DISCLAIMER: This is not an actual “play-by-play” article or a Match Report. It’s a mix of Player Ratings and a Play-by-play, so that my opinions on players are at least backed by the events throughout the game. It’s a bit messy in the sense that I don’t actually follow the plays in order, but I hope it doesn’t get confusing. Anyway, enjoy and have a good read. Thank you in advance!
To start things off, it’s been a long time since our Captain Marvel himself, Steven Gerrard, had something for Liverpool fans to cheer about. The last goal scored by him was in a 2-1 defeat against none other than Manchester United. It’s true that he has not produced the best of performances this season thus far, but it’s a sad truth indeed.
However, yesterday’s game against Newcastle was Gerrard’s 600th game for Liverpool, and both fans and critics gave their fair share of respect to the club captain. It was a brilliant sight indeed to see Gerrard receive a special Liverbird trophy, presented to him by Gary McAllister, a former Liverpool great. All fans of all sorts had nothing but good things to say about Gerrard, contributing many silverware to the cabinet and easily being arguably the best player to put on the Liverpool jersey.
With the mention of Stevie G’s special mention done, it’s time for the real deal – a tough game against Newcastle.
Pre-Game Analysis
Newcastle are famous for having one of the deadliest striking partnerships in the league, Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse, both making instant impacts to the team, scoring loads of goals last season. Apart from that, they also have a box-to-box midfielder in Cabaye, as well as the skilful Hatem Ben Arfa. Defensively, they have decent players at the back. Club-captain Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor aren’t the best of centre-halves, but they are strong and good in the air.
For Liverpool, the main worries would be how Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger would fare against the strikers from Senegal as well as having someone like Hatem Ben Arfa on the wing.
Brendan Rodgers opted to run his usual line-up from the previous games. Enrique continued at left back considering that Glen Johnson is still out due to injury. Brad Jones remained in goal, and apart from that, nothing much is different.
Match Analysis and Review
FIRST HALF
Early on, it was a pretty routine approach by Liverpool, that is, maintaining possession, linking up passes to build momentum going forward and create chances whenever the opportunity arises.
The first thing I realised defensively was that Gutierrez, Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse were all relatively quiet in the opening stages of the game, showing how you can control the game by nullifying key players in oppositions. Demba Ba still got quite a bit of the ball though.
At the other end, Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez were just having a field day in the beginning stages of the game, continuously linking up to get forward. Raheem had a brilliant display of skill and pace going up against Vurnon Anita on the left wing. It’s always an amazing sight when a youngster, especially at Sterling’s age of 17 to run up against defenders so confidently AND beating them. Following many similar passages of play was a very notable free kick taken by Suarez, just curling a bit wide from the top right hand corner of the goal. A little bit lower and Tim Krul may have a huge task to do in order to save that free kick.
I’m not sure if it’s because of the 600th game for Gerrard or not, but in the first half, he played outstandingly. His passes, his hustle, his work rate, it was all much, much better than his precious games so far this season. Early on, he was constantly hustling for the ball and managed to put on loads of pressure on Newcastle players, and even won the ball back on several occasions. His corner deliveries were also very good in the first half. The outward-swinger had a deadly spin and dip, but it was unfortunate that no goals came out of it.
The fullbacks were a different story, but on total opposites. Jose Enrique at left back was playing quite alright offensively, but had a few struggles in defence (apart from a fantastic tackle and a brilliant display of strength and positioning to win the ball back from Ben Arfa). Andre Wisdom was quite alright at right back, but had a torrid time going forward. Sure, he got into those full back positions up front, but he just could not do anything with the ball other than pass it to the centre.
Moving up further on the pitch, Joe Allen has been a sound performer, just doing his job to distribute the ball as usual, but later on started to be way too inconsistent with his passing. An example would be a pass in the 16th minute, giving away the ball way too easily by his standards and Newcastle were on the break, but luckily they did not capitalise on that error. Meanwhile, Sahin has been absent on the pitch. Made a few runs and getting into attacking positions a few times but ultimately, never receiving the ball.
Suso, while quiet, played very decent, making a few good passes every now and then as well as making a brilliant run into the box and winning a corner off a deflected shot. His flick over the head of the opposition to Wisdom, followed by a quick run forward was a good show of his skills as well.
Overall, Liverpool dominated most of the first half (for roughly 25-30 minutes to be exact), but later on, it is clear that Newcastle were getting back into the game. Controlled more possession than earlier, played more offensive passes, and in general were just building up more and more momentum. The balance of the game which was once in Liverpool’s favour, was tipped back to be an even game for both sides.
