Over The Finish Line and Into The Last 16

BY KP

I remember sitting behind the goal at the Anfield Road End earlier season, in the game gainst Blackburn, when Dirk Kuyt walked past in his Liverpool uniform after the warm-up as he wasn’t playing.  The warmth which he was greeted with by the crowd was not one of reverence like the passionate Gerrard and Carragher cheers, but one could sense the respect that everyone around the ground has for a player, who gives 110 per cent in every game making use of every bit of talent.  Tonight with the game seemingly drifting in to extra-time, he popped up in the area, just as he has on so many over occasions to head home a Meireles corner.  He is not a gifted as many a Liverpool or Dutch player of the past or present, but it can’t be a coincidence that so many managers of club and country see him as an invaluable squad member.

The starting eleven screamed caution with Poulson and Lucas in the central positions suggesting that Joe Cole and Meireles would play key creative roles. After, ten minutes Poulson picked the ball up centrally, crawled forward, but instead of powering forward to unleash a shot as we normally expect from Liverpool midfielders in that position over the years, it was as if he was auditioning for his worst performance of the season.  We started off slowly with the Sparta midfield controlling affairs through Sionko linking up readily with Kadlec up top, which led to an excellent move with Sionko heading just over.

Liverpool’s attacking verve came through the effervescent Kelly who powered time and time again down the right to create numerous chances.  His long raking stride is a sight to behold and one wonders how good a centre-half he may eventually be if  he takes up his natural role. Liverpool began to take control after 15 minutes with chances for Kyrgiakos and Ngog from Meireles corners.   Lucas showing that he can be capable when not on patrol, drove forward to unleash a 25 yard drive inches wide, while Ngog missed a glorious chance when Meireles striding out of a defence position, unfurled a 50 yard ball into the inside right channel for Kuyt who cut the ball bank for Ngog, who with goal at mercy shot straight at the keeper.

Sparta started the second-half just as they had in the first, moving slickly around the midfield fashioning out chances for themselves without really testing Pepe.  Even we Liverpool beginning to look stronger as the game went on, both sides lacked quality in the vital final third, whether it was the final ball or finishing where Ngog in particular lacked composure.  We had enough chances to have won the game before Kuyt’s winner and it’s a reminder that without Gerrard, Johnsoon, Suarez and Carroll we are a very hard working team who lack real quality.  Kelly’s absence in the second-half cut our attacking threat in half with Meireles conducting operations and it was no surprise that it was from his corner the winner was dispatched from by Kuyt.

In saying that it was nice to see Joe Cole getting a full 90 minutes and a goal in the last seconds of match would’ve been a great boost to his confidence.  We can noe breath more easy knowing that the prospect of only two matches in March if we were knocked out has abated, and Kenny can hopefully started preparing for almost a full-strength Liverpool in the next round.

Aquilani

With rumours abound that Juventus are pleading poverty and as such proposing that we take a potential lost of £12 million on the £17 million we payed for Aquilani and sell him for £5 million, even allowing them to pay on a credit basis,  should we take the hit and get him off our books or embrace his undoubted talent back in our squad which is crying out for creativity?

KP

Liverpool Happy Enough With Bore Draw

By KP

The  team picked to start against Sparta Prague suggested Liverpool were set up to possibly sneak a win in the absence of Gerrard, Suarez (cup tied), Kelly, Agger and the still injured Andy Carroll.  Raheem Stirling and his Academy colleagues (except Coady who made the bench) did not enjoy  Boy’s Own type debuts as King Kenny obviously wanted to immerse them in the atmosphere of the first team squad.

Liverpool  controlled the opening exchanges by playing the ball around the defence and midfield, without any pace which allowed Sparta to eventually get into the game when Panic got on to a slide rule pass inside the badly positioned Johnson to shoot across Reina, who fortunately for Liverpool palmed out.  The highlights in the first half were sporadic at most with Liverpool not getting in a meaningful  effort on target, the closest coming in the 43^rd minute when Kuyt almost flicked in from a Ngog header, following a Meireles corner.   The only further efforts were from Sparta’s Panic who did well to keep joining the attack from left back and Kweuke.

Unfortunately Aurelio suffered what seems to be yet another of the muscle injuries which have blighted his career.  When ever seems to get up a run of games injury seems to strike and has definitely hindered his international appearances.  Joe Cole, probably disappointed with not starting, replaced him but failed to ignite his season looking well of the pace.

The second half started as the first ended, with Liverpool dominated possession with little or no intent by both sides, although with Sparta not having played for 12 weeks the lack of venom in their play even with home team advantage could be forgiven.  Glen Johnson began to drive forward and a few incisive runs.  On the 69 minute mark he cut in beautifully from the left taking two players out before flick a shot with the outside off his right boot.  With a very capable left-foot as we’ve seen previously it seemed a missed opportunity.

