Daniel Agger – Our Nordic Wanderer

When asked what Liverpool meant to Daniel Agger, he replied: “Do we have enough time for that?”!
He adorns himself with tattoos of Nordic royalty and mythology. He’s completely aware of his own construction. Aware of what makes Daniel Agger, Daniel Agger. History directly creates the present. He knows that every move matters. Every decision he makes now, reflects forever.

Supporters are used to players leaving for ‘bigger and better things’. A prescribed notion put forward by Real Madrid’s ‘Galacticos’ and evidenced in the vacuous film franchise ‘Goal’. Players are set out on a single track route. Stepping stones are a frequent occurrence. Suarez is a fine example, gradually moving up through the statuses of clubs to eventually find himself at the top of the pile at Barcelona.

Agger was sought after by such clubs. He is one of Europe’s finest defenders. However, he had no such route in mind. He works in the present. He falls in love and makes it part of his being. He documents it on his body in the most tribal sense. Brondby are part of him just as much Liverpool are. He won’t entertain any foreign bodies. He does what’s right by him.

There were periods when he didn’t play for this club. He worked his way back in. There were no ultimatums or tantrums. He fought to play for and with his tribe. The ancient Nordic Gods aren’t worshipped by their believers. They are accepted as regular people and treated as such. It creates a level standing. A tribe all at one with one another. This was evident in Agger’s approach to those who believed in football. He was one of them. His relationship with fans always displayed this. They were part of his tribe.

Agger’s most memorable moment for most will be the Champions League semi-final opener against Chelsea in 2007. For me, it’s a moment that he repeated in every match which would ultimately define his game. Picking up the ball, lifting his head and seeing nothing but green space in front of him, then marauding effortless down the centre of the pitch looking to make things happen. Looking to take control. He was always in control. Every moment of his career, off the pitch and on, he’s in control.

It is said of Odin, the Norse God known as ‘The Wanderer’, that “when he sat with his friends, he gladdened the spirits of all of them, but when he was at war, his demeanour was terrifyingly grim,” and it is that sentiment, that mentality, that construction, that gave us Daniel Agger.

@leecoates17

Everton 3 – 3 Liverpool

Tags

3-3, Anfield, Coutinho, Everton, Gerrard, Goodison, kop, liverpool, Lukaku, Mignolet, Mirallas, ok, Park, rules, sturridge, suarez, The

Derby day and there’s more than 3 points on offer here… ya-da-ya-da-ya, etc. We’ve all heard the recycled rubbish about the beautiful relationship Liverpool and Everton fans have, but I’ve heard too many horrible things aimed at each other from both Liverpool and Everton fan’s mouths to believe it any longer.

The realisation of it would make me proud. I want to believe it. Moments like Hillsborough and the tragic death of Rhys Jones almost made me believe it. However, it comes across as a manufactured product to me. Hillsborough affected families before it affected football. As did the murder of young Rhys. These unfortunate cases brought people together in grief – football was just a backdrop.

How many times during the match did you see a fan hurling abuse at an opposition player? How many of your friends on Facebook before and after the game declared ‘blue/red scum?’ There was genuine anger. An anger that’s not to be confused with a fit of passion, but genuine anger and hatred that festers in the modern football fan.

It’s easy to be fooled by the faux-sentimental montages and the constant panning across stadiums to find blue and red shirts sat side by side into thinking that these two clubs have a ‘special relationship’, but it strikes me more as a selling point than camaraderie.

I believe the relationship once existed – long before football meant so fucking much to people. I’m not devaluing the sport. It means a lot to me, and it’s meant a lot to people for the last century, but I’ll never sacrifice general decency, kindness and compassion for others for its cause.

By the looks of it, people don’t watch it for fun, they watch it for a purpose. I’m not old enough to have stood in The Kop in its heyday, but I did spend the last remaining years of its original state perched on a barrier with my dad stood behind me. A place he’d stood for thirty years. I was brought up with the spirit of The Kop inside of me. Watching football was a part-time job on The Kop, the rest of the time was dedicated to singing, supporting, loving, joking, chanting, praising, and having fun.

