This headline sums up our penultimate Champions League group stage game vs Ludogorets and also our season as a whole.
Our manager finally made some tactical changes which the fans were
calling for moving Gerrard from the defensive midfield role putting Lucas in
that position and pushing Gerrard further forward and also taking Lovren out of
our defence and giving Kolo Toure a run out. Henderson also returned to the
side from a virus. The players to miss
out included Coutinho and Lallana.
With our side on a run of
losing the last four games in a row our manager had called for the side to show
courage and strength knowing a defeat would end our chances of getting through
the group stages so we needed a good start but we had the exact opposite with a
speculative shot at goal from Ludogorets bouncing off Mignolet for a tap in
from their striker Dani Abalo (who had also scored at Anfield earlier in the
group stages).
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| Dani Abalo gives Ludogorets a shock early lead |
Mignolet just added to his catalogue of errors he has had since leaving
Sunderland and again let his team down.
The response from us was
instant with Lambert anticipating a mistake from the Ludogorets defence and
nipped in to head home from close range.
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| Rickie of the mark in the Champions League |
The intricate passing and pace of Ludogorets seemed to give us more
problems with Kolo Toure providing a crucial interception and then an almost
calamitous touch to stop a cross coming over which thankfully deflected wide
for a corner.
The majority of the play until the third goal of this game then
fluctuated between Ludogorets controlling the game and us trying to get
Lambert, Sterling and Gerrard to link up to create further chances.
Just before half time
Lambert links up very well with Sterling on the left wing and provides a
perfect slide rule cross with his left foot for Henderson rushing into the box
to cleverly dink into the net despite the advances of the keeper from a tight
angle.
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| The Hendo roar! |
Not playing well but being up 1-2 at half time was a massive bonus.
With the second half 15 minutes old we then proceeded to provide our
fans with one of the misses of the season which was thankfully ruled offside.
Sterling providing the attacking width from the left and finding Lambert
at the far post with a Ludogorets defender stopping the ball on the line with
his heel and the ball falling to Henderson with the goal gaping wide and him
inexplicably missing the target. The relief on all the Liverpool fans faces
when we realised the officials has ruled it offside was a picture in itself.The other vital moment of the game took place when Sterling broke clear on a counter attack and looked certain to score and make it 3-1 but his shot went straight at the Ludogorets keeper Stoyanov.
It then seemed that Sterling was substituted because of the missed opportunity as he was taken off for Moreno. This tactic did not make any sense to me as Sterling was our best player and his pace was giving Ludogorets nightmares.
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| Contemplating whether to take off Gerrard? |
Whereas Gerrard was kept the pitch for the duration of the match despite being out on his feet with nothing left in the engine.
The spate of corners from Ludogorets late on brought about the equaliser
when a simple flick on from Ludogorets found Terziev who headed past our keeper
to ensure we have now conceded 13 set piece goals from our various games this
season.
We had looked set to win for the first time this month but just did not
have the determination to retain the hard fought lead - our manager has to
again take the blame for his indecisiveness or lack of tactical awareness of
how to close out a game.
Positives
The performance and form of Ricky Lambert who worked extremely well with
his build up play and the return to form of Sterling who created havoc from
both flanks and also a welcome return to the side on the right by Henderson.
Negatives
Our manager stated that our season starts from here but he did not do
anything with his substitutions which influenced the game positively - it made
the decision to keep Gerrard on the pitch when he was clearly tired look like
our manager has now reached a stage where he can not make brave decisions which
will define his career as an up and coming coach. Gerrard could potentially be
playing three games a week for 90 minutes with no duty of care by our manager
about him trying to manage Gerrard's career to enable longevity at the top
level of the sport. We all know Gerrard is an all time great player for our
club but our manager just seems too in awe to take him off !!!
A 2-2 draw against a side no one had heard about three months ago except
the Bulgarians is not worth celebrating but it is a small step to recovery.
Despite Toure being more distinguished and organised compared to Lovren
he still couldn't help but make a few errors and the defence as a whole has
still not been good enough.
