Reina
Kelly Kyrgiakos Agger Wilson
Lucas Poulsen
Kuyt Meireles Cole
Ngog
Goals:
Kuyt 86'
Just enough. Barely. But just enough will do.
There were a lot of similarities to the last leg except where it counts, in the result. Liverpool deployed a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, with key players still absent. It was a more open game, and the home side were "better" on balance, but Liverpool remained disjointed and erratic. Until the 86th minute, when Dirk Kuyt again popped up with a yet another crucial European goal.
It could have been wholly different had the referee given Liverpool a penalty within two minutes. Whiffing on an attempted clearance, the ball ricocheted off Pamic's outstretched arm, but the referee waved play on. Three minutes later, Cole – starting his first match under Dalglish – broke down the left and over-hit a cross which turned into a shot, requiring Blazek to palm over at the last second. The referee gave a goal kick. It'd be a recurring theme.
After the promising opening, Liverpool reverted to last week's stuttering form, while Sparta grew in confidence. Kadlec volleyed over in the 12th and headed too close to Reina a minute later, before Reina's flap at Vacek's corner required Wilson to clear from the six-yard box in the 22nd. Liverpool still created the better chances of the half, as Kyrgiakos' header required a diving save in the 16th, Meireles narrowly volleyed Kelly's cross over in the 22nd, and Ngog shot straight at Blazek after an excellent break from Agger and Kuyt in the 36th. However, Sparta reminded of the perpetual threat right before the interval when Kusnir was in acres of space down Liverpool's left, only to see his cutback lead to Matejovsky's shot blocked.
During the break, Kelly, Liverpool's best player in the first half, was forced off with a slight injury, replaced by Carragher. Removing the lone attacking fullback clearly dented Liverpool's already-diminished firepower, and the home side created even fewer chances with play trapped in midfield as it was in Prague. Spearing replaced the less-than-ineffective Poulsen with 25 minutes to play, and the home side slowly upped the pressure, finally spending the majority of time in Sparta's half in the final 15 minutes, at least earning dangerous corners and free kicks, one of which would finally provide the winner.
When Agger pulled up with an injury, clutching the back of his left leg with 10 minutes to play as Kyrgiakos was already off the field receiving stitches, it appeared that extra time was imminent. At best. But seconds after Skrtel replaced the Dane, following a free kick and two corners, Kuyt finally made the break-through, losing his marker in the six-yard box for a point-blank header. The 8th corner of the day was the charm. Liverpool should have extended the lead in the dying seconds, as both Ngog and Cole spurned injury-time chances, but the one was all that mattered.
With 24 shots at Anfield against Sparta Prague, you'd expect a better result than a narrow, late win from a set play. That's not to diminish the opposition, who battled for the full 180 minutes, but expectations were far higher going into this round. They probably shouldn't have been. This was an under-strength side, as has been commonplace in the Europa League this season, most generously described as diligent. Dalglish has been a revelation, but the most we can expect is evolution, not a revolution. If anything, the Europa League has highlighted Liverpool's lack of depth.
Kuyt was excellent, again thriving in ugly, important games such as these. The defense was sturdy over both legs, despite worrying injuries to two defenders today. Kelly again impressed in his 45 minutes, and it's crucial that he's not out for long. Fabio Capello was in the crowd today, and Kelly had to be the focus on his attention. After an iffy first half, Cole also grew into the game, clearly lacking in confidence and match fitness, but never stopped trying. Meireles was Meireles, spreading play well, even after being shifted out to the right in the second half as Liverpool switched to 4-4-2.
The side are through to the last 16 in the Europa League, to face the winners of Lech Poznan versus Braga. It goes without saying that there's room for improvement, but as long as the results stay the same, performances like these – however uncomfortable they are to watch – will suffice all the way to Dublin.
