League Cup Schedule, Suarez on Potential, and Other Friday Notes

By: Ed | November 11th, 2011

Most of the day’s action is either wrapped up, currently underway, or about to get going, so we can gradually shift the focus back to Liverpool for the time being, as there’s a few pieces of news worth mentioning ahead of the weekend. Unfortunately nothing about Steven Gerrard’s groin, but at this point most of you can just rely on your imagination for your daily fix.

* One of the biggest stories of the past few days has been Kenny Dalglish’s comments about the scheduling of Liverpool’s League Cup match at Stamford Bridge. We’d all opined about the challenging nature of the schedule—away to Chelsea and hosting Manchester City in league before traveling back to London and playing Chelsea again is difficult enough, but it’s compounded by the fact that the second Chelsea match is 48 hours after facing City.

It’s not entirely out of line, then, that Kenny Dalglish would have some strong feelings about the problems this poses for his squad:

“Manchester City are in a similar position to us with their game at Arsenal and it’s for them to argue their case, but it is my job to stand up for the interests of Liverpool Football Club. Here you have two clubs who have treated this competition with utmost respect over the years and they are being treated like this. I’d be interested to know what the sponsors think of the situation and what it does for the reputation of the competition.”

He goes on to discuss the potential scenarios that would have played out had Stoke City progressed rather than Liverpool, as well as the very real possibility that there will be a vastly different squad for Chelsea from the ones that we’ve seen in the previous three rounds. All of which just indicates that he’s a poor, bitter man who has a thin squad and doesn’t trust his younger players.

Or, you know, that it’s a valid criticism, and underlining the basic truth that another solution would have been found if Stoke progressed. And nobody’s been more vocal than Dalglish about the depth in strength of this Liverpool side, but if they’re asked to play two matches in three days, there’s bound to be some concern about how well the squad as a whole can shoulder that burden. With the Football League already providing their mealy-mouthed response, though, it’s doubtful that anything changes, and while we can expect that Liverpool will have some sort eleven ready, it certainly seems to put a dent in Dalgish’s plans to field the strongest side possible.

* One of the mainstays in the League Cup has been Luis Suarez, who’s notched three goals in the last three rounds, two of which came in impressive fashion in the 2-1 win at the Britannia. And while his performances in the competition have seen goals come a little easier, he’s gained increased attention in league for the difficulties he’s had finishing off the chances that, either through his remarkable solo ability or linking play with teammates, have come his way. And, as you’d probably guess, it’s not something that’s lost on the Uruguayan:

“As a striker I am always going to get plenty of chances and I could probably have converted one or two more,” he said. “I also know strikers go through periods where they are trying so hard to score and they don’t always go in. The main thing is I am playing well and the whole team is playing in the right manner.”

It’s the one criticism of Suarez lately that really has any sort of merit, and we’re probably tired of rehashing it. He gets great chances, should probably finish more. Done deal. But yeah, do that.

* Finally, from a personal perspective, one player that I’m less likely to be patient with is, in a huge shocker, Charlie Adam. There’s plenty for me to pinpoint that I dislike, and while I keep trying to give him a chance, I can’t ignore the shortcomings that have driven me to a point of hoping he’s out of the starting eleven on a consistent basis. Luckily nate over at OYB has a little more even-handed approach to the summer signing, as he’s taken a look at the number of chances Adam’s created so far this season—an apt topic of focus given the general consensus that his addition was largely down to a desire to have more chances created.

After 11 games, Adam’s created 26 chances, more than any other in the Liverpool squad. Suarez and Enrique on 20, Downing with 17, and Lucas with 10 are the only other players in double figures. Adam played 35 games last season; currently averaging 2.36 chances created per game, Adam’s on pace for 83 chances created this season if he plays the same number of matches. Which is 19 more than his total for Blackpool last season. And with Downing, Suarez, Henderson and (sometimes) Gerrard involved, he’s not taking every set play either.

Something I dislike more than Charlie Adam is being forced to try to look at Charlie Adam more rationally, but if I take a step back, then yeah, fancy stat man, you’re right. Adam was brought in to create chances, and he’s done that better than anyone in the squad. And as nate points out, that doesn’t take away from the other concerns about fitness and defensive contributions (or lack thereof). But I guess if we’re doing this whole be supportive thing, it’s only fair to acknowledge that in at least one regard, Charlie Adam’s doing exactly what was hoped for.

That’s all for today, but I’ll be back early tomorrow with any other news and notes ahead of a guest contribution that will run for the remainder of the weekend. In the meantime, with supporters set to spend some serious time on the highway, you can ruminate on how cool it would be to have the name America:

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Team News

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Purify_the_body

I read that article recently at OYB, too, Ed. Don't pay it a bit of attention. Of course Adam creates chances...he's an attacking midfielder. That's his game. He played a lovely through ball to Downing last week. But he's got no business playing in a 2-man CM with Lucas, and number of chances created doesn't change that.

