Liverpool 3-0 Wigan Athletic | Premier League match report | Football | The Observer
Too many times this season Liverpool have been found wanting at home, especially against "lesser" opposition. It looked as if this trend was set to continue early on in the game, especially during a spell when Wigan took charge. Not to worry though, as Brendan Rodgers soon Sussex out the opposition game plan as reflected by the first half tactical replacement of Suso with Henderson. One thing that is increasingly becoming apparent is the ability of Brodgers to motivate his charges as seen by the changed outlook and increased urge after a dull first half. The Red men attacked the opposition with gusto resulting in total domination, with the game being over long before the whistle. What needs to be improved is the finishing ability as too many clear chances were wasted. Say what you may about Suarez, he is only human, and the visible tiredness was apparent later in the game. His substitution was no reflection on his ability, rather on the fact that he is not a machine. Nevertheless, a great second half left a dilemma as to who was the man of the match. Cue, Jose Enrique, who has revelled in the attacking midfield role with another successive superlative performance. Good on yer Red!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Suarez is brilliant
Liverpool 1 Suarez 67
Newcastle United 1 Cabaye 43
Anfield 4th November 2012
Liverpool remain 12th after 10 games, having won only 2 games in the League this season. There is no cause for complaint on the performance, which at times is scintillating, only on the end product. After something like 25 attempts at the newcastle goal, there was only 1 goal to show, and that too from a brilliant individual act by Luis. One of the goals of the season. Suarez was so predominant, "mesmerizing individual display", that he ran Colocchini ragged, ultimately leading to the defender to vent his frustration studs-up. The words on the linesman's lips were quite clear, a straight red, though it was towards the end and did not have much effect on the game. This prompted Alan Pardew to march up to the ref at the end but as the Newcastle manager said it himself later, there was not much to argue about the intention.
Steven Gerrard's 600th senior Liverpool game did not provide much cheer for him and it was littered with mistakes and a generally indifferent performance overall. It was as if he was distracted from the task and occasion. Never mind, just being 600 is a reason to celebrate.
"Steven Gerrard was presented with an ornamental Liver bird in recognition of his 600th appearance for Liverpool before kick off, the captain becoming only the 10th player in the club's history to reach that impressive milestone.On hand for the presentation was Gerrard's former mentor in Liverpool's central midfield, Gary McAllister, and how Rodgers could do with the vision, command and experience the Scot brought to Gérard Houllier's team."
Read the full report by Andy Hunter at http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/nov/04/liverpool-newcastle-premier-league-report
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Best Dive Yet
Everton 2
Liverpool 2
Goodison Park, Sunday Oct 28 2012
On a weekend which started with debate about diving and foreign players, it seemed that professional footballers chose to close ranks and indicate that the problem is not limited to foreign players. Phil Neville should be applauded for taking the lead, though we do sympathise with the yellow card he garnered.
Luiz Suarez was in the news of course. His dive was more theatrical in nature and aimed at David Moyes in particular, for the pre-match comments uttered. The celebration of the first goal was remarkable both in its audacity as well as its execution. Moyes should have known that this type of baiting can only motivate Suarez more. It remains to be seen if this baiting will be repeated by other managers.
As a footnote to this diving saga, Fernando Torres was sent off for a second yellow for simulation against Manchester United.
Moving ahead, it is very apparent that luck was against Liverpool with regards to refereeing decisions. Liverpool should have on this match, though, the defence is an area where more work is needed.
Read the match report by Chris bascombe.
"Liverpool left with a point and a crate of evidence to support Brendan Rodgers’ swelling persecution complex at the hands of match officials.
Luis Suárez as the modern reincarnation of Little Lord Fauntleroy may take a while to pull off, but Rodgers felt aggrieved that a linesman’s flag wrongly denied his striker the status of Merseyside derby hero.
He was adamant it was a case of the sinner being sinned against, the disallowed 'winner’ in the fourth minute of stoppage time grist to the mill following a series of unfavourable decisions.
“I’m not going to keep going on about officials because it has been happening to us all season. But that one at the end was quite straightforward,” said Rodgers.
