3pm ET, live in the US on Fox Sports 2
Last four head-to-head:
2-2 (a; FA Cup) 01.08.16
3-1 Liverpool (a; League Cup) 08.24.11
6-0 Liverpool (a: League Cup) 10.28.81
5-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.07.81
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 United (h); 3-3 Arsenal (h); 2-2 Exeter (a)
Exeter: 3-1 Leyton Orient (a); 1-1 Morecambe (a); 2-2 Liverpool (h)
Previous Rounds:
Liverpool: 2-2 Exeter (a)
Exeter: 2-2 Liverpool (h); 2-0 Port Vale (h); 3-0 Didcot Town (A)
Goalscorers (all):
Liverpool: Benteke 7; Coutinho 5; Origi, Sturridge 4; Firmino, Ibe, Ings, Milner 3; Lallana 2; Allen, Can, Clyne, Henderson, Sinclair, Skrtel, Smith 1
Exeter: Nichols 10; Wheeler 7; Nicholls 6; Harley 5; Grant, Holmes, Stockley 3; Morrison 2; Brown, Davies, Hoskins, McCready, Oyeleke, Reid, Ribeiro, Tillson, Watkins 1
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Guess at a line-up:
Bogdan
Randall Lucas Ilori Smith
Brannagan Stewart
Kent Teixeira Ojo
Benteke
There won't be many, if any, changes from the side that drew at Exeter two weeks ago, and rightfully so. The squad's still too injured, too fatigued, and – honestly – too mediocre. Either the kids will be alright, or they won't be.
Both Danny Ward and Steven Caulker – recalled from loan and signed on loan respectively – aren't eligible, as both (re)joined Liverpool after the first meeting. Which means the center-back situation is still ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and either Bogdan or Mignolet will start in goal and otherwise, probably the same as last time.
As long as Liverpool don't start Jose Enrique again, I'm not especially bothered by who plays at center-back. But it's not as if Liverpool have many, any options. Toure and Sakho have started two matches in the last week. Skrtel's still injured, Lovren's probably still injured, Dan Cleary's making his comeback from injury with the u21s tonight. Flanagan *can* play at center-back, but he'll be on the bench at best, at least. Can Kevin Stewart, used as a midfielder last time, but having featured as a full-back in previous Liverpool preseasons, play at center-back? How about left-back Joe Maguire, who came on when Ilori pulled up with cramp late in the last meeting?
So, Liverpool's options are either Toure or Sakho, respite be damned; Can or Lucas, preferred position and respite be damned; or one of the above probably-far-fetched square pegs in round holes. As long as its not Jose Enrique. I'll guess Lucas, even though he played 90 hard minutes against United, because he's at least not likely to start against Norwich on Saturday. And because he's not Jose Enrique.
Sheyi Ojo replacing Jerome Sinclair – solely because of the news that Sinclair won't sign a new deal and will leave in the summer – is my only other guessed change. Also, Ojo's great, the player I'm most excited to see tomorrow. Maybe the underused Joe Allen comes into midfield. Maybe Sinclair starts anyway, with or in place of the struggling Benteke. Whatever. Just play as you did last time, but a bit better, as you've gotten 90 minutes of match practice and more than half a training session. And don't concede two stupid goals either.
I wouldn't expect many, if any, changes for Exeter either. Since drawing with Liverpool, they've drawn with 13th-placed Morecambe, a point ahead of Exeter in the table, and beaten 11th-placed Leyton Orient, three points ahead of Exeter in the table. Remember, Exeter had lost four consecutive matches before the draw with Liverpool.
They've a new loan signing as well – Jayden Stockley, with three goals in the last two games – who's ineligible. Their second-top scorer, David Wheeler, still hasn't featured since missing the first meeting through injury. Aside from Stockley, the only change from the first Liverpool match and the weekend win over Orient was Butterfield rather than Tillson – who's usually a defender – in midfield. Butterfield gave away two penalties, both missed, in that match.
Let's assume Exeter deploy the same XI. And even if there are one or two changes, let's assume Exeter are still Exeter, basically the archetype of a League Two side. They're hard-working and physical. There will be lots of tackles and lots of running. They like to counter-attack and like to cross – two features which Liverpool often struggle with. Ben Mayhew's outstanding scatter plot graphics show how they're basically league average as far as attack and defense goes – a bit better in attack, a bit worse in defense, both demonstrated in the last meeting – which is in line with their current mid-table position. But, as in the last meeting, expect Exeter to play 50% better than usual, because it's against Liverpool, because it's at Anfield, seizing an opportunity they wouldn't normally (and may not again) ever have.
But, this time, Liverpool's kids and exiles will have had more than half a training session of time together. Liverpool's kids and exiles will be on a pitch actually conducive to playing football. Liverpool's kids and exiles will be in front of their own. Liverpool's kids and exiles again have a chance to prove their worth and stake a claim for a place in the side and a place in the next round.
This competition has become the lowest priority, at least at the moment, due to injuries, a shallow squad, and participation in the League Cup semifinals. But it's still a priority, made even more so by the participation of those kids and exiles, who have chances they normally wouldn't receive.
If Liverpool do what Liverpool should – which is never a certainty – Liverpool will win. But it's up to those kids and exiles to make full use of their chances.
