23 Feb 2014

'We made mistakes': Hendo, Allen, Evans et al on LFC's 'great victory' vs. Swansea

Liverpool's excellent record at Anfield continued today with a nervy 4-3 victory over Swansea City, and although the Reds didn't emphatically brush the Swans aside, the team still came away with three points, which puts Brendan Rodgers' side in a commanding position in the top four.

At this stage of the season, the ability to grind out victories is important, and this is the second league game in a row where Liverpool have pulled a game out of the fire.

Post match reaction from players/ex-Reds:

Gary Gillespie

"Got away with result today. Too much space for Swansea to play. More performances like this today for Jordan Henderson and he must be in line for WC squad"

Neil Mellor

"Another important three points at Anfield for Liverpool. Huge credit to Swansea who made a real game of it. Henderson superb and got vital winner"

Brendan Rodgers

"Jordan showed great leadership today. You could see him driving the team on. What was really pleasing for me was his second goal. We've been telling him to get into the box and arrive in there, because he's got the energy and the legs to do that"

Joe Allen

"It was an extremely tough game. Swansea pushed us all the way, and we had to be resilient to make sure we got those three points"

Jordan Henderson

"We made some mistakes, and didn't play as well as we can, but we showed a lot of character, and stayed positive to find the winner. A few things need to be addressed defensively, as a team. I've still got a lot to do to improve my game, and I'll just continue doing that. "

Roy Evans

"It wasn't our best display. Going forward we were great, but we made some silly mistakes. Our defensive side wasn't great, and we can't go on giving away goals like that"

Brendan Rodgers

"It was a great victory for us. W've been used to being comfortable by half-time, so only winning by one goal probably seems a bit strange for the supporters"

Some notes on the game:

* Henderson's scored for first time in thirteen games, so it's great to see that his goalscoring drought is over. He needs to effect games like this more often, though, and if he can get on the scoresheet more regularly over the next three months, it could help the Reds to within touching distance of the title.

* A couple of dodgy moments from Martin Skrtel. His constant grappling with players in the box finally got punished, but overall, he put in another solid performance.

* Having Agger alongside him probably contributed to Skrtel's errors, and it's no surprise that Rodgers removed the Dane in the second half. Agger looked unhappy to be subbed off, but Liverpool looked much more solid at the back when Toure came on.

* Amazing through-ball from Sterling for Sturridge's first goal, but apart from that, he had a bit of an off-day.

* Glen Johnson contributed to LFC's defensive frailty. suspect positioning throughout the game, and gave the ball away a few times. He also lost Bony for Swansea's second goal, which allowed the striker a free header in the box.

* Five games without a goal now for Luis Suarez, but his three assists in that time show that he continues to be vital to the team. It appears that Rodgers is willing to sacrifice the Uruguayan's goals for the team, and with Daniel Sturridge in red-hot form, it seems Rodgers is right to do so.

I could say more, but I find it hard to look past the victory. Three points is all that matters right now, and with Spurs losing to Norwich, the Reds are in a great position to further consolidate a place in the top four.

Liverpool are producing title-winning form at the moment, and champions have the ability to dig out victories even when the team is not at its best. Only four points behind Chelsea, with Man City and the Blues still to come to Anfield. It's exciting to contemplate, and if results go LFC's way...

Let's not go there (!)

One game at a time, and then we'll see...

Author:


26 comments:

  1. Not sure why Agger is blamed for Skrtel's error. Agger is a great defender, probably bit rusty after injury but he is our wise captain and one of the best defender in the league.

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  2. Steven Gerrard showed again today that he is not a natural defensive midfielder and was a little bit indiscipline (gave Shelvey too much space). I feel we will see more of him once Lucas is back. Although, Stevie G almost scored today, vintage style!!

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  3. I dont wanna talk about the negatives today because I dont know where to start! The only good thing today was winning when we played sht and thats a champion mentality, mancs have been doing it for 24 years in the row. If we play like that in southampton get ready for a heavy defeat. Cant wait for sakho to come back.

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  4. 1 goal in 7 or 8 games for Suarez, Uruguayan is due.

