Poll: Young Player of the Season

Note from nate: This is a guest post from Noel of Liverpool Offside. There will be a few guest posts over the next two weeks, and I'll actually have some guest posts on other blogs. Plus polls. Lots of polls. Everybody loves polls. Noel will explain, in great detail, below.


Liverpool's season ending position may not be mathematically decided quite yet, but with Sunday's loss to Spurs, the club moves into the uncomfortable position of needing to rely on others if they are to have any chance of improving their final standing. Still, it's been a heck of a ride, this roller coaster of a year that's gone from fears of relegation and administration to dreams of Champions League qualification and future glory, and with the end at hand and Liverpool having moved as high up the table as they'll be able to manage on their own it seemed fitting to gather together with some of the best regularly updated Liverpool blogs on the net for a season ending extravaganza, one that will take the next two weeks to look back at of some of the year's best and worst.

With the help of all of you, of course, wherever you may be reading this.

Today we kick things off with the Young Player of the Season vote and a look back at the kids who have made a difference for Liverpool this year. As for who exactly we are in this whole production, we're The Liverpool Offside along with (in alphabetical order) Anfield Asylum, Oh You Beauty, and Paisley Gates. Over the next few days you'll see further poll questions across all the participating blogs and written by each of those taking part, and along the way we hope that if you aren't already aware of them you'll take a look at what they have to offer and, if it's to your liking, consider adding them to your bookmarks, to your RSS feed, or to whatever else it is that kids these days add things they like to on the internet.

But that's not the end of it. We've also been lucky enough to get a few great guest editors to come on board and help when it comes time to start wrapping things up along with the results next week. First off we've got Amy Quinn of A Football Report, along with Mike Georger of Avoiding the Drop, and James T of Unprofessional Foul. For those who don't know them, they're three of the most knowledgeable Liverpool fans out there, and they're a big part of what makes the three sites they write for amongst the best places to go to on the internet for your general football needs. Then, last but certainly not least, Gareth Roberts, editor of top Liverpool fanzine Well Red Magazine, has also agreed to help us out when it comes time to sort through the tea leaves. Many of those who have already found their way to sites like this will know about Well Red, but for those who don't it's well worth your consideration if you've started to take this whole Liverpool Football Club thing a bit seriously.

But much of that's about next week. For now, then, it's on to the matter at hand:


John Flanagan: The young fullback wasn't expected to feature for Liverpool at all this season, and with other academy players being talked of far more often, it will perhaps have been a surprise to some that he found himself involved at all. However, after a disastrous stretch that saw Liverpool with no healthy fullbacks in the first team squad and a match against West Bromwich Albion that saw a backline consisting of four center backs perform horribly, the 18-year old found himself thrust into the limelight as he produced a confident display against Manchester City the following week and has started every match since without looking especially out of place. All told, he has started in and played six games in his young Liverpool career, and has received three yellow cards on eight fouls committed.

Martin Kelly: After a 2009-10 season that saw Kelly on the verge of Next Big Thing status, the arrival of Kenny Dalglish in January and the departure of Paul Konchesky on loan to Nottingham Forest saw the academy product become the first beneficiary of Liverpool's lack of depth at fullback. Forced to start nearly every match from there on out, Kelly performed admirably in a right fullback role, growing increasingly comfortable bombing up and down the flank after an at times slightly shaky start going forward that gave lie to his history as a center back. Until his unfortunate injury against West Ham United brought a premature end to his season, Kelly had started 18 matches along with coming on as a substitute once. He had one assist and three yellow cards on 14 fouls committed over the 19 games he participated in.

Jonjo Shelvey: Brought in from Charlton Athletic in the summer transfer window, the versatile midfielder made 4 starts in the Europa League for Liverpool and a further 16 substitute appearances across all competitions, registering a single assist. In those games he filled in everywhere from outside midfielder to second striker to fullback, often appearing calm and at least confident if never quite spectacular. Nonetheless, his versatility and cool head made him Dalglish's first option off the bench for an extended stretch, until he too was sidelined by injury, returning to action towards the end of the campaign to register his one assist on a cutting pass to Luis Suarez against Fulham that showed hints of the playmaking ability that had caught the eye of Liverpool scouts in the first place.

