Liverpool 0-1 Anzhi Makhachkala

Goals:
Traore 45+1'

Everything works until it doesn't. The story of Liverpool's life, at least for the last three or so years.

Liverpool were clearly content with a 0-0, and lined up accordingly. And understandably so. Look, the starting XI, those available with Liverpool necessarily resting over-used senior players for the far more important league match on Sunday, says everything about squad depth. As rumored yesterday, Rodgers deployed five at the back. It wasn't a Hodgson-esque bus parking – Liverpool at least tried to keep possession rather than punt, retrench, and hope for the best – but demonstrated very little motivation to attack. And, subsequently, had next to nothing in attack. Neither fullback – the sole source of width – went forward consistently, and every player bar Morgan and sometimes Cole looked to quickly get back into position behind the ball as soon as Liverpool lost possession. Anzhi are rather dangerous on the counter-attack, at least going by their league form and the earlier Europa League games, if not the two matches against Liverpool.

It worked to a tee for 45 minutes and 50 seconds. Not counting one set play where Boussoufa floated a dangerous cross to no one, Anzhi were limited to a single chance of their own, of Liverpool's making, when Wisdom conceded possession to Zhirkov, but Jones made an excellent save on Eto'o low shot from the top of the box after the ex-Chelsea winger centered to him in space. Liverpool had nullified Anzhi to such an extent that Hiddink made a tactical change within 30 minutes, removing holding midfielder Ahmedov for the attacking winger Carcela – which helped the home side, but on the whole, Liverpool were still able to contain its opponents.

Of course, Liverpool had next to no opportunities of its own, the best and really only coming midway through the half, when Morgan's wonderful turn, footwork, and throughball put Henderson in on goal. Unconfidently, all too characteristically, the midfielder looked to cut the ball back between three defenders rather than shooting. You will not be surprised to learn it was intercepted and easily cleared. Admittedly, even if he hits the target, it's probably saved; the angle wasn't great and Gabulov charged off his line well. Shoot anyway. Take the chance. A slim opportunity's better than none. We've seen similar far too often from Henderson, and – for all his faults – that's why Shelvey's ahead of him in the pecking order. Not that Shelvey did much better today.

However, Liverpool's second mistake was unsurprisingly punished. Boussoufa found space in front of Henderson and Shelvey, unchallenged on the halfway line, lofting a ball over the top towards Traore. The striker cleverly, easily flicked the ball over and around Coates, as the center-back naively attempted to intercept, then raced towards goal, delightfully chipping the ball over Jones as he rushed out into no man's land before Carragher could get back. With the last kick of the half, Liverpool shoot themselves in the foot yet again.

Liverpool finally registered its first shot on target soon after the restart, Morgan playing a neat one-two with Cole before firing into the near post side netting, but the tempo and tenor remained the same until Rodgers made changes just after the hour mark.

I realize Liverpool's options are incredibly limited, but the substitutions seemed somewhat counterintuitive. Liverpool have next to nothing in attack, so Adam Morgan's the first player taken off for Dani Pacheco – who we all want to see more often but someone who is simply not a striker. Conor Coady was Liverpool's sole defensive midfielder, so he's taken off for Suso – who was probably Liverpool's best player despite featuring for half an hour – leaving Henderson and Shelvey to both sit deeper, negating their ability going forward while also removing a layer of protection against Anzhi's counter-attacks. Meanwhile, Joe Cole remains on the pitch for another 16 minutes.

Granted, Cole also had Liverpool's best chance of the game during those 16 minutes, when Suso's shot from distance was spilled by Gabulov, with Cole first to the rebound but shooting straight at at the keeper. Those were Liverpool's only two shots on target all half.

That Cole chance was sandwiched between two Anzhi opportunities where they really should have extended their lead. First, left-back Tagirbekov found space, crossing for Traore, who easily drifted behind Coates, allowed a free header from ten yards out, remarkably saved by Jones. Two minutes later, the same defender was caught flat-footed high up the pitch when Anzhi countered, as Traore latched onto Jucilei's through-ball to run unhindered on goal, somehow shooting wide when trying to find the low corner. Coates made some difficult stand-up tackles look easy and Traore is an incredibly hard player to mark, but he also nearly cost Liverpool three goals. And did cost Liverpool one.

Any positives? Suso was excellent as an impact sub. Tactically, Rodgers' initial decisions made sense, and Liverpool adapted to the unfamiliar formation surprisingly well considering how rarely it's been used and how raw most of the starting XI were. Downing and Flanagan did well as wing-backs (albeit very defensive wing-backs), Wisdom looked more comfortable with more defensive cohorts, and Adam Morgan and Conor Coady both did decent jobs: Coady on his senior debut, Morgan in only his second appearance. Brad Jones made a couple of crucial, crucial saves.

The negatives? Henderson and Shelvey (the former more than the latter), the substitution of Adam Morgan, Joe Cole playing anywhere, and continued costly defensive mistakes, almost all coming on opposition counter-attacks. Seriously. That really has got to stop.

Of course, the biggest positive is that none of Suarez, Gerrard, Agger, Allen, Skrtel, Sterling, Enrique, Johnson, and Reina even travelled, allowing those crucial players some much-needed rest. And that Liverpool's results in two of the first three group games allowed them to make these changes and incur this loss without really threatening its chances to qualify from the group stage. Both subsequent matches, against Young Boys and at Udinese, will be difficult, but the experience gained and lessons learned should hopefully be more beneficial than the result is costly.

