10am ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus
Last four head-to-head:
1-0 Liverpool (a) 10.31.10
2-0 Liverpool (h) 01.30.10
3-2 Liverpool (a) 08.29.09
3-0 Liverpool (h) 12.26.08
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Wolves (a); 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-3 Newcastle (a)
Bolton: 0-1 Chelsea (a); 2-0 West Brom (h); 0-1 Sunderland (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 5; Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi 3; Kyrgiakos, Ngog 2; Johnson, Babel, Skrtel 1
Bolton: Elmander 9; K Davies 6; Petrov 3; Holden, Lee, Klasnic 2; Blake, M Davies, Knight, Muamba, Steinsson, Taylor 1
Referee: Kevin Friend
This will be the first time Friend's been in charge of a Liverpool match.
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Agger Aurelio
Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres
I have never rooted against Liverpool in my life. No matter how infuriated I get before, during, and after the matches – which you're well-aware of if you follow me on Twitter – I'm always hoping for a win. But because of the interminable Roy Hodgson situation, I'm as close as ever to wanting results go the wrong way. More losses = more criticism = more Hodgson out, which is absolutely for the greater good.
Ryan at The Good Men Project did an excellent job of summing up the Prisoner's Dilemma of fandom. Hoping for the worst goes against everything we're supposed to believe in, but in the long-term, would probably be for the best. Which is all well and good a day before the match. When 10am rolls around tomorrow, I'll probably be unable to separate the two, and will regress to living and dying with every kick of the ball, resuming the calls for Hodgson's head after the final whistle. Such is sport.
As to the actual match... will Roy make wholesale changes after Wednesday's embarrassment? Will he continue to stubbornly rely on 'his methods' or alter the lineup or formation after losing to Wolves?
Obviously, the above guess is mostly hope. It's nearly the same lineup I guessed going into Wednesday's match, and similar to the "ideal" posted in yesterday's analysis. Gerrard behind the striker instead of in central midfield, where Lucas and Meireles would resume their partnership. Kuyt on the right and Maxi on the left. Agger back in the fold, joined by Kyrgiakos instead of Skrtel because of Kevin Davies' aerial prowess. And since the guess is based more on hope than reality, Aurelio at left back, which is actually a possibility because of the cruel reception Konchesky received when substituted against Wolves. I do believe that Hodgson will try harder to 'give the fans what they want' after Wednesday's result. But we still probably won't see this many changes.
The trip to Bolton saw Liverpool seize its lone away win with a singular moment of magic from Torres in setting up Maxi's late goal. Were it not Liverpool's only road victory of the season, it'd be an impressive result given Bolton's improvement under Owen Coyle.
The Trotters currently sit sixth in the league, seven points ahead of Liverpool, albeit having played two more games. They gave Chelsea all it could handle on Wednesday, narrowly losing 0-1 at Stamford Bridge despite matching the defending champions for long stretches.
However, Bolton do have injury concerns and a shallow squad going into this game. O'Brien, Sean Davis, Ricardo Gardner, and Jlloyd Samuel are all long-term casualties. Stuart Holden, who's been a revelation this season, progressing by leaps and bounds, is doubtful after a knock taken against Chelsea, as is right-back Steinsson. Chung-Yong Lee is away at the Asian World Cup, Tamir Cohen is on compassionate leave after the death of his father (former Liverpool player Avi Cohen), and left-back Paul Robinson is suspended. Bolton will have only 15 or 16 players available for this match.
But that won't change Coyle's philosophy. There are still elements of the long ball tactics pervasive under the reigns of Allardyce and Megson, as Kevin Davies is still a linchpin, but Bolton play on the front foot far more often than not these days. They look to impose their game on the opposition instead of simple 'foul and hoof' nullification; these days, Hodgson's Liverpool looks more like Bolton than Bolton. And Coyle will be well-aware of Liverpool's current tactics and troubles.
This is at Anfield and begins a packed, crucial month for the club. There has to be a response following Wednesday's let-down; not only does Liverpool have to right the ship results-wise, they now have to restore normalcy at Anfield. Home form, the lone bright spot, cannot mirror away form. Liverpool cannot continue its inexorable slide towards the relegation zone.
