Liverpool turn back the clock with stunningly average loss against inferior Hull City

The Reds’ display at the KC Stadium would have felt all too familiar for Liverpool fans who have become all too familiarised with their side being ludicrously inconsistent and would be in no way surprised to see them lose to a distinctly inferior side. It certainly felt like the Liverpool of old who managed to dominate possession and large stretches of the match against Hull City but simply failed to convert what few chances they created and then proceeded to leak goals and in turn three points. If it weren’t for Steven Gerrard’s magnificent free kick, the score line would have been even more embarrassing for Liverpool, who had previously never lost to Hull City in any competitive fixture.

Liverpool were of course without the prolific Daniel Sturridge, something they will have to get used to, as it was confirmed the striker will miss up to 8 weeks with ankle ligament damage. The next month or so is crucial for Liverpool as they face the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, if they play like they did against Hull, they could find themselves on the end of a shellacking similar to what City inflicted upon Tottenham just a week ago. If Liverpool are to achieve Champions League football for next season, consistency is key. They simply cannot afford to lose games at inferior opponents.

From the outset, Liverpool had looked a shadow of the team that they have been for the opening 12 fixtures. Possession was sloppy, chances were few and far between and the likes of Victor Moses and Glen Johnson were made to look simply inept by Hull City players. A performance like this should serve as a wakeup call to Brendan Rodgers and his side. Liverpool were mediocre at best, and multiple players simply failed to contribute to the cause in any way. If Liverpool are to return to the summit of English and world football, they must build a squad with depth. It seems as though without Daniel Sturridge and Jose Enrique it could collapse all too easily.

Hull City's David Meyler uses his arms to measure his excitement at his first Premier League goal.

The formation employed by Rodgers at Hull was certainly not the problem, it was rather the players who failed to fulfil their roles. Victor Moses was simply useless, he provided not one chance going forward and practically gifted Hull their opener with sloppy dribbling out of the back, albeit the goal came from a deflection, but nonetheless the ball should have been cleared by Moses rather than fluffing around in his own half. Moses should not be playing against Norwich in midweek, the only adequate, yet harsh, word to describe his performance is ‘useless.’

The midfield was not exactly the problem, with Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Lucas patrolling the centre admirably and controlling possession for large stretches of the game. However, as a team, Liverpool were unbelievably sloppy in possession, something you cannot afford to be in the Premier League, if you lose the ball, teams will punish you, it is that simple. Words never rang more true yesterday as Liverpool conceded three goals after failing to secure possession and not clearing their lines. 

The defence was an absolute shambles, Glen Johnson seemed as though he was going on a Sunday Morning walk every time he gained possession, simply wandering in field and being disposed a huge number of times. Jon Flanagan was better in possession but his passing was wayward and he played in to the feet of Moses repeatedly despite the fact that the Nigerian was being closely marked, the equivalent of simply handing over possession, for Premier League quality fullbacks, that is like taking candy from a baby. Kolo Toure did not look assured, he took too long on the ball and whilst his centre back partner Martin Skrtel may have been an imposing presence neither did enough to stop any of the soft goals Liverpool conceded.

In conclusion, yesterday’s match showed Liverpool the danger of underestimating an opponent, they cannot afford to lose their consistency now, and they Rodgers must figure out how to get his side winning without Daniel Sturridge or it could be a long 8 weeks for Reds fans. Further, defence is a big problem for the Reds and January must see the purchase of a first team quality left back, one or possibly two wingers, and a creative midfielder if they are to gain some consistency in the New Year.

That’s the Rosey Wrap on Liverpool vs. Hull City,

Thanks for reading,

By Jake Rosengarten

RLWC showcases where Union has the edge over League

Last night’s massively one sided quarter final encounter between Australia and the USA which ended with a ridiculous 62-0 score line, acted as a manifestation of the foibles of the 13 man game in comparison to the 15. The Rugby League World Cup brings together the world’s best rugby league nations with the aim of determining who is top of the heap, inevitably either Australia, New Zealand or England are the victors. It is the predictable nature of this tournament and the complete lack of ability of every other nation other than these three heavyweights which suggests that the global outreach of rugby league is slim to nil. If the Rugby Union World Cup was to feature a quarter final in which one side was absolutely outclassed, and destroyed by a margin of 60 or more points, there would be an outcry, that there is something wrong with the game on an international level. However, in the RLWC this is simply the norm, as minnows repeatedly make it to the knockout phases only to be humbled by the likes of the favourites whose sides feature the world’s best players such as Greg Inglis, Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess. It is simply not good for the game to see such a gap in talent between sides at such an advanced stage of the competition, and rugby league officials must recognise this and take steps to developing the game in other countries in order to make this competition competitive in the future.

Hat-trick hero Jarryd Hayne casually shrugs off USA's Matt Peterson in last night's one sided encounter.