The irrepressible Reina pulled off an excellent save when Kuweke swivelled from a corner and shot, which he must have seen late. With Ngog taken off eight minutes from time it’s difficult to assess his contribution playing upfront on his own with very little support, because he is the type of striker who needs to play with either a Carroll or a Suarez as he is a penalty box striker.  But, his play outside the box has to improve if he is to become an important member of the squad going forward.

In what was a very turgid affair, Kyrgiakos was the standout player, making some decisive blocks and shepherding  with Johnson running him close with driving runs down the right hand side in the second-half.  What will disappoint the manager is the failure to create any real chances against a side who hadn’t played a first class match for three months.  In a match where Liverpool enjoyed a good deal of possession,  Lucas failed impose himself push further up the pitch.  It just shows that there is still a fair bit of rebuilding to go.

KP

Speedy Stirling moves through the gears

By KP

Speedy Stirling moves through the gears

The word  from Academy U18 Coach Rodolfo Borrell after Liverpool’s Under 18s demolished a hardworking Southend Team was to keep Raheem Stirling’s feet firmly planted after he had scored five goals in the 9-0 victory.

Stirling is one of a group of hugely talented Liverpool youngsters who seemed destined for the top, but in Borrell and Dalglish and also Carragher and Gerrard to that end, they have mentors a plenty who will not let heads grow above the This is Anfield sign.  If Stirling and co need only to be warned of the pitfalls ahead of them they need only to be made aware of Rod Thomas, the ex-Watford player.

The nation stood up and watched his amazing displays at England School Boy level where it seemed only injury would stop him from becoming a superstar, espeically as he was coming through the Watford ranks at the same time that the club's John Barnes scored his famous goal against Brazil.  Yet, by his only early twenties his was plying his trade on loan with Gilligham, then with Carlisle, Chester City and Brighton.  Hopefully, we’ll have a clutch of youngsters coming through to the first team together and what is noticeable about Stirling’s career so far is he has progress through the age ranges.

What struck home about Stirling’s finishes was not just the speed and close control to put him a position to goal scoring positions, but his calmness in slotting the ball home.  He almost caresses the ball not unlike Robbie Fowler. He has different traits to many wingers in that he is combative to go with natural born skill, but unlike many right footed wingers playing on the left, he is quite happy to go on the outside of the full-back to use his left-foot and he has high quality delivery with his right.

Against Southend, his goals mostly came from gliding in from the left-wing and ghosting past defenders with a drop of the shoulder before deathly guiding the ball in the far post and on another occasion he chose the near.  His first goal where he latched on to a long punt up field from Belford, showed his ability to bring the ball under control at high speed as he outsprinted the defender, cutting inside him before slotting home.  One was minded of the great Fernando Torres, running through on goal in similar style against Fulham only to miss-control at the crucial time.

Coady and Rodden provide a solid basis in midfield with Flanagan (who seems to have usurped Darby as the clubs future right-back) and Robinson in the full-back positions, which allows the creative elements of the team like Stirling, Adorjan, Suso and Tony Silva to flourish and work of Morgan, who is a typical English style of centre-forward in Morgan, one of which Liverpool haven’t had for a while until buying Andy Carroll.

A comprehensive victory by the lads and as I write Raheem Stirling, Tom Ince, John Flanagan, Conor Coady and Jack Robinson have travelled with the first team squad to Prague, where Stirling could become the youngest ever Liverpool player to turn out for the first team at 16 years and 71 days.

A Missed Opportunity

Sunday 13 February 2011

By KP

With Gerrard and Agger missing Liverpool went into the match against Wigan with Suarez starting his first game in tandem with the ever willing Kuyt, the possibilities of putting pressure on Spurs and Chelsea respectively was on the horizon, and with both those playing later that was a more than a distinct possibility as confidence was high after four successive wins with no goals conceded.  The big change for Liverpool was the change in formation, going to a conventional four-four-two, the aim being to attack Wigan side low in confidence.

Wigan started the game in good fashion using the speed of their forwards to worry the Liverpool backline and midfield.  They played with so much vigour and strength applied to their attacking traits that it made for a very uncomfortable afternoon for the team, coaching staff and fans alike. We failed to get on top until the final fifteen minutes of the match. Suarez showed that he was a class apart, with intricate touches, close control, intelligent movement and a potent shot.  He worked well with Kuyt and looked to link up with Meireles and Maxi at every opportunity and showed that all being he will be a top notch acquisition.

