2:45pm ET, live in the US on espn2
Last four head-to-head:
0-1 Fulham (a) 12.05.11
5-2 Liverpool (a) 05.09.11
1-0 Liverpool (h) 01.26.11
0-0 (h) 04.11.10
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 3-0 Norwich (a); 0-1 West Brom (h); 2-1 Everton (n)
Fulham: 0-4 Everton (a); 2-1 Wigan (h); 1-1 Chelsea (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 11; Bellamy 6; Gerrard 5; Carroll, Maxi 4; Adam, Kuyt, Skrtel 2; Coates, Henderson, Johnson 1
Fulham: Dempsey 16; Pogrebnyak 6; Johnson 3; Duff, Murphy, Ruiz 2; Dembele, Diarra, Sa, Senderos, Sidwell 1
Referee: Lee Probert
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Kelly Skrtel Coates Enrique
Henderson Spearing
Kuyt Shelvey Maxi
Carroll
There will be changes. Which, as usual, leads to the question as to how many changes. My guess is "a lot."
There's a long list of players in line to be rested. Gerrard and Agger top that list. Suarez and Johnson aren't far behind. Enrique would be as well if Liverpool had another viable option at left-back; Robinson and Aurelio both seem remote possiblities. Bellamy and Carragher almost assuredly won't start after playing against Norwich, and Downing shouldn't after the performance he delivered. Which seemingly leaves us with the above options.
Even though Carroll missed Saturday's match because of an injury concern, I suspect he'll start tomorrow. I'll be surprised if he's in Saturday's XI, more because of Chelsea's formation and tactics (and Liverpool's "big game" tactics) rather than Carroll's failings. Tomorrow presents a chance to both rest Suarez and give Carroll an opportunity to prove he should play in the cup final.
Fulham will be difficult opponents no matter the line-up Liverpool deploy. Other than the 5-2 mauling during last season's run-in, thanks to Suarez and Maxi's brilliance, they're a team that's given Liverpool problems going back to Benitez's reign. Three points and one place behind Liverpool in the table, Jol's side is capable of excellence, awfulness, and mediocrity. Sometimes within the same match. It's a side that scored six against QPR, five against Newcastle, and five against Wolves – admittedly, all at Craven Cottage – held Chelsea to 1-1 draws both home and away, and were the first to take points off of Manchester City this season. But it's also the same side which were demolished 0-5 at United in December, 0-3 against Swansea a few weeks back, and 0-4 at Everton on Saturday. So, a side as inconsistent as Liverpool, but far more likely to both score and concede more.
And I doubt I need to remind of the reverse fixture, another eminently frustrating Liverpool performance which saw the away side "dominate" but ultimately lose after failing to score, having Spearing sent off (arguably unfairly), and conceding a cheap, late goal to Fulham's top scorer by some distance, Clint Dempsey, who shouldn't have been on the field after head-butting Bellamy earlier in the match.
Fulham's usual formation is 4-4-1-1. Most impressive, at least to me, is the side's versatility within that formation. Dempsey and Dembele – one of my favorite non-Liverpool players in the league – are the keys to that versatility. January signing Pogrebnyak, with six goals in nine appearances, is the usual spearhead, but Dempsey's played up front with Dembele in support in previous matches, often against stronger opposition. Dembele could also play in central midfield or on the flanks, as Dempsey has in previous appearances.
Still, the most likely formation is Pogrebnyak up front, Dempsey in the hole, Dembele and Murphy (or Diarra) in midfield, and Duff and Frei on the flanks. With right-back Stephen Kelly injured, Hughes-Senderos-Hangeland-Riise should be the back four, although Baird could also come in for Senderos, as he did at half-time against Everton. Yep, Fulham's likely XI contains two ex-Liverpool players. That usually ends well. Ruiz, Sidwell, and Grygera are Fulham's other casualties.
Admittedly, with the FA Cup final just over the horizon, my expectations are low for this match. That Liverpool are likely to make a number of chances is actually encouraging, giving players something tangible to play for, hoping to reap the rewards with a place on Saturday rather than having the usual starters going through the motions with all thoughts on Chelsea instead of Fulham.
That both Fulham (and West Brom) are just three points behind Liverpool, albeit with an inferior goal differential, should be further motivation. Points dropped here could propel Liverpool into the bottom half of the table if maximum points aren't taken in the final two matches. No matter the relative unimportance of league place thanks to the previous 35 matches, that remains a bridge too far, one best left uncrossed.
30 April 2012
Better Performance, Worse Results
Saturday's match was pretty much all the proof we need. It really is all about finishing.
Liverpool have played "better" than they did against Norwich in numerous matches. And it's usually, somehow, led to worse results. Suarez tallied three world-class goals – and that term isn't used lightly – three superlative finishes, each more impressive than the last. Two will probably show up on the end-of-season Top 10 goals list. And that's the sole difference between the comfortable three points and yet another frustrating draw.
Otherwise, it was a fairly pedestrian performance from Liverpool, one which wasn't wholly unexpected given where we are in the season and what's come before. And admittedly, Norwich's poor defending played a role in two of the three goals, if not all three. But aside from those three spectacular strikes, Liverpool were typically profligate: a couple misses from Suarez, Shelvey's header off the bar and bobbled point-blank strike, Downing's right-footed shot smartly saved (not to mention the numerous blind alleys he ran directly down).
As always, statistics provide just a small snapshot, but here's a brief comparison with ten of Liverpool's most disappointing matches where they've played "better" but taken fewer points.
Fewer shots in nine of the ten – on target, off target, and blocked – and less possession in six of the ten. The differences in chances created – yes, that statistic again – is the most conspicuous. That statistic seemingly defined last summer's transfer business; we all remember the ubiquitous chart showing Adam, Downing, and Henderson in the top 10 for Premier League chances created. Well, this is where it's gotten us. And where it's gotten the architect of last summer's transfer business.
According to StatsZone, the source of all of these statistics, Liverpool have created 443 chances this season, an average of just under 13 per match. And have scored just 43 league goals. Which is the fewest in a season since 1776 or something. Liverpool created just eight chances against Norwich and scored three goals. None of those chances were clear-cut, by any definition. The team created fewer chances in just four league matches this season – 0-4 at Spurs, 2-1 at Chelsea, 1-2 at United, and 0-2 at Newcastle. And yet, Liverpool still won handily on Saturday against a side they frustratingly drew with at Anfield.