Outside of removing the cancerous ownership, 2010 has been an annus horribilis from start to finish. 2011 is a whole new year. It can't possibly be worse, can it?
31 December 2010
30 December 2010
Accommodating Hodgson, Accommodating Gerrard
The best managers tailor their system to the players at their disposal. Mourinho using a deeper back-line with Inter than any other team he's coached because of that unit's weakness and Ferguson deploying every formation under the sun during his time at Old Trafford are two recent examples, even though citing those two men pains me.
Unfortunately, Liverpool's current manager believes the opposite. He has a system, and he'll keep hammering square pegs into round holes until they fit or the hammer breaks.
Last night's lineup was the worst example of the trait. A proven central midfielder on the right, a converted right winger forced onto the left, and a continued belief that it's 4-4-2 or bust. Unlike with Liverpool's previous manager, the opposition's tactics don't enter into Hodgson's equation at any stage. Roy's rules of managing seems to be a list comprising two tenets. One: his team is playing 4-4-2. Two: Gerrard must play in central midfield.
The second maxim is arguably the more depressing. The captain's return was the domino that sent all the others falling. If Gerrard plays behind Torres, using the formation which previously brought success and had been halfheartedly adopted earlier this season, Meireles isn't pushed onto the right, which ultimately sends Kuyt to the opposite flank. But, instead, the team's built around the captain's supposed "preferred position" and the entire house of cards crumbles against the 20th-placed side in the league at Anfield.
Lucas and Meireles were at the heart of the positives against Aston Villa. Yes, the pairing also played in the loss to Tottenham, where both did well, and the travesty at Newcastle, where both were rendered invisible by the usual away tactics, but the partnership had been one of the few bright spots this season. Yet all that's thrown away the second Gerrard returns from injury, to the obvious detriment of the team as a whole.
In addition, that Kuyt's still an ever-present can't be ignored. Playing Maxi on the left, arguably in the best form of his Liverpool career, at the expense of Kuyt may have changed last night's result. That Kuyt, like Gerrard, also needed to be wedged into the team increased problems. But that every manager who's had Kuyt available has found a starting spot for him – including the national team manager who played him on the left at times during the Netherlands' World Cup run – speaks volumes. He's not the main problem; as usual, when the team plays well, Kuyt plays well, and when the team's performing poorly, Kuyt's weaknesses are exacerbated. That's been the case since Kuyt arrived.
Hodgson's shown a remarkable refusal to compromise throughout the season, including those oft-featured indignant quotes when his methods were questioned:
It's easy to play fantasy football – as Purslow did this summer – but this team's crying out for something other than Hodgson's two requirements. Torres is a striker who thrives on balls to feet and when given a chance to run at defenders, not isolated and forced to hold up play with his back to goal following aimless hoofs from the defense. Gerrard's been at his best in the last five years when played behind a main striker. The Lucas/Meireles pairing was the first capable partnership we've seen since Alonso left; neither Gerrard nor Lucas combined well with the talented Mascherano last season and nothing else has looked remotely passable this campaign. Kuyt, Jovanovic, and Cole (and Maxi, to a lesser extent) are attacking forwards, not 4-4-2 wingers. Glen Johnson is an attacking fullback; along with Aurelio, he's best suited to provide width in this team. Reina needs to play short from the back instead of ordered to punt the ball into the opposition half, as this chalkboard posted on the Tomkins Times demonstrates. Neglected center-back Daniel Agger's also handy at playing the ball out of defense. But, then again, I'm an idiotic layman, not one of the most respected coaches in Europe.
This team is crying out for a formation akin to:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Aurelio
Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres
The manager with 35 years experience is the only one who can't see it. He's bound and determined to find success with "his methods," no matter how quickly the ship sinking. And the saddest part is that's only one of many reasons why he needs to go as soon as possible.
Yet it seems the new ownership is determined to accommodate Hodgson until they can make a change on their own terms. Even the best long-term intentions are subject to short-term crises. Liverpool can't wait much longer for that day to come.
Unfortunately, Liverpool's current manager believes the opposite. He has a system, and he'll keep hammering square pegs into round holes until they fit or the hammer breaks.
