ono
Well-Known Member
In regards to the game, i think we sat back intentionally after the first goal. Had we not scored early on, i think we would have held possession and pressed like we have done in almost every game this season. Having said that, you had your best chance when we were playing like that. We need to be a bit more caerful, as we let Sunderland in, in similar fashion.LiverpoolFan said:
The timing of the 2nd goal was a killer for you. After that, i think we played it exactly how we wanted to. Kept our shape, allowed you to play infront of us knowing you'd struggle to break us down.
3rd goal was a shocker form your point of view. Gave away the ball from your own free-kick and Skrtel had a gigantic brain fart. Yaya played for the penalty, and Skrtel walked straight into it. From the ref's view, he had to give it, from everyone else's view, it was debatable.
Thought the Barry sending off was harsh, when you consider the severity of the two offences, but he knew he was on a booking, and he'd just been penalised for a similar foul around a minute before so it was stupid for him to get involved, especially when Agger was hardly going to go embark on a goal-scoring solo run.
As for your team, there isn't much wrong. Usually solid at the back. Reina has been a bit of a clumsy oaf lately, but it happens to all keepers. He'll bounce back. Agger is a good player when fit. Skrtel is more limited, but he's effective. I think he's a sending off waiting to happen at times, but for the most part, he's decent enough. Enrique is a quality player. He and Clichy are probably the two best left backs in the league, and they were both bargains when you look at what they cost. Glen Johnson is also a good player. I think there's some bitterness on here about him because many (me included) feel that Richards is better, so he should be playing for England instead of Johnson, but for the most part, he's good. Sometimes a bit poor defensively, but for me, he's still one of the best right backs in the league, especially on the ball.
Midfield wise, it's hard to judge because your two best midfielders aren't fit. Lucas is obviously a very useful player. Gerrard, when fit, is an absolute beast. Henderson isn't a £16m player but he's only young. That pass to Downing in the first half shows that he does have quality, but he'll probably take two or three seasons to get where he wants to be, if he manages to reach his potential (some don't, look at Stevie Ireland). Downing is out of sorts and low on confidence. Don't remember him making a forward pass last night. Adam is over-rated imo. Not good enough for where you want to be. Every now and then he'll produce an astonishing pass, or he'll score a free-kick, but his general play is poor. Spearing is just a stop-gap/squad player really, and he's probably decent enough for that role. Same goes for Maxi, although i'm surprised he didn't play last night as he's usually good for a goal against the top sides. I still can't quite believe you've let Aquilani go out on loan. Before you loaned him out last season, he was showing signs that he was starting to adapt. He's got a lot of ability. Sometimes players take a season. I find it hard to believe that Adam and Henderson are better options anyway.
Upfront, Suarez aside, you have nothing, and that's your biggest problem. Carroll isn't getting service, but he doesn't really move either. He doesn't look particularly fit, and his touch looks a bit off. Suarez on the other hand is a very good player. He's a bit of a **** (you'd say the same if you didn't support Liverpool) but he's a good player. However, it appears that he couldn't finish his dinner (odd considering how many he scored at Ajax). He needs a partner anyway. Not because he's not good enough to be a lone front man (he did well against us at Anfield), but because he doesn't get enough goals on his own.
The problem with that is, it would only leave you with 4 in midfield, which could be a problem against the top sides. Having said that, generally speaking you do ok anyway. You've beaten Chelsea and Arsenal, but lost to us and Spurs. It's the lesser sides you struggle to break down. Keepers tend to play really well against you aswell which probably hasn't helped. All in all, i think you're about £100m of well spent money away from being able to challenge right at the top. The money needs to be spent abroad. £70m on Carroll, Henderson and Downing is a bit of a joke when you see that we brought in Balotelli, Toure and Silva for similar money. I'm not trying to brag, but there is a clear difference in quality. You do seem to have decent owners anyway, so i'm sure they'll give you what you need to push on again, especially if you finish 4th (think top 3 is out of the question).
Now to be controversial (you will think so anyway)...
I don't think Dalglish is tactically intelligent enough to win you any silverware. I think he motivates well and he's obviously a legend at Liverpool, but i think he's similar to Redknapp is the sense that they're both a bit poor tactically. Having a bit of quality and being 'up for it' will make you competitive against the big boys, but to beat the poorer teams, it really helps to have a manager who has 3 or 4 plans up his sleeve. I don't think many teams have a manager who can do this. I don't think Redknapp does, nor do i think Wenger does.
It's difficult to explain, but for me, if Liverpool needed a goal, Dalglish would be the type of manager who would simply bring another attacker on. Mancini, on the other hand would have a plan to allow us to have more possession in the oppositions half. This would probably involved him taking off an attacker to bring on a full back, and this would bedazzle most of the half commentators we have covering the games in England.
In short, i think Dalglish is the sort who would rely more on momentum and chance (which in theory, should be successful at Anfield), wheras Mancini is more methodical. Both acceptable approaches, but i know which one guarantess you the most points on a consistent basis...imo.
So i think the speed of your future success depends on how quickly your owners get somebody in, if only to help Dalglish, rather than replace him. Currently is see you as being on par with the Villa side of a few years ago. You're not going to get to the next level without further investment, in technically gifted (Not English..haha) players....and a more tactically sound manager.
That's my opinion anyway. Good luck for the rest of the season. You're not a million miles away.