Showing posts with label Exeter City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exeter City. Show all posts
19 January 2016
09 January 2016
Liverpool 2-2 Exeter City
Goals:
Nichols 9'
Sinclair 12'
Holmes 45+1'
Smith 73'
Jürgen Klopp actually did it. He went full rotation. No one ever goes full rotation.
11 different starters from Liverpool's last match. Eight kids – three of them recalled from loans just this week – plus Benteke, Bogdan, and the going-through-the-motions ghost of Jose Enrique. Three 22-year-olds, a 21-year-old, a 20-year-old, and three 19-year-olds. Five starters and two substitutes making their first appearances this season, three starters and two substitutes making their debuts for Liverpool.
It was the least experienced line-up I've seen in the last decade or so that I can actually remember, rivaled only by the 2-2 penalty defeat to Northampton, and that side at least had Agger and Lucas. Or the 0-1 loss at Burnley in this competition in 2005, and that side at least had Hyypia, Dudek, and (sigh) Traore.
Christian Benteke had played 1359 minutes this season, right around 50% of all the minutes Liverpool have played so far this season. The other 13 players to appear had played 903. In total. Combined.
Yes, Liverpool were facing a League Two side that had lost their last four matches, but, you know, a League Two side at home that had actually played together before.
Twice Liverpool went behind, twice Liverpool scored an equalizer. The seventh and eighth equalizers of Klopp's tenure, another demonstration that Liverpool still have a frightening propensity to concede first, but that there's also more fight in this squad than we'd usually seen during the previous season and some.
Both of Liverpool's goals were fortunate, with the ball ricocheting off an Exeter player to a Liverpool player in the box: the first after a tackle on Benteke which probably would have been a penalty, the second when Ojo's shot-cross was cleared from the six-yard box. Both of Exeter's goals were familiar: a cross from Liverpool's left and a corner, the latter featuring yet another error by a Liverpool goalkeeper.
Liverpool probably should have lost, but Liverpool also could have won. If not for Bogdan's error. If only Attwell had given a deserved penalty in the 82nd. Liverpool's fitness won out, the stronger side for the last half-an-hour, pushing for both the equalizer and a late winner. But if Noble and Ribiero (twice) converted earlier concrete, if not clear-cut, chances, better than most anything that Liverpool had…
For the most part, it was Liverpool's senior players who disappointed, and it was familiar problems which led to Exeter's goals, Enrique and Bogdan the primary scapegoats respectively. Enrique seemed to think he was playing as a second left-back, consistently leaving Ilori exposed and easily beaten over the top to allow Exeter space to cross for the opener, with Ilori dragged out of position by Enrique being out of position. The less said about Bogdan, and yet another unbelievable error at any level, the better. That's the first Olimpico I can remember Liverpool conceding, as well.
And then there was Liverpool's captain. Christian Benteke – whose summer transfer fee almost certainly cost more than the fees for the other 27 players on the pitch combined – did little of note, unable to assert himself against Exeter's defenders, unable to get on the same page as his 12 outfield teammates. Who, admittedly and in his defense, he'd rarely if ever played with before, and probably didn't know most of their names. He managed just one shot in 90 minutes, a point-blank header straight at Exeter's keeper from Brannagan's outstanding cross. He created just two chances: one for a blocked Kent shot, the other a clever back-heel layoff for Teixeira, a decent 81st-minute opportunity saved by Olejnik. I probably shouldn't put much stock in a match like this, on a ground like this, when used in this squad, but it's still another confusing and disappointing Benteke performance when we've already seen too many of them.
Meanwhile, Brannagan showed a decent range of passing and energy in midfield. Ryan Kent and Teixeira each had moments of threat and guile. Sheyi Ojo was a difference maker off the bench: his direct running responsible for the second equalizer, and his efforts should have been further rewarded by winning a spot kick. Ilori struggled at times, but you try playing center-back when partnered with that headless Jose Enrique performance. Sinclair and Smith – again adventurous, attacking, and dangerous down the left – scored their first goals for the club.
All of them looked like kids. But kids often look like kids, especially when up against a side of lower league veterans with vastly more experience, full of determination and pluck and rude tackles and all those underdog narratives, who needed and got a result that will keep their club afloat for another year or two thanks to the £700,000 a replay at Anfield will bring. And especially when those kids are playing on a pitch about as level and well-maintained as my rain-soaked backyard.
Ah, the magic of the FA Cup.
Credit where due: Exeter did what the good lower-league sides to the under-experienced, underwhelming Premiership sides in this competition – for the most part, they made Liverpool play their game rather than Liverpool's game – and nearly succeeded in one of the two or three giant-killings which happen every season. Wycombe did the same thing to a more-experienced, nearly full-strength Villa side just a few hours ago; Doncaster and Stoke are currently level at half-time as well.
But Liverpool fought back, Liverpool held on.
On first glance, a replay seems the worst possible result, yet another fixture in a month already packed full of them. Had Liverpool lost, it's a manageable four matches over the next 21 days, which would've felt like a vacation given the last few weeks. Had Liverpool won, it's five, with a whole six days between United and Norwich. With a replay, it's now five or six, depending on whether Liverpool win or lose the return fixture. Arsenal (h), United (h), Exeter (h), Norwich (a), Stoke (h), and the potential fourth round of the FA Cup, all before the end of January.