Showing posts with label Sparta Prague. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sparta Prague. Show all posts
24 February 2011
23 February 2011
Liverpool v Sparta Prague 02.24.11
1pm, live in the US on DirecTV channel 481 (HD on 481-1)
0-0 on aggregate
Group Stage Results:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-1 Steaua (a); 3-1 Napoli (a); 0-0 Napoli (a); 0-0 Utrecht (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Sparta: 1-1 CSKA Moscow (h); 2-2 Palermo (a); 3-1 Lausanne (a); 3-3 Lausanne (h); 0-3 CSKA Moscow; 3-2 Palermo (h)
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Sparta (a); 1-1 Wigan (h); 1-0 Chelsea (a)
Sparta: 0-0 Liverpool (h); 1-1 CSKA Moscow (h); 2-2 Palermo (a)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Ngog 5; Gerrard 4; Babel, Cole, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Lucas 1
Sparta: Kadlec, Kladrubsky 2; Kweuke 1
Referee: Milorad Mažić (SRB)
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger
Kelly Lucas Spearing Johnson
Meireles Cole
Kuyt
With the resumption of league matches on Sunday after a two-week respite, pre-match questions remain the same. Will Liverpool rest certain players, continuing to prioritize the Premiership? And now that Agger's fit again, will Liverpool return to three at the back, a formation we've only seen in two of Dalglish's nine matches but one that was remarkably well-received?
Once again, Gerrard's omission seems likely. The captain's back in training after missing the last two games with a groin injury, but Dalglish emphasized that Liverpool wouldn't take any risks with the player. He'll be pushing to return against West Ham. Liverpool have two replacements in Spearing and Poulsen, although both are far more defensive. The former is finally fit after an extended injury, while the latter's back after his wife gave birth yesterday.
Dalglish also highlighted Joe Cole in his pre-match press conference. Cole's first action under the new manager was the hour off the bench last week. His inclusion would allow Liverpool to rest Maxi, Meireles, or Kuyt depending on the formation; because I've guessed 3-4-2-1, I've left out the Argentinean, but Liverpool obviously have options. Ngog, who disappointed last week but remains the club's top scorer in the competition, is unsurprisingly in contention.
I'm convinced Agger is the key to playing three at the back, and his absence since the international break is the main reason why Liverpool used the 'standard' back four against Wigan and Sparta. There has to be at least one defender comfortable on the ball to make the formation work, and Agger's one of the best in the business in possession. Liverpool desperately missed his cool head in the draw against the Latics. But it's worth noting that Kyrgiakos did well last Thursday marking Kweuke.
Sparta tried to play on the front foot in the last leg, often threatening down Liverpool's flanks (especially through the overlapping left back), but lacked guile in front of goal. Three CBs plus wing-backs would give Liverpool an extra defender in those situations, ideally nullifying the main threat. At Anfield, Liverpool has to attack more than in Prague, but we saw against Stoke that the above isn't necessarily a defensive system, especially if midfield runners like Meireles, Cole, or Maxi link with the forward(s).
Last week's landmark was Dalglish's first game in Europe; tomorrow will be his first European game at Anfield. A Europa League tie against Sparta Prague isn't what springs to mind when mentioning historic European nights at Anfield, but this season's struggles coupled with King Kenny at the helm should have the stadium rocking and the team raring to go no matter the lineup.
0-0 on aggregate
Group Stage Results:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-1 Steaua (a); 3-1 Napoli (a); 0-0 Napoli (a); 0-0 Utrecht (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Sparta: 1-1 CSKA Moscow (h); 2-2 Palermo (a); 3-1 Lausanne (a); 3-3 Lausanne (h); 0-3 CSKA Moscow; 3-2 Palermo (h)
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Sparta (a); 1-1 Wigan (h); 1-0 Chelsea (a)
Sparta: 0-0 Liverpool (h); 1-1 CSKA Moscow (h); 2-2 Palermo (a)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Ngog 5; Gerrard 4; Babel, Cole, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Lucas 1
Sparta: Kadlec, Kladrubsky 2; Kweuke 1
Referee: Milorad Mažić (SRB)
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger
Kelly Lucas Spearing Johnson
Meireles Cole
Kuyt
With the resumption of league matches on Sunday after a two-week respite, pre-match questions remain the same. Will Liverpool rest certain players, continuing to prioritize the Premiership? And now that Agger's fit again, will Liverpool return to three at the back, a formation we've only seen in two of Dalglish's nine matches but one that was remarkably well-received?
