Sunday, 11 September 2011
A Tale of Missed Opportunities
Twenty strikes on goal, a contentious penalty and an inflamed manager. Chances a plenty for Suarez and on another day he could quite easily have bagged a hat-trick. It was one of those days when we could quite easily have racked up a cricket score, but we were too profligate in front of goal.
In one move which resulted in Henderson being put through one on one with the keeper, he had three attempts on goal, with Adam himself having two attempts in an unbelievable segment of play. With late attempts on goal and a penalty attempt in could well have been so different and another day Liverpool would have had two goals before Stoke's penalty.
I would rather not waste space on here commenting on the referee, but talk-up the positives, that Liverpool proved that we can be inventive and creative, but we have to find a way to put away chances as the top teams do. If it's not going to be Suarez then others have to consistently come to the party, as they did against Bolton, especially against teams like Stoke whose style of play is well documented and as such comes as no surprise.
The fact that we missed so many chances only accentuates the pain of not winning a match which we so patently dominated and with all our rivals winning even at such an early stage in the season the five point gap seems a large one, especially when we have another tough game on the horizon against Spurs. But we'll go to White Hart Lane on the back of a strong committed performance which only bodes well for the future. Rome wasn't built in a day, but the foundations are now in place.
Lastly, 'King Kenny' refrained from choosing a purely combative side to play Stoke which has been the Liverpool way over the last few seasons and if anything proved that this side is capable of out battling and out playing very good sides.
Now the trick is to see how we bounce back from our first defeat of the season.
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As the title states a tale of missed opportunities sometimes teams have days where no matter how hard they try to finish off teams the ruthlessness just isn't there.
ReplyDeleteThe game against Stoke was a major test to see if we have that mettle to beat a side that is limited to set-piece football - we may have failed the first test but we showed we are able to compete and will win games this season where we would have played a lot worse.
With the impending return of our captain before the end of the month, the positives of our performances so far out-weigh the negatives.
The putting away our chances ratio has to be improved on for us to achieve our first target of getting back into the Champions League at the end of this season.
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ReplyDeleteDisappointed at the result.
ReplyDeleteDespite the many opportunties to score, Stoke put in one Rock defensive performance. They defended with pure heart and throwing bodies everywhere.
We played well but we are still missing that Edge to defeat teams when we need too. We need our captain back Steven Gerard.
Stoke is a hard place to play football at the best of times but absolutely blew them away with our passing/ how we managed to blow all those chance, especially the way Suarez has been playing is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me started on that penalty!! I do feel sorry for Henderson,
it was a classy run from inside his own half but for us to have 5 shots in one attack was unreal! I don't think the two Manchester sides would've squandered those chances at the minute.....still looking good though, I'm enjoying watching us again, how ever frustrating.
Leon, a Reading fan made exactly thwe same points to me in the week. He was saying how enjoyable it was to see Liverpool playing such great football, but we had to take our chances and he could not imagine the big three not scoring after dominating game on such a scale.
ReplyDeleteFor us it's a game of what could've been instead what should've been and that's why it's important to have goal scorers in your squad from forwards right through to the defence and it's one of the reasons why Man Utd and Chelsea pull close games out of the woods in the last minute because someone always steps up like David Luis or Vidic.
But, we shouldn't get to negative as this is brand of football we haven't seen for a long time and we are creating chances which with the players we now have give us a good chance of closing out games.
Guys,
ReplyDeleteWhat are your hopes for Sunday? If we can keep playing the same football and defend better, especially Carragher then we can surely win there. Although, it's not our best ground to get results!
Spurs are already afraid of Liverpool, hence making staggering 10 changes for Europa League the other night. It would not be easy but I hope we can get a result.
ReplyDeleteA good performance but on this occasion I'll sacrifice that for a victory. Spurs are a key rival for us this year so I really want to beat them before they start to build up a momentum.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the penalty was certainly harsh, I hope he doesn't find himself in a position where he is not marking goal side. I also hope we play a specialist right back.
They have 9 players out injured but are still dangerous opponents. I fancy us to get a result but it will be a tight game. If Andy Carroll doesn't start there is definitely something up. How would you guys line up? I wouldn't mind starting
ReplyDeletePepe
Kelly Carra Agger Jose
Hendo Adam Downing
Kuyt Carroll Suarez
Baz
Same back four. Didn't think I'd say this but what about Lucas? I'd be a bit hesitant to start without either Lucas or Spearing until other options are tested.
ReplyDeleteI'd quite like Caroll to be given a go.
Lucas...apart from Suarez is our best player so far this season. He's cemented that holding role in the middle of the park for definite.
ReplyDeleteYeah you're right Livi forgot about Lucas. Stick him in instead of Kuyt or Hendo and play 4-4-2 is my revised formation. We'll have a really strong bench as well so Kenny has plenty of options to change things up.
ReplyDeleteJordan should start from the bench. Bring in Maxi, and Carroll from the bench. Hand our new signing Coates the debut.
ReplyDeleteWe have the Carling Cup next week so perhaps that's an opportunity, whilst conintuing to play core players, to give Coates a run out. I want to get this result in the bag.
ReplyDeleteAnyone think that Stevie will make the bench?
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for Stevie to come back and lead the side but it may be a bit too soon for him.
ReplyDeleteI can see him back for Brighton game!!!!!!!!!! But that game is another tough one with Brighton sitting comfortably top of Championship submit!
ReplyDeleteLucas, what a character. This is the kind of guy the club need.
What a turnaround in fortunes for the player it just shows perserverance can sometimes pay off-my hat goes off to the player for showing the determination to make at Liverpool and for proving us all wrong! Well done Lucas Leiva YNWA!
ReplyDeletededlfc
We are quarter of an hour away from the match and as Billy's just said in his text, we must take our chances. With Carroll chosen ahead of Kuyt we must keep creating to give him a chance of scoring. Would be nice to see Downing get on the scoring charts, but a scuffed goal by anyone would suit us all I think.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope when the next blog is written it's about a strong performing win.