11am ET, live in the US on FSC
Last four head-to-head:
1-1 (h) 08.15.10
0-1 Arsenal (a) 02.10.10
1-2 Arsenal (h) 12.13.09
1-2 Arsenal (a; Carling Cup) 10.28.09
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 City (h); 1-2 West Brom (a); 2-0 Sunderland (a)
Arsenal: 3-1 Blackpool (a); 0-0 Blackburn (h); 2-2 West Brom (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 9; Meireles 5; Gerrard 4; Maxi 3; Carroll, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Skrtel, Suarez 2; Cole 1
Arsenal: van Persie 12; Nasri 9; Chamakh, Walcott 7; Arshavin 6; Song 4; Fabregas 3; Bendtner, Diaby, Koscielny 2; Djourou, Eboue, Sagna, Squillaci, Vela, Wilshere 1
Referee: Andre Marriner
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Flanagan Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Suarez Carroll
As long as Johnson and Kelly are injured, it's hard to see anything other than the lineup we saw against City. Liverpool have used the same front six in the last three league matches. With Johnson, Kelly, and Agger out, and after both Flanagan and Aurelio impressed on Monday, this should be the defense until the first-choice full-backs are fit.
Liverpool have little option but to stick with Flanagan after his excellent debut. He'll be thrown straight into the deep end again. Up against the likes of Milner and Balotelli last match and barely tested, now he'd face Samir Nasri, which is a frightening prospect for any defender. But it's better than the alternative of Carragher on the flank and Kyrgiakos or Wilson partnering Skrtel. Kyrgiakos would most likely get the nod over Wilson, and Arsenal's strengths – pace, movement – are Soto's biggest weaknesses.
At the same time, Arsenal's defense will be frightened of Liverpool's front line. Szczesny and Djourou should both return from injury, which isn't as tantalizing as Suarez and Carroll facing Squillaci, Koscielny, and Lehmann, but Arsenal's frequent uncertainty and propensity for errors can be exploited.
Still tangentially in the title race – at the least, United's closest competitors – Arsenal have repeatedly spurned opportunities to seize momentum, drawing with the likes of Blackburn (h), West Brom (a), and Sunderland (h) in its last four league games (in addition to losing the Carling Cup Final and going out of the FA Cup and Champions League in the same time frame).
Nonetheless, Arsenal are perpetually dangerous opponents. They're quick in every phase of play; have small, speedy players who'll challenge Liverpool's lack of pace; and love to have possession. Lucas and Spearing will have a far harder time winning the midfield than against Manchester City, facing a Fabregas-Wilshere-Song triangle.
Injuries mean that Liverpool won't be able to replicate the formation, but the game plan will probably be markedly similar to the 1-0 away win at Chelsea: focus on defense, press and hassle furiously, and look to spring the counter attack. And that game plan's worked (for other opponents) against Arsenal in the past.
Liverpool need to have the same movement and desire as against City, and need to play aggressively despite being away from Anfield (which, admittedly, is a big ask). Arsenal can be both stifled (as against Blackburn) and exposed (at West Brom). Matches between these sides are always tight despite recent returns; 10-man Liverpool should have won the reverse fixture if not for Reina's inexplicable gaffe, an occurrence almost as rare as a Torres goal for Chelsea. But Liverpool have also never won at the Emirates in six attempts, with three draws and three losses since 2006.
16 April 2011
15 April 2011
Hillsborough: 22 Years Later
22 years later, there are still families and survivors coming to terms with the unspeakable tragedy they've suffered. There are still many who don't understand the actual causes of the disaster, in part thanks to a major newspaper which continues to traffic in lies. And there are many still fighting for justice and the truth. After 22 years.
As a supporter on the wrong side of the ocean, it's impossible to fully empathize with those who lost loved ones. I will never be able to fathom how horrible April 15 1989 was for them. But the sentiment remains sincere. All Liverpool fans – all football fans – can sympathize with the tragedy and fight to ensure it never happens again. You'll never walk alone.
• Hillsborough Justice Campaign
• Hillsborough Family Support Group
• The Hillsborough Football Disaster
• Don’t Buy The Sun
• Liverpoolfc.tv tribute page
• LFC.tv: 1 Question, 96 Responses
As a supporter on the wrong side of the ocean, it's impossible to fully empathize with those who lost loved ones. I will never be able to fathom how horrible April 15 1989 was for them. But the sentiment remains sincere. All Liverpool fans – all football fans – can sympathize with the tragedy and fight to ensure it never happens again. You'll never walk alone.
• Hillsborough Justice Campaign
• Hillsborough Family Support Group
• The Hillsborough Football Disaster
• Don’t Buy The Sun
• Liverpoolfc.tv tribute page
• LFC.tv: 1 Question, 96 Responses
14 April 2011
Kit Happens
You're all probably well aware how much I enjoy irrelevant statistics. And often, they really are irrelevant; correlation clearly doesn't always imply causation and the past isn't always precedent. Still, coincidences can be fun.
click for full size in new window
From 1896 through 1987, Liverpool wore just three kit colors: red, white, and yellow. Yellow was only added to the repertoire as an infrequent change strip in the late 1960s; it wasn't used as an away kit until 1982-83. Incidentally, Liverpool won the league that season. Liverpool branched out to a fourth tone with a striking gray number in 1987-88, and again won the title. Keeping the silver/gray for four seasons, the club picked up its last league championship to date in '89-90.