“It was a free-kick from deep and the ball was in the air for a long time and you could clearly see he was onside. When he put it in he was marginally level. It was a terrific finish and he could have had a hat-trick. He was not at all motivated by any comments before the game. He is motivated every day of his life.“I was bitterly disappointed at not getting the winner. It was a brilliant game and I thought we stood up well. I am so disappointed it didn’t count because it was an easy decision. “So, instead of being a brilliant win for us, we are left feeling frustrated. At the same time I am very proud because of the way my young team performed in a real cauldron.”
There was a certain irony that a booking for diving was given to anEverton player. “Do you want me to talk about Phil Neville? Don’t start me,” Rodgers tersely observed.
A captivating encounter was granted a suitably contentious final act. Quite where Suárez was heading after nudging Sebastián Coates’ header beyond Tim Howard is now, sadly, a matter for conjecture.
After his role in Liverpool’s first, most likely to go down as a Leighton Baines own goal, Suárez ran towards David Moyes and dived at his feet, evidently unimpressed by the Everton manager’s highly politicised assessment of his reputation. “It’s called Scouse wit,” said Rodgers when asked about the striker’s evidently pre-meditated response.
Moyes stated before kick-off he finds it hard to sleep after a derby, and he would have endured another restless night had the goal stood.
The passing of an opportunity to confirm the merit of suggestions that he now possesses a superior line-up may still cause some disturbance.
This was unfamiliar territory for the hosts. They are no longer perceived as punching above their weight, expected rather than simply willed to win such fixtures. Their inability to do so owed everything to a dire start and a failure to reassert themselves after their enforced half-time substitution and Liverpool’s shift in formation.
Everton ended a frantic first half level and in command but they were permanently undermined by the premature departure of Kevin Mirallas who, until then, was defining events.
Despite their early two-goal lead, Liverpool’s line-up was fragile. Although Raheem Sterling adapted swiftly to the intensity of the occasion, Suso and Nuri Sahin were dynamic in possession but a liability without it. Sahin had assisted Suárez with the opening goal on 14 minutes, prior to the Uruguayan glancing his header from Gerrard’s free-kick for the second. Leon Osman benefited from a tame punch to cut the deficit and Steven Naismith equalised after the right of Liverpool’s defence went missing 10 minutes before half-time.
Mirallas constantly attacked teenager Andre Wisdom until the Belgian’s ankle gave way just before half time.
Liverpool responded tactically, introducing Coates and abandoning the 4-3-3 Rodgers usually defends with a religious zeal, and it worked. It was as if the Liverpool manager began the derby clinging to his romanticism before realising pragmatism is usually more productive when the cut and thrust begins.
Rodgers said he had to change to counter Everton’s direct style. “My change was due to the fact that they had two guys of 6ft 3ins and 6ft 4ins up front and everyone kept smashing balls up to them,” he said. “We needed that extra body. It can be difficult, especially defending against a team that is very direct, putting loads of long balls into the box.”
There was more serenity after the break. Anxiety spread in the home ranks in the final stages, Liverpool retaining composure on the ball and benefiting from some reckless challenges.
They thought they had stolen the winner but Suárez left sporting his usual pose, both blessed and cursed. It was an afternoon that underlined why he is so endearing to his own fans, but why Moyes probably still refuses to utter his name without a mouthwash handy."
Monday, October 29, 2012
Downing Finally Came Good
Liverpool 1
Anzhi Makhachkala 0
Anfield, Thursday 25 October 2012, Europa League
Stewart Downing may feel he needs a revival worthy of Lazarus to save his Liverpool career, but at least he resuscitated his club’s European hopes at Anfield.
On a night when Brendan Rodgers decided to play Russian roulette with his stars’ fitness ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby, there was an irony that a player who will expect to be a spectator at Goodison Park fired a bullet winner.
Thrust into an emergency left-back role in the second half of the Europa League tie with Anzhi Makhachkala, Downing delivered his fourth goal for Liverpool in 16 unfulfilling months.
“Stewart Downing, he scores when he wants,” was the affectionate chant from the Kop, a reference to a less than prolific strike-rate.
Rodgers made a point of rushing to the centre circle and requesting the crowd offer Downing additional applause at full-time, no doubt relieved his policy of concentrating on immediate priorities rather than the game, ahead paid off.
