Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Goals:
Lucas (og) 34’
Davies 45+2’
Torres 72’
Young 75’ (pen)
See, I told you I’d jinx it. Three games into the league, and Liverpool has the same number of losses as the whole of last season. This is why I never guess the outcomes of Liverpool games, and why I’d never written I thought they’d win the league before. I am sorry. I truly am.
Something like five chances in the first 15 minutes, including three in the same move, and somehow Liverpool ended the half two down. There’s “that’s football” and “that’s fucking impossible,” and today was the latter.
33 seconds in, Benayoun could only flick a header wide after Torres’ chip over the top. In the 9th minute, Torres, Gerrard, and Benayoun somehow failed to score after Torres’ shot was blocked, Gerrard couldn’t make contact, Benayoun scuffed his effort, and Friedel’s failing foot kept out Gerrard’s stab. Five minutes later, Kuyt teed up Gerrard at the top of the box, but the captain’s trademark curler rose over the bar. With chances like that, it could only be a matter of time. But from there, Liverpool found a way to completely throw the game away.
Of course, it began with Lucas. The kid perpetually can’t catch a break, and neither could Liverpool. The home side saw less and less possession after the 15th, as Villa settled and Liverpool lost the ball too easily, and after a good start, Lucas concedes a stupid free kick, and has the resulting Young strike deflect off him to wrong-foot Reina. Now that’s a scapegoat moment. And these moments make it so hard to defend him.
Other than a Torres blast in the 38th that Friedel smartly saved, the last ten minutes of the half were a farce as Liverpool, for lack of a better term, tried too hard and were easily frustrated. The stupid giveaways that had intermittently crept into their play became commonplace.
Unsurprisingly, the team paid for it in the second minute of stoppage time as Davies, who wasn’t even supposed to start, got in front of Carra and Torres to head in Shorey’s corner at the near post. Summing up Liverpool’s half, Reina had picked up a yellow for kicking the ball away, seemingly questioning whether it was a corner, which it clearly was.
And then, the second half. Oh, the second half. Nearly 30 minutes of half chances against a packed defense – par for the course on the day – before it looked like Torres gave Liverpool a lifeline. Voronin came on in the 66th for the unfortunate Lucas, and started the move that ended with Torres’ volley after a Kuyt dummy opened up space for Insua to cross. Game on. Just like those late wins which saved Liverpool’s bacon last season.
Two minutes later, game off, just like against Spurs (okay, it took Spurs three minutes). Gerrard, of all people, recklessly dove in on Reo-Coker in the box, and Young hammered home the resulting penalty. 1-3 with 15 minutes remaining. No heroics left, nothing like last season’s stunners, just a smattering of near misses and saves, with Friedel renewing the trend of former Liverpool keepers playing out of their minds against the club. Liverpool gave up by the 90th minute.
So, let’s sum up the scapegoats. Lucas, obviously (please, keep it in line, Liverpool need him this season, like it or not). Two goals conceded from set plays, so let’s add zonal marking. Torres, and the entire team, overly frustrated and sniping at the referee. A careless penalty conceded by Gerrard that harkens back to the reckless days of five-plus years ago.
Let’s also add the inability to break down 11 men behind the ball (well, once, but once wasn’t enough). We can also blame Liverpool’s awful home form, carrying over from last season. I’d also like to reiterate that Liverpool should have seen this coming: a five-man midfield and a congested middle, but the fullbacks pinned back thanks to the pace of Milner, Young, and Agbonlahor. Probably should credit Villa’s defense too, which clearly remembered the last meeting between the clubs. At least no one got injured. That’s all I got.
So, now that the season’s over, we can look forward to a trip to Bolton this Saturday. For once, the international break can’t come soon enough.
24 August 2009
22 August 2009
Liverpool v Aston Villa 08.24.09
3pm, live in the US on espn2 (plz plz HD)
Last 4 head-to-head:
5-0 Liverpool (h) 03.22.09
0-0 (a) 08.31.08
2-2 (h) 01.21.08
2-1 Liverpool (a) 06.11.07
Last two matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Stoke (h); 1-2 Spurs (a)
Villa: 0-1 Rapid Vienna (a); 0-2 Wigan (h)
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Ayala Insua
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Same as Wednesday, please. I doubt we’re at a point in the season where there are any fears over rotation.
The only question seems to be Kyrgiakos or Ayala, as it seems like I jinxed Agger in the last preview given the news he’ll be out for around six weeks. This quote from Benitez when the deal was announced – “He will have the medical this week, it has to be before the weekend" – makes me think that Kyrgiakos will play if possible. I guess it depends if Benitez sees enough in the one, maybe two (doubtful) training sessions before the match. Kyrgiakos did face Carew twice when Greece played Norway in Euro 2008 qualifying, and probably speaks English from his time with Rangers, but that might be stretching it.
Villa’s had two disappointing games to start the campaign, yet to find the target in losses to Wigan and Rapid Vienna (who beat Liverpool 0-1 in a friendly). But the defense should still have more to do than against Stoke. In particular, Johnson will have much less license to bomb forward with Ashley Young on the left. Milner also has the potential to torment on the opposite flank, which will test Insua. Curtis Davies will probably miss out after picking up a shoulder injury on Thursday, meaning Habib Beye should move over from right back.
Villa went with a five-man midfield in Vienna, with Heskey as a lone striker, and I can see the trend continuing. It probably depends on Carew’s fitness, but it makes sense to try and congest the center with Sidwell, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Gardner and Fabian Delph all in the squad, while using the pace of Young and Milner to break. Didn’t seem to work in Vienna, though. Relatedly, I’m curious to see what all the fuss is about Delph, a young English prospect purchased from Leeds.
Liverpool can’t let the 5-0 result in the last match or Villa’s poor run to start the season breed any complacency. It should go without saying, but this will still be a tough match; Villa are no mugs, record be damned. Ideally, the loss at Spurs will continue to light a fire under the team, and if early results are any indication, Liverpool will need all the points they can get.
Last 4 head-to-head:
5-0 Liverpool (h) 03.22.09
0-0 (a) 08.31.08
2-2 (h) 01.21.08
2-1 Liverpool (a) 06.11.07
Last two matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Stoke (h); 1-2 Spurs (a)
Villa: 0-1 Rapid Vienna (a); 0-2 Wigan (h)
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Ayala Insua
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Same as Wednesday, please. I doubt we’re at a point in the season where there are any fears over rotation.