Kenny wants to be Arsene Wenger and win 5-2 every game.
Suarez from the car park...

And a couple of good passes per game are in most reasonable midfielders' repertoire.

I've no doubt we'd see plenty of good balls if Henderson were in the middle aswell as good mobility, some good attempts on goal etc etc.

Nate pointed out how we start brightly and tail off. The midfield has to be a big part of this.
Ryan

Screw it. Bring it. Let's do 6 games a week. I dun giv a fuk. He'll be forced to release the Spearmint. I see no negatives to us breakin' our bawls.
Suarez from the car park...

yeah, and I remember.......lick rooaaaad clean.....think themselves lucky......won't believe ya!
redrk

i hope suarez has saved some for chelsea....
Tony

Has Dalglish ever explained why Guyt is good for Holland and not good enough to start for Liverpool? I like to know. Liverpool seems so energized when he's on the pitch. He's a better version of JS Park and Scott Parker. Look at what those 2 do to MU and Spurs. Dirkyyyy can put the ball in the net too.
Purify_the_body

He doesn't have to explain, because everyone knows 83 caps for Holland and appearing in the CL and WC finals is nothing compared to 1 or 3 England caps and appearing in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Suarez from the car park...

lol.
kenny

Hey! Look! Dirk is on the field! In the picture! It's true!
Suarez from the car park...

screw that. Haven't we proven just how hopeless stats are? If it was just on stats, we would right up there with Sheik Mansour's bellatroupe.

I know, lets count the actual goals we score and take it from there.
Red2death

Hey, this Suarez guy just scored 4 for Uruguay. And only because he wasn't on the pitch towards the end to score any more.

Pretty good huh.

We should get him.
Waiting for Sterling

He scored with both feet and two headers. What else can you ask for?
Suarez from the car park...

he played a blinder tonight. Not sure where Chile stand in the grand scheme of things but his play was still superb.

Hopefully just a matter of time until they fly in wearing red.
Purify_the_body

Chile suspended 5 of their best players for breaking curfew and coming in drunk the other night. Of course Suarez is a genius, but Chile without Valdivia, Vidal, Jara, Beausejour...not exactly the same thing.
Suarez from the car park...

Thanks for that.

It's worth noting that Uruguay just seemed to keep pounding the same drum right through the game.

Relate that to Nate's notes on how lfc, after bright starts, tail off a bit with each third of the game, and change their approach play, with other teams coming back into the game.

Surely the coaches must see that and respond.
JPR

26 chances created and he's not taking every set play either. Every time I look into this stuff it takes me two hours on Guardian or Opta. So, I'll just shoot from the hip. I would "assume" that about half of those chances created were from set plays. So that leaves 13 chances created from open play. How many chances would have been created from set plays had the other guys taken all of them. I'm assuming about 13. So, no additional offensive production for chances created from set plays and 13 chances created from open play. Lucas created 10 chances and he actually plays defense sometimes. Then I have to consider how many chances from open play Spearo would have created had he played every game. I'm assuming Spearo would have created 11 chances from open play. How? At least one more than Lucas. And Spearo plays defense sometimes too. He'll actually wipe a guys ass out in the penalty area without any trouble, no penalty and no yellow cards, either. So, 2 additional chances from open play and limited D and no D after 60 minutes after he is winded. I'm probably being too negative again. 'blanca, fix my ass on this one. But, please, don't go CAPS LOCK on me. I like Spearo to start and Adam at 60 minutes or so if we need a goal. Let's see him in a 3 man midfield too. I'm probably being too harsh. Dirky should have the nailed on starter status before Charlie.
Latortillablanca

i can appreciate where people are going with this, and i was as upset about adam's defensive performances against swansea and norwich as anyone, but ur just beating ur head against a wall trying to detract from what he brings offensively. Why discount the set piece delivery? are set piece deliveries less important than a pass made from open play? people win games and titles from set piece delivery all the time. tell me that with the carling cup on the line there is anyone on the squad other than 26 (maybe steven if his leg doesnt fall off) that youd want to step up to a 90th minute penalty...

and spearing's offensive game is wildly overestimated in general from the adam bashers. he's mobile, he's tenacious, he's positionally good, and he puts in a helluva shift. i think spearing should be given more games in the 2 man mid set up. but that doesnt mean that 11 chances created is better for the team than 26. its basically just multiplying lucas by 2, and thats not good enough offensively. you subtract adam, ok fine, you improve the defensive, no arguments here. but you also subtract from the offense, and who else is gonna pick that up right now? suarez surely cant do anymore than he is doing. hendo doesn't seem too likely so far (although id give him a shot), downing needs to step it up... know what i mean?

defense helps to win championships, sure. not letting goals in helps secure points. sure. but the name of the game is still scoring more than the other team, and with no steven gerrard in the squad, i just dont see what better offensive weapon we have in midfield at the moment not named charlie adam. again, isnt to say he should be starting every game or that we wouldnt be better served giving him two sidekicks to cover his ass so he doesnt kill us on defense, but dont try to take away what he does bring to the table.
JPR

Yes. We are really missing Stevie G. on the pitch. We need that commanding presence that everyone looks to when things are not going to plan and get every player to give that extra 20% to turn a game when needed. He can provide that moment of brilliance that can unlock a game. This, to me, is the critical factor in our midfield (duh) and finding "the machine" for a full 90 minutes.