After finishing second in 1990-91, Liverpool added a fourth variation to the away scheme: green. It was the 1990s – that ne plus ultra of fashion and design – and everyone else was doing it. The club plummeted to sixth that season, its lowest position since the mid-sixties. Admittedly, Souness also may have had something to do with it. Regardless, and although results summarily improved once Souness got the sack, Liverpool kept the color for the next five seasons, usually with a heavy amount of white. But the damage had been done.
Really, this is a nonsensical correlation to my aesthetic preference. Liverpool's away kits should be white, gray, or yellow. Green almost always looked horrendous (granted, so did a couple of the yellow/gold kits), and I'll always think of black as a United color. No matter what the club claims, next season's away kit sure looks black.
But the club claims it's charcoal. Charcoal gray. And the difference between gray and black might actually matter. Liverpool have never finished better than 5th wearing black (sample size: 2) and never worse than 2nd in silver or gray. So which is it?
Post hoc ergo propter hoc. Q.E.D.
You can find images of all of Liverpool's kits here and here.
click for full size in new windowFrom 1896 through 1987, Liverpool wore just three kit colors: red, white, and yellow. Yellow was only added to the repertoire as an infrequent change strip in the late 1960s; it wasn't used as an away kit until 1982-83. Incidentally, Liverpool won the league that season. Liverpool branched out to a fourth tone with a striking gray number in 1987-88, and again won the title. Keeping the silver/gray for four seasons, the club picked up its last league championship to date in '89-90.
After finishing second in 1990-91, Liverpool added a fourth variation to the away scheme: green. It was the 1990s – that ne plus ultra of fashion and design – and everyone else was doing it. The club plummeted to sixth that season, its lowest position since the mid-sixties. Admittedly, Souness also may have had something to do with it. Regardless, and although results summarily improved once Souness got the sack, Liverpool kept the color for the next five seasons, usually with a heavy amount of white. But the damage had been done.
Really, this is a nonsensical correlation to my aesthetic preference. Liverpool's away kits should be white, gray, or yellow. Green almost always looked horrendous (granted, so did a couple of the yellow/gold kits), and I'll always think of black as a United color. No matter what the club claims, next season's away kit sure looks black.
But the club claims it's charcoal. Charcoal gray. And the difference between gray and black might actually matter. Liverpool have never finished better than 5th wearing black (sample size: 2) and never worse than 2nd in silver or gray. So which is it?
Post hoc ergo propter hoc. Q.E.D.
You can find images of all of Liverpool's kits here and here.
12 April 2011
Manchester City Chalkboard Review
Liverpool were impressive all over the pitch yesterday, but three areas stood out, especially when contrasted with last week's disappointing result at West Brom.
• Midfield Passing
Both Spearing and Lucas were far more influential against City. Some of that was down to Mancini's surprising tactics, with a central midfield of Barry and Toure, but both were vastly improved in their own right. They hunted in tandem, closed down relentlessly, and both looked to get on the ball as much as possible.
Spearing attempted 21 more passes than against West Brom, completing 18 more, with a success rate of 82% compared to 80%. Similar goes for Lucas, who attempted 25 more passes and completed 19 more. Lucas delivered the type of big-game performance we've become accustomed to, but Spearing was a revelation, and his chalkboards were remarkably different: Jay was much more involved and got forward to much greater effect against the far-tougher opponent.
• Integrating the Strikers
No surprise that these two made an enormous difference. Suarez was Liverpool's best player against the Baggies, the only one who appeared able to make the needed difference, but both he and Carroll were isolated and ineffective for long stretches with Liverpool unable to assert dominance. That wasn't the case against City, where both dropped deeper to bring midfield runners into the attack and completed more passes, especially amongst themselves. Despite far more incompletions – usually from flick-ons and knock-downs – Carroll was much busier and stronger against City's backline, and was rewarded with two excellent goals.
• Defending the Flanks
We've rightfully complained about the output from full-back in recent weeks thanks to the increasingly frustrating injury crisis, but that wasn't a problem against City, despite having weapons such as Johnson, Silva, Milner, and Balotelli to punish from those areas. Both Flanagan and Aurelio defended well, mostly unconcerned with getting forward, but each had a lot of help. Both Kuyt and Meireles dropped back to defend excellently, recording a number of key tackles, each with far more stops than in the previous fixture. Kuyt won more tackles than any other Liverpool player; Meireles was joint-third, tied with Carroll and one less than Lucas. Kuyt's work-rate and assistance were undeniably crucial because of Flanagan's inexperience, and the young debutant wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful without the Dutchman.
• Midfield Passing
Both Spearing and Lucas were far more influential against City. Some of that was down to Mancini's surprising tactics, with a central midfield of Barry and Toure, but both were vastly improved in their own right. They hunted in tandem, closed down relentlessly, and both looked to get on the ball as much as possible.
Spearing attempted 21 more passes than against West Brom, completing 18 more, with a success rate of 82% compared to 80%. Similar goes for Lucas, who attempted 25 more passes and completed 19 more. Lucas delivered the type of big-game performance we've become accustomed to, but Spearing was a revelation, and his chalkboards were remarkably different: Jay was much more involved and got forward to much greater effect against the far-tougher opponent.
