Liverpool 0, Wigan 0: Supporting Liverpool is Fun

By: Ed | December 21st, 2011

In a match in which the build-up was impossible to ignore, Liverpool once again work themselves into a corner, failing to create anything dangerous in a match that they ultimately looked lucky to get a point from. It’s always the same story with this iteration of Liverpool—looking promising early, create a few clear-cut chances, and then piss it all away with dire football that isn’t deserving of three points, let alone one.

The main talking point of the lead-in was whether or not Kenny Dalglish would be including the recently-banned Luis Suarez in his eleven, which, given the fact that the entire squad (including Suarez) warmed up in t-shirts with the Uruguayan’s image, name, and number on them, became a no-brainer. As expected, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez came into the squad, with the latter starting the match just off Suarez in attack and the former opposite Stewart Downing on the flank.

And everything was all well and good for the opening twenty minutes, with Liverpool taking the lion’s share of possession and doing plenty to make us forget about the misery off the pitch. They poured forward and dominated possession, coming close a number of times both from open play and from set pieces. Rare were the forays forward from the hosts, who often had ten behind the ball and were scrambling to avoid conceding.

adammiss The more the hosts scrambled, the more Liverpool huffed and puffed, and while at one point it only looked a matter of time, the guests ran out of gas, settling into a less aggressive style of play that allowed Wigan back into the match. It was a terrific early effort from Roberto Martinez’ squad, who looked overwhelmed but never panicked, and got confident play from Ali Al Habsi to stabilize a defense that was more than a little shaky.

A few Liverpool chances here and there marked the rest of the first half, the best of which was fired on goal by Dirk Kuyt and saved well by Al Habsi. Wigan tried from range but found no joy, and a Victor Moses end-to-end run caused Liverpool’s defense all sorts of problems as the hosts piled on the pressure. Neither side found the breakthrough in what proved to be a very even first half, and one that had begun to look painfully familiar for Liverpool supporters.

The opening five minutes of the second half looked to change all that, first with a free kick in a dangerous area tipped over by Al Habsi from Suarez, and then from a penalty on Gary Caldwell after Suarez flicked one over his head with his back to goal. Charlie Adam stepped up and delivered a near-replica of Andy Carroll’s effort at Chelsea, though, and from there Liverpool were on the way down. A quick succession of chances for Dirk Kuyt in the 67th and 68th minutes, first from a clever Adam free kick and then from a Suarez cross, rounded off most of Liverpool’s threat on the day. Wigan tested on the break and looked comfortable, and were well deserving of at least a point on the day.

*

We can talk all we want about the encouraging signs and the potential in this squad and just how good they’d be if they could finish, but that does nothing to satisfy the desire to see them succeed right now. And the truth is, they’re just not at the point we want or expect them to be at, which is among the league leaders that can put in consistent, match-winning performances week after week. That they’re only two points off the fourth spot right now seems like a miracle, and it can only leave us shaking our heads and wondering what could be.

There’s a number of things that went wrong tonight beyond the lack of cutting edge and missed penalty (the fourth of the season for Liverpool in five chances), and nearly all were culpable. They were most vulnerable on the break and through the midfield, where Wigan exposed far too much space in attacking a back line that looked out of sorts for the first time in weeks. It’s not like there was any cohesion going forward either, with Luis Suarez on an island at times up front and little meaningful support provided after the opening surge.

One of the only bright spots on the day was the resurgent performance of Jose Enrique, who gave Kenny Dalglish urgency going forward and a physical presence to break up anything Wigan tried to put together down their right flank. At times he was the only source of attacking impetus, and that he still proved capable defensively speaks to just how good he was on the day. The two young midfielders also looked decent enough, with Jordan Henderson again playing well centrally and Jonjo Shelvey contributing in attack after coming on in the 72nd minute. And while they weren’t as solid as we’ve come to expect, it’s another clean sheet for Pepe Reina and Liverpool’s defense, who didn’t receive any of the support that’s been so useful in the past few weeks.