“It was a wonderful strike from Stewart,” said Rodgers. “It’s been difficult for him since he has been here so I just wanted something to help his confidence. The Kop recognise it was a wonderful goal and if you get that applause it means a lot. Hopefully that will do him good and he has the qualities to play in that position.”
It would seem the Europa League assumed greater importance at some point between the final whistle of the previous defeat to Udinese and last night’s kick-off against Guus Hiddink’s collective of wealthy journeymen.
Having spared the energy of his key men in previous fixtures of the competition, there was no disguising the gamble 72 hours before the derby. Rodgers played down any fears of over-exertion. The merit of his calculation will only be fully assessed on Sunday. There will be little sympathy from Liverpool fans if tired limbs or any nagging injuries sustained here are blamed for a poor display at Goodison. Glen Johnson’s early exit with a spasm, described as precautionary, was an example of the precariousness of a thin squad.
It was evident Rodgers was unwilling to sacrifice European hopes before Christmas, but he would have been grateful for the surprisingly ponderous approach of the visitors.
Hiddink, who was approached for the Liverpool job before Roy Hodgson’s appointment two years ago, had set up his side to stifle and frustrate and their negative approach was a disappointment. Samuel Eto’o, rather like Luis Suárez, too often felt compelled to take on defenders alone but he was barely supported by midfield.
Initially, Liverpool’s determination to paint pretty pictures in midfield with little to penetrate a packed defence meant the necessary zip was missing to elevate the game above the tedious. That changed in a much-improved second half when Liverpool’s most potent threat was offered by those unlikely to start on Sunday.
As well as Downing, summer recruit Oussama Assaidi – whose directness has made him an endearing figure already – was the focal point.
Most of the home pressure was originating from the left wing through the Moroccan winger and, initially, Johnson prior to Downing’s switch. When the England defender departed prematurely, it forced Downing into the unfamiliar defensive role from which he surprisingly and expertly opened the scoring on 53 minutes. He cut in from the left to hit sweetly with his right foot beyond the helpless Vladimir Gabulov.
Jonjo Shelvey almost added a second but shot tamely at the keeper as Liverpool began to dominate and it was only the familiar anxiety in the closing stages when that threatened to undermine Rodgers’ side.
Eto’o was almost gifted an equaliser on 70 minutes when Downing’s daft pass put Martin Skrtel in trouble; Eto’o pounced, but shot straight at Brad Jones, who again looked solid deputising for Pepe Reina.
That was the only real scare, and after starting the evening clinging on in pursuit of qualification to the knockout stage, Liverpool top their group. Rodgers’ instincts told him it made more sense to try to extend interest in this competition at home, thus avoiding taking Steven Gerrard and Suárez to Russia in a fortnight – three days before a trip to Chelsea.
The debate about his selection will inevitably be delayed until Sunday. After this win, do not expect the big guns to be loaded in the same way for Moscow.
Match details
Liverpool: Jones; Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson (Sterling 46); Gerrard, Sahin, Shelvey (Allen 80); Downing, Suarez, Assaidi.
Subs Not Used: Gulacsi,Henderson,Carragher,Fernandez Saez,Yesil.
Booked: Suarez, Agger.
Goals: Downing 53.
Anzhi Makhachkala: Vladimir Gabulov; Agalarov (Logashov 61), Samba, Joao Carlos, Zhirkov; Shatov, Georgi Gabulov, Boussoufa (Lakhiyalov 77); Carcela-Gonzalez, Eto'o, Smolov (Traore 64).
Subs Not Used: Pomazan, Gadzhibekov, Tagirbekov, Mukhammad.
Booked: Samba, Agalarov.
Att: 39,358
Ref: Bas Nijhuis (Holland).
by Chris Bascombe, Daily Telegraph
Raheem Sterling's first goal
Liverpool 1
Reading 0
Anfield, Saturday 20 October 2012
Reading 0
Anfield, Saturday 20 October 2012
Brendan Rodgers cited faith in young talent as one of the reasons his Reading tenure ended in dismissal after 23 games. Three years and one transformation later, vindication arrived in front of the man who fired him, Royals' chairman John Madejski, as 17-year-old Raheem Sterling gave Liverpool their first home league win of the season.
