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
Showing posts with label Norwich City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norwich City. Show all posts
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Point Gained Still Disappointing
Liverpool saw two returns on this Sunday matchup. It saw the return of the Reds to Anfield after a few weeks of road contests. More importantly, however, the supporters saw the return of Daniel Sturridge to the pitch as his team took on Norwich City. It was his first visit to an actual field of play since April 4 and a welcome one. While Liverpool failed to strike while the iron was hot in the first ten minutes of the match, you could clearly see the difference both in the team shape and playing style.
The attacks built slowly, but looked good from a Reds side that has again struggled with scoring. Alberto Moreno showed a bit of skill along the endline in the 18th minute, but James Milner needed to do better shooting it right into the defender. Later in the 25th minute, the rust began to show. Sturridge would have done better to let the wide ball from Moreno go through to Coutinho.
Despite the decent offensive showings, albeit brief, Anfield seemed a bit quiet and on edge. Sturridge again showed rust in the 34th minute. A turnover led to him alone on the right side of the area but his shot to the near post was saved by John Ruddy. Liverpool continued to build on each attack and looked a tiny bit better with the next. Benteke almost put one on the foot of Milner with good one and two touch passing in the box in the 38th minute, but the end result just wasn't quite there.
The second half began interestingly, but not in a good way. Christian Benteke started the half on the bench, with the commentators claiming he had tightness in his hamstring. While Liverpool were wise to rest him, given their recent injury history, it was disappointing to see the partnership between Benteke and Sturridge not allowed to grow. The disappointment didn't last long though.
Danny Ings, the Benteke sub, chested down a long ball from Moreno in the 49th minute. Ings then cooly slipped the ball past the keeper, who was mere feet away from the striker, to score the first goal of the game and Ings' first goal of the season.
Norwich score off a corner kick. Mingolet got a punch on it, but not enough to clear and then a deft touch from Russel Martin put it just over the sprawling keeper as he retreated to his position in the 62nd minute. Only minutes later, the Canaries of Norwich almost took the lead. A lack of interest from the defenders allowed a run down the right side. The cross was met by Matt Jarvis and only a kick save from Mingolet kept the score level.
Sadly, things would not improve for the home side, despite plenty of chances created. In the 78th minute, Coutinho was the beneficiary of a two-on-one break. However, the Brazilian was too indecisive, took the ball too close to the goalkeeper and again Ruddy made the save. Yet another chance went by the wayside when Ings could not control with his left in the 82 min. The final buildup led to nothing in the 91st minute. One touch passing landed the ball to Coutinho, but again the final touch was not there as the shot from the outside of the right foot went awry.
When looked at with a cool head, there were plenty of positives to take from the match. Daniel Sturridge had glimpses of returning to form, if not fitness. Liverpool created more chances in this contest than they had in many recent games combined. A return to the back three and more of a two striker setup with Coutinho tucked behind seemed to spark Liverpool's attack. Outside of the punch not getting far enough away, Mingolet continued to establish himself as a reliable keeper, making several stops that kept the game to at least a result.
All that said, it was an incredibly disappointing result when it comes to the standings. As positive a person as I try to be, the moral victories are simply not enough for this club anymore. A point against a promoted team, despite how well they played, is not good enough. For whatever reason, Anfield is no longer one of the most difficult places to play when it should be at the top of the list. Many will blame Brendan Rodgers again, but in this contest it all falls to the players. None of the managers decisions really impacted the game negatively. It was simply a matter of the men on the field not doing enough individually or collectively to get all three points.
The chances that were presented have to be taken. Injuries and players not quite up to fitness are not excuses. Players like Coutinho, Sturridge, Benteke and several others have to start producing. Whether you wish to blame Rodgers or agree that this one is on the players, the bottom line is that the noose around Rodgers' neck is beginning to tighten. I believe he has found a formation that will work for this particular squad, but wins have to come now. The players have to start producing. This is a team that should be competing for the top four with how inconsistently everyone in the league has played. They need to start now or changes will be made, despite FSG's claims the manager is safe.
Random Thoughts:
- The insertion of Sakho into the team seemed to embolden the centerback pairing. Both Sakho and Skrtel regularly went "out of position" to track players.
- James Milner had a pretty bad game. The effort was there, undeniably, but the quality was just very off for a player of his caliber.
- Roberto Firmino showed a few flashes of what we had hoped he would be, but his development is taking much longer than expected. That said, as good as fans believe Coutinho is and will be, he took a few seasons to really click with this squad.
- Can we please just have a healthy squad? Jordan Henderson returns to training only to break his foot. We finally have the striker partnership we've been waiting for with Sturridge and Benteke only to see Benteke leave at the half with a dreaded hamstring injury. It has to be hard for any manager to try and balance attacking football with constant worry of injury with this club.