Yes, Liverpool have had other problems, repeatedly discussed at length here, there, and everywhere. Inconsistent performances, inconsistent tactics, questionable purchases, key players missing for long stretches. Everyone has their favorite scapegoat. Football is rarely explained by a singular success or failing.
Incidentally, Liverpool used a range of different formations and personnel in the above matches. 4-4-2 with Suarez and Carroll, 4-4-2 with Suarez and Kuyt, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, even 3-4-2-1. Carroll/Adam/Downing/Henderson have played well/poorly in wins, draws, and losses. Some matches saw egregiously unlucky own goals, egregiously stupid defensive mistakes, and/or penalties not given. Every attacker in Liverpool's line-up has missed chances in multiple matches, often by hitting the five-inch-wide frame of the goal. But when just one player's finishing is clinical – and Suarez was supremely clinical against Norwich – the rest of the attacking statistics don't really matter.
As wonderful as Suarez's match-winning display was, his time at Liverpool shows that we can't depend on it. He's a genius, but – like the rest of the side – an inconsistent genius, made more inconsistent by the audacious tricks he often attempts. He's had more and better opportunities in multiple matches and failed to take them. Against Norwich, his two easiest chances were the two chances spurned: his mis-kick of Downing's cross blocked in the six-yard-box and his chip over the keeper and bar after nutmegging yet another defender. There's a chance this display could prompt a run of form similar to his seemingly ever-present impact when playing for Uruguay, but chances are he remains frustratingly erratic. Similarly, his most-frequent strike partner has been better coming deep to win headers, setting up others rather than seizing on chances of his own. But again, everyone – everyone, everyone, everyone – is guilty of Liverpool's most despicable crime.
This is news to absolutely no one who's watched more than half-an-hour of any Liverpool match this season. I would like nothing more than for the Suarez-Carroll partnership to be dependably prolific, but on eight months of evidence (12 if you go back to last season), it's not happening. That doesn't mean Liverpool should sell either (I've made, and will continue to make Carroll excuses due to his age and Liverpool's set-up for the foreseeable future). But it should ensure that Liverpool's most important business this summer is to find a striker capable of consistently finishing all those created chances.
Liverpool have played "better" than they did against Norwich in numerous matches. And it's usually, somehow, led to worse results. Suarez tallied three world-class goals – and that term isn't used lightly – three superlative finishes, each more impressive than the last. Two will probably show up on the end-of-season Top 10 goals list. And that's the sole difference between the comfortable three points and yet another frustrating draw.
Otherwise, it was a fairly pedestrian performance from Liverpool, one which wasn't wholly unexpected given where we are in the season and what's come before. And admittedly, Norwich's poor defending played a role in two of the three goals, if not all three. But aside from those three spectacular strikes, Liverpool were typically profligate: a couple misses from Suarez, Shelvey's header off the bar and bobbled point-blank strike, Downing's right-footed shot smartly saved (not to mention the numerous blind alleys he ran directly down).
As always, statistics provide just a small snapshot, but here's a brief comparison with ten of Liverpool's most disappointing matches where they've played "better" but taken fewer points.
Fewer shots in nine of the ten – on target, off target, and blocked – and less possession in six of the ten. The differences in chances created – yes, that statistic again – is the most conspicuous. That statistic seemingly defined last summer's transfer business; we all remember the ubiquitous chart showing Adam, Downing, and Henderson in the top 10 for Premier League chances created. Well, this is where it's gotten us. And where it's gotten the architect of last summer's transfer business.
According to StatsZone, the source of all of these statistics, Liverpool have created 443 chances this season, an average of just under 13 per match. And have scored just 43 league goals. Which is the fewest in a season since 1776 or something. Liverpool created just eight chances against Norwich and scored three goals. None of those chances were clear-cut, by any definition. The team created fewer chances in just four league matches this season – 0-4 at Spurs, 2-1 at Chelsea, 1-2 at United, and 0-2 at Newcastle. And yet, Liverpool still won handily on Saturday against a side they frustratingly drew with at Anfield.
Yes, Liverpool have had other problems, repeatedly discussed at length here, there, and everywhere. Inconsistent performances, inconsistent tactics, questionable purchases, key players missing for long stretches. Everyone has their favorite scapegoat. Football is rarely explained by a singular success or failing.
Incidentally, Liverpool used a range of different formations and personnel in the above matches. 4-4-2 with Suarez and Carroll, 4-4-2 with Suarez and Kuyt, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, even 3-4-2-1. Carroll/Adam/Downing/Henderson have played well/poorly in wins, draws, and losses. Some matches saw egregiously unlucky own goals, egregiously stupid defensive mistakes, and/or penalties not given. Every attacker in Liverpool's line-up has missed chances in multiple matches, often by hitting the five-inch-wide frame of the goal. But when just one player's finishing is clinical – and Suarez was supremely clinical against Norwich – the rest of the attacking statistics don't really matter.
As wonderful as Suarez's match-winning display was, his time at Liverpool shows that we can't depend on it. He's a genius, but – like the rest of the side – an inconsistent genius, made more inconsistent by the audacious tricks he often attempts. He's had more and better opportunities in multiple matches and failed to take them. Against Norwich, his two easiest chances were the two chances spurned: his mis-kick of Downing's cross blocked in the six-yard-box and his chip over the keeper and bar after nutmegging yet another defender. There's a chance this display could prompt a run of form similar to his seemingly ever-present impact when playing for Uruguay, but chances are he remains frustratingly erratic. Similarly, his most-frequent strike partner has been better coming deep to win headers, setting up others rather than seizing on chances of his own. But again, everyone – everyone, everyone, everyone – is guilty of Liverpool's most despicable crime.
This is news to absolutely no one who's watched more than half-an-hour of any Liverpool match this season. I would like nothing more than for the Suarez-Carroll partnership to be dependably prolific, but on eight months of evidence (12 if you go back to last season), it's not happening. That doesn't mean Liverpool should sell either (I've made, and will continue to make Carroll excuses due to his age and Liverpool's set-up for the foreseeable future). But it should ensure that Liverpool's most important business this summer is to find a striker capable of consistently finishing all those created chances.