Like many middle aged fellas, I quit The Kop in disillusion. I’m only in my mid-twenties now and the last game I witnessed on The Kop was the European cup semi-final against Chelsea in 2005. That was the closest feeling to what my dad had felt so many times before I could experience. I choose to watch the matches from my armchair now. I’ve been to the odd game here and there – sat in different parts of the stadium or at away games – but it’s not the football I learnt. Football is meant to be enjoyable. I’ve heard such negativity directed at our own players, at opposition players, at our own fans, at opposition fans, that it seems like a totally different game to what I’m supposed to be watching.

The Kop is like our ‘special relationship’ with Everton. They tokenise it so they can bring it out whenever they like or tell the Liverpool ‘story’ but it’s essentially a tourist trap – a once great event that offers little other than nostalgia. Watching our games on television, I can see people looking bored in the crowd, talking through You’ll Never Walk Alone and taking pictures of the corner flag. The match IS the experience, not the moments documenting it.

I’m not pining for the good old days. I’m asking for a sense of realism and some perspective and good nature from the people involved. Football is clinging on to its tradition like religion is with its faith. We just don’t believe it anymore.

There are isolated groups out there who do adhere to football virtues and that the special relationship between the two merseyside clubs is actually special to them and acts as a foundation in their togetherness and societal values. Unfortunately, the poison of modern football behaviour has penetrated any character the derby once had, and it’s now descended into just another distasteful slanging match.

Anyway, a quick review of the match:

—Mignolet—

—Johnson–Skrtel–Agger–Flanagan—

—Gerrard–Lucas–Allen—

—Henderson—Suarez—Coutinho—

Six goals were shared evenly in this pulsating and energetic match, and true to form, controversy played its part too.

Coutinho kicked off the scoring in the 5th minute when a corner glanced off the challenging heads of Distin and Agger to find the Brazilian free at the back post. He cooly controlled the ball on his knee before slotting it under Everton ‘keeper, Tim Howard, to make it 1-0.

An equaliser for Everton came just three minutes later when, also from a set piece, Mirallas marginally beat Gerrard to a loose ball in the box to find the top corner of the net. It was obvious at this point that the game wasn’t going to settle.

Suarez made it 2-1 to Liverpool when he carefully steered home a free kick from a good twenty five yards out before being on the end of a very nasty challenge from Everton goalscorer Mirallas. The tackle was high and left a puncture on the Uruguayan’s right knee. A yellow was given but a red was surely the most justified. Tensions ran high even further moments later when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard went up for a header elbow first. The recipient, Barry, fell to the ground despite there being no contact, but it was a clumsy attempt at an aerial ball from Gerrard and it could have put the team down to ten men.

Everton scored twice within ten minutes in the second half through powerful Belgian, Romelu Lukaku, after a glaring missed opportunity by Allen a mere ten minutes earlier. The Liverpool midfielder was substituted for striker Daniel Sturridge soon after and may have contributed to Liverpool’s lack of defensive solidity for Everton’s two goals.

At 3-2 down with just eight minutes left, Liverpool didn’t have much time to equalise. Rodgers had chosen to go all out and win the game with the inclusion of Sturridge and it proved effective when the striker met a Gerrard free kick at the near post to steer the ball into the back of the net with just one minute of normal time remaining.

A thoroughly entertaining game at Goodison Park with some outstanding individual displays. Full back, Flanagan, deserves special recognition after being thrust into the first team and performing not only competently but effectively and strategically. He was solid in the tackle and picked the right moments to go forward and carry on with attacking play. Lucas was also magnificent. Playing as an anchor man, he covered the opposition’s forward runs well and cleared up any lose balls or potential attacks.

Of course, Gerrard, Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho, all came up with match-defining pieces of skill, technique, and finishes to add to their already gleaming reputations, but goalkeeper Mignolet also made a number of one-on-one stops from Everton attempts by making himself big and establishing a presence in goal.

As far as I’m conceded, Rodgers should continue to look to win matches by sacrificing defence for attack is a positive move in doing so. We have the fire-power to score goals and it should be our first line of defence. I am very pleased with how he sees our team and I believe the future looks promising under his guidance.

Great entertainment and a fine display from Liverpool.

Kop Rules Ok.

Liverpool 4 – 0 Fulham

Tags

9th, agger, Anfield, Cissokho, Coutinho, Fulham, Gerrard, kop, liverpool, Nov, ok, Rodgers, rules, Skrtel, sturridge, suarez

After a perhaps somewhat reality check against Arsenal last weekend – a match I wasn’t able to review due to illness, not apathy to our defeats – we took on lowly Fulham. A team low in confidence, ideas and ability. These games are really must win for Liverpool. We accept that there is a strong possibility that we’ll drop a fair amount of points to the top teams, so the lower teams we must beat. These are were our points have come from up to now, and if we maintain this approach then a top 4 position is very likely.