Last night's lineup was the worst example of the trait. A proven central midfielder on the right, a converted right winger forced onto the left, and a continued belief that it's 4-4-2 or bust. Unlike with Liverpool's previous manager, the opposition's tactics don't enter into Hodgson's equation at any stage. Roy's rules of managing seems to be a list comprising two tenets. One: his team is playing 4-4-2. Two: Gerrard must play in central midfield.
The second maxim is arguably the more depressing. The captain's return was the domino that sent all the others falling. If Gerrard plays behind Torres, using the formation which previously brought success and had been halfheartedly adopted earlier this season, Meireles isn't pushed onto the right, which ultimately sends Kuyt to the opposite flank. But, instead, the team's built around the captain's supposed "preferred position" and the entire house of cards crumbles against the 20th-placed side in the league at Anfield.
Lucas and Meireles were at the heart of the positives against Aston Villa. Yes, the pairing also played in the loss to Tottenham, where both did well, and the travesty at Newcastle, where both were rendered invisible by the usual away tactics, but the partnership had been one of the few bright spots this season. Yet all that's thrown away the second Gerrard returns from injury, to the obvious detriment of the team as a whole.
In addition, that Kuyt's still an ever-present can't be ignored. Playing Maxi on the left, arguably in the best form of his Liverpool career, at the expense of Kuyt may have changed last night's result. That Kuyt, like Gerrard, also needed to be wedged into the team increased problems. But that every manager who's had Kuyt available has found a starting spot for him – including the national team manager who played him on the left at times during the Netherlands' World Cup run – speaks volumes. He's not the main problem; as usual, when the team plays well, Kuyt plays well, and when the team's performing poorly, Kuyt's weaknesses are exacerbated. That's been the case since Kuyt arrived.
Hodgson's shown a remarkable refusal to compromise throughout the season, including those oft-featured indignant quotes when his methods were questioned:
"What do you mean do my methods translate? They have translated from Halmstad to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss national team. So I find the question insulting. To suggest that, because I have moved from one club to another, that the methods which have stood me in good stead for 35 years and made me one of the most respected coaches in Europe don’t suddenly work, is very hard to believe."
It's easy to play fantasy football – as Purslow did this summer – but this team's crying out for something other than Hodgson's two requirements. Torres is a striker who thrives on balls to feet and when given a chance to run at defenders, not isolated and forced to hold up play with his back to goal following aimless hoofs from the defense. Gerrard's been at his best in the last five years when played behind a main striker. The Lucas/Meireles pairing was the first capable partnership we've seen since Alonso left; neither Gerrard nor Lucas combined well with the talented Mascherano last season and nothing else has looked remotely passable this campaign. Kuyt, Jovanovic, and Cole (and Maxi, to a lesser extent) are attacking forwards, not 4-4-2 wingers. Glen Johnson is an attacking fullback; along with Aurelio, he's best suited to provide width in this team. Reina needs to play short from the back instead of ordered to punt the ball into the opposition half, as this chalkboard posted on the Tomkins Times demonstrates. Neglected center-back Daniel Agger's also handy at playing the ball out of defense. But, then again, I'm an idiotic layman, not one of the most respected coaches in Europe.
This team is crying out for a formation akin to:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Aurelio
Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres
The manager with 35 years experience is the only one who can't see it. He's bound and determined to find success with "his methods," no matter how quickly the ship sinking. And the saddest part is that's only one of many reasons why he needs to go as soon as possible.
Yet it seems the new ownership is determined to accommodate Hodgson until they can make a change on their own terms. Even the best long-term intentions are subject to short-term crises. Liverpool can't wait much longer for that day to come.
29 December 2010
Liverpool 0-1 Wolverhampton
Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Meireles Gerrard Lucas Kuyt
Ngog Torres
Goals:
Ward 56'
So much for at least being reliably decent at Anfield...