29 April 2012
28 April 2012
Liverpool 3-0 Norwich
Goals:
Suarez 24' 28' 82'
You mean the difference in result is down to the difference in Liverpool's finishing? Amazing.
It's been far too long since Luis Suarez reminded us just what genius he's capable of. Bomb-throwing, mustache-twirling, evil super-villain genius, but genius all the same.
What began as a tepid, end-of-season affair with neither side with much to play for ends in a comfortable 3-0 win, where Liverpool arguably – and unsurprisingly – should have scored more. I know. Don't act surprised. Let's cherish the utter brilliance of the three which went in.
Liverpool started in a 4-2-3-1, with Shelvey playing ahead of Gerrard and Henderson, but the tepid end-of-seasonness ended when Shelvey and Gerrard switched positions. The opening goal was almost immediate, set up by the captain's pressing and a jaw-dropping throughball with the outside of his right foot, finding Suarez between the center-backs. The Uruguayan's strike wasn't bad either, immaculately and strongly curled past Ruddy with his "weaker" foot.
Four minutes later, the same player latched onto to careless passing after a Norwich throw-in with Ward hesitant – not for the last time – bearing down on Ruddy and again perfectly placing his shot, right-footed low into the far corner, hitting the correct part of the post for once. Before the interval, Suarez could have won a penalty (surprise, not given!), accidentally tested Ruddy when mis-controlling on the turn, and was called offside when potentially one-on-one with the keeper despite being in his own half when the ball was played.
Norwich were better in the second half, creating a handful of chances in the opening minutes. But Liverpool also had better chances to score than the two they converted in the first 30 minutes. Suarez mis-kicked Downing's dangerous low cross, with Shelvey heading the rebound onto the crossbar. Shelvey then mis-hit another shot a minute later, the ball bobbling when he dove into the six-yard box. Downing had a right-footed shot well saved, Suarez tried a too cheeky chip when put through and then had a header from a corner cleared off the line. Finally, it was a Liverpool match again. Change is frightening.
And just when it seemed as if the match was dying out, with a couple more Norwich chances, either put wide or blocked by Carragher, Suarez conjured the ultimate capstone. You won't find a more-fitting hat-trick goal, even more audacious than his attempted 63rd-minute chip. And you'll be hard-pressed to find a better hat-trick. Johnson cleared the ball from his own endline, and Suarez latched on near the center circle when Ward couldn't hoof clear. One stride forward, then an unstoppable 45-yard shot over the hopeless Ruddy, all without looking up. More than reminiscent of Alonso's (sigh) goal from midfield against Luton – his first – with the similarity reinforced by an open Gerrard shouting for the ball then standing stunned, applauding. Swiftly removing the goal-scoring hero and the captain for Coates and Kuyt, the lone substitutions made, Liverpool easily, painlessly saw out the final few minutes for an all-too-rare, joyous win.
Even with Suarez's superb finishing, Liverpool needed that bit of help from Norwich, especially on the second and third, both from the helpless Ward. It's proof that you both need luck and make your own luck. Suarez's shots were sublime and Suarez tortured Norwich's back-line into permanent terror, aiding those mistakes. But the mistakes were almost as crucial, and reinforces the belief that fortune's played at least some part in Liverpool's current standing.
A few others deserve special mention. Liverpool's midfield was impressive after the early switch; Shelvey and Henderson held well, with the former unlucky not to score, while Gerrard had much more impact further forward. Carragher also rolled back the years, reading the game flawlessly, making crucial blocks and diving headers. He's deserved the majority of criticism this season, but I'd imagine he knows that as well, and was determined to improve on his FA Cup semi performance.
So, it's relief and it's evidence of what possible from this team and, more specifically from Suarez. Tactics and formation somewhat unimportant, with finishing what counts. Surprise. Which makes for mixed emotions when it comes so late in the season and after what we've seen before. And that it's so late in the season, against an opposition with little to play for, had a role in the result.
Still, it's hard to criticize good and hard to criticize progress. More of the same on Tuesday. And then in a week's time.
Suarez 24' 28' 82'
You mean the difference in result is down to the difference in Liverpool's finishing? Amazing.
It's been far too long since Luis Suarez reminded us just what genius he's capable of. Bomb-throwing, mustache-twirling, evil super-villain genius, but genius all the same.
What began as a tepid, end-of-season affair with neither side with much to play for ends in a comfortable 3-0 win, where Liverpool arguably – and unsurprisingly – should have scored more. I know. Don't act surprised. Let's cherish the utter brilliance of the three which went in.
Liverpool started in a 4-2-3-1, with Shelvey playing ahead of Gerrard and Henderson, but the tepid end-of-seasonness ended when Shelvey and Gerrard switched positions. The opening goal was almost immediate, set up by the captain's pressing and a jaw-dropping throughball with the outside of his right foot, finding Suarez between the center-backs. The Uruguayan's strike wasn't bad either, immaculately and strongly curled past Ruddy with his "weaker" foot.
Four minutes later, the same player latched onto to careless passing after a Norwich throw-in with Ward hesitant – not for the last time – bearing down on Ruddy and again perfectly placing his shot, right-footed low into the far corner, hitting the correct part of the post for once. Before the interval, Suarez could have won a penalty (surprise, not given!), accidentally tested Ruddy when mis-controlling on the turn, and was called offside when potentially one-on-one with the keeper despite being in his own half when the ball was played.
Norwich were better in the second half, creating a handful of chances in the opening minutes. But Liverpool also had better chances to score than the two they converted in the first 30 minutes. Suarez mis-kicked Downing's dangerous low cross, with Shelvey heading the rebound onto the crossbar. Shelvey then mis-hit another shot a minute later, the ball bobbling when he dove into the six-yard box. Downing had a right-footed shot well saved, Suarez tried a too cheeky chip when put through and then had a header from a corner cleared off the line. Finally, it was a Liverpool match again. Change is frightening.