As a game, Rugby Union has digressed into an often boring mix of field goals, drop goals and the rare line break in which teams make their way into the oppositions half only to draw a penalty, slot the three points and do it all again. Rugby Union is its own worst enemy; a simple tweaking of the rules of the game could see it return to its rightful place as an exciting loved sport all around the world. The unintelligible rules surrounding scrums, rucks and mauls make understanding the decisions of referees a laborious process, and in addition to this, if teams were discouraged from simply kicking the ball through the uprights at every opportunity then running rugby would return and fans would return in flocks. Union has something that league perhaps never will, a game which has spread to the far reaches of the globe and is played at high levels in leagues worldwide. There are a huge number of nations capable of fielding decent sides for the Rugby World Cup and this turns it into a spectacle in which national pride is on the line and results are important. This is not the case in the RLWC where Australian viewers can simply take no pride from shellacking a poor United States side that could not even put up a fight.

In Australia, the widespread reach of Rugby Union has been quelled by two very important and somewhat fixable factors. Firstly, the shocking performances of the Wallabies as they have been humbled time and time again by the All Blacks, South Africa and the English, matches in which pride is on the line. Moreover, the unwillingness of the organizers of the Super Rugby competition to televise it on free to air television, has meant that viewers without pay TV are simply alienated and unable to tune into the game’s premier competition other than international Rugby. It is practically the equivalent of Rugby League’s much loved State of Origin not finding a home on free to air TV, something which is simply unthinkable as it takes its place as one of Australia’s most loved sporting series. If Rugby Union is to return to the forefront of sporting disciplines in Australia, it must first fix its points system, lessening the value of both field and penalty goals, revisit rules referring scrums, rucks and mauls, they must televise Super Rugby to a wider audience and finally they must restore national pride in the Wallabies, whose terrible form is quickly giving the game a bad name down under.

That’s the Rosey Wrap on the issues surrounding Rugby League and Rugby Union,

Thanks for reading,

By Jake Rosengarten

Match Report - Liverpool vs Reading (14/4/13)

0-0. A score line very familiar to Liverpool fans of late. On a rainy afternoon at the Madejski stadium, a fantastic display from Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, which Brendan Rodgers described as “arguably the best goalkeeping performance [he has] ever seen,” kept Liverpool scoreless for the full 90 minutes. As far as nil all draws go, this match certainly did not disappoint, with a combined total of 20 shots on target and countless attacking opportunities for both sides.

The first real chance of the match fell to Luis Suarez in the 13^th minute after a defence splitting ball from Philippe Coutinho, Suarez succeeded in chipping the keeper but had his effort cleared off the line by Chris Gunter. Liverpool piled on relentless pressure for the first half hour maintaining 60% possession and winning no less than 4 corners, it seemed as though it was just a matter of time until they broke the deadlock and secured a victory. However a story reminiscent of seasons past transpired, with a Liverpool side being unable to secure full points at a side placed well below them on the table.

Reading were kept in the game by keeper McCarthy who was forced to make 4 important saves in the first 35 minutes to deny Liverpool’s attacking force comprising of Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.  Frustration soon became visible in Liverpool’s attacking play with Sturridge resorting to a half way strike, a la Luis Suarez last season at Norwich, which sailed wide and resulted in jeers from a pleased Reading crowd. The first half came to a close with the score board unchanged as Liverpool were left wondering what it was they had to do to beat this keeper and break their duck.

In the first 4 minutes of the second half, Liverpool had the ball in the net as Gerrard found Coutinho whose neat flick beat the goalkeeper only to be ruled offside by the linesman. Liverpool introduced their first substitute on the hour mark as Stewart Downing replaced Jordan Henderson in an attempt by Brendan Rodgers to add some width to his team.

As the second half continued, Reading managed to hold onto some possession as players like ex-Liverpool man Danny Guthrie, striker Noel Hunt and speedy winger Jobi Mcanuff attempted to manufacture a goal which they hoped would provide Reading with an upset victory. It might have been in their grasp had Hunt not been denied by Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina from a good chance in the 66^th minute.  Reina was forced to tip over just 10 minutes later as Mcanuff tested from inside the box.

Luis Suarez came tantalisingly close to giving Liverpool the lead in the 79^th minute as his long range free kick whistled inches past McCarthy’s far post. The last 10 minutes saw a barrage of shots on goal for Liverpool and subsequent saves to deny them by the brilliant McCarthy, strikes from Gerrard, Suarez and Gerrard were all denied in the space of approximately two minutes. As the match entered stoppage time, Liverpool continued to search for an opener with more strikes from the likes of Sturridge (90th), Suarez (92nd) and Gerrard (94^th) which prompted more brilliant glove work from clear man of the match McCarthy as the game drew to a close with the scorers unbothered.

Reading, whose defence is the worst in the league having already conceded 63 goals this campaign, managed to notch up their first clean sheet of 2013 and only their fourth of the season. Liverpool were left licking their wounds as their attacking impotence cost them once more, in a match which has surely cost them any chance which remained of European qualification for next season. With a game against Chelsea at Anfield next Sunday in the offing, Brendan Rodgers will be well aware of the need to make changes to his side if he wishes to secure points in this game.

Brendan Rodgers’ system did not take shape in this match, seen in a distinct lack of wing play, with 65% of their attacking coming down the middle of the pitch. Perhaps, the re-introduction of Raheem Sterling into the side could fix this issue as well as providing more pace and skill in the final third. In regards to their goal scoring issues, perhaps a higher role for Sturridge with Suarez playing off him could provide more space for Suarez and shooting opportunities for the usually clinical Sturridge.