Wolves dominated every phase of the game and deserved their win. And this is a side that hadn't won away all season long. Liverpool were passive, rusty, uncoordinated, and tactically bereft. Gerrard's return completely unbalanced the midfield, exacerbated by playing both Kuyt and Meireles in unfamiliar positions on the flanks. Wolves' determined pressing, man-marking from top to bottom and holding a high back-line, prompted the dreaded 'hoofing' syndrome. And the malady was worse than usual: the center-backs consistently returned the ball to Reina, whose punt forward was quickly reclaimed by the visitors. Embarrassingly simplistic and submissive, playing directly into Wolves' hands and increasingly demoralizing the players; Torres was full-on sulk by the end of the match, and it's hard to blame him.
Liverpool may have had the better chances in the first half – had Meireles converted Torres' quick free kick in the 7th, it might have been a completely different game, while Walton could have given a penalty when Kyrgiakos was hauled down on a corner in the 39th – but Wolves were the only cohesive side. Tactically, Liverpool were lost, and it's no coincidence that both of the aforementioned "chances" came on set plays.
Soon into the second half, Wolves made Liverpool pay for its incompetence, taking advantage of the inevitable defensive mistake. Kyrgiakos couldn't clear, conceding possession to Ebanks-Blake, who found Ward with a throughball when Skrtel didn't track the makeshift striker. One-on-one with Reina, the man sent off in last season's meeting at Anfield scored the lone goal of this terrible performance.
Liverpool brought on Babel, Cole, and Aurelio in their attempt to create some palpable offense, but none came. The side remained mired in insipid nothingness with zero cohesion in attack. Back-passes, hoofs, and lost possession remained the overriding themes. Cole ended up more a central midfielder than the actual central midfielder he replaced. Clueless doesn't even come close to summarizing, but that moment coupled with Gerrard – Liverpool's rescuer time and time again – spraying balls from the center circle instead of joining the attack as the game escaped reach demonstrates the unsuitability of the so-called plan.
Wolves continued to press after scoring the opener instead of retreating into their own half, recognizing Liverpool's utter impotence. Skrtel's "goal" ruled out in the 88th, caught offside by Wolves' trap, is about all there is to "highlight," and it wasn't even close to controversial. And again, the chance came on a set piece arguably against the run of play.
That the players were obviously rusty after the long layoff and few, if any, can escape condemnation shouldn't obscure the fact that the loss is down to the manager. I've been calling for his head since October, so whatever I say is taken with a rightful grain of salt, but I can't see how he survives this. The tactics are down to the manager. The antiquated formation and playing players out of position are down to the manager. The team's utter lack of both ambition and confidence is down to the manager.
NESV clearly don't want to be rushed into a decision. They're on a steep learning curve as it is, Comolli's only recently in place, and a CEO still hasn't been found. Hodgson only had to tread water for this season to be a wash, and they could hire their man for the future on their own terms.
But that's clearly not going to work. After 18 games, nearly half the season, Liverpool are 12th, with a negative goal difference and only three points above the relegation zone. It's a historically bad total. Liverpool's home form was the lone safeguard, having "righted the ship" after the demoralizing loss to Blackpool, unbeaten at Anfield since the beginning of October. But then they go and lose to the 20th-placed side while displaying all the awful characteristics of the worst away performances.
With the table so tight, we'd been hoping for a good run to push the side up towards the European places, but on this form, a losing run back to the bottom three – where Liverpool sat less than three months ago – looks far more likely. The change has to be made now.
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Meireles Gerrard Lucas Kuyt
Ngog Torres
Goals:
Ward 56'
So much for at least being reliably decent at Anfield...
Wolves dominated every phase of the game and deserved their win. And this is a side that hadn't won away all season long. Liverpool were passive, rusty, uncoordinated, and tactically bereft. Gerrard's return completely unbalanced the midfield, exacerbated by playing both Kuyt and Meireles in unfamiliar positions on the flanks. Wolves' determined pressing, man-marking from top to bottom and holding a high back-line, prompted the dreaded 'hoofing' syndrome. And the malady was worse than usual: the center-backs consistently returned the ball to Reina, whose punt forward was quickly reclaimed by the visitors. Embarrassingly simplistic and submissive, playing directly into Wolves' hands and increasingly demoralizing the players; Torres was full-on sulk by the end of the match, and it's hard to blame him.