—Mignolet—

-Johnson—Skrtel—Agger—Cissokho-

—Henderson—Gerrard—Lucas—

—Coutinho—

—Suarez—Sturridge—

It was back to four in defence. There has been a lot of experimentation so far this season with formations. Fortunately, none have resulted in complete disaster – perhaps if we’d gone more attacking at Newcastle we’d have got the three points, but a draw at St James Park isn’t a bad result at the end of the day.  In having four at the back, we can afford an extra man in midfield which will give us more attacking options and dominance in the middle of the park. 

The formation worked a treat. Our midfield surrounded the Fulham penalty area like strategic battlements. They collected any loose ball and used it for a follow up attack. The pressure of the probing midfielders, Henderson in particular making well timed runs into the box, and the patient build up of Gerrard’s dictated play felt like we were slightly poisoning Fulham as they slowly deteriorated under our waves of pin point passing.

It wasn’t long until our possession turned into goals. On 23 minutes, a whipped Gerrard free kick glanced off the head of Luis Suarez before then receiving a much more firmer connection from the unfortunate Fernando Amorebieta, and finding the corner of the net. Suarez ran away like it was his own, but the goal definitely belonged to Amorebieta. 

Three minutes later and another set piece. A corner this time and the determined Martin Skrtel powered towards the six-yard area and saw his forceful header find pretty much the exact same spot. It was great to finally see our aerial threat substantiate itself as more than threat.

We continued as we started. Relentless pressure. A concise game plan. A tactical domination.

The 36th minute came with the finest move of the day. Gerrard beautifully turned the enigmatic Berbatov on the left touch line before producing a low cross field pass to the feet of Henderson. He measured his surroundings and through instinctive movement from both Suarez and Sturridge, Henderson found the former with a pinpoint through ball. Suarez took it in his stride and hit a first time low shot across Stekelenburg in the Fulham goal. 3-0.

At half time, the score line justified our widely predicted superiority. Despite our lack of goals and intensity in recent second halves, there was no chance we’d be letting this one slip.

The second half was a breeze – and with that came an extra goal. Suarez was put through on goal thanks to heavy pressure on Fulham’s back line by Gerrard, and jinxed towards the right hand side before firing a shot at the near post after noticing Stekelenburg’s central positioning.

The 4-0 scoreline topped off a fine display. Fulham were poor, but we deserve the credit. We set up to dominate from start to finish and we never let up. Gerrard was immense in the middle of the park alongside the defensively sound Lucas and the sharp Henderson. Our front three are getting better the more they play and the back four is something I believe we should stick with for the time being. Cissokho has a long way to go if he is to permanently take the place of Jose Enrique, who looks to have a more naturalistic attacking flair.  Hopefully our set piece exploits can continue and the big men carry on imposing themselves in the penalty boxes.

Allez les rouges!

Kop Rules Ok.

Arsenal vs Liverpool: Preview

Tags

Arsenal, League, liverpool, Nov 2nd, Premier

As glorious and, perhaps, exaggerated as it sounds – November 2nd will see the first proper title grudge match, and Liverpool are involved. I say ‘proper’ in terms of points on the board and table positions being compromised, but of course, Man Utd vs Chelsea, Man City vs Man Utd, Arsenal vs Spurs and a few others, which have all already been played out, are also considered title contentions. The season is beginning to establish itself with Arsenal and Liverpool  sitting in 1st and 3rd respectively with just two points separating them.

I try and believe that we always play for the win, but if there was ever an occasion where a draw was a good result, then this is it. An Arsenal win would move them 5 points ahead and considering their form, it won’t be long until they start disappearing into the distant fog at the summit, and leaving us clambering up behind.

Providing there are no further injuries or suspensions, we should have a full strength team.

Probable line-up:

—Mignolet—

—Skrtel—Agger—Sakho—

-Johnson——————–Cissokho-

–Gerrard—Lucas/Henderson–

-Coutinho-

–Suarez—Sturridge–

It’s very likely that we’ll stick with the 5-3-2 formation we have been using for the majority of the season. Arsenal will be looking to play their fast, flowing passing game and therefore it would seem sensible to pack our defence in tight to restrict their attackers while also leaving minimal space for through balls. In all defensive phases, our full backs should drop deep to line up with the centre backs and therefore creating a 5 strong defence.