• Integrating the Strikers
No surprise that these two made an enormous difference. Suarez was Liverpool's best player against the Baggies, the only one who appeared able to make the needed difference, but both he and Carroll were isolated and ineffective for long stretches with Liverpool unable to assert dominance. That wasn't the case against City, where both dropped deeper to bring midfield runners into the attack and completed more passes, especially amongst themselves. Despite far more incompletions – usually from flick-ons and knock-downs – Carroll was much busier and stronger against City's backline, and was rewarded with two excellent goals.
• Defending the Flanks
We've rightfully complained about the output from full-back in recent weeks thanks to the increasingly frustrating injury crisis, but that wasn't a problem against City, despite having weapons such as Johnson, Silva, Milner, and Balotelli to punish from those areas. Both Flanagan and Aurelio defended well, mostly unconcerned with getting forward, but each had a lot of help. Both Kuyt and Meireles dropped back to defend excellently, recording a number of key tackles, each with far more stops than in the previous fixture. Kuyt won more tackles than any other Liverpool player; Meireles was joint-third, tied with Carroll and one less than Lucas. Kuyt's work-rate and assistance were undeniably crucial because of Flanagan's inexperience, and the young debutant wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful without the Dutchman.
11 April 2011
Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
Reina
Flanagan Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Carroll Suarez
Goals:
Carroll 13' 35'
Kuyt 34'
Revenge. Bettering City's 0-3 dominance in the reverse fixture, beating City as thoroughly as City beat Sunderland last week. Liverpool strolled for the final 55 minutes after Carroll tallied the third – his second of the match – the opposition, fully demoralized, fumbled aimlessly.
Whatever Dalglish said to the players prior to kickoff needs to be echoed before every match. There was only side ready to run through brick walls for the win; City were seemingly focused on the weekend's trip to Wembley.
Mancini's selection hinted at a focus on the future. City had played 4-2-3-1 with fairly decent returns for the last few weeks. Dzeko, struggling to come to terms with English football, had been relegated to the bench. Mancini's 4-3-3 formation in August's meeting took Liverpool's 4-4-2 to the woodshed, and odds were that Dalglish would stick the 4-2-2-2 seen against Sunderland and West Brom (he did).
But City went against all those precedents today. Most resembling a 4-4-2, Milner and Dzeko came in at Silva and De Jong's expense. The Bosnian partnered Tevez in an orthodox front two while Johnson and Milner manned the flanks with Barry and Toure (who has been better further forward this season) in the middle.
Tevez's 16th-minute injury made matters infinitely worse – he's absolutely essential despite City's galaxy of stars – especially since Balotelli replaced the Argentinean in a straight swap, but Liverpool were already ahead thanks their new number nine. After pressing from the opening whistle, creating chances for Kuyt and Suarez, Carroll opened the scoring after a hint of fortune: Meireles' shot from nowhere deflected straight to the striker's feet, but he still had to bazooka an unstoppable left-footed blast from the top of the box.
The front six may have been the same which lost to West Brom nine days ago, but Liverpool's energy and movement were wholly different. Suarez continues to be different class, while Lucas and Spearing bossed the middle, aided by Mancini's decision to play two central midfielders instead of the usual three.
City had a spell of ineffective possession for 10-15 minutes following the Tevez substitution, but all of a sudden Liverpool were ahead by three. A prolonged, probing attack pinning eight defenders in City's final third ended with Aurelio's blocked shot falling to Kuyt's feet. The Dutchman's finish was perfectly placed into the far corner. Seconds later, with City rocked, Carroll beat Kolarov – who probably shouldn't be marking a 6'6" striker – to Meireles' deep cross, flicking a header past the sprawling Hart.
Liverpool spent the second half completely nullifying the opposition, content to counter on the break. City had slightly more of the ball, Liverpool had the far better chances. Meireles, Kuyt (both twice), Suarez, and Carroll all could have increased the gap. Meanwhile, the away side hardly tested Reina until Yaya Toure's 40-yard rocket straight at the keeper in the 85th minute. That Mancini removed the substitute Balotelli in the 83rd for holding midfielder De Jong – the man he should have put on in the 16th – was a white flag, as close to a mid-match admission of defeat as we'll get.
There's nothing to criticize in Liverpool's performance. Every player impressed, every player ran until legs fell off. Carroll's two goals and Suarez's remarkable adaptation will get the headlines, but three others deserve special mention. 18-year-old Flanagan didn't look out of place for a second, silencing Milner, ably aided by Carragher's willingness to shout directions and Kuyt's willingness to drop deep and double up. Spearing improved on his promising Sunderland performance, a tornado in midfield. And Fabio Aurelio restored serenity and smart passing to the defense, class once again now that he's actually fit.
But Kuyt was also excellent, with yet another big-game notch in the bedpost. Lucas was as steadily furious as Spearing, although it's become expected from the Brazilian. Carragher and Skrtel kept Dzeko stone silent, Meireles was back to his two-month-ago best, albeit without the wonder goals.
Liverpool did everything required to finish the season on the best possible note. Today truly couldn't have gone better. But, as against Chelsea and United, doing it at home against the top sides when unfancied and up against the wall hasn't been Liverpool's problem.