What was very noticeable is Lucas’ passing, especially in the first-half.  He seems to be willing to play more short, crisp passes to help build attacks, instead of playing the ball back or square which he had a penchant for doing, thus within his new found confidence he appears willing to take on more responsibility.  Raul Meireles broke the deadlock in the 24^th minute when he latched on to a defensive header by Gohuri and volleyed in inimitable fashion leaving the diving Al-Habsi grasping at thin air.

Wigan had created a couple of chances with the impressive Rodallega, Moses, Daime and N’Zogbia causing no end of worry. N’Zogbia had a long range free-kick comfortably saved by Reina just before half-time.  Moses showed Wigan’s intent early on with a driving run which took him past Kelly at speed with Rodallega almost guiding the ball in at the near post.  Wigan’s attacking philosophy gained a well deserved equalizer, albeit suspiciously off-side,  after the hour when Gohouri knocked in N’Zogbia’s whipped in cross from the Wigan right which was flicked on.  The Liverpool defence will be disappointed with their marking haven’t not conceded  a goal in our previous four games.

Unfortunately, for Liverpool as we were to learn from King Kenny’s post-match comments, Meireles  was feeling the effects of a bug which saw him being replaced by Ngog after 53 minutes by Ngog.  Once Meireles left  the arena, it seemed any winning goal for us was going to be struck Suarez, who rose to the occasion in admiral fashion, taking on the responsibility of leading the line and also showing that he was able to put in a shift, endearing himself to the crowd, chasing back. On 77minutes after being hauled down, just outside the area, he hit the crossbar, with a gloriously struck free-kick.

Although Liverpool dominated the last quarter of the game, only Aurelio with a drive from just outside the area which flew just over, threatened the Wigan goal, as such Wigan held on in relative comfort.

The game showed just how Liverpool missed Gerrard. Against Chelsea, he was everywhere, creating the chance for Maxi and the  assist for the goal and as usual we missed his drive from midfield which looked a chasm with the loss of Meireles.  Daniel Agger was also missed, with his willingness to take the ball into midfield and drive further forward.  We can only Meireles bug is short-term as he one of our very few match winners.

Yes this was a missed opportunity, but we need to look at this in relation to our position when Roy Hodgson left the club  and realise that our disappoint tells us just hope far we’ve come in so short space of time.

KP

Sunday 13 February 2011

We Are Liverpool

By KP

Sunday 6 February 2011 20:55

It would be all to easy as a Liverpool fan to write about how sweet it is to rub Fernando Torres’ nose in it, but that would take away from a wonderful well drilled performance, which wasn’t all about defence, but was a lesson in teamwork and support all over the pitch. From front to back we worked like Trojans to nullify  Chelsea's attacking threat and probably end any pretensions they had of winning the title.

Surprisingly, Chelsea chose to break up a team which had scored four in the last game away to Everton and bring in Torres, probably hoping to score psychological points with the former Liverpool striker coming back to haunt his former employees.  Dalglish chose to refrain from the obvious temptation to play Suarez following his debut goal, recognising the Uruguayan would not be at optimum levels following his recent seven match ban.

The early skirmishes was a case of cat and mouse, with Liverpool working hard to contain the Chelsea three-pronged attack of Drogba, Torres and Anelka in behind.  Torres had an early chance, when Maxi’s misplaced pass went straight to him, who bearing down on the Liverpool drove his shot over the bar. Moments later, Liverpool breaking out, as has been the trademark of King Kenny’s second coming, with midfielders in support of strikers, Kuyt latched on to Kelly’s down the right-wing with Meireles streaking clear down the middle.  Kuyt’s low cross failed to get past the first defender,  but it was a sign of things to come.

On the half-hour, Torres as had been his wont in red shirt, dove-tailed beautifully with Droba, gliding in between the centre-half’s, his shot was blocked by a last ditched tackle from Carragher, no change there for the General in defence.  Two minutes later Liverpool made inroads down the Chelsea left which they continued to do all-game, with Gerrard and Johnson.  Johnson’s blocked cross found its way to the irrepressible Gerrard whose measured left foot stealth-like cross found Maxi at the back post. He some how managed to hit the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Liverpool’s control over the game was such that Drogba and Torres cut forlorn figures upfront and Lampard was unable to shake free of the Liverpool midfield with Liverpool’s wing-backs helping Gerrard, Meireles and Lucas to press and reduce time and space in crucial areas.

