By KP
Sunday 16 January 2011
The Reds were obviously inspired by the home coming of King Kenny the manager, and with Torres firing on all cylinders and Liverpool producing their best first-half since the Spurs game. Torres lead from the front showing that when he is on his game he is not only a devastating finisher, but leads the line and holds the ball up with such conviction that it allows Meireles and Kuyt to provide him with support and the team to see him as another leader to follow.
Kelly produced yet another accomplished performance starting off with a marauding run down the flank in which he showed some serious speed to beat two players, leaving Baines in his wake before whipping ball across which was put out for a corner. Along the same lines, as a Liverpool supporter is was nice to see two local lads in the starting-line up with Jay Spearing making his second start in a Liverpool shirt and after a nervous beginning, held his own amongst a more than capable Everton midfield.
Torres provided a moment of sublime brilliance after 16 minutes where he slalomed past the Everton defence and into the area, before caressing a left-footed shot passed Howard, but unfortunately against the post, Kuyt’s follow-up shot deflected off Neville and up over the bar. Torres also produced an angled drive which was parried by Howard into the path of Maxi, who blazed over.
The dominance in possession was justly rewarded when just before the half-hour we broke the dead-lock when Johnson’s cross was headed on-goal by Kuyt where Howard produced an excellent save, he was up quickly to block the Kuyt powerful second effort, which ricochet out to Meireles, who unleashed a spanking drive into the back of the net to break his duck with aplomb.
Liverpool’s midfield dominated to such an extent that Meireles was able to fill the giant size boots of Gerrard by driving forward being the link between midfield and Torres. That we weren’t home and hosed by half-time with further efforts from Maxi did note bode well, as Everton had already shown the ability to be a threat from crosses and dead-ball situations pressuring the out of form Skrtel.
Both Everton goals were down to lack of concentration and particularly bad defending (not helped from the loss of Daniel Agger to illness at half-time) which will not please the coaching staff, especially with the goals coming so soon after the interval. Skrtel while marking Distin, did not get off the ground as the Everton centre-half headed toward goal, where Glen Johnson on the line, seemed like Skrtel to be fighting gravity in an unavailing attempt to header the ball of the line. Just six minutes later Everton were in front, when the ball broke on the edge of the area after an aerial challenge by Kelly and once again, Skrtel was beaten in what seemed a half hearted challenge which resulted in Beckford rolling Meireles to slot the ball past Reina.
Everton dominated most of the second-half to such an extent that we had very few opportunities and it came as a relief when Howard upended Maxi, with Dirk Kuyt making no mistake from the penalty spot. In terms of possession a draw seemed about right, but we had enough chances to have killed the game off in the first-half, but with th team low ebb, hopefully it is onwards and upwards and if we can carry the first half intensity into upcoming games the future could be brighter.
What do you think?
KP
I have no complaints about the performance in the first half. Very nice tempo to the game, it probably caught Everton by surprise. I was one of those poeple sceptical about the team selection but understood the gestre of relying on Spearing - a local lad. I think there is certainly value in playing local as well as British players, if they are good enough.
ReplyDeleteKenny will have to work within the resources he has - Skrtel is becoming embarrassing. How can a lad of such height and experience, not be able to win his fair share of headers, or be muscled so easily off the ball, or not have any awareness. I seriously have to wonder whether he is fit for purpose.
There was some real positives - I thought Kelly was really good growing in confidence - Kuyt had one of his best games today, he held onto the ball well and was like a cocktail of Red Bull, Pro Plus and Duracel rolled into one. Yes that rich coming from me beause I am not one of his greatest fans but I have to give credit where due.
But - playing Glenn J at left back when we are meant to have two specialists in that area is very puzzling. If the left backs are not good enough, then we may need to sell them but playing Johnson at left back just isn't the solution. But could a sqaure peg in a round hole work? It needs to be tested. Its a fact that Johnson is one of our most creative players, why not try him at right midfield - Had Harry Redknapp not done the same thing with Gareth Barry, then Spurs wouldn't be the side they are now.
Also glad to see Mireles get his first goal for the club, well deserved. He plays well when in the centre but I am hoping that he will improve defensively - I'm not totally convinced about his tackling.
KLFC
Kenny Dalglish would have had his first win if the players had more confidence and belief to win the Derby, which was not going to be easy as Everton always play a hard tempo game against Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteI think the arrival of KD, was never going to put pride and a winning spirit into the players from day one, problems arise beyond this so a 2-2 draw with Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday was a encouragement for the Reds.
With the team hanging in the bottom half of the table and low on morale, putting that belief of fighting back will take time.
As well, the score lines I think most supports are frustrated of Poulsen and Konchesky from the slow start since the summer, they need to improve or out.
Nevertheless, an improving performance.
The squad is slowly working together better under King Kenny and showing that we are not as bad a side as we have shown so far this season. The defence is currently the main concern for me - we are conceding at least a goal every game which is putting more pressure on the midfield and the strikers/ Torres !! Skrtel has been the biggest liability this season and needs to work harder with Steve Clarke in training before being put back in - for now we need to look at Danny Wilson who has Champions League experience with Rangers last season who deserves to be given a chance to show what he can do for us.
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