Flanagan Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Carroll Suarez
Goals:
Carroll 13' 35'
Kuyt 34'
Revenge. Bettering City's 0-3 dominance in the reverse fixture, beating City as thoroughly as City beat Sunderland last week. Liverpool strolled for the final 55 minutes after Carroll tallied the third – his second of the match – the opposition, fully demoralized, fumbled aimlessly.
Whatever Dalglish said to the players prior to kickoff needs to be echoed before every match. There was only side ready to run through brick walls for the win; City were seemingly focused on the weekend's trip to Wembley.
Mancini's selection hinted at a focus on the future. City had played 4-2-3-1 with fairly decent returns for the last few weeks. Dzeko, struggling to come to terms with English football, had been relegated to the bench. Mancini's 4-3-3 formation in August's meeting took Liverpool's 4-4-2 to the woodshed, and odds were that Dalglish would stick the 4-2-2-2 seen against Sunderland and West Brom (he did).
But City went against all those precedents today. Most resembling a 4-4-2, Milner and Dzeko came in at Silva and De Jong's expense. The Bosnian partnered Tevez in an orthodox front two while Johnson and Milner manned the flanks with Barry and Toure (who has been better further forward this season) in the middle.
Tevez's 16th-minute injury made matters infinitely worse – he's absolutely essential despite City's galaxy of stars – especially since Balotelli replaced the Argentinean in a straight swap, but Liverpool were already ahead thanks their new number nine. After pressing from the opening whistle, creating chances for Kuyt and Suarez, Carroll opened the scoring after a hint of fortune: Meireles' shot from nowhere deflected straight to the striker's feet, but he still had to bazooka an unstoppable left-footed blast from the top of the box.
The front six may have been the same which lost to West Brom nine days ago, but Liverpool's energy and movement were wholly different. Suarez continues to be different class, while Lucas and Spearing bossed the middle, aided by Mancini's decision to play two central midfielders instead of the usual three.
City had a spell of ineffective possession for 10-15 minutes following the Tevez substitution, but all of a sudden Liverpool were ahead by three. A prolonged, probing attack pinning eight defenders in City's final third ended with Aurelio's blocked shot falling to Kuyt's feet. The Dutchman's finish was perfectly placed into the far corner. Seconds later, with City rocked, Carroll beat Kolarov – who probably shouldn't be marking a 6'6" striker – to Meireles' deep cross, flicking a header past the sprawling Hart.
Liverpool spent the second half completely nullifying the opposition, content to counter on the break. City had slightly more of the ball, Liverpool had the far better chances. Meireles, Kuyt (both twice), Suarez, and Carroll all could have increased the gap. Meanwhile, the away side hardly tested Reina until Yaya Toure's 40-yard rocket straight at the keeper in the 85th minute. That Mancini removed the substitute Balotelli in the 83rd for holding midfielder De Jong – the man he should have put on in the 16th – was a white flag, as close to a mid-match admission of defeat as we'll get.
There's nothing to criticize in Liverpool's performance. Every player impressed, every player ran until legs fell off. Carroll's two goals and Suarez's remarkable adaptation will get the headlines, but three others deserve special mention. 18-year-old Flanagan didn't look out of place for a second, silencing Milner, ably aided by Carragher's willingness to shout directions and Kuyt's willingness to drop deep and double up. Spearing improved on his promising Sunderland performance, a tornado in midfield. And Fabio Aurelio restored serenity and smart passing to the defense, class once again now that he's actually fit.
But Kuyt was also excellent, with yet another big-game notch in the bedpost. Lucas was as steadily furious as Spearing, although it's become expected from the Brazilian. Carragher and Skrtel kept Dzeko stone silent, Meireles was back to his two-month-ago best, albeit without the wonder goals.
Liverpool did everything required to finish the season on the best possible note. Today truly couldn't have gone better. But, as against Chelsea and United, doing it at home against the top sides when unfancied and up against the wall hasn't been Liverpool's problem.
09 April 2011
Liverpool v Manchester City 04.11.11
3pm ET, live in the US on espn2
Last four head-to-head:
0-3 City (a) 08.23.10
0-0 (a) 02.21.10
2-2 (h) 11.21.09
1-1 (h) 02.22.09
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-2 West Brom (a); 2-0 Sunderland (a); 0-0 Braga (h)
City: 5-0 Sunderland (h); 0-2 Chelsea (a); 1-0 Kiev (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 8; Meireles 5; Gerrard 4; Maxi 3; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Skrtel, Suarez 2; Cole 1
City: Tevez 19; Balotelli 6; YToure 5; AJohnson, Silva 4; Barry, Vieira 2; Kolarov, Lescott, Richards, KToure, Zabaleta 1
Referee: Mark Halsey
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Wilson Aurelio
Kuyt Lucas Meireles Maxi
Suarez Carroll
It just gets better and better. Gerrard's joined Agger on the sidelines until 2011-12 after yet more groin surgery, while Johnson and Kelly's hamstring injuries will keep them out another month.
