The Soccer Blog: Liverpool 1 (1), Sparta Prague 0 (0): Squeezing By

Friday, 25 February 2011

Liverpool 1 (1), Sparta Prague 0 (0): Squeezing By

By: Ed | February 24th, 2011
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Dirk Kuyt is once again Liverpool’s hero as they move on in Europe.

Nice couple of matches, yeah?

While this one wasn’t as much of a struggle to watch as last week’s, it certainly wasn’t pretty, and there’s plenty of negatives to go along with the positives. It’s great that Liverpool are moving on, but there’s potential that their progress came with the cost of losing Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger once again in addition to the growing worry about Liverpool’s depth beyond the first-choice eleven.

Sparta deserve loads of credit for the way they approached today’s match—they took it to Liverpool time and again, and the thought that they were going to simply park the bus was quickly dismissed. They had the better part of the opening minutes after Liverpool had a penalty shout in the first minute, and for most of the first half and for extended spells in the second half they were the better side. The Czech side succeeded in making Liverpool work and made things plenty nervy, and they’ll likely leave feeling they had just as good a chance to progress.

The match was chippy on the whole, and some shaky refereeing certainly didn’t help either side get settled; four players were booked in a choppy first half, and three more followed in the second half. This really had nothing to do with the way things ended up, but it was a noticeable interruption at times and, when combined with the style of play, served to make for a relatively unsettled performance for both sides.

Even with Liverpool conceding more possession than they’d have preferred they had their chances—I mentioned the missed handball in the opening minute, and Sotirios Kyrgiakos had a header pushed away in the 16th minute. Joe Cole had a handful of half-chances as well, but seemed either a step behind or directionally confused, as he was whiskers away on a few occasions and placed a clear header on its way towards the corner flag.

The best chance of the half fell to Raul Meireles, and it was one that you’d have bet on him taking. Martin Kelly once again got himself free down the right and lofted a cross to the middle of the area, and an onrushing Meireles pushed it over the bar. Given his form in the past few weeks, a disappointing miss, but also an understandable one given the elbow he took in the back of the head.

Kelly went off at the half and Jamie Carragher came on, a noteworthy change not only for the worries about Kelly’s fitness, but also because it saw Carragher become the British record-holder for appearances in European competition. Regardless of the competition it’s a fantastic achievement, and he marked it with another solid performance.

Much of the second half was similar to the first—some back and forth with a few chances here and there, an injury for more than one of Liverpool’s defenders, and we were made to wait until late for the winner to come after a chance for David Ngog in the 74th minute went begging. Raul Meireles, who’d been terrific with his set piece delivery all night and was responsible for Ngog’s chance earlier in the half, found an unmarked Dirk Kuyt from a corner, with the Dutchman only yards in front of the goal mouth. Kuyt cooly headed home, and the combination of relief and excitement was almost a solid.

From there Sparta never threatened, and the newly-opened match gifted Joe Cole with a chance on the break late only to see the effort go wide. It also saw Cole doubled over for the rest of the match, as clear an indication as any that match fitness is a future-bound concept. In the end, though, it meant Liverpool advance to face the winner of the Lech-Braga tie, which is level on aggregate at the time of writing.

As I noted above, the joy of progress is somewhat stunted by another display that left us wanting more. The concern about depth in quality will be addressed relatively soon—Steven Gerrard returns from injury, Luis Suarez will obviously be eligible for domestic matches, and hopes are pinned on Andy Carroll to make his debut and an instant impact up front. David Ngog has been scarce of late, and part of his struggles today have to be attributed to that, but displays like today’s aren’t going to win him many fans, particularly at a time when patience is at a premium.

The injuries to Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger create even more concern, as both have played a pivotal part in Liverpool’s success at the back of late. Kelly’s been a mainstay on the right since Dalglish arrived, playing beyond his years and giving Dalglish options none of us really knew he had. The chronic nature of Agger’s fitness worries are both discouraging and disappointing, as he’d spoken at length prior to the match about being back for good. Hopefully he’s able to make a quick recovery, as his absence has been one that has had a profoundly negative impact on the side.

Overall, not really a time to be too downtrodden, but there’s nothing from today’s match that leaves me incredibly excited. It was still a ways away from the performances we’d enjoyed prior the Wigan match, and it was still a stark example of where Liverpool need improving. Plus, Christian Poulsen. But we did see another relatively classy display from Meireles, we saw Cole spark a bit towards the end (especially when David Ngog robbed him of a late chance), Kuyt pop up to remind us he’s still one of the club’s best clutch goal-scorers, and Kenny Dalglish’s first European victory.

