This week we've had three away games, scored two goals in each of them and not even managed one win, but the performances have shown a marked improvement over the last eight days despite failing to take three points.
This afternoon we went behind at the Etihad, then went ahead but eventually had to settle for the 2-2 draw. And I mean it when I say settle, we deserved a win, we played for a win and we kept going in search of the win until the very end, Joe Hart saving from Daniel Sturridge in injury time.
We started well, keeping the ball and patiently building attacks, and then with one swift counter Dzeko struck for City and we were behind. But not for long, Sturridge slammed in a powerful left foot shot from 20 yards giving us a well deserved equaliser. The goal was not without controversy as Agger fouled Dzeko right at the start of the move (at least everybody apart from, I assume, Andy Townsend thought it was a foul). Dzeko sat up, realised Liverpool were on the attack so lay back down expecting the ball to be put out of play but the ref correctly (it wasn't a head injury, in fact it wasn't an injury at all) allowed play to continue. Gerrard passed the ball to Sturridge, Sturridge rifled it home and, despite being booed all game, showed dignity in not celebrating against the club who gave him his Premier League debut.
We continued to play well and take control of possession, create chances and look solid at the back and our dominance paid off when Gerrard blasted a half volley past Hart from well outside the box to put us deservedly 2-1 up. It looked like we would go on and get the victory, but it didn't look like it purely because we were 2-1 ahead, it was because we were comprehensively outplaying last season's title winners. Then City played a long ball down the right wing, Reina came out but was beaten to the ball by Aguero who finished expertly from a tight angle to the side of the penalty area. There won't be many games with four goals of the quality seen today. There's no doubt Reina was at fault for the equaliser but before anybody criticises it's worth remembering he's prevented far more goals by coming out early for balls like that he's cost us. And he's an experienced pro who will learn from today.
Sturridge was excellent today, it's not often a striker outshines Suarez but he managed at the Etihad despite playing at least half of the match with what looked like a thigh injury. His movement was good, his pace is effective against teams like City who don't pack their defences tight and he was a constant threat. The one downside was his yellow card for diving after he went down under a challenge from Lescott, or rather a little after a challenge from Lescott. At first viewing I thought it was a penalty but replays clearly showed it was a dive. He was the best player on the pitch but I think 'simulation' is something that we're trying to get out of the game and he should have been automatically disqualified from the running for man of the match, which he won, after his dive. As far as calling it cheating, well, Javi Garcia deliberately tripped a Liverpool player on a breakaway attack and got a yellow card for it, surely that act is just as much cheating as taking a dive? Either way, that's a debate for a different day.
The way we played today was impressive, we used the ball well, seemed to have the right amount of men forward when we were attacking and the right amount of players back when we were on the defensive. The balance was good, the effort was there and the tactics were spot on. Despite failing to hold a lead at either Arsenal or Man City this week the progress being made is clear to see and Rodgers' decision to bring Carragher back into the team recently shows he is learning just as much as the players are.
So, the last eight days have brought us three games, no wins and yet probably the biggest sense of optimism since 2009. Football eh, as somebody once said, it's a funny old game.
Special mention for Henderson hopefully people will recognise the fact he's playing very well his energy and desire getting past our forwards and his modesty saying that the movement of our players is helping him his movement is helping them also taking defenders with him leaving gaps. massive heart and guts From a young man who's heard groans and negative press wen his names been mentioned soon to hear cheers and applaus no doubt he'll continue to work hard. Watch him celebrate he always looks like it means something like he briefly loses it in the moment how it should be!Rodgers biggest challenge for me will be getting the team to advance once Carra and gerrard are no longer playing even at Carra s age I still wouldn't pick a player ahead of him from any team agger is
ReplyDeleteclass and skertel is an athlete and a beast but reading of the game and guiding players out there there is no better
Very true about Henderson, he's come of age over the last few weeks. His play is good but against Oldham he didn't step up when we needed leaders so hopefully a few more good games will give him the confidence to take charge of situations.
ReplyDeleteI've a feeling that long term we'll go with 3 centre backs as well as 3 central midfielders so we'll cover the loss of Carra and Gerrard with numbers rather than with players who are equally as special.