But if it's the kids again – ideally without Enrique, maybe without Bogdan or Benteke – then so be it. They deserve another match, this time at Anfield, in front of their own, on a pitch that might actually aid passing and playing football. Win or lose (win, please!), it'll provide needed experience and an opportunity to earn even more opportunities.
Maybe Liverpool will even have another player or two fit and available.
Nichols 9'
Sinclair 12'
Holmes 45+1'
Smith 73'
Jürgen Klopp actually did it. He went full rotation. No one ever goes full rotation.
11 different starters from Liverpool's last match. Eight kids – three of them recalled from loans just this week – plus Benteke, Bogdan, and the going-through-the-motions ghost of Jose Enrique. Three 22-year-olds, a 21-year-old, a 20-year-old, and three 19-year-olds. Five starters and two substitutes making their first appearances this season, three starters and two substitutes making their debuts for Liverpool.
It was the least experienced line-up I've seen in the last decade or so that I can actually remember, rivaled only by the 2-2 penalty defeat to Northampton, and that side at least had Agger and Lucas. Or the 0-1 loss at Burnley in this competition in 2005, and that side at least had Hyypia, Dudek, and (sigh) Traore.
Christian Benteke had played 1359 minutes this season, right around 50% of all the minutes Liverpool have played so far this season. The other 13 players to appear had played 903. In total. Combined.
Yes, Liverpool were facing a League Two side that had lost their last four matches, but, you know, a League Two side at home that had actually played together before.
Twice Liverpool went behind, twice Liverpool scored an equalizer. The seventh and eighth equalizers of Klopp's tenure, another demonstration that Liverpool still have a frightening propensity to concede first, but that there's also more fight in this squad than we'd usually seen during the previous season and some.
Both of Liverpool's goals were fortunate, with the ball ricocheting off an Exeter player to a Liverpool player in the box: the first after a tackle on Benteke which probably would have been a penalty, the second when Ojo's shot-cross was cleared from the six-yard box. Both of Exeter's goals were familiar: a cross from Liverpool's left and a corner, the latter featuring yet another error by a Liverpool goalkeeper.
Liverpool probably should have lost, but Liverpool also could have won. If not for Bogdan's error. If only Attwell had given a deserved penalty in the 82nd. Liverpool's fitness won out, the stronger side for the last half-an-hour, pushing for both the equalizer and a late winner. But if Noble and Ribiero (twice) converted earlier concrete, if not clear-cut, chances, better than most anything that Liverpool had…
For the most part, it was Liverpool's senior players who disappointed, and it was familiar problems which led to Exeter's goals, Enrique and Bogdan the primary scapegoats respectively. Enrique seemed to think he was playing as a second left-back, consistently leaving Ilori exposed and easily beaten over the top to allow Exeter space to cross for the opener, with Ilori dragged out of position by Enrique being out of position. The less said about Bogdan, and yet another unbelievable error at any level, the better. That's the first Olimpico I can remember Liverpool conceding, as well.
And then there was Liverpool's captain. Christian Benteke – whose summer transfer fee almost certainly cost more than the fees for the other 27 players on the pitch combined – did little of note, unable to assert himself against Exeter's defenders, unable to get on the same page as his 12 outfield teammates. Who, admittedly and in his defense, he'd rarely if ever played with before, and probably didn't know most of their names. He managed just one shot in 90 minutes, a point-blank header straight at Exeter's keeper from Brannagan's outstanding cross. He created just two chances: one for a blocked Kent shot, the other a clever back-heel layoff for Teixeira, a decent 81st-minute opportunity saved by Olejnik. I probably shouldn't put much stock in a match like this, on a ground like this, when used in this squad, but it's still another confusing and disappointing Benteke performance when we've already seen too many of them.
Meanwhile, Brannagan showed a decent range of passing and energy in midfield. Ryan Kent and Teixeira each had moments of threat and guile. Sheyi Ojo was a difference maker off the bench: his direct running responsible for the second equalizer, and his efforts should have been further rewarded by winning a spot kick. Ilori struggled at times, but you try playing center-back when partnered with that headless Jose Enrique performance. Sinclair and Smith – again adventurous, attacking, and dangerous down the left – scored their first goals for the club.
All of them looked like kids. But kids often look like kids, especially when up against a side of lower league veterans with vastly more experience, full of determination and pluck and rude tackles and all those underdog narratives, who needed and got a result that will keep their club afloat for another year or two thanks to the £700,000 a replay at Anfield will bring. And especially when those kids are playing on a pitch about as level and well-maintained as my rain-soaked backyard.
Ah, the magic of the FA Cup.
Credit where due: Exeter did what the good lower-league sides to the under-experienced, underwhelming Premiership sides in this competition – for the most part, they made Liverpool play their game rather than Liverpool's game – and nearly succeeded in one of the two or three giant-killings which happen every season. Wycombe did the same thing to a more-experienced, nearly full-strength Villa side just a few hours ago; Doncaster and Stoke are currently level at half-time as well.
But Liverpool fought back, Liverpool held on.