We have conceded 29 goals in all the various competitions of those 13 were from set pieces
We have conceded 29 goals in all the various competitions of those 13 were from set pieces
and despite our manager stating that this needs to be addressed we
continue to concede set piece goals on a regular basis - the buck stops with
the manager and if he does not address this as a priority someone else will
inherit this job to stem the flow of silly goals.
Teams:-
Ludogorets: Stoyanov, Junior Caicara, Moti, Terziev, Minev,
Misidjan, Dyakov, Fabio Espinho, (Younes 80), Mihail Aleksandrov,
(Wanderson 72), Marcelinho, Dani Abalo (Quixada 69)
Subs not used: Borjan, Barthe, Abel, Aleksandar Aleksandrov.
Goals: Dani Abalo 3, Terziev 88.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Toure, Manquillo,
Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Lambert, Allen, Sterling (Moreno 82)
Subs not used: Brad Jones, Lovren, Coutinho, Lallana, Can, Borini
Goals: Lambert 8, Henderson 37
Attendance: 6,300
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
Man of the match:-Ricky Lambert - taken his minimal opportunities to show he can do it at top level.
Post match interview by our manager:-
Brendan Rodgers hailed the character of his players after they set up an Anfield showdown with Basel.
Rodgers said: “I am happy to rely on us to play at Anfield in front of
our own supporters, and I really look forward to that.
“We haven’t been good
enough with our performances and consistent enough – and that’s my
responsibility. But in the Champions League we still have it in our own hands.
It was always going to be a close group, and we will settle for this position.”
NO COMMENTS except Biffa has to play the players that will play against Basle during the weekend game.
ReplyDeleteThe smartest way to get the best out of our captain Stevie G is to ask him to give it his all for 60 mins and then take him off to bring on younger, fresher legs.
DeleteThe quickest way to kill off a Liverpool football icon's career is to play him for 90 mins in every game despite him sending clear signals that he is totally shattered by not having the energy to run up to take a corner!
Our LFC manager is one of three things:-
1)either expecting Gerrard to perform miracles late on in a game like he did in his pomp in his twenties which I totally believe is beyond Gerrard now.
2)just in total awe of the player and his achievements as a player and not strong enough to tell Gerrard we need to now look at what's best for the team
3) tactically inept - unaware how to manage different match scenarios.
I think in our manager's mind it's a mixture of points 2 and 3.
He needs an experienced coach to be his assistant to give him a few discreet pointers because his back room staff like Colin Pascoe are just not used to handling complex situations such as dealing with big name players in big European games.
Decisions like taking off Gerrard for Can to give us more legs in midfield could be a decision that gets us a vital away win or leaving him on could mean we do not have a counter attacking outlet when under pressure and are stuck on the defensive back foot which is exactly what happened last night.
It was a better performance last night even though we’re disappointed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory once again. Lucas, while not perfect, showed a calm efficiency in midfield and did the simple things well, he has to keep that position from now until January in my opinion. Toure had a few moments but he’s still head and shoulders above Dejan.
DeleteThe substitution killed us, Ludogorets were pressing more and more and the one thing that they had to worry about was Sterling’s pace on the break, replacing the 19 year old with Moreno solved that problem for the opposition and from then on they could throw caution to the wind get forward in numbers and the goal was almost inevitable in the end.
Oh yeah, I forgot to slag Glen Johnson, he’s utter, utter rubbish. How does he get on ahead of Moreno? Hell, even Enrique would be a better option. Send Glenda off to the States or Dubai and put everyone out of their misery, the guys only about 30 years old but he’s finished.
DeleteI echo Baz's views on Johnson - he is so poor - that we should raise money via Children in Need !!!!
DeleteI think Captain Stevie G, is better up front, playing just behind, the two from man or that area, providing the killer passes to the front man, knocking off touches, his vision, and maybe even make short burst runs, midfield he just gets swamped and basically has not got the legs, today’s game is about speed which is everything.
