We came into this game on the back of the disappointing Capital One Cup result, but definitely be in confident mood as the performances we put in across the two legs were praise worthy and there are definite positive signs for the coming months and a possible top four challenge.
The switch to the 3-4-2-1 system has worked very well for the side, both in attack as well in the defence. Our main injury concern beforehand was Mamadou Sakho who limped off against Chelsea with a back injury, but thankfully he declared via social media earlier in the week his fitness, which would’ve been a huge relief as the thoughts of either one of Glen Johnson or Dejan Lovren getting in the side is scary for any Liverpool supporter right now, let alone the return of the bitter Andy Carroll.
Daniel Sturridge returned to the squad as sub after a five month absence with Raheem Sterling continuing to lead the attack with Adam Lallana starting in place of the rested Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho tucked in behind to provide creativity.
After watching my first game in The Ruse pub, in Borough, London, midweek I thought I would again sample the thrilling atmosphere there and was somewhat surprised when news filtered through to me that Gerrard (who was due to make his 700th appearance for the club and had specially made boots lined up by his sponsors Adidas) had not made the bench. Balotelli was also an absentee after his indifferent performance midweek.
We started the game on the upper hand, but the momentum changed when our newly converted right centre back Emre Can rattled by a flailing elbow of our former striker Andy Carroll. Fortunately, for the big striker it went unnoticed by Andre Marriner, leaving Can with a busted lip and disorientated which West Ham to their credit targeted throughout.
Marriner allowed West Ham to play a much more physical brand of football than he did Liverpool gave us a lot of trouble in the first half. It's one thing when a referee makes a few poor decisions, but it’s another when he changes the way the match is played to this extent, it's extraordinarily frustrating to watch unfold.
Henderson hitting a soft shot from the edge of the box straight at the keeper, it is these sort of chances that our future captain needs to score from to improve his game as his current goal ratio is not good enough for an attacking midfielder. West Ham came close when Andy Carroll saw a header parried away by Mignolet safely.
Lallana missed a great chance from close range, although the ball was slight behind him and Coutinho had a shot saved from a tight angle which he should have hit across the keeper.
A stonewall penalty just before the break was denied us when Raheem Sterling trying to burst in to the box was literally bear-hugged and mauled to the ground WWF style by Joey O'Brien. The ball broke to Markovic who shot wide from close in when it looked easier to score.
Half-time thoughts: We struggled to deal with West Ham's physicality, but even beyond the unbalanced refereeing, we need to do better on the ball. Too often we had attackers with the ball not getting enough support, leading to West Ham closing them down until we lost possession. Having a natural striker up top which Daniel Sturridge obviously brings to the equation lends itself Raheem Sterling playing a little deeper where he can exploit space.
The deadlock was finally broken 5 minutes into the second-half when a deflection off West Ham defender Reid fell straight to Philippe Coutinho whose beautiful deft pass put the ball through West Ham's line and in to Sterling's path to slot home. It was a lovely bit of heads-up football, something we haven't always done well with this season and in the face of the side's struggles on the day it was excellent to see.
West Ham's main threat on the day Valencia left Skrtel for dead before seeing his shot, only their second attempt on target saved comfortably by Mignolet.
Henderson shot wide again from the edge of the area and with that a reminder of the heights Liverpool fans expect to see regarding finishing Daniel Sturridge rose from the bench to a tumultuous welcome replacing Markovic.
Sturridge initially resembled someone who hadn't played since September for a while. That was until he scored a beautifully crafted goal 12 minutes later, thanks to another lovely assist from Coutinho and an excellent finish with his weaker right foot (maybe he was working on improving his shooting skills with his weaker foot during his prolonged absence!). Encouragingly for Rodgers and Liverpool, Sturridge was involved three times in the build-up.
When Sturridge scored I sunk to my knees and celebrated like a trooper and the fans in the Ruse pub were delirious delighted for the team and especially for Daniel as he has been through so much heartache trying to recover. Seeing him do his very unique goal celebration dance again was extraordinarily heart-warming.
We almost saw Jordon Ibe score his first EPL goal after a lovely step over cut-in-shot late in the match, but he didn't get quite enough on the ball to knock it past Adrian with Sturridge almost scoring off the rebound, just guiding his effort wide of the post.
This 2-0 win was very important as Spurs and Man Utd both won their respective games, but we had moved ahead of West Ham and in the hunt for 4th place.
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling - his pace and movement was outstanding throughout the game and he led the line well, he was a constant menace to the whole West Ham back line, he will get even more confidence from the returning Sturridge which will now mean that he can play in his preferred role just behind the main striker.
Special Mention today goes out to Mamadou Sakho. The French Rock was absolutely immense today, with West Ham constantly trying to test him and failing at every opportunity. On set pieces, in open play, against Carroll or Downing or Cole or Nolan or Valencia, West Ham just couldn't beat him. Well played Mamadou!
