Liverpool 2-2 BSC Young Boys

Goals:
Shelvey 33'
Bobadilla 52'
Cole 72'
Zverotic 88'

Way to spoil Joe Cole's best game for the club, Liverpool.

Liverpool take the lead twice, Liverpool stupidly concede twice. Both of Liverpool's goals were outstanding. Both of Liverpool's concessions came because the side remains more open than a pervert's trench coat on counter-attacks. It's déjà vu all over again.

With a surprisingly weak XI and surprisingly strong bench, the home side needed 20 minutes to get going, pinned back by the Swiss but only coming close to goal with two tame efforts at Reina. Both sides were forced into early changes through injury – Ojala came on for Veskovac; Gerrard came on for Wisdom, with Henderson shifting to right back – which ended up solidifying Liverpool's slowly-progressing advantage. Şahin began taking control of midfield, winning four tackles in the first 45 minutes (half of Liverpool's total), while Suso started finding attackers, taking advantage of Shelvey and Cole's constant movement.

It was those three players who combined for Liverpool's first goal: Suso's perfectly-timed throughball after a one-two with Cole, Cole's run and expert chip into the danger area, Shelvey dart into the six-yard box for a tap-in header. Starting from Şahin winning possession in Liverpool's half, an end-to-end, flank-to-flank move of eight passes in under 30 seconds. Suso and Skrtel each nearly added a second within five minutes – the former when a fierce shot deflected just wide, the latter after redirecting Cole's shot on a scrambled corner, cleared off the line – and the young Spaniard had a second chance right before the interval from Cole's excellent throughball, placed narrowly outside the far post.

But Liverpool made the same mistakes to start the second half as in the first. Young Boys were brighter, and despite another Cole chance from another Suso throughball just seconds before, scored an equalizer in the 52nd. Wölfli saved on Cole's shot, then straight down the pitch: Farnerud running at Şahin before a sumptuous cross-field ball to Bobadilla, unforgivably sneaking in behind Henderson, then jaw-dropping control and an unstoppable half-volley. Not only do Liverpool have a habit of conceding on the counter, they've a habit of conceding wonder goals. The universe is against me. I am convinced of it.

Credit where due, Liverpool responded. Bringing on Suarez on the hour mark, for the unfortunate Suso – who again played well, but was the obvious choice to go off – may have had something to do with it; Liverpool re-took the lead just 12 minutes after his entrance, after monopolizing possession in the run-up. It was another longish passing sequence – 10 passes from a throw-in – quickly moving the ball around midfield before the dagger through the middle, as Suarez found Gerrard who found Cole, smartly running into the vacated space better center-backs in the box, a quick turn and shot that Wölfli couldn't keep out.

That should have been game over. Liverpool should have enough nous to keep possession, take the sting out of the game, and play keep-away. Young Boys should have tired, as they did in the meeting in Switzerland, after pressing heavily and harrying Liverpool players for 75 minutes.

Instead, it was the away side on the front foot for the final 15 minutes, pinning Liverpool deeper and deeper, coming again and again with fresh attacks. Sure, Liverpool's personnel wasn't built to be defensive – removing one of the three starting defenders early on due to injury, finishing with a formation comprised of Suarez, seven midfielders, two center-backs, and Reina. But Rodgers didn't help his own cause with the final substitution. Enrique, Allen, and Coates were on the bench. Instead, despite taking the lead, Rodgers still sent on Sterling for Cole in a straight swap. Which would make sense if Liverpool could keep or win possession, using Sterling's pace to counter. But Liverpool couldn't keep or win possession. Rather, Young Boys had the chance to hammer shot after shot after shot from distance at Reina's goal, coming closer with each attempt. It was only a matter of time before one went in.

All Liverpool had to do was keep possession. Instead, given the chance to break from their own half, they piled men forward, eventually losing possession when Suarez tried to dance past three defenders. The third was the charm. Young Boys quickly broke as the four players involved in the attack jogged towards the halfway line. Assaidi eventually broke into a sprint, but failed to stop Sutter. Şahin rashly dove in, trying to intercept; when he missed, it gave Zverotic all the time in the world to line up a shot. He didn't miss this time.