That’s Rosey’s roundup on Liverpool vs Reading,

Thanks for reading,

By Jake Rosengarten

An Analysis of Liverpool's tactical failings - Liverpool vs West Ham (7/4/13)

While watching Liverpool and more specifically Luis Suarez struggle at the hands of lowly West Ham, who may I add haven’t won a match at Anfield for the past 50 years, I realized something. The fact is, that Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool are unbelievably hit and miss, and this is exactly the reason why they are languishing in 7^th place in the Barclays Premier League.

Against West Ham, Liverpool controlled 65% of possession, and were still unable to find the net despite unleashing 20 shots on goal. It dawned on me in this match that Liverpool are far too over reliant on the flashy tricks and flicks of Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho; they lack a striker who can command time and attention from opposition centre backs in order to allow Luis Suarez to roam the area and shark as many goals as he wishes. Sure, Daniel Sturridge was a welcome addition to the Liverpool strike force, but he simply does not add anything, aside from a slightly better conversion rate, than that of what Suarez and Coutinho already bring. This is why I believe that if Andy Carroll can maintain some sort of form and touch he could be exactly what is needed for Brendan Rodgers’ system to take Liverpool to the summit of English football. A big body, who can hold up the ball, add aerial prowess for the likes of Stewart Downing to find in the box and at times someone who can storm through a defence and strike when needed, as he did twice for West Ham against West Brom last week. Yes, Carroll doesn’t necessarily fit the Rodgers system but what he does do is add an extra dimension to the system, he would give time to the wide men, tie up a centre back and provide an extra target.

Another thing that I noticed was the ineffectiveness of Lucas Leiva playing in the holding midfield role; he simply hasn’t been up to par in the last few matches. If Liverpool are to win big matches, and for that matter matches against mid-table opponents like West Ham, they must stop leaking goals and they must have someone who can provide physicality in the midfield, without committing needless fouls like Lucas has been guilty of in recent times. It may just be a poor patch of form for Lucas, but one thing is for sure, Rodgers must provide competition for him in the squad and think long and hard about dropping him if he wishes for an improvement in results. A look at Liverpool’s current squad provides the reason why Lucas has been an almost ever present figure in the side since returning from injury. The other players capable of filling a holding role in midfield in the squad are Steven Gerrard, who is far too valuable further up the pitch to play in this role, and Jordan Henderson, who I would like to see in this role but is currently preferred in a more advanced role alongside Gerrard.

Liverpool are a side who have struggled against top opponents this season, something that they hadn’t been guilty of under the likes of Kenny Dalglish. I put this down to a simple lack of consistency as well as a leaky defence who have conceded cheap goals far too often this season. Albeit, against West Ham they managed a clean sheet but they almost managed to gift West Ham a goal when Lucas Leiva coughed the ball up to Carlton Cole and Daniel Agger managed to save the day with an outstanding block.  Against the current premier league top 6, Liverpool have managed one victory against Tottenham just a few weeks ago. Why is it that a side of the calibre of Liverpool simply hasn’t managed victories in these games? The answer is simply consistency. The current system employed by Brendan Rodgers has far too much of a reliance of Luis Suarez who can be stifled by a very strong or very skilled central defender. There is quite simply no plan B. Luis Suarez is always the target and thus good teams are fully aware that if they stop Suarez, they stop Liverpool.

Overall, Liverpool lack two things. A physical holding midfield presence, similar to the likes of Mohamed Diamé for West Ham, and a strong centre forward, the likes of Andy Carroll conveniently or Christian Benteke. If Rodgers hopes for a top four finish or better next season he must sure up these areas of his squad in the upcoming transfer window and add an extra dimension to his sides attacking play that doesn’t revolve around Luis Suarez’ fancy footwork.

That's Rosey's roundup on Liverpool vs West Ham, 

By Jake Rosengarten

The Purpose of this Blog

Hello and welcome to the first post of the Rosey Wrap!

If you are reading this you have stumbled onto a gold mine of sports journalistic articles, which I implore you to read and comment on. My name is Jake Rosengarten, I am a 17 year old from Sydney, Australia in my last year of high school and my aspirations after completing my final year of school (finally) are to become a sports journalist. 

On this blog, I will be posting articles which cover a wide range of sporting topics, including, but not limited to: English premier league football, cricket, and AFL. I will attempt to write an article every two to three days but this will not always be possible, because as most people are aware the life of a year 12 student is an overwhelmingly hectic one.

I am very passionate about sport, and often have trouble juggling the many teams I support in numerous sports. I am a massive supporter of Liverpool Football Club (EPL) as well as maintaining a following of the Sydney Swans (AFL) , the Sydney Roosters (NRL) and the Australian cricket team.

This is my first attempt at writing serious articles and any feedback is greatly appreciated. I vow to take on any advice given to me (within reason) and am keen to improve my writing as much as possible so that I can one day, hopefully in the not so distant future, secure a job as a professional sports journalist.

Thank you for your support,

Jake Rosengarten