Once again, Gerrard's omission seems likely. The captain's back in training after missing the last two games with a groin injury, but Dalglish emphasized that Liverpool wouldn't take any risks with the player. He'll be pushing to return against West Ham. Liverpool have two replacements in Spearing and Poulsen, although both are far more defensive. The former is finally fit after an extended injury, while the latter's back after his wife gave birth yesterday.
Dalglish also highlighted Joe Cole in his pre-match press conference. Cole's first action under the new manager was the hour off the bench last week. His inclusion would allow Liverpool to rest Maxi, Meireles, or Kuyt depending on the formation; because I've guessed 3-4-2-1, I've left out the Argentinean, but Liverpool obviously have options. Ngog, who disappointed last week but remains the club's top scorer in the competition, is unsurprisingly in contention.
I'm convinced Agger is the key to playing three at the back, and his absence since the international break is the main reason why Liverpool used the 'standard' back four against Wigan and Sparta. There has to be at least one defender comfortable on the ball to make the formation work, and Agger's one of the best in the business in possession. Liverpool desperately missed his cool head in the draw against the Latics. But it's worth noting that Kyrgiakos did well last Thursday marking Kweuke.
Sparta tried to play on the front foot in the last leg, often threatening down Liverpool's flanks (especially through the overlapping left back), but lacked guile in front of goal. Three CBs plus wing-backs would give Liverpool an extra defender in those situations, ideally nullifying the main threat. At Anfield, Liverpool has to attack more than in Prague, but we saw against Stoke that the above isn't necessarily a defensive system, especially if midfield runners like Meireles, Cole, or Maxi link with the forward(s).
Last week's landmark was Dalglish's first game in Europe; tomorrow will be his first European game at Anfield. A Europa League tie against Sparta Prague isn't what springs to mind when mentioning historic European nights at Anfield, but this season's struggles coupled with King Kenny at the helm should have the stadium rocking and the team raring to go no matter the lineup.
17 February 2011
Liverpool 0-0 Sparta Prague
Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Carragher Wilson
Lucas Aurelio
Kuyt Meireles Maxi
Ngog
Liverpool's won a lot of two-legged ties with 0-0s away from home. Nonetheless, this was emphatically boring, dour bordering on unwatchable for long stretches. While the result puts Liverpool in a fine position for the second leg at Anfield and the side were missing a few crucial players, it's still disappointing to see such a sub-par performance and ostensible lack of ambition.
It was a "standard" Europa League away, in keeping with the tenor of the group stage despite the managerial change. Liverpool played with four at the back for the second consecutive match, drafting Kyrgiakos in for height and Wilson for the experience, albeit at left back. It was the closest Dalglish has come to replicating Benitez's preferred formation, with Lucas and Aurelio holding, Kuyt and Maxi as narrow outside attackers, and Ngog as the lone striker.
Sparta, as the underdog home side, grew into the game after almost constant if nonthreatening Liverpool possession for the opening 10 minutes. Both Johnson and Wilson were tested on the flanks, especially by Prague's overlapping left-back Pamic, with Kadlec and Keric also dangerous as the wingers in a more orthodox 4-4-2.
Liverpool were forced into an early substitution as Cole replaced Aurelio in the 37th minute, with Meireles dropping deeper and Cole behind Ngog. The away side's first decent chance coincidentally came seconds later, as Cole fed Ngog following a free kick, but the Frenchman lingered on the ball, giving the defender time to block his eventual shot. Liverpool spurned a second chance two minutes before halftime on a corner won by Cole: Ngog knocked down Meireles' ball in, but Kuyt clumsily missed contact at the back post.
The second half was equally torpid. Johnson, given more freedom, started popping up in the final third, but couldn't find attackers with his crosses. The fullback was at the heart of Liverpool's best move of the half, toe-poking wide in the 70th minute after cutting into the box following's Lucas' excellent ball over the top, but goalmouth chances were hard to come by at either end.