Liverpool at Anzhi Makhachkala 11.08.12

12pm ET, live in the US on FSC

Group Stage matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Anzhi (h); 2-3 Udinese (h); 5-3 BSC Young Boys (a)
Anzhi: 0-1 Liverpool (a); 2-0 BSC Young Boys (h); 1-1 Udinese (a)

Previous rounds:
Liverpool: 1-1 Hearts (h), 1-0 Hearts (a); 3-0 Gomel (h), 1-0 Gomel (a)
Anzhi: 5-0 AZ (a), 1-0 AZ (h); 2-0 Vitesse (a), 2-0 Vitesse (h); 4-0 Honved (a), 1-0 Honved (h)

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-1 Newcastle (h); 1-3 Swansea (h); 2-2 Everton (a)
Anzhi: 3-1 Terek Grozny (h); 2-1 Krylya Sovetov (h); 1-2 Rubin Kazan (a)

Goalscorers (Europa League):
Liverpool: Shelvey 3; Downing, Suarez 2; Borini, Coates, Gerrard, Johnson, Wisdom 1
Anzhi: Eto'o 7; Traore 3; Shatov 2; Boussoufa, Carcela, Jucilei, Lakhiyalov, Smolov 1

Referee: David Fernández Borbalán (ESP)

Guess at a line-up
Jones
Wisdom Coates Carragher Robinson
Henderson Shelvey
Cole
Downing Yesil Assaidi

Jones, Gulacsi; Flanagan, Wisdom, Robinson, Coates, Carragher, Wilson, Sama; Henderson, Shelvey, Coady, Suso, Cole, Pacheco; Downing, Assaidi, Yesil, Morgan.

That's the squad for tomorrow's match.

No Suarez. No Gerrard. No Allen, Agger, Enrique, Şahin, Skrtel, Sterling, Johnson, or Reina.

Thankfully.

Flanagan's finally involved, but with Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique both fit, Wisdom's appearances may begin to be limited. It also means that, thankfully, Henderson's likely to play in central midfield rather than as a stand-in full back. It wouldn't surprise me to see Wisdom start here, with Johnson finally returning on the right against Chelsea. Otherwise, the defense seems writes itself: Jones in goal, Carragher and Coates in central defense, and Robinson at left back.

The above squad shows that Liverpool's options in midfield – the strongest part of the squad – are limited with Allen, Gerrard, and Şahin not traveling and Lucas out injured for another month or so. Henderson and Shelvey seemingly have to be the two deeper-lying midfielders – assuming that Liverpool continue with two behind one – with Cole, Pacheco, and Suso competing for the attacking midfield slot, and Coady in reserve. Considering Suso's continued importance to the first team and Rodgers not using Pacheco since the league cup match against West Brom, odds are on Joe Cole's inclusion.

Initial rumors had Pacheco left out of the traveling party, which led to me drafting a long screed about Liverpool persisting with Joe Cole for reasons I just do not understand. But, hark the herald angels sing, Pacheco's involved. But Joe Cole will probably start. Rest your voices now for screaming at the television tomorrow. You're gonna need your strength.

Downing and Assaidi should start on the flanks, as in both league cup matches and all three of the group stage games so far. Sandwiched between with be either Yesil or Morgan. The young German has been preferred in these types of matches, but also played 45 minutes in the u21 match on Monday, while Morgan has resumed training with the first team after a stint at Kirkby.

There is, however, a possible curveball. Lord knows you can't believe anything you read on the internet (unless I wrote it), but there's a Twitter rumor going around that Liverpool will play with five at the back. Jones; Flanagan, Wisdom, Coates, Carragher, Downing; Henderson, Coady, Shelvey; Cole; Morgan. I am not vouching for (or against) its credibility. I find that line-up somewhat hard to believe, although it wouldn't be the biggest surprise this season. It didn't seem so unlikely that I immediately ignored and dismissed it. Playing with wing backs, in a more defensive formation, does make sense with a weakened line-up away from Anfield against strong opponents in European competition, and could well be a reaction to how the majority of these players performed last week against Swansea. So fair warning.

Since these two sides last met, Anzhi lost just its second league match of the season, at Rubin Kazan, falling to second in the Russian Premier League. Anzhi played a mostly-full strength XI at Anfield two weeks ago, but I suspect they'll be more attacking at home, with Lacina Traore starting rather than coming off the bench, Eto'o as playmaker rather than out-and-out-striker, and usual holding midfielder Jucilei returning to the squad. Otherwise, most of the names will be familiar from last time out; there are no new injuries to report.

Liverpool's win in the last round, eking out a 1-0 with some big names involved, willing to jeopardize the league match at Everton for three points in the Europa League, means that Liverpool currently top the group at the halfway stage. For all my condemnation of the personnel choices, it gave Liverpool much-needed breathing space in this competition, a competition made more important by Liverpool's loss to Swansea in the league cup. Still, the margin of error remains slim. Liverpool may be two points ahead, but both Udinese and Anzhi have two of their last three matches at home, including tomorrow's, while Liverpool have to travel in its next two matches, the toughest two they'll play.