Lucas and Henderson were steady again, Moreno and Markovic need to work on their final balls into the box.
Very pleased with another clean sheet and despite Mignolet not looking quite so confident with the high balls today he came through the game unscathed.
Liverpool: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Markovic, Henderson, Lucas, Moreno; Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling.
Subs: Sturridge (Markovic 68'), Ibe (Coutinho 82')
West Ham: Adrian; O'Brien, Collins, Reid, Cresswell, Song, Amalfitano, Nolan; Downing, Carroll, Valencia.
Subs: Noble (Amalfitano 55'), Cole (Carroll 63'), Demel (Collins 74')
Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 44,718
It was a pretty impressive performance when you consider that the majority of the starting XI played through a pretty gruelling semi-final 2nd leg against Chelsea just four days previous.
ReplyDeleteSterling is showing just what a class play he is and on occasions he made the much vaunted Winston Reid look very ordinary and took his goal with distinction. Have to agree Sakho was immense which is nothing new to West Ham as he was excellent against them in last seasons away fixture. Lucas continued in the same vain patrolling in front of the defence and Moreno is progressing steadily remembering that he has defensive duties on top of his marauding and he played big role in the first goal with his ball into Sterling to chest back.
Coutinho was brilliant. His role in the two goals for the goals were exceptional. First his instinctive cushioned volleyed past to send Sterling through and second, his change of direction to brilliantly open up an avenue for Sturridge. For me he was my man of the match.
Sturridge's expert velvety control from Coutinho's pass was superb and positioned him to dispatch inside the near post.
Brendan Rodgers side showed real conviction to bounce back from the loss to Chelsea and to overcome the rough and tumble nature of West Ham's football, never losing sight of playing with flair and hard work. Sterling and Coutinho have developed a resilience and teak toughness which belies their lack of physical stature.
The games are coming think and fast, but togetherness the team work Rodgers team is displaying is helping them to overcome any difficulties - if Daniel Sturridge stays fit we'll keep moving on our upward curve.
I was only able to see the highlights on MOTD and Goals on Sunday but this was a great result given the physicality of the midweek fixture. From what I noted was the continuation of Sterlings'journey to being world class, classy stuff engineered by Coutinho,'solid defensive "Lenor" performance with a clean sheet, and the return of the "big brother" Daniel Sturridge which hopefully gives the players a lift to their own game.
DeleteLikewise, I also only saw what was a pretty brief highlights package on MOTD but both goals were great, Coutinho’s little dink into the box for the first was fantastic and the Sturrisges first touch immaculate in the build up to the second.
DeleteWe now have a really key run of fixtures in quick succession, this Weds it’s Cup action against Bolton followed quickly by league fixtures against Everton and Tottenham on Saturday and Tuesday, then the following Sunday we are away to Southampton who are only 4 points ahead of us in fourth, wins in our league games would see us leap up the table but the squad will need to be rotated.
Barry,
DeleteI understand what you are saying but why change a winning team. May be SG coming in Lallana for the derby game.
I just reckon there’s no point playing players into injury (Lucas springs to mind, he’s playing a lot of football after having been out of the team for a long period), Sakho’s back might become a problem too and there are a couple that could probably just do with a rest. I think for the most part we keep a strong team on the pitch but a few squad players like Allen, Lallana, Johnson, Borini, Ibe (who by all accounts had a brilliant cameo at wing back on Saturday) etc will have to come in and give some lads a rest. I’d want to play close to the first eleven against Everton and Spurs so against Bolton a few of the fringe lads would have to come in.
DeleteI agree with what you say but it would be really nice where we go in at half time 3-0 up and then bring on those players you mentioned.
DeleteComing of the Chelsea game, our performance was once again impressive and positive all around.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about this team is we are gaining consistency in our play and players, and this can only be done by playing them week in week out., Sakho, Lucas , Moreno , Coutinho, . Sterling all, in together, working hard for each other.
One touch one goal, what can you say, Sturridge is back, and so happy for him to get that goal and do he’s boogi dance, same goes for Sterling, the boy playing with so much confidence and belief must keep it up.
One game at a time.
Against Bolton tonight I’d go -
DeleteMing
Can Skrtel Lovren
Jonhson Hendo Allen Moreno
Lallana Ibe
Sterling
Give Lucas, Coutinho, Markovic and Sahko a break and keep Stevie fresh for his last Derby. All those lads with the exception of Lucas are on the bench with Studdger D just in case.
I think the games against Everton and Spurs are going to be more pivotal for our season, so would drop Sterling and Hendo from that line-up and replace with Borini and Gerrard.
DeleteTop four is still a possibility at the moment but we can’t afford any slip ups in the league and either by chance or design BR has finally found his strongest XI and it doesn’t include SG.
Please not Loveren.
Delete