Funny old game…
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea. Liverpool’s revival was hitting full throttle, and the rest of the league was taking notice, as well as slipping up themselves. United again scraped by with a victory against Wolves, and Arsenal lost at home again. This was a busy week for all, three games in seven days, four in ten if you count the European adventures) Midweek for Liverpool it was Wigan away, a seemingly “should win” game for the Reds. And within the first ten minutes, Torres just about cemented that thought. Torres latching on to a perfect Gerrard pass and firing home offered more proof that the Spaniard is back to his lethal best. But from there, Liverpool started to sputter. They maintained healthy possession through the first 35 minutes, and then Wigan remembered they were playing football. They scored before the half, only to be called offside. Liverpool went into the half 1-0, mostly on the back foot. Fatigue looked like it was setting in for Liverpool, and the second half wasn’t any different. Hugo Rodallega again found the back of the net for Wigan to level the scores. The latter part of the game the fans began to turn on Hodgson, bringing off Kuyt for Poulsen. Boos and chants of “attack, attack” were belted out by the travelling Kop. The game ended 1-1, leaving Liverpool to ponder their stance on the season yet again.
On Saturday it was a trip to Stoke. Liverpool needed to win. With all other teams dropping points midweek and United once again slipping up, Liverpool could have found themselves as high fifth place, one point behind fourth place Manchester City. In all honesty, it seemed that Liverpool forgot to even show up to the Brittania. Liverpool were lackluster going forward, Gerrard sitting deep in front of the back line, mostly because he had to. Stoke were dangerous going forward, Jermaine Pennant running the wing very well and Kenwyne Jones is always a threat. The first goal was about as ugly and scrappy as they come, and the second was just a cap on Stokes performance.
I won’t make excuses for the performance, all credit to Tony Pulis and Stoke City. But Liverpool’s lack of depth and talent is near appalling. Lucas may have had a few good performances the past couple of weeks, but he has to go. He gets bounced off the ball entirely too easy, and gives up stupid fouls. Maxi should go as well. Looking back at his goal against Bolton he was lucky to score that. He had a one on one against Cech and didn’t take it, and could have scored against Wigan and Stoke but just can’t finish.
We continue to waste the talent of Ryan Babel. When Roy said he would give Babel a shot, did he mean on the field or a morale shot? Because Ryan has hardly played since Roy arrived. He was brought on against Stoke to the fans pleasure and showed flashes of his brilliance. Liverpool have one of the brightest young stars in Dani Pacheco, who has hardly seen even the bench. Shelvey has been getting some playing time, but he needs more. The goal burden is once again piled on Torres’ shoulders, which I don’t believe he minds, but when you’re a world class striker not even being able to get a pass from other than one person, it gets frustrating. Henry, Werner, and Comolli have a lot of convincing to do this winter and summer. Liverpool can only move forward if they can hold on to Gerrard and Torres and build around them. Things won’t get any easier for Liverpool, an international friendly midweek and back in action on Saturday, players are really going to have to show heart. They need to get back the confidence they possessed against Chelsea. Liverpool’s season would have looked much more promising sitting in fifth nine points of table toppers Chelsea. Instead the Reds again find themselves mid-table. A win can jump them up again, proving how tight things really are this season.
On Saturday it was a trip to Stoke. Liverpool needed to win. With all other teams dropping points midweek and United once again slipping up, Liverpool could have found themselves as high fifth place, one point behind fourth place Manchester City. In all honesty, it seemed that Liverpool forgot to even show up to the Brittania. Liverpool were lackluster going forward, Gerrard sitting deep in front of the back line, mostly because he had to. Stoke were dangerous going forward, Jermaine Pennant running the wing very well and Kenwyne Jones is always a threat. The first goal was about as ugly and scrappy as they come, and the second was just a cap on Stokes performance.
I won’t make excuses for the performance, all credit to Tony Pulis and Stoke City. But Liverpool’s lack of depth and talent is near appalling. Lucas may have had a few good performances the past couple of weeks, but he has to go. He gets bounced off the ball entirely too easy, and gives up stupid fouls. Maxi should go as well. Looking back at his goal against Bolton he was lucky to score that. He had a one on one against Cech and didn’t take it, and could have scored against Wigan and Stoke but just can’t finish.
We continue to waste the talent of Ryan Babel. When Roy said he would give Babel a shot, did he mean on the field or a morale shot? Because Ryan has hardly played since Roy arrived. He was brought on against Stoke to the fans pleasure and showed flashes of his brilliance. Liverpool have one of the brightest young stars in Dani Pacheco, who has hardly seen even the bench. Shelvey has been getting some playing time, but he needs more. The goal burden is once again piled on Torres’ shoulders, which I don’t believe he minds, but when you’re a world class striker not even being able to get a pass from other than one person, it gets frustrating. Henry, Werner, and Comolli have a lot of convincing to do this winter and summer. Liverpool can only move forward if they can hold on to Gerrard and Torres and build around them. Things won’t get any easier for Liverpool, an international friendly midweek and back in action on Saturday, players are really going to have to show heart. They need to get back the confidence they possessed against Chelsea. Liverpool’s season would have looked much more promising sitting in fifth nine points of table toppers Chelsea. Instead the Reds again find themselves mid-table. A win can jump them up again, proving how tight things really are this season.
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