2:45pm ET, not live on TV in the US. It's available on BeIN Sports Connect if you have access to that streaming service, maybe also LFCTV GO if you're a subscriber (it's unclear on that front but I wouldn't hold my breath), otherwise streams. I'm not even seeing any delayed showings on US TV.
Last four head-to-head:
2-1 Liverpool (a) 12.26.07
6-0 Liverpool (h) 09.01.07
2-0 Liverpool (h) 04.20.02
1-0 Liverpool (a) 12.01.01
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-1 Chelsea (a); 4-1 Leicester (h); 1-1 Tottenham (a)
Derby: 1-1 Bristol City (a); 0-1 Ipswich (h); 0-2 Newcastle (h)
Previous rounds:
Liverpool: 5-0 Burton Albion (a)
Derby: 1-1 Carlisle aet [14-13 pens] (h); 1-0 Grimsby (h)
Goalscorers (all):
Liverpool: Firmino 3; Coutinho, Lallana, Mané, Sturridge 2; Henderson, Lovren, Milner, Origi 1
Derby: Anya, Bent, Forsyth, Keogh 1
Referee: Graham Scott
Guess at a line-up:
Karius
Clyne Matip Lovren Moreno
Henderson Can Grujic
Mané Origi Firmino
As much as we'd like to see some changes, a rare start for players we've not seen enough of this season, tomorrow's XI will probably be much the same as the ones which have come before. Liverpool played a strong XI in the last round at Burton, and Liverpool will almost certainly play a strong XI tomorrow at Derby.
The League Cup was important for Liverpool last season, the first sustained statement of intent under Klopp by reaching the final, only to lose on penalties. I assume it will continue to be so, especially without European competition this season.
There will, of course, be a couple of alterations. This seems the perfect time for Loris Karius' debut, healthy after a broken hand, having been on the bench for the last two matches. Hopefully Emre Can's available as well, but even if not, Liverpool have another possibility in Kevin Stewart. Origi will probably start up front, as he did in the last round. Maybe Moreno's released from his cage? And that's probably about it.
I'm guessing the most change comes in midfield. Lallana's run miles upon miles so far this season, while Wijnaldum's not far behind, looking completely spent by the end of Saturday's match. Maybe Henderson joins them as well; Liverpool do have three potential replacements in Can, Stewart, and/or Grujic.
But otherwise, expect to see Firmino back, expect to see Mané keep his place, expect to see a fairly similar back four considering Matip and Lovren need games together and there really isn't much in the way of a replacement for Clyne. Expect Liverpool to pretty much be Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Derby County have scored just two league goals in eight Championship games. Yeah. Two. And two in the two League Cup matches. Liverpool scored more goals in the previous round than Derby has all season. And, having watched Liverpool for multiple years, I can't decide whether that's a good or bad thing. Derby hadn't scored in a league match since August 16th until Ikechi Anya gave them a 1-0 lead just before halftime on Saturday, on pace to win in 90 minutes for the first time in a month. And then they went and screwed it up by conceding an injury-time equalizer. Poor Derby.
But, to be fair and despite that injury time equalizer, they aren't allowing many goals either, having given up two goals in a match just twice: at Barnsley and against Newcastle. They've kept four clean sheets in all competitions, which is three more than Liverpool have.
There are familiar faces in the Derby squad. Former Liverpool players Scott Carson and Tom Ince. Former Liverpool target Will Hughes. James Wilson, on loan from Manchester United. Players who have caused Liverpool trouble in the past: Andreas Weimann (recently back from injury), while at Aston Villa; Bradley Johnson, while at Norwich; and Darren Bent, while at around half the clubs in the country.
Unsurprisingly, having seen little of Derby this season, my best guess at an XI is similar to that which they've used in the last two matches. But there will have to at least a couple of changes with both Vydra and Anya cup-tied. So, let's guess Carson; Christie, Keogh, Pearce, Olsson; Butterfield, Hughes, Bryson, Ince; Bent, Wilson. Maybe Johnson, who hasn't played in a month, comes into midfield. It'll be either Weimann or Bent up front, and maybe both if James Wilson continues to struggle with a minor injury.
Regardless, Derby will probably play 4-4-2, Derby will probably look to counter, Derby will probably defend in two resolute bands of four. And it'll be up to Liverpool to break them down. It's been slowly getting better, but there have been bumps (specifically, bumps named Burnley), and we're still not convinced Liverpool can consistently break defensive sides down.
Despite Derby's record, it'll be a good test of the side. Liverpool needing to break down an unfancied team that's fairly stingy in defense, Derby with absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.
It's another chance to prove Liverpool are getting cleverer in these kind of matches. It's another chance to continue to coalesce as a side. And it's another chance to do well in a competition Liverpool clearly want to do well it.