The only question seems to be Kyrgiakos or Ayala, as it seems like I jinxed Agger in the last preview given the news he’ll be out for around six weeks. This quote from Benitez when the deal was announced – “He will have the medical this week, it has to be before the weekend" – makes me think that Kyrgiakos will play if possible. I guess it depends if Benitez sees enough in the one, maybe two (doubtful) training sessions before the match. Kyrgiakos did face Carew twice when Greece played Norway in Euro 2008 qualifying, and probably speaks English from his time with Rangers, but that might be stretching it.
Villa’s had two disappointing games to start the campaign, yet to find the target in losses to Wigan and Rapid Vienna (who beat Liverpool 0-1 in a friendly). But the defense should still have more to do than against Stoke. In particular, Johnson will have much less license to bomb forward with Ashley Young on the left. Milner also has the potential to torment on the opposite flank, which will test Insua. Curtis Davies will probably miss out after picking up a shoulder injury on Thursday, meaning Habib Beye should move over from right back.
Villa went with a five-man midfield in Vienna, with Heskey as a lone striker, and I can see the trend continuing. It probably depends on Carew’s fitness, but it makes sense to try and congest the center with Sidwell, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Gardner and Fabian Delph all in the squad, while using the pace of Young and Milner to break. Didn’t seem to work in Vienna, though. Relatedly, I’m curious to see what all the fuss is about Delph, a young English prospect purchased from Leeds.
Liverpool can’t let the 5-0 result in the last match or Villa’s poor run to start the season breed any complacency. It should go without saying, but this will still be a tough match; Villa are no mugs, record be damned. Ideally, the loss at Spurs will continue to light a fire under the team, and if early results are any indication, Liverpool will need all the points they can get.
19 August 2009
Liverpool 4-0 Stoke
Reina
Johnson Carragher Ayala Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Goals:
Torres 4’
Johnson 45’
Kuyt 78’
Ngog 90+4’
The future’s a bit rosier today, no?
A four-goal margin of victory, against a side that held Liverpool scoreless twice last season, might be a little more emphatic than Stoke’s performance deserved. But make no mistake, this was a comprehensive victory, easing a few of the worries voiced after Sunday’s dismal affair. Plus, we get to gloat in United’s 0-1 loss at Burnley. Sometimes life is good.
Last season’s match at Anfield could have looked a lot like today’s had the early “goal” by Gerrard been allowed. And it was today’s strike by Torres in the fourth minute, after some lovely build-up between Kuyt, Lucas, and the captain, which sent Liverpool on its way. Lucas to Gerrard, who cut it back from the byline toward the penalty spot, and a Torres goal. No mistake, one-nil, and it took about 200 seconds.
Knowing Stoke would have to come out of their shell after going behind, Liverpool was happier controlling the tempo, giving Stoke a bit more of the ball, but looking able to break the away side at any opportunity. Insua should have added a second in the 21st, released after Lucas sprung Torres on the break following a poor Stoke free kick, but the Argentinean could only prod into the side netting from the striker’s cross.
Stoke had a succession of long throws and free kicks around the half-hour mark, which always worries, but never came close to equalizing. And on the stroke of halftime, from a corner no less, Glen Johnson popped in the penalty box, acrobatically slamming home the rebound from Kuyt’s header with a bicycle kick on his Anfield debut. 2-0, game apparently over.
But a five-minute spell from Stoke to start the second half, including an utterly immaculate save from Reina, almost saw the away side climb back into the game. The Potters did well to keep Liverpool under pressure after winning an early Delap throw, and the third successive corner from it found Delap in the box, whose low effort looked destined for the bottom corner until Reina came to the rescue to push it away.
A dangerous Beattie cross that Johnson had to clear for a corner three minutes later marked the end of that spell as Liverpool returned to dominating the tempo and possession. More and more space opened up as Stoke looked for any means back into the match, and a succession of chances followed. Gerrard forced a save from Sorensen, who almost spilled it onto the feet of Kuyt, in the 54th, Johnson nearly snuck a second inside the near post after cutting in from the right in the 60th, and Sorensen had to palm away a certain Shawcross own goal in the 66th.
Finally, Liverpool got the third that always looked like coming in the 78th after another superb assist from Gerrard, beating Etherington like a rented mule to get into the box and centering for Kuyt to slide home. Both scorer and provider went off the in the 82nd, replaced by Voronin and Riera, as Liverpool cantered to victory. For added gloss, Ngog (on for Torres in the 85th) got the fourth with the last kick after Johnson (again) stormed down the right, with the deflected cross put on a plate for the Frenchman to head home from two yards out.
Today was just what Liverpool needed. In contrast to the last match, everyone was firing on all cylinders. Johnson, Lucas, and Gerrard all stood out for me, but I could compliment something about all the players’ performances. A clean sheet on 18-year-old Daniel Ayala’s debut, a vastly-improved display from Insua, Benayoun was lively throughout, and Torres had much more influence on today’s proceedings.
Lucas was incredibly assured in midfield; I honestly thought he was better than Mascherano, who misplaced a few too many passes that could have been punished by a better team. I thought he and Benayoun played well together; both move around frequently, looking for angles, and Lucas’ mobility meant he was able to compensate when Benayoun drifted inside. Meanwhile, Gerrard had two assists in a rampaging performance where he sought out the ball despite a packed Stoke defense. But we’ve come to expect that sort of thing from him.
However, a goal and assist on your Anfield debut probably assures you the man of the match. Johnson’s already made a huge difference to this team, and has had a hand in three of the five goals scored in two matches. His pace, willingness to run at defenders, and additional attacking presence was a big difference between today’s result and those two draws last season.
Just like it was too early to draw too many conclusions on Sunday, that’s still the case after today. But being able to put a tough team like Stoke to the sword always brightens the day, and it was just the response that Liverpool needed.
Villa at Anfield on Monday
Johnson Carragher Ayala Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Goals:
Torres 4’
Johnson 45’
Kuyt 78’
Ngog 90+4’
The future’s a bit rosier today, no?
A four-goal margin of victory, against a side that held Liverpool scoreless twice last season, might be a little more emphatic than Stoke’s performance deserved. But make no mistake, this was a comprehensive victory, easing a few of the worries voiced after Sunday’s dismal affair. Plus, we get to gloat in United’s 0-1 loss at Burnley. Sometimes life is good.
Last season’s match at Anfield could have looked a lot like today’s had the early “goal” by Gerrard been allowed. And it was today’s strike by Torres in the fourth minute, after some lovely build-up between Kuyt, Lucas, and the captain, which sent Liverpool on its way. Lucas to Gerrard, who cut it back from the byline toward the penalty spot, and a Torres goal. No mistake, one-nil, and it took about 200 seconds.
Knowing Stoke would have to come out of their shell after going behind, Liverpool was happier controlling the tempo, giving Stoke a bit more of the ball, but looking able to break the away side at any opportunity. Insua should have added a second in the 21st, released after Lucas sprung Torres on the break following a poor Stoke free kick, but the Argentinean could only prod into the side netting from the striker’s cross.
