The Soccer Blog: Liverpool 2 (3), Trabzonspor 1 (1): Moving On

Friday, 27 August 2010

Liverpool 2 (3), Trabzonspor 1 (1): Moving On

By: Ed | August 26th, 2010
glen johnson

Liverpool get past a tough Trabzonspor side to progress.

I mentioned in the earlier edition of this post what an interesting match this turned out to be—I feel like we saw a couple different Liverpool squads in the two different halves, even with largely the same personnel.

Ran the gamut from extreme disappointment and negativity (see earlier comments thread in the matchday post) to a bit of pleasant surprise as Liverpool grab the late equalizer and Kuyt’s goal to kill it.

Main points for me below, and feel free to add yours in the comments.

Absolutely Atrocious First Half

There’s not much more that needs saying—Liverpool were terrifically awful in the opening minutes of the match, and they were rightfully punished by Teo Gutierrez’s 4th minute goal. The build-up to the goal started with Gustavo Colman dispossessing an uncharacteristically lazy Dirk Kuyt about forty yards from goal, and the resulting cross/shot hybrid found its way to an unmarked (and barely onside) Gutierrez.

It’s tough to say that a team have done enough to earn a goal after four minutes, but Liverpool had done little to prove otherwise, and their play for most of the first half was less than convincing. No creativity in attack, careless in possession, and far too eager to fall into an all-too familiar pattern—win back possession, retreat to the backline, send a long ball forward, repeat. As Tom put it in the earlier thread, “Carra-hoof” was the name of the game.

Bad Individually, Bad Collectively

It’s probably not worth harping on, but this was vastly different than the performance we saw on Sunday at City in the first half. Liverpool were overmatched in both first halves, but at least at the Eastlands there weren’t too many individual performances that underwhelmed. We all saw the tactical mismatch (well, lots of us did, ROY), but on a player-to-player basis it seemed like there was at least a semblance of hope left.

Today’s first half, however, was bad all-around. As noted, Kuyt was pretty poor and looked to be listlessly drifting throughout the midfield area. At times it was indiscernible what position he was actually playing, and what’s worse is that it could be said for more than just Kuyt. Fabio Aurelio looked to be lacking in match fitness, David Ngog disappeared into Trabzonspor’s back line, and there was little in terms of creativity coming out of the midfield. And while it wasn’t missed-penalty or red card bad, Joe Cole was anonymous in the role just off Ngog—little coincidence that he had more influence later in the match from a wider area.

So yeah, not much to be optimistic about at that point.

Second Half Resurgence

For everyone’s sake, I hope we don’t read a story about how Roy Hodgson gave the squad the hairdryer treatment at halftime. I’m sure he had some choice words in the locker room, but that whole concept is just white noise for me—he’ll be completely lionized for being pissed off at players that, by his own admission, he’s still getting to know, yet the press will paint it as the players giving it their all because their gaffer was so inspiring, etc. etc. whatever.

Once again, though, nothing really changed tactically, unless you can say that completing passes and maintaining more possession is a deft tactical maneuver. Liverpool looked to gain in confidence going forward, Ngog actually had a chance to waste (and did! Success!) just before creating another for himself, and Glen Johnson continued to bomb down the right side. Even as they waited for one to nose in front across the tie, it started to look like a different Liverpool.

Pacheco On, Aurelio Off

It’s hard to make a ton of noise about a five minute run-out at City and thirteen minutes tonight, but Dani Pacheco has turned out to make it a hell of a lot easier. At the Eastlands, he was one of the only players with any sort of attacking urgency—I’m aware the match was beyond repair at that point, but he still pushed forward and showed creativity that the rest of the squad were sorely lacking.

And tonight, even though he didn’t work his way onto the score sheet in any way, he changed the complexion of Liverpool’s attack. He pushed forward relentlessly, stretching a Trabzonspor defense that had previously only been tested a handful of times by anyone not named Glen Johnson. Pacheco’s pace and off-the-ball movement alone were more than enough to cause questions of the Turkish defense, and he’s exactly what Liverpool needed. Less than twenty minutes of match time between two games, but I think he’s making his case for plenty more.