The Jamaican-born England prospect became the second-youngest goalscorer in Liverpool's history with a finish that bore the hallmarks of the youngest in his prime. Had Liverpool another Michael Owen in their ranks, the win would have been secure long before Brian McDermott's side stirred to generate a nervous finale.
"It has been a long time coming," said Rodgers. "We should have had three points here long before now, but it was an excellent goal and a terrific performance, especially on the back of an international break. We created so many chances, we had 19 shots on goal, and we need to improve our finishing for sure. It is an on-going theme."
The otherwise excellent Luis Suárez, Nuri Sahin and substitute Jonjo Shelvey all squandered clear chances to add to Sterling's first competitive goal for Liverpool. Reading almost capitalised and the introduction of Jason Roberts, who refused to wear a Kick It Out campaign T-shirt before kick off as he had promised, unsettled the home defence. But Liverpool, for all their profligacy, were thoroughly deserving victors.
Rodgers's team took control from the start. Reading offered nothing more than resistance initially and that was frequently stretched by the runs of Sterling and Suso, plus the imagination of Suárez. "We need to start games at three o'clock," said McDermott, still without a win since Reading's return to the Premier League. "I said to the players at half-time that Liverpool had had the possession, but hadn't hurt us with their passing, only with a ball over the top. We needed to get on the front foot and we did that in the second half. I thought we were going to get a point."
With Fabio Borini out for three months with a fractured foot and Andy Carroll resident at West Ham, where Rodgers appears inclined to leave him, even greater responsibility has fallen on Suárez to provide the cutting edge that Liverpool often lack. But it needs to be shared throughout the side irrespective of problems in attack and, mercifully for Rodgers, Sterling was inclined to agree.
The teenager and Glen Johnson were a constant threat down the left and, with better delivery and luck, Sterling could have scored or engineered the breakthrough long before it came. The Liverpool winger had one effort blocked by Shaun Cummings – and the better-placed Suárez made his displeasure known – then hesitated too long over one break down the left and delivered another into the in-rushing Sahin, who blazed over.
Suárez went close with an audacious chip and as the home crowd began to fear another trying afternoon, the Uruguay international unlocked the Reading rearguard with a first-time flick on of Andre Wisdom's long ball. The pass enabled Sterling to beat Cummings for pace and, taking the shot early, he finished expertly, across keeper Alex McCarthy and into the far bottom corner.
Rodgers said: "I am very pleased for him. That is a part of his game we have been working on in training and it was a wonderful finish. He is a terrific talent, with a good head on young shoulders."
The reception for Sterling's goal was matched only by the crowd's amusing reaction to a free-kick awarded in favour of Suárez. Initially there were ironic cheers as the referee, Roger East, punished Kaspars Gorkss's challenge, but they developed loudly, complete with standing ovation, for a rare call in Suárez's favour. And it wasn't even a foul.
Reading did not have an attempt on goal until the 41st minute, a woeful shot over by Mikele Leigertwood. Brad Jones was given a comfortable first Premier League start in Liverpool's goal in the absence of José Reina. The second half, however, provided a sterner test of the Australia international and substitute Gareth McCleary should have equalised, but shot straight at Jones's legs. Jobi McAnuff and Jimmy Kébé also caused Liverpool problems, but Reading might have been caught out on the counter-attack. They were spared as Shelvey miscued horribly in front of goal and Suárez wasted two good chances. "He is not perfect," said Rodgers.
Friday, October 12, 2012
No win situation
Liverpool 0
Stoke City 0
Stoke City 0
Brendan Rodgers outlined his vision on the day he was appointedLiverpool manager. "I want to make coming to Anfield the longest 90 minutes of an opponent's life," he said in June. It was all part of the learning curve when Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United departed undefeated but it threatens the patience when Stoke City join the ranks of the unscathed.
Anfield delivered on that score, saving its wrath for Stoke's physicality, to earn another glowing tribute from Rodgers. But there is not an inexhaustible supply, as the last Liverpool manager to start a season with six points from seven games quickly discovered. The Liverpool of Rodgers and Roy Hodgson are world's apart in terms of style, promise and belief in the manager, yet it is now four Premier League home matches without a win and the only arduous aspect against Stoke was in the watching.