Showing posts with label Derby County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Derby County. Show all posts
19 September 2016
26 December 2007
Liverpool 2-1 Derby
Reina
Finnan Carragher Hyypia Aurelio
Babel Gerrard Alonso Riise
Voronin Torres
Goals:
Torres 12’
McEveley 67’
Gerrard 90’
Steven Gerrard. That is all.
Well, not quite all.
Liverpool was awful today. Just awful. I don’t want to downplay Derby’s second half, because Paul Jewell made some inspired changes, the fans rallied around the team, and Jay McEveley made Liverpool pay for Derby’s increased possession and Liverpool’s apathy, but outside of the home match against Marseille, this was the worse Liverpool performance I’ve seen in ages.
The first 15 minutes went according to plan. Liverpool pressed from the off, and a sublime individual goal by Torres got them off the mark after 13 minutes when dancing through the penalty area he nutmegged Darren Moore, stepped by Leacock, and slotted past Price.
But then it was almost as if Liverpool expected to stroll as they did at Anfield. But despite continued mistakes by Derby, Liverpool gave the ball away too cheaply and too often resorted to route 1 football, with little cohesion in their play. An involuntary change, bringing on center-half Michael Johnson for the injured Pearson tightened Derby at the back, but the real impetus began after halftime.
Buoyed by Liverpool’s inability to get the second goal, and with Jewell making two more changes before the 56th minute (Feilhaber for the inept Moore and then Earnshaw for Teale), Derby sprang to life in the second half. They saw much more of the ball, while Liverpool still defended and attacked casually.
In the 67th minute, Derby made them pay. Alonso was unfairly whistled for a handball, but Liverpool was unable to clear the resulting free kick (it looked like Aurelio missed his header, but I could be mistaken), and McEveley kept his cool to prod past Reina.
Unsurprisingly, the goal spurred Liverpool, but with numerous chances missed by pretty much every attacking player over the next 20 minutes and Liverpool still giving the ball away too cheaply, especially in the final third, my greatest fears seemed to be realized.
This would have been an implausible result. It certainly would have been the end of any talk about contending for the title. But then Steven Gerrard popped up in the 90th minute.
Derby will feel aggrieved that Mears didn’t draw a free kick in Liverpool’s half, but Gerrard stormed the length of the field on the break, found Benayoun who centered Torres, only to see Price make another excellent save. But Gerrard followed the play for the rebound, and Derby’s hearts were broken.
Liverpool was saved by the captain’s performance. He never gave up, even after barely missing the winner in the 88th minute when his cannon of a shot ricocheted off the crossbar. I’m without adjectives for the work Gerrard put in over the final 25 minutes, and you could see the fatigue on his face at full time.
But other than Gerrard’s late heroics and a moment of brilliance from Torres in the 13th minute, Liverpool were utterly dire. No one should be pleased with individual or team performances today. And Liverpool, to some surprise, lined up with a stronger team than expected.
I hate singling out players, and everyone needs to have a look at today’s performance, but Riise, Babel, and Voronin were especially disappointing. Babel looked lost on the right, made some questionable decisions in the final third, and was ineffective. Voronin, although taken out of the game by Derby’s relentless and uncalled fouls, wasn’t good enough in possession or a threat to the opposition’s goal. And Riise lost or misplayed the ball more times than I can count, and was no better when moved to center-back to rest Sami with an eye on the weekend.
I suppose I should be pleased that Liverpool played so badly and still won. The cliché that good teams find a way to win when they shouldn’t is still apt. But outside of amazement at Gerrard’s ability to snatch victory, relief is the only positive emotion.
Credit to Derby for their fight, but this was an insipid Liverpool performance. Maybe there’s a Christmas hangover coupled with an eye on the match at the Eastlands, but that’s almost as unforgivable. I don’t care about the opposition's points total; there are no easy games in the Premiership, and you can’t sleepwalk a win against anyone.
But a 2-1 win in injury time still gets the same amount of points as a 6-0 drubbing.
City on Sunday. A performance like today’s will not suffice.
Finnan Carragher Hyypia Aurelio
Babel Gerrard Alonso Riise
Voronin Torres
Goals:
Torres 12’
McEveley 67’
Gerrard 90’
Steven Gerrard. That is all.
Well, not quite all.
Liverpool was awful today. Just awful. I don’t want to downplay Derby’s second half, because Paul Jewell made some inspired changes, the fans rallied around the team, and Jay McEveley made Liverpool pay for Derby’s increased possession and Liverpool’s apathy, but outside of the home match against Marseille, this was the worse Liverpool performance I’ve seen in ages.