Liverpool may have had the better chances in the first half – had Meireles converted Torres' quick free kick in the 7th, it might have been a completely different game, while Walton could have given a penalty when Kyrgiakos was hauled down on a corner in the 39th – but Wolves were the only cohesive side. Tactically, Liverpool were lost, and it's no coincidence that both of the aforementioned "chances" came on set plays.
Soon into the second half, Wolves made Liverpool pay for its incompetence, taking advantage of the inevitable defensive mistake. Kyrgiakos couldn't clear, conceding possession to Ebanks-Blake, who found Ward with a throughball when Skrtel didn't track the makeshift striker. One-on-one with Reina, the man sent off in last season's meeting at Anfield scored the lone goal of this terrible performance.
Liverpool brought on Babel, Cole, and Aurelio in their attempt to create some palpable offense, but none came. The side remained mired in insipid nothingness with zero cohesion in attack. Back-passes, hoofs, and lost possession remained the overriding themes. Cole ended up more a central midfielder than the actual central midfielder he replaced. Clueless doesn't even come close to summarizing, but that moment coupled with Gerrard – Liverpool's rescuer time and time again – spraying balls from the center circle instead of joining the attack as the game escaped reach demonstrates the unsuitability of the so-called plan.
Wolves continued to press after scoring the opener instead of retreating into their own half, recognizing Liverpool's utter impotence. Skrtel's "goal" ruled out in the 88th, caught offside by Wolves' trap, is about all there is to "highlight," and it wasn't even close to controversial. And again, the chance came on a set piece arguably against the run of play.
That the players were obviously rusty after the long layoff and few, if any, can escape condemnation shouldn't obscure the fact that the loss is down to the manager. I've been calling for his head since October, so whatever I say is taken with a rightful grain of salt, but I can't see how he survives this. The tactics are down to the manager. The antiquated formation and playing players out of position are down to the manager. The team's utter lack of both ambition and confidence is down to the manager.
NESV clearly don't want to be rushed into a decision. They're on a steep learning curve as it is, Comolli's only recently in place, and a CEO still hasn't been found. Hodgson only had to tread water for this season to be a wash, and they could hire their man for the future on their own terms.
But that's clearly not going to work. After 18 games, nearly half the season, Liverpool are 12th, with a negative goal difference and only three points above the relegation zone. It's a historically bad total. Liverpool's home form was the lone safeguard, having "righted the ship" after the demoralizing loss to Blackpool, unbeaten at Anfield since the beginning of October. But then they go and lose to the 20th-placed side while displaying all the awful characteristics of the worst away performances.
With the table so tight, we'd been hoping for a good run to push the side up towards the European places, but on this form, a losing run back to the bottom three – where Liverpool sat less than three months ago – looks far more likely. The change has to be made now.
28 December 2010
Liverpool v Wolverhampton 12.29.10
3pm ET, not live in the US. It is available, for a fee, at FoxSoccer.tv and is delayed on FSC at 5pm. It's also on Sky Sports 1 in the UK, so there should be streams.
Last four head-to-head:
0-0 (a) 01.26.10
2-0 Liverpool (h) 12.26.09
1-0 Liverpool (h) 03.20.04
1-1 (a) 01.21.04
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-3 Newcastle (a); 3-0 Villa (h)
Wolves: 1-2 Wigan (h); 1-0 Brum (h); 0-3 Blackburn (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 5; Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi 3; Kyrgiakos, Ngog 2; Johnson, Babel, Skrtel 1
Wolves: Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher 4; Foley, Hunt, Jarvis 2; Doyle, Edwards, Jones, Milijas, Van Damme 1
Referee: Peter Walton
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres
I hope Liverpool's put its mini-Winter Break to use. The club will now have to play eight games in the next 30 days.
I'm guessing the same XI previously predicted to face Blackpool. Gerrard will walk straight back into the side, ideally behind Torres or on the right instead of in central midfield. Agger's declared fit, and Hodgson has hinted at a starting place, but keeping the faith with Kyrgiakos seems more likely given past preferences. The long respite should see Aurelio fully rested, but Konchesky will most likely keep his place, to the chagrin of everyone but the manager.