And just when it seemed as if the match was dying out, with a couple more Norwich chances, either put wide or blocked by Carragher, Suarez conjured the ultimate capstone. You won't find a more-fitting hat-trick goal, even more audacious than his attempted 63rd-minute chip. And you'll be hard-pressed to find a better hat-trick. Johnson cleared the ball from his own endline, and Suarez latched on near the center circle when Ward couldn't hoof clear. One stride forward, then an unstoppable 45-yard shot over the hopeless Ruddy, all without looking up. More than reminiscent of Alonso's (sigh) goal from midfield against Luton – his first – with the similarity reinforced by an open Gerrard shouting for the ball then standing stunned, applauding. Swiftly removing the goal-scoring hero and the captain for Coates and Kuyt, the lone substitutions made, Liverpool easily, painlessly saw out the final few minutes for an all-too-rare, joyous win.
Even with Suarez's superb finishing, Liverpool needed that bit of help from Norwich, especially on the second and third, both from the helpless Ward. It's proof that you both need luck and make your own luck. Suarez's shots were sublime and Suarez tortured Norwich's back-line into permanent terror, aiding those mistakes. But the mistakes were almost as crucial, and reinforces the belief that fortune's played at least some part in Liverpool's current standing.
A few others deserve special mention. Liverpool's midfield was impressive after the early switch; Shelvey and Henderson held well, with the former unlucky not to score, while Gerrard had much more impact further forward. Carragher also rolled back the years, reading the game flawlessly, making crucial blocks and diving headers. He's deserved the majority of criticism this season, but I'd imagine he knows that as well, and was determined to improve on his FA Cup semi performance.
So, it's relief and it's evidence of what possible from this team and, more specifically from Suarez. Tactics and formation somewhat unimportant, with finishing what counts. Surprise. Which makes for mixed emotions when it comes so late in the season and after what we've seen before. And that it's so late in the season, against an opposition with little to play for, had a role in the result.
Still, it's hard to criticize good and hard to criticize progress. More of the same on Tuesday. And then in a week's time.
27 April 2012
Liverpool at Norwich 04.28.12
12:30pm ET, live in the US on FSC
Last four head-to-head:
1-1 (h) 10.22.11
2-1 Liverpool (a) 01.03.05
3-0 Liverpool (h) 09.25.04
2-1 Liverpool (a) 04.29.95
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 West Brom (h); 2-1 Everton (n); 3-2 Blackburn (a)
Norwich: 0-2 Blackburn (a); 1-6 City (h); 2-1 Spurs (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 8; Bellamy 6; Gerrard 5; Carroll, Maxi 4; Adam, Kuyt, Skrtel 2; Coates, Henderson, Johnson 1
Norwich: Holt 13; Morison, Pilkington 8; Surman 4; Hoolahan 3; Jackson, Johnson, Martin 2; Barnett, E Bennett, Howson, Wilbraham 1
Referee: Mark Halsey
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Henderson Gerrard Spearing Downing
Suarez Carroll
Yes, yes. Let's get the jokes out of the way now. We all know how this will go. Liverpool will start afire, have three to five outstanding sights at goal, fail to take any of them, succumb to an unlikely goal against the run of play, and maybe maybe maybe battle back for an equalizer, if that, but no more. Everyone laughs, end scene, roll credits. Joy.
That was pretty much Liverpool's previous match against Norwich, except Liverpool scored first, and has pretty much been most matches this season, much to our chagrin. Liverpool wholly dominated the beginning of the reverse fixture, denied by multiple excellent saves and the woodwork, Liverpool finally scored just before half time, but Liverpool failed to extend the advantage. Norwich found an unlikely equalizer when Holt powered Pilkington's cross (plus Johnson and Carra) into the net, and Liverpool struggled until an injury-time flurry, denied a winner by more goalkeeper heroics.
We'll see a glut of changes for the midweek match against Fulham, the one directly prior to the FA Cup Final. This, on the other hand, will most likely be similar to last week's XI against West Brom – probably as strong as possible, with players likely to feature at Wembley.
Gerrard's probable return should see him slot straight back into the middle, probably with Spearing, shifting Henderson to the right with Downing back on the left. Kuyt and Maxi should return to the bench, more likely to play against Fulham. If it's not Henderson and Downing on the flanks, Bellamy seems more probable than either of Liverpool soon-to-be-sold veterans. Once again, I also expect Carroll to partner Suarez. But once again, this is truly a guess at a line-up, as Dalglish continues to tinker with both tactics and formation, even in late April. However, this lopsided 4-4-2 has been the most often used formation.
Norwich, safely ensconced in 13th, well outside the relegation zone, has little to play for other than pride. Just like Liverpool. The Canaries, along with Stoke, are at the bottom of the mid-table pack which Liverpool barely sits near the top of, two points behind 7th place Everton. With safety assured, Norwich have both beaten Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane and lost 1-6 to City on its own ground (or 0-2 to relegation candidates Blackburn) recently. The long season's caught up with Lambert's side in certain matches, losing seven of 11 since mid-February.
Norwich have a couple of injury concerns, two of whom are former Liverpool players. Whitbread and Ayala, frequent starters in defense, will both miss out against their former club, just as both missed the reverse fixture. Left back Tierney is also on the casualty list. Lambert's flexible side will probably play some variation of 4-4-2, whether an orthodox set-up, 4-4-1-1, or 4-1-3-2. The previous meeting was an apt demonstration of how Holt can punish negligent opposition, while Steve Morison has similar qualities and Hoolahan is dangerous between the lines.
If Norwich win tomorrow, they'll be level on points with Liverpool. And Liverpool would probably be in the bottom half of the table, currently level on points with Fulham, only a point ahead of 10th place West Brom and two ahead of 11th place Sunderland. For all the pain of this season's campaign to date, and all the excuses about Liverpool's terrible league form since fourth place became a wholly lost cause, the top half and bottom half represent a clear dividing line, if only mentally. Simply put, while there's little difference in seventh, eighth, or ninth, there's a very large difference between those places and 10th or lower. Even if all the focus is on next Saturday's cup final, Liverpool cannot cross that Rubicon.
Last four head-to-head:
1-1 (h) 10.22.11
2-1 Liverpool (a) 01.03.05
3-0 Liverpool (h) 09.25.04
2-1 Liverpool (a) 04.29.95
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 West Brom (h); 2-1 Everton (n); 3-2 Blackburn (a)
Norwich: 0-2 Blackburn (a); 1-6 City (h); 2-1 Spurs (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 8; Bellamy 6; Gerrard 5; Carroll, Maxi 4; Adam, Kuyt, Skrtel 2; Coates, Henderson, Johnson 1
Norwich: Holt 13; Morison, Pilkington 8; Surman 4; Hoolahan 3; Jackson, Johnson, Martin 2; Barnett, E Bennett, Howson, Wilbraham 1
Referee: Mark Halsey
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Henderson Gerrard Spearing Downing
Suarez Carroll
Yes, yes. Let's get the jokes out of the way now. We all know how this will go. Liverpool will start afire, have three to five outstanding sights at goal, fail to take any of them, succumb to an unlikely goal against the run of play, and maybe maybe maybe battle back for an equalizer, if that, but no more. Everyone laughs, end scene, roll credits. Joy.
