the table and defeated you soundly earlier in the season, but to keep moving up the table yourself. Liverpool came into the match one point behind Southampton, who sat in sixth. The Saints lost on Saturday, which allowed Liverpool a chance to even tie for fourth spot. The win vaulted them two points over the Saints and into a tie with Arsenal. The tie did not last long as Liverpool's Merseyside companion, Everton, could not take down the Gunners but at least the Reds have a Champions League spot within an extremely realistic grasp.
Liverpool are the only Premier League team yet to lose a league match in the calander year of 2015. Rodgers believes working into a Champions League spot may be an even bigger accomplishment than hoped for. "If we can get into the top four, it is an even bigger accomplishment than last season because of our starting position."
Liverpool continue to take their Kopites on a rollercoaster of a season. Their lack of success in Europe and the ups and downs of cup competitions have kept fans guessing and wondering. In the league, they have yet to let people down. A loss is bound to come at some time and Liverpool still have Arsenal and Manchester United above, but they have placed themselves in a position where things are in their hands. The Reds have winnable matches the next two league games and then face all-important fixtures against the Red Devils at home and the Gunners on the road. Points are at a premium. As long as Liverpool continue to pick them up in each game, then there may be more European nights at Anfield next season.
Random Thoughts:
- I cannot imagine not starting Daniel Sturridge if he is fit, but he seems to be proving himself more of an asset at this stage coming off the bench. He failed to put the nail in the coffin on a couple chances, but still threatened the goal and one has to figure if he was in full form he would've slotted the goals in.
- Liverpool deserved to win. Bottom line. That said, Manchester City failed to connect on several chances that, given their skill, you would normally expect them to finish off. The formation still suits the Reds, but I just worry about their defensive skill if faced with a team that is flying.
- Adam Lallana continues to be a bit of a mystery. Some games he looks fantastic, like this one against City. Others, he completely disappears like against Southampton. Perhaps the occasion of facing his former team was too much for him on that night.
Walk On
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.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Liverpool Returns to League Action With Solid Win
The Reds returned to league action after what seemed like an eternity of cup matches in recent memory. They did so in fine fashion as well taking down West Ham United by a final of 2-0. Liverpool could, and perhaps should, have had more goals as well. In typical Liverpool fashion for this year, there were mistakes made along the way that keep their performances from being very good or great. However, there cannot be too many complaints following a victory against a side that was a point up in the table before the match began.
Since columns are usually written by whiney, frustrated people I may as well join their ranks for a few paragraphs and begin with the things I saw wrong with this match. Firstly, though a very talented player, Lazar Markovic returned to his shaky form from earlier this season. Markovic has speed up and down the field and hustles non-stop. It is his touch that falters him in important moments though.
In the seventh minute, Markovic failed to convert what should have been an early goal. It was not a gimme shot, but still for one as talented as he and one with the aspirations of being an Anfield legend, you have to put those away. Markovic also blasted one wide of the post just before the halftime break, which would have also put his team up by a goal again. He was clearly disappointed in himself, but the shot was not overly rushed and though there were some players in front it has to be put in the net.
Markovic was by no means the only player to falter in their attacking. Alberto Moreno was set up with a very nice cross by Raheem Sterling in the 47th minute. Moreno was unmarked and managed only to flail his left leg at the ball and connect just enough to at least keep the ball in play. Moreno is more of an attacking defender, in the mold of Roberto Carlos, but it was still a golden opportunity that needs to be better handled. Jordan Henderson also continued to prove that there is a pretty big drop off from Steven Gerrard to himself.
Henderson should not aspire to be Stevie G. It is an effort in futility. Henderson just isn't the quality of Gerrard and probably never will be. That does not mean that he is not or cannot be a top player at the club. Henderson gives his best on the pitch almost every game. He just lacks that final ball or touch that Gerrard brings to the captaincy. There were two free kicks that pop to mind, including the 70th minute, where Hendo blasted it right into the wall. He is not beyond learning to get better touch on those, but for right now Liverpool will have to find someone with better quality to replace Gerrard on free kicks come next season.
Before you begin to wonder where all this negativity comes from and think perhaps you were dreaming and the scoreline was reversed, fear not. Liverpool was indeed victorious and there were many good things to come from the match. Liverpool kept a clean sheet for the fourth match in a row. The defense, while still questionable and still giving fans that queezy feeling, played a very solid match. West Ham did not have a shot on target until the 32nd minute. With the exception of set pieces, the Hammers really created nothing from the flow of play. The one nit-picky item of mention regarding the back three was their inability to make quick passes out. Too often in the first half, they were forced to retreat in possession. This may well be due to a lack of off the ball movement, but the bottom line was West Ham continually pressured the ball and Liverpool were forced backward more than one would like.