Bottom of the table and winless away from home this season, Wolves will still present problems. They're a physical, resilient side who caused trouble in both meetings last season, only losing at Anfield after having a man sent off. Both Ebanks-Blake and Fletcher can score goals, but McCarthy's usually started one or the other – Ebanks-Blake more often than not. Matt Jarvis has had a breakthrough season so far.
Inconsistency and defense have been Wolverhampton's main issues: shipping two goals at home to struggling Wigan and three to Blackburn sums up the defensive woes. But this is still the same side that beat Man City and asked serious questions of Chelsea before that side's recent dip in form, hence the inconsistency reference. Injuries have also been a problem; Wolves are still without Doyle, Craddock, Mancienne, and Karl Henry.
In theory, at Anfield against the 20th placed side should present few problems. That Liverpool haven't played for two weeks creates fears over form, but also means the side should be raring to go. Liverpool have been consistent at home, unbeaten at Anfield since the beginning of October. While expected, a win tomorrow, whether a tight 1-0 victory or a stylish romp, would set the side up well for the upcoming crucial month.
Last four head-to-head:
0-0 (a) 01.26.10
2-0 Liverpool (h) 12.26.09
1-0 Liverpool (h) 03.20.04
1-1 (a) 01.21.04
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-3 Newcastle (a); 3-0 Villa (h)
Wolves: 1-2 Wigan (h); 1-0 Brum (h); 0-3 Blackburn (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 5; Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi 3; Kyrgiakos, Ngog 2; Johnson, Babel, Skrtel 1
Wolves: Ebanks-Blake, Fletcher 4; Foley, Hunt, Jarvis 2; Doyle, Edwards, Jones, Milijas, Van Damme 1
Referee: Peter Walton
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres
I hope Liverpool's put its mini-Winter Break to use. The club will now have to play eight games in the next 30 days.
I'm guessing the same XI previously predicted to face Blackpool. Gerrard will walk straight back into the side, ideally behind Torres or on the right instead of in central midfield. Agger's declared fit, and Hodgson has hinted at a starting place, but keeping the faith with Kyrgiakos seems more likely given past preferences. The long respite should see Aurelio fully rested, but Konchesky will most likely keep his place, to the chagrin of everyone but the manager.
Bottom of the table and winless away from home this season, Wolves will still present problems. They're a physical, resilient side who caused trouble in both meetings last season, only losing at Anfield after having a man sent off. Both Ebanks-Blake and Fletcher can score goals, but McCarthy's usually started one or the other – Ebanks-Blake more often than not. Matt Jarvis has had a breakthrough season so far.
Inconsistency and defense have been Wolverhampton's main issues: shipping two goals at home to struggling Wigan and three to Blackburn sums up the defensive woes. But this is still the same side that beat Man City and asked serious questions of Chelsea before that side's recent dip in form, hence the inconsistency reference. Injuries have also been a problem; Wolves are still without Doyle, Craddock, Mancienne, and Karl Henry.
In theory, at Anfield against the 20th placed side should present few problems. That Liverpool haven't played for two weeks creates fears over form, but also means the side should be raring to go. Liverpool have been consistent at home, unbeaten at Anfield since the beginning of October. While expected, a win tomorrow, whether a tight 1-0 victory or a stylish romp, would set the side up well for the upcoming crucial month.
26 December 2010
Liverpool PP-PP Blackpool
Tremendous. Another week, another cancellation. Blackpool's pitch is frozen. Happy Holidays. It's an absolute sin that the Premier League doesn't require undersoil heating, and this is the third game at Bloomfield Road postponed so far this season. At least Everton v Birmingham's also been pushed back so Liverpool's isn't the only game not taking place.
The match has already been rescheduled for January 12th – here's hoping the weather's better in two and a half weeks' time. And if you hadn't heard, last week's match against Fulham has been moved to January 26th. It's gonna be a busy month. There are now seven fixtures scheduled for January; if Liverpool somehow beat United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, it'll be eight.
It just does not feel like Boxing Day without Liverpool.
The match has already been rescheduled for January 12th – here's hoping the weather's better in two and a half weeks' time. And if you hadn't heard, last week's match against Fulham has been moved to January 26th. It's gonna be a busy month. There are now seven fixtures scheduled for January; if Liverpool somehow beat United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, it'll be eight.