The first 15 minutes went according to plan. Liverpool pressed from the off, and a sublime individual goal by Torres got them off the mark after 13 minutes when dancing through the penalty area he nutmegged Darren Moore, stepped by Leacock, and slotted past Price.
But then it was almost as if Liverpool expected to stroll as they did at Anfield. But despite continued mistakes by Derby, Liverpool gave the ball away too cheaply and too often resorted to route 1 football, with little cohesion in their play. An involuntary change, bringing on center-half Michael Johnson for the injured Pearson tightened Derby at the back, but the real impetus began after halftime.
Buoyed by Liverpool’s inability to get the second goal, and with Jewell making two more changes before the 56th minute (Feilhaber for the inept Moore and then Earnshaw for Teale), Derby sprang to life in the second half. They saw much more of the ball, while Liverpool still defended and attacked casually.
In the 67th minute, Derby made them pay. Alonso was unfairly whistled for a handball, but Liverpool was unable to clear the resulting free kick (it looked like Aurelio missed his header, but I could be mistaken), and McEveley kept his cool to prod past Reina.
Unsurprisingly, the goal spurred Liverpool, but with numerous chances missed by pretty much every attacking player over the next 20 minutes and Liverpool still giving the ball away too cheaply, especially in the final third, my greatest fears seemed to be realized.
This would have been an implausible result. It certainly would have been the end of any talk about contending for the title. But then Steven Gerrard popped up in the 90th minute.
Derby will feel aggrieved that Mears didn’t draw a free kick in Liverpool’s half, but Gerrard stormed the length of the field on the break, found Benayoun who centered Torres, only to see Price make another excellent save. But Gerrard followed the play for the rebound, and Derby’s hearts were broken.
Liverpool was saved by the captain’s performance. He never gave up, even after barely missing the winner in the 88th minute when his cannon of a shot ricocheted off the crossbar. I’m without adjectives for the work Gerrard put in over the final 25 minutes, and you could see the fatigue on his face at full time.
But other than Gerrard’s late heroics and a moment of brilliance from Torres in the 13th minute, Liverpool were utterly dire. No one should be pleased with individual or team performances today. And Liverpool, to some surprise, lined up with a stronger team than expected.
I hate singling out players, and everyone needs to have a look at today’s performance, but Riise, Babel, and Voronin were especially disappointing. Babel looked lost on the right, made some questionable decisions in the final third, and was ineffective. Voronin, although taken out of the game by Derby’s relentless and uncalled fouls, wasn’t good enough in possession or a threat to the opposition’s goal. And Riise lost or misplayed the ball more times than I can count, and was no better when moved to center-back to rest Sami with an eye on the weekend.
I suppose I should be pleased that Liverpool played so badly and still won. The cliché that good teams find a way to win when they shouldn’t is still apt. But outside of amazement at Gerrard’s ability to snatch victory, relief is the only positive emotion.
Credit to Derby for their fight, but this was an insipid Liverpool performance. Maybe there’s a Christmas hangover coupled with an eye on the match at the Eastlands, but that’s almost as unforgivable. I don’t care about the opposition's points total; there are no easy games in the Premiership, and you can’t sleepwalk a win against anyone.
But a 2-1 win in injury time still gets the same amount of points as a 6-0 drubbing.
City on Sunday. A performance like today’s will not suffice.
25 December 2007
Liverpool v Derby County 12.26.07
10am EST, live in the US on FSC
Last 4 head-to-head:
6-0 Liverpool (h) 09.01.07
2-0 Liverpool (h) 04.20.02
1-0 Liverpool (a) 12.01.01
1-1 (h) 03.18.01
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 4-1 Pompey (h); 0-2 Chelsea (a); 0-1 United (h)
Derby: 2-2 Newcastle (a); 0-1 Boro (h); 1-4 United (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 8; Gerrard 6; Babel, Kuyt, Voronin 3; Alonso, Benayoun 2; Hyypia, Sissoko 1
Derby: Miller 3; Oakley 2; Barnes, Howard, Todd 1
Referee: Alan Wiley
Wiley also had the 6-0 reverse fixture at Anfield this season.
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Hobbs Carragher Aurelio
Benayoun Alonso Lucas Babel
Torres Voronin
There’s little point in having a squad the size of Liverpool’s if you’re not going to rotate in a game like this. But at the same time, Liverpool can ill-afford to drop any points in the Premiership.
I do think Gerrard, among others, will be rested. We know he was ill last week and he wasn’t at his best against Portsmouth, while Alonso’s nearing fitness and Lucas has been deserving of more time. Gerrard’s the captain and Liverpool’s talisman, but Liverpool beat Derby in September without him, and his fitness for upcoming games is massively important.
