Even with Coutinho on the match petered out.
Lallana apart this was nothing to write home about and if Brendan Rodgers was expecting to showcase Liverpool’s fringe players all he did was to exacerbate his own problems leaving plenty of questions.
Seven changes from the side which scrapped past Villa meant returns to the starting line-up for internationals Allen, Toure, Lallana and Origi with Gomez, Rossiter and Ibe expected to add a youthful blend, which unfortunately failed to materialised.
Liverpool started well when Origi powered in the penalty area committed defenders before cutting the ball back for Lallana to stab the ball home from close range, his eighth goal in a Liverpool shirt. The anxiety seemed to lift with the expectant flood of goals.
The goals never came. We confidently knocked the ball around enjoying the majority of possession with Origi continuing his vibrant start surging down the right before flicking the ball inside the full-back only to see his goal-bound shot blocked and Ibe’s shot from a narrow angle palmed behind by keeper Vanins.
Liverpool were readily made to pay for our profligacy when Clyne’s careless pass was cut and with Gomez injudiciously pushing up, Kounassi brilliantly utilised the space in behind finding the dangerous Assifuah who easily kept ahead of Ibe calmly slotting the ball in between the legs of the oncoming Mignolet to equalise.
Aside from the goal Gomez received an education from the impressive Assifuah with the strikers pace and power handing the youngster the most difficult schooling of his fledgling career. He wasn’t helped by Ibe’s unwillingness to track back to provide support. In a Brendan Rodgers squad lacking depth and quality their learning curve will have to be steep.
Lallana was the only Liverpool player on display looking as if he had the key to unlock Sion’s defensive door.
The doubts about Origi is whether he is a natural striker and just before half-time he found himself with an opportunity in the box, but in trying to work the ball on to his right the chance was gone.
Liverpool laboured in the second-half hindered by a lack of creativity unless the ball was at the feet of Lallana and the less than fluid nature of our play. In contrast Sion were everything Liverpool were not, bright and looking to pass and move at speed on the break.
Golden chances fell to Lallana and Origi to close the game out, but without Sturridge Liverpool looked edgy and without a cutting edge in the final third.
In just one game against Villa, Sturridge has ensured the very future of Brendan Rodgers lies at his very gifted feet.
Man of the match: Adam Lallana – easily Liverpool’s best player scored one, creating a golden chance for Ings and missed another. He’s experienced enough to know there is very little chance of starting the derby which is a shame for such a gifted player.
Critical eye: Liverpool looked a very average side void of top quality players and ideas against a poor Sion team. It only heightens the disappointment and resignation of fans after watching such a dull display.
For Liverpool to succeed requires the core players to stay fit because of the lack of genuine quality throughout the squad.
Jordon Ibe a genuine quality talent is suffering I believe through weight of expectation. The winger seems to be trying to do something exceptional every time he has the ball and his final delivery and corner taking needs some work. Jordan Rossiter is a talent and produced some nice touches and as usual Emre Can is wasted in defence.
Joe Gomez is a gifted player who is having to be deployed because of the scarcity of talent in defensive areas and one can only hope Rodgers doesn’t ruin him in a bid to cover his failings in the transfer market.
Simon Mignolet is a serial puncher who will always live in the shadow of the Anfield greats.
Liverpool: 22 Mignolet, 23 Emre Can, 4 Kolo Toure (Mamadou Sakho – 76 mins), 12 Joe Gomez, 2 Nathaniel Clyne (Alberto Moreno – 45 mins), 46 Jordan Rossiter, 24 Joe Allen, 33 Jordon Ibe, 20 Adam Lallana, 28 Danny Ings (Philippe Coutinho – 61 mins), 27 Divock Origi
Subs: 10 Philippe Coutinho, 17 Mamadou Sakho, 18 Alberto Moreno, 32 Cameron Brannagan, 34 Adam Bogdan, 56 Connor Randall, 68 Pedro Chirivella
Referee: Slavko Vincic
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