On first glance, a replay seems the worst possible result, yet another fixture in a month already packed full of them. Had Liverpool lost, it's a manageable four matches over the next 21 days, which would've felt like a vacation given the last few weeks. Had Liverpool won, it's five, with a whole six days between United and Norwich. With a replay, it's now five or six, depending on whether Liverpool win or lose the return fixture. Arsenal (h), United (h), Exeter (h), Norwich (a), Stoke (h), and the potential fourth round of the FA Cup, all before the end of January.
But if it's the kids again – ideally without Enrique, maybe without Bogdan or Benteke – then so be it. They deserve another match, this time at Anfield, in front of their own, on a pitch that might actually aid passing and playing football. Win or lose (win, please!), it'll provide needed experience and an opportunity to earn even more opportunities.
Maybe Liverpool will even have another player or two fit and available.
07 January 2016
Liverpool at Exeter City 01.08.16
3pm ET, live in the US on Fox Sports 1
Last four head-to-head:
3-1 Liverpool (a; League Cup) 08.24.11
6-0 Liverpool (a: League Cup) 10.28.81
5-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.07.81
2-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.30.79
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Stoke (a); 0-2 West Ham (a); 1-0 Sunderland (a)
Exeter: 1-2 Dag & Red (h); 0-2 Wimbledon (h); 0-3 Oxford (a)
Previous Rounds:
Liverpool: n/a
Exeter: 2-0 Port Vale (h); 3-0 Didcot Town (A)
Goalscorers (all):
Liverpool: Benteke 7; Coutinho 5; Orig, Sturridgei 4; Ibe, Ings, Milner 3; Lallana 2; Can, Clyne, Firmino, Henderson, Skrtel 1
Exeter: Nichols 8; Wheeler 7; Nicholls 6; Harley 5; Grant 3; Holmes, Morrison 2; Brown, Davies, Hoskins, McCready, Oyeleke, Reid, Ribeiro, Tillson, Watkins 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a line-up:
Bogdan
Randall Can Lucas Smith
Milner Allen
Ibe Lallana Teixeira
Benteke
A foreign manager in a new league. A debilitated Liverpool squad, rife with injuries and overworked through participation in four competitions. Underwhelming in the league, but in the semifinals of the League Cup, taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg, and in the knockout rounds in European competition.
Dudek; Raven, Hyypia, Whitbread, Traore; Biscan, Welsh; Nuñez, Potter, Warnock; Sinama Pongolle.
I can't help but worry about the parallels between tomorrow's match and the 2004-05 loss at Burnley, a 0-1 defeat graced by Djimi Traore's glorious Zidane Drag-back. Which became proof that Rafa Benitez didn't get English football and didn't care about the country's premiere cup competition. Or something.
Klopp's Liverpool are in all-too-similar situation. He's supposedly "been found out" by English football, and Liverpool's current squad is even more unbalanced, fatigued, and injury-ridden than the 2004-05 version. In theory, this year's is stronger. In practice, *glares at 11-player-long injury list*.
Klopp's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't tomorrow. A full-strength line-up's completely out of the question, but the last thing that Liverpool need is even more injuries and even more fatigued players going into matches against Arsenal and United, as well as the second semi-final leg against Stoke. Too strong, and Liverpool could and probably would pay for it in subsequent matches. Too weak, and the foreigner's disrespecting English football again and Liverpool are in crisis and etc etc.
Liverpool literally have no fit center-backs. Toure's out for a week, Lovren for two or three, Skrtel for another month, and no one (outside of the club, that is) is really sure about Sakho. Lucas, having played there against Stoke, seemed certain to start as one of the two CBs, but will he partner Can – two central midfielders as center-backs, most likely in front of a rarely-tested Bogdan and alongside one or two youth full-backs? Will Ilori or Wisdom be recalled from their loans in time? One of the u-21 center-backs: Cleary or Brewitt? I hear that Jose Enrique's played some center-back for the u-21s…
Liverpool's full-backs – especially Clyne – desperately need a match off, but can Liverpool rest both while changing the rest of the defense as well? Sure, why not.
Otherwise, at least there will be some familiar faces in the front six. I've gone for five who often start along with Teixeira – last seen against Bournemouth in the League Cup – but Klopp could make even more changes. Brannagan and Chirivella are possibilities in midfield; Ojo and Kent have been recalled from loans at Wolves and Coventry.
That Benteke – Liverpool's only fit out-and-out striker – will start seems the only certainty at the business end of the pitch, especially since Firmino could do with a game off after five successive starts. A rough and tumble cup tie on what'll almost certainly be a gopher hole pitch? Go bang into some people and bang in some goals, Christian.
Meanwhile, Exeter are currently 16th in League Two. They've lost their last four matches. They got whomped 6-3 by Sunderland in a League Cup meeting back in August. Sunderland! Six goals! Paul Tisdale has been Exeter's manager for the last decade; only Arsene Wegner's been at the same English club for longer. They don't score often – only five of the 24 League Two sides have scored fewer – but until this four-match losing stretch, they hadn't conceded all that often either, exactly middle of the league for goals allowed.