Sure, Reina didn't cover himself in glory, but before I'll criticize him, someone needs to explain to me what Carragher's doing here, as Skrtel also retreats and Assaidi's too far to get there in time after failing to stop the attack earlier:



It is the same problem over and over and over and over and I am incredibly sick of Groundhog's Day. It wasn't even a very good movie to begin with.

I'm really not kidding when I say that Joe Cole was Liverpool's best player. The assist and goal speak for themselves, but he had more shots than any other Liverpool players, added two other chances created, and completed all three of his attempted tackles (behind only Şahin, who added just one more tackle in the second half). He really was Liverpool's best goal threat, and deserved his place on the scoresheet. It truly is a pity that Liverpool's flaws will be remembered rather than this performance.

Gerrard disappointed, despite the assist. Suarez attempted eight take-ons in his 30 minutes, completing just one. Jordan Henderson is not a right-back – and while we're here, neither is the again-invisible Stewart Downing. While Shelvey worked hard in a "false 9" role, the goal was his lone shot. Even scoring twice, Liverpool remain too toothless and, more crucially, Liverpool simply cannot stop conceding on the counter-attack, no matter the personnel involved.

Now, Liverpool need to equal Young Boys' result in two weeks. Anzhi held up their end of the bargain, beating Udinese to assure their progression and the Italians' exit from the competition. Young Boys host Anzhi, with the Russians having nothing to play for, likely to rest any important players. Liverpool travel to a chagrined Udinese, with a point to prove in what will be their last Europa League match. Liverpool's advantage in goal difference makes a big difference, but otherwise, I'd rather be in Young Boys' position (get your minds out of the gutter; I didn't pick the club's name).

Happy Thanksgiving. I guess I'm thankful for the fact that Liverpool haven't killed me yet. Yet.

Liverpool v BSC Young Boys 11.22.12

3:05pm ET, live in the US on FSC

Group Stage matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Anzhi (a); 1-0 Anzhi (h); 2-3 Udinese (h); 5-3 BSC Young Boys (a)
Young Boys: 3-2 Udinese (a); 3-1 Udinese (h); 0-2 Anzhi (a); 3-5 Liverpool (h)

Previous rounds:
Liverpool: 1-1 Hearts (h), 1-0 Hearts (a); 3-0 Gomel (h), 1-0 Gomel (a)
Young Boys: 0-2 Midtjylland (h), 3-0 Midtjylland (a); 3-0 Kalmar (h), 0-1 Kalmar (a); 0-1 Zimbru (a), 1-0 Zimbru (h)

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 Wigan (h); 1-1 Chelsea (a); 0-1 Anzhi (a)
Young Boys:0-0 St Gallen (h); 5-1 Muttenz (a); 3-2 Udinese (a)

Goalscorers (Europa League):
Liverpool: Shelvey 3; Downing, Suarez 2; Borini, Coates, Gerrard, Johnson, Wisdom 1
Young Boys: Bobadilla 6; Farnerud, Nuzzolo 2; Costanzo, Frey, Mayuka, Ojala, Raimondi, Zarate 1

Referee: Alon Yefet (ISR)

Guess at a line-up
Reina
Wisdom Coates Skrtel Enrique
Gerrard Henderson
Shelvey
Suso Suarez Assaidi

The same old Europa League question. How many senior players can Rodgers spare to start? It sounds like the answer is "a lot."

It'd be little surprise to see a mostly, if not totally, full-strength XI, similar to the home match against Anzhi. This match, at Anfield, against a side that Liverpool beat in Switzerland with a makeshift lineup, is far more winnable than when the team travels to Udine in two weeks. Qualification tomorrow isn't totally in Liverpool's hands – the only way Liverpool can assure progression to the knockout rounds is to win coupled with a Udinese loss or draw in Moscow – but a victory against Young Boys is pretty much vital to Liverpool's hopes.