Stoke had a succession of long throws and free kicks around the half-hour mark, which always worries, but never came close to equalizing. And on the stroke of halftime, from a corner no less, Glen Johnson popped in the penalty box, acrobatically slamming home the rebound from Kuyt’s header with a bicycle kick on his Anfield debut. 2-0, game apparently over.
But a five-minute spell from Stoke to start the second half, including an utterly immaculate save from Reina, almost saw the away side climb back into the game. The Potters did well to keep Liverpool under pressure after winning an early Delap throw, and the third successive corner from it found Delap in the box, whose low effort looked destined for the bottom corner until Reina came to the rescue to push it away.
A dangerous Beattie cross that Johnson had to clear for a corner three minutes later marked the end of that spell as Liverpool returned to dominating the tempo and possession. More and more space opened up as Stoke looked for any means back into the match, and a succession of chances followed. Gerrard forced a save from Sorensen, who almost spilled it onto the feet of Kuyt, in the 54th, Johnson nearly snuck a second inside the near post after cutting in from the right in the 60th, and Sorensen had to palm away a certain Shawcross own goal in the 66th.
Finally, Liverpool got the third that always looked like coming in the 78th after another superb assist from Gerrard, beating Etherington like a rented mule to get into the box and centering for Kuyt to slide home. Both scorer and provider went off the in the 82nd, replaced by Voronin and Riera, as Liverpool cantered to victory. For added gloss, Ngog (on for Torres in the 85th) got the fourth with the last kick after Johnson (again) stormed down the right, with the deflected cross put on a plate for the Frenchman to head home from two yards out.
Today was just what Liverpool needed. In contrast to the last match, everyone was firing on all cylinders. Johnson, Lucas, and Gerrard all stood out for me, but I could compliment something about all the players’ performances. A clean sheet on 18-year-old Daniel Ayala’s debut, a vastly-improved display from Insua, Benayoun was lively throughout, and Torres had much more influence on today’s proceedings.
Lucas was incredibly assured in midfield; I honestly thought he was better than Mascherano, who misplaced a few too many passes that could have been punished by a better team. I thought he and Benayoun played well together; both move around frequently, looking for angles, and Lucas’ mobility meant he was able to compensate when Benayoun drifted inside. Meanwhile, Gerrard had two assists in a rampaging performance where he sought out the ball despite a packed Stoke defense. But we’ve come to expect that sort of thing from him.
However, a goal and assist on your Anfield debut probably assures you the man of the match. Johnson’s already made a huge difference to this team, and has had a hand in three of the five goals scored in two matches. His pace, willingness to run at defenders, and additional attacking presence was a big difference between today’s result and those two draws last season.
Just like it was too early to draw too many conclusions on Sunday, that’s still the case after today. But being able to put a tough team like Stoke to the sword always brightens the day, and it was just the response that Liverpool needed.
Villa at Anfield on Monday
18 August 2009
Liverpool v Stoke 08.19.09
3pm eastern. No live showings in the US (delayed on FSC at 8pm Thursday); if you're looking for streams, I'll be checking here, here, and here tomorrow.
Last 4 head-to-head:
0-0 (a) 01.10.09
0-0 (h) 09.20.08
8-0 Liverpool (a; League Cup) 11.29.2000
2-1 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.25.1994
Referee: Peter Walton
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
The sky is falling! And now, Liverpool’s up against a team that twice stymied them last season. Might as well just call it quits.
This is one of those games where Liverpool will have to unlock one of those eminently frustrating packed defenses. And yes, I’m suggesting nearly the same line-up that delivered such a dazzling display on Sunday.
To some extent, Benitez’s hand is forced. Injuries to Aurelio, Agger, and potentially Skrtel hinder the “possibilities” in those positions. With two of the three top center backs out, Liverpool’s lucky to be playing Stoke. The team could have done without both CBs and Reina last year at Anfield, although, hopefully, this one won’t end 0-0. Rumor has it the reason Riera missed Sunday’s match is because he attended Dani Jarque’s funeral, not because of the injury picked up in preseason.
It’s a toss-up between Riera and Benayoun on the left, as I assume Sunday’s performance ruled out Babel starting. This might be one of those games tailor-made for Benayoun, with his clever feet and eye for the throughball, but I think I’d rather Riera. Benayoun can change the game off the bench, and I still think he’s better suited in the middle or on the right. Even though crosses from the flank may not be the best tactic with Stoke packing their own penalty area, Liverpool will still need to be able to stretch the field and use the full width to open up space.
If Skrtel can’t go – and today's quotes from Rafa make me more optimistic than earlier reports – it’ll be Ayala or Kelly drafted in. I cannot wait for Danny Agger to return, and I’d have the Dane back in the line-up as soon as he’s healthy, my biases toward the player not withstanding. Agger’s simply the best of the lot at bringing the ball out of defense.
Carra’s always had a proclivity for lumping it forward, but it felt like even more of those balls were played on Sunday, and that’s probably not coincidence given it was Liverpool’s first game without Alonso. Sometimes, as with Torres’ stunning goal against Blackburn last season, it works. Other times, like against a sturdy pairing such as Bassong and King, not so much. I have a feeling it’s not the way to go against a packed Stoke defense either. I’m not necessarily saying Carra should be left out (I’m nowhere near that brave), I’m just saying Agger should be a nailed-on starter if fit. And I’m glad I’m not the one to decide between Carra and Skrtel.
Insua didn’t have the best of games on Sunday, but I doubt that means Dossena will replace him. One, and I don’t mean to relentlessly bash Babel, but Insua had to overcompensate for the Dutchman’s ineffectiveness and was burned by it. Two, Lennon’s pace caused him problems, but no one in Stoke’s squad offers that threat. I worry much less about Insua with either Benayoun or Riera in front of him.
Of course, after the tame performance two days ago, Stoke’s up next. Stifling, infuriating Stoke, a team that Liverpool failed to score against at both times of asking last season. The good news is if Liverpool wins tomorrow, they’ve bettered last season’s performance in the two respective fixtures. The bad news is it’s Stoke, and we’ve yet to see Benitez’s side break them down.
Stoke played well in their opener against Burnley, but – and I mean this in the nicest way possible – a lot of teams will put two past Burnley at home (we'll see if I just jinxed Liverpool on 9/12). However, what worries is that both of Stoke’s goals came from set plays. First, Shawcross rose highest to head home a free kick (Bassong, anyone?). The second came from a trademark Delap throw-in that unsettled the defense into an own goal. Gulp.
