On Saturday, Crystal Palace were languishing in bottom three after securing only one point in five Premier League games previous games. One insipid, embarrassing Liverpool performance later, and now, the Eagles are now only two points behind LFC, who are now hovering precariously close to the relegation zone. As much as it pains me to admit, Neil Warnock's team full deserved the victory, and according to ex-Red Jamie Redknapp, Palace winger Yannick Bolasie deserves the lion's share of praise for engineering he impressive win.
In his column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp slammed Liverpool's performance as 'not good enough', and singled out one LFC player for specific criticism. He noted:
"[Manquillo] looked so poor throughout. Yannick Bolasie put in one of the best performances of the season, but any winger would have fancied their chances against Javi Manquillo".
In my view, this criticism is unwarranted. Bolasie had a good game, but Manquillo - recently hailed by Steven Gerrard as 'brave and ambitious - had nothing to do with any of the three goals conceded by Liverpool:
Goal 1: Came from the left-hand side of the field. Bolasie drifted into space towards the centre of the goal (with none of LFC's midfielders tracking him effectively), and had acres of space to line-up his shot, which cannoned off the post into the path of Dwight Gayle.
Goal 2: Originated on the left once again. Bolasie powered past Lovren, and crossed into the box, where Gerrard and co were once again asleep at the wheel.
Goal 3: A free kick.
Bolasie may have got the better of €6m-rated Manquillo in a couple of one-on-one situations, but even the best defenders in the world get taken out every now and again. Additionally, the Spaniard's stats for the game are creditable overall:
* Passing accuracy: 93%
* Tackles Won: 50%
* Interceptions/Clearances: 8
* Duels Won: 43%
Redknapp makes it sound like Manquillo played a major role in Liverpool's defeat, but that just isn't the case. He is clearly the least of Liverpool's problems - the major problem here is (arguably) the abject failure (once again) of LFC's central midfielders to adequately protect the back-four.
Gerrard and co were well off the pace for the first two goals, and the Palace debacle simply underlines the urgent need for Liverpool to prioritise the signing of a top-class holding midfielder.
Granted, LFC's defence delivered its usual shambolic performance, but without protection from the central midfielders, the defensive unit is fighting a losing battle, especially when it's forced to toil away in front of an extremely unconvincing goalkeeper.
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp slammed Liverpool's performance as 'not good enough', and singled out one LFC player for specific criticism. He noted:
"[Manquillo] looked so poor throughout. Yannick Bolasie put in one of the best performances of the season, but any winger would have fancied their chances against Javi Manquillo".
In my view, this criticism is unwarranted. Bolasie had a good game, but Manquillo - recently hailed by Steven Gerrard as 'brave and ambitious - had nothing to do with any of the three goals conceded by Liverpool:
Goal 1: Came from the left-hand side of the field. Bolasie drifted into space towards the centre of the goal (with none of LFC's midfielders tracking him effectively), and had acres of space to line-up his shot, which cannoned off the post into the path of Dwight Gayle.
Goal 2: Originated on the left once again. Bolasie powered past Lovren, and crossed into the box, where Gerrard and co were once again asleep at the wheel.
Goal 3: A free kick.
Bolasie may have got the better of €6m-rated Manquillo in a couple of one-on-one situations, but even the best defenders in the world get taken out every now and again. Additionally, the Spaniard's stats for the game are creditable overall:
* Passing accuracy: 93%
* Tackles Won: 50%
* Interceptions/Clearances: 8
* Duels Won: 43%
Redknapp makes it sound like Manquillo played a major role in Liverpool's defeat, but that just isn't the case. He is clearly the least of Liverpool's problems - the major problem here is (arguably) the abject failure (once again) of LFC's central midfielders to adequately protect the back-four.
Gerrard and co were well off the pace for the first two goals, and the Palace debacle simply underlines the urgent need for Liverpool to prioritise the signing of a top-class holding midfielder.
