Rangers 1, Liverpool 0: Gaining Fitness and Growing Indifference

By: Noel | October 18th, 2011

Rangers 1 Lee McCulloch 20′
Liverpool 0

It was a midseason friendly dropped in the middle of an important run of games in the league and League Cup for Liverpool, and for all that the clubs might boast of it being a prestigious matchup while pointing to both sides being out of Europe as a kind of justification, it never seemed a game likely to provide much thrill and spectacle. And aside from a few gruesome shots of Liverpool keeper Doni’s broken or dislocated finger and the odd sight of vitriolic Rangers supporters loudly booing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” during a match whose revenue will be used to stave off their club’s looming bankruptcy, in the end it was exactly the sort of dull display most expected.

About the best that Liverpool will be able to take away from proceedings will be that Daniel Agger got in nearly 80 minutes of football returning from injury, and that he looked largely composed despite his recent time spent on the trainer’s table. It also doesn’t hurt that he didn’t seem to be limping when he came off the pitch for Martin Skrtel as the match wound down. Paired with him in the middle, Sebastian Coates also put in a decent performance, largely going unnoticed—hardly a bad thing for a centre half—outside of blocking a low cross in the first that seemed certain to lead to a goal had it gone through to the waiting Rangers striker.

It was a similar story for Fabio Aurelio and Glen Johnson, as both got a chance to work on their fitness in a match of little importance. Things weren’t especially positive for Danny Wilson, however, as the former Rangers defender once again showed that he isn’t a left back—and why he was so easily displaced by the younger Jack Robinson towards the end of last season. In fact, watching Wilson at left back with Agger inside him became rather surreal at times in the first half, as the Danish centre back made four or five adventurous forays deep into the Rangers end while Wilson barely crossed the half way line that many times. In the lead in to the friendly, many assumed Wilson would be given time at his natural position in the middle of defence. That he wasn’t, and that he continues to struggle at the only position he’s been given meaningful minutes at, can only leave his future with the club in further doubt.

The way Rangers scored can’t help but add to doubts, either, with the game’s lone goal coming off a scrambled corner and highlighting Liverpool’s continuing struggles on set plays. Coming midway through a first half that had seen Liverpool with the better possession game while the home side likely had the greater goal threat despite seeing little of the ball, it seemed to encapsulate Liverpool’s issues this season: Struggling to turn possession into chances; struggling to turn what chances there are into goals; and struggling to defend from dead ball situations.

Still, while players like Maxi, Lucas, and the two centre backs all put in generally solid performances, it was hard to escape that on the whole the players seemed largely indifferent. It was a mid-season friendly, and, aside from a few scrappy moments, players on both sides seemed largely happy to just run about for a bit at half speed. All of which makes a generally underwhelming performance—both as a team and individually—mostly forgivable. Though in the case of somebody like Danny Wilson who’s fighting for his future at the club—or who at least should be—it’s a little harder to simply write off that apparent lack of effort.

And if Danny Wilson’s unconvincing performance against opposition that wasn’t especially fired up while he at least should have been is disappointing, it wasn’t anywhere near as disappointing as Andy Carroll’s complete lack of a pulse. It’s a friendly, yes; it’s meaningless, yes. But Carroll has found himself pushed to the fringes of the first team this season, and if he’s to have any chance of working his way back into the starting eleven on a regular basis this was the perfect opportunity for him to show it. Rangers, for all that they’re a quality side, are not up to the standard of the top Premier League clubs, and a fired up Carroll should have been capable of making a meaningful impact on the match—and by doing so, he might have even shouldered his way back into the starting eleven. Instead he appeared the least interested player on the pitch—perhaps even less interested than Fernando Torres seemed leading the line for Liverpool last season—and with the big striker logging a worryingly disinterested ninety minutes, it’s easy to see him being on the bench once again come Saturday and the league match against Norwich City.