Jay Spearing: In the 2010-11 season, Spearing recorded 14 starts, three substitute appearances, and one assist across all competitions as he established himself rather unexpectedly as an at least valuable squad player for Liverpool. While in the past many assumed an eventual move to a lower league side was on the cards for the diminutive midfielder, after a strong finish to the season the questions are more along the lines of if, should his personal development continue – not to mention his promising partnership with Lucas in midfield – he might even be able to secure a larger role for the club moving forward. Having received almost as much game time in 2009-10 (though with the bulk of it coming in the Europa League and cup competitions), his sudden rise following Steven Gerrard's injury is a textbook example of a player seizing the opportunity he's been given and making something for himself when there were few expectations. In recognition of his newly-elevated role with the club, the now 22-year old local product signed a new contract at the start of May.

¹ And if you really want everybody to know what you thought, the polls are open to be voted on once per day. So you can come back tomorrow and read all the above awesomeness one more time. And also vote again.

Liverpool 0-2 Tottenham

Reina
Flanagan Carragher Skrtel Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Maxi
Suarez Carroll

Goals:
van der Vaart 9'
Modric 56' (pen)

Well that wasn't supposed to happen.

Pick your scapegoat. Most conspicuously, goals win games, and Liverpool rarely looked like scoring one. Carroll's going to get a lot of stick – he was the lone change, after all – but Suarez and Kuyt perpetually misfiring was just as culpable, if not more so.

But giving Spurs credit where due is also a sad necessity. They took the game to Liverpool at the start, bossing the midfield through Modric and Sandro, and got the early goal, albeit with help from a wicked deflection.

Liverpool were slow to establish a foothold, but were arguably the more threatening side after the first 20 minutes. Spearing pushed an excellent chance wide from 15 yards out in the 35th, Carroll mistimed a close-range header over the bar four minutes later, and Suarez sent a free kick whizzing narrowly wide in first half injury time.

But soon after the restart, Liverpool's favorite scapegoat made his presence felt. On a 50-50 shoulder barge just outside the box – the type of collision which had gone unnoticed when done to Suarez multiple times – Webb immediately pointed to the spot after both Flanagan and Pienaar hit the turf. Modric made no mistake from the spot, and a second goal killed off any hope of a comeback.

The final 35 minutes saw Spurs stifle the life out of the game. The excellent Dawson and King (brought out of cryogenic hibernation for the first time since October) gave Suarez and Carroll few chances, defending deep and spectacularly clearing their lines whenever necessary. Bringing on Shelvey for Spearing gave Liverpool a boost, and it didn't take long for the 19-year-old to send a thunderbolt just wide, but chances were few and far between from there as the game lifelessly ebbed away. Neither Ngog nor Cole, on for Maxi and Carroll respectively, made any difference.

Meireles' absence was a bigger set-back than expected; not only did Liverpool dearly miss his non-stop movement and cool head, but the change forced Kuyt out wide on the right of a 4-2-2-2, where he made little impact. Liverpool's two best candidates for player of the season – Lucas and Kuyt – were Liverpool most disappointing. Lucas simply lost the midfield battle with Modric and Sandro – archetypal creator and destroyer – while Spearing offered little support.

Flanagan and Shelvey are the only two who can be happy with today's performance, and that includes the "penalty" concession. That those were Liverpool's two youngest players on the pitch is a slight consolation, but the big names were out-played and out-worked. Liverpool won't win many games when that's the case.

This result will do little to dissuade the fear about where Carroll fits into the current style of play. But he's not the reason Liverpool lost today. He's just returned from injury, has started few games, and Dawson and King gave no quarter. Liverpool's set plays – his biggest weapon – were atrocious with Meireles missing, and it's no coincidence that player was at the heart of both goals Carroll scored against City. It'll be a far different story come next season, and judgment needs to be reserved until then.

Games like today's happen. It's an absolute shame it happened in the last home match of the season, the match after Dalglish signed a long-term deal. Tottenham's now in pole position for the Europa League, although next week's match against relegation-threatened Birmingham is no formality.

Despite the depressing performance and impotent attack, Liverpool lost to a deflected goal and an incorrectly-given penalty. This result, even if it means Liverpool finish sixth and miss out on Europe, can't cancel out all the good that's come before it.