Granted, LFC's defence delivered its usual shambolic performance, but without protection from the central midfielders, the defensive unit is fighting a losing battle, especially when it's forced to toil away in front of an extremely unconvincing goalkeeper.
Author: Jaimie K
I repeat: Given the certainty of Suarez leaving and the huge wad of cash, how our front office couldn't come up with a strategy and a list of players who brought skill and work rate upfront, a defensive leader and a nasty defensive Mid escapes me. The front office should be sacked and we should hire Soton's asap! They have improved after seemingly being looted! They kept Clyne and Schneiderlin and brought in offensive quality and didn't spend anything like we did on a crowd of mediocrity as someone else put it.......
ReplyDeleteI am with you except on Markovic. he has played afraid, cant pass, wont make runs, all supposedly his 'exceptional traits' and .quits rather than tracking back. I would loan or sell him... Then I would hire a defensive coach beneath the manager because this needs focus. We look disorganized and tentative and that will make anyone look like crap...........
ReplyDeletei think javi was better than all our defenders..i read on one site claiming jhonson to be the best defender..the most funny thing i read that day..the most lazy player on pitch was GJ that day and has been from a long time..every time he gets the ball , he slows the pace down and eventually passes it to lovren or skrtel..not a single forward pass from that guy and some that he attempted were not accurate.
ReplyDeleteand gerrard just doesnt run at all..i mean you are not there for hollywood balls u ve to provide a better protection..as jaimie said our defenders fights a losing battle..even average players overruns him as if he isnt present there..every time lucas plays that role liverpool do look a better side...but i am sure gerrard will continue to play that role and liverpool will go down
Martin Skrtel is a chemical imbalance that destabilises the entire back four. What exactly is his strength? heading? pace? man marking? organising? reading of the game? I score him 5/6 in each category at best. Skrtel defends as an individual which has a knock on effect of making the entire back four do exactly the same. Manquillo is a symptom of having to play next to someone who should never be allowed to wear the shirt again. There was a reason BR dropped Skrtel in place of an aging, fading Jamie Carragher a few years back and guess what? .. the reason he was dropped then is still the reason he shouldn't play now. He is a complete 'David James' of a player.
ReplyDeleteGerrard no longer works laterally. When we defend he know slots into the back four to make a three and when we attack he gets the deck chair out. Without a goal or an assist Gerrard offers very little and this has been the case since 2008/2009 at least.
ReplyDeleteOur midfield was crap; Bolasie beat manquillo but cut to the middle in front of a walking and then trotting Gerrard.......He is gassed.....can't play a full game anymorelet alone every game! Its madness, pure and simple.....
ReplyDeleteMaybe your point of view on footballing matters would be taken more seriously if you knew that Crystal Palace are called the eagles NOT Blades, that's Sheffield united.
ReplyDeleteFor a long time some people have dismissed the idea of a solid, specialist defensive midfielder like Javier Mascherano, questioning what they add to the game in specific measurable terms. This season has been a long drawn out answer.
ReplyDeleteWould a midfield three of Can, Allen and Henderson perform better? Allen is an effective tackler, Can is a bit more physical and definitely ran harder than Gerrard in the last game, and Henderson we all know is an energiser bunny who can do it all. Maybe it's a case of just dropping Stevie G and using the other players that we've got. A top class midfield signing would be great but Liverpool do have players then can already choose from.
ReplyDeleteShould prehaps focus on the shocking stat that our DM made 0 tackles and our CB Skrtel also made 0 tackles, we all jump on Lovren, but atleast he made a damned tackle... Is there some sort of protest going on at LFC at the moment, the only way I can explain such ridiculous stats...
ReplyDeleteWhy was our worst player for seasons playing instead of Moreno when he is clearly a better player tan Johnson..And If Brendan understood that Fullbacks are responsible for defending first before anything else we wouldn't be slating them...