Grinding Out a Late Win

Only a few times last season did we see Liverpool win one late in the match—Fernando Torres at Villa Park sticks out and Steven Gerrard’s winner at Bolton was fantastic, but outside of those, Liverpool were far more often the victims of late-match heroics than they were the benefactors, particularly in Europe.

So tonight’s win, regardless of the early worries and a few questionable performances, is one to feel good about. They overcame strong opposition in a riotous atmosphere, fought back despite an underwhelming first half performance, and found a way to win in difficult circumstances—with two goals in five minutes, no less.

It’s not the Champions League, and it’s not where Liverpool want to be. But they made the most of their opportunities, and they’re progressing in Europe. Had that been offered prior to today’s match, with today’s squad, I’d have taken it no doubt.

Well done to Liverpool—we’ll find out where they’re headed tomorrow.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Match Preview: Liverpool v. Trabzonspor, 08.26.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Trabzonspor, 08.19.10What’s Liverpool’s Best Eleven?Liverpool 2 (4), FK Rabotnički 0 (0): An Exercise in Restraint**UPDATED** Liverpool 1, Arsenal 1: So, So Close

Category: Europa League, Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Team News

Tags: Christian Poulsen, Dani Pacheco, David Ngog, Dirk Kuyt, Europa League, Fabio Aurelio, Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, Lucas, Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard, Team News
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Galahad ThreepwoodSome of you may have already seen this, but just in case you haven't: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/reds....

From the looks of it, Masch is headed to Barca. The ever-helpful official site didn't mention what kind of fee we'll get for him, but my guess is something less than 25-30 million. And of course, no way to know how much of what we get will actually end up going toward squad improvements. Not great news, by any means, but he's getting the move he wanted, and at least now we won't have to deal with his petulance anymore. Every cloud has a silver lining, right?EdYeah, just posted on that Galahad, among other things.

Glad it's over more than anything, it just turned into a Fabregas-esque farce. Once he refused to play on Sunday I pretty much checked out for good. I had already packed his bags in late July, so this isn't real tough to take.

I will, however, be irate if they don't free up some of the money for transfers. If not now, at least in January.

Ha, who am I kidding, they'll just get Robbie Savage on a free.Kxevin16m+6m in incentives (Pounds). Good business for both sides. You get rid of a player who didn't want to be there and money to play with, we get needed reinforcement at DM. Good luck this season.Galahad ThreepwoodThanks, Kxevin. I hope he works out well for you; he's one hell of a defensive mid when his mind is in the right place. :)DeadpoolHa Ha well said Grubb, but in fairness him losing the ball is not really a point in my favor. It happens and probably more so when other teams are chasing you before every match(God I hate how the transfer window doesn't end before the season starts). On the otherhand I still believe that Dirk would be even more beneficial as a support striker, he would still do the followups and chasing that we know and love him for and have the added benefit of not slowing down every attack from the right side. All said neither of us will budge an inch in our stance so I guess the best hope is gentleman's draw. LaterGrubbFAo Deadpool - sorry I missed your comments the other day, would've liked to reply but only just found them now.

Of course I want an Adam Johnson style pacy, tricky winger. Of course I scratch my head every time Arsenal sign another technical player or City pick up Johnson from a Championship team and wonder where we were on those ones. And how in the hell have we not signed Arda? Why is Hatem Ben Arfa signing for NUFC when he played so well against us in the CL previously?

Didn't being schooled by Atletico teach us we need a Reyes or a Jurado or 3?

Rafa didn't go for this type of player and so far Roy hasn't either. I don't know why, but all these players being pacy and tricky doesn't therefore mean Kuyt is crap.