Yet Sparta still posed the greater threat, with 13 shots to Liverpool's three. Only one forced Reina into a difficult save, smothering Kweuke's effort on the turn from a 76th-minute corner, but had Sparta displayed cooler heads in front of goal, Liverpool would be behind going into next week's decider. The imposing Kweuke, Matejovsky, and Varek all had efforts sail narrowly wide in the second half. And none of Liverpool's three shots threatened Sparta's goalkeeper.
That Liverpool's second substitution was Skrtel for Ngog in the 83th minute seemingly sums up today's mission. It prompted a switch to three at the back, which saw Liverpool's defense push further up the field, but didn't lead to any attacking improvement and is still replacing a striker – even if an inefficient one – with a defender. That Pacheco didn't see any minutes despite Liverpool's impotence doesn't bode well for his immediate future.
Johnson and Kyrgiakos were probably Liverpool's best players, while Wilson defended well as a left back. Ngog, often isolated up front, struggled on his own, and was caught offside far too often. Kuyt's continued his shaky form when played on the right of midfield; he's looked far better under Dalglish as a striker. No one else was particularly offensive in either sense of the word. Aurelio's fitness is the biggest concern.
It's tempting to think that Hodgson would have gotten a lot more grief for this display than Dalglish will, but this result is much more palatable in the knockout round than the group stage. In addition, Gerrard, Agger, Suarez, and Carroll were all missed – and yes, I'm well aware it's hard to miss a player that's ineligible and a player that hasn't yet played for the club. Both Gerrard and Agger would have made vast differences; Agger's ability to bring the ball out of defense is indescribably important in Dalglish's system(s), while Gerrard's ability to create something from nothing is always welcomed (see 3-1 Napoli, among many others).
A win, with crucial away goals, would have allowed Liverpool to rest players and feature some of the hyped youngsters in a week's time. Now, we'll likely see a full-strength lineup as the side looks to put the Anfield advantage to full use. Sparta can advance with a score draw; Liverpool will have to keep a clean sheet as well. But, as Infostrada Sports pointed out after the match, 66.6% of away teams advance to next round after 0-0 draws in first leg.
The result could be a lot worse. But there's still a lot of work to be done.
Johnson Kyrgiakos Carragher Wilson
Lucas Aurelio
Kuyt Meireles Maxi
Ngog
Liverpool's won a lot of two-legged ties with 0-0s away from home. Nonetheless, this was emphatically boring, dour bordering on unwatchable for long stretches. While the result puts Liverpool in a fine position for the second leg at Anfield and the side were missing a few crucial players, it's still disappointing to see such a sub-par performance and ostensible lack of ambition.
It was a "standard" Europa League away, in keeping with the tenor of the group stage despite the managerial change. Liverpool played with four at the back for the second consecutive match, drafting Kyrgiakos in for height and Wilson for the experience, albeit at left back. It was the closest Dalglish has come to replicating Benitez's preferred formation, with Lucas and Aurelio holding, Kuyt and Maxi as narrow outside attackers, and Ngog as the lone striker.
Sparta, as the underdog home side, grew into the game after almost constant if nonthreatening Liverpool possession for the opening 10 minutes. Both Johnson and Wilson were tested on the flanks, especially by Prague's overlapping left-back Pamic, with Kadlec and Keric also dangerous as the wingers in a more orthodox 4-4-2.
Liverpool were forced into an early substitution as Cole replaced Aurelio in the 37th minute, with Meireles dropping deeper and Cole behind Ngog. The away side's first decent chance coincidentally came seconds later, as Cole fed Ngog following a free kick, but the Frenchman lingered on the ball, giving the defender time to block his eventual shot. Liverpool spurned a second chance two minutes before halftime on a corner won by Cole: Ngog knocked down Meireles' ball in, but Kuyt clumsily missed contact at the back post.
The second half was equally torpid. Johnson, given more freedom, started popping up in the final third, but couldn't find attackers with his crosses. The fullback was at the heart of Liverpool's best move of the half, toe-poking wide in the 70th minute after cutting into the box following's Lucas' excellent ball over the top, but goalmouth chances were hard to come by at either end.