Just a thought,Bolaise had to be switched to the opposite wing to bring him into the game, or is this fact being ignored, tells me he was getting no joy against Manquillo, so decided to exploit a continually poor Johnson.. Guess what, he ended up with the Man of the Match award....Do we need to say more.
ReplyDeleteYou can see it, I can see it, Brendan refuses to see it. Gerrard is too selfish to accept it..
ReplyDeletePlease for the love of god not Hendo..................get someone else if he is our SG replacement then we are done for. The most overrated player in the league.
ReplyDeleteon the flip side it also suggests Puncheon was getting no joy against Johnson. Bolasie has two devasting games per year.........against us :)
ReplyDeletePalace don't over complicate things. They know that when we come up against power and pace we fold. Whether it be Benteke, Odenwinge, Lukaku or indeed Bolasie we haven't been able to cope with this blend for years.
Gerrard is the problem,full stop.
ReplyDeletethere is a need to add physicality to game..allen coutinho sterling lallana gerrard doesn't add any physicality in the most physical league..they get dispossessed too easily
ReplyDeleteBR needs to drop him and put in Lucas Leiva. Even after a long rest during the interanational break, its clear that Gerrard does not have the legs to play in the DM role.
ReplyDeleteOne thing is CRYSTAL CLEAR - John Henry must demand that B R clears out the rubbish starting with Johnson Borini Lambert - all too slow and tell Stevie Gerard = WILL NOT BE OFFERING YOU A NEW CONTRACT
ReplyDeleteHe won't come out and tell the truth about his good buddy Stevie who disappeared yet again
ReplyDeleteEven Carragher has come out said that Gerrard is a massive problem- 'he's not a protector of the back 4'. Now, Mr. Rodgers, as a defensive midfielder, isn't that one of Gerrard's primary jobs!? Hasn't it always been clear that he's below-par at protecting the back 4!? We had Alex Song probably wishing to the stars that Liverpool ask him to come on loan, yet he's ended up at West Ham U-f***ing-nited. Just another example of how amateur our recruitment strategy is.
ReplyDeleteI love Stevie G but he cant hack it anymore - LAMPARD is better than him now
ReplyDeleteLampard plays in a better team in a role better suited for him...
ReplyDeleteAfter Ludogorets we have Stoke woopdedoo
ReplyDeleteNo tackles from Stevie G against Palace... That's Shambolic.
ReplyDeleteAdding to my earlier point- there is no one in this team more creative than Gerrard. The guy oozes of attacking ideas. Given our current lack of creativity in the final 3rd, wouldn't it be logical to play Gerrard further up the pitch- with albeit less minutes- and to play Lucas in DM?
ReplyDeleteBut at home
ReplyDeleteThat would make sense so we won't do that!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't really see how he can think its Manquillos fault. Like you've stated he didn't exactly have anything to do with the goals.
ReplyDeleteJust because he got beaten a couple of times doesn't mean the loss was his fault.
No excuses then- can't wait
ReplyDeleteDon't listen to Liverpool Echo regarding Rodgers' future. A lot of what they are told these days is disinformation . 'BR sacking not up for discussion'? No chance. They're already looking at a replacement.
ReplyDeleteManquillo was very poor.
ReplyDeletewe need somebody like a Ramires, Enzo Perez, Mvilla or even Javi Garcia is better than the players that BR has collected
ReplyDeletethen perhaps the gaffer should be starting Sakho whenever he's fit
ReplyDeletehe's as strong as they get, yes, his performances haven't been as strong though & he looked lost with the ball for all his games that i've seen
but now that we are already neck deep in trouble it would be a good time to give him a chance to see what he brings to the defence & then see what crap we can cut out
how many CBs have we got?
no, he was decent
ReplyDeletejust my 2cents
Why is it so difficult to see that the midfield needs to provide more help to the defence ? I fail to see why Can wasn't selected. Will we ever have the willpower to use Gerrard as an impact substitute and play a settled defence, full-backs ordered to defend first and foremost and therefore remove the depression through the team. With less to worry about whenever the opposition get the ball perhaps the more gifted players can remember pressing and being aggressive.
