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