The offense was very good. As previously mentioned, they did not finish as many chances as they should have. In addition to the misses by Henderson and Markovic, Jordan Ibe and Daniel Sturridge did not capitalize on chances in the 78th and 83rd minutes. Overall, however, they were good on the passes. Most balls were within a range that, even if they failed to do so, they had an opportunity to obtain and push into space. Sterling continued to show his growth as a star and his connection with Coutinho as they connected on Liverpool's first goal.
Liverpool were a bit fortunate with the deflection, but the chip pass from Coutinho to Sterling was cheekily created and deftly handled. Sterling then showed good composure - something that has at times lacked in his game this season - and slotted it past the goalkeeper. While he still occasionally tries to over-perform, Sterling continues to show that when he is within himself and composed that he could be an all-world caliber player. It may still be a likelihood to happen, Liverpool need to get pen to paper on a new deal for young Raheem.
One would be remiss to not mention the return of Daniel Sturridge as one of the biggest positives. Sturridge lacked his usual first touch, no doubt caused by not playing a game since August. He looked clearly rusty and a bit over-eager to run around. However, both he and the team looked very good when together on the pitch for the first time in almost five months. Liverpool looked very similar to their attack of last season with a formation of Sturridge, Sterling and Coutinho all rotating around. If Sturrige had not scored, his return would still have been a good omen of things to come with the ease the attacking line slipped into with his inclusion.
Sturridge was not about to let a chance to put his own little chapter in the Anfield annals though. 15 had a couple of good chances, as mentioned, in the 78th minute. Then, only two minutes later, Sturridge would bury one in the 80th minute to put his team up by two. Not only was the shot powerful and accurate, but with his weak foot. That is definitely an encouraging sign due to the fact that even when the SAS connection was flying last season, Sturridge's weak foot was often a weakness that he was uncomfortable using. On this evening, Sturridge struck the ball with supreme confidence and coupled with the sharp angle, made the goal all the more impressive.
Liverpool may still have questions within the squad. They may still not have quite enough to regularly challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, but they continue to move in positive ways. The moves made in the lineup are beneficial more than hindrances, as they were earlier. Lallana fit in well in his more central role and despite his falterings on this night, Markovic has proven that he is more than capable of playing a wing attacker or a more defensive winger position as well. That does nothing but help the depth of this club as they continue forward with Europa competitions and the FA Cup. Mistakes are made by just about any club. The important thing, for now, is the belief has returned. Walk on.
Random Thoughs:
- Liverpool need to take advantage of their fixture list in the league coming up. With the exception of the City match on March 1, all of February and March feature winnable games. If Liverpool can continue their current form, they could easily find themselves contending for a top four spot in April and May.
- Being a keeper, it pains me a bit to mention, but the manner in which keepers get so butt-hurt with the smallest of touches is aggravating. Adrian, West Ham's goalkeeper, was brushed along the ribs by Coutinho - who was trying to avoid contact. By his reaction, you would think Adrian had been shanked in the lunch line at the state penitentiary. Really? Goalkeepers are not accustomed to being hit, but these sorts of overreactions are not beneficial to the game.
- Speaking of overacting, I'm tired of players putting their teammates in peril because they want to lay on the deck in hopes of earning their opponent a yellow card. Markovic went down in the box after being grazed along the face and stayed down for a good 30 seconds. He is by no means the only player to do such things, but sooner or later those sorts of actions will be punished by an attack taking advantage of one fewer player involving themselves in the play.
Since columns are usually written by whiney, frustrated people I may as well join their ranks for a few paragraphs and begin with the things I saw wrong with this match. Firstly, though a very talented player, Lazar Markovic returned to his shaky form from earlier this season. Markovic has speed up and down the field and hustles non-stop. It is his touch that falters him in important moments though.
In the seventh minute, Markovic failed to convert what should have been an early goal. It was not a gimme shot, but still for one as talented as he and one with the aspirations of being an Anfield legend, you have to put those away. Markovic also blasted one wide of the post just before the halftime break, which would have also put his team up by a goal again. He was clearly disappointed in himself, but the shot was not overly rushed and though there were some players in front it has to be put in the net.
Markovic was by no means the only player to falter in their attacking. Alberto Moreno was set up with a very nice cross by Raheem Sterling in the 47th minute. Moreno was unmarked and managed only to flail his left leg at the ball and connect just enough to at least keep the ball in play. Moreno is more of an attacking defender, in the mold of Roberto Carlos, but it was still a golden opportunity that needs to be better handled. Jordan Henderson also continued to prove that there is a pretty big drop off from Steven Gerrard to himself.