We wanted to see how the youngsters and reserves would develop in the Europa League. We'll find out an awful lot tomorrow.

Visualized: Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle

Previous Match Infographics: Manchester City (h), Arsenal (h), Manchester United (h), Norwich (a), Stoke (h), Reading (h), Everton (a)

Much easier on the eyes than last week's infographic, but still leading to the same result.

As always, match data from Stats Zone and Squawka.



Normal service has resumed. Liverpool completed twice as many passes than Newcastle, took twice as many shots, and finished with nearly two-thirds of the possession. And still drew, after conceding from Newcastle's first shot on-target, one of the three shots on-target through 90 minutes. Normal service, indeed.

Suarez and Jones' improved passing totals stand out. Lacking the pressure put on by Everton, Jones was able to attempt and complete multiple short passes to start the attack rather than hoofing it long and hoping for the best – the sum of his match last Sunday. It's little surprise that Agger, Skrtel, and Enrique's totals were subsequently far better. The only match were Suarez was more accurate was opening day against West Brom, completing 88% of his passes to yesterday's 83%, while he tied his season-high for chances created with six, as against Reading – and should have had two assists, had Shelvey finished the close-range shot in the 70th and had Sterling not lingered just long enough to allow Taylor to block six minutes later. Going into this match, his pass accuracy was 75%; he'd completed just 62% and 64% of his passes against Reading and Everton. And once again, Suarez was the hub of everything good in attack, by some distance, with 30% of Liverpool's total shots and 40% of Liverpool's chances created. And 100% of Liverpool's goals.

It's no coincidence that Newcastle's four top passers, the only players to complete more than 17 passes, were three midfielders (Anita switched into the holding role after Perch's injury in the 27th) and Cisse on the left flank. Liverpool did well to deny Cabaye and Jonas much opportunity, but as soon as they had possession, they looked to push it up the flank, and to Cisse far more often than Ben Arfa. That Cisse was on the ball more than any other Newcastle attacker demonstrates how they focused on that section of the pitch when in possession, targeting the 19-year-old Wisdom. Who also, not coincidentally, attempted and completed far fewer passes than his defensive counterparts. And yes, Newcastle's goal came from his side of the pitch, albeit after Liverpool's other full-back was beaten for strength and pace in the run-up. This criticism isn't meant to be overly harsh; honestly, it's to be expected from a 19-year-old at the beginning of his senior career, despite his promising start against Norwich and Stoke, forced into an everyday role by lack of squad depth and injuries to the two players ahead of him on the depth chart. It'll improve, but there will be growing pains.

Luckily for Liverpool, Opta differentiates between passes and crosses. Otherwise, the passing total would be far, far lower. Including corners – Liverpool had 14 to Newcastle's 3 – Liverpool attempted 37 crosses. Just one was successful: Downing's chance created in the 90th minute, which Shelvey softly headed straight at the keeper. You'd almost think Andy Carroll was in the side; that total rivals any of last season's matches, where crossing was Liverpool's modus operandi.

Of course, credit for some of that goes to how resolutely Newcastle defended, especially after the furious opening quarter of the match, which the shot-by-shot chart helps demonstrate. The best comparison is the match against Reading two weeks ago, which saw 13 shots from outside the box to 12 yesterday, and the same number of shots blocked (9). Just two of Liverpool's 16 shots before Suarez's goal were on-target; six blocked, eight off-target. Seven players took shots, but Suarez and Shelvey accounted for all six of the shots on target. And that's the pretty much the only nice thing that can be said about all three of Shelvey's efforts. Noticeably, all five of Gerrard's shots came from outside the box: four blocked, one off-target.

Liverpool's shots came in spurts: the first 21 minutes, the final ten minutes of the first half, just before the hour mark, and in the ten minutes following Liverpool's goal. Of course, Newcastle's goal came on a quick attack in the midst of one of those spurts. Liverpool were able to get off just two shots after Coloccini's red card, evidence of Newcastle's willingness to pack the box and settle for a point – which they did well – despite near constant possession and five set plays in the final few minutes (two corners, three free kicks). That Liverpool's lone goal came on a direct long ball, one which didn't allow Newcastle to settle into resolute trenches, shows that Pardew's defense held firm against Liverpool's probing possession pressure throughout the 90 minutes, not just when defending with all 10 men after Coloccini's dismissal.

Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle

Goals:
Cabaye 43'
Suarez 67'

1-1 Sunderland, 1-1 Manchester United, 1-1 Norwich, 1-1 Manchester City, 1-1 Blackburn, 1-1 Aston Villa.

New season, meet last season.

All of the above were at Anfield, all of the above were matches that Liverpool should have won. Just like today. I guess we can throw this season's 1-1 at Sunderland into the group as well, even if it was at the Stadium of Light.

Incidentally, Suarez also scored Liverpool's lone goal in three of those six matches. As he did at Sunderland earlier this season, at about the same time in the match as today's strike. If not him, then no one. Once again.