Even in Gerrard's absence – which we've unfortunately become accustomed to – defense remains the biggest concern. Both right backs are injured. Liverpool's best (read: only) ball-playing center-half is done for the season. There are two left backs on loan, leaving one perma-crock who's only recently "healthy." Not counting barely (if at all) tested prospects like Robinson and Flanagan, Liverpool are limited to two over-the-hill center-backs, one underperforming center-back, one inexperienced 20-year-old center-back who's almost always used at LB, and Aurelio, who'll hopefully stay fit for more than 20 minutes this time. That's it.
Will Liverpool stick with the 4-2-2-2 we've seen in the three league matches since losing at West Ham? Three at the back remains unlikely because of the threadbare defense, especially at right wing-back, where choices would appear to be Kuyt and Carragher, each with glaringly-obvious flaws. I'm hoping Wilson gets a chance at center-back with Aurelio available and after Kyrgiakos' abortion against West Brom. Otherwise, there aren't many possibilities.
The lone debate in midfield, regardless of formation, seems to be Spearing or Maxi. Either Spearing continues to partner Lucas, as against both Sunderland and West Brom, or Meireles moves back into the middle with Maxi coming in on the left. I'm hoping for the latter, but the recent past is often a good predictor. I guess Cole's a possibility as well, but a more unwelcome and unlikely one. Shelvey has little chance to start after just 60 uneventful minutes for the reserves since returning from injury.
Liverpool hasn't beaten City in its last four attempts, since October 2008, playing out three consecutive draws prior to August's mauling at the City of Manchester Stadium.
As against Liverpool last time out, City were absolutely rampant a week ago, bombarding Sunderland with five goals from five different players. It was one of the few matches where Mancini removed the shackles. However, they've only impressed at home; City last won away on Boxing Day, with five draws and four losses on their travels since the New Year.
Mancini has used a 4-2-3-1 formation in recent weeks – even though Balotelli basically played as a striker for long stretches last Sunday due to Sunderland being pinned so deep. Because of an injury to Richards and Kolo Toure's suspension, the back four writes itself: Kompany will partner Lescott in central defense with Kolarov and Zabaleta at full-back. Against Sunderland, the front six was Silva, Johnson, and Balotelli behind Tevez with De Jong and Yaya Toure holding, but Barry or Milner could return, especially if Mancini reverts to his usual caution.
Aside from August's drubbing, matches between these two sides have been incredibly tight in recent years. There's little to suggest that won't be the case tomorrow, despite City's recent form or Liverpool's injury crises. In theory, City have one of the strongest squads in the league, if not the outright strongest. But currently in fourth following Chelsea's win against Wigan, out of the title race after topping the table mid-January, they've been inconsistency squared this season. And wins over Chelsea and United have demonstrated Liverpool's ability to raise its game against "better" opposition.
Last four head-to-head:
0-3 City (a) 08.23.10
0-0 (a) 02.21.10
2-2 (h) 11.21.09
1-1 (h) 02.22.09
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-2 West Brom (a); 2-0 Sunderland (a); 0-0 Braga (h)
City: 5-0 Sunderland (h); 0-2 Chelsea (a); 1-0 Kiev (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 8; Meireles 5; Gerrard 4; Maxi 3; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Skrtel, Suarez 2; Cole 1
City: Tevez 19; Balotelli 6; YToure 5; AJohnson, Silva 4; Barry, Vieira 2; Kolarov, Lescott, Richards, KToure, Zabaleta 1
Referee: Mark Halsey
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Wilson Aurelio
Kuyt Lucas Meireles Maxi
Suarez Carroll
It just gets better and better. Gerrard's joined Agger on the sidelines until 2011-12 after yet more groin surgery, while Johnson and Kelly's hamstring injuries will keep them out another month.
Even in Gerrard's absence – which we've unfortunately become accustomed to – defense remains the biggest concern. Both right backs are injured. Liverpool's best (read: only) ball-playing center-half is done for the season. There are two left backs on loan, leaving one perma-crock who's only recently "healthy." Not counting barely (if at all) tested prospects like Robinson and Flanagan, Liverpool are limited to two over-the-hill center-backs, one underperforming center-back, one inexperienced 20-year-old center-back who's almost always used at LB, and Aurelio, who'll hopefully stay fit for more than 20 minutes this time. That's it.
Will Liverpool stick with the 4-2-2-2 we've seen in the three league matches since losing at West Ham? Three at the back remains unlikely because of the threadbare defense, especially at right wing-back, where choices would appear to be Kuyt and Carragher, each with glaringly-obvious flaws. I'm hoping Wilson gets a chance at center-back with Aurelio available and after Kyrgiakos' abortion against West Brom. Otherwise, there aren't many possibilities.
The lone debate in midfield, regardless of formation, seems to be Spearing or Maxi. Either Spearing continues to partner Lucas, as against both Sunderland and West Brom, or Meireles moves back into the middle with Maxi coming in on the left. I'm hoping for the latter, but the recent past is often a good predictor. I guess Cole's a possibility as well, but a more unwelcome and unlikely one. Shelvey has little chance to start after just 60 uneventful minutes for the reserves since returning from injury.
Liverpool hasn't beaten City in its last four attempts, since October 2008, playing out three consecutive draws prior to August's mauling at the City of Manchester Stadium.
As against Liverpool last time out, City were absolutely rampant a week ago, bombarding Sunderland with five goals from five different players. It was one of the few matches where Mancini removed the shackles. However, they've only impressed at home; City last won away on Boxing Day, with five draws and four losses on their travels since the New Year.