That was pretty much Liverpool's previous match against Norwich, except Liverpool scored first, and has pretty much been most matches this season, much to our chagrin. Liverpool wholly dominated the beginning of the reverse fixture, denied by multiple excellent saves and the woodwork, Liverpool finally scored just before half time, but Liverpool failed to extend the advantage. Norwich found an unlikely equalizer when Holt powered Pilkington's cross (plus Johnson and Carra) into the net, and Liverpool struggled until an injury-time flurry, denied a winner by more goalkeeper heroics.
We'll see a glut of changes for the midweek match against Fulham, the one directly prior to the FA Cup Final. This, on the other hand, will most likely be similar to last week's XI against West Brom – probably as strong as possible, with players likely to feature at Wembley.
Gerrard's probable return should see him slot straight back into the middle, probably with Spearing, shifting Henderson to the right with Downing back on the left. Kuyt and Maxi should return to the bench, more likely to play against Fulham. If it's not Henderson and Downing on the flanks, Bellamy seems more probable than either of Liverpool soon-to-be-sold veterans. Once again, I also expect Carroll to partner Suarez. But once again, this is truly a guess at a line-up, as Dalglish continues to tinker with both tactics and formation, even in late April. However, this lopsided 4-4-2 has been the most often used formation.
Norwich, safely ensconced in 13th, well outside the relegation zone, has little to play for other than pride. Just like Liverpool. The Canaries, along with Stoke, are at the bottom of the mid-table pack which Liverpool barely sits near the top of, two points behind 7th place Everton. With safety assured, Norwich have both beaten Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane and lost 1-6 to City on its own ground (or 0-2 to relegation candidates Blackburn) recently. The long season's caught up with Lambert's side in certain matches, losing seven of 11 since mid-February.
Norwich have a couple of injury concerns, two of whom are former Liverpool players. Whitbread and Ayala, frequent starters in defense, will both miss out against their former club, just as both missed the reverse fixture. Left back Tierney is also on the casualty list. Lambert's flexible side will probably play some variation of 4-4-2, whether an orthodox set-up, 4-4-1-1, or 4-1-3-2. The previous meeting was an apt demonstration of how Holt can punish negligent opposition, while Steve Morison has similar qualities and Hoolahan is dangerous between the lines.
If Norwich win tomorrow, they'll be level on points with Liverpool. And Liverpool would probably be in the bottom half of the table, currently level on points with Fulham, only a point ahead of 10th place West Brom and two ahead of 11th place Sunderland. For all the pain of this season's campaign to date, and all the excuses about Liverpool's terrible league form since fourth place became a wholly lost cause, the top half and bottom half represent a clear dividing line, if only mentally. Simply put, while there's little difference in seventh, eighth, or ninth, there's a very large difference between those places and 10th or lower. Even if all the focus is on next Saturday's cup final, Liverpool cannot cross that Rubicon.
22 April 2012
Liverpool 0-1 West Brom
Goals:
Odemwingie 75'
If you don't laugh, you're gonna cry.
Countless chances unbelievably missed? Check. Contentious non-penalty decision? Check. Hitting the woodwork? Double check. A defensive mistake leading to Liverpool unconscionably conceding against The. Run. Of. Play? Check check check check check.
Oh, and the countless chances dried up after Liverpool's unlikely concession. It's almost as if Liverpool, with frustratingly little to play for in the league, stopped caring when it was "one of those days" yet again. I know, I'll wait for you to regain your composure after such shocking information.
Only Stoke away comes close for shots somehow spurned with an 'exceptionally harsh loss' chaser. The stats were similarly horrifying. 63-37% possession, 230 more passes attempted and completed, 30 shots to nine, but only six on target to West Brom's three. Of course, the only stat that matters is 0-1.
Since this has happened time and time and time and time again, it's especially worthless to run down the egregiously-long list of missed opportunities. Every starting midfielder or forward wearing red had at least two good chances at goal. Innumerable rebounds were scrambled wide, multiple close calls ran across the face of goal with a Liverpool player a step behind. Maxi's penalty shout in the 20th minute ignored because he fell 'too easily' and he's not Ashley Young. Shots from Henderson and Kuyt off the bar and post respectively within 15 minutes of the second-half restart. 15 Liverpool corners, and I think every single one found a West Brom player.
The most egregious came in the 67th, after what was probably Liverpool's best passing move of the season. But Suarez saw his shot saved, Carroll slipped trying to reach the rebound after Foster weakly punched, and Spearing had his effort from the top of the box cleared off the line before West Brom finally scrambled behind. Just like Liverpool's trip to Stoke, where the home side somehow missed five shots within a minute at the same point of the game. And less than ten minutes later, West Brom were ahead as Johnson, who'd been excellent, stupidly and softly tried the clever short pass after winning possession from Mulumbu, allowing that player to intercept and feed Odemwingie running on goal.
The most unforgivable, however, was Kuyt's in the 10th minute. Yet again, if Liverpool convert an early opportunity, this ceases to be a contest. At worst, it follows the same script as the reverse fixture, a less-than-impressive but easy 2-0 win. At best, it's another Fulham or Birmingham from last season's run-in, matches where Liverpool deployed a similar formation with similar tactics if different personnel. But Kuyt shot wide after he was released by Suarez 12 yards from goal, completely unhindered by any West Brom defender. It set the tone, to say the absolute least.
Because it's Hodgson and his contentious "history" with the club, this will seem far worse than it actually was. And that this is far from the first time we've seen similar certainly doesn't help; once again, it's everything but the goal. But Liverpool did not play badly. Suarez was typically effervescent, Henderson and Spearing were cohesively decent in midfield, Carroll was heavily involved in the buildup if disappointing in the penalty box, and Johnson was one of Liverpool's best players outside of that infinitely costly error. Liverpool looked an actual team with actual tactics rather than a collection of mostly hapless and harmless individuals. Which is an improvement on this season's multitude of low points.