There are a few players I worry about more than others. Sterling because of his age. Agger and Gerrard because of each's injury history. Allen because he's showed signs of fatigue in the last couple of matches. Johnson because he's only recently back from a two-week absence.

But then again, what are Liverpool's choices? Coates should spell Agger, partnered with Skrtel rather than Carragher due to Young Boys' pace on the counter. Wisdom's been overused as well, but if Rodgers keeps the formula which worked well against Wigan, both Wisdom and Johnson will continue to start at fullback with Enrique further forward in the league, requiring one of the two to play tomorrow with Rodgers choosing from Enrique and Robinson on the other flank.

As much as it annoys me, it appears Gerrard's likely to play. Liverpool's 32-year-old captain, who made just 24 appearances in 2010-11 and 28 in 2011-12, has already played more minutes than anyone in the squad. So be it, I guess.

Henderson also seems likely to start, excellent against Wigan and having played three of the four group stage matches so far. So does Rodgers replicate Saturday's success, with Henderson and Gerrard ahead of Allen, or play those two in a deeper role with Shelvey, Şahin, or Suso as the attacking midfielder? Your guess is as good as mine. Suso seems the least likely for two reasons. One, Saturday's match. Two, he'll be needed on the flanks if Sterling is rested, given that Enrique seems more likely to play at left back, Downing's wholly out-of-favor, Borini's still injured for a month or two, and the less said about Joe Cole, the better. Which leaves Suso and Assaidi, or possibly Morgan in a wide role, as in the home leg against Hearts.

While it'd be nice to rest Suarez every once in a while, the squad depth almost demands his inclusion if tomorrow's XI is anywhere near full strength. Morgan or Yesil can start up front in two weeks if Liverpool assure qualification. Suarez *knocks furiously on wood* is one of the rare players who seems happier playing every single game in a row. And, news flash, Liverpool will be without him for at least one match in the league sooner rather than later when he picks up an inevitable fifth yellow card. I'm honestly surprised it hasn't happened yet.

In this competition, Young Boys are coming off a surprising 3-2 victory against Udinese in Italy, prefaced by a 3-1 win against the same side in Switzerland. They've scored three in three of their four Europa League group matches, those two matches against Udinese and against Liverpool on the first matchday, requiring the Reds to comeback from a deficit and score five. This improvement in the Europa League has coincided with struggles in the Swiss Super League, still in fifth – where they were when facing Liverpool in September – but currently miles behind Basel in fourth. They're winless in their last four league matches, since the end of September, with draws against St Gallen and Zurich and losses to Grasshopper and Basel.

Bobadilla, with six goals in this competition (including four of the six against Udinese), is the clear threat. Against Liverpool, he was provider rather than scorer, setting up both Ojala and Zarate's goals. But I doubt I need remind how dangerous Young Boys' wingers – Nuzzolo and Zarate – were against Liverpool, especially on the counter-attack. With no injuries to report, I'd be surprised if Bern's lineup deviated much from the last meeting: Wölfli; Sutter, Veskovac, Ojala, Raimondi; Zverotic, Spycher; Zarate, Farnerud, Nuzzolo; Bobadilla. Schneuwly or Costanzo could come in from Spycher in central defense; Nef for one of the two center-backs, but those seem the only likely changed based on Young Boys' recent lineups in the Swiss and Europa Leagues.

For those not based in the USA, tomorrow's Thanksgiving, which means most of us will be stuffing face and silently begrudging the presence of family members we don't see often for good reason. I will, however, make time to watch the match, and should be able to eke out space for the review as well. Americans: try to get away from the family for a couple of hours, and maybe we'll have something to be thankful for.

Liverpool 5-3 BSC Young Boys

Goals:
Ojala (og) 4'
Nuzzolo 38'
Wisdom 41'
Ojala 53'
Zarate 63'
Coates 67'
Shelvey 76' 88'

Well that was all sorts of preposterous. There was a full complement of good, bad, and ugly, but thankfully more good – especially in the final 25 minutes – than bad or ugly.