Liverpool v Tottenham 05.15.11

11am ET, live in the US on FSC

Last four head-to-head:
1-2 Spurs (a) 11.28.10
2-0 Liverpool (h) 01.20.10
1-2 Spurs (a) 08.16.09
3-1 Liverpool (h) 05.24.09

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 5-2 Fulham (a); 3-0 Newcastle (h); 5-0 Brum (h)
Spurs: 0-1 City (a); 1-1 Blackpool (h); 1-2 Chelsea (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 13; Maxi 10; Meireles 5; Gerrard, Suarez 4; Carroll, Cole, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Skrtel 2
Spurs: van der Vaart 12; Pavlyuchenko 8; Bale 7; Crouch, Defoe 4; Lennon 3; Huddlestone, Hutton, Kranjcar, Modric 2; Bassong, Dawson, Kaboul, Sandro 1

Referee: Howard Webb

Naturally.

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Flanagan Carragher Skrtel Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Maxi
Suarez Carroll

As tempting as it is to see Sunday as a celebration – the last home game of the season, with Dalglish just announced as permanent manager – a win would secure European competition for next season. For a team which sat in 12th when King Kenny took the reins in early January, 11 points behind Tottenham, it's utterly remarkable no matter your feelings about the Europa League.

Nonetheless, it wouldn't be Liverpool this season had we gone more than a couple of weeks without a new injury concern. Now it's Meireles' turn, pulling up with a problem against Fulham. His absence would allow Carroll to return to the starting XI without excluding a player who's tallied two hat-tricks in the last three games, without vastly altering the formation or (in theory) the style of play – as the flowing, comprehensive 3-0 win over City demonstrated. Meireles did train this week, as did Carroll, so Dalglish's line-up will probably be a game-time decision. If both are out, or simply not ready to start, I imagine it'll be Shelvey, who replaced Raul against City.

As to which fullback will play where, Justin_TDW made an excellent point on Twitter, one I really should have come up with: since half-time against Newcastle, Johnson has been deployed against the opposition's more dangerous player. That's it's been at right-back for the last 135 minutes of football may well be coincidental. And if that's the case, I'd expect to see Johnson on the left, facing the far-quicker Lennon, with Flanagan up against either Pienaar, Modric, or Krancjar on his favored flank. All three of those players are more liable to cut inside, making it far easier for Carragher to lend support.

For all the overwrought, tear-stained valentines addressed to Bale sloppily penned by Her Majesty's press corps, Modric undoubtedly has been Spurs' best player. Far more consistently brilliant than Welsh Jesus, I've been amazed at how well he's played in the middle of a 4-4-2. The Croatian started on the left against City, but moved back into the center when Palacios went off injured. Center-back Gallas also picked up a knock in Tottenham's last match, while Gomes, Jenas, Assou-Ekotto, and Huddlestone are also big doubts.

Tottenham's last win was April 9, a 3-2 home victory over Stoke. That's Spurs' only win in the last 10 league matches – the other nine saw six draws and three losses. And five of those six draws were against teams currently in the bottom half of the table. No matter Champions League highs, no matter injuries, nine points from ten games is a massive, unforgivable collapse. Yet Redknapp gets a free pass. Other managers (specifically foreign managers who may or may not be Spanish and/or managed Liverpool) would have been drawn, quartered, and hung on Tower Bridge as a warning to future applicants.

It goes without saying that Liverpool can't get carried away after the last match. Or last three matches, for that matter. Yes, the home team has won last five meetings between these two sides. Yes, Anfield will be absolutely rocking because of Dalglish's deal. And yes, these two sides have displayed diametrically opposite form over the last two months. But this will be a one-off prize fight for a European place. Liverpool exists to win trophies and play in Europe. Spurs fans can pretend that the Europa League is a step-down for a club which beat Serie A-winning AC Milan in Europe's premier competition, but it's not fooling anyone.

Finish him.

What's the Formation, Kenneth?

Yesterday, I remarked that Liverpool apparently used the third different formation in three matches despite starting the same front six in all three. What do the Daily Telegraph's average position charts (click on "team stats" on the right sidebar) have to say?



It's difficult to divine the 4-4-2 diamond from the average position diagram against Birmingham. Kuyt and Meireles occupy almost the same location, despite the fact Kuyt seemingly played as a striker, dropping deep receive the ball, while Meireles linked midfield and attack. Spearing is ahead of and to the right of Lucas, while similar goes for Maxi on the left, who's slightly narrower than in the other two matches.