The much maligned Lucas Leiva produced his best performance in a Liverpool shirt (which is not the first time this has been said this season) stealing in to make umpteen vitals inceptions and either playing some delightful short passes to set up attacks or driving runs up to halfway.  Martin Kelly reduced Ashley Cole, commonly considered  to be the best attacking left-back in the game, to a defensive role as he handled him with the control of a veteran. He continues to grow with every game.  Dirk Kuyt has his detractors, but he is a players player.  Playing upfront on his own, he battled royally with the Chelsea centre-half’s and refused to let Obi-Mikel settle, diligently applying pressure from the first minute to the last.

The three centre-half’s at the back were assured.  Agger giving the Liverpool backline a footballing defender comfortable on the ball and Carragher providing the missing leadership we’ve been craving and with having three centre-half’s and the wing-backs covering, his lack of pace is of less importance.  Gerrard was everywhere and it was he who provided the killer pass from the inside-right channel which caused havoc in the Chelsea defence, with Cech failing to cut the ball out and the marauding Meireles making a difficult chance seem ridiculously easy when he volleyed a high bouncing ball into the net.  He has become an intrinsic part of the Liverpool team, taking it turns with Gerrard to support the striker and getting back to provide defensive cover.  He shoots with either and Liverpool fans can look forward to an even better player next season.

 Meireles scores the winner ( Image: London Evening Standard)

This victory was one which was totally deserved.  Chelsea had the majority of possession, but were restricted to long range punts from Anelka and Essien and it was Liverpool who almost made it two when Aurelio twenty minutes from time cut into from the left after Kuyt had sent him free, his powerful shot was parried away by Cech. Liverpool quite comfortably held on for the win, with Reina having to make only one important save in the match.

The team is playing with the confidence that only winning can give a side and long may that continue.  As for Fernando, taken off after 65 minutes, as is the Liverpool way we wish him well, and for us we’ll concentrate on the future and not get ahead of ourselves as  King Kenny said after the match, “ we only take one game as it comes”.  Quite simply King Kenny stating what was and is the Liverpool way.

KP

Liverpool unite as Suarez excites

By KP

On a night when the £35 million man Andy Carroll was paraded before a crowd buoyed by the expectation of seeing the new incumbent Luis Suarez, who was included on the bench alongside the returning Carragher,  Jermaine Pennant and Salif Diao. Liverpool old boys returned to the club with as part strong Stoke side looking for a rare win at Anfield.

Liverpool started with fascinatingly, three centre-half’s in Agger, Kyrgiakos, and Skrtel to negate the Stoke City aerial threat and Johnson and Kelly deployed as wing-backs as the management are obviously aware of the lack of a quality wide man at the club. Dirk Kuyt has he has so often was picked to play as a lone striker.  Dalglish has already added a fluidity to the play which was missing earlier in the season, which helped Liverpool to breakdown a stubborn and regimented Stoke City defence and midfield with our players interchanging and been asked to play a more total type of game.

Kyrgiakos almost broke the deadlock early when his header was blocked by Diao.  What is noticeable about Liverpool was our determination not to get frustrated with a Stoke side pressing high up the pitch, but to keep the slick passing moves going.  This led to excellent chances just before the break, with first Gerrard releasing the marauding Kelly who delivered a glorious cross on the run, ala Stevie Nicol, on to the head of Glen Johnson, whose header was spectacularly parried away by Begovic. The second a minute later, was set up by Gerrard whipping an inviting cross which Kuyt in acres of space should have buried.

Before the break, following a swift moving instigated by the impressive Lucas, Gerrard knock the ball down to Kuyt, who hooked a shot over from close range.  Liverpool continued our dominance into the second-half and the patience shown was rewarded in fortuitous fashion when a Gerrard free-kick from fully yards ricochet towards Kyrgiakos, who brought the ball under control and into the path of onrushing Meireles who showing he is equally adept with his left foot, drove the ball home from 8 yards.  He has now racked up three goals in his last four games.

Stoke started to enjoy a lot more possession with John Carew causing Reina to scurry across his goal with a shot that flashed past the upright.  Dalglish acted immediately, replacing the tiring Aurelio with the new £22.7 million signing Suarez coming on to play alongside the omnipresent Kuyt.  On 79 minutes, Suarez made one of this blog's followers Leon's dream come true, when bursting on to a Kuyt flick he rounded the keeper and although Wilkinson manage to get to the ball, he only managed to stab the ball in off the post with the crowd inside Anfield almost blowing the roof of the stadium.  Reina, as is his wont, produced an extinctive save from Walters shot to get back his norm of  keeping clean sheets.

The win was well deserved and with excellent performances all-round with Suarez in his cameo, showing flashes of a pure talent which could well light up the Premiership in tandem with Andy Carroll.  It will be interesting to see if this formation will be the one of choice for the foreseeable future. Now for Chelsea…

KP