Beyond that it’s hard to find many positives in a match that so desperately cried out for them. Like so many of you, I wanted badly for Luis Suarez to shine, and while he was impressive in fits and starts, he couldn’t get anything together that stuck. Dirk Kuyt worked hard but failed to find a final product, and Maxi looked slightly off playing centrally. And it was another disappointing display from Stewart Downing, who was lacking pace and, aside from a couple driving runs sprinkled throughout the match, didn’t have any lasting impact on the match. Same goes for Charlie Adam, who didn’t offer much defensively and was lacking influence after a string of impressive displays.

So it’s pretty much all negative, and at least for now, that’s probably okay. There’s not much time to dwell, with the unrelenting holiday calendar offering little time for navel-gazing. And at least it’s the same old story—Liverpool need to be better and do it more more consistently.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Premier League

« Matchday: Liverpool v. Wigan | Home | A Year on the Liverpool Offside: The January Window Closes »

Deestinct

This is crap...I'm sick of this...we don't deserve anything this season...
prad

If Gerrard plays, he takes the penalty.
If he doesn't, Kuyt does.

Don't know why he have to mess with that equation.
CTRed

Any full match downloads available?
Ed

http://liverpoolfcclips.blogsp...
Redarmy

Some things I think I didn't like:

a) Throughout the season we've seen Adam doing some good things, doing some bad things. It's pretty clear to me that he is what he is - an average player - A nice player to have on your team if you're fighting relegation, but not so much if you're chasing the UCL spot. A team with aspirations cannot afford an average player in this oh so important central midfield position.

b)Having played almost half of the season and having scored less goals than strugglers like Blackburn and Bolton, I think our shortcomings in front of goal cannot be blamed on bad luck alone. One major reason IMHO is our way too defensive set up, vs Wigan it looked like a 4-6-0 at times. With the great play of our keeper and our back4, I think we could definitely afford an extra striker lumbering around the penalty area.

c) I understand that we want to create some sort of pass and move Merseylona, always looking for the easy pass, nutmeg here, backheel there... but how about some more direct play? How about shooting on goal for a change? How about showing those midfielders some footage of Gerrard goals?
redtrev73

When your home has been burglarised the day after the FA clusterfuck and you survey the wreckage of your back door and the gaps under the tree where some cowardly fucks stole children's Christmas presents, you should be entitled to a little solace from your team as they take on 'inferior' opposition....yes?

No.

Instead what we got was 'Clusterfuck 2: Redmen at Wigan'. I am fond of the goofy bastard, but if Chaz Adam had been in my general vicinity last night he would have suffered a torturous fate second only to that awaiting the sub-human scum that entered my property and stole from me, my wife and my daughter. So yeah...thanks fellas, you really lifted my spirits. Ho fucking ho.
RedDownUnda

Speechless RT, so sorry you and yours have had to go through that. Firm believer in 'what goes round, comes round', so somewhere out there some nasty shit is coming down on those that deserve it most. And you should look forward to some double bonus points hitting your Karma account. So stay well, enjoy Christmas the best you can and remember You Don't Walk Alone old son. Cheers.
redtrev73

You're a gentleman RDU. Thanks for the kind words. Let's hope our team can benefit from a swing in the karma balance too. No more woodwork please!!
DJ-Chutfield

Shit Trev, really sorry to hear that. What a bunch of cowardly, selfish pricks. When you do get your hands on them, I'm sure you've got plenty of violent and willing hands on this blog to help you remove their faces from them. But yeah, do go on and try to enjoy the holidays and all that.
redtrev73

That's an image right there DJ...a horde of vigilante Redmen from The Liverpool Offside!! Thanks mate, appreciate the good will. Hope you and yours enjoy a nice holiday.
Ed

Well that's fucking terrible. Sorry to hear that, hope you're all safe and able to push on and enjoy the holidays together.

And let's hope Boxing Day's a little kinder, yes?
redtrev73

Thanks Ed. Y'know what? I'd like to say it puts football in perspective, yada, yada, yada... but all it did was highlight the centrality of LFC to my mental health. Appreciate the good wishes man.Same back to you and yours.
Seaster

Thats a right balls Trev, hope the karma gods get busy with the scumbags.
redtrev73

Cheers Seanster. I am RAGE
Luis Suarez Dentist

Don't worry i'm sure the FA are compiling evidence right now and will shortly contact the police to arrest Suarez for robbing your house!