The front three will need no tweaking and will be given the freedom of creativity and spark. Coutinho will look to cut the defence apart with both Sturridge and Suarez making darting forward runs, as well as pulling defenders out wide to encourage midfield runs into the space left behind.

We will certainly be looking to catch Arsenal on the counter, as our midfield doesn’t quite have the balance yet of controlling an attacking move without leaving itself vulnerable at the back. With Coutinho playing, which he should do after returning from injury, no matter what defensive liabilities it may cause, the defensive side of the midfield will consist of just Lucas or Henderson and Gerrard. It is likely we will be over-run in the midfield area and the responsibility will be on the defence to shut out the Arsenal attacks. Liverpool’s problem with this formation has been the amount of space between the midfield and defence, and with Ozil occupying that area, this is a problem that must be dealt with. However, I predict a highly defensive display from Liverpool and can see both Gerrard and his midfield partner sitting in front of the back three quite closely. Providing, the two midfielders stay disciplined during counter attacks, where the anchor man stays deep as Gerrard supports, we shouldn’t anticipate this problem manifesting itself in this particular match.

Usually, set pieces are key for defending away teams. It gives them a chance to nick a goal. So far this season, our set pieces have quite simply been abysmal, both defending and attacking – evident in the second goal conceded against Newcastle recently. It’s simply the case of concentration and common sense. The players seem conflicted between training measures and getting rid of the ball. Often, I’ve seen our defenders intent on standing in a zonal position or making a man with his back towards the ball. It always leads to mistakes. Add the Newcastle goal to the list, which saw both Cissokho and Sakho allow the ball to fall to Dummett at the back post, and it concludes that we have a frail defence when it comes to defending set pieces. Arsenal’s big centre halves may just fancy their chances.

It’s still early in the season, and nobody believes Liverpool will still be up there by May, but if we just take one game at a time, like we have been doing, we should be up there, especially in terms of gaining a Champions League spot. Arsenal have title contenders written all over them. They have  a world class player in Mesut Ozil, fastly progressing midfielders in Wilshere and Ramsay, and when this team play well, they really do play well. A draw will keep the Reds nicely shadowing the favourites and you’ll struggle to find anybody who would disagree that this result would be a good outcome at this point in time.

Liverpool 4 – 1 West Bromwich Albion

Tags

4-1, Anfield, Bromwich Albion, Gerrard, liverpool, sturridge, suarez, WBA, West

The troublesome ‘winnable home tie’.  It’s been a persistant trouble in recent years for every kopite. Our full squad is slowly coming back to us and we are in good form. Let’s not revisit the tainted home soil, but instead grow anew with winning the should-wins.

—Mignolet

—Toure—Skrtel—Sakho—

-Johnson————————–Cissokho-

—Henderson—Lucas—

—Gerrard—

—Suarez—Sturridge—

I will point you towards the true essence of this match – Suarez & Sturridge. It was about star players; quality, technique and difference. West Brom didn’t put up a fight against these boys. They were outclassed. Nor did we play all that well. The match itself was finding the spectacular in amongst the unspectacular – like sifting through the murky waters for ninety minutes with little nuggets of gold becoming apparent when brought forward.

Suarez scored his first in the 12th minute. Picking up the ball thirty yards out, he had no problem skipping past Yacob before slipping it through the legs of Olsson and collecting it on the other side and finishing it into the bottom corner of the net. Individual magnificence.

His second was five minutes later. Again, facing the goal on the edge of the box, Suarez plays a fortuatous one-two with Cissokho which results in a looping ball in which Suarez has no hesitancy in heading it into the top corner despite being on the edge of the 18-yard-line.

We went in at half-time leading 2-0. It was a pretty uncontentious game. Apart from the brilliance of our number 7, the two teams were pretty balanced in a mediocre fashion. It was almost as if a helplessness was about them from the sheer presence of excellent forward.

Ten minutes after half time and he had his hat-trick. A beautiful Gerrard delivery from a free kick found the glancing head of the Uruguayan and then the back of the net. I should take this opportunity to display my absolute joy at a set-piece goal. I’m often furious at our ineptitude in this part of the game but this shut me up, at least for now.

