However, it was the negative team selection and cautious tactics in the first half that handed the initiative to Chelsea and they duly took advantage with Ramires easily beating Pepe Reina after mistakes by young Jay Spearing and the out-of-form Jose Reina.
Liverpool were ponderous and lethergic in the first half with Suarez isolated up-front as the lone-striker.
Meanwhile Gerrard, Spearing and Henderson were all sat too deep to support Suarez in any meaningful way.
It took a second goal for Chelsea by Didier Drogba to finally change the tactics and personnel with Andy Carroll coming on for Spearing and the Liverpool team instantly looked more threatening.
Carroll soon got Liverpool back in the match with a well-taken goal on 64 mins and was less than an inch away from an equaliser when his header was somehow stopped right on the line by Cech.
That was as close as it got for the Reds who lost 2-1 to Chelsea.
Yet they can take great comfort in their second half performance when they totally dominated Chelsea and deserved extra-time, at least.
If only Kenny had started with Carroll and Suarez upfront and didn't start the game so defensively.
A completely accurate account of the game and tactics. It is clear to anyone with an understanding of football, that Kenny Dalglish, despite his accomplishments as a player, does not have the knowledge or vision to manage this football team. At best, if LFC want to retain his services in some capacity given his devotion to the club, it should be in some non-managerial role, complementing a manager with some tactical nounce and credentials. It could even be argued that the all the new signings have failed to meet expectations partly because of the inexplicable team selections and tactics. A manager with vision may, hopefully,get more out of Downing, Henderson and Carroll. Shelvey and Coates have also shown that they have the creative skills required to add something special, despite not being consistent - you dont score a goal like Coates' scissor kick if you dont have this potential. There are players however, who have failed to perform despite the flawed tactics employed during the season, and these players should be let go next season. The first to go should be Pepe Reina. We need a keeper that can make goalkeeping saves that win or save matches, such as the one the Chelsea keeper made in the cup final from Andy Carroll's header. That is what good keepers are primarily signed to do at the big clubs and Reina does not even come close to having this attribute. Being a good distributor of the ball, something that Reina has, is just a bonus. We need a keeper that can save a match, not a libero that can use his hands. Bellamy, despite some reasonable performances early on in the season, Adams, and Spearing, are not Liverpool class players. A frustrating year for LFC, but the main obstacle moving forward has clearly been identified in this Friends Of Liverpool article and it would have been a tragedy if an FA cup win or a laboured Carling Cup win against mediocre opposition would have taken the focus off the real issues at this great club. On the Line.
ReplyDeleteExcellant comments 'ON THE LINE' I agree 100%
ReplyDeleteWhy Dalglish persistence in using Henderson and Spearing, only he will know... Henderson has potential but the time is not ripe for him yet in the first eleven... Spearing, on the other hand, is definitely not BPL material with no passing nor tackling abilities to be found on him and should not belong to the Kop dressing room in the first place... As for Reina, his form has defintely dropped in recent times but question is can we find another keeper of his calibre out there...???
ReplyDeleteAnother surprise culprit here is Enrique... Much of our attacks have often broke down with him on the left leading to defensive lapses due to his high forays on the left...
I am a big Dalglish fan since the Rush era but football has evolved so much that a legend should have just been a legend... To me, He is definitely tactically out of touch and his talent spotting ability is now suspect... Sad that i should say this but i believe that his time is up... I really hope Rafa can be back and this time with the owner's support, he can fully complete his evolution at Anfield...
liverpool should have start with Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Shelvey, Gerrard, Bellamy, Maxi, Suarez n Carroll
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure what to make of Saturday's game; the right team won on the day but the officials got the Carroll decision wrong - footage of the header will show that there was no view of the incident from directly on the goal-line, but fractionally in front of it.
ReplyDeleteGetting down to it, it is surely time for Reina to pack his bags; your correspondent has never been a huge fan of his(as the editor of this blog will testify). Ramirez's goal was just a collective howler involving the Liverpool rearguard and goalkeeper. Enrique had a poor game on Saturday, but he was far from alone. Spearing at least showed plenty of spirit and will improve. Downing was nervy, but did reasonably well when he got going. Henderson was in and out, and really needs to improve; personally, I think he should be shown the door as he is just not up to scratch. He could maybe keep the door open for Charlie Adam on the way out.
Should Kenny Dalglish follow Henderson and Adam out the door? Not yet; he should be given another season, and if there is still no improvement in league form, then his contract should then be terminated. It's funny that many of those who opposed Roy Hodgson's appointment as Liverpool manager are now turning their backs on Dalglish. Hodgson, as any rational person will tell you, didn't have a prayer as Liverpool manager, much less time to settle in to the job. And now, with delicious irony, he has become the new England manager, and he will not disgrace himself. There is a lesson for those Liverpool fans who are currently disgruntled with Dalglish - be careful what you wish for. Benitez for a return to the High Temple of English Football? I'd rather ask Fergie to amputate my hands with a Stihl saw..