ReplyDeleteSuggestion:
Mignolet
Manquillo Lovren Sakho Moreno
Allen
Henderson Can
Sterling Lambert Lallana
...keeping the same line-up, injuried permitting until Sturridge returns. I know it sacrifices Coutinho and i'd like Sterking at No.10 in a diamond when Sturridge returns but we need to stop the rot. Get defenders to defend and a midfield to compete, then let the skillful players score.
Find it interesting that you'd do a whole piece on how it wasn't Manquillos fault, yet use that same piece to have a pop at our goalkeeper who also wasn't in any way at fault (and has been solid for the last few games, not at fault for any goals and making big saves). Infact its the second time you've tried to push blame on him for Palace, even though he did nothing wrong all game
ReplyDeleteThis is what I tell you about the media. Skrtel,Lovren,Johnson and Gerrard turn in yet another horrible performance and obviously Manquillo is targetted. This media targetting is rubbish.
ReplyDeleteDid you see his goal kick? Enough said.
ReplyDeleteHe was the only good defender and made some great blocks.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool and Brendan Rogers have a problem with Gerrard, the man is a legend and it feels wrong to drop the guy. Liverpool need to have crisis talks with Gerrard and persuade him to take on a top coaching role we all love Gerrard and it would be fitting for him to retire at the club
ReplyDeleteBut, I saw one thing from Glen Johnson that just summarizes how poor he is. Two players fight for a header and the ball goes to Johnson. He just lets the ball go thinking he will get the throw in. Obviously, it went the other way.
ReplyDeleteOne mishit kick that ultimately led to nothing, hardly a hanging offence
ReplyDeleteIt lead to the goal my friend.
ReplyDeleteOne mishit kick which ultimately led to nothing, hardly a hanging offence
ReplyDeleteThis is the same fella who didn't realise we were not playing Alonso when we beat the mancs all that time ago. He is a sh1te pundit. Manquillo gave a decent acount of of himself unlike his defensive colleagues
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't the worst, but he was poor. Allen was terrific. by the way...
ReplyDeleteNo that is not enough. It was a disasterous goal kick, but he had a great game overall..
ReplyDeleteMy apologies, I thought you were referring to an underhit kick in the first half. Non the less, its not his fault we cant defend a throw-in half way up the pitch
ReplyDeleteExcatly.
ReplyDeletedidn't realise we were not playing Alonso ?!?When was that, I would really like to read it?
ReplyDeleteTrue. Man we are in some big trouble.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan for just over 10 years, was it ever this bad?
ReplyDeleteHodgson era was pretty bad but apart from that, I do not think so. Houllier, Evans and Rafa had good tenures. The last time it was this bad was Souness I think.
ReplyDeleteHodgson was worse, trust me. There was no light at the end of that tunnel. Rodgers has already shown what he can get this team to do. Give it time, he'll do so again
ReplyDeleteI remember Hodgson. You are probably right, it was worse...
ReplyDeleteI remember Hodgson. You are probably right, it was worse
ReplyDeleteEven though the stats are better for Roy than now, Brendan is mitigate by the fact that others have done so bad and we are only 5 points behind top 4. With Hodgson, we were 19th I think at this point. But, question, when was our defence as bad as it is now.
ReplyDeleteYears ago. Rafa was looking to replace Alonso with Barry. Redknapp on telly said we wouldn't have won the game without Alonso who had not played. Google it you should get it from somewhere.
ReplyDeleteNot agreeing with everything Redknapp said but yes Bolasie got the better of Manquillo, more pace and strength. Im not saying Manquillo was to blame for the goals though, the whole defense was appalling, Skrtel at his old antics, Lovren all over the place etc. LFC did indeed look poor throughout, infact they looked shambolic tbh.
ReplyDeleteWorst still mate Skrtel didn't attempt a tackle. Didn't even try and fail.