So, all Liverpool has to do is unlock a packed defense and prevent stupid set-play goals. Easy, right?
Last 4 head-to-head:
0-0 (a) 01.10.09
0-0 (h) 09.20.08
8-0 Liverpool (a; League Cup) 11.29.2000
2-1 Liverpool (h; League Cup) 10.25.1994
Referee: Peter Walton
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
The sky is falling! And now, Liverpool’s up against a team that twice stymied them last season. Might as well just call it quits.
This is one of those games where Liverpool will have to unlock one of those eminently frustrating packed defenses. And yes, I’m suggesting nearly the same line-up that delivered such a dazzling display on Sunday.
To some extent, Benitez’s hand is forced. Injuries to Aurelio, Agger, and potentially Skrtel hinder the “possibilities” in those positions. With two of the three top center backs out, Liverpool’s lucky to be playing Stoke. The team could have done without both CBs and Reina last year at Anfield, although, hopefully, this one won’t end 0-0. Rumor has it the reason Riera missed Sunday’s match is because he attended Dani Jarque’s funeral, not because of the injury picked up in preseason.
It’s a toss-up between Riera and Benayoun on the left, as I assume Sunday’s performance ruled out Babel starting. This might be one of those games tailor-made for Benayoun, with his clever feet and eye for the throughball, but I think I’d rather Riera. Benayoun can change the game off the bench, and I still think he’s better suited in the middle or on the right. Even though crosses from the flank may not be the best tactic with Stoke packing their own penalty area, Liverpool will still need to be able to stretch the field and use the full width to open up space.
If Skrtel can’t go – and today's quotes from Rafa make me more optimistic than earlier reports – it’ll be Ayala or Kelly drafted in. I cannot wait for Danny Agger to return, and I’d have the Dane back in the line-up as soon as he’s healthy, my biases toward the player not withstanding. Agger’s simply the best of the lot at bringing the ball out of defense.
Carra’s always had a proclivity for lumping it forward, but it felt like even more of those balls were played on Sunday, and that’s probably not coincidence given it was Liverpool’s first game without Alonso. Sometimes, as with Torres’ stunning goal against Blackburn last season, it works. Other times, like against a sturdy pairing such as Bassong and King, not so much. I have a feeling it’s not the way to go against a packed Stoke defense either. I’m not necessarily saying Carra should be left out (I’m nowhere near that brave), I’m just saying Agger should be a nailed-on starter if fit. And I’m glad I’m not the one to decide between Carra and Skrtel.
Insua didn’t have the best of games on Sunday, but I doubt that means Dossena will replace him. One, and I don’t mean to relentlessly bash Babel, but Insua had to overcompensate for the Dutchman’s ineffectiveness and was burned by it. Two, Lennon’s pace caused him problems, but no one in Stoke’s squad offers that threat. I worry much less about Insua with either Benayoun or Riera in front of him.
Of course, after the tame performance two days ago, Stoke’s up next. Stifling, infuriating Stoke, a team that Liverpool failed to score against at both times of asking last season. The good news is if Liverpool wins tomorrow, they’ve bettered last season’s performance in the two respective fixtures. The bad news is it’s Stoke, and we’ve yet to see Benitez’s side break them down.
Stoke played well in their opener against Burnley, but – and I mean this in the nicest way possible – a lot of teams will put two past Burnley at home (we'll see if I just jinxed Liverpool on 9/12). However, what worries is that both of Stoke’s goals came from set plays. First, Shawcross rose highest to head home a free kick (Bassong, anyone?). The second came from a trademark Delap throw-in that unsettled the defense into an own goal. Gulp.
So, all Liverpool has to do is unlock a packed defense and prevent stupid set-play goals. Easy, right?
16 August 2009
Liverpool 1-2 Tottenham
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Babel
Torres
Goals:
Assou-Ekottu 44’
Gerrard 56’ (pen)
Bassong 59’
Good start!
The only “big four” side to drop points, let alone lose, and my sole riposte is that it’s the same result as last year’s fixture. Sigh. Liverpool again paid the price for their defending on two set plays. Double sigh. Get the daggers out…
I’ll get it out of the way now. Yes, I think Assou-Ekotto’s shove on Voronin in the 86th was a crystal clear penalty. So did Sammy Lee, who was sent to the stands for complaining. But it wasn’t given. Phil Dowd may have been awful today, but that’s football, and nowhere near enough of an excuse.
Liverpool’s modus operandi was revealed when Babel got the nod over both Benayoun and Riera (who didn’t even make the squad). The team would set out in the standard 4-2-3-1 and look to counter-attack with pace, allowing the home side more possession in the hopes of unlocking the defense on the break. Needless to say, it didn’t work in the slightest.
The first third of the game was utterly devoid of chances. Liverpool’s first effort came in the 29th, when Gerrard shot wide from distance after a ball lumped forward from defense. The only moment of note prior was a frightening 18th minute collision between Carragher and Skrtel that saw both bloodied and Carra bandaged, although both stayed on – at least until Skrtel finally went off in the 75th, replaced by Ayala. I suspect the lingering effects of that accident didn’t help the defending.
Following Gerrard’s effort, Spurs came to life, and only Reina’s heroics kept Keane from scoring. First, Reina saved the Irishman’s point blank header after Modric’s cross in the 30th. Four minutes later, the former Liverpool striker was denied after beating the offside trap, while Defoe – all 5'7" of him – headed wide from the subsequent corner. In the 42nd, Keane tallied a hat-trick of misses, shooting wildly when open from 15 yards.
Meanwhile, Liverpool struggled to respond. Hopeful punts from defense, usually in the direction of Kuyt or Torres, found the players isolated and Spurs soon regained possession. Huddlestone and Palacios, both deep-lying midfielders, stopped Liverpool from launching any breaks. Torres couldn’t get into the game, while Babel was often invisible. Gerrard and Kuyt both put in the effort to try and win the ball, as did Mascherano in his own half (as usual), but it was frequently futile, and honestly, everyone except Reina was sub par.
The dam finally burst in the 44th. A free kick from Huddlestone ricocheted right to Assou-Ekotto, and the left back thumped a thunderbolt into the far corner from something like 30 yards. Despite Spurs’ superiority, it took a wonder goal to break the deadlock. Right before halftime, when Liverpool would have had the chance to regroup. Awesome.
11 minutes after the restart, after Liverpool had marginally upped the tempo to begin the half, the £17m signing brought his team back into the game. Finally delivering one of those trademark runs forward, Johnson broke into the box, sidestepped Gomes, and forced the keeper into a penalty. Gerrard duly tallied it, straight down the middle over a despairing keeper.
