The disappointment of not qualifying for Europe following our sparkling champagne display against Fulham was made all the more gauling with this pitiful performance, which was as bad as any this season. The lack of creativity raised its ugly head again in the absence of Meireles. Carroll’s return highlighted the lack of real width and the inability to get quality crosses into the last third, thus negating Andy Carroll’s potency and with no Meireles to provide the link between the midfield and the forward-line we played and a more sedate pace, unable to live with van der Vaart and Mondric who led our midfield a merry dance.
As always Luis Suarez was a class apart looking like a Sebastian Vettel Red Bull amongst a side full of Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworths. He was incisive and bright, but without the help of a Meireles driven midfield he could not shake a defence bolstered by the return of the imperious Ledley King.
Dodgy referee decision or not we failed to get a hold in this game and were never at the races.
Every once in a while on our King Kenny inspired run we’ve run head long into an impasse and the realisation that even with Luis Suarez, drive and passion can only get us so far and the very real fact that the next transfer window will go a long way to determine how soon we be in a position to mount a challenge to the top four.
By KP
KOP-POST MAN OF THE MATCH: LUIS SUAREZ BY A COUNTRY MILE
Well, that was pretty average from us yesterday. Disappointing to see us turn in that sort of performance for Kenny's first game as permanent manager and the last fixture at Anfield this year. We didn't turn up and Spurs deserved to win but that was never a penalty. Howard Webb is a disaster when he refs our games.
ReplyDeleteBaz
It showed a lack of class to win week in week out. We have been on a great run of late, but we still have players that are not good enough to turn in great performances every week. We need 3 or 4 stronger assets to the squad to turn bad performances into wins. Utd won the League because when they played poorly they still got results, when we played poorly this season we lost.
ReplyDeleteAll in all it's been a good few month and it's given the supporters some hope in their hearts again... I really can't wait to start next season, more so than ever!!
Prince of Leon
Thought we really missed Meireles and his link up play with Suarez. We never looked like scoring and all in all thought it was one of our worst displays of the season (although saying that Carroll had a great chance). If Carroll plays we have to create chances in the last third and we failed to do so!
ReplyDeleteLeon - I couldn't agree with you more regarding having enough players with the class to do it week in week out. That's why we need to spend some money in the Summer - don't forget we haven't spent anything yet, given that we sold Torres and Babel.
ReplyDeleteLivi
For the first time I looked at the team and thought I wish Carroll wasn't playing - I am hoping its because he wasnt upto the flexibility and mobility of the team because he was out injured - As the Kop-post has said previously we missed Meireles creativity and intelligent running and link-up play with Suarez.
ReplyDeleteThe summer is going to have to be a very active and progressive one to get the quality players to bring out the best in Carroll - the early signs show me that he is unable to play in a pass and move team but I hope I am wrong.
He looks cumbersome and slow to react at the moment which is not what is required in a team that is playing quick pass and move football.
The summer is massive for LFC and most significantly for Andy Carroll to see if we can get the best out of him.
D, we watched Carroll together live at Sunderland and WBA and it was patently apparent that without width Carroll plays so deep that it falls to Suarez to lead the line. In the West Brom game Carroll was often challenging for the ball around the centre-circle (he did the same against Spurs). We stumbled on a formulaic way of playing which served us well with Suarez, Kuyt, Maxi and Meireles being the fulcrum of team, often dovetailing and intertwining off each other, which without Carroll negated the need for a wide-man getting chalk on his boots. Carroll in his Newcastle days had Joey Barton producing pinpoint crosses for him, which he obviously doesn’t receive at Liverpool, especially since the two players capable of produce quality crosses Gerrard and Kelly have been off with long¬-term injuries. His second goal against Man City showed just want Carroll can do if supplied with quality service.
ReplyDeleteThat’s why it’s exciting to think that with Gerrard and Kelly back and hopefully some quality wide-men bought in the summer transfer window Carroll will get all the ammunition he needs and also playing with quality and experience players and being coached by Clarke and advised by Kenny on the intricacies of striking, he’ll learn how to lead the line.