We've seen this script before. Liverpool started with such fire that steam was coming off the front six. Sterling tortured Anita, Suarez was typically torrid. But Liverpool couldn't turn the inferno into tangible reward. Sterling saw an excellent chance well blocked by Coloccini within three minutes, then sailed a shot wide of the near post. Suso shot past the far post after cutting in from the right. Suarez could have won a penalty – but surprisingly didn't (I'll give you a moment to regain your composure) – narrowly missed with a free kick, and had an effort kick-saved by Krul. Gerrard looked to mark his 600th Liverpool appearance by taking speculative shots from anywhere on the pitch. Even Joe Allen got in on the act, unable to get clean contact when following up after Suarez was dispossessed. All within the first quarter of the game.

Liverpool's quick start was already subsiding when Perch suffered an injury, replaced by Danny Simpson in the 27th minute, but the move ended up helping the away side as well. Simpson did a better job marking Sterling, while Anita is first and foremost a holding midfielder. He gave Jonas and Cabaye more freedom in the middle, while Simpson's tight marking limited Sterling's influence.

The move for Newcastle's opener started with a foul throw from Wisdom deep in Newcastle half and ended with a goal scored from his area of the pitch. In between, Newcastle quickly got the ball up their left flank before Ba spread play to Ben Arfa on the opposite side. The tricky winger dribbled around and through the retreating and tentative Enrique and Sterling before crossing to Cabaye in acres of space at the back post, with Liverpool's 19-year-old right back sucked into the six-yard-box by Cisse's movement. Rather than leaving the striker to one of the many Liverpool defenders already in that area, he followed the man he was "supposed" to be marking, leaving Cabaye with all the time in the world to shoot. Still, it was an acute angle and a marvelous finish, if one Jones probably should have done better on. It's not a typical Liverpool stomach punch if the finish isn't marvelous, though.

One shot on target, one goal. Just like against Everton, United, Sunderland, and West Brom this season, and Villa, Newcastle, and Wigan to close last season. And Liverpool were lucky that Newcastle didn't extend the lead before halftime. With Liverpool on tilt, Cabaye missed the target from the top of the box after stealing from Gerrard, then Gerrard and Allen got in each other's way trying to clear a free kick. Luckily, the ball fell to Steven Taylor rather than a more potent finisher, shinning a shot wide.

With Newcastle's goal coming at the same time as West Brom, the fear that today would replicate opening day was palpable. But Liverpool did well to steady the ship before resuming some sort of impetus around the hour mark. Still, everything came from Suarez. Krul saved a shot that might have been going wide when Suarez turned into space before the striker nearly set up Şahin, narrowly missing wide of the far post from a similar position as Suarez's earlier shot.

Seven minutes later, the Uruguayan finally found the back of the net, and in brilliant fashion. Allen's slip allowed Newcastle room to counter, but Jonas' ball was just too high for Cisse. Enrique picked up possession deep in his half, looked up, and fired over the top for the on-rushing Suarez, who had split Coloccini and Taylor with his immediate run. Still, he had an inordinate amount of work to do, out-muscling Coloccini to get behind him, somehow killing the hard-hit ball with his chest, then a quick, jaw-dropping touch to somehow round the keeper with less than zero space to operate. From there a tap-in. Just watch. This angle's good too. They're equally enjoyable, and I'm still not sure how he did it. If not Suarez, then no one.

Liverpool had four excellent chances to take a rightful lead, to come back for a league win for the first time since this fixture last December. Surprisingly, none came from Suarez, although he did set up two of them. Less surprisingly, Liverpool converted none. Not three minutes after Suarez's equalizer, when the striker's trademark mazy byline run allowed him to center for an open Shelvey, losing his balance and poking a soft shot to a grateful Krul. Not in the 76th, when Allen's tackle led to a breakaway, with Suarez charging forward and finding an open Sterling, who lingered just long enough to allow Taylor to make an outstanding block. And not after Coloccini was rightfully sent off in the 83rd, attempting to disjoint Suarez's kneecap after the ball had long gone; Shelvey had a shot and header easily saved, but otherwise Newcastle were able to hold up against unstinting Liverpool pressure, with numerous free kicks and corners too easily cleared.

I guess I should be grateful that Newcastle didn't come up with a second stomach punch. They had chances in the 77th and 79th from Liverpool mistakes: first, Wisdom's poor clearing header fell to Cisse, who had more space then he realized, his first-time shot on the turn wide of the near post. Then, Enrique's insane giveaway led to Ben Arfa cutting inside from the right, thankfully blasting too close to Brad Jones. But it's hard to be grateful that Liverpool dropped just two points rather than the full three.

It remains the same broken record. Liverpool are wholly reliant on Suarez, who has seven goals while no other Liverpool player has more than one, and who has taken the most shots in the league and is joint-second top scorer. Liverpool concede cheap goals. Liverpool miss its defensive stalwarts, specifically Johnson, although I can't help but think Reina would have done better on Newcastle's goal, even if that might be misplaced hope given this season's form.

Liverpool can out-shoot its opponents 23 to 11, out-pass its opponents by 250, and out-possess its opponents 66-34%, but if Liverpool concede sloppy goals, don't finish its chances, and remain wholly reliant on Luis Suarez, Liverpool will continue to drop points when they have little excuse for doing so.