Mancini has used a 4-2-3-1 formation in recent weeks – even though Balotelli basically played as a striker for long stretches last Sunday due to Sunderland being pinned so deep. Because of an injury to Richards and Kolo Toure's suspension, the back four writes itself: Kompany will partner Lescott in central defense with Kolarov and Zabaleta at full-back. Against Sunderland, the front six was Silva, Johnson, and Balotelli behind Tevez with De Jong and Yaya Toure holding, but Barry or Milner could return, especially if Mancini reverts to his usual caution.
Aside from August's drubbing, matches between these two sides have been incredibly tight in recent years. There's little to suggest that won't be the case tomorrow, despite City's recent form or Liverpool's injury crises. In theory, City have one of the strongest squads in the league, if not the outright strongest. But currently in fourth following Chelsea's win against Wigan, out of the title race after topping the table mid-January, they've been inconsistency squared this season. And wins over Chelsea and United have demonstrated Liverpool's ability to raise its game against "better" opposition.
02 April 2011
Liverpool 1-2 West Brom
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Suarez Carroll
Goals:
Skrtel 51'
Brunt 62' (pen) 89' (pen)
Horrifying. And, of course, it had to align with every possible narrative. A Liverpool defensive collapse, like we saw in almost every match from August through January, leads to Roy's Radical Rampant Revenge.
West Brom's home diligence was a carbon copy of Hodgson's Fulham. Liverpool's luck with injuries – with two defenders off by the 25th minute – reminded of his disastrous stint at Anfield. The opener, a towering set play header from Skrtel, was the type of strike Liverpool relied on in the first half of the season. And then Liverpool utterly collapsed, conceding two penalties from two egregiously stupid mistakes. If that doesn't remind you of Hodgson, nothing will.
Liverpool began the first half with the back line written above. They finished it with Carragher-Skrtel-Kyrgiakos-Wilson: four center-backs – three slower than molasses and one playing in his second league game. Those two injuries canceled out the bright start and ensured the half would end with one-way traffic in the opposite direction.
Within two minutes, Suarez had a cheeky chip saved and Kuyt failed to tally two close-range efforts. Then Johnson pulled up with a hamstring injury in the 6th, replaced by Kyrgiakos with Agger moving to left back. That "worked" for 20 minutes, blunting Liverpool but with the away side still superior in possession. Then the replacement left-back sustained what appeared to be a knock to his previously-injured knee. Yes, I know, stop the presses, Agger's injured again. Life is not fair.
From there, West Brom were ascendant. Only Reina prevented a first-half opener, denying Reid, Odemwingie, Brunt, and an accidental Skrtel header. An early second half goal – Skrtel beating Scharner to Meireles' corner – appeared to swing momentum, bracketed by Carson's saves on Carroll and Kuyt. But West Brom continued to press far more than we're used to from Hodgson sides, and capped a furious four-minute stretch with Brunt's penalty; Kyrgiakos dove in on Odemwingie, too easily beaten by the turn.
Severely lacking in depth with two enforced substitutions in defense, coupled with Atkinson allowing West Brom to play rugby while limiting Liverpool to football, saw the away side struggle to respond. West Brom remained marginally dominant, although increasingly content with the draw. Then came Kyrgiakos' second moment of madness, again undressed by Odemwingie on Olsson's hoof. Reina came out to cover, sprawled for the ball, and Odemwingie fell over his prone body. Naturally, Atkinson pointed straight to the spot.
Injury time saw Liverpool's best spell of pressure since the opening minutes, saved by the ex-Liverpool keeper curse and a clearance off the line. Carson parried Meireles' shot from distance, Skrtel headed the subsequent corner wide. Suarez then tried to win the game single-handedly, first prevented by Carson's save (with the rebound somehow scrambled clear) before having a chipped effort cleared somehow cleared by Shorey. It wasn't enough to exorcise the futility from the previous 90 minutes.
That Hodgson gets the last laugh makes this hurt as much as any defeat this season. The media will be insufferable for an entire week. Adding insult to injury were the actual injuries, as well as Atkinson's "refereeing."
The game would have been far different if Liverpool didn't require those two changes, losing the best defender as well as the sole remaining fullback. It also would have been different if not for the contentious winning penalty. Sunderland said similar on both counts following Liverpool's last match. It's hard to argue that what goes around doesn't eventually boomerang back.
It's also hard to argue that Liverpool deserved more, no matter the cruel hand of fate. Outside of the one set play, Suarez was Liverpool's lone threat. Carroll was clearly tired and less than fit, hindered by an early yellow card and last-warning lecture. Lucas and Spearing were out-numbered in midfield, while Kuyt and Meireles were often found narrow as Liverpool, unsurprisingly, got absolutely nothing in attack from full-back. And then there's Kyrgiakos, clearly the goat. Again. As when replacing Agger against Everton, as against Braga in conceding a similarly-stupid penalty.
That Tottenham dropped points in an away draw at Wigan keeps the "race" for fifth place on life support. But, finally, it's hard to argue that Liverpool merit better than its current league position. Which, I won't hesitate to add, is far better than where Roy Hodgson left the club.