It just does not feel like Boxing Day without Liverpool.
24 December 2010
Liverpool at Blackpool 12.26.10
10am ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus
Last four head-to-head:
1-2 Blackpool (h) 10.3.10
2-2 (h) 01.09.71
0-0 (a) 08.17.70
1-3 Blackpool (h) 05.13.67
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-3 Newcastle (a); 3-0 Villa (h)
Blackpool: 1-0 Stoke (a); 2-2 Bolton (a); 2-1 Wolves (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 5; Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi 3; Kyrgiakos, Ngog 2; Johnson, Babel, Skrtel 1
Blackpool: Harewood, Varney 5; Adam, Campbell 3; Taylor-Fletcher 2; Baptiste, Eardley, Evatt, Phillips, Vaughan 1
Referee: Mike Oliver
Oliver's only been in charge of one other Liverpool match: a 2008 win over Crewe in the Carling Cup.
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres
Tentatively, it looks as if this match will go ahead. We'll have to wait for a pitch inspection three hours before kickoff for confirmation, but unlike last week, multiple matches haven't been canceled in advance. This is the only Boxing Day fixture in doubt. And if this match is postponed, it'll be the third called off at Bloomfield Road this season. One would hope the Premier League will make undersoil heating a requirement next year.
Gerrard's return finally begs the question of what to do with the midfield. The partnership of Lucas and Meireles has shone in the captain's absence, and Hodgson's been able to play his preferred 4-4-2 formation. In a perfect world, Gerrard would be the player deployed on the right; he was excellent in the position during 2005-06, and we're all aware that Kuyt's had an iffy run of form lately. But more likely is Meireles returning to the right, as against Stoke, Wigan, and Chelsea (and when these two sides met at Anfield). The compromise is returning to last season's formation, with Gerrard playing behind Torres and Ngog left out.
Daniel Agger's also fit again, but I doubt he'll start. He's been out for a long spell, and wasn't in the manager's good graces when healthy. At best, he may get a look-in off the bench. Of course, Agger could start at left-back, where he's seen the most time this season, but if Hodgson hasn't dropped Konchesky with Aurelio fit, I doubt he will for Agger. And, obviously, I hope Konchesky's dropped for Aurelio.
One good thing to come out of last week's postponements is that Charlie Adam's now suspended for this game instead of the previous. Adam is indescribably crucial for Blackpool, and had an enormous impact when these two teams met in October. He provided the excellent throughball that won a penalty and tallied the resulting spot kick for the first goal. With time and space, which Liverpool gave him plenty of in the last meeting, he pulls the strings. In theory, playing the likes of Lucas instead of Poulsen, as happened in October, will give Adam a lot less time and space.
Blackpool are level on points with Liverpool with a game in hand, one place below the Reds on goal difference. Even with a long injury list – including joint-top scorer Marlon Harewood and starting goalkeeper Matt Gilks – the Tangerines are unbeaten in four matches. They beat Stoke in Stoke – something Liverpool never looked like doing this season – and drew at Bolton in their last two. Unlike Liverpool, they've actually been better away from home, taking 14 points from 10 games compared to eight from six at Bloomfield.
As has been repeated time and time again, we need to see Liverpool perform away from Anfield. The late win against Bolton at the end of October remains the side's only away league victory. And we've seen some dire road performances: Newcastle, Stoke, Wigan, and Everton, among many others, pop immediately to mind.
It's nearly the New Year. It's time for this team, and this manager, to start meeting the minimum expectations.
Last four head-to-head:
1-2 Blackpool (h) 10.3.10
2-2 (h) 01.09.71
0-0 (a) 08.17.70
1-3 Blackpool (h) 05.13.67
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Utrecht (h); 1-3 Newcastle (a); 3-0 Villa (h)
Blackpool: 1-0 Stoke (a); 2-2 Bolton (a); 2-1 Wolves (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 5; Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi 3; Kyrgiakos, Ngog 2; Johnson, Babel, Skrtel 1
Blackpool: Harewood, Varney 5; Adam, Campbell 3; Taylor-Fletcher 2; Baptiste, Eardley, Evatt, Phillips, Vaughan 1
Referee: Mike Oliver
Oliver's only been in charge of one other Liverpool match: a 2008 win over Crewe in the Carling Cup.