It's not as if this is a problem developed this season under this manager; it was the case for all of last season too. But, despite looking more and more like a Brendan Rodgers side, despite the promise sometimes shown, and despite what are – on the whole – improving performances in a settled XI, Liverpool don't look much like fixing that problem either. Which can't come as a surprise when last season's side couldn't finish its chances. That side had three or four more recognized goal-scorers. And that's not the fault of the players or manager.

Liverpool v Newcastle 11.04.12

11am ET, live in the US on FSC

Last four head-to-head:
0-2 Newcastle (a) 04.01.12
3-1 Liverpool (h) 12.30.11
3-0 Liverpool (h) 05.01.11
1-3 Newcastle (a) 01.11.10

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 1-3 Swansea (h); 2-2 Everton (a); 1-0 Anzhi (h)
Newcastle: 2-1 West Brom (h); 1-0 Bruges (h); 1-1 Sunderland (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 6; Gerrard, Şahin, Skrtel, Sterling 1
Newcastle: Ba 7; Ben Arfa 2; Cabaye, Cisse 1

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Guess at a line-up:
Jones
Wisdom Skrtel Agger Enrique
Gerrard Allen
Şahin
Sterling Suarez Suso

Given Liverpool's now-normal lack of rotation, there are seemingly just three line-up questions. Two have to do with who's fit, one is a straight decision involving who plays as the most-advanced midfielder.

Rodgers gave little away in yesterday's press conference, but both Reina and Johnson seem likely to be out for at least another match. Each player has a set replacement if they're unavailable: Jones or Reina in goal, Johnson or Enrique at left-back. Wisdom looks almost certain to reclaim the right-back spot regardless of Johnson's participation.

The third choice is between Şahin and Shelvey for the attacking midfielder role. Şahin disappointed against Everton, withdrawn at halftime, and wasn't all that great against Reading either. Shelvey disappointed against Swansea and frequently underwhelms when played with Gerrard, both often trying to fill the same role.

Otherwise, Skrtel and Agger will be the center-back partnership, Gerrard and Allen will be the central midfield partnership – even if Joe Allen looked supremely fatigued on Wednesday – and the front three will be Sterling, Suarez, and Suso. It was Suso on the right, Sterling on the left in matches against Norwich, Stoke, and Reading, but the two swapped flanks when facing Everton last week. In theory, Sterling would probably be more valuable on the right, as left-back Santon is the more attacking of Newcastle's full-backs, but where Ben Arfa lines up will also play into the equation – ideally using Sterling's pace to force Ben Arfa into unwanted defensive duties, duties which he's likely to neglect.

Newcastle were one of the sides to wholly negate Rodgers' philosophy when traveling to Swansea last season. Rodgers' side had 19 shots to Newcastle's five, attempted and completed over 650 more passes, made five times as many passes in the attacking third, had 77% possession, and created 11 more chances. And lost by two goals, both scored by Papiss Cisse, both set up by Cabaye, both sumptuous finishes coming on the counter-attack. And Liverpool's often been exposed on the counter-attack, whether against Arsenal earlier in the season, Young Boys or Udinese in Europe, or Swansea in the League Cup.

All that possession and all those passes mean absolutely nothing if you don't have the players to convert it into goals. Especially if the opposition does. Cisse may not be in the same red-hot form he was last April, but between him, Ba, and Ben Arfa, Newcastle have the ability to punish Liverpool on the break. The defense cannot be as exposed as it was on Wednesday, when Swansea strolled through wide open spaces to punish Liverpool on the counter twice.

Pardew has vacillated between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 in his selections this season. The more difficult matches – at Chelsea, against United and Tottenham – saw the former: a front six of Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tiote or Anita, Jonas; Ba, Cisse. In contrast, the front six against West Brom last weekend was: Perch, Cabaye, Jonas; Ameobi, Ba, Ben Arfa. Newcastle also used similar in a 2-2 draw at Everton six weeks ago, with Anita instead of Perch, Marveaux instead of Ameobi, and Cisse instead of Ba. Ba is questionable for tomorrow's match due to a calf injury incurred last Saturday, while Tiote will serve the second of a three-match ban after being sent off in the Tyne-Wear derby.

Since the beginning of the Premier League in 1992, Liverpool have a better home record against Newcastle than any other current top-flight club, scoring 45 goals in the 18 matches against the Geordies over the last two decades. The last seven league fixtures at Anfield, since 2004-05, have finished 3-1, 2-0, 2-0, 3-0, 3-0, 3-0, 3-1.

Past certainly doesn't equal precedent, especially this season, but this is a match that Liverpool often expects to win, no matter the side's respective forms. Let's ignore the fact that Liverpool's won just three of the 14 league matches at Anfield since the beginning of 2012, with last season's home win against tomorrow's opponent coming two days before the New Year. And it comes at a time when Liverpool desperately need points, with away matches at Chelsea, Swansea, and Tottenham to come later this month.

Liverpool 1-3 Swansea

Goals:
Chico 34'
Dyer 72'
Suarez 77'
de Guzman 90+5'

I can't decide which is more infuriating: Liverpool's wholly abhorrent first half or throwing Gerrard, Suarez, and Sterling on in the second half and still failing to win. Actually, nevermind, that's an easy decision. It's the latter, and it's not even close.

Today's match totally exposed Liverpool's utter lack of depth. Of course, that Joe Cole would start any match exposes Liverpool's utter lack of depth.