And there was this pre-match (thanks Justin). So all-in-all, even with plenty left to improve, a day that moves the club forward in more ways than one.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Match Preview: Liverpool v. Sparta Prague, 02.17.11Match Preview: Liverpool v. Sparta Prague, 02.24.11Matchday: Liverpool v. Sparta PragueMatchday: Liverpool v. Sparta PragueMatchday: Liverpool v. Steaua

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

Tags: Christian Purslow, Daniel Agger, David Ngog, Dirk Kuyt, Europa League, Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole, Kenny Dalglish, Martin Kelly, Martin Škrtel, Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Pepe Reina, Raúl Meireles, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Team News
Tweet « Matchday: Liverpool v. Sparta Prague | Home | Dirk Kuyt Can Score »brojoe coal looked a a lot better ye he still a game or to away but i think he showed what he has got to offer witch is somthing to look forward to. david ngong probably has more shots then any other player but takes that long on the ball he is so predictable that the keeper seems to no were he is shooting and saves nearly every shot that plus defenderds block his shot before he fully pulls the trigger. when he does try a volly he scuffs it. his movment of the ball is good and his touch is descent he is also a fit young lad but he needs a lot of work on his finishing and dribbling because he hesitates far to much witch is why he is so predictable on the ball there for loosing it or just not scoring. of the subject did anyone notice how tanned gerrard and his mates were it was funny because it was massivly over tanned pluss why was he on hoilday when he should have been working on strenghing his injury??? so am gessing a bit off un match fitness against west ham!steven.Dirk Kuyt's in the house, shake your derriere.Dj-ChutfieldCan someone explain to me why Luis Suarez is cuptied for Europe by Fernando Torres isn't? Suarez only played in the Champions League for Ajax, didn't play a single Europa League minute. Torres featured repeatedly for Liverpool in the Europa League but he's free to play for Chelsea in the Champions League? What gives? Cup tying works downward but not upward?

Good result, shit display btw. Joe Cole needs more minutes, but I'm heatened to see us play with confidence and resolve for once. I almost forgot what that looked like.XantheinaEven though Ajax did not compete in the Europa league yet, they are still in the competition. if the group stages for CL ended in February, and Ajax dropped to EL then, Suarez would be eligible for EL since at the time of his transfer, Ajax was still in CL, not EL as they were. (does that make sense?)

so I guess it doesn't matter if you played yet or not, if your club is in the competition, you're cup tied.AntonioA more lively and action game as compare to the 1st leg, however still lack of quality in term of finishing at both end, especially from Liverpool.

Ngog was awful.
Lucas has a bad game which it rarely seen since this season.
Pouslen still untidy.

Joe Cole improved but look like fitness get over him. Kenny admit if not of injury in other players, Cole will not play full 90min.

Kelly involve alot in attack, nice to see. Unfortunately has to be replace due to some knock.

It was a shame Agger got injury again, hope not serious.

Kuyt's hardwork and determination which was his strenght paid off eventually. However we should be ease easily if not of poor finishes from Ngog.

Gerrard look nervous watching from the stand, and was delighted with the late goal. He must be grateful his teammate give him chances to involve in this competition by qualify to the next round.

Liverpool by then should be in better shape with Gerrard and Carroll coming back from injury.

Anyway, enjoy the win !!ricky rubioHats off to Sparta indeed - a better match than I reckoned we'd see. Just want to put in a word for Pepe, who so often goes unmentioned because I think we all have such high expectations for him. Nothing spectacular from him today, but there were several moments where he collected and distributed nicely.paulPepe is great, but his cockup gifted Sparta a glorious chance.EdFair point, but Pepe Reina will not be questioned further.EdLikewise, and sitting in my meeting for the last hour I realized that I glossed over another quietly solid performance from Lucas. Both deserving of mention. Thanks.Justin BonebrakeIt wasn't everything I hoped for, but a win is a win. Kuyt looked much better than he did last week, and I have to say that I'm becoming a fan of his goalie-harassing clutch corner headers (see: Everton Derby last year).

Cole looked decent in flashes, but I think he'll need a nice run of games before he really gets back in rhythm. I was disappointed to see N'gog snatch a shot from him, but he seemed to waste an opportunity at the end. But I'm not sure what the game would have looked like if we started with Meireles and Lucas in central midfield and Cole behind the striker.

Meireles was probably MOTM for me. His set-piece delivery was excellent, as you say, and looked to be providing our best chance to score all game.

The injuries are a huge blow, and I only take solace in the fact that they were defenders and if we are going to do well for the rest of the season we are going to need to score goals. I realize clean sheets have been a big part of our recent resurgence, but I believe it was pointed out that we've changed our back line close to 30 times this year. This seems to me to indicate that we might be able to manage. That's a big might though.

Hats off to Sparta, they made the game interesting and very nervy, but ultimately, more entertaining.

I hope we get to see Cole get more minutes in the next few games so we can get a fair assessment of him before the end of the season. I'd hate to keep paying those wages if he really turns out to have lost it.Red2deathYou have a lot more confidence than I do in our defence. For me, Agger and Kelly would be #1 and #2 in terms of defenders on the teamsheet every single game (regardless of formation). So losing them both is a huge blow.

That said, since we won't be able to shut up shop for a while, hopefully that paves the way for attack, attack and more attack in the next few games. Might not be the most solid strategy, but it'd sure be fun to watch while we're at it!

And really, I'm getting the sense that Pacheco's not gonna be around much longer. These 2 performances against Sparta, he could have walked into either team and added some inspiration that was sorely lacking. I hope we don't lose him.tifoso471I agree. I don't understand why Kenny hasn't yet given Pacheco a chance on the field. What's he saving him for?
I did get the feeling that Pacheco was intended as a sub for the 2nd half, but the injuries to agger and kelly through that plan offblog comments powered by Disqus