Master class by Liverpool sends Message to Title Rivals

Steven Gerrard after scoring his second penalty

Well what a performance that was! Last Sunday was a clear indication of the progression that the club has made on the field over the last twelve months. It also shows the rapid decline of Manchester United as a footballing force. For Liverpool, to go to your fiercest rivals and play them off the park for 90 minutes was something I did not envisage before the game.

From the first minute Liverpool’s pressing of the Manchester United’s midfield made it impossible for the likes of Mata, Rooney and Carrick to get and foot hold in the game. This was down to sheer perseverance and as Rodgers alluded to in his post match press conference as ‘a willingness to work’. This was evident in the first few minutes when Jon Flanagan disposed Juan Mata of the ball to create a chance for Daniel Sturridge. Liverpool exposed the frailties of Utd’s full backs, who had a torrid time in the subdued Old Trafford atmosphere.

Liverpool team celebrating their sides first goal

Steven Gerrard spoke after the game of how Rodgers is excellent at tweaking formations and tactics to suit specific games. This was in evidence again on Sunday. They played a diamond formation with Raheem Sterling just behind the two strikers. This added dynamism and fluidity to the midfield which confused the Utd back four. They decided to defend higher up the pitch which left gaping holes for the on fire duo of Sturridge and Suarez. This showed Rodgers awareness of where Utd’s weaknesses were and they were duly exploited.

Liverpool were awarded three penalties in the match and should have had two more. I said last week that Liverpool needed to use their pace if they were to win the game. They did exactly that causing ‘controlled mayhem’ all over the field. This was helped by the sublime passing of the likes of Henderson, Suarez and Gerrard. What about the great man himself Gerrard? The man of the match was outstanding throughout the game and orchestrated his team mates around the pitch. His spacial awareness and intelligence on the ball has been reiterated again in Gerrard’s second coming as football’s equivalent of the quarter back in American Football. He has been given a new lease of life in the twilight of his career.

After that stunning performance, attention turns to an away trip to Cardiff. They are languishing at the bottom of the table but their home form has been steady all year so Liverpool will proceed with caution. However I don’t see Cardiff derailing this rich vein of form I can only see the away side acquiring another three points.

What do people think of Liverpool’s performance against Man Utd? Here is a link below of that magnificent display the kopites will revel in for years to come.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y70Fe1AsjAk

The Rivalry Continues with a new Chapter this Sunday

So here it is. One of the biggest rivalries in world football will play out on Sunday with Liverpool travelling to Manchester to take on their arch rivals. No other fixture on the calendar is more important than the date Liverpool travel to Old Trafford. It’s not just a football rivalry with the rich history both clubs have, but also it’s a city rivalry with both being geographically close. The hatred from both sides comes from the belief of being the best, so the atmosphere on Sunday will be hostile and intense. However looking at the English football landscape at the moment, the tables look to be turning.

Manchester United being successful is all I’ve ever known. Their dominance of the English game was driven by Sir Alex Ferguson. With his retirement being announced last May, David Moyes took the helm. There was no question that the changing over of managers would be difficult but no one would have predicted the demise of Manchester United. Being out of both cups, out of the title race and almost certainly out of the Champions League, it’s not something the fans at Old Trafford have been used to. I believed that the writing was on the wall last year and were fortunate to win the league. However Moyes can do better with those group of players.

With confidence low at Old Trafford, Liverpool will be hoping to take full advantage being in the rich vein of form they are in. Having not lost in the league since Chelsea last December this game will arguably be the most difficult away game since that defeat. Although Liverpool are eleven points clear in the league table, United will no doubt raise their game for this local rivalry. I believe if Liverpool are to win the game, there are two things they have to do. The first one is to win the midfield battle. It is well documented how United’s midfield is slow and lethargic so Liverpool have to press them high up the pitch and force them into errors. Liverpool have to play with a fast tempo. This is why I feel again Joe Allen will again play in a midfield role with Phillipe Coutinho dropping to the bench. The second thing Liverpool must do is use their pace. United’s defensive age profile is quite old and have being conceding lots of goals this season. It is vital that Liverpool can get Daniel Sturridge one on one with Ferdinand and Vidic with the form he is in. With Sterling and Suarez in support, United will fear the three pronged attack.