I am familiar with one (1) of their players: Clinton Morrison, who had Premier League spells with Birmingham and Palace around a decade ago, scoring four goals against Liverpool from 2001-2003. He's 36 now. At most, he'll feature off the bench.
Just one of the Exeter players who started in the 2011 League Cup tie with Liverpool is still at the club – midfielder David Noble – although current top-scorer Tom Nichols came off the bench that night.
That's all I got. In all Exeter regards, your guess is as good as mine.
It's dismissive, it's rude, and it might even be overly optimistic, but if Liverpool do what Liverpool should do and Liverpool do what Liverpool are capable of doing, Liverpool will win, regardless of the XI. Liverpool are a Premier League side, Exeter are a League Two side, magic of the FA Cup be damned.
But the lesson of Burnley – who, admittedly was a Championship club at the time – can't be forgotten either. Maybe the parallels are closer with the 2-2 loss to Northampton Town in the 2010-11 League Cup, another League Two side, but you compare a Hodgson side to a Klopp side, because I'm not doing so.
What really matters is that Liverpool match Exeter's work-rate, willingness, and effort. Exeter might have more important matches this season if they somehow plummet from lower mid-table into the relegation battle, but Exeter won't have any more prominent matches – on national and international television for the first and probably last time this season.
Whatever Liverpool do, Liverpool cannot take their opponents lightly, Liverpool cannot simply show up. But at least that rarely seems to be an issue with Jürgen Klopp's teams.
Last four head-to-head:
3-1 Liverpool (a; League Cup) 08.24.11
6-0 Liverpool (a: League Cup) 10.28.81
5-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.07.81
2-0 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.30.79
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Stoke (a); 0-2 West Ham (a); 1-0 Sunderland (a)
Exeter: 1-2 Dag & Red (h); 0-2 Wimbledon (h); 0-3 Oxford (a)
Previous Rounds:
Liverpool: n/a
Exeter: 2-0 Port Vale (h); 3-0 Didcot Town (A)
Goalscorers (all):
Liverpool: Benteke 7; Coutinho 5; Orig, Sturridgei 4; Ibe, Ings, Milner 3; Lallana 2; Can, Clyne, Firmino, Henderson, Skrtel 1
Exeter: Nichols 8; Wheeler 7; Nicholls 6; Harley 5; Grant 3; Holmes, Morrison 2; Brown, Davies, Hoskins, McCready, Oyeleke, Reid, Ribeiro, Tillson, Watkins 1
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Guess at a line-up:
Bogdan
Randall Can Lucas Smith
Milner Allen
Ibe Lallana Teixeira
Benteke
A foreign manager in a new league. A debilitated Liverpool squad, rife with injuries and overworked through participation in four competitions. Underwhelming in the league, but in the semifinals of the League Cup, taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg, and in the knockout rounds in European competition.
Dudek; Raven, Hyypia, Whitbread, Traore; Biscan, Welsh; Nuñez, Potter, Warnock; Sinama Pongolle.
I can't help but worry about the parallels between tomorrow's match and the 2004-05 loss at Burnley, a 0-1 defeat graced by Djimi Traore's glorious Zidane Drag-back. Which became proof that Rafa Benitez didn't get English football and didn't care about the country's premiere cup competition. Or something.
Klopp's Liverpool are in all-too-similar situation. He's supposedly "been found out" by English football, and Liverpool's current squad is even more unbalanced, fatigued, and injury-ridden than the 2004-05 version. In theory, this year's is stronger. In practice, *glares at 11-player-long injury list*.
Klopp's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't tomorrow. A full-strength line-up's completely out of the question, but the last thing that Liverpool need is even more injuries and even more fatigued players going into matches against Arsenal and United, as well as the second semi-final leg against Stoke. Too strong, and Liverpool could and probably would pay for it in subsequent matches. Too weak, and the foreigner's disrespecting English football again and Liverpool are in crisis and etc etc.
Liverpool literally have no fit center-backs. Toure's out for a week, Lovren for two or three, Skrtel for another month, and no one (outside of the club, that is) is really sure about Sakho. Lucas, having played there against Stoke, seemed certain to start as one of the two CBs, but will he partner Can – two central midfielders as center-backs, most likely in front of a rarely-tested Bogdan and alongside one or two youth full-backs? Will Ilori or Wisdom be recalled from their loans in time? One of the u-21 center-backs: Cleary or Brewitt? I hear that Jose Enrique's played some center-back for the u-21s…
Liverpool's full-backs – especially Clyne – desperately need a match off, but can Liverpool rest both while changing the rest of the defense as well? Sure, why not.
Otherwise, at least there will be some familiar faces in the front six. I've gone for five who often start along with Teixeira – last seen against Bournemouth in the League Cup – but Klopp could make even more changes. Brannagan and Chirivella are possibilities in midfield; Ojo and Kent have been recalled from loans at Wolves and Coventry.
That Benteke – Liverpool's only fit out-and-out striker – will start seems the only certainty at the business end of the pitch, especially since Firmino could do with a game off after five successive starts. A rough and tumble cup tie on what'll almost certainly be a gopher hole pitch? Go bang into some people and bang in some goals, Christian.