It’s been the same old story for Liverpool for seasons: Dominate the game, controlled most of the possession but failed to capitalise on it. The main rule of any sport is that if you don’t make your chances count, oppositions aren’t afraid to make theirs count. And it showed.
While Liverpool had many shots cleared and saved by Tim Krul, all it took was Newcastle’s first shot on target to find the back of the net.
A brilliant run from Ben Arfa on the right wing, with some dazzling ball control saw him outrun and beat off Jose Enrique, only to see his cross overshoot everyone in the middle of the box. However, Yohan Cabaye surprised the entire Reds’ defence by appearing at the far post with the ball, took a nice touch and fire a spectacular shot into the back of the net. And with that, the stats and numbers going in Liverpool’s favour had no meaning anymore considering they were 1-0 down right before half time.
It remains to be seen who’s truly at fault for this goal. It could be Enrique whom slipped up when defending Hatem Ben Arfa on the right wing. It can also be Andre Wisdom who clearly shows his inexperience as a full-back by drifting into the middle too much instead of marking Cabaye on the far post. It could also be Brad Jones for letting the ball slip pass him so easily. It’s easy to point fingers, but take nothing away from Cabaye. It was clearly a show of what a box-to-box midfielder can do in an attacking position, smartly placing himself at the far post, took a nice first touch off the cross, and finishing it superbly with good technique on the shot.
It’s been a good first half overall for Liverpool minus the goal conceded. However, Liverpool’s inability to capitalise on chances up front and letting Newcastle settle into the game is an area that they must improve if we ever want the three points.
Let’s skip ahead to the second half, shall we?
SECOND HALF
If there’s one thing about the second half, it’s that you can notice Steven Gerrard being everywhere on the pitch. He’s bringing the ball forward, he’s retaining possession in midfield, he’s tracking back to defend. A fine display of his past-self. His dead ball deliveries were deteriorating though, as well as a few misplaced passes here and there.
We started to dominate the game as usual, but nothing to show for it. Newcastle were great on the break, and we were lucky not to have conceded. Brad Jones did pretty alright considering the strike force he was up against.
Nuri Sahin was overall, anonymous apart from a great effort literally just wide of the far post and a few fouls here and there. Suso was having less and less of a good game, which meant a substitution for Jonjo Shelvey was clearly imminent.
Now substituting Jonjo in and not Henderson shows that Brendan Rodgers did want the team the push up much further. As seen before, Henderson was played as a sub in previous games to add some midfield stability as well as a player who would run the whole pitch to defend. But no, Shelvey came on, signalling the intent to really push forward.
Jose Enrique was beginning to really go from ‘quite alright’ to ‘poor’, until he played a beautiful long ball to Suarez, whom chested it down superbly, one touch to go around the keeper, and getting an equaliser with an easy touch into an open net. That goal was easily one of the best goals I’ve seen from Suarez even after considering how many brilliant goals he’s scored for us. To control the ball for the first time, coming at such pace and angle, it takes a world class player to do that, what more with a defender right behind him. Absolute class.
Suarez also made a good turn and led a counter attack from the middle, playing an open Sterling on the break but one touches too many and he loses the ball to a defender. One thing Sterling can really improve on is his finishing. His goal against Reading was a great one, but his finishing in games after that had to be and could’ve been better.
Shelvey had a pretty bad game up front ever since coming on. After a wonderful run by Suarez on the right, he laid the ball off to Shelvey, who should’ve buried the ball into the back of the net, but barely made a good shot. Later on in the game, a great run by Downing on the left wing led to a pinpoint cross to Shelvey in the middle of the box, but failed to capitalise on it as well. We can see how good Shelvey can be getting into attacking positions, something other midfielders didn’t do the whole game, but he has to be getting these chances on target at the very least.
Speaking of Downing, many wonder why he was brought in instead of Assaidi. There are pros and cons to both players. While Assaidi has better abilities at his disposal going forward, Downing is able to bring the ball forward as well as track back to defend when necessary. It’s clear that when attempting to get the win, Assaidi would’ve been the better choice, I agree. But at the same time, I can see what Brendan Rodgers intended to do with this particular substitution.
Now one thing I’d want to point out is that although Gerrard was a little less impressive than in the first 45, he did play two sublime long passes in the second half. The first would be in the 71st minute, when Gerrard played an exceptional long ball from the right midfield to the left wing to open up play. The second would be in the 85th minute when he played a long through ball, on the ground, from the left back position, to spot Raheem Sterling on the far right side of the pitch. While Gerrard has been in one of his worst forms this season, usually giving away balls too easily, it’s undeniable that his vision is unmatched and his creation of chances like these are what keeps him in the squad day in, day out. He’s not the fourth top chance creator in the league for nothing.