But I fear the reaction if Torres sits and Liverpool struggles. He’s been crucial to Liverpool’s scoring streak, and if the number of matches were a concern, I’d hope he’s only subbed out early in the second half, after Liverpool’s gone goals to the good. But not until Liverpool’s gotten said goals; the criticism following the 0-0 draw against Birmingham certainly still lingers.
The BBC’s match preview suggests that Babel, Voronin, Lucas, Hobbs, and Aurelio are in line for a start, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them all.
I still believe Babel’s best suited to come off the bench, but Liverpool’s options are limited on the left, and this is the type of game where he’d be well served to see as much time as possible. Voronin’s far better as a striker instead of on the wing (where we’ve seen him lately), links up well with Torres, and brings the midfield into attack. Hobbs looks likely to see time spelling either Hyypia or Carragher with Agger still not fit and three games in the next week, while Aurelio has the potential to be first-choice left back if he can get a decent run in the side.
Again there’s a chance of a 4-2-3-1 formation, as against Chelsea in the Carling Cup, but I still think Liverpool (especially with the forecasted changes) is more suited to 4-4-2, especially away from home.
There’s little point reiterating Derby’s season so far. They’re competing with past Sunderland squads for the worst record in Premiership history. But Paul Jewell’s slowly but surely putting his mark on the squad, and you can’t underestimate any away game in the league. They were better against Newcastle, and nearly got the first away win of the season, but still gave up two goals that shouldn’t be given up at this level.
This is a game where Liverpool should get three needed points. Obviously, it’s not in the bag, and Benitez will have to have the team focused on the opposition in front of them, but with this squad, and all that’s been written about them, there’s no way anything less than all three points is acceptable.
Last 4 head-to-head:
6-0 Liverpool (h) 09.01.07
2-0 Liverpool (h) 04.20.02
1-0 Liverpool (a) 12.01.01
1-1 (h) 03.18.01
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 4-1 Pompey (h); 0-2 Chelsea (a); 0-1 United (h)
Derby: 2-2 Newcastle (a); 0-1 Boro (h); 1-4 United (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 8; Gerrard 6; Babel, Kuyt, Voronin 3; Alonso, Benayoun 2; Hyypia, Sissoko 1
Derby: Miller 3; Oakley 2; Barnes, Howard, Todd 1
Referee: Alan Wiley
Wiley also had the 6-0 reverse fixture at Anfield this season.
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Hobbs Carragher Aurelio
Benayoun Alonso Lucas Babel
Torres Voronin
There’s little point in having a squad the size of Liverpool’s if you’re not going to rotate in a game like this. But at the same time, Liverpool can ill-afford to drop any points in the Premiership.
I do think Gerrard, among others, will be rested. We know he was ill last week and he wasn’t at his best against Portsmouth, while Alonso’s nearing fitness and Lucas has been deserving of more time. Gerrard’s the captain and Liverpool’s talisman, but Liverpool beat Derby in September without him, and his fitness for upcoming games is massively important.
But I fear the reaction if Torres sits and Liverpool struggles. He’s been crucial to Liverpool’s scoring streak, and if the number of matches were a concern, I’d hope he’s only subbed out early in the second half, after Liverpool’s gone goals to the good. But not until Liverpool’s gotten said goals; the criticism following the 0-0 draw against Birmingham certainly still lingers.
The BBC’s match preview suggests that Babel, Voronin, Lucas, Hobbs, and Aurelio are in line for a start, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them all.
I still believe Babel’s best suited to come off the bench, but Liverpool’s options are limited on the left, and this is the type of game where he’d be well served to see as much time as possible. Voronin’s far better as a striker instead of on the wing (where we’ve seen him lately), links up well with Torres, and brings the midfield into attack. Hobbs looks likely to see time spelling either Hyypia or Carragher with Agger still not fit and three games in the next week, while Aurelio has the potential to be first-choice left back if he can get a decent run in the side.
Again there’s a chance of a 4-2-3-1 formation, as against Chelsea in the Carling Cup, but I still think Liverpool (especially with the forecasted changes) is more suited to 4-4-2, especially away from home.
There’s little point reiterating Derby’s season so far. They’re competing with past Sunderland squads for the worst record in Premiership history. But Paul Jewell’s slowly but surely putting his mark on the squad, and you can’t underestimate any away game in the league. They were better against Newcastle, and nearly got the first away win of the season, but still gave up two goals that shouldn’t be given up at this level.
This is a game where Liverpool should get three needed points. Obviously, it’s not in the bag, and Benitez will have to have the team focused on the opposition in front of them, but with this squad, and all that’s been written about them, there’s no way anything less than all three points is acceptable.