Seriously though: Hope the scum who did that get caught, can't think of many things lower than stealing kiddies presents.
redtrev73

Thanks LSD, top man.
Waiting for Sterling

"And Luis Suarez gets 'Pool off the mark with the 20,000 EPL goal."

What could've been always seems to be LFC's story of late. After being forced to stop watching the game in the 70th min due to work, I couldn't help but be anxious for the next 6 hours to come. It was a long day of hard work (I'm a stockboy) because of a large order that came in and after seeing the scoreline on my smart phone I couldn't help myself letting out obscenities in my car in my stores parking lot. I think this title (wish it was mine) that defines Liverpool right now.

If I have anything to say about whats going on, I would suggest that Downing just can't play as well as Andy. A top four of Bellamy, Suarez, Maxi and Dirky would put a smile on my face. I know Luis is the only one below 30, but we need some damn results.

Aaahhh, I've already written enough, Ed summed up pretty well how most of the supporters are thinking. There's just not much to say, unless your a Manc fan in disguise. Then, I suggest you leave because if your looking for a fight I'm sure you would lose out to just everybody on this blog.
Reba

Suarez needs a break. Not necessarily an 8 week FA-enforced break, but a break nonetheless. His year of non-stop play is starting to show in a big way. He needs to rest his body and his mind for a bit.

Also, Carroll needs a run of games without Suarez. Clearly the partnership isn't working, and we've assumed the problem is Carroll. However, I don't know if anyone has noticed, but Suarez isn't that much better than Carroll at finishing his chances. Suarez's movements are much more impressive, but the results of said movements aren't markedly superior to Carroll. I believe that Carroll has the potential, and it would be interesting to see how he combines with Bellamy/Maxi/Kuyt.

January is key. It will be interesting to see if we spend, and who we get in.

Finally, let's put this in a bit of perspective: this time last year, Liverpool sat in 12th place in the table, and finished 6th. Tonight, we sit 6th - only 2, yes, TWO points off 4th.

Deep breaths. It's okay. We will get through this.

YNWA
Redarmy

Good points. It's about time to get a look at Andy as the featured striker, I mean can it get any worse in front of goal?
Red

Can someone explain to me why Charlie Adam took the penalty when Kuyt and Stevie have been our regular penalty takers? I know Charlie took penalities for Blackpool (methinks), did Kuyt not want to take one? PS Suarez missed a penalty earlier in season, so did Kuyt and so did Andy - all of them have been poorly taken.
purify_the_body

I think you answered your own question, no?
jpr

I think we are something like 1 for 7 in penalties now. Shit, we can't even finish penalties. You know finishing is a problem when you can't even convert penalties.
Ryan

So, I was planning on criticizing the teamsheet again, but, really. Was it supposed to be that difficult, no matter who was playing? No matter what Adam did against Chelsea, Manchester whoever, I don't care. He deserves a kick in the teeth. His place in the team has become concrete way too fast. Same with Stewart Downing. Neither one of them deserve to start in the next game. Bellamy has been nothing short of excellent, and yet he has to fight for scraps while they forget they're fighting for the top 4, not fighting out of the bottom 4.

Adam, You're supposed to give us good penalties, good freekicks, good corners, and distribute the ball nicely while providing some midfield cover for the defense. You didn't do a single one of those things. You missed a penalty, kicked the ball into the wall(even in the dying minutes), your short corners keep forcing us to "push" the ball into the net (never happens), every Red watching was afraid when you had the ball because you gave it away so goddamn much(with both feet, and his head), and watching Moses part the Red "sea" was laughable. BENCH

Downing, where did we go wrong? What were you doing so well the first few games that we enjoyed, that you aren't doing anymore? You did set up that good cross to "whoever" that was supposed to be put it away, but other than that, where were you? I think Enrique had such a good game because he was doing his job AND your job. What the hells that, bra? Can't get past the uber-strong Wigan defenders bra-man?? BENCH

Henderson, thank you for running your ass off. I hope to see you and Spearing in the next game together.

Rodriguez, Fowler knows you were a wee bit out of position, there. You looked a bit more willing to try than Adam and Downing, but it just wasn't coming off. Your substitution can be justified, but I'd rather have seen Downing go off. Again, I've said it before and again, Dalglish's lineups really confuse me. Maxi played a veery fine game in midfield against Chelsea last season. Enrique could give us width, Downing could come in to help defensively, and Henderson could play behind Suarez? No? oh. Why not? El, ok.