Three minutes later, Liverpool gave it all away. Modric’s free kick after Carragher’s foul found debutant Bassong between two defenders, and he smashed a header past Reina. Easy come, easy go. From there, Liverpool huffed and puffed as Tottenham was increasingly happy to protect the 2-1 lead.
The away side were limited to half chances – a Torres header under pressure sent wide and a Benayoun shot deflected for a corner after the Israeli jerked into space were the two most memorable – before the aforementioned no-call in the 86th. Voronin was clearly pushed off the ball, and while Gomes was charging, the Ukrainian could have gotten a shot off. Maybe Dowd was hesitant after giving the previous penalty. Maybe Dowd, who had brandished at least six yellows by my count, had just lost control of the game because he’s a shitty referee. Either way, it shouldn’t have come to that.
I love that we get the chance to write the eulogy after the first game of the season. And I really have no defense. The team was as out of sorts as during preseason. Liverpool (gulp) missed Alonso’s metronomic presence in midfield. The defense was sketchy, especially after the collision between Skrtel and Carragher, both already carrying knocks. The Babel gambit was a complete failure, to put it bluntly, and even a sub par Liverpool were clearly better after Benayoun came on. Today highlighted why I was so insistent Liverpool should buy a left-sided attacker, although I derive zero joy in writing that given the result. There’s still time if Hicks and Gillett can find some spare change under the sofa cushions.
You can never write anyone off after the first month, let alone the first game. But Liverpool showed absolutely none of the potential that made me think this could be a title-winning team.
Stoke on Wednesday, and it’s not on TV in the States.
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Babel
Torres
Goals:
Assou-Ekottu 44’
Gerrard 56’ (pen)
Bassong 59’
Good start!
The only “big four” side to drop points, let alone lose, and my sole riposte is that it’s the same result as last year’s fixture. Sigh. Liverpool again paid the price for their defending on two set plays. Double sigh. Get the daggers out…
I’ll get it out of the way now. Yes, I think Assou-Ekotto’s shove on Voronin in the 86th was a crystal clear penalty. So did Sammy Lee, who was sent to the stands for complaining. But it wasn’t given. Phil Dowd may have been awful today, but that’s football, and nowhere near enough of an excuse.
Liverpool’s modus operandi was revealed when Babel got the nod over both Benayoun and Riera (who didn’t even make the squad). The team would set out in the standard 4-2-3-1 and look to counter-attack with pace, allowing the home side more possession in the hopes of unlocking the defense on the break. Needless to say, it didn’t work in the slightest.
The first third of the game was utterly devoid of chances. Liverpool’s first effort came in the 29th, when Gerrard shot wide from distance after a ball lumped forward from defense. The only moment of note prior was a frightening 18th minute collision between Carragher and Skrtel that saw both bloodied and Carra bandaged, although both stayed on – at least until Skrtel finally went off in the 75th, replaced by Ayala. I suspect the lingering effects of that accident didn’t help the defending.
Following Gerrard’s effort, Spurs came to life, and only Reina’s heroics kept Keane from scoring. First, Reina saved the Irishman’s point blank header after Modric’s cross in the 30th. Four minutes later, the former Liverpool striker was denied after beating the offside trap, while Defoe – all 5'7" of him – headed wide from the subsequent corner. In the 42nd, Keane tallied a hat-trick of misses, shooting wildly when open from 15 yards.
Meanwhile, Liverpool struggled to respond. Hopeful punts from defense, usually in the direction of Kuyt or Torres, found the players isolated and Spurs soon regained possession. Huddlestone and Palacios, both deep-lying midfielders, stopped Liverpool from launching any breaks. Torres couldn’t get into the game, while Babel was often invisible. Gerrard and Kuyt both put in the effort to try and win the ball, as did Mascherano in his own half (as usual), but it was frequently futile, and honestly, everyone except Reina was sub par.
The dam finally burst in the 44th. A free kick from Huddlestone ricocheted right to Assou-Ekotto, and the left back thumped a thunderbolt into the far corner from something like 30 yards. Despite Spurs’ superiority, it took a wonder goal to break the deadlock. Right before halftime, when Liverpool would have had the chance to regroup. Awesome.
11 minutes after the restart, after Liverpool had marginally upped the tempo to begin the half, the £17m signing brought his team back into the game. Finally delivering one of those trademark runs forward, Johnson broke into the box, sidestepped Gomes, and forced the keeper into a penalty. Gerrard duly tallied it, straight down the middle over a despairing keeper.
Three minutes later, Liverpool gave it all away. Modric’s free kick after Carragher’s foul found debutant Bassong between two defenders, and he smashed a header past Reina. Easy come, easy go. From there, Liverpool huffed and puffed as Tottenham was increasingly happy to protect the 2-1 lead.
The away side were limited to half chances – a Torres header under pressure sent wide and a Benayoun shot deflected for a corner after the Israeli jerked into space were the two most memorable – before the aforementioned no-call in the 86th. Voronin was clearly pushed off the ball, and while Gomes was charging, the Ukrainian could have gotten a shot off. Maybe Dowd was hesitant after giving the previous penalty. Maybe Dowd, who had brandished at least six yellows by my count, had just lost control of the game because he’s a shitty referee. Either way, it shouldn’t have come to that.
I love that we get the chance to write the eulogy after the first game of the season. And I really have no defense. The team was as out of sorts as during preseason. Liverpool (gulp) missed Alonso’s metronomic presence in midfield. The defense was sketchy, especially after the collision between Skrtel and Carragher, both already carrying knocks. The Babel gambit was a complete failure, to put it bluntly, and even a sub par Liverpool were clearly better after Benayoun came on. Today highlighted why I was so insistent Liverpool should buy a left-sided attacker, although I derive zero joy in writing that given the result. There’s still time if Hicks and Gillett can find some spare change under the sofa cushions.
You can never write anyone off after the first month, let alone the first game. But Liverpool showed absolutely none of the potential that made me think this could be a title-winning team.
Stoke on Wednesday, and it’s not on TV in the States.
14 August 2009
Liverpool at Tottenham 08.16.09
11am eastern, live in the US on FSC
Last 4 head-to-head:
3-1 Liverpool (h) 05.24.09
2-4 Spurs (a; Carling Cup) 11.12.08
1-2 Spurs (a) 11.01.08
2-0 Liverpool (a) 05.11.08
Referee: Phil Dowd
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Sweet, the sixth-straight season Liverpool starts with an away game. Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait.
I would like to reiterate that preseason is rarely a bellwether for the actual season. The team is looking for fitness, looking to avoid injuries, and testing young players. Plus, you have to remember (and this is something I should have pointed out during those preseason match reviews), the team often has a training session prior to the friendly. Preseason results have little bearing on the opening games. Last year, Liverpool hammered Rangers in the final warm-up match and utterly stunk up the joint a week later against Liege.