DeleteBarry I am with you all the way on that. Even Garry Neville as much as he hates Liverpool, he did make some critical reasoning. In his view, Mign must should be on bench for few games to recover his form. I think right now Brad Jones would do a much better job than Mign. He should be taken lesson from Coutour of Chelsea while on International duty he seems not. If we won last night, we could still have been in this position where a draw would not have been good enough because Basel beat us on their ground. Let us hope we are on our up!!!
DeleteWell done uncle Rickie, two goals in two matches that can't be bad is it?
DeleteGuys,
DeleteI said no comments but I trying to work out what has changed. The manager is still the same, with regards to players this is more or less the same squad (3 new one from last night’s game). So where has it all gone wrong?
I agree with what Barry said, Biffa needs to drop Migs and Jones should play until such time when we have a quality keeper.
Like I was saying last night to David, Lud wanted to win the game more than we did, they were faster, more agile, more energy, the will to win, determination, skills, tactics, stronger in their tackles and played as a team.
Mo
It was a better performance with not much quality, but more intensity and we should've won. The standout players being Lambert and Sterling, whose pass for the Henderson goal was sensational. Lambert did what all good goal scorers do, he anticipated the mistake and was on the end of it.
DeleteMignolet's confidence is shot to pieces and if you remember Brad Jones in action one cannot be overwhelmed with too much confidence - wouldn't surprise me if they are distant cousins the way they similarly flap for crosses. How we spent 117 million and we couldn't have brought in an experience keeper as cover is mystifying.
Lucas more gusto than the normal incumbent, but for the first goal the guy ran 30-40 yards unchallenged which and his challenge was non-existent. To be honest, they ran through the middle and down the channels at will in the first-half.
Their second goal was nothing that we've not seen before. Near post flick and Liverpool defenders smoking cigars in and around the far post while one person strolls on by.
Sterling, the outlet, goes off... the manager says he was injured. So, where was Markovic, not even on the bench? Lallana, not allowed off the bench or Emre Can or Coutino. As Barry says, he threw away the advantage. In fact, it seemed a defensive move. Granted Moreno, who I agree should be starting, especially after the hullaballoo Brendan made in chasing after his signature, can get forward, but for me he thought he do the defensive bit too and actually it was he who failed to get the player at the near post.
No matter who is on the park we just cannot defend set pieces. We don't appear to have one central defender who can organise a backline and when you throw the keeper into the mix... Peter Crouch must be counting down the days until the weekend.
If we had managed to hold on for the win the glaring problems with the display may have been overlooked as once again it was a disjointed performance.
DeleteI understand Brendan leaning towards caution with his team selection yesterday but as an attacking force we were almost non-existent, playing Gerrard further up the field behind Lambert was dead on arrival as a tactic as two slow 30+ players at the forefront offered very little (although good anticipation by Lambert for his goal).
With space afforded by Ludo it’s a game where we didn’t need Gerrard once he decided on the Lucas/Allen pairing. Sterling playing behind Lambert would have made more sense as Lambert strength is holding up the ball allowing teammates to break past him.
I doubt we’ll see Stevie line up against Stoke at the weekend, he can’t play 90 three times in a week can he? Lucas and Kolo have to keep their positions and Glenda has to be dropped. Like I said I’d love to see Migs given the day off too but it ain’t gonna happen which is an damning indication of just how little faith Rodgers has in Jones. Fo the stoke game I would pick
DeleteJones
Manquillo Skrtel Kolo Moreno
Lucas Can
Hendo Sterling Coutinho
Lambo
I agree with your selection and we should keep it as much as possible.
DeleteI would probably put Can on the bench, move Hendo in the middle besides Lucas and put Lallana out wide.
DeleteUnfortunately Migs will keep his place even if he throws the ball into his own net.
I was thinking that against Stoke Can might be a good physical presence to have in midfield and he could probably help out defending the slew of set pieces and corners which Stoke will undoubtedly be playing for.
DeleteGosh! When I look at that team is screams functional with quality in places.
DeleteIt’s back to basics time Vic, no frills football is what we need at the minute.
DeleteI can see that, I just think Hendo loses something from his game when not played in a central position and we need the added defensive stability that Lucas should apparently bring.
DeleteI noticed Lambert chopped all the long ball down for players which was very fleshing to the eyes.
