After five defeats in the last seven games, Liverpool finally broke their Southampton hoodoo last night, and with a vital three points in the bag, the Reds are now well-placed for ten-game assault on the Premier League title. After repeatedly struggling against the Saints, what changed in this particular game to allow LFC to win the game?
In his post-match interview, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard praised Brendan Rodgers for his approach to the game, and outlined the team's tactical plan to beat Southampton. He explained:
"We got it wrong here last year and at the beginning of the season.
"The manager changes and tweaks things and we went with a diamond today. Our idea was to play a bit longer, try and beat their press and leave two up top.
"I thought we were solid defensively and always a threat on the counter."
The idea was to 'play a bit longer'? If by this, Gerrard means play more longer balls in a bid to bypass Southampton's midfield, then no wonder Simon Mignolet kept hoofing the ball up the field (!) There were a lot of longer passes during the game, with one of the best being Steven Gerrard's through ball for Suarez, which consequently led to Raheem Sterling's killer second goal.
Brendan Rodgers added:
"We've played 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 and today we played a 4-4-2 diamond. You've got to heap huge praise onto the players, who kept the tactical discipline in order to block up the space and be a threat going forward"
Liverpool won the game, but it's fair to see that this tactical approach didn't work very well in the first half. Southampton dominated for most of the first 45 minutes, and but for the woodwork, and a brilliant saved from Simon Mignolet, the Reds could've been 2-1 down at half-time.
Still, all's well that ends well, and although the 3-0 scoreline slightly flattered LFC, the victory is richly deserved, with Luis Suarez once again playing a huge part in the game. He;s now scored against every team in the league, and is currently English football's top scorer/creator.
Footballer of the Year has to be in the bag this season, surely?
Author: Jaimie K
In his post-match interview, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard praised Brendan Rodgers for his approach to the game, and outlined the team's tactical plan to beat Southampton. He explained:
"We got it wrong here last year and at the beginning of the season.
"The manager changes and tweaks things and we went with a diamond today. Our idea was to play a bit longer, try and beat their press and leave two up top.
"I thought we were solid defensively and always a threat on the counter."
The idea was to 'play a bit longer'? If by this, Gerrard means play more longer balls in a bid to bypass Southampton's midfield, then no wonder Simon Mignolet kept hoofing the ball up the field (!) There were a lot of longer passes during the game, with one of the best being Steven Gerrard's through ball for Suarez, which consequently led to Raheem Sterling's killer second goal.
Brendan Rodgers added:
"We've played 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 and today we played a 4-4-2 diamond. You've got to heap huge praise onto the players, who kept the tactical discipline in order to block up the space and be a threat going forward"
Liverpool won the game, but it's fair to see that this tactical approach didn't work very well in the first half. Southampton dominated for most of the first 45 minutes, and but for the woodwork, and a brilliant saved from Simon Mignolet, the Reds could've been 2-1 down at half-time.
Still, all's well that ends well, and although the 3-0 scoreline slightly flattered LFC, the victory is richly deserved, with Luis Suarez once again playing a huge part in the game. He;s now scored against every team in the league, and is currently English football's top scorer/creator.
Footballer of the Year has to be in the bag this season, surely?
Author: Jaimie K
I think BR got it wrong, if I was the manager playing against a technical pressing side I would and bring more stability to the midfield and when like all pressing teams they start to tired in the second half I would have brought on a speedy attacking player... Oh actually, wait a minute?@! :P
ReplyDeleteCant say much more than what's already been said. Great result. First half, got the early goal and rode our luck a little. Second half was superb. Contained Soton completely.. Bringing on Sterling when he did was a good move, didnt do a Wenger and wait til 70 mins, I also would have liked to see him start, but the formation was perfect for this game.
ReplyDeleteCoutihno was off yes, but that will happen to every player at some point and we got exactly what we needed from the bench, his team mate coming on and put in his shift regardless of wether or not he was selected.