Meanwhile, Exeter are currently 16th in League Two. They've lost their last four matches. They got whomped 6-3 by Sunderland in a League Cup meeting back in August. Sunderland! Six goals! Paul Tisdale has been Exeter's manager for the last decade; only Arsene Wegner's been at the same English club for longer. They don't score often – only five of the 24 League Two sides have scored fewer – but until this four-match losing stretch, they hadn't conceded all that often either, exactly middle of the league for goals allowed.
I am familiar with one (1) of their players: Clinton Morrison, who had Premier League spells with Birmingham and Palace around a decade ago, scoring four goals against Liverpool from 2001-2003. He's 36 now. At most, he'll feature off the bench.
Just one of the Exeter players who started in the 2011 League Cup tie with Liverpool is still at the club – midfielder David Noble – although current top-scorer Tom Nichols came off the bench that night.
That's all I got. In all Exeter regards, your guess is as good as mine.
It's dismissive, it's rude, and it might even be overly optimistic, but if Liverpool do what Liverpool should do and Liverpool do what Liverpool are capable of doing, Liverpool will win, regardless of the XI. Liverpool are a Premier League side, Exeter are a League Two side, magic of the FA Cup be damned.
But the lesson of Burnley – who, admittedly was a Championship club at the time – can't be forgotten either. Maybe the parallels are closer with the 2-2 loss to Northampton Town in the 2010-11 League Cup, another League Two side, but you compare a Hodgson side to a Klopp side, because I'm not doing so.
What really matters is that Liverpool match Exeter's work-rate, willingness, and effort. Exeter might have more important matches this season if they somehow plummet from lower mid-table into the relegation battle, but Exeter won't have any more prominent matches – on national and international television for the first and probably last time this season.
Whatever Liverpool do, Liverpool cannot take their opponents lightly, Liverpool cannot simply show up. But at least that rarely seems to be an issue with Jürgen Klopp's teams.
24 August 2011
Liverpool 3-1 Exeter
Goals:
Suarez 23'
Maxi 55'
Carroll 58'
Nardiello 80' (pen)
So much for an under-strength line-up. No line-up with Luis Suarez is under-strength.
A team featuring the Uruguayan, as well as Meireles, Adam, Maxi, and Henderson, is expected to canter over Exeter. Anything less would be a disappointment and most likely cause for concern, as least as far as the media's concerned. Well, we weren't disappointed, but weren't overawed either. Except, of course, by Suarez.
Meireles' 20th-minute injury is a bigger concern than anything that occurred on the pitch – clutching his shoulder, replaced by Carroll as Liverpool reverted to last season's 4-2-2-2. But the inevitable opener came almost immediately after the substitution: Maxi found Henderson in wide open on the right touchline, Exeter keeper Krysiak could only palm the floated cross to Suarez under pressure from Carroll, and the striker blasted in his third in three games.
From there, Liverpool were on cruise control, unavoidable winners. Yes, there's always the possibility of a freak goal, especially on a gopher patch League One ground with Liverpool piling men forward, but Exeter truly never looked a threat. Liverpool's inability to get the second before half-time was mostly of their own making, increasingly frustrated by the home side's ten-man rearguard. Adam was the model of this irritation, routinely attempting the fantastic and unlikely single-handedly instead of patiently working to break down an obstinate opposition. Still, Liverpool would have been two up had Maxi converted Suarez's wicked low cross or had Adam or Suarez been able to get their dangerous attempts on target.
It didn't take long for the main protagonist to finish matters after the restart. Suarez turned creator on both – first centering to Maxi after his initial attempt for Carroll was blocked, then nutmegging an unfortunate defender before racing on to set up Carroll's unstoppable rocket. The third goal marked the end of his necessary contributions, replaced by Downing, with Liverpool switching to a 4-3-3 with Maxi and Downing as inverted wingers supported by Henderson, Adam, and Spearing.
The former Villa winger nearly scored his first for the club ten minutes later, well-saved by Krysiak at his near post. But from then on, Liverpool looked ready to call it a day, playing at the pace of some of the preseason matches. The early preseason matches. And they paid for it in the 80th minute when Skrtel brought down Nardiello on the break with Flanagan and all three midfielders caught upfield. One defensive mistake, one goal, thankfully all too late. Harsh, as otherwise all four defenders did well, but always possible with so many men pushing forward in hopes of adding their names to the score sheet and the game all but over. And ultimately irrelevant.
It's hard to take much away from Carling Cup matches no matter the personnel involved. On one hand, it's reassuring to see Dalglish's commitment to the competition. New players Henderson and Adam (and Carroll) were well served by the additional match experience, as were youngsters like Wilson, Robinson, and Flanagan – who were three of Liverpool's best players on the day. On the other, injuries like that to Meireles' can happen and it was something of a no-win situation. If Liverpool wins, great, it's expected. And anything less leads to an inquest complete with torches and pitchforks.
Less conclusively good or bad was Suarez's utter brilliance. He was absolutely crucial to everything good Liverpool did. Unfortunately, he was absolutely crucial to Liverpool doing good. With three goals and two assists in three games, as well as his involvement in the Arsenal own goal, he's had a hand in every strike notched. The season's barely started, and three matches (let alone one) aren't a trend, but Liverpool's spent far too much money to be a one-man team.