There are three big questions about the squad going into this match (outside of the biggest one – how well they start the season): who’s fit, who’ll start on the left, and how much will Alonso’s exit impact the formation?
I don’t really believe Gerrard’s groin problem is serious enough to keep him out, but maybe I’m just hopeful he was avoiding a worthless England friendly, like United players always seem to. It looks like it’ll be a last-minute decision at best. If he’s unavailable, I expect Benayoun to take over his role and Riera to be on the left.
As the above article above reminds, Carragher, Agger, and Skrtel have all suffered knocks during preseason. But Benitez seemed fairly certain Carra would be available last week, while Skrtel played an hour for the reserves on Tuesday. Here’s hoping.
That Riera played with Spain (and scored a superb winner, while Torres tallied Spain’s opener) on Wednesday means he’s more in contention than I thought. But given how often we saw Benayoun on the left in preseason, I think he’s more likely. Admittedly, I’d rather Riera.
As I said Wednesday, I’m still not sold on Benayoun on the left, especially if the formation adapts how I think it will adapt, and both Lucas/Aquilani and Gerrard take turns starting the attack from deeper. Liverpool need a player who will hug the touchline and offer space when the center’s congested (which will happen as much as last season, if not more), and I doubt they can be totally reliant on the fullback, whether it’s Insua, Aurelio, or Dossena. I’m less worried about the right, where Kuyt’s often shown the ability to track back, and Johnson’s got sprinter’s speed, but the left’s a concern.
Rafa’s “wingers” often operate more centrally than standard ones. But Benayoun is guiltiest of drifting inside to the detriment of the flank. Both Babel and Riera have their faults as well, but both are seemingly more suited to playing wide on the left, especially the Spaniard.
I’ve harped on the formation enough over the last couple of weeks, but I can’t wait to finally see it in action. It all centers on where Gerrard plays when Lucas (and eventually Aquilani) step in. It’s definitely something I’ll have my eye on all match, but I’ve still drawn up my guess at a squad as a 4-2-3-1.
As usual, expectations are high at White Hart Lane, and they should vastly improve on last year’s start, when the Ramos-led side took two points from the first eight games. Yet another former Liverpool striker has joined the club, and I’m interested to see how Keane links up with Crouch. And if both players even start, as Defoe was in sparkling form for England on Wednesday and has proven to be an able partner for the Gangly Handful (© Ace Cowboy) in the past.
Sebastian Bassong (from Newcastle) and Kyle Naughton (from Sheffield United) will add steel to the backline, but it usually takes defenses time to gel. Liverpool, away from Anfield (where they were arguably better last season), will have to test Redknapp’s defense early and often to put Spurs on the back foot from the off. And putting teams on the back foot is how Liverpool dominated the last 13 games of 2008-09.
Roll on 2009-10.
Last 4 head-to-head:
3-1 Liverpool (h) 05.24.09
2-4 Spurs (a; Carling Cup) 11.12.08
1-2 Spurs (a) 11.01.08
2-0 Liverpool (a) 05.11.08
Referee: Phil Dowd
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres
Sweet, the sixth-straight season Liverpool starts with an away game. Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait.
I would like to reiterate that preseason is rarely a bellwether for the actual season. The team is looking for fitness, looking to avoid injuries, and testing young players. Plus, you have to remember (and this is something I should have pointed out during those preseason match reviews), the team often has a training session prior to the friendly. Preseason results have little bearing on the opening games. Last year, Liverpool hammered Rangers in the final warm-up match and utterly stunk up the joint a week later against Liege.
There are three big questions about the squad going into this match (outside of the biggest one – how well they start the season): who’s fit, who’ll start on the left, and how much will Alonso’s exit impact the formation?
I don’t really believe Gerrard’s groin problem is serious enough to keep him out, but maybe I’m just hopeful he was avoiding a worthless England friendly, like United players always seem to. It looks like it’ll be a last-minute decision at best. If he’s unavailable, I expect Benayoun to take over his role and Riera to be on the left.
As the above article above reminds, Carragher, Agger, and Skrtel have all suffered knocks during preseason. But Benitez seemed fairly certain Carra would be available last week, while Skrtel played an hour for the reserves on Tuesday. Here’s hoping.
That Riera played with Spain (and scored a superb winner, while Torres tallied Spain’s opener) on Wednesday means he’s more in contention than I thought. But given how often we saw Benayoun on the left in preseason, I think he’s more likely. Admittedly, I’d rather Riera.
As I said Wednesday, I’m still not sold on Benayoun on the left, especially if the formation adapts how I think it will adapt, and both Lucas/Aquilani and Gerrard take turns starting the attack from deeper. Liverpool need a player who will hug the touchline and offer space when the center’s congested (which will happen as much as last season, if not more), and I doubt they can be totally reliant on the fullback, whether it’s Insua, Aurelio, or Dossena. I’m less worried about the right, where Kuyt’s often shown the ability to track back, and Johnson’s got sprinter’s speed, but the left’s a concern.
Rafa’s “wingers” often operate more centrally than standard ones. But Benayoun is guiltiest of drifting inside to the detriment of the flank. Both Babel and Riera have their faults as well, but both are seemingly more suited to playing wide on the left, especially the Spaniard.
I’ve harped on the formation enough over the last couple of weeks, but I can’t wait to finally see it in action. It all centers on where Gerrard plays when Lucas (and eventually Aquilani) step in. It’s definitely something I’ll have my eye on all match, but I’ve still drawn up my guess at a squad as a 4-2-3-1.
As usual, expectations are high at White Hart Lane, and they should vastly improve on last year’s start, when the Ramos-led side took two points from the first eight games. Yet another former Liverpool striker has joined the club, and I’m interested to see how Keane links up with Crouch. And if both players even start, as Defoe was in sparkling form for England on Wednesday and has proven to be an able partner for the Gangly Handful (© Ace Cowboy) in the past.
Sebastian Bassong (from Newcastle) and Kyle Naughton (from Sheffield United) will add steel to the backline, but it usually takes defenses time to gel. Liverpool, away from Anfield (where they were arguably better last season), will have to test Redknapp’s defense early and often to put Spurs on the back foot from the off. And putting teams on the back foot is how Liverpool dominated the last 13 games of 2008-09.
Roll on 2009-10.
12 August 2009
2009-10 Liverpool Season Preview
In lieu of a longer (much longer) narrative, I’m going to go with bullet points for different thoughts, similar to how I treated the Aquilani transfer. Even in this format it clocks in at almost 1300 words. I can’t help being verbose, and there are a few factors to take into account.
