1. Downing CAN play left-back, but doesn’t mean he should.
I’m gonna say it now – We should keep Downing just for the fact that he can be our utility player, like how Khalid Boularouz was in Chelsea under Jose Mourinho. Downing can play on either wing, on either side of the midfield, and at left-back. That’s a lot of positions covered by just one player.
However, just because he can play at left-back, doesn’t mean he should always be there. Many people slate Downing for his performance against Swansea yesterday, and it’s a fair one at that. However, where was Jose Enrique? If Downing were to be at the wing, he would track back to defend, but why didn’t Enrique do so? (And especially since Jose didn’t have a great performance in the second half).
The performance by Downing at left-back was bad yesterday, despite him playing fairly decent so far when called upon to be a full/wing-back. I’d rather have him upfront and attempt to run the left flank with the chance of a decent ball crossed into the box.
2. Average Joe’s?
Well, Joe Allen was average, but Joe Cole wasn’t even close.
You’ve got to admit, Joe Allen hasn’t had a good game for a while now. His “spectacular” passing accuracy have shown to be due to playing relatively safe passes in midfield. Yesterday, he played aggressively average in my opinion. Giving up the ball too easily, making a few clumsy tackles, and not really building momentum to push the team forward. He’s still somewhat young, and I have nothing but hopes on him that he’ll progress and develop to be an amazing deep-midfield playmaker for Liverpool in the future.
While Joe Cole assisted in a goal and even got himself a goal of his own against Young Boys in midweek, I honestly think he didn’t play well in that game. It was lucky, and a matter of “right place, right time” for him. His introduction ahead of Suso was a puzzling one at that. Did anyone notice him on the pitch last night when he came on? Because I sure didn’t. That says it all about his performance.
3. Shelvey and Henderson are ones’ for the future.
The England Under-21 teammates (well, until recently) are a solid base to build Liverpool for the future. These two midfielders are of different natures and play styles, but hopefully they gel to be a solid midfield partnership.
Jonjo Shelvey has been dubbed “the next Steven Gerrard”, while Jordan Henderson is already the England Under-21 captain. Shelvey is a more attacking-minded midfielder, always going forward with the mentality to score and create chances, while Henderson is a very underrated player, having abilities to move the ball across midfield and into attack.
Yesterday, Henderson had a fairly quiet game, but his performance was sound. Always hustling for the ball and pressuring the oppositions is what a midfielder has to do. The midfield is the first layer of defence before the back four, and Henderson is excelling very well in that role. Jonjo Shelvey came on as a substitute later on, and his ferocious shot on goal in the dying minutes of the game was denied by an on-form Tremmel who was up to the challenge.
A combination of the both at their peak seems to be similar to a midfield combo of Gerrard and Alonso that was greatly enjoyed by Liverpool fans. While both have their ups and downs so far in their Liverpool careers, constant determination and training will get them far for sure.
4. Speaking of Gerrard…
He hasn’t been the same Steven Gerrard we know and love. I know that. I also know that he tends to give the ball away too easily and a bit too casually. But I also know that the team won’t be nearly as good without him, and let me tell you why from my perspective.
His passes are just phenomenal. His defence-splitting passes takes a whole lot of vision, skill, technique and courage to do. While he doesn’t have the highest passing rate, you need to look at his type of pass attempts. Joe Allen may have a better pass rate, but what are his types of passes? Mostly square passes, some back passes, all relatively short and safe. Gerrard plays passes that bring the team forward as a whole, opening play when needed and creating chances.
He played an excellent through ball to set Sterling free on the right flank and yet another chance was created. Just at half time itself, Gerrard had 4 chances created, closest to him had only 1.
Imagine a midfield of Henderson-Allen-Sahin/Shelvey. The game in the middle of the park would be so direct and only a few times would chance-creating passes be made. While short passing retains possession, you need risky-but-rewarding passes to actually be on the offensive end of things.
I’m saying this now, pass rates, possession, they are MERE numbers. Instead of looking at figures, why not watch the game in its true form and judge from there? That’s why, Gerrard is irreplaceable, at least for now.
5. Patience (and a while lot of it) is needed.
January cannot come soon enough? True and untrue. A change of tactics, formations, players can all change the way we play now. On the other hand, a top striker would certainly be welcomed, as well as a creative player to bring that spark into the squad.
We as fans need to be patient, but be realistic and accept when the team doesn’t play well, just like yesterday. Do I think that Liverpool deserved a win against Swansea? Honestly, no. A point is more than deserving based on the performance. We were very, hesitant (for a lack of a better term) up front in the final third. We were shaky at the back, with Swansea almost breaking the deadlock multiple times.
Sometimes, the scoreline doesn’t mean anything because judging the performance is what gets us going forward and improving at the squad. Did the scoreline reflect our performance against Swansea? Yes, quite accurate too I might add.
Pointing out negatives shows where the team can and should improve on, and isn’t that what every fan wants? Be realistic in judgement, and that’s what makes statements and opinions as accurate as it can be.
As always, have hope in your heart, and You’ll Never Walk Alone.