Suarez, you're being let off the hook because you're just so scandalous. But boy do I wish to see another striker along side you to pick up your sloppy seconds.

Kuyt, you dirty dog you. You did everything right in my opinion but finish. Which is not really acceptable with this Liverpool team at the moment. But you were getting yourself into more striker-like positions than Suarez, yet still offering us what we needed on the right.

How about that clean sheet, eh eh?

Next game:

----------Reina--------------
Glen--Skrtel-Agger-Enrique
-------Spear-Hendo---------
Bellamy----Shelv----Maxi--
-------------Kuyt------------
purify_the_body

"the quality is just not there"

Hard to argue with the dentist. We are 6th in the table, we've been there for a while now, and it looks like that's where we'll stay. We have Man City three times in January, then Tottenham-ManU-Everton-Arsenal all in a row starting in February. I'll be surprised if we're not in 6th on February 6th, when Tottenham come to Anfield.

How can you move up the table without goals?
Tony

I write this with tears. We can't. We have improved from last season. Damn. So have the other 5.
Waiting for Sterling

Three 6's. God help this team.
CHELSEA FAN

HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!! WIN CHELSEA TWO TIME BUT DRAW WITH RUBBISH TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LIVERPOOL JUST A CHICKEN LEG TEAM!!!!!!!!!!! HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHAME TO BE A CHICKEN LIVERPOOL FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ryan

Very good point there, admiral. Very good indeed.
jpr

Ed is rocking and rolling with the magic eraser. You GO Ed!!! Now we've got responses to blank space. Makes us look a little psychotic. Which, of course, considering recent events, we probably are.
Ryan

I don't think "Guest" is getting anything from Santa this year.
Ryan

oh, woah, excuse me there.
jpr

Can you please go take an English correspondence course so we can know what you're trying to say before we respond. The Chinese sentence structure, 3rd grade vocabulary and CAPS lock key are a wee bit confusing. And let us know whether you are an AVB or SAF guy. They both suck. But, we need to know which of the two you support.
ChrisLFC

Louder, please....can't hear you.
MANCHESTER UNITED

FUCK!!!! THE CHICKEN ADAM MISS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! CHICKEN LEG REALLY CHICKEN LEG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONCE AGAIN DRAW!!!!!!!!!! CHICKEN WANT TO GO FOR FIRST FOUR IS REALLY JUST A DREAM ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK U!!!! CHICKEN LIVERPOOL!!!!
Ryan

Guest, your taste in men is...well...overwhelming.
Ian

o_______o
Jose Enrique's bicep

Jesus Fucking Christ
jpr

Jesus Fucking Christ 2. And a bottle of rum.
Yann

Can we get him in the January transfer window? If so, how much?
Red2death

We already signed God - twice.

... And it was good.
Gadsby

20mil, and it's likely he'll be wasted in defensive midfield.
jpr

January shopping spree AND a defensive AND a creative midfielder!! Yea boi!
Suarez from the car park...

Dembele and Odemwingie.
Andrew Mackintosh

For 20 million each.
jpr

$2.0 mil each. Recession has hit!!
Jon in CUO

I thought Glen played pretty well on the day. He seemed the most influential player in red for a large part of the first half, at least.
Ed

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Like others have already said, though, please Glen. Just chip it. Round the keeper. Blast a hole in his chest. Something.
Suarez from the car park...

just a chip, just a chip Glen..........
Ryan

Chip it, Glen!!!
Mike

He can't; all of his chips were stolen by Evra for his shoulder.....
DJ-Chutfield

Like I've already said in my eternal eloquence...
NNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRAHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Ryan

You sir, are a RACIST. We have witnesses...the corner flag, the grass...
DJ-Chutfield

Shit, ya got meh! I'mma go tie my ankles together and swan dive into shark infested waters, shooting myself in both kneecaps on the way down... it's what the FA would want.
Red2death

Boys were guilty today of one unforgivable sin not seen since the days of Hodgson - wanting it less than the opponent.