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres
Tentatively, it looks as if this match will go ahead. We'll have to wait for a pitch inspection three hours before kickoff for confirmation, but unlike last week, multiple matches haven't been canceled in advance. This is the only Boxing Day fixture in doubt. And if this match is postponed, it'll be the third called off at Bloomfield Road this season. One would hope the Premier League will make undersoil heating a requirement next year.
Gerrard's return finally begs the question of what to do with the midfield. The partnership of Lucas and Meireles has shone in the captain's absence, and Hodgson's been able to play his preferred 4-4-2 formation. In a perfect world, Gerrard would be the player deployed on the right; he was excellent in the position during 2005-06, and we're all aware that Kuyt's had an iffy run of form lately. But more likely is Meireles returning to the right, as against Stoke, Wigan, and Chelsea (and when these two sides met at Anfield). The compromise is returning to last season's formation, with Gerrard playing behind Torres and Ngog left out.
Daniel Agger's also fit again, but I doubt he'll start. He's been out for a long spell, and wasn't in the manager's good graces when healthy. At best, he may get a look-in off the bench. Of course, Agger could start at left-back, where he's seen the most time this season, but if Hodgson hasn't dropped Konchesky with Aurelio fit, I doubt he will for Agger. And, obviously, I hope Konchesky's dropped for Aurelio.
One good thing to come out of last week's postponements is that Charlie Adam's now suspended for this game instead of the previous. Adam is indescribably crucial for Blackpool, and had an enormous impact when these two teams met in October. He provided the excellent throughball that won a penalty and tallied the resulting spot kick for the first goal. With time and space, which Liverpool gave him plenty of in the last meeting, he pulls the strings. In theory, playing the likes of Lucas instead of Poulsen, as happened in October, will give Adam a lot less time and space.
Blackpool are level on points with Liverpool with a game in hand, one place below the Reds on goal difference. Even with a long injury list – including joint-top scorer Marlon Harewood and starting goalkeeper Matt Gilks – the Tangerines are unbeaten in four matches. They beat Stoke in Stoke – something Liverpool never looked like doing this season – and drew at Bolton in their last two. Unlike Liverpool, they've actually been better away from home, taking 14 points from 10 games compared to eight from six at Bloomfield.
As has been repeated time and time again, we need to see Liverpool perform away from Anfield. The late win against Bolton at the end of October remains the side's only away league victory. And we've seen some dire road performances: Newcastle, Stoke, Wigan, and Everton, among many others, pop immediately to mind.
It's nearly the New Year. It's time for this team, and this manager, to start meeting the minimum expectations.
21 December 2010
Steadying the Ship
Posted without comment.
Okay, one comment. Yes, we're not even halfway through the season, but form through the first 17 games has been a decent predictor of Liverpool's final league position for the two previous campaigns. To grasp at some statistics, take a look at the mean, median, and mode of Liverpool's league place from week 4 through week 17 for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
FYI: I started on week 4 so every team had a couple of games under its belt. Otherwise, the table's fairly dependent on alphabetical order. Week 4 is about when form begins to separate sides while still giving us a decently large sample size.
2008-09
Mean: 2nd
Median: 2nd
Mode: 2nd
2009-10
Mean: 6th
Median: 6th
Mode: 7th
And here are those numbers for this season...
Mean: 11th
Median: 12th
Mode: 9th
Mid-table. At best.
18 December 2010
Liverpool PP-PP Fulham
Today's match against Fulham has been postponed due to hazardous traveling conditions. Evidently there are a few inches of snow in England and the world's about to end. It's far from the only match called off; Arsenal v Stoke, Birmingham v Newcastle, Wigan v Aston Villa, and tomorrow's Chelsea v United have also been pushed back.
Liverpool haven't announced when this fixture will now take place.
This is all Al Gore's fault; thanks a lot for 'climate change.' Well, his fault or Roy Hodgson's.
Liverpool haven't announced when this fixture will now take place.
This is all Al Gore's fault; thanks a lot for 'climate change.' Well, his fault or Roy Hodgson's.
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