08 November 2007
Big wins and rotation
6-0 Derby:
Goals: Alonso 26’ 69’, Babel 45’, Torres 56’ 77’, Voronin 76’
Reina
Finnan Hyypia Agger Arbeloa
Pennant Alonso Mascherano Babel
Kuyt Torres
Subs: Benayoun for Pennant (61’); Voronin for Babel (73’); Sissoko for Mascherano (77’)
8-0 Besiktas:
Goals: Crouch 19’ 88’, Benayoun 32’ 52’ 56’, Gerrard 69’, Babel 78’ 81
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio
Benayoun Mascherano Gerrard Riise
Crouch Voronin
Subs: Babel for Aurelio (63’); Kewell for Voronin, Lucas for Gerrard (72’)
It’s one thing to get a big win once a season. It could be just a one-off occurrence where everything just clicks, like winning 7-0 in the FA Cup against a team that’s going to be relegated and is being booed by their own fans with every step.
But few teams win 6-0 and 8-0 in a little over 2 months. Even fewer do it with entirely different line-ups.
Only 4 players -- Reina, Hyypia, Arbeloa, and Mascherano -- started both matches, with Arbeloa at left back against Derby and right back against Besiktas. 3 others -- Babel, Benayoun, and Voronin -- featured in both. All in all, Liverpool used 21 players in the two games, with 7 different goal scorers. This is where I should make some smart-ass remark about rotation not working.
It’s the first stage of the process, but Benitez is starting to institute a ruthless streak in Liverpool fitting of his malevolent-looking goatee and the past Valencia teams frequently likened to “crushing machines.” Step one is being able put over-matched opposition to the sword.
And it’s only fitting that Liverpool is capable of doing it while utilizing the entire squad.
Goals: Alonso 26’ 69’, Babel 45’, Torres 56’ 77’, Voronin 76’
Reina
Finnan Hyypia Agger Arbeloa
Pennant Alonso Mascherano Babel
Kuyt Torres
Subs: Benayoun for Pennant (61’); Voronin for Babel (73’); Sissoko for Mascherano (77’)
8-0 Besiktas:
Goals: Crouch 19’ 88’, Benayoun 32’ 52’ 56’, Gerrard 69’, Babel 78’ 81
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio
Benayoun Mascherano Gerrard Riise
Crouch Voronin
Subs: Babel for Aurelio (63’); Kewell for Voronin, Lucas for Gerrard (72’)
It’s one thing to get a big win once a season. It could be just a one-off occurrence where everything just clicks, like winning 7-0 in the FA Cup against a team that’s going to be relegated and is being booed by their own fans with every step.
But few teams win 6-0 and 8-0 in a little over 2 months. Even fewer do it with entirely different line-ups.
Only 4 players -- Reina, Hyypia, Arbeloa, and Mascherano -- started both matches, with Arbeloa at left back against Derby and right back against Besiktas. 3 others -- Babel, Benayoun, and Voronin -- featured in both. All in all, Liverpool used 21 players in the two games, with 7 different goal scorers. This is where I should make some smart-ass remark about rotation not working.
It’s the first stage of the process, but Benitez is starting to institute a ruthless streak in Liverpool fitting of his malevolent-looking goatee and the past Valencia teams frequently likened to “crushing machines.” Step one is being able put over-matched opposition to the sword.
And it’s only fitting that Liverpool is capable of doing it while utilizing the entire squad.
01 September 2007
Liverpool 6-0 Derby County
Reina
Finnan Hyypia Agger Arbeloa
Pennant Alonso Mascherano Babel
Kuyt Torres
Goals:
Alonso 27’ 69’
Babel 45 + 1’
Torres 56’ 78’
Voronin 76’
Six to nil! If you thought the Toulouse game was a hammering, you hadn’t seen anything yet. This was Liverpool’s biggest home win since 7-1 over Southampton in 1999, and it was mainly done at a canter.
It’s impossible to describe all the goals fully, or I’d be here all day. The first was an Alonso free kick that eluded everyone, including the goalkeeper. The second came on the stroke of halftime, Agger playing a perfect throughball halfway up the pitch to Arbeloa, who cut in an found Babel, whose touch left two defenders for dead and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. 2-0 at halftime didn’t quite do Liverpool justice, but Liverpool hadn’t really taken it out of second gear. However, the final score does do the match justice.
The second half started exactly as the first, with Liverpool the only team at the races. Torres scored in the 56th minute after a lovely Mascherano tackle that put him through on goal. Alonso got a second with a sweet side-footed shot when the ball fell to him just outside the box after Benayoun was tackled. Voronin, who came on for Babel only minutes earlier, scored the rebound after Kuyt’s shot was saved for the fifth. And less than two minutes later, Torres wrapped up the scoring rounding the keeper after Voronin’s ball over the top of the backline. Only then did Liverpool take the foot of the gas, and the last 15 minutes were a complete formality.