DeleteAnalyser, that is my point exactly. When David De Gea was going through his hallow time, AF dropped him to the bench sharp sharp. Without him MU will be right behind us on the table this season. Mig is possibly thinking his place in the team is divine right and cannot be tampered with.
DeleteYep, functional but lacking quality.
DeleteI didn't see the first half but endured a Motty in telephone conversation with Victor, supported by texts from David. Had I seen the 1st goal, I doubt my tv would still be on the wall! We simply are not good enough and BR is also woefully off form.
Without doubt Jackie Can should have at least come on to replace someone's tiring legs and more importantly add some ariel steel in the penalty box. If Lallana makes Lambert play better then for me he'd start too.
The Daily Mirror had for some reason given the motm award to Stevie but from what I saw Sterling seemed to be head and shoulders above all that. Maybe he reflected on what I said to him on Sunday. Gerrard did show some good flicks and set up a good opportunity for Sterling. But I agree with someone else's comment that we would have been more fluent with Sterling behind Lambert. I don't think we can really ask Stevie to hold the midfield in place - someone else needs to pick up the mantle.
I think Graeme Souness or Carra said it recently, you have to build on clean sheets. No frills will do for a couple of games!
It's worrying that our players need to go back to pass and move cos that is the bottom line....
DeleteWe need a clean sheet and a win so badly just to give the squad a lift.
DeleteI was going to say the saving grace is we're playing at home, but can't even rely on the factor.
DeleteAt some point in this season everything will click together and we will get back on track but we just need to see it happen sooner rather than later.
DeleteIn 2005 we qualified from a group which didn't include the reigning European champions with a record 3W 1D 2L: if beat Basel we go through with a 2W 1D 3L record not that far off 2005, maybe getting out of the group is the kick-start this group of players need.
DeleteThe thing is they are not crap players they are just totally devoid of confidence right now.
DeleteConfidence in sport is a massive factor in how to win.
I'll tell you straight as I did in the Summer. We should have kept Reina if we didn't have another option lined up. Although Jones - nice lad - he 'ain't good enough but I would give Migs a breather.
DeleteIn 2005 we have Stevie just hitting his hitting his peak. Now we need a few players to come together as one.
DeleteI think we'd gain altitude with a tighter back 6. Still not entirely sure about BRs commitment to the Champions league and whether it's important to this competition -,I know Real Madrid seem to be.
DeleteI understand Basel gave RM some game last night.
DeleteSo did we but we also lost!!!!
DeleteWe didn't! We rested several players for the Chelsea game, remember?!
DeleteDon't know which one is our first 11 let alone second 11 now !!!
DeleteCan't resist this opportunity to praise my boy rafa ;-) I'm not as anti Rodgers as many but absolutely no way he has tactical know how to take a distinctly average team anywhere in europe.... Though hopefully I'm wrong and it was all about historic anfield nights! I personally fear Basel will spare us a second round humiliation by beating us at anfield unless we find some spirit and confidence in next two weeks...
ReplyDeleteFor sat, surely kolo keeps his place, Moreno comes in for Johnson and can gets a run out...
Let's continue on this theme after you've all read this article http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2847159/Brendan-Rodgers-Liverpool-transfers-Daniel-Sturridge-Philippe-Coutinho-impressed-Anfield.html
ReplyDeleteBrilliant article about who's a hit and miss from Brendan's spend.
DeleteGerrard is a true legend but don't want to see his game suffer at the end of his career - he needs to know when the time is right to call it a day and with the amount of football Bodgers is asking him to play - the day to pack up his boots is drawing nearer and quicker than planned !!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, he's a 60 minute man that should now be used with caution rather than the expectaion that he should be our talisman. Maybe we should rest him, either side of the Carling Cup. I think BR has realised that playing both Lucas and Stevie in the engine room together doesnt work.
DeleteAlways be a legend in my books, but yes think people ask to much from him, miracles, game winner, but unfortunately not any more, his legs are giving in. And should be used his best position further up the pitch, and rest in-between games as we have another 10 men on the pitch if you get my drift, Karl OMG love the pictures.
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