The image below shows the run-up to Liverpool's second. Meireles is tucked in behind the strikers, with Spearing and Maxi on either side and Kuyt and Suarez ahead, ready for the flick-on. Lucas, at the base of the diamond, is out of the picture, protecting the defense only slightly ahead of Carragher and Skrtel.



Against Newcastle, the average position diagram clearly shows more of a 4-2-2-2 formation. Spearing and Lucas are on the same line, Meireles is deeper and wider, and Kuyt is closer to Suarez. As Johnson and Flanagan switched flanks at halftime, neither appears in their "normal" position; Flanagan is next to Lucas while Johnson's circle is hidden by Spearing.

The quick counter-attack for Liverpool's first, bursting from defense, demonstrates this formation. Kuyt and Suarez, each trying to find space, are ahead of the midfield line of four. As the attack progresses, Meireles and Maxi continue ahead of the "holding midfielders"; Maxi eventually takes up a position in space at the back post, in the right place for Williamson's poor clearance.



At Fulham, Liverpool's average position looks similar to that against Birmingham. But it clearly wasn't a 4-4-2 diamond when watching the match. If compelled to make a notation just from the diagram, it looks almost as much a lopsided 4-3-2-1 as 4-2-3-1. Or you could call it 4-5-1. Or 4-3-3. I obviously think I'm right, and it's worth differentiating from the other two matches, but herein lies the flaws of forcing football onto paper.

To again use a singular moment to demonstrate a 90-minute-long match, below shows Liverpool right before the opener, with a deeper Lucas and Spearing poised to launch a quick attack. Suarez is already out of the picture, bursting down the left channel to beat the offside trap, but Maxi, Meireles, and Kuyt form a clear line of three along the halfway line.



Of course, if I looked hard enough, we could probably show different formations from different sequences. Formational notation foibles aside, this flexibility has served Liverpool incredibly well of late. Birmingham, Newcastle, and Fulham may not have been the most daunting of opponents, but two of those three have been painful thorns in Liverpool's side in recent years, while Liverpool failed to beat both Newcastle and Birmingham under Hodgson (spectacularly failed, in the case of Newcastle).

Opposition teams have no clue who's going to pop up in the penalty area, and are infinitely scared of Suarez wherever he may be, permanently on the back foot because of his ability with the ball. Different midfielders have gone through spells of blazing-hot form: first Meireles, scoring five in six during January and February, then Maxi, with seven goals in his last three games. Kuyt's scoring like it's going out of style, tallying nine starting with his hat-trick against the Mancs and notching in each of the last five games. Johnson's return has added much-needed width to the side, creating two assists yesterday.

It'll be interesting to see if Liverpool remains this flexible come next season. Gerrard and Carroll, among others, will return to the starting XI, while Liverpool will be in the market for a left-sided winger/forward at the very least. However, for once, it's nice to live in the moment. I still can't believe I'll be sad to see this season end.

Liverpool 5-2 Fulham

Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Flanagan
Spearing Lucas
Kuyt Meireles Maxi
Suarez

Goals:
Maxi 1' 7' 70'
Kuyt 16'
Dembele 57'
Suarez 76'

After months of anger, disappointment and regrets, now we're wishing the season wasn't about to end. Funny old game.

For the second time in three matches, Liverpool scores five and it's Maxi with a hat-trick. From out-of-favor squad player to absolute goal machine. 32 seconds into the match and the Argentinean was on the score sheet. Suarez – the epicenter of everything wonderful – was the catalyst, setting the tone immediately. Lucas' inch-perfect throughball split Baird and Hughes, releasing the Uruguayan into acres of space. His low cross was deflected on target by Salcido, and Schwarzer's sliding kick save pushed the ball straight to Maxi.

Less than six minutes later, Liverpool and Maxi had a second, a back post volley from Johnson's cross, released over the top by Lucas, with the goal-scorer left wide open by Baird (who played Johnson onside). A third in the 16th, Schwarzer's unforgivable mistake allowing Kuyt's shot through his legs, seemed to announce game over before all the Fulham fans had entered Craven Cottage.

But after 30 rampant, flawless minutes, Fulham finally gained a foothold. Johnson's intervention in the 34th, clearing Dempsey's effort from a corner out of the goalmouth, prevented an early lifeline, but shots from Dempsey and Sidwell were the only goal-mouth action for the rest of the half.