Both halves were criminally poor, but for different reasons. Liverpool's line-up was pretty much as expected: similar to the last round, similar to the match against Young Boys. Except for a couple of surprising changes. Henderson played at right-back, as he did as a substitute on Sunday, since both Johnson and Kelly injured and Wisdom needed a rest. With Henderson needed in defense, Joe Allen started against his former club after a draining match on Sunday. And Joe Cole started, in his "preferred position" no less. It went about as well as you'd expect.

Liverpool's starting XI had scored just 21 goals for the club. Carragher and Downing were joint-top scorers with five each; Shelvey has four, Cole three, Coates and Henderson two. That's it. So it was little surprise to see Liverpool completely impotent in attack. Liverpool at least controlled possession well for the first 15 minutes, albeit with absolutely no cutting edge, but that didn't last long. Only Swansea's profligacy kept the away side off the mark until the 34th, as Dyer couldn't control after getting behind Robinson and Carragher, Ki fired wide, Carragher made a couple of crucial last ditch tackles, de Guzman blasted over, and Jones parried another long-range effort from Ki. But Swansea eventually made the break-through, as Chico got in front of Coates to rocket in a header from a corner.

Rodgers' response was the same as against Udinese, only earlier. Here comes the cavalry: Suarez and Gerrard on at half-time for Yesil and Cole – the former out of his depth, the latter completely terrible and totally past it. There's no rest for the weary.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool had created two better chances than anything we saw in the first half within five minutes. Also unsurprisingly, Liverpool failed to hit the target with either. Shelvey's shot cleared the crossbar after Allen intercepted in Swansea's half, swiftly followed by Suarez heading over from Shelvey's cross. Around the hour mark, Gerrard cannoned a long-range shot off the post, with Downing unable to sort his feet or his brain out for the wide-open rebound. After that, Rodgers went all in, bringing Sterling on for Assaidi.

Coincidentally, that also marked the tilt back towards Swansea; as in the first half, the away side gained a foothold after early Liverpool possession and didn't take long to make Liverpool pay for it. I'm still not sure how Swansea failed to score in the 67th minute, as Brad Jones made three separate saves with the ball bouncing around his penalty box before another crucial Carragher block and an eventual clearance. Then came another excellent save from Jones, tipping Michu's shot over the bar. And then, with Liverpool sending almost everyone forward in the frantic search for an equalizer, came the stomach.

Swansea broke out of their own half after a Liverpool free kick, and once Michu out-muscled Jack Robinson, it was three-on-zero: Michu to Pablo to Dyer, for a point blank tap-in with no other defender able to get back. It's one thing to gamble when pushing for a goal, it's another to leave yourself pants-down naked against a side that thrives on the counter-attack, especially with players like the three involved in Swansea's goal.

To their credit, Liverpool pulled one back within five minutes: as against Everton, a Gerrard free kick, an unstoppable Suarez header. But one good free kick was little consolation, especially since Liverpool couldn't find the now-needed second, and were again exposed on the break in stoppage time. Routledge stole possession, Michu strode forward, de Guzman easily snuck in behind Robinson for yet another tap-in from the exact same location.

I'm not going to get up in arms about a League Cup loss. This competition means less than zero, even if Liverpool were the defending winners. Swansea started close to a full-strength XI, while Liverpool's XI demonstrated just how thin the squad is. Being out of one competition will probably help Liverpool in the long run and this is, by far, the least important competition.

I am, however, going to get up in arms about how it came about. The two players who made the difference in the last round – Suso and Şahin – two players who only played for 45 minutes on Sunday, didn't feature at all. The former stayed planted to the bench, the latter wasn't included in the squad. That Joe Cole started remains an unforgivable sin. But playing Gerrard and Suarez for another draining 45 minutes – in this competition – is the most unforgivable sin. I doubt I need emphasize how crucial they are to Liverpool's fortunes in the league and Europa League or how over-used they already are. The fixture calendar is only getting worse in November and December. Similar goes for Allen, who has played 1112 minutes out of a possible 1440 so far this season (the most of any player except – you guessed it – Gerrard and Suarez, with 1240 and 1150 minutes respectively), as well as Sterling. Sure, Liverpool were incredibly not good in the first half, and didn't look like getting better, but are Gerrard and Suarez the only answer for that?

Does Rodgers use Gerrard and Suarez if Liverpool aren't facing his former club? Does Liverpool push so hard for an equalizer that it's easily rent asunder on counter-attacks not once but twice? Those are both unanswerable and probably unfair questions, but this is also the first time I've been as angry with Rodgers as I've been with the result or players' performances. For starting Cole; for playing Henderson at right-back, requiring Allen to start; for playing Gerrard, Suarez, and Sterling in the second half; for Liverpool pushing forward without any regard for its back four – which included a midfielder, two youngsters, and Jamie Carragher – leading to two supremely avoidable goals conceded. Yes, he's damned if he does and if he doesn't in a lot of ways, but the personnel decisions did not help Liverpool's cause – either in today's match or, more importantly, for the future.

And now, Liverpool need to pick themselves up to face Newcastle in less than four days, desperately needing points in the league and facing a side that finished well above them in the table last season. Good luck, guys.