In the 83rd minute, Fabricio Coloccini made a clumsy challenge on Luis Suarez after Luis played a beautiful flick to set up Raheem Steeling on the break. The referee stopped play and sent Coloccini off without hesitation.
After the equaliser, there have been many attempts on goal, many chances created, but ultimately, the game ended all square at 1-1.
Post-Match Thoughts
1. Was the red card on Coloccini fair?
Yes, in my honest opinion. Yes because it was a harsh tackle and could’ve possibly be and injury-inflicting one. Luis Suarez was lucky not to get any marks after that tackle. Viewing the replay, the arm was up, the studs were up, it was all a harsh tackle and the red card was deserving.
There was a call for whether it was intentional or not, but it’s hard to say, personally. Viewing the replays, it seems as though Coloccini approached the tackle in that way because he was trying to back out of it, but clearly too late to stop. From the first glance, it was intentional. After watching the replays, it’s probable.
2. Standout Performers?
It’s definitely Luis Suarez. He was struggling at first in the first half to really test the keeper, but a fine display of skill, class and composure led to a wonder goal, considering the nature of the long ball by Jose Enrique, the pressure he was under by the defender (Coloccini) and that there was still the keeper (Krul) to go past, he did it all in style. World class? No doubt.
Other shouts would be Raheem Sterling, while not getting a goal himself, did make loads of runs at defenders. His pace is truly an asset, especially on counter attacks. If he starts to hone his finishing skills, he’ll be scoring more goals from all the chances he’ll get.
The last shout would be to none other than Steven Gerrard, the man with 600 games himself. Much, much better performance and what a step up from previous games this season. Arguably his best performance ever since his hat trick against Everton last season! He covered so much ground the whole game, played many great passes that opens up the game, most of his corners were deadly and definitely led by example. Rarely put in a wrong foot offensively and defensively.
3. The “Not-So-Goods”?
Jose Enrique was pretty great at first, and so was Wisdom. Both slowly played worse and worse, although Wisdom wasn’t given THAT much to take care of.
One thing about Andre Wisdom is that going forward, he tends to get a bit clueless, resorting to simple, predictable passes to the midfield instead of attempting a run down the flank or put in an early cross. Also, losing track of Cabaye on the far post shows his lack of defensive discipline and experience.
Nuri Sahin was absolutely anonymous this game. Made a few passes, made a few runs, and only has one (great) shot to show for. Apart from that, two clumsy fouls was also noticeable.
Shelvey was fairly decent. Should’ve got the winner for Liverpool, twice! I applaud him for getting into the box though. That’s something we’ve been lacking.
4. Unsung Heroes?
Martin Skrtel had a quiet, but great game defensively. No major mistakes at all. Another would be Brad Jones, making great saves from shots by Ben Arfa and Sammy Ameobi late in the second half.
Overall Thoughts
To some, the team played good, to others the team played great. To me, honestly, the team played decent, they played alright.
Some weak links in the team needs to step up or sit down on the bench, while others need to maintain or improve even more from yesterday’s performance. Slightly unlucky to not gain all 3 points, but you can’t blame it on luck if players can score.
Relying on Suarez to score game in, game out isn’t the way to go about playing a team game. A one-man team can only last for so long before he wears out. The team as a whole has got to be hungry for goals, hungry to score. Something Rodgers could look into would be to get midfielders into the box. Even if someone shoots, there’s the off chance that the deflection or rebound would be in our favour to follow up.
Another thing I’d want to see is an actual striker on the bench. There’s Samed Yesil and Dani Pacheco in the squad, but they aren’t even on the list of substitutes!
Brendan Rodgers said in the post-match interview that after dominating most of the first half, and then head into half time 1-0 down, it’s easy for the team to play too hard out of desperation for the equaliser. It’s a very good statement as it is true that many teams and players will want to play too hard to get a result that shows their dominance in a game, but may tend to slip up and concede a second goal.
Brendan Rodgers may not make the best of decisions at times, he may not have the best of tactics at times, but his professionalism in interviews and such have been on a different level.
In Brendan We Trust? For probably for 2 to 3 more transfer windows, yes.
Either way, don’t lose hope my fellow Reds. Rebuilding is a phase where we all have to be patient. It will definitely take some time. For now, we just need to hope the star performers maintain at the club, while more talent is brought in.
Have hope in your heart, and You’ll Never Walk Alone.
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