Zamora's introduction after the interval, in place of right winger Simon Davies, nearly prompted a remarkable comeback. An injury to Meireles – yet another hamstring concern – didn't help matters, but the home side were on the front foot for 20 minutes after the restart. Zamora's height and aerial ability flummoxed and bamboozled Skrtel; Fulham came close thrice before Zamora easily held off the Slovakian and set up Dembele for a fine low strike which sent Reina into angry hysterics. It was the first open-play goal Liverpool conceded since March 6.

Fulham remained the more threatening, invoking fears over away form and allowing comebacks as happened all too often under the previous manager. But Maxi reasserted his hero status, easing nerves with the best goal he's scored for the club, fortuitously picking up possession in Fulham's half and striding forward to unleash an unstoppable shot past Schwarzer with his "weaker" foot when defenders backed off.

Six minutes later, Suarez got his goal, latching on to a flawless, nigh-on impossible through ball from Shelvey before rounding Schwarzer. A screaming consolation from Sidwell, not long after the human victory cigar Joe Cole replaced the hat-trick hero, reduced arrears when Skrtel's clearing header fell to the midfielder. Yet Liverpool still finished the stronger, and were unlucky not to get a sixth to fittingly mark Carragher's 666th appearance, with Shelvey, Spearing, and Kuyt denied a notch in the bed post.

That Liverpool conceded twice is obviously cause for concern, but yet another five-goal romp slightly eases the pain. Once again, Maxi – of all players! – is the match-ball winning headline maker, but Luis Suarez was indescribably brilliant. Every time the ball's at his feet, he's capable of magic. Hangeland and Hughes were more terrified of the Uruguayan than Vidic ever was of Torres. A goal was the absolute least he deserved today.

Once again, Liverpool won the game with pass and move football. The same front six started for the third-straight match, as Carroll didn't travel because of his knee injury, but the formation has been different in each game. Birmingham saw a 4-4-2 diamond, Newcastle the "usual" 4-2-2-2, while today's was best described as 4-2-3-1, with Kuyt ostensibly on the right and Meireles then Shelvey lurking menacingly behind Suarez. But both Lucas and Spearing joined the attack at will. Liverpool aren't staid and static, as they always were under Hodgson and all-too-frequently were under Rafa. This team is fluid, flexible, and perpetually dangerous. They never stop pressing and never stop running. And that's with a vast list of players currently injured.

Unbeaten in five, outscoring the opposition 17-3, demonstrates what this side is capable of. Wins like the last three make it incredibly hard to keep hopes for next season from flying into the stratosphere. But, despite today's jubilation, we can't get ahead of ourselves. There is a clear foundation here. There is a clear team here. It is wonderful to be optimistic for a change. But there's obviously still work to be done – both goals conceded prove that by themselves. Thankfully, I'm positive Dalglish knows that, and will ensure the players also know that.

Liverpool at Fulham 05.09.11

3pm ET, live in the US on espn2

Last four head-to-head:
1-0 Liverpool (h) 01.26.11
0-0 (h) 04.11.10
1-3 Fulham (a) 10.31.09
1-0 Liverpool (a) 04.04.09

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 Newcastle (h); 5-0 Brum (h); 1-1 Arsenal (a)
Fulham: 3-0 Sunderland (a); 3-0 Bolton (h); 1-1 Wolves (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 12; Maxi 7; Meireles 5; Gerrard 4; Suarez 3; Carroll, Cole, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Skrtel 2
Fulham: Dempsey 12; Davies, Duff, Hangeland, Zamora 4; Johnson 3; Baird, Dembele, Etuhu, Kamara 2; Gera, Hughes, Kakuta 1

Referee: Lee Mason

Liverpool's "worst" referee, in only his second LFC match this season. The last five with Mason? 1-3 Newcastle (a), 1-1 Stoke (a), 0-2 Pompey (a), 1-3 Fulham (a), 4-0 Burnley (h). Yikes. Howard Webb has nothing on him.

Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Flanagan Carragher Skrtel Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Spearing Meireles
Suarez Carroll

I clearly guessed wrong last week: Dalglish stuck with Maxi despite the sentiment over Carroll facing his old club, and Liverpool ended comfortable 3-0 winners. So, will the enormous Geordie return to the starting XI this week?

Not only has Carroll had another week to recuperate, but Liverpool are away from Anfield. Liverpool will undoubtedly have less possession, and Carroll could be a useful outlet. But at the same time, Carroll struggled against center-backs Hughes and Hangeland when Newcastle hosted Fulham in November, battling to a 0-0 draw.