Trust me, I know how poor Derby was. Liverpool shredded their backline at will, and Derby got worse after each goal. But with no exaggeration do I say that this looks like the best Liverpool team I’ve seen in ages. Liverpool showed a cutting edge that’s been absent for too long, even if it was against far inferior opposition that will most likely be relegated by Christmas time. This is the first time in a while that Liverpool put the game out of reach, and then kept at it for more goals. “Attack, attack, attack” hasn’t rung out at Anfield like that in far too long. And I can’t say enough about every player on the pitch today, and again, I still don’t believe that Liverpool played to their full potential.
It’s nigh on impossible to pick a man of the match. Torres scored two great goals, and again showed his strength, creativity, speed, and vision. Alonso notched two as well, was the fulcrum in the middle, and could have had more. Pennant was immense in the first half, and the most impressive thing was that he did his best work down the left, switching flanks with Babel after about 20 minutes. Mascherano covered absolutely every blade of grass on the pitch. Arbeloa and Finnan bombed down the flanks at will. Agger and Hyypia brought the ball out of defense fantastically, albeit with little Derby pressure in Liverpool’s half. Babel’s goal was an absolute thing of beauty. Benayoun, Voronin, and Sissoko all made impacts as subs, especially Voronin, who was in a great place to score the rebound from Kuyt and played a delicious pass for Torres’ second with Derby still reeling from his goal.
And it was all without Gerrard and Carragher, arguably Liverpool’s two most important players.
Again, I know, I’m getting carried away. Derby’s performance was one of the worst I’ve ever seen from an opposition team at Anfield, but you can’t let that detract from Liverpool’s performance. You can only beat the team that’s in front of you, and Liverpool utterly annihilated them.
And now, with Chelsea playing tomorrow, Liverpool tops the table with 10 points from 4 games. That’s a welcome sight, and one that’s been long in coming.
With the way Liverpool’s playing, it’s an absolute shame about the two-week international break. Hopefully, they’ll continue on this pace against Portsmouth on the 15th, and the way they’ve played so far this season, I fully expect it to happen.
Finnan Hyypia Agger Arbeloa
Pennant Alonso Mascherano Babel
Kuyt Torres
Goals:
Alonso 27’ 69’
Babel 45 + 1’
Torres 56’ 78’
Voronin 76’
Six to nil! If you thought the Toulouse game was a hammering, you hadn’t seen anything yet. This was Liverpool’s biggest home win since 7-1 over Southampton in 1999, and it was mainly done at a canter.
It’s impossible to describe all the goals fully, or I’d be here all day. The first was an Alonso free kick that eluded everyone, including the goalkeeper. The second came on the stroke of halftime, Agger playing a perfect throughball halfway up the pitch to Arbeloa, who cut in an found Babel, whose touch left two defenders for dead and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. 2-0 at halftime didn’t quite do Liverpool justice, but Liverpool hadn’t really taken it out of second gear. However, the final score does do the match justice.
The second half started exactly as the first, with Liverpool the only team at the races. Torres scored in the 56th minute after a lovely Mascherano tackle that put him through on goal. Alonso got a second with a sweet side-footed shot when the ball fell to him just outside the box after Benayoun was tackled. Voronin, who came on for Babel only minutes earlier, scored the rebound after Kuyt’s shot was saved for the fifth. And less than two minutes later, Torres wrapped up the scoring rounding the keeper after Voronin’s ball over the top of the backline. Only then did Liverpool take the foot of the gas, and the last 15 minutes were a complete formality.
Trust me, I know how poor Derby was. Liverpool shredded their backline at will, and Derby got worse after each goal. But with no exaggeration do I say that this looks like the best Liverpool team I’ve seen in ages. Liverpool showed a cutting edge that’s been absent for too long, even if it was against far inferior opposition that will most likely be relegated by Christmas time. This is the first time in a while that Liverpool put the game out of reach, and then kept at it for more goals. “Attack, attack, attack” hasn’t rung out at Anfield like that in far too long. And I can’t say enough about every player on the pitch today, and again, I still don’t believe that Liverpool played to their full potential.
It’s nigh on impossible to pick a man of the match. Torres scored two great goals, and again showed his strength, creativity, speed, and vision. Alonso notched two as well, was the fulcrum in the middle, and could have had more. Pennant was immense in the first half, and the most impressive thing was that he did his best work down the left, switching flanks with Babel after about 20 minutes. Mascherano covered absolutely every blade of grass on the pitch. Arbeloa and Finnan bombed down the flanks at will. Agger and Hyypia brought the ball out of defense fantastically, albeit with little Derby pressure in Liverpool’s half. Babel’s goal was an absolute thing of beauty. Benayoun, Voronin, and Sissoko all made impacts as subs, especially Voronin, who was in a great place to score the rebound from Kuyt and played a delicious pass for Torres’ second with Derby still reeling from his goal.