West Brom got their goal back through a very dubious looking 66th minute penalty. Full back, Billy Jones, weaved his way into the box before falling to the floor at the feet of a number of red shirts. A penalty was given and I’m still unsure of the perpetrator. Regardless, James Morrison stepped up and smashed it past Simone Mignolet in net.

I won’t lie, a fear did come over me at the though of a Baggie comeback, but eleven minutes later, I realised my error. The other half of our strike force wasn’t going to roll over and let Luis take all the plaudits as well as the match ball. Daniel Sturridge turned towards goal and ran at the defence. Unsure of what he was going to do, they backed away and subsequently invited Sturridge to shoot. He did so, but in quite spectacular fashion. Rather than drilling it towards goal, the Liverpool striker delightfully chipped the West Brom keeper, Myhill, from all of twenty yards. A stunning finish to the game.

Our strikers had a field day. So much so, that the rest of the team hardly had to play. Everyone was relatively solid, a mistake here and there, and there was a few penalty decisions that went against both attacking sides, but it was to be the day of the red men with the ridiculously talented striking duo.

Kop Rules Ok.

Newcastle 2 – 2 Liverpool

Tags

Cabaye, Dummett, Gerrard, liverpool, Newcastle, Rodgers, St James Park, sturridge, suarez

With another jingoistic international week behind us, we’re back to club football. International football encapsulates all that is wrong with the state of football and society. It can become quite nauseating. Thankfully, it doesn’t come around all that often.

—Mignolet—

—Toure—Skrtel—Sakho—

-Johnson—————————Cissokho-

—Gerrard—Henderson—

—Moses—

—Sturridge—Suarez—

Steadily gaining a sizeable squad, we put out our strongest team available. The only missing people were Agger, Enrique and Coutinho through injury, and Lucas who bagged himself a new baby girl that same morning. Well done to him.

Newcastle started the game well and took control of the midfield. With Moses contributing mainly as an attacking outlet, a midfield on just Gerrard and Henderson were clearly being outnumbered and it resulted in a lack of authority. Three defenders has definitely sured up our back line in open play, but it certainly leaves us vulnerable in the middle of the park and is detrimental when looking to control the game further up the park. A poor first quarter saw Newcastle take the lead. Cabaye picked up the ball and had plenty of space to run into, largely due to the fact of our missing midfield, and fired a speculative shot across Mignolet. It was whipped in and swerved about like a released balloon before finding the bottom corner of the net. On first glance, it seemed a terrible error on the goalkeeper’s part – a shot he definitely should have reached – but due to the activity of the ball, sympathy is with Mignolet. It still doesn’t address the amount of space the Newcastle midfielder had before bringing the opener.

Newcastle continued to push at us and it seemed like maybe they’d get a second, until on the 40th minute a long ball was played over the top for the evergreen Suarez. He held off his position in front of Yanga-Mbiwa before the defender pulled at the shoulder of the Uruguayan in a desperate bid to unsettle him. Suarez fell to the ground and a penalty was rightly given. The offending defender was subsequently sent off. Gerrard stepped up and made it 1-1 with a low drive towards the left-hand post.

Half time arrived and we should fancy our chances here. With an extra man we should definitely look to be controlling the game from now on, but our present tactics won’t allow it. A five man defence is surely redundant against a depleted Newcastle side.

However, we began the second half using the same tactics and still Newcastle were holding their own. We reached the 57th minute and Newcastle got what they deserved. A free kick was swung in towards the far post and it found Yanga-Mbiwa’s replacement, Paul Dummett, who neatly side footed it across Mignolet and into the far corner. Again, we were outdone on a set piece. This time, Sakho and Cissokho were both caught out and seemed oblivious to the presence of the oncoming Dummett.

This display was becoming unacceptable and Rodgers soon made the much needed change. A defender (Sakho) off, and an attacker (Alberto) on.

We pushed on for the next goal and the newcomer looked smart on the ball. Ten minutes later the equaliser came. After good play from the otherwise ineffective Moses, Suarez was put in on the left hand side, he chipped the oncoming Newcastle ‘keeper to find Sturridge who powered a header into the open net.

Newcastle were there for the taking and three points could be had. Our new formation made sure we were able to carry out constant pressure, but despite a couple more chances – Suarez striking the top of the ball after a cut back from Cissokho, and the same player testing Krul from a free kick in the last seconds of the game – the match ended a draw.