Still, it's churlish complaining about a comprehensive win with a few moments of brilliance, especially after last season's Carling Cup run. Let's hope the strong line-up pays off when Liverpool host Bolton in three days.
Suarez 23'
Maxi 55'
Carroll 58'
Nardiello 80' (pen)
So much for an under-strength line-up. No line-up with Luis Suarez is under-strength.
A team featuring the Uruguayan, as well as Meireles, Adam, Maxi, and Henderson, is expected to canter over Exeter. Anything less would be a disappointment and most likely cause for concern, as least as far as the media's concerned. Well, we weren't disappointed, but weren't overawed either. Except, of course, by Suarez.
Meireles' 20th-minute injury is a bigger concern than anything that occurred on the pitch – clutching his shoulder, replaced by Carroll as Liverpool reverted to last season's 4-2-2-2. But the inevitable opener came almost immediately after the substitution: Maxi found Henderson in wide open on the right touchline, Exeter keeper Krysiak could only palm the floated cross to Suarez under pressure from Carroll, and the striker blasted in his third in three games.
From there, Liverpool were on cruise control, unavoidable winners. Yes, there's always the possibility of a freak goal, especially on a gopher patch League One ground with Liverpool piling men forward, but Exeter truly never looked a threat. Liverpool's inability to get the second before half-time was mostly of their own making, increasingly frustrated by the home side's ten-man rearguard. Adam was the model of this irritation, routinely attempting the fantastic and unlikely single-handedly instead of patiently working to break down an obstinate opposition. Still, Liverpool would have been two up had Maxi converted Suarez's wicked low cross or had Adam or Suarez been able to get their dangerous attempts on target.
It didn't take long for the main protagonist to finish matters after the restart. Suarez turned creator on both – first centering to Maxi after his initial attempt for Carroll was blocked, then nutmegging an unfortunate defender before racing on to set up Carroll's unstoppable rocket. The third goal marked the end of his necessary contributions, replaced by Downing, with Liverpool switching to a 4-3-3 with Maxi and Downing as inverted wingers supported by Henderson, Adam, and Spearing.
The former Villa winger nearly scored his first for the club ten minutes later, well-saved by Krysiak at his near post. But from then on, Liverpool looked ready to call it a day, playing at the pace of some of the preseason matches. The early preseason matches. And they paid for it in the 80th minute when Skrtel brought down Nardiello on the break with Flanagan and all three midfielders caught upfield. One defensive mistake, one goal, thankfully all too late. Harsh, as otherwise all four defenders did well, but always possible with so many men pushing forward in hopes of adding their names to the score sheet and the game all but over. And ultimately irrelevant.
It's hard to take much away from Carling Cup matches no matter the personnel involved. On one hand, it's reassuring to see Dalglish's commitment to the competition. New players Henderson and Adam (and Carroll) were well served by the additional match experience, as were youngsters like Wilson, Robinson, and Flanagan – who were three of Liverpool's best players on the day. On the other, injuries like that to Meireles' can happen and it was something of a no-win situation. If Liverpool wins, great, it's expected. And anything less leads to an inquest complete with torches and pitchforks.
Less conclusively good or bad was Suarez's utter brilliance. He was absolutely crucial to everything good Liverpool did. Unfortunately, he was absolutely crucial to Liverpool doing good. With three goals and two assists in three games, as well as his involvement in the Arsenal own goal, he's had a hand in every strike notched. The season's barely started, and three matches (let alone one) aren't a trend, but Liverpool's spent far too much money to be a one-man team.
Still, it's churlish complaining about a comprehensive win with a few moments of brilliance, especially after last season's Carling Cup run. Let's hope the strong line-up pays off when Liverpool host Bolton in three days.
23 August 2011
Liverpool at Exeter City 08.24.11
2:45pm ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus
Last four head-to-head:
6-0 Liverpool (a, League Cup) 10.28.81
5-0 Liverpool (h, League Cup) 10.07.81
2-0 Liverpool (h, League Cup) 10.30.79
3-1 Liverpool (h, FA Cup) 01.28.50
Recent matches:
Liverpool: 2-0 Arsenal (a); 1-1 Sunderland (h)
Exeter:0-1 Preston (a); 1-2 Brentford (h); 0-2 MK Dons (h)
Referee: Tony Bates
Guess at a line-up:
Doni
Flanagan Skrtel Wilson Robinson
Spearing Coady
Shelvey Meireles Maxi
Ngog
Complete guess, but my suspicion it'll be an under-strength line-up. Just not as under-strength as we saw for the majority of preseason. As usual, this cup's best served by blooding youth and giving the poor sucker stuck behind Pepe Reina some playing time, but it has been a while since Liverpool's had a decent cup run. And you'd think the squad's finally deep enough to support one, especially without European competition.
The likely lineup includes those who have been on Liverpool's bench in the last couple of games – Skrtel, Meireles, Spearing, Doni, Ngog, Maxi, Flanagan, etc – plus a few other youngsters. Meireles is working his way back to fitness, hasn't started yet, and didn't really have a preseason. It makes sense for him to feature here; it's not a slight to play him with the kids in the second round of everyone's favorite cup competition. Similar goes for Skrtel.