And it was all without Gerrard and Carragher, arguably Liverpool’s two most important players.
Again, I know, I’m getting carried away. Derby’s performance was one of the worst I’ve ever seen from an opposition team at Anfield, but you can’t let that detract from Liverpool’s performance. You can only beat the team that’s in front of you, and Liverpool utterly annihilated them.
And now, with Chelsea playing tomorrow, Liverpool tops the table with 10 points from 4 games. That’s a welcome sight, and one that’s been long in coming.
With the way Liverpool’s playing, it’s an absolute shame about the two-week international break. Hopefully, they’ll continue on this pace against Portsmouth on the 15th, and the way they’ve played so far this season, I fully expect it to happen.
31 August 2007
Liverpool v Derby County 09.01.07
10am EST, live in the US on Setanta Sports.
Last 4 head-to-head:
2-0 Liverpool (h) 04.20.02
1-0 Liverpool (a) 12.01.01
1-1 (h) 03.18.01
4-0 Liverpool (a) 10.15.00
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Toulouse (h); 2-0 Sunderland (a); 1-1 Chelsea (h)
Derby: 2-2 (6-7 after pens) Blackpool (h); 1-2 Birmingham (h); 0-4 Tottenham (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard, Sissoko, Torres, Voronin 1
Derby: Oakley 2; Todd 1
Referee: Alan Wiley
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Finnan Agger Hyypia Arbeloa
Pennant Alonso Sissoko Babel
Torres Kuyt
Gerrard is still less than fit, and I find it very hard to believe he’ll figure here. There’s little need to risk him, and if he plays here, Liverpool has even less of an argument for keeping him out of England’s Euro qualifiers. Since I have to believe Gerrard will be called into action for at least one England game, I’d hope he’s given this weekend to further heal his fractured toe.
Even without Gerrard, there’s still a healthy debate over who will start in the center of midfield. As much as I adore Mascherano, it seems more likely that Alonso will start. And with Liverpool needing to take the game to Derby, who will have 10 men behind the ball, I don’t know if an Alonso/Mascherano pairing, both of whom like to sit deep, is a viable option. I think it’ll probably be one or the other starting, and while I think Mascherano’s played better than Alonso so far this season, Alonso’s range and vision will probably be more important than Mascherano’s tackling and positioning against Derby.
Plus, Sissoko has played very well in the last two games, and even though the fact he’s started the last two might mean he’s in line for a rest, I’d hope he’s the one paired with Alonso. But, there’s also a small possibility of seeing Lucas, who did well after coming on as a sub against Toulouse, and is more of an attacking option than either Alonso or Mascherano. Seems much more likely he’ll be on the bench though.
As Derby will play very, very tight, I’d hope that Liverpool goes with two out-and-out attackers on the flanks. Specifically, I think Babel, with his pace and trickery, will have a big part to play tomorrow, and either Pennant or Benayoun will join him on the opposite side. I’m guessing it’ll be Pennant, as he’s been Rafa’s first choice on the right in every league game so far and good crossing of the ball will be vital, but I can’t ignore the job that Yossi did against Toulouse on Tuesday, and I do fear that his confidence would be damaged being dropped after such a good performance, but there’s little room for sentimentality. No matter which of the two starts, I’m expecting big things.
Torres will probably lead the line, and I imagine that no matter the striker rotation, he’ll be one of the first names on the team sheet every time out. His involvement literally frightens defenses (and the backline isn’t Derby’s strong suit), and Liverpool is far more threatening with him in the line-up. Kuyt’s two goals and his tremendous work rate shown against Toulouse lead me to believe he’ll be one paired with Torres, but after Voronin’s performances, his inclusion wouldn’t surprise me one bit either.
With Finnan rested against Toulouse, he’ll probably return as right back, with either Arbeloa or Riise as left back. I’m guessing Arbeloa will start, probably more because he’s in my fantasy team than anything, but Riise could be useful off the bench, coming in at either left back or left midfield as a sub if needed, not to mention the fact he played some central defense against Toulouse. Hyypia and Agger, the only two fit center backs, seemingly have to be the central pairing, as Carragher will continue to be out with a broken rib.
Derby will struggle to pick up points from nearly every game in the Premiership this season, but they’ll still be a difficult team to break down, and we know Liverpool’s had problems with this in previous seasons. They will probably play with Steve Howard as a lone striker, and 5 midfielders to further congest play in the middle of the park. But outside of a good 2-2 draw against Portsmouth on the first day, Derby’s struggled; a 4-0 thrashing by Spurs, followed by a home loss to fellow promoted side Birmingham, and a loss in the 2nd round of the Carling Cup to Blackpool on penalties with the majority of the first team squad playing.