ReplyDeleteIf only it was just one problem.
ReplyDeleteI would say he got the better of him sometimes but in the whole Manquillo did his job well. Perhaps it's just comparative the the woeful rest.
ReplyDeleteThe more and more I watch Liverpool play I get the sense that all is not right in the dressing room.
ReplyDeleteThey don't seem to be fighting for each other any more, certain players have the body language of somebody who has simply given up, I don't know, just get a feeling that there are some serious issues amongst the players right now.
Gerrard had this kind of body language when we came second under Rafa. The next season he didn't look arsed. I think he is struggling mire than most after getting close and then losing the best player. When your captain looks like that who gets the team going? The manager can only do so much motivating from the sidelines.
ReplyDeleteIts not just him.
ReplyDeleteHard for me to explain.. Look at Palace and Sunderland last season, 2 teams struggling to stay in the prem but you could see the players trying their hardest, fighting for each other. I look at Liverpool in the past few games and see none of that.
I don't see the players fighting for each other, I see no real fight and that is very worrying
For me that comes from a lack of leadership, lack of enthusiasm and a lack of endeavour.we need to start Plying players with those qualities now. So for me that is Lucas and Toure. Both vocal and enthusiastic. We need to get some chemistry back so that may even mean playing Borini. Hard workers showing what hard work gets.
ReplyDeleteI was I'm favour of the changes we made against Madrid as it was more degensive and it gave people a chance to show what they could do. Rodgers ignored the good performers for the next game. He needs to revisit meritocracy to get the team playing as a team.
gerrard needs to go!!!! no need for sentiment here
ReplyDeleteyep these so called Pundits are Gerrards mates and have been for yearsd drop gerrard and see our defence tighten up!
ReplyDeletehe is one of the main ones!
ReplyDeleteMore manager information: FSG are looking at either giving Rodgers more coaching support (i.e. defence (!)), or they will find an alternative who will work under a DoF. Very likely that the latter would happen, because various reports say that Rodgers is not a fan of extra coaching support. The guy kind of admitted it himself- 'I don't need a Defence coach'
ReplyDeleteIt goes to show that some players can have a positive influence on the dressing room and make a difference even when they are not playing :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree but I do not think BR has it in him to drop the likes of Skrtel, Gerrard, Lorven for a number of games.
ReplyDeleteI fear your right.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't feel wrong at all, its called Man Management.
ReplyDeleteLook how Fergie dealt with Giggs and Scholes who arguably have done the same or more then Gerrard helping Utd win trophies
Both of those players were legends at Utd yet he found a way to get the best out of both of them in the later years without pissing them off, upsetting the fans or more importantly, losing games.
But, why. What has changed? He was pefectly willing to drop Reina, Agger and Skrtel before. Why can he not do that now?
ReplyDeleteExactly - should be higher up the pitch, we have lost all his goals since moving back.
ReplyDeleteYea and Rodgers looked punch drunk- we are in real danger of dropping into relegation zone
ReplyDeleteshould be gerrards role these days ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think Sami might be available soon - to play that is :)
ReplyDeleteAny news regarding hENDERSON AND bALOTELLI?
ReplyDelete---------------LAMBERT
ReplyDeleteSterling--------------------Balotelli
--------------Gerrard
---------Allen---------Henderson.
Gerrard needs to go or be dropped!
ReplyDeletebalo not trainig 2 day Henderson back training maybe used as a sub had a illness
ReplyDeleteMarkovic and Can. Thanks for the info..
ReplyDeleteGerrard is struggling to play 20 mins of a game and definately can't play 2 games per week- just had international break so he should've been well rested yet he looked spent against Palace - he's not alone either.
ReplyDeleteMost Liverpool fans can see playing Steven Gerrard as a defensive midfielder is a big problem.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt the media would turn dropping SG into a huge story.There will be some in the media that won't understand why Rodgers is axing him.They must only watch highlights of Liverpool matches.
