The Soccer Blog: Blackpool 2, Liverpool 1: The Long Road Back

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Blackpool 2, Liverpool 1: The Long Road Back

By: Ed | January 12th, 2011
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Liverpool continue the slide, falling 2-1 at Blackpool.

Dunno whether it’s just my flu getting worse or if watching was that traumatic, but I’m feeling like shit, so this’ll be an open thread for now. Some positives to go with the supremely disappointing result—better football played by Liverpool on the whole, particularly in the first half, and signs that there’s enough talent in the squad to play that type of football on a consistent basis.

Things got unquestionably worse as the match progressed, however, and the second half performance was largely awful. Individually there were few standouts other than Pepe Reina; the surprises in the starting eleven didn’t pay off (Christian Poulsen and Milan Jovanovic were both poor), Dirk Kuyt, Martin Skrtel, and Glen Johnson continued to struggle, and there’s clearly room for improvement across the board. Not as though anyone’s worth singling out, though, as the entire squad were less than impressive.

In the end, it’s just another three points gone, and we’re at the point where Liverpool need to start getting results. As I mentioned, some bright spots and indications that the team can move forward, but it was never going to happen right away.

Back later on if I’m conscious, so leave your thoughts below.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Matchday: Liverpool v. BlackpoolMatchday: Liverpool v. BlackpoolMatch Preview: Liverpool v. Blackpool, 01.12.11Match Preview: Liverpool v. Blackpool, 12.26.10**UPDATED** Blackpool 2, Liverpool 1: Rock Bottom, For Now

Category: Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Premier League

Tags: Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Premier League
Tweet « Matchday: Liverpool v. Blackpool | Home | EdWell I just woke up, glad to see that it's still Rafa's fault.YannThere is something stagnant about the current collective and a transfusion of talent is needed in all areas of the club. Each tinker seems to bring about minor improvement and so it is arguable that for rapid and tangible improment FSG needs to bite the bullet and make wholesale changes to the squad, moving on asap anyone who does not fit their plan for the future.

A good start would be to make this a full blown Scottish revolution – with King Kenny back, Steve Clarke to his right as coach and the rumoured bringing in of highly credentialed Celtic man Peter Lawwell as chief executive, Blackpool’s Charlie Adam for £8 – 10 million would be an inspired acquisition in the midfield. He seems hard as nails and simply a gun. And if they elect not to keep Kenny on at season’s end, I’m still plumbing for Owen Coyle.
SignalflashChelsea have lost a bunch lately but no one is saying they are a terrible squad. Liverpool isn't a terrible squad, but some changes have to be made. Then again, some of these players haven't been on the pitch very often as Hodgson only liked his favourite 11. Kenny has to try some different things and we will lose some as some players have to get to know each other. I'm tired of whining so I'm just going to support them. Besides, with Hodgson we were likely to lose every away game, so Kenny only has to win a few to better that. Otherwise I expect them to be more aggressive at home and get a decent amount of points there.

The only thing I can think of that would really tick me off is if Kenny gets a lot of flack when he has obviously sent the team out to attack which is what I believe we all wanted. Hopefully the passing and finishing will improve with time.Tom FooleryA poor performance all around: all players and coaching staff included. I do think that there were some very positive signs however. The midfield didn't get it right today, but I have to say they had a certain intent that showed what Kenny wants to bring back. They pressed, and they were constantly getting in and around the box (Raul and Lucas at least). However, the distribution was poor (not enough spread out wide, of course Kuyt and Jova were out wide and that does little to inspire). And, they didn't control enough. It seemed like everyone was looking for the killer pass, we needed to retain possession better, use a little caution, then BANG, spring into attacking action. Not once did we see a Roy squad with this type of intent (see Blackpool and home). And blaming Rafa still...really? I mean the majority of these players brought us our highest points total not too long ago. We just havn't seen any major investment, and the squad is aging fast.NoelYep, squad's aging, club's made a profit the last four windows, and they've spent six months playing regressive football while Hodgson tells them they're barely fit to draw against Wolves.

Didn't agree with every aspect, from a managerial standpoint, but the intent was better. So yes, I don't think we need to find somebody new to completely throw under the bus five days (with a whole two days, max, of practice) after Hodgson got his walking papers. I desperately wanted a win, but I don't feel the need to string anybody up right now--aside from maybe those mindlessly looking for somebody, anybody, to string up right now. I get that it's sport and passion and blah blah blah, but there are times to dial it back a couple of notches.DiedrexlerIt's Rafa Benitez's fault. He completely ruined Liverpool and now King Kenny reputation is being sullied by his mistakes. Rafa should have been sacked after the 2008/09 season with Kenny running the show last year. By now, we'd have won at least the league or challenging for it.NoelmooleedstheoffsideAlthough I think Kenny will change things for you, Hodgson had nothing to work with, a terrible squad left my rafa get the players out and start again that way Dalglish can do it his own way.BgurakanSick of it - relegation might be a good thing, start from scratch - how the fuck did we get here?Mikehayton44What a shambles.We have got rid of the owners, and the manager, so now we need to get rid of the real problem--the players who lack passion as well as the basic skills.
What a load of rubbish.Everyone was blaming Roy for everything but some of Rafas signings are absolute crap.
Not one player in the team tonight would even get on the bench of the top 4 or 5 teams except possibly Reina.
Its going to be a long hard road back. I hope the new owners have deep pockets and are willing to spend a few bob.
If Roy had done what Kenny did tonight, with the team selection and subs can you imagine the abuse he would have got???
Things can only get better but I feel they will get worse first.
YNWARed2deathI haven't caught on the doom and gloom yet. Maybe this would be type of performance I'd be sick of under Rafa. But compared to what we've seen these past six months, today and Sunday against Utd were positively refreshing!

Yes we have flaws and Johnson and Kuyt don't always impress. But we already knew that. If we continue to play like this, we'll be Europa League standard. With a good injection of players (mind you that's something we haven't had for many years now) and decent management - Kenny or otherwise - we'll be back in the top four within a season or two. After that, we'll take it from there.

Basically, today hasn't shown any weakness that we didn't already know. It's back to underperformance of the Rafa kind (as opposed to the Hodgson kind), which for now is already a great improvement. Bring on Everton.YannIf we continue to play like this, we'll be in a relegation battle come April.

I desperately want Kenny to not only succeed, but to stay on permanently. I'm convinced that with a revised young squad he can achieve as much as any new continental manager.RoscoThere's needs to be some adequate investment in this transfer window.RedLiverBirdFCwtf? Looks like its gonna be rigatoni for dinner.arn00bIt seriously looks like a group of acquaintances whose only common friend is Steven. They disinterestedly hang out with awkward silences, small talk and lame jokes until Steven shows up. Then the party gets started. Am I the only one feeling that?YannI might as well get things rolling. Anybody want to defend Johnson? Gets his back up and bites back viciously whenever anyone dares to question his form or performance and yet when it comes time to deliver, he is so, so poor. Am getting seriously tired of his all talk, no walk record at Liverpool.

Dirk Kuyt is all heart and has been one of my favorites for a long time – I know he loves LFC – however for all the good qualities he offers, conceding possession through diabolical first touches and deranged passing, in this game and against United, shows that when the tempo of a match s up, he is often found wanting. I fear his time with the Reds is coming to an end.

The need for new players to inject pace and vigour into the team has never been more apparent than tonight. Blackpool at times looked like Barca and we stood there, flat-footed, looking on in awe. I am so depressed.blog comments powered by Disqus