Hilarity and/or misfortune typified the first five goals, but the last three demonstrated Liverpool's quality. It was a makeshift line-up – with an average of 24, five players who are 22 or younger, three players making their Liverpool debuts, and a 21-year-old appearing for the first time in 18 months – but it was Liverpool's young players who impressed, the veterans who made the match closer than it should have been.

The insanity seemingly started in the best, and most fortunate, manner. Within four minutes, Ojala accidentally headed the ball into his net, through no fault of his own, as Veskovac headed Downing's cross to nowhere off his teammate's noggin. That goal made "own goal" Liverpool's top scorer in the competition. By the end of the match, it'd just be joint-top scorer.

Despite the makeshift line-up, Liverpool settled into its possession game fairly quickly, but were unable to extend the lead – as per usual – because of a lack of any threat in the final third. Henderson, Şahin, and Suso were tidy in midfield, while Assaidi raised hopes with some clever, strong runs, but the Pacheco-as-striker experiment was a complete failure. Downing added little, and all too often, Downing or Assaidi crossed to a 5'8" Pacheco marked by two or three defenders. Set plays, typically corners, and a wicked Assaidi shot from distance curling wide of the far post were Liverpool's best chances at extending the lead.

Liverpool susceptibility to counter-attacks and continued, mind-boggling ability to make unforgivable defensive errors also reminded sadly consistent, leading to Bern's equalizer. Both Carragher and Enrique had looked shaky throughout, and both Carragher and Enrique lost the plot in the 38th, "aided" by Brad Jones' strange positioning. Farnerud and Bobadilla combined to easily blow by Carragher, but Enrique looked able to shield the ball back to Jones. But Jones was late in coming out, and Enrique took it off his own keeper, then cleared directly to Nuzzolo, who slotted into an empty net. Enrique will never have an easier assist in his Liverpool career. Pity it, like the opener, was at the wrong end.

To Liverpool's credit, the score stayed level for less than three minutes. Enrique's dangerous cross won the corner, almost another Ojala own goal, then Şahin found Andre Wisdom, out-jumping and out-muscling Scott Sutter, to head in a debut goal. But Young Boys' threat remained evident just before halftime, as Farnerud blistered a long-range shot off the outside of the post.

The next two goals, both from the home side, further demonstrated Liverpool's failings: lapses on set plays, then individual mistakes on counter-attacks. In the 53rd, Liverpool cleared the initial corner, but Ojala somehow found space between Coates and Wisdom for the ball back in, with Jones late to react to the not-quite-bullet header. Ten minutes later, Bobadilla undressed Carragher then turned away from Suso after Young Boys broke following a Liverpool corner, feeding Zarate storming down Liverpool's left. Neither Enrique nor Şahin retreated fast enough, compounded by Brad Jones charging out to nowhere's land – ignoring Enrique's shout to get back onto his line – leaving him wholly exposed on Zarate's chip. Just a cavalcade of ineptitude.

Then, simply put, the substitutions made the difference. Shelvey gets the headlines by scoring twice, but the first substitution – Borini on for Pacheco immediately following Zarate's goal – was just as important. The Italian, who's actually a few months younger than Pacheco, was infinitely more effective, his runs vastly contributing to Coates' goal and both of Shelvey's. The defender tallied Liverpool's equalizer, Liverpool's second from a corner, seconds after Shelvey entered the fray. Coates' flicked on Downing's corner, but while Borini missed contact at the far post, his movement took the Bern defender off the post, allowing Coates' flick to somehow sneak in. Sure, slightly lucky, but it's hard to argue Liverpool aren't perpetually due for some luck, even considering how the opening goal came about.