I realize that is little consolation, especially after a loss, and especially after a loss to him. I realize that it has happened often enough to cease being coincidence. Whether Liverpool (read: Dalglish) should have bought or need a new striker is a completely different argument than whether Liverpool (read: Dalglish) were tactically competent, chose the right XI, etc. There have been multiple occasions to question Dalglish's tactics and selection. Today is not one of them.
Losses like this, or at Stoke, are incredibly painful. But they're not the reason Liverpool sits 8th. There's a massive difference in what we've seen from the team today and during the run of despicable home draws early in the campaign compared to other recent nadirs. The campaign was ruined by that interminable loss-after-loss stretch in January through March.
Had this happened far less frequently, you roll your eyes and move on. Shit happens, Liverpool played well, it's football, etc. Unfortunately, it's happened very frequently, which means all those questions and concerns aren't going away anytime soon.
Odemwingie 75'
If you don't laugh, you're gonna cry.
Countless chances unbelievably missed? Check. Contentious non-penalty decision? Check. Hitting the woodwork? Double check. A defensive mistake leading to Liverpool unconscionably conceding against The. Run. Of. Play? Check check check check check.
Oh, and the countless chances dried up after Liverpool's unlikely concession. It's almost as if Liverpool, with frustratingly little to play for in the league, stopped caring when it was "one of those days" yet again. I know, I'll wait for you to regain your composure after such shocking information.
Only Stoke away comes close for shots somehow spurned with an 'exceptionally harsh loss' chaser. The stats were similarly horrifying. 63-37% possession, 230 more passes attempted and completed, 30 shots to nine, but only six on target to West Brom's three. Of course, the only stat that matters is 0-1.
Since this has happened time and time and time and time again, it's especially worthless to run down the egregiously-long list of missed opportunities. Every starting midfielder or forward wearing red had at least two good chances at goal. Innumerable rebounds were scrambled wide, multiple close calls ran across the face of goal with a Liverpool player a step behind. Maxi's penalty shout in the 20th minute ignored because he fell 'too easily' and he's not Ashley Young. Shots from Henderson and Kuyt off the bar and post respectively within 15 minutes of the second-half restart. 15 Liverpool corners, and I think every single one found a West Brom player.
The most egregious came in the 67th, after what was probably Liverpool's best passing move of the season. But Suarez saw his shot saved, Carroll slipped trying to reach the rebound after Foster weakly punched, and Spearing had his effort from the top of the box cleared off the line before West Brom finally scrambled behind. Just like Liverpool's trip to Stoke, where the home side somehow missed five shots within a minute at the same point of the game. And less than ten minutes later, West Brom were ahead as Johnson, who'd been excellent, stupidly and softly tried the clever short pass after winning possession from Mulumbu, allowing that player to intercept and feed Odemwingie running on goal.
The most unforgivable, however, was Kuyt's in the 10th minute. Yet again, if Liverpool convert an early opportunity, this ceases to be a contest. At worst, it follows the same script as the reverse fixture, a less-than-impressive but easy 2-0 win. At best, it's another Fulham or Birmingham from last season's run-in, matches where Liverpool deployed a similar formation with similar tactics if different personnel. But Kuyt shot wide after he was released by Suarez 12 yards from goal, completely unhindered by any West Brom defender. It set the tone, to say the absolute least.
Because it's Hodgson and his contentious "history" with the club, this will seem far worse than it actually was. And that this is far from the first time we've seen similar certainly doesn't help; once again, it's everything but the goal. But Liverpool did not play badly. Suarez was typically effervescent, Henderson and Spearing were cohesively decent in midfield, Carroll was heavily involved in the buildup if disappointing in the penalty box, and Johnson was one of Liverpool's best players outside of that infinitely costly error. Liverpool looked an actual team with actual tactics rather than a collection of mostly hapless and harmless individuals. Which is an improvement on this season's multitude of low points.
I realize that is little consolation, especially after a loss, and especially after a loss to him. I realize that it has happened often enough to cease being coincidence. Whether Liverpool (read: Dalglish) should have bought or need a new striker is a completely different argument than whether Liverpool (read: Dalglish) were tactically competent, chose the right XI, etc. There have been multiple occasions to question Dalglish's tactics and selection. Today is not one of them.
Losses like this, or at Stoke, are incredibly painful. But they're not the reason Liverpool sits 8th. There's a massive difference in what we've seen from the team today and during the run of despicable home draws early in the campaign compared to other recent nadirs. The campaign was ruined by that interminable loss-after-loss stretch in January through March.
Had this happened far less frequently, you roll your eyes and move on. Shit happens, Liverpool played well, it's football, etc. Unfortunately, it's happened very frequently, which means all those questions and concerns aren't going away anytime soon.
20 April 2012
Liverpool v West Brom 04.22.12
11am ET, live in the US on Fox Soccer Plus
Last four head-to-head:
2-0 Liverpool (a) 10.29.11
1-2 West Brom (a) 04.02.11
1-0 Liverpool (h) 08.29.10
2-0 Liverpool (a) 05.17.09
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-1 Everton (n); 3-2 Blackburn (a); 1-1 Villa (h)
West Brom: 1-0 QPR (h); 0-4 City (a); 3-0 Blackburn (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 8; Bellamy 6; Gerrard 5; Carroll, Maxi 4; Adam, Kuyt, Skrtel 2; Coates, Henderson, Johnson 1
West Brom: Odemwingie 9; Long 7; Morrison 4; Scharner 3; Andrews, Dorrans, Fortune, McAuley, Olsson 2; Brunt, Mulumbu, Reid, Ridgewell, Tchoyi, Thomas 1
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
New referee link; all the ref's previous Liverpool matches, via LFCHistory.net. That website never, ever fails to amaze me. But it's somewhat unnecessary for Swarbrick, who's only done one previous Liverpool match: the 5-1 FA Cup win against Oldham in January.
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Downing Gerrard Spearing Maxi
Suarez Carroll
There will have been eight days since the FA Cup semifinal, with another six until Liverpool travel to Norwich. Which means that Dalglish will most likely deploy the strongest possible XI, with little thought for carving out game time for Liverpool's promising youngsters. All focus from now until May 5 will be on keeping key players fit and preparing the side for its crucial FA Cup final, continuing to build confidence and coherence brick by brick.