Carragher Skrtel Agger Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Suarez Carroll
Goals:
Skrtel 51'
Brunt 62' (pen) 89' (pen)
Horrifying. And, of course, it had to align with every possible narrative. A Liverpool defensive collapse, like we saw in almost every match from August through January, leads to Roy's Radical Rampant Revenge.
West Brom's home diligence was a carbon copy of Hodgson's Fulham. Liverpool's luck with injuries – with two defenders off by the 25th minute – reminded of his disastrous stint at Anfield. The opener, a towering set play header from Skrtel, was the type of strike Liverpool relied on in the first half of the season. And then Liverpool utterly collapsed, conceding two penalties from two egregiously stupid mistakes. If that doesn't remind you of Hodgson, nothing will.
Liverpool began the first half with the back line written above. They finished it with Carragher-Skrtel-Kyrgiakos-Wilson: four center-backs – three slower than molasses and one playing in his second league game. Those two injuries canceled out the bright start and ensured the half would end with one-way traffic in the opposite direction.
Within two minutes, Suarez had a cheeky chip saved and Kuyt failed to tally two close-range efforts. Then Johnson pulled up with a hamstring injury in the 6th, replaced by Kyrgiakos with Agger moving to left back. That "worked" for 20 minutes, blunting Liverpool but with the away side still superior in possession. Then the replacement left-back sustained what appeared to be a knock to his previously-injured knee. Yes, I know, stop the presses, Agger's injured again. Life is not fair.
From there, West Brom were ascendant. Only Reina prevented a first-half opener, denying Reid, Odemwingie, Brunt, and an accidental Skrtel header. An early second half goal – Skrtel beating Scharner to Meireles' corner – appeared to swing momentum, bracketed by Carson's saves on Carroll and Kuyt. But West Brom continued to press far more than we're used to from Hodgson sides, and capped a furious four-minute stretch with Brunt's penalty; Kyrgiakos dove in on Odemwingie, too easily beaten by the turn.
Severely lacking in depth with two enforced substitutions in defense, coupled with Atkinson allowing West Brom to play rugby while limiting Liverpool to football, saw the away side struggle to respond. West Brom remained marginally dominant, although increasingly content with the draw. Then came Kyrgiakos' second moment of madness, again undressed by Odemwingie on Olsson's hoof. Reina came out to cover, sprawled for the ball, and Odemwingie fell over his prone body. Naturally, Atkinson pointed straight to the spot.
Injury time saw Liverpool's best spell of pressure since the opening minutes, saved by the ex-Liverpool keeper curse and a clearance off the line. Carson parried Meireles' shot from distance, Skrtel headed the subsequent corner wide. Suarez then tried to win the game single-handedly, first prevented by Carson's save (with the rebound somehow scrambled clear) before having a chipped effort cleared somehow cleared by Shorey. It wasn't enough to exorcise the futility from the previous 90 minutes.
That Hodgson gets the last laugh makes this hurt as much as any defeat this season. The media will be insufferable for an entire week. Adding insult to injury were the actual injuries, as well as Atkinson's "refereeing."
The game would have been far different if Liverpool didn't require those two changes, losing the best defender as well as the sole remaining fullback. It also would have been different if not for the contentious winning penalty. Sunderland said similar on both counts following Liverpool's last match. It's hard to argue that what goes around doesn't eventually boomerang back.
It's also hard to argue that Liverpool deserved more, no matter the cruel hand of fate. Outside of the one set play, Suarez was Liverpool's lone threat. Carroll was clearly tired and less than fit, hindered by an early yellow card and last-warning lecture. Lucas and Spearing were out-numbered in midfield, while Kuyt and Meireles were often found narrow as Liverpool, unsurprisingly, got absolutely nothing in attack from full-back. And then there's Kyrgiakos, clearly the goat. Again. As when replacing Agger against Everton, as against Braga in conceding a similarly-stupid penalty.
That Tottenham dropped points in an away draw at Wigan keeps the "race" for fifth place on life support. But, finally, it's hard to argue that Liverpool merit better than its current league position. Which, I won't hesitate to add, is far better than where Roy Hodgson left the club.
01 April 2011
Liverpool at West Brom 04.02.11
10am ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus
Last four head-to-head:
1-0 Liverpool (h) 08.29.10
2-0 Liverpool (a) 05.17.09
3-0 Liverpool (h) 11.08.08
2-0 Liverpool (a) 04.01.06
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-0 Sunderland (a); 0-0 Braga (h); 0-1 Braga (a)
West Brom: 2-2 Arsenal (h); 3-1 Brum (a); 1-1 Stoke (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 8; Meireles 5; Gerrard 4; Maxi 3; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Suarez 2; Cole, Skrtel 1
West Brom: Odemwingie 10; Morrison, Mulumbu 4; Scharner, Tchoyi, Thomas 3; Brunt, Fortune, Vela, 2; Dorrans, Jara, Olsson, Pablo, Reid 1
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Suarez Carroll
Hodgson v Liverpool, the revenge match. Time to put those mean, small-minded Scousers in their place for wrecking the reputation of little England's lovely old Roy. From the way it's written in the media, it'll be Hodgson on the pitch against the Liverpool XI, and bet on Hodgson scoring a hat-trick while keeping a clean sheet. Vendetta, vendetta, vendetta.
