New Season, Age Old Problems

No matter how good a squad, most teams, apart from Man City, have a first eleven and in the last few weeks Liverpool seemed to have found theirs whether by design or accident with Bellamy's pace and understanding with Suarez and the experience and movement of Kuyt and Maxi we seem to fallen on a winning formula.

So for King Kenny to leave out Maxi after he had bagged two in three and against opposition which he'd scored a hat-trick on our previous appearance at Craven Cottage was disappointing, especially when up against aside with only two victories all season.

Andy Carroll will come good with a side built around him to accentuate his attributes, but among this team and formation we are prone to play longer balls and the lack of width seemed to make no sense with the 'big man' in the box. With his back often to the goal the play seemed to grind to a holt once the ball was passed into his feet. Right now he is a not a first eleven player/starter and is beginning to hinder Liverpool’s progress as seems one step forward tow steps back when he starts.

To say this was a disappointing result, even after Jay Spearing's unlucky sending-off, is saying it mildly.  We had enough possession and chances to have won the game conclusively and I don't buy the fact that we've been unlucky with hitting the post more than any other team, we have just not good enough in front of goal. We now languish five points off a Champions League place and not to want to sound negative with only one defeat in fourteen, but it just shows the damage the home draws have caused.

The goal itself was disappointed to say the least.  If Glen Johnson had been left on the ground by Dembele then one can only say fair enough, because I am sure that he’ll do that to many better defenders in the future, but for Danny Murphy to cut inside and leave him stranded and get off a shot was not what you expect when he should be showing him the outside at the very least.  But in say that Pepe is a top class keeper and they all make mistakes and he saved us many an occasion, but he made a similar mistake against Spurs and last season against Arsenal which cost us a win.

The QPR game must be used a state of intention.  There is no point beating the Chelsea’s of this world and competing on an even keel with the Manchester clubs and then fallen back to our weaknesses of the past few seasons and losing or drawing against sides we should by all intents and purposes be beating if we have any intentions of a top four place.

Kop-Post Man of Match: ?