And Charlie Adam, my goodness. Just let Suarez take the penalty, after all he's going through. In fact you should be giving him the ball on a plate. And when taking a spot kick, striding up confidently and stroking it home only works if you actually score dammit!

Not that I'm blaming Adam for dropped points, mind. We shot ourselves in the foot today and there were many fingers on the trigger.
Suarez from the car park...

I am blaming him.

Our quandry is about stepping up to the plate. It's a question of character.

Adam has been determined to be the penalty taker and the height and position of that pen was shocking.When things aren't going well, the midfielders have to seize the game. If you get a pen (brilliant from Suarez again, how did he even see it was handball????). Keep it simple but effective.

the front guys need to be heros, and not just them. that's the job description.

I still think this team's time is the run in, the last 10 games. It takes time for a team to progress, but boy am I getting annoyed on the way.

Yesterday was like a stake to the heart. I should stand up for decisions against anything racist but so many things seemed wrong with this, not least the FA deciding to have a big eye on Fifa/Uefa.

Today was the opportunity of using the pitch to put things right. We didn't take it and I'm not happy about it.
Red2death

Too many substandard performances to just blame Charlie. I don't want to have to wait till the run-in. Might as well say next season we'll be great and the season after we'll be purring like Barca. Fair enough, the future is bright, we all agree. But guys like Adam, Downing, Bellamy, Enrique were brought in to ensure we don't have to wait that long and suffer this season while rebuilding.

They were not pulling their weight.

I just didn't see the desire today, regardless of what Kenny might have said to the journos about our fighting spirit and how he can't for more out of the lads. I hope he's giving them the hairdryer treatment in the privacy of the locker room.

And I'm not sure getting different players in January will do it either. Come on, this lot are at least talented enough to put away Wigan. They're just affected. Missing the fire. When you're wearing the shirt, being outhustled is inexcusable.

Well, now back to the media circus and Suarez's presumed guilt. At least it's only for less than a week. We really need to win everything up till City. That'll give us 13 points from these 6 matches - even then still a disappointment, but hopefully it doesn't get worse.
jpr

The weight of the last two days on their collective shoulders was clearly evident. Given the recent circumstances, it is difficult to not lose focus and belief and get distracted from our objective. We need to rally around a common cause, trust in each other and reaffirm the righteousness of our struggle to achieve that goal. The coaching staff needs to recognize the unsettling nature of recent events on the teams psyches and address the issues from a psychological perspective. It's too natural for them to only recognize the challenges created within their own persons and not realize that the entire team needs to be reassured in the circumstances.
Luis Suarez dentist

The problem is that there were a lot of players out there Downing, Adam, Henderson, Shelvey who are not top 4 players. Yes they all have a few decent moments in most games but overall the quality is just not there.
Lis

Shelvey is 19 and this is his second(?) apperance with the club this season. I think it's too early to write off his quality. I also think that Henderson is very decent, but needs to develop way more and if Charlie Adam doesn't play well then Hendo's faults are more emphasized.
Suarez from the car park...

but isn't that the point?

Why spend the kind of money on Henderson if it's going to take 2 seasons before he becomes an integral part of the winning process?

Downing, Adam and Bellamy, the seniors brought in, don't look like they're going to get us top 4. A lot of people would have predicted that there is not a 10 goal/season player amongst them.

Shelvey is young and will get occasional games, but the priority has to be finishing surely.

Still think we can't expect too much till the run in at the end of the season, but it's a painful journey right now.
jpr

Jonny? If I have to wait until the run in, by then, I'm going to be a complete alcoholic and probably a United or City supporter. Can we PLEASE find a goal scorer? January? We need to make it happen! Don't know if it's possible for January, but wee Kenny, actually hold that thought, I mean wee Comolli/Henry better start looking now. And can we PLEASE get Stevie healthy. His groin hurts, his dong hurts, his ankle is swollen, bacteria attacked his ass.... I don't care any more. Just Fuckin fix it!! We got the FA jumping on our shit for saying bad words during the game, red cards to deal with, twisted ligaments, shattered identities, assorted psychological disorders, Scottsman getting slapped their entire childhoods and you name it to get sorted. Kenny needs to be a damn Magician. Let's get crackin, pal. Time to roll... NOW. Let's not wait till the run in, it may be too late by then.