Four minutes later, Liverpool scored the pick of the bunch to re-take the lead. Shelvey harassed Zverotic into a bad backwards pass, allowing Borini to smartly intercept. He ran at Veskovac before smartly centering across the box to Henderson, whose one-time pass to Shelvey for a side-foot tap-in can't be done justice with words. Most players would have taken a touch, whether deciding to pass or shoot. Henderson, without breaking stride, redirected it perfectly – perfectly – for Shelvey, whose first-time finish was also impressive. Pressure on the halfway line leading to an interception in the opposition's half, a strong run to put the defender on the back-foot, the right decision in centering across the box, a one-touch pass, and a one-touch shot. Just three players involved. Beautiful. Also, it's worth noting that both players Borini had the option of passing to were midfield runners storming into the box from deep. You cannot overemphasize the importance of midfield runners getting into the box, especially in a team that has such trouble scoring.

The final substitution, Sterling – on in the 77th – contributed in an unexpected way: his most important attribute was in giving Enrique some much-needed defensive help. Wrap your minds around that one. Which made Liverpool more secure when pushing for a game-sealing fifth, in addition to preventing yet another Young Boys' comeback. Farnerud's blast from distance, this time well-saved by Jones, was Bern's lone chance to draw level. Then Shelvey sealed the match. Liverpool drew the sting out of the game by keeping possession before Henderson's pass to Shelvey, who had cleverly found acres of space between the lines. Borini's shifting run took one center-back completely out of the picture while setting a pick on the other – while Sterling's threat kept the right back marking him – allowing the midfielder to stride into the box before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed rocket, an excellent way to cap a frenetic game.

First half not so good, last thirty minutes very good. Young players very good, certain veterans very bad. Suso and Assaidi played well, as did Coates and Wisdom despite Liverpool conceding three, while Henderson was the star of the show. Both Shelvey and Borini – just 20 and 21 in their own right – were outstanding. Şahin's assist was his highlight, otherwise, similar to the Arsenal match in doing little wrong but making little impact as well; nonetheless, it's outstanding match fitness. Enrique, despite the many, many flaws, also has the "match fitness" excuse in returning from his knee injury. The less said about Downing, Carragher, and Jones, the better.

I doubt today will be replicated often. Oddly enough, it's been exactly 500 days since Liverpool last scored five goals away from Anfield, only scoring five or more in FA Cup matches against Brighton and Oldham last season. Liverpool scored more goals today than in its first four league matches combined, just one fewer than the total tallied in the four Europa League qualifying matches.

Overall, it's a confidence boost for almost all involved and the team in general. An away win in European competition, regardless of how earned, is always an excellent result, especially when compared to the drudgery often suffered the last time Liverpool were in this competition (under both managers that season). Most importantly, it was an incredibly strong argument for selecting this type of side in this competition. But they'll assuredly face tougher opposition against the other two sides that comprise Liverpool's group.

Liverpool at BSC Young Boys 09.20.12

1:00pm ET, live in the US on FSC

Previous rounds:
Liverpool: 1-1 Hearts (h), 1-0 Hearts (a); 3-0 Gomel (h), 1-0 Gomel (a)
Young Boys: 0-2 Midtjylland (h), 3-0 Midtjylland (a); 3-0 Kalmar (h), 0-1 Kalmar (a); 0-1 Zimbru (a), 1-0 Zimbru (h)

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-1 Sunderland (a); 0-2 Arsenal (h); 1-1 Hearts (h)
Young Boys: 5-1 Wettswil-Bonstetten (a); 2-1 Lucerne (a); 0-2 Midtjylland (h)

Goalscorers (Europa League):
Liverpool: Borini, Downing, Gerrard, Johnson, Suarez 1
Young Boys: Bobadilla 2; Costanzo, Farnerud, Frey, Mayuka, Raimondi 1

Referee: Michael Koukoulakis (GRE)

Guess at a line-up
Jones
Flanagan Coates Carragher Enrique
Henderson Şahin
Downing Suso Assaidi
Morgan

Simply put, most who'll be involved on Sunday against Manchester United should not be involved tomorrow.

Which appears to be the case, according to the Liverpool Echo. Gerrard, Suarez, Johnson, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Allen, and Reina are all staying in Liverpool, with Pacheco, Suso, Yesil, Morgan, Wisdom, Coady, Flanagan and Robinson in the traveling party, if not the squad.