After scoring the winner in Liverpool's last two matches, Carroll looks certain to start. And when he starts, Liverpool almost always play 4-4-2; the only matches where both he and Suarez started in a three-man front line were at Newcastle, versus Brighton in the FA Cup, at Fulham, and the first 27 minutes of the match at Spurs until Adam was sent off. It's seemingly not an option Dalglish prefers.
So Suarez and Carroll should play up front, Gerrard will play in central midfield, and everyone else will be fit in around those three cornerstones. I'm guessing Downing and Maxi on the flanks because Downing's looked better on the right recently and because of Maxi's goal-scoring exploits against Blackburn. If Downing does play on the right, Bellamy could also get the nod on the left, but Maxi's been in better form in the last two matches. Considering precedent, Downing on the left with Henderson on the right is just as likely, if not more so. Both Maxi and Bellamy started against Blackburn, but Downing seems almost as likely to start as those three aforementioned cornerstones.
I'd also like to see Shelvey paired with Gerrard in the middle; the Spearing-Gerrard axis has infrequently impressed, rarely looking a true partnership, and Jonjo needs game time. But I doubt Dalglish will feel secure without an out-and-out tackler in midfield, even at home against West Brom.
Reina returns from suspension, while we should also see the return of Liverpool's first-choice back four. There's even less of an excuse for Carragher's involvement than last Saturday – and there was little excuse then – while Coates seems unlikely to step in with both Skrtel and Agger fit and rested.
And then there's West Brom. Have you missed Uncle Roy? He hasn't missed you.
Liverpool's six-month Hodgson experiment gave us first-hand experience with how easy it is to guess his side's tactics. West Brom will play either 4-4-2 or 4-1-4-1, deep and compact, with two solid lines of four and an extra man either to congest the middle or bolster the attack. In attack, Odemwingie and/or Long will hope to profit on the counter or from set plays. Hodgson chose 4-4-2 in the reverse fixture, ever the ambitious gambler at home, but Tchoyi was sucked deeper and deeper by Liverpool pressure, isolating Odemwingie, and West Brom rarely troubled after Liverpool scored one of its few early goals this season.
I suspect we'll see his other variation at Anfield, with a packed midfield including three from Andrews, Mulumbu, Dorrans, and Scharner; Brunt and Thomas on the flanks; and one of the aforementioned strikers on his own in Liverpool's half. Hodgson's one curveball has been to sometimes use a striker as a winger – either Odemwingie, Fortune, or Cox – which may well be the case on Sunday since he'll undoubtedly focus on counter-attacking.
West Brom have a few injury concerns, with Marc-Andre Fortune – who has sometimes replaced Long or Odemwingie as the spearhead – will be a late fitness test, along with center-back Olsson, while midfielders Morrison and Gera and right-back Reid are out.
Albion's win over Liverpool last April was the club's first since 1981, made ever so much more painful by who their recently-appointed manager was. Otherwise, historically, this fixture has been an easy three points for the Reds. However, this campaign has proven time and time again that history is often insignificant and little comes easy. Still, easy would be more than welcome. Obviously. Liverpool simply need to keep winning, using the remaining league fixtures to continuing building confidence before the season's capstone in the FA Cup final. But, as we've seen too often this season, Liverpool can't solely focus on the cups to the detriment of the league either. Otherwise, they'll be punished, and not for the first time. It'd be yet another step backward after two steps forwards. And because of the opponent, it'd again be more painful than most of the previous painful punishments.
Last four head-to-head:
2-0 Liverpool (a) 10.29.11
1-2 West Brom (a) 04.02.11
1-0 Liverpool (h) 08.29.10
2-0 Liverpool (a) 05.17.09
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-1 Everton (n); 3-2 Blackburn (a); 1-1 Villa (h)
West Brom: 1-0 QPR (h); 0-4 City (a); 3-0 Blackburn (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 8; Bellamy 6; Gerrard 5; Carroll, Maxi 4; Adam, Kuyt, Skrtel 2; Coates, Henderson, Johnson 1
West Brom: Odemwingie 9; Long 7; Morrison 4; Scharner 3; Andrews, Dorrans, Fortune, McAuley, Olsson 2; Brunt, Mulumbu, Reid, Ridgewell, Tchoyi, Thomas 1
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
New referee link; all the ref's previous Liverpool matches, via LFCHistory.net. That website never, ever fails to amaze me. But it's somewhat unnecessary for Swarbrick, who's only done one previous Liverpool match: the 5-1 FA Cup win against Oldham in January.
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Downing Gerrard Spearing Maxi
Suarez Carroll
There will have been eight days since the FA Cup semifinal, with another six until Liverpool travel to Norwich. Which means that Dalglish will most likely deploy the strongest possible XI, with little thought for carving out game time for Liverpool's promising youngsters. All focus from now until May 5 will be on keeping key players fit and preparing the side for its crucial FA Cup final, continuing to build confidence and coherence brick by brick.
After scoring the winner in Liverpool's last two matches, Carroll looks certain to start. And when he starts, Liverpool almost always play 4-4-2; the only matches where both he and Suarez started in a three-man front line were at Newcastle, versus Brighton in the FA Cup, at Fulham, and the first 27 minutes of the match at Spurs until Adam was sent off. It's seemingly not an option Dalglish prefers.
So Suarez and Carroll should play up front, Gerrard will play in central midfield, and everyone else will be fit in around those three cornerstones. I'm guessing Downing and Maxi on the flanks because Downing's looked better on the right recently and because of Maxi's goal-scoring exploits against Blackburn. If Downing does play on the right, Bellamy could also get the nod on the left, but Maxi's been in better form in the last two matches. Considering precedent, Downing on the left with Henderson on the right is just as likely, if not more so. Both Maxi and Bellamy started against Blackburn, but Downing seems almost as likely to start as those three aforementioned cornerstones.
I'd also like to see Shelvey paired with Gerrard in the middle; the Spearing-Gerrard axis has infrequently impressed, rarely looking a true partnership, and Jonjo needs game time. But I doubt Dalglish will feel secure without an out-and-out tackler in midfield, even at home against West Brom.