The home side were the happier and Liverpool will count this as a missed opportunity. Still, a point away to Newcastle isn’t too bad and it means that’s another game unbeaten.

As long as we take one game at a time and sort out these punishing set-pieces, we should maintain a good consistency and top four can be achievable.

Kop Rules Ok.

Henderson: Liverpool’s Mr Reliable?

Tags

5-3-2, Brendan, Coutinho, Crystal, Daniel, Henderson, Jordan, liverpool, Luis, Palace, Phillipe, Rodgers, sturridge, suarez

(Originally written for Threeandin.com)

Henderson didn’t have the best of first seasons for Liverpool. A lofty price tag of £20m immediately brought the crosshairs and a lot was expected of him. He became part of Dalglish’s ‘terrible trio’ in which £70m was spent on Andy Carroll (now at West Ham), Stewart Downing (also at West Ham) and Henderson. With Dalglish gone, as have the other two, the 23-year-old is the only one to have maintained his place at Liverpool.

Not only has he dodged the chop, but he is almost an ever-present for the Reds and has become a somewhat ‘Mr Reliable’. Playing most of this season on the right hand side of a front three, largely due to the absence of Luis Suarez, Henderson has barely put a foot wrong and always works tirelessly for the shirt. That has always been his game though, endeavour. People never questioned that. It was the technical side that often brought scrutiny.

Despite not scoring yet this season, Henderson has shown an eye for the goal, and had it not been for the woodwork or some fine goalkeeping, he certainly would have been on the scoresheet on a couple of occasions. Putting the Southampton defeat aside (for everybody was terrible that day), Henderson has proven to be a decent player in the team. He’s not out of place when the team begins a fast, direct game, nor does he interrupt the cohesion in possession football. He is a player that manager, Brendan Rodgers, has an enormous amount of trust in.

With a recent change to 5-3-2, Henderson’s position on the wide right is no longer in existence. It was unlikely that he would have stayed in it anyway. Despite putting in good performances, he simply can’t offer the creativity that Coutinho, Sturridge and Suarez can. He was moved into central midfield to cover for the suspended Lucas in a recent match against Crystal Palace and, again, put in a solid performance. A poor display by Palace on the day should be considered though, and time will tell whether he can put in consistent performances in this spot against tougher opponents.

No doubt January will come and Rodgers will look to bring in more attacking flair players. This leaves Henderson in the situation he has always been in. Fans know what to expect from him. A reliable, unspectacular performance.  He’s a vagabond looking for a home in the Liverpool team, but instead just laying his hat wherever he can.

Three reasons why Liverpool can win the league

Tags

5-3-2, Coutinho, kop, League, liverpool, ok, Premier, rules, sturridge, suarez

(Originally written for Threeandin)

We’ve all heard the reasons why Liverpool CAN’T win the league this year. Let’s spin this for the eternal Merseyside optimists amongst us. Here are three reasons why Liverpool CAN win the league.

• Attacking Trio
  Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho are three of the best players in the league. Already this season Sturridge has netted six goals from seven appearances, Suarez has scored three times in the two matches since his return, and although Coutinho is currently injured, he will certainly look to recapture the majestical form that made him unplayable towards the second half of last season. Not only do the front two score goals, they weave one-two passes quickly and directly and provide countless assists for one another. With Coutinho coming in and sitting behind, he will look to add further creativity and threat towards goal from distance and from within the penalty area.

• No Dominant Team
  Moyes is struggling to rouse his players at Manchester United, Mourinho is no longer invincible, Manchester City are hot and cold, Tottenham are without cohesion, and Arsenal are Arsenal. These are the teams Liverpool must overcome to win the league. None of them are showing any signs of superiority. Except maybe Arsenal. Despite losing their first game, Arsenal are looking a neat team now they’ve acquired Mesut Ozil, but will need to display the consistency that has let them down in the past and left them without a trophy since 2005.

• 5-3-2
  In returning to a 5-3-2 formation, one used very often by former manager Roy Evans, Liverpool are able to display a solid back line, with four competent centre backs fighting for three spaces, two wing-backs, relieving Enrique and Johnson of disciplined defending responsibilities, and are able to play Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho in their preferred positions. At home, the wing backs will provide attacking play and effectively turn into wingers, giving the team more attacking options, while away, they are an outlet for counter attacking play as well as dropping deep to turn the defensive line into a 5-strong unit. The formation is suited to the players Liverpool have at their disposal, and with Gerrard looking to control the middle of the park, it can result in solid and productive performances.