Others who watch games but do a Ray Charles when it comes to analysing Gerrard.Allow him to get away with playing the position poorly by giving him the legend pass.Defensive midfield is a specialist position.
Brendan Rodgers' job isn't safe.If he wants to stick around, he's got to do what's best for the team.
BR needs to show strong leadership and drop Mr Liverpool from being our defensive protector.
Kind off..
ReplyDeleteWith Reina it more of the case that he wanted to join Barc and when he though he had the chance he tried to jump ship. He made his own bed and was not prepared to fight for his place. He has proved he only wants the money otherwise he would of dropped his wage demands and gone to Napoli to be their No.1
Agger has admitted that he can not physically play in the top leagues any more. The last few years at Liverpool he could barely play 2 games in a row before getting injured.
Your right with skrtel, the strange thing is he is playing worse now then he was when BR originally dropped him.
i think br was holding back lucas,can and moreno 4 the lodogerts game
ReplyDeleteNot only these three but Carroll and Adam were shafted quite soon after he took over. Br has droppd a lot of senior underperforming player and has experimented with the youngsters and that is why I warmed up to him in the first place. But, now he is just too cowardly to do anything.
ReplyDeleteWe needed the win yesterday and we should have played our strongest team. And, what more rest could they need, it is not like they were in rigorous international duty.
ReplyDeleteWell Carroll and Adam were not his signings.
ReplyDeletePlus neither of them were any good anyway :)
However your right, he has seemed to lost his bottle and instead of giving a young lads a chance because they can do any worse he completely ignores them
It is not as if Johnson or Skrtel are any good right now. What I hate is acting like there are no options. Fine, if you do not want to play Lambert or Borini, play Sinclair. We need to give these guys a chance. Players like Ibe and Texieria should be given the chance to have their careers flourish like Sterling's did. It is not as if they can do any worse than now.
ReplyDeleteI really hope so cos if he starts his buddies Johnson and Gerrard he's finished. Lovren should not play and Toure deserves to start- if Lovren plays we lose if Toure plays we might not
ReplyDeleteIt's my opinion. Get over it.
ReplyDeleteand Rodgers Landlord too if i recall ;)
ReplyDeletehate to say this but can u think of a bad performance without Gerrard this season???
ReplyDeletelast seeason v spurs 5-0= no gerrard
This makes too much sense. Never hated or loved the guy and couldn't put my finger on why till now; perfect comparison as well
ReplyDeleteAn opinion not in any way backed up by facts. And an opinion that I am well within my rights to challenge. Get over it :D
ReplyDeleteYou know this season I actually can't although we lost in Madrid we looked better than at Anfield- SG gives us no protection and can't run so teams target him I feel
ReplyDeleteTrue that Can was good against Chelsea, but he has this disturbing trait of looking completely knackered after every run he makes. He'll do one sprint then spend the next 5 minutes on his haunches wheezing......
ReplyDeleteAgree with picking Kolo, but for Skrtel not Lovren. Lovren might be a good player with a bit of a calming influence next to him instead of someone desperately trying to play the hard man.
haha...what a joke !!..Do you actually believe Allen and Henderson are good enough ?
ReplyDeleteThey are jokers in the name of midfielders.
Tell me even one trait they possess that is akin to a midfielder.
No wonder LFC is an average club because of inferior players like these make it to playing 11 week in and week out !
I wish BR play the same set of players(and the formation) he's been playing all this season.
ReplyDeleteAnd most certainly he'll get a nice sp@nking at the hands of ludogorets , and nobody else can be at fault but his own haughtiness and his sh@tty tactics.
Hopefully this result should serve as the last eye opener to the FSG and co. , and wake them from their long slumber.
FSG must axe him before Christmas as now the club is not immune to relegation battle.
He isn't a footballer.:D
ReplyDeleteHe should try his luck in Rugby or Athletics.
Or may be lesser leagues
An opinion that I am well within my rights to challenge
ReplyDelete