Yet Sparta still posed the greater threat, with 13 shots to Liverpool's three. Only one forced Reina into a difficult save, smothering Kweuke's effort on the turn from a 76th-minute corner, but had Sparta displayed cooler heads in front of goal, Liverpool would be behind going into next week's decider. The imposing Kweuke, Matejovsky, and Varek all had efforts sail narrowly wide in the second half. And none of Liverpool's three shots threatened Sparta's goalkeeper.
That Liverpool's second substitution was Skrtel for Ngog in the 83th minute seemingly sums up today's mission. It prompted a switch to three at the back, which saw Liverpool's defense push further up the field, but didn't lead to any attacking improvement and is still replacing a striker – even if an inefficient one – with a defender. That Pacheco didn't see any minutes despite Liverpool's impotence doesn't bode well for his immediate future.
Johnson and Kyrgiakos were probably Liverpool's best players, while Wilson defended well as a left back. Ngog, often isolated up front, struggled on his own, and was caught offside far too often. Kuyt's continued his shaky form when played on the right of midfield; he's looked far better under Dalglish as a striker. No one else was particularly offensive in either sense of the word. Aurelio's fitness is the biggest concern.
It's tempting to think that Hodgson would have gotten a lot more grief for this display than Dalglish will, but this result is much more palatable in the knockout round than the group stage. In addition, Gerrard, Agger, Suarez, and Carroll were all missed – and yes, I'm well aware it's hard to miss a player that's ineligible and a player that hasn't yet played for the club. Both Gerrard and Agger would have made vast differences; Agger's ability to bring the ball out of defense is indescribably important in Dalglish's system(s), while Gerrard's ability to create something from nothing is always welcomed (see 3-1 Napoli, among many others).
A win, with crucial away goals, would have allowed Liverpool to rest players and feature some of the hyped youngsters in a week's time. Now, we'll likely see a full-strength lineup as the side looks to put the Anfield advantage to full use. Sparta can advance with a score draw; Liverpool will have to keep a clean sheet as well. But, as Infostrada Sports pointed out after the match, 66.6% of away teams advance to next round after 0-0 draws in first leg.
The result could be a lot worse. But there's still a lot of work to be done.
16 February 2011
Liverpool at Sparta Prague 02.17.11
3:05pm, live in the US on GolTV
Group Stage Results:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-1 Steaua (a); 3-1 Napoli (a); 0-0 Napoli (a); 0-0 Utrecht (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Sparta: 1-1 CSKA Moscow (h); 2-2 Palermo (a); 3-1 Lausanne (a); 3-3 Lausanne (h); 0-3 CSKA Moscow; 3-2 Palermo (h)
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-1 Wigan (h); 1-0 Chelsea (a); 2-0 Stoke (h)
Sparta: 1-1 CSKA Moscow (h); 2-2 Palermo (a); 2-0 České Budějovice (h)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Ngog 5; Gerrard 4; Babel, Cole, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Lucas 1
Sparta: Kadlec, Kladrubsky 2; Kweuke 1
Referee: Florian Meyer (GER)
Meyer has actually done a Liverpool match before: a 2003 UEFA Cup tie against Steaua at Anfield, which Liverpool won 1-0.
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Carragher Kyrgiakos Skrtel
Kelly Lucas Aurelio Johnson
Meireles Maxi
Kuyt
As usual in the Europa League, the lineup is a complete guess. How strong will the starting XI be and will Liverpool return to three at the back after Saturday's disappointing result?
The 23-man traveling squad is:
Andy Carroll has also traveled for team-building and training reasons. And because beer is exceptionally cheap in the Czech Republic. Gerrard and Agger are still injured, while Poulsen misses out because his wife's gone into labor.
Notably, four u-18s are also along for the ride: Conor Coady, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson, and Raheem Sterling, as is 19-year-old Thomas Ince, who was an unused substitute against Rabotnicki. I'd be surprised if any of the above featured, let alone started; as with Carroll, all have probably been brought for the learning experience.
Whether Liverpool play three at the back is probably dependent on Skrtel's recovery from the knock suffered against Chelsea. Liverpool's defense has looked far firmer in that formation, and – as Play Waved On excellently explains – Sparta are likely to rely on long balls and crosses towards powerful strikers.