Liverpool v Swansea 10.31.12

4pm ET, not on live anywhere as far as I can tell. And so far, I can't find any sign of streams. If something shows up, you'll probably hear about it on Twitter. I'm skeptical. And if there are no streams, there will be no match review. We'll find out tomorrow, I guess.

Last four head-to-head:
0-1 Swansea (a) 05.13.12
0-0 (h) 11.05.11
8-0 Liverpool (home; FA Cup) 01.09.90
0-0 (a; FA Cup) 01.06.90

Earlier Rounds:
Liverpool: 2-1 West Brom (a)
Swansea: 3-2 Crawley Town (a); 3-1 Barnsley (h)

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-2 Everton (a); 1-0 Anzhi (h); 1-0 Reading (h)
Swansea: 0-1 City (a); 2-1 Wigan (h); 2-2 Reading (h)

Goalscorers (all):
Liverpool: Suarez 8; Şahin, Shelvey 3; Downing, Gerrard 2; Borini, Coates, Johnson, Skrtel, Sterling, Wisdom 1
Swansea: Michu 7; Graham 3; Dyer, Moore, Routledge 2; Monk, Pablo, Rangel 1

Referee: Lee Probert

Terrified of jinxing it, but Probert is one of my favorite referees in the division.

Guess at a line-up:
Jones
Wisdom Coates Carragher Robinson
Henderson Şahin
Shelvey
Downing Yesil Assaidi

Tomorrow's XI will probably look a lot like Liverpool's side in the last round against West Brom.

Reina and Johnson are definitely out, each attempting to recover from their respective injuries in time for Sunday's match against Newcastle. Similarly, I expect that Liverpool's biggest names will finally be given a rest – as hoped for prior to last week's Europa League tie. Suarez seemingly can't start again. Gerrard seemingly can't start again. In fact, most players who featured against Everton, especially if they also played against Anzhi, probably shouldn't start again. Sunday's match was simply too ferocious, too draining.

That said, Johnson's injury, along with Wisdom's substitution on Sunday, means the 19-year-old is odds on for a fifth consecutive start. Flanagan, reportedly back from injury, may also be in contention, but he hasn't seen a minute of action this season, limited to one bench appearance in the first leg against Hearts. In theory, Carragher's another alternative on the right, but, I mean, really? Let's not go there. He and Coates will most likely resume their second-choice partnership, allowing Rodgers to rest both Skrtel and Agger. Robinson should reclaim the left-back role after Enrique's busy performance against Everton.

Şahin is another who could also feature from the beginning despite starting on Sunday. Hauled off at halftime, seemingly unable to cope with the frenetic "is this really football?" atmosphere, the midfielder continues to need match practice to adjust to the English game. Henderson looks certain to be involved – although I wrote that before the Anzhi match as well – while Shelvey seems the most likely third. Pacheco is on the periphery, involved in the first Europa League match as well as the last round of this competition, and could play as the most-advanced midfielder, on the flanks, or as a false nine. And Joe Cole's still kicking around Melwood somewhere. Wherever you are in the world, you're likely to hear me scream if Gerrard's involved, and similar goes for Joe Allen, despite the attraction of starting him against his former club.

Like in the Europa League, I expect to see Downing and Assaidi on the flanks. And, if Suarez is finally rested, it'd seemingly have to be Yesil up front, as against West Brom earlier in this competition. Pacheco as a false nine, as against Young Boys, is a more remote possibility, but wasn't a successful experiment in Switzerland. That the NextGen Series also takes place tomorrow complicates matters. The other young forward who's seen action with the first team – Adam Morgan – is part of the NextGen squad. Yesil is not, nor is over-age Michael Ngoo, who hasn't trained with the first team as far as I know. Of course, Suso, Sterling, and Wisdom are also eligible, but I doubt they'll be involved in any of the NextGen matches given their importance to the senior squad.

Still ahead of Liverpool in the table, if just, Swansea have tailed off after a fast start in the league, losing three in a row without scoring after taking seven points and scoring 10 goals in the opening three matches. Laudrup has steadied the ship since, with a slightly unfortunate draw against Reading, a victory over Wigan, and a narrow, disappointing loss to Manchester City on Saturday.

Swansea played slightly weakened sides in its two earlier League Cup matches, against Barnsley and Crawley Town, mixing usual first-team starters with a handful of bench and reserve players. I imagine they'll do similar tomorrow, but with one or two regulars probably more likely to feature. I do believe Michael Laudrup when he says that there's no added motivation by facing Brendan Rodgers' side, but also know that playing Liverpool in cup competition is usually extra motivation for any club. We see it this season in the Europa League, we've seen it in the past in both domestic cup competitions.

At the very least, there will be two enforced changes. Starting goalkeeper Michel Vorm is injured, while right-back Angel Rangel is suspended. Ashley Williams is also doubtful with an ankle sprain, while left-back Neil Taylor is a long-term absentee. Swansea will almost certainly stick with the 4-3-3/4-1-2-3 formation Rodgers used last season and Laudrup uses in this, even if the Dane has made Swansea slightly more direct. If forced to guess, I'll go for Tremmel; Tiendalli, Chico, Monk, Davies; Gower, Britton, Michu; Routledge, Graham, Dyer as the XI, but also want to emphasize that is little more than a guess. Michu, if he plays – whether as the #9 or as the most-advanced midfielder – will obviously be the biggest threat, responsible for seven goals and an assist in his ten Swansea matches.