So, can Liverpool win the league?

Liverpool 3 – 1 Crystal Palace

Tags

3-1, 5-3-2, agger, Anfield, Cameron, Crystal, Enrique, Gerrard, Henderson, Jerome, kop, liverpool, match, moses, Palace, Reds, sakho, sturridge, suarez, Toure

Following a special outing for Suarez and Sturridge at the Stadium of Light last week, another dazzling performance was expected against a lowly Crystal Palace side at Anfield. Our concerns, though, were never too far away from the smash and grab wins that we have become accustomed to here, and as always it was important to turn our early domination of games into goals.

—Mignolet—

—-Toure–Skrtel–Sakho—-

-Sterling———————————Enrique-

–Gerrard—-Henderson–

–Moses–

—Suarez—Sturridge—

With Sterling in at wing back, Rodgers has taken the decision that our attacking play will surely overpower any threat to our defence and the positives will therefore outweigh the negatives. We started quickly and had zip about our play. Sterling was energetic and chased down the ball like an over-keen pet. Despite an 8th minute chance for Cameron Jerome, an attempted headed that was just too high for him from a chipped cross, we looked the most likely to score. Just moments later, we nearly did. A good low ball in from Jose Enrique fell slightly behind Victor Moses and he couldn’t control his feet well enough to set himself up with an opportunity to score. Three minutes later, it didn’t matter.

Moses had been tricky since the first whistle and was proving difficult to contain. He could be found anyway on an imaginary curved line from one corner flag to the other, and it was on this line in which he set up the first goal. Cutting in from the right hand side of the pitch, he combined with Suarez, who in turn, then played an exchange with Enrique before slipping just outside the 6-yard-box but managing to hook his leg around the ball to beet the Palace keeper. Suarez’s first goal at Anfield of the season. What transfer rumour?

We turned it on further. A minute later, Sturridge cut in from the right and fired a shot at the near post which was well pushed away by keeper, Speroni. The second goal came just moments later. A long ball upfield floated over the challenge from a member of both teams and found the feet of Sturridge on the left hand touchline. He cuts into the box and turns Delaney twice before striking a left footed piledriver across the floor and into the far corner from a relatively tight angle.

Palace couldn’t find any consistent play and it certainly looked like more goals were coming for Liverpool. This continued, and although Mignolet was sharp to deny a Kebe deflection from a Cameron Jerome effort, it wasn’t long until that next goal came. Fortunately for us, it was on the 37th minute. Sterling played the ball infield and darted into the penalty area for the return before theatrically diving to the ground from an apparent tug by Dean Moxey. A penalty was given. On closer inspection, initial contact was made just outside but it already felt like all was lost for Crystal Palace. Steven Gerrard stepped up to make it 3-0 to the Reds. Two minutes later and it should have been four. Following great work from Suarez, a ball was played to the feet of Moses, who was a mere yard or two away from an open net, he instinctively angles his foot towards it, but it rises rapidly and strikes the bar. A poor miss from that position.

Half time come and we had been untested. The technical ability of our front two was the difference here. Henderson and Sterling were giving energetic and industrious performances, while Sakho was his usual ‘flappingly assured’ (as I like to call it) self.

The second half was a somewhat dismal display. We have been known for our lacklustre 45-minute periods but today was simply a case of knowing the match was already won. We had very little intensity, the midfield relinquished control rather easily and Palace were allowed a few chances. One they took when a 76th minute free kick found Dwight Gale who glanced a header to the far post. We’d conceded from another free kick and it was Gerrard and Enrique who, again, were the culprits. Gerrard for his static front post position and Enrique for losing his man.

On the 85th minute, the two front men were at it again, Magical play by Suarez found Sturridge on the edge of the box, who guided a right footed shot destined for the post. It hit and returned to the now offside Luis Suarez.

A disappointing second half concluded with the confirmation of a fine result. I’ll accept that. It’s true that we will be challenged by much stronger teams as the season goes on, but all we can do from these games is win them, and that’s what we are doing.

Worringly, we conceded from a set piece yet again. The combination of both zonal position marking and man-marking needs a lot of work and our players must coil like springs in anticipation for the incoming ball. Too many times it’s sailed over the first man, when with a little foresight, could easily be put off its trajectory.