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  5. in regards to the defensive side, i think one of the main problems is obvious and that is we haven't had a settled back four all season, the midfield and attack picks itself for the last few months more or less and you can see they are comfortable whereas the defence at times is just erratic, just look a bit complacent and not completely with it at times. Agger has had an indifferent season, Sakho looked to be getting better before his injury, Skrtel has been good for the majority but always has a mistake/grapple in him which can cost us, Toure for me has gone backwards a little since he came, started season really well and then lost his place and looks nervy to me ever since. Enrique has been injured a while, cissokho is average at best, Flanagan has been a shining light since he came in to the team for me, has rarely looked out of place but like i say, all the changes havent helped. To add to that, Mignolet seems to have caught the nervous bug of late.

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  6. What did you think of Coutinho? He was quiet and absent.Allen made good runs forward but it's still weak in physical strength.Real nervy game for me.Not good defence.

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  7. Hes been really unlucky for me, last few games, the good thing is though, he sets up goals too, when hes not scored, hes still contributing

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  8. Tough game coming up next week,Southampton away..They've been our bogey side of late,need to get 3 points stay in title race,I doubt we will get more than one at St.Mary's.

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  9. Yes, he is still a key player for us but he should score now, I really want him to win Golden Shoe and Player of the Year this season. Although, team comes first and I am content as long as we are getting 3 points.

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  10. Yes, he is still a key player for us but he must score now on. I really want him to win Golden Shoe and Player of the Year this season. But team comes first so I am content as long as we are getting all three points.

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  11. He is out of form in terms of his finishing,Suarez of early season wud have had at least a goal today,he has missed a few chances in the last 7 games,remember the chance he missed against West Brom when he was one on one with the keeper.

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  12. For an out of form player, he is still pretty good. I would take out of form Suarez than in form Giroud :D

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  13. Dispelled all this theorising before the game about the Swans being tired after their performance against Napoli . They had momentum were sharp and focussed and fought back well after being two goals down at ANFIELD . Don't really buy into this having an advantage because we only have the league to focus on now ..... BTW Pepe's spell away seems to be doing him good - think he might be persuaded back if No. 1 again ;-)

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  14. Think we will get top four, but with a defence like ours the title looks a little too far. But the fat lady ain't singing yet, so there is still hope.


    How I would love for The Special Needs one to be put down a peg, he's not even funny anymore (what the hell is the little horse thing? guess he sacked the guy who wrote his material before).


    Hope BR the young padwan, brings his mentor down to earth, and since their friends maybe Chelsea could borrow the bus they park on the goal line for our title parade.

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  15. How does Skrtel continue to be complimented during games where he is a prime reason for us conceding one or more goals???


    As far as I am concerned, the sooner Rodgers gets his replacement in, the better - he can't be trusted to mark strong forwards, tall forwards, or quick forwards without resorting to silly fouls. In other words, he continues to be a liability at the back.


    Agger is a long, long way from his best, but I'd much rather have him in the team, alongside Sakho, than either Skrtel or Toure.

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  16. It's good to see the team win on a day where we probably didn't deserve to - whereas other teams (most notably Chelsea) continue to pick up undeserved victories, most of our wins this season have come when we've clearly been the better team, with off days leading to dropped points...

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  17. One more note on the game - Sturridge is continuing to prove himself to be one of Europe's best strikers as he pushes on towards breaking PL records.


    The way he effortlessly and quickly glides back upfront after dropping deep adds so much to our team than just another goalscorer though and makes it so difficult to mark him. Absolutely quality.

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  18. Probably one of the worst defensive displays I've seen from any team in the league this year, dire. Need to draft Rafa in as the defensive coach. ;)

    Still think that the leaky defence could cost us a Champions League place..

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  19. He could probably use a game off....but Liverpool cannot afford to do that until they clinch Top 3 at least.


    Since he is not the designated main man in the middle as well.....he is having less chances.


    He has to be tired, even for his great work rate and desire.

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  20. Part of the reason for replacing Reina with Mignolet was to get his insane wages off the payroll. Can you imaging how much Valdes would want? Especially if we're getting him on a free. Can't see it happening.

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  21. Very happy for Jordan Henderson and good thing we all have patience with some of these players. Ha ha. yea right.

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  22. Simon is good but having Valdes will make him better coz of the healthy competition for the No 1 spot and if Liverpool is in CL next season...we need a big n strong squad..so i can see and accept this happening for Liverpool

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  23. Begovic is the answer.

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  24. Mignolet's kicking and general distribution is not top draw and has not really improved since joining. Reina was a master at launching the counter attack.

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  25. Begovic was the answer last summer I thought before we bought mig

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  26. I wonder what mignolet's stats would've been last season with Carra still in defence

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