Rodgers saw it differently. "It was a physical game but there are no complaints from us," he said. "I just thought it was brilliant to see the young players cope well in that type of environment. The attitude and application was fantastic but the final touch or pass wasn't always there. I also thought the crowd was fantastic. This is a club that has won only two league games at home in this calendar year and has not won two consecutive home league games in almost a year. So to get that sort of backing off the crowd was terrific. There aren't many other clubs which would get that."
Liverpool could have pinched victory in the 90th minute when Martin Skrtel flicked against a post but this was an unconvincing display overall. The campaign to secure a penalty for Luis Suárez this season also suffered a self-inflicted blow when the Uruguay international executed a ludicrous dive over Marc Wilson's foot in an attempt to win a second-half spot-kick. "I haven't seen the incident so cannot comment," said Rodgers. Tony Pulis was more forthright. The Stoke manager said: "Retrospective decisions are made on a Monday and Luis Suárez should be punished. The one in the penalty box was an embarrassment and how he wasn't booked I don't know."
Stoke ended the day with six bookings and a £25,000 FA fine as a consequence. Liverpool were infuriated by the visitors' approach but their own inability to hurt opponents should concern them more.
Injury cost Michael Owen a place in the squad and Anfield an opportunity to bait their former striker. But another former Liverpool player almost made a quick impact. Charlie Adam seized on a back-pass from Nuri Sahin after the on-loan midfielder found himself with few options when collecting a short goalkick from José Reina, under orders to play his way out from the back. The Liverpool keeper smothered Adam's shot at close range.
The moment again demonstrated how Rodgers' instructions remain a work in progress and how, by pressing the Liverpool midfield when Reina takes possession, their play can be easily disrupted. It was repeated when Steven N'Zonzi intercepted another Reina clearance – seconds after being told by Pulis to "get on Sahin" – and Michael Kightly's chip forced Liverpool's keeper into a redeeming tip-over save.
Stoke had also gone close when Glen Whelan's free-kick flashed across goal and Skrtel hooked clear as Peter Crouch lurked at the back post. Liverpool's first threat took 27 minutes to arrive, Asmir Begovic pushing away Steven Gerrard's drive from 30 yards, but as the Spaniard Suso grew into his first league start at Anfield and Suárez began to find space outside the Stoke area, their performance improved greatly. Chances, however, remained scarce.
Liverpool were preoccupied by perceived leniency from the referee, Lee Mason, as Stoke responded to their opponents' recovery through fair means and foul. Some grievances were imagined but not those against Robert Huth. The German defender appeared to stamp on Suárez early on and also escaped a booking when he clattered into Suárez's ankle in the centre circle. Less than 10 minutes later he brought down the Uruguay international in mid-flight and was shown yellow. It could easily have been his second.
Pulis's team were on the back foot throughout the second half and Glen Johnson twice went close to opening the scoring, the first a shot from distance saved by Begovic and the second, more inviting, when sent clear by Gerrard's pass only to loft his effort over. Raheem Sterling side-footed against the outside of a post, Suárez shot inches wide after a good run and, finally, Skrtel shaved the woodwork.
But this was an afternoon when the absence of a Plan B – otherwise known as Andy Carroll – cost Liverpool. "I don't really do the desperation thing in the last 10 minutes where you're kicking it long," was Rodgers' response to that.
Man of the match Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Rodgers' style comes good
| Norwich City 2 | |
|---|---|
| Liverpool 5 |
The way Liverpool swaggered to victory in this tie had the fans singing the manager's praises for the first time. Liverpool were sublime in their passing and possession, but their defensive duties still need more attention. The scope of this victory belies the score, which could have been more if Suarez had not missed a sitter and if a warranted penalty decision was not denied. Taking the match ball home from Norwich for the second successive fixture, Suarez silenced the crowd who were constantly on his case with less than flattering comments. Well done the Reds, and hope this sort of form continues.
Norwich City 2-5 Liverpool | Premier League match report | Football | The Observer
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