Wednesday 12 January 2011
By KP
King Kenny managed to stoke the fires burning inside Fernando Torres, to produce his best display since his demolition of Chelsea. He produced a goal of genuine class when he sped on to a Martin Kelly pass to hit a ferociously struck shot pass Kingson.
There were positives for Liverpool in terms of efforts on goal. Torres, with a flashing drive volley from a Jovanovic cross which seared over the bar, and a further shots from Torres shot and Kuyt respectively which were well saved by Kingson. Meireles got forward at every opportunity, producing a left footed shot while moving in from the left and should have done better with a glorious opportunity following a Torres cross.
What rankles if that both goals were caused by mistakes. The first when Meireles needlessly gave way possession with a misplaced pass, but in saying that, the less than robust challenge by Agger allowed Taylor-Fletcher to squeeze his shot under the onrushing Reina. The second goal was nothing new for Liverpool supporters, but instead of the lax defending coming from a dead ball situation, it came from a cross in open play. The end result being that Skrtel was palpably beaten by Evatt with DJ Campbell nodding in the resultant knock down unchallenged, suggesting that awareness, responsibility and concentration is a problem in defensive areas.
Blackpool thoroughly deserved their win as they dominated the majority of play for the most part, and had most of the clear cut chances on offer. Charlie Adam showed what he is, a cultured midfielder with an ability to work hard for the teams cause. They have a good team ethic which in addition to their attacking attributes, it augurs well for their attempt to stay in the Premier League.
The Liverpool bench looked decidedly weak, with Gerrard, Cole and the surprise omission of Babel, the lack of pace and creativity leaves the team bereft of flair. If, as has been suggested this week, Liverpool will not delve into the transfer market this month, players with the ability to unlock defences such as Pacheco, Amoo and even Thomas Ince from the reserves may warrant being added to the first team squad. All is not lost as the attacking nature showed that the team does have in them to create chances, but there is a need for a more steely disposition in the midfield and defensive areas, and especially in the absence of Gerrard and Carragher the lack of leadership seems all to apparent.
The Everton game takes on even more importance as we are now hovering just above the relegation zone and the pressure on King Kenny from critics outside the club will be even more vocal if we can't come away with a win.
KP
Wednesday 12 January 2011
I agree quite interesting your headline implies no gain no pain. Actually, its pain. And, there will be more pain until we eventually gain. I know its early days but I am always mindful of putting square pegs in round holes. Tatically, I'm not sure that I would have played Glenn Johnson at left back but there could be several reasons for this. The highlights I saw on Sky, our defending is pretty poor at the moment. I am no advocate for Carragher, but I would expect people to be given a rollocking if they defend like that. We need more players to stand up and be counted, and organise the troops in routine battle.
ReplyDeleteKLFC
As you imply, n