Ideally I think Kuyt plays well in a 4-2-3-1 with an overlapping fullback in GJ. And Ed hit the nail on the head in your discussion - Kuyt is the balance for the flair players. His movement creates space for them, his industrious effort gives them a ball to play out. He also does smart things like follow in on shots and takes up nice positions around the penalty area.

I don't want rid of Kuyt, but I do want some pace, trickery and flair around him. Does that mean we're not far from the same opinion?GrubbAh Dirk you rugged enigma! One gaffe for Deadpool to throw in my face and a smart follow up and tap in for me and my 'statistics' argument lol. Thanks for clearing the argument up Dirky!

But seriously, what Noel said. x2.steven.grotesque first half followed up by a less than spectacular second .. the TRABZONSPOR were up for it today alright .. the YOUR ALONE HERE banner was class as well...JoelI think Lucas/Poulsen will be a good pairing, if we play with pace on the wings. The problem from that pairing arises when we play like to night, with Kuyt and Aurelio. If we play two of Maxi/Pacheco/Babel/Cole/Jova, Lucas/Poulsen will look completely different.

Lucas Poulsen
Maxi Gerrard Cole

or:

Gerrard Poulsen
Kuyt Cole Pacheco

No more of this Lucas/Poulsen + slow wide menNoelFor me the problem today (as I got at in the game thread) on the right was Kuyt playing at first terribly and then without a defined position on the right. With holding midfielders, Johnson is the pacy provider of width on the right and he did fantastically.

I think the problem lies (aside from Kuyt's off day) in that the more holding/conservative of the central midfield pairing will likely always be on the left of midfield, and that does not fit the personnel in the least.

When Lucas or Poulsen pairs with Gerrard, Gerrard is the more attack right sided central mid. When Lucas pairs with Poulsen, Lucas is the more attacking right sided central mid. Meanwhile, whether it's Aurelio paired with Jovanovic or Kelly paired with Aurelio, it's not a stretch to suggest that the left sided fullback is less likely to provide width than Johnson is, and an effective imbalanced formation should involve the holding midfielder being shaded towards the right to cover for Johnson's forward runs while the left sided "holding" mid is given more license to bomb forward in fairly central areas. Meanwhile, the left midfielder--be it Jovanovic or Aurelio--would be more involved in providing width on the left side of the pitch than Kuyt (or whoever would be on the right) would be on the opposite side.

It's what Brazil has always done tactically. And if Brazil likes to do it, it can't be that awful an idea.

But watching Kelly, Aurelio, and Poulsen bunch together uselessly around midfield whenever Liverpool tried to attack in the first half made me want to throw things at my television. Especially when Aurelio would move inside of Poulsen's "line" on the attack, depriving the left of any semblance of width.

Though in his defense, Hodgeson did seem to encourage Aurelio to take up a wider position in the second half. Though when you've got a Kelly-Aurelio-Poulsen grouping and a Johnson-Kuyt-Lucas grouping, it doesn't seem as though asking them to play as mirror images from the start is the smartest tactic.Noel...and apparently Disqus doesn't like me, since I've seen plenty of "edited" tags but when I try to rectify a few typos it just spins its wheels endlessly. Ah well...Galahad ThreepwoodI hope Pacheco does play on Sunday. I would love to see him in action--was unable to watch the two games in which he came on late. He sounds like a pacy son of a bitch (to quote Ed), and we can definitely use a player like that. I know he's still pretty young, but maybe putting him in the starting XI is the jolt we need to get moving in the right direction.EdI said that? So eloquently?Galahad ThreepwoodWell, you said it about Glen Johnson...but I figured it applied to Pacheco too. :)RustyNigelgotta say that Pacheco has to be the man of the match despite only playing 10 minutes he was involved in both goals and was the only player who had the 'spark' that creates chances. If he doesn't start on Sunday then I'm afraid that Roy has lost my trust, been a fan of DPach since we bought him from barca and he seemed to up the tempo after coming on against city and tonight.blog comments powered by Disqus