Sunday, 20 November 2011
Glen Johnson Rides The Magical Mystery Tour
In the week preceding the game Dalglish commented on that fact that Suarez needed support in the goal scoring department, namely from midfield colleagues. With Maxi, Kuyt, Bellamy recalled to the started line-up in place of Henderson, Downing and Carroll Liverpool's attacking potential was instantaneously bolstered, especially with Suarez coming off the back of a spectacular four goal performance against Chile in Uruguay's most recent World Cup qualifier. Intriguingly, Dalglish also refrained from recalling a fit again Carragher to combat the physical threat of Drogba with the Agger and Skretel combination again to the fore.
Steve Clarke's coaching presence may have instigated Liverpool's high-typo pressing game. From front to back Liverpool pressed and squeezed Chelsea not allowing the pivotal player Obi Mikel any chance at the bottom of the midfield to control the tempo of their play. The threat going forward didn't just come from Suarez, but from the ultra-composed Bellamy and Glen Johnson's incisive running given Ashley Cole a torrid time down the Liverpool right. The compact Liverpool midfield allowed more freedom for Adam to pick the ball up on occasions drive through the heart of the Chelsea midfield.
A part from a Drogba free-kick and a Mata shot Chelsea didn't really threaten in the first-half. It was no surprise when Liverpool went ahead after Adam exerted pressure on Mikel allowing the triumphant of Bellamy, Suarez and Maxi to link up superbly for the last named to coolly slot home. Time and time again in the final games of last season Maxi, one of the most understated squad members, showed his value to the team, by doing what good attacking midfielders are adept at doing, supporting the attacks with timely runs by stealth. In the Swansea game support from the midfield was not existent, but with the movement provided by Bellamy and Suarez, Kuyt and Maxi found it easier to provide and offer support given Terry and Luiz a torrid afternoon.
That Chelsea came back into the game was obvious, that they scored was disappointing as up to that point their attack hadn't looked even remotely threatening with Lampard a peripheral figure throughout As Bellamy left the game, I cursed. Not because of the substitution because we had to stop Mata, but Maxi seemed to be a better candidate as he seemed to be running on fumes, but credit where credit is due the substitution allowed Liverpool to regain possession and lead to the devastating goal by Johnson from the glorious cross-field ball by Adam.
Glenn Johnson, if ever a game showed the contrast in his play it was this one. He was beaten outside or in the wrong place defensively time and again. But, when he comes forward and he is in this form, he is as good as any wide man in the country and it is one of the reasons why many believe this to be his best position with Kelly in behind.
Maybe, just maybe we ought to just take Glenn Johnson as he is and ride the magical mystery tour he presents us with.
Kop Post Man Of Match: Glen Johnson. Quite simply a stunning goal from time the ball left the boot of Adam arching its way to Johnson and he was composure personified in front of goal almost reminding one of Torres… in his Liverpool days…
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A truly delightful win over the blues, positive, passion, high tempo pressure attacking.
ReplyDeleteChelsea was pretty much bruised all over the show.
Dalglish picked the right attacking team, to bag three pointers in the net.
Adam’s midfield passing was truly breaking Chelsea apart and landing the goal by Johnson from the glorious cross.
If we going to get the best out of Johnson and his got potential to burst and threat defenders then may be its best we do use him for his best position with Kelly in behind.
There were many interesting facets to Liverpool's win. Not just how we dominated in midfield, but how Adam and Lucas who looked almost pedestrian against Swansea looked like Graeme Souness and Jimmy Case in the first half making Ramirez and Lampard peripheral figures.
ReplyDeleteAs often stated on this blog for Adam to succeed in this role he requires time and space and yesterday with Maxi, Kuyt and Bellamy covering back in midfield he even had time to stream forward comitting defenders, if not exactly in Stevie Gerrard style, it was the Adam which we remembered so vividly over the last two seasons at Blackpool. He had an excellent allround game yesterday, which showed just how good and effective he can be if the midfield is built around him.
He didn't possess the legs or energy levels to pressurise Malouda for the Chelsea goal, but the other parts of his game made up for that especially his glorious cross-field pass to set Johnson on his way.
Special mentions should go out to Skrtel, Agger and especially Enrique, who is so comfortable on the ball that you swear a football must have been the first thing he kicked in his life and its not often his taken for a ride defensively. The miraculous save from Reina was what we have come to expect over the years, stupendous made to look ridiculously easy.
But the good think was that we won without Suarez playing outstandingly well. If Liverpool can go on a run up until January we may just be in a position to entice more top class talent to the club in the transfer window.