Udinese Sharpshooters Expose Liverpool’s Defensive Frailties

With most of Liverpool's recognised XI not considered it was a another chance for the likes of Jordan Henderson and particularly Stewart Downing, recently on the end of a very public criticism from the manager, to which he seemed surprised at the open nature of, to stake a claim.

Udinese started the game at a high tempo, especially for a Serie A side, as if designed to throw the home team of its stride.  It was Liverpool who had the first chance when Coates from a Downing corner saw his powerful header well saved by Brkic low down.  Udinese responded from a free-kick from the right as Benatia’s header appeared for all the world as if it was homing into the bottom corner of the net before Pepe Reina pulled off a superlative save at full stretch. It was the type of save he has made his own and that Joe Hart has taken out a subscription from his patent.

Under Rodgers Liverpool are already fully capable of stifling opponents attacking instincts with confident passing designed to retain possession. Joe Allen importance to that cause is obvious, but just as important in an attacking sense is Shelvey and it was he who broke the deadlock.  Starting the move with a brisk pass out to the right to Downing, who collected and drove past for full-back to deliver a right-footed inch perfect cross for the young Englishman to decisively head home for his third Europa goal of the season.

If the first half ended with Liverpool’s in complete control, without the final penetration, the second started with concentration down on all fronts and within 32 seconds the ball was nestling in the back of Reina’s net.  Glen Johnson miss-control allowed the impressive Di Natale to interchange with Lazarri and clip a world-class finish past the flailing Reina.

Liverpool struggled to get back into the game with Udinese pressing the ball, in particular not allowing Shelvey time and space.  Rodgers recognising the need to reassert Liverpool’s dominance replaced Assaidi and Henderson with Gerrard and Saurez.  The later immediately produced a sublime ball which set Downing free with just grass to gallop into. The winger was cynically rugby tackled to the ground with referee Johannesson yellow card suggesting he took a different slant to the 40,000 baying Liverpool fans.  Shelvey then unfortunately got in the way of a goal bound Suarez volley on the line.

 

The miss was compounded when in the space of three minutes Coates headed an own goal and the Di Natale whose movement had worried Carragher all evening, superbly controlled a long ball before delivering a well weighted pass for Pasquale to smoke home a drive.

The topsy turvy nature of the second half continued when Suarez whipped in a delicious free-kick.  Downing then found Suarez with a floated cross, but his header was straight at Brkic.  In the remaining minutes Liverpool went close, by not close enough.

The underlying problem has been and remains defensive mistakes.  We have now conceded 20 goals in 11 top flight games and we need that underbelly to become as tough as teak.  There is a striking problem, but there are good players in other positions and we are throwing away games where we are dominating the majority of possession and it can only hinder confidence should it continue.

Man of The Match: Jonjo Shelvey – continues to progress and provides the attacking impetus we are crying out for in midfield.  Pleasing to see his confidence grow game by game, but he has to repress the need to force his passes through the ‘eye of a needle’ when as easier pass is the better option.

Match details:

Liverpool (4-3-3): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Coates, Robinson; Henderson (Gerrard 65), Allen, Shelvey; Downing, Borini (Sterling 79), Assaidi (Suarez 65).
Subs: Jones (g), Sahin, Skrtel, Wisdom.

 Udinese (3-4-3): Brkic; Domizzi, Danilo, Benatia; Pasquale, Faraoni, Agymang, Pinzi, Pereyra, Armero, Di Natale.
Subs: Padelli (g) Ranegie, Coda, Lazzari, Fabbrini, Heurtaux, Willians.
Booked: Pinzi, Benatia, Faraoni.

Referee: S Johannesson (Sweden).