At least we're confident that Johnson is fit again, and will probably keep his place on the left. Last week, Jonas' threat prompted Johnson to spend the second half on the right to far better effect. This week, Fulham will probably play Davies and Dempsey on the wings of a 4-2-3-1, the formation Hughes has used over the last three games. Davies, on Fulham's right, stays far wider than the American, who prefers to cut in, which would suit the above guess at a line-up.

Dalglish also announced that Aurelio and Jovanovic could return., which seemingly means both might be in the squad. I highly doubt either will start given the time they've missed and other players being preferred.

With three games to play, Fulham are currently in the top half of the table in 9th. The Cottagers have won their last two games (and three of the last five) by a 3-0 margin: at home against Bolton and at Sunderland. Midfielders Duff and Gera are both out, but as said above, Dempsey should be available after missing the last match. The American is in superlative form, notching 12 goals this season, now Fulham's all-time leading scorer in the Premiership. Ugly handful Bobby Zamora is also fit after a broken leg, but has almost always featured off the bench since returning in March. Nonetheless, he's got three goals and two assists in his seven appearances since.

Liverpool have been dominant at home – even under Hodgson, even more so under Dalglish – but are still nowhere near the finished article away from Anfield. Dalglish's road record has been a massive improvement, but we've still seen disappointments like 1-3 West Ham and 1-2 West Brom. The latter's more worrying this week; Fulham, even after Hodgson's exit, is still a team in his image. In the last five meetings, Liverpool has narrowly won 1-0 twice (once home, once away), drawn 0-0 twice, and lost 1-3 at Craven Cottage having two men sent off. Lee Mason was the referee in that loss. Lee Mason is also the referee on Monday.

Given recent results, I'm honestly more worried about this than Spurs at Anfield a week later. But all three matches this month are crucial to Liverpool's future, both short and long-term.

Chalkboards: Fullbacks Switching Flanks

It's not hyperbole to suggest that yesterday saw yet another Dalglish tactical masterstroke, this time with a half-time change.

The early goal meant Liverpool were comfortable, but Newcastle's response pegged the home side back as the interval approached, mainly through Jonas and Enrique's work down the left.

Newcastle were the first side to exploit John Flanagan's youth. Flanagan more than held his own against Milner, Nasri, and Fahey, but Jonas' pace and footwork troubled the right back, putting in a few dangerous crosses and getting Flanagan harshly booked in the 29th minute.

But Johnson's return from injury gave Dalglish the necessary leeway. At left back in the first half – where he played when Kelly impressed prior to each's injury – Johnson switched to the right in the second and promptly shut Jonas down. At the same time, the change also benefited Flanagan, now up against Joey Barton, a player who's had an excellent season, but isn't a threat to beat the fullback for pace or deliver a whipped cross.

The change is evident in chalkboards from the 1st and 2nd halves. For the first two sets – Newcastle's crosses and Jonas' crosses – I superimposed successful crosses atop the unsuccessful attempts, something I wish you could do within the Guardian's flash application.





Three of Newcastle's four successful crosses came from the right and in the first half. Jonas was especially quiet after the interval, with six unsuccessful crosses, four of which were closed down quickly. For all of Barton's 73 passes yesterday, he only attempted one cross, in the 68th minute. It was immediately closed down by Flanagan. Lovenkrands and Ameobi aren't the strongest in the air, while both Carragher and Skrtel have played well of late, but crosses are one of Newcastle's two main weapons (along with set plays, which were atrocious yesterday). That Liverpool were able to nullify that weapon was a major factor in the second half romp.

The duels chalkboard also highlights the difference Johnson made. He had six successful tackles, one successful take-on, and one unsuccessful tackle at RB, compared to two successful take-ons, one unsuccessful take-on, and one won aerial duel when at LB (not shown). Flanagan had one unsuccessful aerial duel, two successful tackles, and two unsuccessful tackles when on the right. He had no individual duels when on the left.

While Johnson was more effective on either flank, this isn't a critique of Flanagan. Glen Johnson is an established England international. John Flanagan is an 18-year-old making his fourth start. Their passing chalkboards are fairly similar, although Johnson's unsurprisingly more involved on either side of the pitch, especially in the opposition's half. It's worth noting that a Flanagan cross, albeit an unsuccessful one partially cleared by Williamson, set up the opener.