However, there seems little point in playing the likes of Cole or Poulsen. It's clear they've no future and no amount of time in the shop window will help their fee. Ngog would be in the same boat, but Liverpool lack for a fourth-choice striker if Carroll, Suarez, and Kuyt are to be rested. Kuyt seems the most likely of the three if it comes to that; Dalglish spoke of mismanaging Carroll's fitness last season and Suarez was left out for Arsenal because of fatigue concerns.
Liverpool will certainly be wary of repeating last year's Carling Cup low point, but I expect Dalglish will have big names on the bench just in case. Starting Suarez, Downing, Carroll, Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, etc. seems madness, even without Europe. Most of the above XI has played together, whether at the Academy, in the reserves, or in the first team; it's not a mix of misfits and debutantes like Hodgson picked against the Cobblers. More importantly, the side won't be playing with Hodgson's tactics. Looking back at the lineup, that team had absolutely no business of losing, form be damned.
Everything I know about Exeter I learned from the club's official site and this outstanding season preview of all 72 Football League sides. After finishing eighth last season, the Grecians' lone win of the season to date came against Yeovil in the first round of this competition. Through five games, Exeter's only scored at home – twice against Yeovil and a consolation from the spot against Brentford. Evidently, they're struggling to replace last season's top scorer Jamie Cureton and midfielder Ryan Harley. I vaguely remember striker Daniel Nardiello from when he was a trainee at United, but couldn't pick him out of a police line-up. That's all I got. Sorry. Seems safer not to pretend.
Liverpool last entered the League Cup at the second round in 1999, a side effect of being out of Europe for the first time since that season. Exeter will look to replicate their 2005 FA Cup feat in holding United at Old Trafford to earn a second money-spinning attempt. Thankfully, the Carling Cup doesn't have replays – as we found out against Northampton – but the Grecians have previous against Premiership sides in knockout competition. And Liverpool, sadly, have previous in this competition.
Last four head-to-head:
6-0 Liverpool (a, League Cup) 10.28.81
5-0 Liverpool (h, League Cup) 10.07.81
2-0 Liverpool (h, League Cup) 10.30.79
3-1 Liverpool (h, FA Cup) 01.28.50
Recent matches:
Liverpool: 2-0 Arsenal (a); 1-1 Sunderland (h)
Exeter:0-1 Preston (a); 1-2 Brentford (h); 0-2 MK Dons (h)
Referee: Tony Bates
Guess at a line-up:
Doni
Flanagan Skrtel Wilson Robinson
Spearing Coady
Shelvey Meireles Maxi
Ngog
Complete guess, but my suspicion it'll be an under-strength line-up. Just not as under-strength as we saw for the majority of preseason. As usual, this cup's best served by blooding youth and giving the poor sucker stuck behind Pepe Reina some playing time, but it has been a while since Liverpool's had a decent cup run. And you'd think the squad's finally deep enough to support one, especially without European competition.
The likely lineup includes those who have been on Liverpool's bench in the last couple of games – Skrtel, Meireles, Spearing, Doni, Ngog, Maxi, Flanagan, etc – plus a few other youngsters. Meireles is working his way back to fitness, hasn't started yet, and didn't really have a preseason. It makes sense for him to feature here; it's not a slight to play him with the kids in the second round of everyone's favorite cup competition. Similar goes for Skrtel.
However, there seems little point in playing the likes of Cole or Poulsen. It's clear they've no future and no amount of time in the shop window will help their fee. Ngog would be in the same boat, but Liverpool lack for a fourth-choice striker if Carroll, Suarez, and Kuyt are to be rested. Kuyt seems the most likely of the three if it comes to that; Dalglish spoke of mismanaging Carroll's fitness last season and Suarez was left out for Arsenal because of fatigue concerns.
Liverpool will certainly be wary of repeating last year's Carling Cup low point, but I expect Dalglish will have big names on the bench just in case. Starting Suarez, Downing, Carroll, Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, etc. seems madness, even without Europe. Most of the above XI has played together, whether at the Academy, in the reserves, or in the first team; it's not a mix of misfits and debutantes like Hodgson picked against the Cobblers. More importantly, the side won't be playing with Hodgson's tactics. Looking back at the lineup, that team had absolutely no business of losing, form be damned.
Everything I know about Exeter I learned from the club's official site and this outstanding season preview of all 72 Football League sides. After finishing eighth last season, the Grecians' lone win of the season to date came against Yeovil in the first round of this competition. Through five games, Exeter's only scored at home – twice against Yeovil and a consolation from the spot against Brentford. Evidently, they're struggling to replace last season's top scorer Jamie Cureton and midfielder Ryan Harley. I vaguely remember striker Daniel Nardiello from when he was a trainee at United, but couldn't pick him out of a police line-up. That's all I got. Sorry. Seems safer not to pretend.
Liverpool last entered the League Cup at the second round in 1999, a side effect of being out of Europe for the first time since that season. Exeter will look to replicate their 2005 FA Cup feat in holding United at Old Trafford to earn a second money-spinning attempt. Thankfully, the Carling Cup doesn't have replays – as we found out against Northampton – but the Grecians have previous against Premiership sides in knockout competition. And Liverpool, sadly, have previous in this competition.
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