It's tough to leave Ngog – Liverpool's top scorer in the competition – out of the above lineup. He hasn't gotten as many opportunities under Dalglish, coming off the bench in three of the eight matches and disappointing in the last outing against Wigan. If Liverpool play with a flat-back four, he's more likely to start, but it's hard to see how he fits into the formation with three center-backs. Last game aside, where everyone underperformed, Kuyt has done well as a striker under the new manager.
Sparta Prague – a surprise qualifier over a strong Palermo side and unbeaten at home in the competition – are currently second in the Czech league. They haven't had a league match since November because of the extended winter break – a similar situation to Liverpool's opponents in last year's first Europa League knockout round. Sparta played two friendlies in the last month, losing 0-3 to Zenit and drawing 2-2 with Ukrainian side Dnipro (losing 8-9 on penalties).
The January transfer window saw a fairly large exodus. Top scorer Wilfried Bony – who had five goals in the group stage – was sold to Vitesse Arnhem, while Slovakian international midfielder Kucka left for Genoa. The aforementioned Play Waved On article has an excellent round-up of the Czech side, unsurprisingly highlighting 18-year-old prodigy Vaclav Kadlec, who should get a chance to shine in Bony's absence.
I'd like to see as strong a lineup as possible, even with the notable absences. Liverpool haven't played since Saturday and don't have a league match before the return leg. If the hard work's done tomorrow, we might see some of those hyped youngsters in the next leg.
Tomorrow marks Dalglish's first match in European competition. That alone should be enough motivation.
Group Stage Results:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-1 Steaua (a); 3-1 Napoli (a); 0-0 Napoli (a); 0-0 Utrecht (a); 4-1 Steaua (h)
Sparta: 1-1 CSKA Moscow (h); 2-2 Palermo (a); 3-1 Lausanne (a); 3-3 Lausanne (h); 0-3 CSKA Moscow; 3-2 Palermo (h)
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-1 Wigan (h); 1-0 Chelsea (a); 2-0 Stoke (h)
Sparta: 1-1 CSKA Moscow (h); 2-2 Palermo (a); 2-0 České Budějovice (h)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Ngog 5; Gerrard 4; Babel, Cole, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Lucas 1
Sparta: Kadlec, Kladrubsky 2; Kweuke 1
Referee: Florian Meyer (GER)
Meyer has actually done a Liverpool match before: a 2003 UEFA Cup tie against Steaua at Anfield, which Liverpool won 1-0.
Guess at a lineup:
Reina
Carragher Kyrgiakos Skrtel
Kelly Lucas Aurelio Johnson
Meireles Maxi
Kuyt
As usual in the Europa League, the lineup is a complete guess. How strong will the starting XI be and will Liverpool return to three at the back after Saturday's disappointing result?
The 23-man traveling squad is:
Reina, Jones, Gulacsi, Johnson, Flanagan, Aurelio, Robinson, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Carragher, Kelly, Skrtel, Meireles, Cole, Maxi, Jovanovic, Lucas, Coady, Ince, Sterling, Pacheco, Kuyt, Ngog.
Andy Carroll has also traveled for team-building and training reasons. And because beer is exceptionally cheap in the Czech Republic. Gerrard and Agger are still injured, while Poulsen misses out because his wife's gone into labor.
Notably, four u-18s are also along for the ride: Conor Coady, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson, and Raheem Sterling, as is 19-year-old Thomas Ince, who was an unused substitute against Rabotnicki. I'd be surprised if any of the above featured, let alone started; as with Carroll, all have probably been brought for the learning experience.
Whether Liverpool play three at the back is probably dependent on Skrtel's recovery from the knock suffered against Chelsea. Liverpool's defense has looked far firmer in that formation, and – as Play Waved On excellently explains – Sparta are likely to rely on long balls and crosses towards powerful strikers.