All in all, a happy Kop!

Kop Rules Ok

Sunderland 1 – 3 Liverpool

Tags

1-3, Cuellar, Enrique, Gerrard, Giaccherini, johnson, kop, Light, liverpool, Mignolet, moses, of, Reds, review, rules, sakho, Stadium, sturridge, suarez, Toure, Westwood

With many of the big teams dropping points over the weekend, we could reach second place if we won here today. Suarez was certain to play and Sky didn’t disappoint in their preview. How they can be outraged about the biting incident yet produce a parody Jaws video of his return is beyond me. But, since when did Sky have integrity?

—-Mignolet—-

—Toure—Skrtel—Sakho—

-Henderson———————–Enrique-

—Gerrard———–Lucas—

—Moses—-

—Suarez—-Sturridge—

Unless there was a catastrophic defensive mishap, I couldn’t see us conceding here. The back three are looking stronger after every minute and are creating a tight unity between them. With Johnson still on the sidelines, an uncomfortable Henderson again played at wing back. And, of course, Suarez makes his first start in a Premier League campaign partnering Sturridge.

We started well enough, which partly must be put down to a woeful Sunderland team. They had energy and determination but they lacked in cohesion and technical ability. If we put together a half decent performance, we should win here, and we almost took a step closer to taking the lead after 8 minutes when a Skrtel effort was correctly labeled offside. It came from a Gerrard free kick which tested Sunderland keeper’s agility. Westwood was only able to palm it towards Skrtel who’d made his run a fraction too early in anticipation of the rebound opportunity.

Sunderland were spurred on by that near miss and in the 24th minute they were rewarded a free kick on the edge of the box despite Lucas clearly winning the ball. Larsson took it and it struck the bar clean on. We needed to get the first goal. Not only was the cross bar rattled, but we were too, and after some energetic pressing on our defenders, we began to look nervy and started to misplace possession in dangerous areas. Minutes later, we were in front. A Gerrard corner found Sturridge unmarked who attempted to nick the ball with his head but instead it rebounded off his arm and past Larsson, who swung it at like he was kicking a crisp packet away at a bus stop. The action was moving too quick for anybody to identify Sturridge’s misdemeanour and we found ourselves in the lead. Perfect.

Seven minutes later and we’d scored again. An absolutely cracking cross field ball by Gerrard fell perfectly at the feet of Sturridge and as he turns to face defender Cuellar. Not sure which way Sturridge will turn, Cuellar does his best to make sure he doesn’t cut in on his left foot. Instead, Sturridge easily skips past him on the right hand side and plays a low ball across the six yard box to find an unmarked Suarez to easily pass it home.

Minutes before half time Sunderland have a Gardner goal ruled out for offside, again, the right decision, and we go into the dressing room 2-0 up. Apart from a couple of defensive wobbles which led to the giving away of the ball and our first touch letting us down at times, meaning we can’t initiate our quick pass and move play, we looked very comfortable.

Sunderland came at us in the second half and in the 52nd minute they pulled a goal back. Ki struck from distance which tested Mignolet, and after a nervous display in the first, he again, flapped at the ball and the rebound fell to the oncoming and very talented Giaccherini who steered it home. The goal scorer’s run wasn’t tracked by the onlooking Toure and we concede, yet again, to a lapse in defensive concentration.

With the well publicised lack of second half goals, there was a sense of panic about us and confidence in the opposition. Fortunately, our defence was strong and stamped out any threat of attack. Sunderland were trying but just didn’t have the quality. We still needed to put the game to bed and it was the tale of the counter attack that put it there. With only one minute left of normal time, we pounced from a Sunderland corner and found ourself attacking in numbers. A Suarez chip over the defence put in Sturridge, who easily dribbled his way past Giaccherini, before returning it to the Uruguayan to guide it into the net with his left foot. And so it finishes.

There are still plenty of areas we need to improve. We never look threatening from an attacking set piece despite the presence of some of our back line and our first touch still needs some work as it takes two touches to play a quick attacking game. One to open the body to settle yourself and another to pass it to the next man. The first touch is vital. But thankfully that little nagging voice (commentators, pundits, statistical people) has disappeared following our first second half goal of the season.

A good result that hopefully puts us back on track.

Kop Rules Ok