This competition is probably last on Liverpool's list of priorities, and that it's Rodgers' first match against his former side will dominate the headlines. Still, even with a heavily changed line-up, Liverpool will look to progress in the competition, if only to ensure that the above players continue to have opportunities to develop and to prove their worth. Suso seizing his chances after appearances against Young Boys and West Brom is evidence that there are places to be won. Despite Liverpool's shallow squad, the match against Anzhi (and Udinese, to a lesser extent) demonstrates that Rodgers values Liverpool's progression in the Europa League; the Capital One Cup is where he'll look to experiment most often. And, of course, the sooner that Liverpool put the memory of Sunday fully behind them, the better it'll be for all involved.

Visualized: Liverpool 2-2 Everton

Previous Match Infographics: Manchester City (h), Arsenal (h), Manchester United (h), Norwich (a), Stoke (h), Reading (h)

Avert your eyes. This is, by far, my least favorite match infographic so far.

As always, match data from Stats Zone and Squawka.



Yesterday saw the fewest Liverpool passes attempted and completed in the nine matches this season, as well as the lowest pass accuracy in those nine matches. We saw the fewest Liverpool shots taken in those nine matches. And we saw the least possession Liverpool has had in those nine matches.

Liverpool's previous low in both passes and possession was against defending champions Manchester City, a match where Liverpool still mostly out-played its opposition and would have won if not for a despicable back pass. Liverpool completed 131 more passes that day. That was also the only other match where Liverpool were held below 50% possession this season. Even when down to ten men for long stretches against West Brom and United, Liverpool were able to keep the ball away from its opponents more often than not.

The Reds completed 224 passes more against West Brom, when they lost by three and spent just over half an hour with ten men. They completed 155 more against Manchester United, playing with ten men for just over 51 minutes. Wholly outplayed in the 0-2 loss against Arsenal, Liverpool still completed 232 more passes against the Gunners, almost double what they tallied yesterday. Liverpool actually attempted and completed fewer passes than Reading did against Liverpool last week; only Stoke, Sunderland, and Norwich's totals against Liverpool were lower than Liverpool's totals yesterday, and barely in the case of Sunderland and Norwich.

Everton are also the first opponent to take more shots than Liverpool since opening day, when West Brom took 18 to Liverpool's 16, almost all coming in the second half. Norwich equalled Liverpool's total when those sides met at Carrow Road, both with 16, but Liverpool were notably a bit more potent. The West Brom match was also the only other match with fewer Liverpool chances created, nine against the Bagges compared to 11 yesterday. Liverpool were also limited to 11 chances created against Manchester United, but of course, there was the "unfairly down to ten men" excuse in that case. And Liverpool held United to just six chances created.

Almost every Everton player out-passed their Liverpool counterpart; only Suarez attempted and completed more passes than Jelavic (although Jelavic's passing accuracy was slightly better), and combined, Suso and Shelvey attempted and completed more than Mirallas and Gueye. Most disappointing is Everton's overwhelming numbers in midfield and defense, Liverpool's usual areas of strength.

Everton's strong pressing from its front four – Jelavic on Agger, Fellaini on Skrtel and/or Allen, Mirallas then Gueye on Wisdom, and (to a slightly lesser extent) Naismith on Enrique – led to massively reduced passing totals from Liverpool's back four, even if it's not shown in the tackles and interceptions section. Skrtel completed 24 fewer passes than his average through eight league starts, Agger completed 26 fewer passes than his average through seven league starts, and Wisdom completed 32 fewer passes than his average through three league starts (although, he at least has the excuse of going off in the 70th minute). All three of those defenders attempted and completed less than half of their usual total. Similarly, Allen completed just 37 passes after averaging 69 in the first eight matches. All four of the above Liverpool players attempted and completed their lowest totals of the season, which was the case for nearly every Liverpool starter. All 20 of Brad Jones' attempted passes were long passes, and he completed just eight. Everton knew the disjointing effect this would have on Liverpool's game, and it worked excellently, hauling Everton back into the game by refusing Liverpool to settle on the ball with its 2-0 lead. I'm fairly certain other teams will try to copy the playbook if they have the legs and stamina to do so.

I realize that Merseyside derbies are often statistical anomalies, but Liverpool were beaten in almost every metric. And yes, Liverpool were away from home, while most of the matches I've compared the performance to – City, Arsenal, United – were at Anfield. Still, these totals are simply not good.

Any positives to take away? Liverpool tackled well, with 19 of 23 successful, especially on Everton's left flank – where Everton are often most dangerous. Allen was Liverpool's best in this regard, with six successful tackles all on that side of the field, doubling his previous high for the season (against West Brom); he had averaged 2.25 through the first eight league contests. Wisdom and Enrique also added three tackles each. Allen also won six free kicks, often relieving pressure in Liverpool's half, and made three interceptions. Even when his passes, possession, and accuracy stats were lower than we're used to, he was still one of Liverpool's best players.

The other positive? If not for a wildly incorrect decision by a wildly incompetent linesman, Liverpool would have won despite the statistical horror show.

I guess that counts as a positive.