It's tough to leave Ngog – Liverpool's top scorer in the competition – out of the above lineup. He hasn't gotten as many opportunities under Dalglish, coming off the bench in three of the eight matches and disappointing in the last outing against Wigan. If Liverpool play with a flat-back four, he's more likely to start, but it's hard to see how he fits into the formation with three center-backs. Last game aside, where everyone underperformed, Kuyt has done well as a striker under the new manager.
Sparta Prague – a surprise qualifier over a strong Palermo side and unbeaten at home in the competition – are currently second in the Czech league. They haven't had a league match since November because of the extended winter break – a similar situation to Liverpool's opponents in last year's first Europa League knockout round. Sparta played two friendlies in the last month, losing 0-3 to Zenit and drawing 2-2 with Ukrainian side Dnipro (losing 8-9 on penalties).
The January transfer window saw a fairly large exodus. Top scorer Wilfried Bony – who had five goals in the group stage – was sold to Vitesse Arnhem, while Slovakian international midfielder Kucka left for Genoa. The aforementioned Play Waved On article has an excellent round-up of the Czech side, unsurprisingly highlighting 18-year-old prodigy Vaclav Kadlec, who should get a chance to shine in Bony's absence.
I'd like to see as strong a lineup as possible, even with the notable absences. Liverpool haven't played since Saturday and don't have a league match before the return leg. If the hard work's done tomorrow, we might see some of those hyped youngsters in the next leg.
Tomorrow marks Dalglish's first match in European competition. That alone should be enough motivation.
17 December 2010
Europa League Knockout Draw
Liverpool have drawn Sparta Prague in the first knockout round of the Europa League. My first thought is that I'm jealous of the Scousers who'll be traveling to the away match, as Prague is a brilliant city, but the last time I wrote that was last year's Champions League group – where Liverpool traveled to Florence, Lyon, and Budapest. That didn't work out so well. And, as has been commonplace, I can't help but mention how dire Liverpool have been away from Anfield. Nonetheless, here's hoping this goes slightly better.
Sparta Prague are currently second in the Czech League, which is now on its winter break. The away leg, which will be played first, will be Sparta's first match since the last of the Europa League group phase. The Czech League's break lasts from the end of November until the end of February.
Sparta finished second in their Europa League group, behind CSKA Moscow and ahead of Palermo and Lausanne, with two wins, three draws, and one loss. The two wins came at home against Palermo and Lausanne, the one loss was away to CSKA. Palermo were heavily favored to qualify ahead of the Czech side, but disappointed throughout the group stage.
Prague have a few notable names. Marek Matejovsky scored a memorable cracker against Liverpool while at Reading. Veterans Tomas Repka and Libor Sionko should ring a bell; Repka played for West Ham while Sionko's been fixture in the Czech national team and had a stint for Rangers. Ivorian Wilfred Bony (phenomenal name) is Sparta's top scorer, having tallied 16 goals in all competitions this season, and is only 22 years old.
As Liverpool are seeded, they'll play the first leg away and the second at Anfield. The matches will take place February 17 and 24. If they somehow make it past Prague, they'll face the winners of Lech Poznan v Braga.
Sparta Prague are currently second in the Czech League, which is now on its winter break. The away leg, which will be played first, will be Sparta's first match since the last of the Europa League group phase. The Czech League's break lasts from the end of November until the end of February.
Sparta finished second in their Europa League group, behind CSKA Moscow and ahead of Palermo and Lausanne, with two wins, three draws, and one loss. The two wins came at home against Palermo and Lausanne, the one loss was away to CSKA. Palermo were heavily favored to qualify ahead of the Czech side, but disappointed throughout the group stage.
Prague have a few notable names. Marek Matejovsky scored a memorable cracker against Liverpool while at Reading. Veterans Tomas Repka and Libor Sionko should ring a bell; Repka played for West Ham while Sionko's been fixture in the Czech national team and had a stint for Rangers. Ivorian Wilfred Bony (phenomenal name) is Sparta's top scorer, having tallied 16 goals in all competitions this season, and is only 22 years old.
As Liverpool are seeded, they'll play the first leg away and the second at Anfield. The matches will take place February 17 and 24. If they somehow make it past Prague, they'll face the winners of Lech Poznan v Braga.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)