Outside of Gerrard's potential return, I can't see much deviation from the side which beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light two weeks ago. The groin strain that kept Suarez out of Uruguay's last two matches miraculously healed once the international break ended, but Aurelio, Kelly, and Shelvey are all doubtful at best. Gerrard's still talismanic, but I expect he'll be handled with kid gloves, used off the bench if at all. Dalglish spoke cautiously about the captain this week, necessarily so considering how many groin problems Gerrard's had over the last calendar year.
Agger, Carroll, Kuyt, Lucas, Meireles, and Skrtel all returned from the international break unharmed, while Johnson has a slight achilles problem but should be available. Both Kuyt and Carroll had impressive appearances for their countries; Kuyt got three goals and an assist in his two games with Holland, while Carroll scored his first for England. Hopefully his first for Liverpool will be in short order.
West Brom are one point above the relegation zone in 16th, but unbeaten since Hodgson took the reins, winning one and drawing three since mid-February. In keeping with Hodgson's modus operandi, the Baggies haven't kept a clean sheet under their new manager, but increasingly demonstrate the clichéd resiliency Roy installed at Fulham. Before destroying Liverpool from the inside, Owl-Face's teams routinely caused trouble, taking six points off of Liverpool in Benitez's last season. And as we know from the first half of the season, Hodgson-led sides are always more dangerous at home.
Odemwingie's top scorer by some distance with ten league goals, while Mulumbu's had an excellent campaign as the primary holding midfielder. Brunt can cause multiple problems on set plays, Morrison's dangerous from distance, and Olsson's done very well at both fullback and center-back. West Brom's packed defense caused Liverpool plenty of problems in August's narrow 1-0 victory.
That Liverpool haven't lost to West Brom since 1981, a streak of 17 matches, means next to nothing. Nor does the fact that Albion haven't even scored on Liverpool since promotion to the Premiership in 2002 – nine consecutive wins by a margin of 25-0. The narrative's been written; all Roy has to do is show up, park the bus in the 18-yard-box, and attempt to counter every so often. It's up to Liverpool to change the script.
Last four head-to-head:
1-0 Liverpool (h) 08.29.10
2-0 Liverpool (a) 05.17.09
3-0 Liverpool (h) 11.08.08
2-0 Liverpool (a) 04.01.06
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-0 Sunderland (a); 0-0 Braga (h); 0-1 Braga (a)
West Brom: 2-2 Arsenal (h); 3-1 Brum (a); 1-1 Stoke (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 8; Meireles 5; Gerrard 4; Maxi 3; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Suarez 2; Cole, Skrtel 1
West Brom: Odemwingie 10; Morrison, Mulumbu 4; Scharner, Tchoyi, Thomas 3; Brunt, Fortune, Vela, 2; Dorrans, Jara, Olsson, Pablo, Reid 1
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Carragher Skrtel Agger Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Suarez Carroll
Hodgson v Liverpool, the revenge match. Time to put those mean, small-minded Scousers in their place for wrecking the reputation of little England's lovely old Roy. From the way it's written in the media, it'll be Hodgson on the pitch against the Liverpool XI, and bet on Hodgson scoring a hat-trick while keeping a clean sheet. Vendetta, vendetta, vendetta.
Outside of Gerrard's potential return, I can't see much deviation from the side which beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light two weeks ago. The groin strain that kept Suarez out of Uruguay's last two matches miraculously healed once the international break ended, but Aurelio, Kelly, and Shelvey are all doubtful at best. Gerrard's still talismanic, but I expect he'll be handled with kid gloves, used off the bench if at all. Dalglish spoke cautiously about the captain this week, necessarily so considering how many groin problems Gerrard's had over the last calendar year.
Agger, Carroll, Kuyt, Lucas, Meireles, and Skrtel all returned from the international break unharmed, while Johnson has a slight achilles problem but should be available. Both Kuyt and Carroll had impressive appearances for their countries; Kuyt got three goals and an assist in his two games with Holland, while Carroll scored his first for England. Hopefully his first for Liverpool will be in short order.
West Brom are one point above the relegation zone in 16th, but unbeaten since Hodgson took the reins, winning one and drawing three since mid-February. In keeping with Hodgson's modus operandi, the Baggies haven't kept a clean sheet under their new manager, but increasingly demonstrate the clichéd resiliency Roy installed at Fulham. Before destroying Liverpool from the inside, Owl-Face's teams routinely caused trouble, taking six points off of Liverpool in Benitez's last season. And as we know from the first half of the season, Hodgson-led sides are always more dangerous at home.
Odemwingie's top scorer by some distance with ten league goals, while Mulumbu's had an excellent campaign as the primary holding midfielder. Brunt can cause multiple problems on set plays, Morrison's dangerous from distance, and Olsson's done very well at both fullback and center-back. West Brom's packed defense caused Liverpool plenty of problems in August's narrow 1-0 victory.
That Liverpool haven't lost to West Brom since 1981, a streak of 17 matches, means next to nothing. Nor does the fact that Albion haven't even scored on Liverpool since promotion to the Premiership in 2002 – nine consecutive wins by a margin of 25-0. The narrative's been written; all Roy has to do is show up, park the bus in the 18-yard-box, and attempt to counter every so often. It's up to Liverpool to change the script.
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