I believe this will be a tough game for Liverpool to win. Local rivalries take a journey of their own. It’s a must win as Chelsea play on Saturday night and could open a ten point lead at the top. I’d Love to see Liverpool win, but I believe this game will end in a draw.

Steven Gerrard and Anderson getting to know each other in 2007

Core of English Players Bodes Well for the Future

With no Premier League game for Liverpool this weekend, my attention turned to the mid-week International friendlies. With an excellent display against Southampton last weekend, many of the squad on the day went into their International set ups. We have seen within the last year how the age profile of the squad has dramatically changed, with younger players being given a chance to shine in the red shirt. Many of these players have been English or through the academy. So on Wednesday night I decided to watch England vs Denmark at Wembley. For the first time since 1977, Liverpool had five English players on the starting Line-up. They included Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge. Some experts believe John Flanagan should have also been called into the squad, given his current form.

This achievement is a testament to Brendan Rodgers, who has put his faith in these players. England won the game 1 nil, with Raheem Sterling awarded man of the match and Sturridge getting the winning goal. As said previously, the last time England had five Liverpool players in the team was 1977, when Liverpool were at their height of football dominance. I’ve looked at other major European sides and there is a trend between success and a core of home-grown talent. Bayern Munich for example who are the current European Champions have a core of German players such as Philip Lahm, Toni Kroos, Sebastian Schweinstiger and Tomas Muller. Similarly Barcelona who have been the dominant force in European football for the last decade have Xavi, Busquests, Iniestia and Pique. Manchester United in their dominance of the English over the last twenty years have had since the famous class of 92 have always had English players at the spine of their. I believe it is important for successful teams to have players from their home nations. It brings a sense of team bonding, and making sure foreign Imports understand what it means to play for a prestigious club.

With the performances the English lads have put in at Liverpool this season, I see no reason why they will have a major representation in the England squad on the plane to Brazil. It’s time for Hodgson to pick these young players and give them a taste of major tournament football. The golden generation flopped at major tournaments, so maybe this Liverpool generation can inspire them to success. Next week it’s all about the biggest rivalry in British sport, Manchester United v Liverpool!!

Raheem Sterling against Denmark

Allen the Catalyst for a Priceless Win

That was too close for comfort. What should have been a banker three points at home, Liverpool dug out a result when it looked for large periods of the game that the points would be shared. Swansea played well; in particular Jonjo Shelvey especially in the first half where he found space behind the Liverpool midfield, topping it off with a superb strike. I was impressed with their movement and at times the way they kept possession with frustrated Liverpool. However this was a game where in previous seasons Liverpool would have failed to win, which shows the Progression under Brendan Rodgers. Again, the firepower that Liverpool possess was on show last weekend, with Daniel Sturridge bagging a brace to show his credentials as one of the top strikers in Europe. A stat from last week’s game that the Englishman has scored more goals per minute this year than Messi and Ronaldo, which shows the potential of the player.

We can talk about poor defending that happened on Sunday and the attacking prowess that eventually won the game, however in my opinion the main factor in Liverpool’s victory was the introduction of Joe Allen with a half an hour to go. He hasn’t set the world alight since his 15 million pound switch in 2012, however I feel he is growing into the Liverpool shirt. Liverpool were getting over run in midfield and struggled to go through phases of the game. When Allen came on he bought a calmness but also an energy to regain possession and do the right thing with it. There is no doubt he is an intelligent player and won a few vital free kicks for his side. He allowed Jordan Henderson to move further forward and arrive into to box and subsequently scored the winning goal. I was impressed with his display and was in my opinion his best performance in the red shirt. Attention now turns to Southampton, which will be a difficult game away from home. I would play Allen from the start and sacrifice one of the attacking players to counteract Southampton’s midfield. There’s no question this will be a tough game and Liverpool will have to be at their best to get a crucial three points.

Joe Allen had a super game on Sunday