I’m always fearful when I’m confident about Liverpool chances, but they should be able to break down Derby at Anfield, even though games like this have caused Liverpool angst in the past. But that’s why players like Torres and Babel were bought, and that’s why I expect them to play Saturday. Liverpool needs to be ruthless if this season’s expectations are to be met, and hopefully, they will be tomorrow.
Last 4 head-to-head:
2-0 Liverpool (h) 04.20.02
1-0 Liverpool (a) 12.01.01
1-1 (h) 03.18.01
4-0 Liverpool (a) 10.15.00
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Toulouse (h); 2-0 Sunderland (a); 1-1 Chelsea (h)
Derby: 2-2 (6-7 after pens) Blackpool (h); 1-2 Birmingham (h); 0-4 Tottenham (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard, Sissoko, Torres, Voronin 1
Derby: Oakley 2; Todd 1
Referee: Alan Wiley
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Finnan Agger Hyypia Arbeloa
Pennant Alonso Sissoko Babel
Torres Kuyt
Gerrard is still less than fit, and I find it very hard to believe he’ll figure here. There’s little need to risk him, and if he plays here, Liverpool has even less of an argument for keeping him out of England’s Euro qualifiers. Since I have to believe Gerrard will be called into action for at least one England game, I’d hope he’s given this weekend to further heal his fractured toe.
Even without Gerrard, there’s still a healthy debate over who will start in the center of midfield. As much as I adore Mascherano, it seems more likely that Alonso will start. And with Liverpool needing to take the game to Derby, who will have 10 men behind the ball, I don’t know if an Alonso/Mascherano pairing, both of whom like to sit deep, is a viable option. I think it’ll probably be one or the other starting, and while I think Mascherano’s played better than Alonso so far this season, Alonso’s range and vision will probably be more important than Mascherano’s tackling and positioning against Derby.
Plus, Sissoko has played very well in the last two games, and even though the fact he’s started the last two might mean he’s in line for a rest, I’d hope he’s the one paired with Alonso. But, there’s also a small possibility of seeing Lucas, who did well after coming on as a sub against Toulouse, and is more of an attacking option than either Alonso or Mascherano. Seems much more likely he’ll be on the bench though.
As Derby will play very, very tight, I’d hope that Liverpool goes with two out-and-out attackers on the flanks. Specifically, I think Babel, with his pace and trickery, will have a big part to play tomorrow, and either Pennant or Benayoun will join him on the opposite side. I’m guessing it’ll be Pennant, as he’s been Rafa’s first choice on the right in every league game so far and good crossing of the ball will be vital, but I can’t ignore the job that Yossi did against Toulouse on Tuesday, and I do fear that his confidence would be damaged being dropped after such a good performance, but there’s little room for sentimentality. No matter which of the two starts, I’m expecting big things.
Torres will probably lead the line, and I imagine that no matter the striker rotation, he’ll be one of the first names on the team sheet every time out. His involvement literally frightens defenses (and the backline isn’t Derby’s strong suit), and Liverpool is far more threatening with him in the line-up. Kuyt’s two goals and his tremendous work rate shown against Toulouse lead me to believe he’ll be one paired with Torres, but after Voronin’s performances, his inclusion wouldn’t surprise me one bit either.
With Finnan rested against Toulouse, he’ll probably return as right back, with either Arbeloa or Riise as left back. I’m guessing Arbeloa will start, probably more because he’s in my fantasy team than anything, but Riise could be useful off the bench, coming in at either left back or left midfield as a sub if needed, not to mention the fact he played some central defense against Toulouse. Hyypia and Agger, the only two fit center backs, seemingly have to be the central pairing, as Carragher will continue to be out with a broken rib.
Derby will struggle to pick up points from nearly every game in the Premiership this season, but they’ll still be a difficult team to break down, and we know Liverpool’s had problems with this in previous seasons. They will probably play with Steve Howard as a lone striker, and 5 midfielders to further congest play in the middle of the park. But outside of a good 2-2 draw against Portsmouth on the first day, Derby’s struggled; a 4-0 thrashing by Spurs, followed by a home loss to fellow promoted side Birmingham, and a loss in the 2nd round of the Carling Cup to Blackpool on penalties with the majority of the first team squad playing.
I’m always fearful when I’m confident about Liverpool chances, but they should be able to break down Derby at Anfield, even though games like this have caused Liverpool angst in the past. But that’s why players like Torres and Babel were bought, and that’s why I expect them to play Saturday. Liverpool needs to be ruthless if this season’s expectations are to be met, and hopefully, they will be tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)