Yesterday's performances were even more impressive considering Johnson's just back from a month-long injury, while Flanagan – in only his fourth start – has never played on the left, at least for the senior team. Each shifted seamlessly after the interval; with Liverpool clinging to a 1-0 lead, the change helped close the minor, exploitable gaps, and the home side soon got the additional goals needed to kill the match.

After suffering through the harsh medicine of Hodgson's regime, it's wondrous to have a manager willing and able to make the necessary changes, whether it's a pre-match formation surprise or a mid-game alteration. And it's yet another reason why Dalglish's permanent contract is a mere formality.

Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle

Reina
Flanagan Carragher Skrtel Johnson
Meireles Lucas Spearing Maxi
Kuyt Suarez

Goals:
Maxi 10'
Kuyt 59' (pen)
Suarez 65'

There's no room for sentiment in football. Dalglish, the cold-eyed realist, left Liverpool's £35m Geordie on the bench against his old side, keeping faith with the surprise hat-trick hero. However, Liverpool did revert to the 4-2-2-2 formation often preferred, and were able to restore Johnson to the starting line-up.

Dalglish's belief in Maxi paid dividends almost immediately, with the Argentinean again inexplicably in the right place at the right time in the 10th minute. Williamson accidentally headed Flanagan's cross straight to the in-form marksmen, whose half-volley deflected off Simpson to wrong-foot Krul. It goes without saying that football requires both luck and talent.

With the early goal pocketed, it seemed likely Liverpool would roll their way to glory as against Brum. But Newcastle responded well: keeping possession, restricting the counter-attack with a high back line, and threatening through Jonas up against Flanagan. At the same time, the Geordies racked up set plays, with five first half corners and five free kicks in Liverpool's half. But Barton's delivery was thankfully atrocious all game long, while Carragher and Skrtel ensured Jonas' crosses didn't find the heads of Ameobi or Lovenkrands. For the second straight game, Reina probably could have fallen asleep in the goalmouth.

Liverpool cleverly compensated for Jonas' threat by switching Johnson and Flanagan after the interval. Following a chance for each side before 90 seconds were off the clock – Barton wide on the half-volley from Nolan's cross, then Suarez's left-footed shot deflected in the near post side-netting – Liverpool reclaimed momentum thanks to Suarez's increasing influence. Running at defenders, constantly looking to bamboozle markers, Suarez first won a spot kick on the counter when released by Reina's punt and turning past Williamson into the box. Kuyt converted yet again, sending Krul the wrong way.

Less than six minutes later, Suarez finally returned to the score sheet, his first goal in five weeks. His throughball luckily deflected to Kuyt, who looked up and found the Uruguayan's clever run toward the penalty shot, aided by Maxi's movement to draw defenders. Unsurprisingly, the striker made no mistake.

From there, Liverpool were satisfied with counter-attacking and content to stifle. Carroll replaced Maxi for the final 20 minutes, but was unable to provide more than a cameo against his old club. With 10 to play, Shelvey replaced the left back again, as against Birmingham, used more and more as a jack-of-all-trades utility player when injuries have required. And finally, the human victory cigar Joe Cole replaced Suarez with seconds to play, allowing him the standing ovation Maxi received last time out.

With Barton's set play delivery consistently horrible, Newcastle posed next to no threat once the home side got a handle on Jonas. Liverpool were supremely comfortable, scoring three for the fourth-consecutive home game, the first time that's happened since the magical run-in in 2009. Lucas and Spearing bossed midfield; Suarez demonstrated the difference he can make; Kuyt kept his perfect record from the penalty spot (coincidentally, scoring for the fourth-consecutive game); Maxi continued his hot form; Johnson stepped straight back into the fray with little ring rust; and Carragher, Skrtel, and Reina were fairly untroubled. Yet again, there's very little to complain about, which has become a very nice change of pace.

Most importantly, the impossible has happened, and Liverpool are amongst the European places for the first time this season. Tottenham, with a game in hand, are only in sixth on goal difference, but still have to come to Anfield as well as travel to City. If Liverpool win their last three games – nowhere near assured, no matter recent form, with two away from Anfield – they'll be in the Europa League come next season. Which is jaw-droppingly amazing when you realize the lows reached during the previous 10 months.