Reina returns from suspension, while we should also see the return of Liverpool's first-choice back four. There's even less of an excuse for Carragher's involvement than last Saturday – and there was little excuse then – while Coates seems unlikely to step in with both Skrtel and Agger fit and rested.
And then there's West Brom. Have you missed Uncle Roy? He hasn't missed you.
Liverpool's six-month Hodgson experiment gave us first-hand experience with how easy it is to guess his side's tactics. West Brom will play either 4-4-2 or 4-1-4-1, deep and compact, with two solid lines of four and an extra man either to congest the middle or bolster the attack. In attack, Odemwingie and/or Long will hope to profit on the counter or from set plays. Hodgson chose 4-4-2 in the reverse fixture, ever the ambitious gambler at home, but Tchoyi was sucked deeper and deeper by Liverpool pressure, isolating Odemwingie, and West Brom rarely troubled after Liverpool scored one of its few early goals this season.
I suspect we'll see his other variation at Anfield, with a packed midfield including three from Andrews, Mulumbu, Dorrans, and Scharner; Brunt and Thomas on the flanks; and one of the aforementioned strikers on his own in Liverpool's half. Hodgson's one curveball has been to sometimes use a striker as a winger – either Odemwingie, Fortune, or Cox – which may well be the case on Sunday since he'll undoubtedly focus on counter-attacking.
West Brom have a few injury concerns, with Marc-Andre Fortune – who has sometimes replaced Long or Odemwingie as the spearhead – will be a late fitness test, along with center-back Olsson, while midfielders Morrison and Gera and right-back Reid are out.
Albion's win over Liverpool last April was the club's first since 1981, made ever so much more painful by who their recently-appointed manager was. Otherwise, historically, this fixture has been an easy three points for the Reds. However, this campaign has proven time and time again that history is often insignificant and little comes easy. Still, easy would be more than welcome. Obviously. Liverpool simply need to keep winning, using the remaining league fixtures to continuing building confidence before the season's capstone in the FA Cup final. But, as we've seen too often this season, Liverpool can't solely focus on the cups to the detriment of the league either. Otherwise, they'll be punished, and not for the first time. It'd be yet another step backward after two steps forwards. And because of the opponent, it'd again be more painful than most of the previous painful punishments.
18 April 2012
Jamie Carragher and Defensive Positioning
Consider this an addendum to Noel's depressingly unsurprising post on Liverpool's defensive statistics with and without Carragher over at Liverpool Offside.
The numbers speak for themselves, but I've seen multiple people (not in Noel's post, by the way) credit Liverpool's inferior record with Carragher to Liverpool having to play a deeper back line thanks to Carra's notorious lack of pace. It's become something of a pet peeve of mine, because answers usually aren't that easy.
So, using the available average position diagrams from the Daily Telegraph match reports [they're missing v QPR (without Carra), v Villa (with Carra), and at Blackburn (without), because they're the Daily Telegraph and refuse to make anything easy or sensical], I thought I'd see if that was the case.
The fullbacks seem to get forward slightly more without Carragher, especially on Carragher's side, but not incredibly significantly. All in all, the charts look relatively similar expect for the white-outlined circles denoting where Carragher was. So let's get rid of the fullbacks.
That's better. And yep, looks deeper. But, again, not as much as I expected. There's a wider range of average center-back positions without Carragher in the line-up, but more interesting than how deep they play is how close together they are. I suspect having both center-backs nearer to one another, which suggests they're working better as a unit, is more meaningful than how deep either defends.
There were two matches where Carragher played notably deeper than his defensive partner: against Bolton and Wolves. Liverpool won both. The deepest Liverpool's center-backs played came at Chelsea, without Carragher in the line-up; Skrtel's average position is nearly inside the penalty box. And yes, Liverpool won that game too. So please, let's stop the focus on how "deep" Liverpool's defense is. The above suggests that isn't the alpha or omega.
Carragher has a tendency to exacerbate multiple problems in Liverpool's defense. That he's played so often borders on the unforgivable, even if there are excuses for individual games (it's Everton, it's away from Anfield, etc, etc). But crediting problems to a single factor, such as others having to play deeper because of said lack of pace, is far too simplistic. And might not even be true. As with everything else in football, defensive positioning depends on multiple factors – the other defenders on the pitch and the opposition, most notably. Often, it's not how deep Liverpool's defense plays. Who plays may well be, though.
The numbers speak for themselves, but I've seen multiple people (not in Noel's post, by the way) credit Liverpool's inferior record with Carragher to Liverpool having to play a deeper back line thanks to Carra's notorious lack of pace. It's become something of a pet peeve of mine, because answers usually aren't that easy.
So, using the available average position diagrams from the Daily Telegraph match reports [they're missing v QPR (without Carra), v Villa (with Carra), and at Blackburn (without), because they're the Daily Telegraph and refuse to make anything easy or sensical], I thought I'd see if that was the case.
The fullbacks seem to get forward slightly more without Carragher, especially on Carragher's side, but not incredibly significantly. All in all, the charts look relatively similar expect for the white-outlined circles denoting where Carragher was. So let's get rid of the fullbacks.
That's better. And yep, looks deeper. But, again, not as much as I expected. There's a wider range of average center-back positions without Carragher in the line-up, but more interesting than how deep they play is how close together they are. I suspect having both center-backs nearer to one another, which suggests they're working better as a unit, is more meaningful than how deep either defends.
There were two matches where Carragher played notably deeper than his defensive partner: against Bolton and Wolves. Liverpool won both. The deepest Liverpool's center-backs played came at Chelsea, without Carragher in the line-up; Skrtel's average position is nearly inside the penalty box. And yes, Liverpool won that game too. So please, let's stop the focus on how "deep" Liverpool's defense is. The above suggests that isn't the alpha or omega.
Carragher has a tendency to exacerbate multiple problems in Liverpool's defense. That he's played so often borders on the unforgivable, even if there are excuses for individual games (it's Everton, it's away from Anfield, etc, etc). But crediting problems to a single factor, such as others having to play deeper because of said lack of pace, is far too simplistic. And might not even be true. As with everything else in football, defensive positioning depends on multiple factors – the other defenders on the pitch and the opposition, most notably. Often, it's not how deep Liverpool's defense plays. Who plays may well be, though.
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