On Monday, I actually predicted Liverpool would win the league. I had avoided reading other season previews before guessing the table, but now I’m seeing similar picks popping up in mainstream outlets like the BBC, Guardian, and Daily Telegraph. There probably will be more. Yikes. Nevertheless, we’ll soldier on.
The loss of Alonso hurts, but Ronaldo’s harder for United to replace. Chelsea is a strong side, but older than their competitors, and will miss key players during the African Cup of Nations. Liverpool’s coming off their best season in twenty years, and, even with the loss of Alonso, there’s still room for improvement.
Why Liverpool can be better:
• A fit Fernando Torres makes a world of difference. 33 goals in his first season, 17 last season. Torres only started 20 league games in ’08-09 (coming off the bench four times). Liverpool won 13 of those games and drew seven. And the stats look even better when both Torres and Gerrard started: 11 wins, 3 draws. If they can play together in the majority of Liverpool’s matches, the sky’s the limit.
• Glen Johnson will add a new feature to Liverpool’s attack, one that’ll coming in handy when trying to break down those packed defenses. We’ve already seen glimpses in looking to overlap at every opportunity, linking up with Kuyt, and running at defenders. Arbeloa brought a lot to the table, and it remains to be seen whether Johnson can be as consistent defensively (especially in getting back as well as maintaining the offside trap), but Johnson’s forays forward will be far stronger.
• The experience Insua gained in the final third of last season is like having a new player. He’s established himself in the side, starting in nine league games last season. Liverpool won eight and drew one. And he will continue to develop. With Aurelio, Insua, and Dossena, Liverpool probably is the strongest side in the division at that position.
• The final 13 or so games demonstrated how potent this team can be. For all the complaints about lacking in goals (especially against inferior opposition), Liverpool scored 77 in the league last season (top scorers by nine), and 41 in the final 13 games, beginning with the 4-0 romp over Real Madrid. The problem was that in took until March to really kick in. I don’t expect Liverpool to keep that up over the course of a full season, but if they can play that way more often…
Okay, now the concerns:
• I thought Xabi Alonso was player of the season for a reason last year. A few, actually. And now Liverpool has to replace him. Lucas is a better player than he gets credit for and I’m nervously optimistic about Aquilani, but stepping in for Alonso is a big ask. He made the center circle his own and dictated Liverpool’s play from there.
No one else in the squad can do that (although Mascherano had a couple of nice efforts during preseason), and Liverpool’s second-best long passer, Fabio Aurelio, is out for at least a month. The long-range pass, whether pumped out of defense (Torres’ goals against Blackburn – the goal of the season – and United came from long balls from Carra and Skrtel respectively) or a cross-field ball to open up the attack, has served Liverpool well in the past. I’m interested to see how often that’ll be the case with Alonso’s departure.
• Squad depth is still an issue. The knocks to Carragher, Agger and Skrtel in preseason highlight a lingering issue, and one Rafa will hopefully remedy before the window closes. I think Martin Kelly’s an excellent prospect from what I’ve seen, able to fill in at right back and center back, but he’s 19. Liverpool might end up missing Hyypia more than Alonso. Ngog and Voronin are the reserve strikers (behind Torres, Kuyt, and probably Babel). The amount of time Spearing received in preseason shows that Benitez thinks he might be needed. Liverpool will have to stay relatively injury-free (I cannot knock on wood hard enough) if #19 is in the offing.
• Despite coming in second in a season where I thought Liverpool could and should have won the title, a lot of things went Liverpool’s way. Most significantly, the team probably won’t take six points off both United and Chelsea, and those points will have to come from somewhere else. May I suggest not drawing seven games at Anfield?
Other odds and ends:
• So, who’s on the left? I really thought Liverpool would buy an attacker to compete on that flank. There’s still time, but Babel remaining on Merseyside combined with how much time Benayoun saw there during preseason makes me skeptical. But I really believe Benayoun’s a better option on the right and in the Gerrard role in the 4-2-3-1. And, for all his ability, he’s probably the back-up in both positions, able to come off the bench if Liverpool needs his guile. I could be convinced that there are games where Liverpool is best served by Benayoun starting on the left, games where that guile and eye for a throughball in traffic is needed. But more often than not, Liverpool could do with a player that actually stays wide more often than not, and Benayoun drifts inside every time he’s ostensibly deployed on the left.
• What about Babel? As said above, the amount he played in friendlies and the absence of his name from transfer gossip implies he’s still in Benitez’s plans. If he improves, which didn’t happen last season, he could be the player needed on the left and could fill in as a back-up striker. There’s a reason Benitez shelled out £11.5m for him. But we need to start seeing that potential realized. Along with Lucas, Babel will be the player most needed to make the leap if Liverpool is going to succeed.
• Yes, I will continue to harp on the formation until we see enough to get answers. I was skeptical of Keane because I thought he’d disrupt the 4-2-3-1 and the Gerrard/Torres partnership. And the loss of Alonso as a deep-lying playmaker, ostensibly replaced by the more attacking Lucas and Aquilani, means that Gerrard might have to drop deeper, and even fill in as a typical central midfielder if injuries or ”rotation” require it. This makes me uneasy.
I think this style of play could work. I really want to see it in action. But one player who will be essential is a disciplined Mascherano. He’s used to the freedom to do what he does best: run all over the field in search of the ball when Liverpool’s not in possession. Masch sees ball, Masch chases ball, Masch gets ball. It’s why we adore him; there’s no tackle he won’t try to make, and he usually comes out on top. That worked well with Alonso sitting around the center circle, because there was always another “holding” midfielder to prevent Liverpool from being exposed. If Lucas/Aquilani are playing higher up the pitch, there could be gaps in the middle if Mascherano goes chasing. And that solid central midfield was what usually led to Liverpool’s dominance of possession.
As always, the title will not be won in the fall. But how Liverpool starts the season, and how players such as Lucas, Insua, Benayoun, and Babel adapt to their roles, will go a long way toward determining the outcome of this campaign.
Spurs on Sunday.
On Monday, I actually predicted Liverpool would win the league. I had avoided reading other season previews before guessing the table, but now I’m seeing similar picks popping up in mainstream outlets like the BBC, Guardian, and Daily Telegraph. There probably will be more. Yikes. Nevertheless, we’ll soldier on.
The loss of Alonso hurts, but Ronaldo’s harder for United to replace. Chelsea is a strong side, but older than their competitors, and will miss key players during the African Cup of Nations. Liverpool’s coming off their best season in twenty years, and, even with the loss of Alonso, there’s still room for improvement.