Henderson should not aspire to be Stevie G. It is an effort in futility. Henderson just isn't the quality of Gerrard and probably never will be. That does not mean that he is not or cannot be a top player at the club. Henderson gives his best on the pitch almost every game. He just lacks that final ball or touch that Gerrard brings to the captaincy. There were two free kicks that pop to mind, including the 70th minute, where Hendo blasted it right into the wall. He is not beyond learning to get better touch on those, but for right now Liverpool will have to find someone with better quality to replace Gerrard on free kicks come next season.
Before you begin to wonder where all this negativity comes from and think perhaps you were dreaming and the scoreline was reversed, fear not. Liverpool was indeed victorious and there were many good things to come from the match. Liverpool kept a clean sheet for the fourth match in a row. The defense, while still questionable and still giving fans that queezy feeling, played a very solid match. West Ham did not have a shot on target until the 32nd minute. With the exception of set pieces, the Hammers really created nothing from the flow of play. The one nit-picky item of mention regarding the back three was their inability to make quick passes out. Too often in the first half, they were forced to retreat in possession. This may well be due to a lack of off the ball movement, but the bottom line was West Ham continually pressured the ball and Liverpool were forced backward more than one would like.
The offense was very good. As previously mentioned, they did not finish as many chances as they should have. In addition to the misses by Henderson and Markovic, Jordan Ibe and Daniel Sturridge did not capitalize on chances in the 78th and 83rd minutes. Overall, however, they were good on the passes. Most balls were within a range that, even if they failed to do so, they had an opportunity to obtain and push into space. Sterling continued to show his growth as a star and his connection with Coutinho as they connected on Liverpool's first goal.
Liverpool were a bit fortunate with the deflection, but the chip pass from Coutinho to Sterling was cheekily created and deftly handled. Sterling then showed good composure - something that has at times lacked in his game this season - and slotted it past the goalkeeper. While he still occasionally tries to over-perform, Sterling continues to show that when he is within himself and composed that he could be an all-world caliber player. It may still be a likelihood to happen, Liverpool need to get pen to paper on a new deal for young Raheem.
One would be remiss to not mention the return of Daniel Sturridge as one of the biggest positives. Sturridge lacked his usual first touch, no doubt caused by not playing a game since August. He looked clearly rusty and a bit over-eager to run around. However, both he and the team looked very good when together on the pitch for the first time in almost five months. Liverpool looked very similar to their attack of last season with a formation of Sturridge, Sterling and Coutinho all rotating around. If Sturrige had not scored, his return would still have been a good omen of things to come with the ease the attacking line slipped into with his inclusion.
Sturridge was not about to let a chance to put his own little chapter in the Anfield annals though. 15 had a couple of good chances, as mentioned, in the 78th minute. Then, only two minutes later, Sturridge would bury one in the 80th minute to put his team up by two. Not only was the shot powerful and accurate, but with his weak foot. That is definitely an encouraging sign due to the fact that even when the SAS connection was flying last season, Sturridge's weak foot was often a weakness that he was uncomfortable using. On this evening, Sturridge struck the ball with supreme confidence and coupled with the sharp angle, made the goal all the more impressive.
Liverpool may still have questions within the squad. They may still not have quite enough to regularly challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, but they continue to move in positive ways. The moves made in the lineup are beneficial more than hindrances, as they were earlier. Lallana fit in well in his more central role and despite his falterings on this night, Markovic has proven that he is more than capable of playing a wing attacker or a more defensive winger position as well. That does nothing but help the depth of this club as they continue forward with Europa competitions and the FA Cup. Mistakes are made by just about any club. The important thing, for now, is the belief has returned. Walk on.
Random Thoughs:
- Liverpool need to take advantage of their fixture list in the league coming up. With the exception of the City match on March 1, all of February and March feature winnable games. If Liverpool can continue their current form, they could easily find themselves contending for a top four spot in April and May.
- Being a keeper, it pains me a bit to mention, but the manner in which keepers get so butt-hurt with the smallest of touches is aggravating. Adrian, West Ham's goalkeeper, was brushed along the ribs by Coutinho - who was trying to avoid contact. By his reaction, you would think Adrian had been shanked in the lunch line at the state penitentiary. Really? Goalkeepers are not accustomed to being hit, but these sorts of overreactions are not beneficial to the game.
- Speaking of overacting, I'm tired of players putting their teammates in peril because they want to lay on the deck in hopes of earning their opponent a yellow card. Markovic went down in the box after being grazed along the face and stayed down for a good 30 seconds. He is by no means the only player to do such things, but sooner or later those sorts of actions will be punished by an attack taking advantage of one fewer player involving themselves in the play.
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