- Everyone has their players that they just can't get behind. For me, despite how much I want to like him and know he is talented, I just can't get behind Adam Lallana. I would have much prefered to see Divock Origi come into the game. It just doesn't seem like, for all his ball skills, he ever puts a stamp on any game.
Walk On
The attacks built slowly, but looked good from a Reds side that has again struggled with scoring. Alberto Moreno showed a bit of skill along the endline in the 18th minute, but James Milner needed to do better shooting it right into the defender. Later in the 25th minute, the rust began to show. Sturridge would have done better to let the wide ball from Moreno go through to Coutinho.
Despite the decent offensive showings, albeit brief, Anfield seemed a bit quiet and on edge. Sturridge again showed rust in the 34th minute. A turnover led to him alone on the right side of the area but his shot to the near post was saved by John Ruddy. Liverpool continued to build on each attack and looked a tiny bit better with the next. Benteke almost put one on the foot of Milner with good one and two touch passing in the box in the 38th minute, but the end result just wasn't quite there.
The second half began interestingly, but not in a good way. Christian Benteke started the half on the bench, with the commentators claiming he had tightness in his hamstring. While Liverpool were wise to rest him, given their recent injury history, it was disappointing to see the partnership between Benteke and Sturridge not allowed to grow. The disappointment didn't last long though.
Danny Ings, the Benteke sub, chested down a long ball from Moreno in the 49th minute. Ings then cooly slipped the ball past the keeper, who was mere feet away from the striker, to score the first goal of the game and Ings' first goal of the season.
Norwich score off a corner kick. Mingolet got a punch on it, but not enough to clear and then a deft touch from Russel Martin put it just over the sprawling keeper as he retreated to his position in the 62nd minute. Only minutes later, the Canaries of Norwich almost took the lead. A lack of interest from the defenders allowed a run down the right side. The cross was met by Matt Jarvis and only a kick save from Mingolet kept the score level.
Sadly, things would not improve for the home side, despite plenty of chances created. In the 78th minute, Coutinho was the beneficiary of a two-on-one break. However, the Brazilian was too indecisive, took the ball too close to the goalkeeper and again Ruddy made the save. Yet another chance went by the wayside when Ings could not control with his left in the 82 min. The final buildup led to nothing in the 91st minute. One touch passing landed the ball to Coutinho, but again the final touch was not there as the shot from the outside of the right foot went awry.
When looked at with a cool head, there were plenty of positives to take from the match. Daniel Sturridge had glimpses of returning to form, if not fitness. Liverpool created more chances in this contest than they had in many recent games combined. A return to the back three and more of a two striker setup with Coutinho tucked behind seemed to spark Liverpool's attack. Outside of the punch not getting far enough away, Mingolet continued to establish himself as a reliable keeper, making several stops that kept the game to at least a result.
All that said, it was an incredibly disappointing result when it comes to the standings. As positive a person as I try to be, the moral victories are simply not enough for this club anymore. A point against a promoted team, despite how well they played, is not good enough. For whatever reason, Anfield is no longer one of the most difficult places to play when it should be at the top of the list. Many will blame Brendan Rodgers again, but in this contest it all falls to the players. None of the managers decisions really impacted the game negatively. It was simply a matter of the men on the field not doing enough individually or collectively to get all three points.
The chances that were presented have to be taken. Injuries and players not quite up to fitness are not excuses. Players like Coutinho, Sturridge, Benteke and several others have to start producing. Whether you wish to blame Rodgers or agree that this one is on the players, the bottom line is that the noose around Rodgers' neck is beginning to tighten. I believe he has found a formation that will work for this particular squad, but wins have to come now. The players have to start producing. This is a team that should be competing for the top four with how inconsistently everyone in the league has played. They need to start now or changes will be made, despite FSG's claims the manager is safe.
Random Thoughts:
- The insertion of Sakho into the team seemed to embolden the centerback pairing. Both Sakho and Skrtel regularly went "out of position" to track players.
- James Milner had a pretty bad game. The effort was there, undeniably, but the quality was just very off for a player of his caliber.
- Roberto Firmino showed a few flashes of what we had hoped he would be, but his development is taking much longer than expected. That said, as good as fans believe Coutinho is and will be, he took a few seasons to really click with this squad.
- Can we please just have a healthy squad? Jordan Henderson returns to training only to break his foot. We finally have the striker partnership we've been waiting for with Sturridge and Benteke only to see Benteke leave at the half with a dreaded hamstring injury. It has to be hard for any manager to try and balance attacking football with constant worry of injury with this club.
- Everyone has their players that they just can't get behind. For me, despite how much I want to like him and know he is talented, I just can't get behind Adam Lallana. I would have much prefered to see Divock Origi come into the game. It just doesn't seem like, for all his ball skills, he ever puts a stamp on any game.
Walk On
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