Their is no other player I would want to take a penalty in the 90th minute or at any time in the game. Adam is spectacular at penalties. I would prefer Charlie over Kuyt and Stevie. He scored 11 penalties at Stoke for a reason. The guy has ice in his veins when the pressure in on to hit a penalty at a crucial time in a match. He is brilliant at these. I would love to know his penalty conversion ratio, but haven't been able to find a source to provide it.

Ok. Set plays. I'm not totally discounting how good he is at set plays. At hitting a "dead ball" and putting it into a dangerous position in front of goal. He is very good at it. I'm just saying that a number of guys can do it just about as well. The team works on set plays in practice. The movement of the guys in front of goal is formulated and options for various situations are developed. Charlie's job is to strike a dead ball and place it into a dangerous position with the coordinated the movement of the guys in front of goal. It's really not that difficult. Yes, he is good at it. But, there are other guys that would be just about as good at it. Shit, I could do it.

I think we have scored 2 goals from 60 set plays. Corners and free kicks. I looked it up a few games ago, can't find it, so this is a guess from what I remember. I know, somewhat due to less than stellar finishing. But, the delivery magic has not worked.

Set plays. I want a guy who can score from a direct free kick anywhere up to 35 yards in front of goal. To be able to strike a ball at pace and place it on goal with whatever you need the ball to do to avoid the wall. I'm thinking....David Beckham. You give me a guy like that, that is deadly dangerous anytime there is a direct kick in front of goal, and I'll agree that he should be on the pitch, irregardless of his weaknesses in other areas. The guys who should take these for us are Stevie G. and Luis, not Charlie.

Defense. I'm going with the condensed version here, I could write 3 pages. Spurs red card. I could probably just stop here. Spurs red card says it all, kind of. We were struggling anyway, yes, but playing a man short gave Spurs a platform to deliver a beatdown. I still have a f***ing headache when I think about it. Sunderland's goal, first game. Flanno got the blame for losing his man. Charlie should get equal blame for not contesting the entry pass. If Spearo was in Charlies position for that goal, the ball is never delivered with such ease, if at all. Wolves goal. (I think it was Wolves) The ball pinged around the area and good fortune found their forward on the line. Charlie was again in a position to move out to their forward to contest the entry pass. Skrtel lost his man, Charlie was rooted to his spot. Goal. Again here, Spearo in that position shuts down that entry pass every time...no goal.

Jonjo's 2 goals from open play for Blackpool against Leeds equalled Charlies two goals from open play for Blackpool in 38 games.

We need Steven Gerrard and David Silva starting. Charlie can bring his magic at 60 or 75.
Latortillablanca

ya man, i ceded the d point ever since the norwich game. even if that improves for charlie, it still wont ever be good enough for what we need in a 2 man mid.

i dont really want luis taking free kicks. so long as there's another option, i much rather have him sniffing out deflected opportunities or parries in the box. adam's that option. plus, i cant honestly remember ever seeing a luis suarez free kick goal. im sure there had to be some in holland or for uruguay... but charlie adam is about as close as you get to david beckham on free kicks... not sure where the argument against that is... all he can do is deliver the corners and indirects into dangerous areas, right? except for the end of game against swansea, he's been basically perfect on that front. its not his fault if those tasty curlers arent being met by his teammates and converted into goals...

ne(eeee!!)way, my point is not about whether adam is the answer in mid, cuz he's not and i dont think he was ever supposed to be... my point is about his offensive game. he's basically as good as it gets at what he does. the only knock i can agree with on his offensive game is he's too sluggish in possession, generally taking too many touches, but even that's been up and down, so no reason to assume he won't clean that up over the season. anything else re: his offense jus seems like unfair opinion...
JPR

Yea. My Stevie G. and David Silva should be starting mention was not really fair. ("You didn't say Adam was the midfield answer"). Sorry.
Latortillablanca

def drool worthy, man. rafa had the boy lined up too...
Suarez from the car park...

Henderson should be played there.

For formations that will never happen, say Gerrard isn't available for Chelsea. Lucas and Spearo as DMs with Henderson in front of them would be interesting.

I just wonder if Hendo's never going to spread his wings until he's playing in the middle, which I'm not sure is ever going to happen.
Latortillablanca

ya that would be an extremely dynamic mid, for sure... playing out of position's good for his development, but ya eventually he's gotta go mid.
Red2death

Stupid Nate.