Why Liverpool can be better:
• A fit Fernando Torres makes a world of difference. 33 goals in his first season, 17 last season. Torres only started 20 league games in ’08-09 (coming off the bench four times). Liverpool won 13 of those games and drew seven. And the stats look even better when both Torres and Gerrard started: 11 wins, 3 draws. If they can play together in the majority of Liverpool’s matches, the sky’s the limit.
• Glen Johnson will add a new feature to Liverpool’s attack, one that’ll coming in handy when trying to break down those packed defenses. We’ve already seen glimpses in looking to overlap at every opportunity, linking up with Kuyt, and running at defenders. Arbeloa brought a lot to the table, and it remains to be seen whether Johnson can be as consistent defensively (especially in getting back as well as maintaining the offside trap), but Johnson’s forays forward will be far stronger.
• The experience Insua gained in the final third of last season is like having a new player. He’s established himself in the side, starting in nine league games last season. Liverpool won eight and drew one. And he will continue to develop. With Aurelio, Insua, and Dossena, Liverpool probably is the strongest side in the division at that position.
• The final 13 or so games demonstrated how potent this team can be. For all the complaints about lacking in goals (especially against inferior opposition), Liverpool scored 77 in the league last season (top scorers by nine), and 41 in the final 13 games, beginning with the 4-0 romp over Real Madrid. The problem was that in took until March to really kick in. I don’t expect Liverpool to keep that up over the course of a full season, but if they can play that way more often…
Okay, now the concerns:
• I thought Xabi Alonso was player of the season for a reason last year. A few, actually. And now Liverpool has to replace him. Lucas is a better player than he gets credit for and I’m nervously optimistic about Aquilani, but stepping in for Alonso is a big ask. He made the center circle his own and dictated Liverpool’s play from there.
No one else in the squad can do that (although Mascherano had a couple of nice efforts during preseason), and Liverpool’s second-best long passer, Fabio Aurelio, is out for at least a month. The long-range pass, whether pumped out of defense (Torres’ goals against Blackburn – the goal of the season – and United came from long balls from Carra and Skrtel respectively) or a cross-field ball to open up the attack, has served Liverpool well in the past. I’m interested to see how often that’ll be the case with Alonso’s departure.
• Squad depth is still an issue. The knocks to Carragher, Agger and Skrtel in preseason highlight a lingering issue, and one Rafa will hopefully remedy before the window closes. I think Martin Kelly’s an excellent prospect from what I’ve seen, able to fill in at right back and center back, but he’s 19. Liverpool might end up missing Hyypia more than Alonso. Ngog and Voronin are the reserve strikers (behind Torres, Kuyt, and probably Babel). The amount of time Spearing received in preseason shows that Benitez thinks he might be needed. Liverpool will have to stay relatively injury-free (I cannot knock on wood hard enough) if #19 is in the offing.
• Despite coming in second in a season where I thought Liverpool could and should have won the title, a lot of things went Liverpool’s way. Most significantly, the team probably won’t take six points off both United and Chelsea, and those points will have to come from somewhere else. May I suggest not drawing seven games at Anfield?
Other odds and ends:
• So, who’s on the left? I really thought Liverpool would buy an attacker to compete on that flank. There’s still time, but Babel remaining on Merseyside combined with how much time Benayoun saw there during preseason makes me skeptical. But I really believe Benayoun’s a better option on the right and in the Gerrard role in the 4-2-3-1. And, for all his ability, he’s probably the back-up in both positions, able to come off the bench if Liverpool needs his guile. I could be convinced that there are games where Liverpool is best served by Benayoun starting on the left, games where that guile and eye for a throughball in traffic is needed. But more often than not, Liverpool could do with a player that actually stays wide more often than not, and Benayoun drifts inside every time he’s ostensibly deployed on the left.
• What about Babel? As said above, the amount he played in friendlies and the absence of his name from transfer gossip implies he’s still in Benitez’s plans. If he improves, which didn’t happen last season, he could be the player needed on the left and could fill in as a back-up striker. There’s a reason Benitez shelled out £11.5m for him. But we need to start seeing that potential realized. Along with Lucas, Babel will be the player most needed to make the leap if Liverpool is going to succeed.
• Yes, I will continue to harp on the formation until we see enough to get answers. I was skeptical of Keane because I thought he’d disrupt the 4-2-3-1 and the Gerrard/Torres partnership. And the loss of Alonso as a deep-lying playmaker, ostensibly replaced by the more attacking Lucas and Aquilani, means that Gerrard might have to drop deeper, and even fill in as a typical central midfielder if injuries or ”rotation” require it. This makes me uneasy.
I think this style of play could work. I really want to see it in action. But one player who will be essential is a disciplined Mascherano. He’s used to the freedom to do what he does best: run all over the field in search of the ball when Liverpool’s not in possession. Masch sees ball, Masch chases ball, Masch gets ball. It’s why we adore him; there’s no tackle he won’t try to make, and he usually comes out on top. That worked well with Alonso sitting around the center circle, because there was always another “holding” midfielder to prevent Liverpool from being exposed. If Lucas/Aquilani are playing higher up the pitch, there could be gaps in the middle if Mascherano goes chasing. And that solid central midfield was what usually led to Liverpool’s dominance of possession.
As always, the title will not be won in the fall. But how Liverpool starts the season, and how players such as Lucas, Insua, Benayoun, and Babel adapt to their roles, will go a long way toward determining the outcome of this campaign.
Spurs on Sunday.
11 August 2009
FYI
I’m not going to run a fantasy league this year. I always forget about it sometime between October and February. It took me until July to remember to send out the prize for last year.
But, Never Captain Nicky Butt, one of the best sites on the fantasy aspect of the sport, is running an enormous league. Literally, 1000s of people from what I can tell. I’ve joined, and we’ll see how long I keep updating my team. And I thought I should announce it here in case any regular readers are looking for a (or another) fantasy fix.
Like usual, it’s at fantasy.premierleague.com. Set up your team, and click the “join a league” link. The code for the NCNB league is 2274-957.
Preview of Liverpool’s season up tomorrow morning.
Edit:
Might as well throw a screenshot of my team up. I wouldn't recommend cribbing it given my past luck, and hopefully it'll start some discussion.
But, Never Captain Nicky Butt, one of the best sites on the fantasy aspect of the sport, is running an enormous league. Literally, 1000s of people from what I can tell. I’ve joined, and we’ll see how long I keep updating my team. And I thought I should announce it here in case any regular readers are looking for a (or another) fantasy fix.
Like usual, it’s at fantasy.premierleague.com. Set up your team, and click the “join a league” link. The code for the NCNB league is 2274-957.
Preview of Liverpool’s season up tomorrow morning.
Edit:
Might as well throw a screenshot of my team up. I wouldn't recommend cribbing it given my past luck, and hopefully it'll start some discussion.
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