Johnson was excellent i thought. Yes he played his way into a couple of dodgy situations, but he is never as comfortable playing out from the left hand side and that was to accomodate Flanno so can't really criticise there. If he plays like that for the rest of the season I would have no problem extending his contract. Flanno wasn't great, couple of nervy moments including the penalty shout and leading with his elbows a few times, but he is an excellent player IMO and a much better performance will follow I'm sure.
Agger a Skrtel, excellent, but one swallow a summer does not make. Need to build on that with another clean sheet, and another. The offence has been bailing out the defence for too long now, I can see a few games coming up where a 1-0 win may be required, they need to continue that form. Mignolet made a one crucial stop and a couple of excellent punched clearances. Hasn't really made any mistakes the last two games, so hopefully that's over with, though he did play a couple of bad balls down the centre when Stur/Suarez had made runs in the channel, needs to work on it.
Allen played the best I have seen him play in a red shirt. Still made some mistakes, but over-all did an excellent job of the ugly stuff. But that needs consistency. Gerrard, quality as usual, really adapting to his role. Some of the passes he played, Lucas just can't give you that from deep. Hendo another solid-solid performance, well done. Last year I would have been saying, Henderson played out of his skin, this year I'm expecting those kind of displays. Outstanding improvement.
Suarez and Sturridge, what can you say? Best partnership in the world....FACT! :)
Maybe a bit too far, but they cannot be split up in the summer, club has to hold onto them, getting two strikers who play that well together at a club happens so rarely. They could be our ticket to the 19th and 6th times...
Suarez scored against every epl team? Not sure if he scored yet against villa!
ReplyDeleteSuarez scored vs. Villa in the 1-1 draw at Anfield in 2012, during KD's reign.
ReplyDeleteCan't say much more, your having a laugh... LOL
ReplyDeleteCould be, but cant find that goal on youtube!
ReplyDeleteHe scored in a one all draw against them at anfield.
ReplyDeleteAgger header onto the post or bar and he follows up. Down the bottom for his standards.
ReplyDeleteGolazo Borni!
ReplyDeleteWas a great goal! City's defence not coping well with the quick counter attacks.
ReplyDeleteWait till City visit Anfield :-o
And this time with Gerrard and Sturridge.
ReplyDeleteAlso should be said, Borini has come into his own this year - could definitely play a part next year.
Yeah, finally found it. Almost forgot it with the numbers of goals hes been scoring this season.
ReplyDeleteOnly remembered it because I'm pretty sure that was one of those games he was intent on breaking the goalposts.
ReplyDeleteThe summer transfer window is going to be a very interesting one.
ReplyDeleteAgree he has been excellent for them. Will wouldn't mind seeing him get his chance next year, but have a feeling he might be let move. He'll start every week for them with that form.
ReplyDeleteBorini scores to put Sunderland 1-0 up!!!............ :-)
ReplyDeleteThere definitely was an uneasy 25 minute spell in the first half for us and we were lucky to come out of that situation unscathed .We were much better in the 2nd half i say ,massive three points in the bag can we dare to dream yet the countdown has begun 10 ....Regarding Suarez 24 games and 10 assists so far footballer of the year will be the icing on the cake after we finish 3rd ;)
ReplyDeleteFantastic result yesterday. Huge credit must go to Brendan for the speed in which he's taken us from the wilderness of mediocrity to real title contenders, playing exciting stuff and scoring loads of goals. Our away support was excellent again yesterday, did us proud
ReplyDeleteI heard Gary Neville say earlier Kun Aguero is the best around even tho Suarez is top scorer and maker by some distance and Suarez been breaking records all season. What a tit Neville is. Kun is brilliant but statistics speak for themselves.
ReplyDeleteha ha, wrong phrase that alright
ReplyDeleteI really hope the 'Powers That Be' are watching Rakitic this evening, very good and priced it £15m at the moment.
ReplyDelete