KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Stato's Five & Five Moments [Game 2]

Five of the Best

1. First Half Control - I almost wanted to copy and paste this but realised that Mignolet didn't really look all that shaky. Lots of possession, albeit struggling to find that final pass. We looked like we should have had more chances from that first half, but our control of the game was brilliant, despite a laboured last 5 of that opening 45.

2. Clean Sheet - Closed down play well, and restricted Villa to an overall majority of long distance shots. The few decent attempts they did have, we coped with fairly easily. A few good saves from Mignolet, and some great competitiveness from both full-backs and our centre-halves. Villa never really threatened but grinding out a clean sheet I felt was very important, especially because I thought Benteke was nailed on to score against us... but Toure was strong, Agger put himself between him and the goal at times too, and Mignolet made a couple of saves when he did manage to bypass them. First time in just over 10 years we've had 2 clean sheets in our first 2 games. Positive improvement.

3. Sturridge - Was lively again today. Happily fought back for the cause, and continued to make a lot of good runs. He was clinical when he needed to be, and the skill with which he took his goal was top stuff. 8 goals in his last 7 I think I saw... That is a terrific scoring streak if I do say so myself.

4. Quality of the Goal - Mentioned briefly already but it was a good goal all round. Broke down play just inside our own half, some neat touches led to Sturridge being out of position. Controlled play until we were ready to attack. Played the ball to Coutinho with an unrushing Sturridge behind him. Dummy, neat touches, deft finish. Can't ask for much more from the players that a goal of that quality.

5. Rodgers Subs - Going to continue to try and pick out something I felt the manager did well. Picking the same team wasn't a difficult choice, but bringing on Cissokho when we were only leading 1-0 was, and so was bringing Coutinho off for Allen. But both helped a lot. Cissokho did some good tracking up and down the left, helped out Enrique and played the clock down well. Allen did well maintaining our attempts to keep possession, and helped our solidity much deeper as Villa pushed for an equaliser. Thumbs up BR.

Five of the Worst

1. Second Half - We did well to close the game out, because grinding out results is certainly something we've not been so good at for the last 10 years, but we certainly made it very easy for Villa to keep attacking. We lost a bit of composure, and concentration suffered for a 15 minute period in the middle of that second half.

2. Creative Spark - Just never saw enough of it today, and against Villa that was a bit of a let down. There are rumours we're still in the market for a creative player for our first XI and I don't think many could argue that we looked like we needed it.

3. Dependency on Coutinho - Don't get me wrong, we should be keeping him involved, but almost doubling the importance on our need for another creative spark, we struggled to create when Coutinho was closed off in the second-half. Aspas did fairly well, but looks like he needs a while to adapt, Gerrard struggled to push on in that second half too, and Henderson for all his hard-working, didn't create much either. Without Suarez it is more difficult, but we need another guy to help us out so that these games aren't as much a struggle in breaking teams down.

4. Pace at the back - Toure put himself about, and Enrique was as determined as ever, but we are becoming increasing dependent on Agger and Johnson to track the more athletic players. Agbonlahor, Weimann and Tonev found it a bit too easy at times to play to the by-line and still put crosses in the box. If we want to play a higher line, we need that centre-half sooner rather than later.

5. Steeliness - On the back of grinding out a win, this is a comment that I won't over-exaggerate. The referee, in the second half, began to allow a few stronger challenges on our players, and we, I guess through instruction, attempted to put a bit of the foot in too. I felt as though we were shrugged off the ball a little too easy. Especially in that second half when they pressed so well... I talked in the summer about the need for a combative player that could drive from front to back in midfield. I felt that we need the steeliness that players like Yaya Toure and Fellaini give to City and Everton when they need it. I stand by it.

What surprised me was that we looked the more tired team.
I think we would have had a better 2nd half if we didn't need to protect the lead, but I think Villa did really well so credit to them for their hard work and restricting us to scraps.

They'll finish top half this season, I think.

Us or villa?

I agree with your comments jjmelling / Stato but we need to keep a home for Lucas in any revamped line up which introduces the Fellaini role and the creative midfielder roles. I thought he was immense in the first half. It pains me to say it but if anything it was Gerrard in the middle that kept giving the ball away and looking a little over-tired. Is it possible he will slowly become a bit-part player over the coming two seasons?

I like the sound of Yarmolenko or Konoplyanka for the attacking role, - but all transfer news has dried up. Does the Greek defender have the pace we need - or do we need alderweireld. If we can get two more players in I would be happy.

Can Kolo not convince his brother to hand in a transfer request :-)

Villa. I think we'll finish 5th with a run at 4th.

Gerrard did seem to give it away a bit, but he was excellent defensively.

I agree. Lucas is so one dimensional it´s untrue.

With SG in the holding role I´m not sure we even need Lucas out on the pitch at the same time.

Perhaps it´s time to start playing either SG OR Lucas in the starting line up? Preferably with SG in it.

It would then perhaps look something like this:


--------Mignolet--------

GJ-Touré--Agger-Cissokho

------SG-Henderson------

--Aspas---Coutinho--José

--------Sturridge-------


or:


---------Mignolet--------

GJ---Touré---Agger---José

-------SG----Allen-------

-Aspas-Henderson-Coutinho

--------Sturridge-------

Kolo probably could, but who will convince FSG ti pay his wages (among the top 10 jn the world), so I would say, stop dreaming.

I disagree about Lucas. I think he had an excellent first half, and through out the game he and Gerrard did a very good job putting out fires. I think we do need him on the pitch, because Gerrard playing a purely DM role every game is wasteful. He was our highest scoring midfielder and our leading assister. Lucas gives him the freedom to do what he wants and dictate play. I also thought Lucas' passing was quite good. Henderson might be a good shout for a DM role, but I think leaving Lucas out of the team right now is a big mistake.