However, unmentioned are at least two first-team players who should play, even if they're scheduled to start against United on Sunday. Both Enrique and Şahin need match fitness, Enrique to recover from his long-standing knee problem, Şahin to get back in the habit of playing regularly and adjust to his role in the Liverpool system. Both could feature against United if they play well tomorrow.

We could also see Borini, Downing, Shelvey, and Sterling. I truly hope Sterling will remain planted firmly on the bench, for all the burn-out reasons we've mentioned over and over. Shelvey's in a similar situation, ideally rested, which would give either Suso or Pacheco a chance in the attacking midfield role. But Downing's likely to start on the right, while Borini could do with further match practice as well. Opening day against West Brom was the only league match where the Italian lasted the full 90 minutes; he only played 54 and 64 minutes in the last two fixtures, notably misfiring in both – although his efforts against Sunderland suggest he's getting closer to finding form. As much as Liverpool need to bring more young players through due to the lack of squad depth, I'd still rather Borini start instead of Adam Morgan or Samed Yesil. Rodgers' highlighted Yesil, saying "Yesil will certainly be fast-tracked. He will be involved in the Europa League game." Whether that involvement means he'll play or just that he'll be involved in the squad remains to be seen; if Borini doesn't start, Morgan seems more likely because he's started a senior match before.

With Skrtel and Agger missing, Carragher and Coates appear definite starters in central defense. Flanagan's also fairly certain with both Kelly and Johnson back on Merseyside. Finally, we should finally seem Oussama Assaidi make his debut, fit from the injury that has kept him out until now and available for the Europa League group stage after sitting out qualifying. More than any other, I've high hopes for the Moroccan; Liverpool badly need another wide forward/winger to step up so Liverpool aren't wholly reliant on the likes of Sterling and Borini.

BSC Young Boys are eight matches in the Swiss Super League season, which began in mid-July, winning three, drawing three, and losing two, currently fifth out of ten teams. They haven't finished lower than third since 2006-07.

Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe says Young Boys play 4-3-3, while Football-Lineups.com has Young Boys using a 4-1-4-1 in the last 10 fixtures. The vagaries of modern formation notation.

The starting XI in its last league match, on September 2 at Lucerne, was Wölfli; Zverotic, Nef, Veskovac, Lecjaks; Spycher; Gonzalez, Costanzo, Farnerud, Scheneuwly; Bobadilla. Argentinean Raul Bobadilla is Young Boys' top scorer in both league and Europa League qualifying, joining the club in the January transfer window. Christoph Spycher's been around forever, a Swiss international from 2003-2010, able to play at full-back or as a defensive midfielder. England fans may remember defender Elsad Zverotic, who scored in last year's final Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro, a 2-2 draw (that was where Rooney kicked a Montenegrin player, getting himself suspended for the first two matches of the Euros). Young Boys recently sold the player I'm most familiar with – Emmanuel Mayuka, star of Zambia's African Cup of Nations win last year – to Southampton. Honestly, the only time I've seen the club play was when they faced Tottenham in Champions League qualifying in August 2010; chances are only 4 or 5 players who played then are likely to feature: Wölfli, Spycher, Constanzo, Schneuwly, and Swiss-English right-back Scott Sutter (who'll probably be kept out of the side by Zverotic). Yes. I realize this is even less helpful than my "scouting reports" for Gomel or Hearts. Such are the dangers of Europa League opposition.

Regardless of Liverpool's current struggles, this will be one of BSC Young Boys' biggest matches of the season, if not the biggest. Unlike in the league – for the last two or three years now – Liverpool's name still inspires awe in European competition. Awe, but not terror, evident in the matches against Gomel and Hearts, where both looked to get at Liverpool, especially in the home legs. Liverpool are a vulnerable giant, and – no slight intended – players can make a name for themselves by putting another Lilliputian arrow in Gulliver's back. No matter the personnel used, this competition is the first chance for the club to begin rebuilding its reputation on the continental stage. And developing the young players who'll add depth to Liverpool's shallow squad is more important.