In the end, then, that it was a loss doesn’t matter. That Liverpool lost their primary backup to Pepe Reina is a concern, though with Reina’s solid injury record there’s reason to hope that it will play no impact on Liverpool’s season. On the flip side, that a number of Liverpool’s players returning from injury or who have seen little action in recent weeks at least got to run around a bit is a positive, even if it will hardly seem a positive for the supporters who paid money and travelled to Glasgow to watch their club not really play. But the biggest thing that’s left to be taken away from this meaningless/prestige friendly might in the end be doubts: Doubts about whether Danny Wilson has any kind of future at Liverpool, and, even more worryingly, whether Andy Carroll does.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Match Recaps, Team News

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herry christan

Coming midway through a first half that had seen
Liverpool with the better possession game while the home side likely
had the greater goal threat despite seeing little of the ball, it
seemed to encapsulate Liverpool’s issues this season.
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toffin pill

But the biggest thing that’s left to be taken away from
this meaningless/prestige friendly might in the end be doubts: Doubts
about whether Danny Wilson has any kind of future at Liverpool, and,
even more worryingly, whether Andy Carroll does.
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harris kalm

Well it is quiet interesting to about someone, On the flip side, that a number of Liverpool’s players
returning from injury or who have seen little action in recent weeks at
least got to run around a bit is a positive, even if it will hardly
seem a positive for the supporters who paid money and traveled to
Glasgow to watch their club not really play.
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jossef thomson

As we all are aware that a successful team should have all the qualities of fitness and also the quality of brotherhood. Healthy body lead to achieve more success an goals.
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Momoofalgiers

Well, I still think that Carroll needs time to get used to LFC players and vice-versa.Yesterday he was completely isolated upfront, no service had come from our flanks and no straight ball or hoof-ball had come from centre backline either(ask the absentee Carra for such a matter) .After all why Agger would play hoofball when we all know he's good on the ball on the contrary of carra.

As for Carroll,I'd see him more handful if he plays btw lines ala Crouch letting Gerrard and not Suarez spinning on aound him .Unfortunately there will be another issue to deal with if such a tactic takes place,where would we put Adam then?

The dynamic of midfield today says we need to provide more breathing space for both Gerrard and Lucas.To do so we need more verticality on the pitch with no seat left for Adam in the starting eleven whatever is the line-up formation. Our issue is Adam vs Carroll and not Adam vs Gerrard or Lucas.

Without Adam and a well back fit Gerrard on the pitch, someone like Carroll will open a highway to the latter in the 30/40 yards area.Think about it,Carroll can use his upper body to bully the cBs of the opposition,he can also break up the link btw the CBs and their midfielders disallowing any possibility to the opposition of the day to use a fifth midfielder in order to control the game.That way it'll be easier for us to have a quick ball re-possession beyond our half line and take down the opposition by quick counters from their own half...Our ball possession rate will not necessarily incease but our cutting edge will surely do.
gav loves kop

at last after enduring 90 minutes of a tepid andy carroll we can all agree that we paid WAY too much for the guy. A real shame.
Andy

It doesn't matter what we paid for him. It's already been said that Chelsea had to pay 15 million more than whatever the Carroll fee was to get Torres. If we paid 20m for him we'd be in the same boat now.
Jake_LFC

"It doesn't matter what we paid for him."

Absolutely right.
"It's already been said that Chelsea had to pay 15 million more than whatever the Carroll fee was to get Torres." I know that this is what John Henry said, but I'm still sick of hearing it. Also does anyone find it odd that there has never been another deal structured in this way? Or, more simply, why on earth would Chelsea ever agree to a deal like this? What was stopping Newcastle from holding out for 100 million for Andy Carroll? It's just a weird and weirdly convenient explanation for overpaying for a player.
Jake_LFC

format fail. SBN here we come.
Noel

If they can ever figure out how to drop their platform on top of us without it killing the site like last time. So, fingers crossed.
lfc80uk

Well that was an interesting game wasn't it, the passion , the.... Yeah..... It was pretty poor wasn't it! The only two things I took from this game are that Danny Wilson is not LFC quality and should be farmed out in January, thus releasing another Roy Hodgson signing. And secondly, people should not read too much into friendlies. I saw an article last night that questioned LFC's top four ambition, the writer questioned that if LFC could not even beat Rangers, how could they qualify for the Champion League, doom and gloom, the seasons over... LOUD NOISES! In one word ridiculous!

As for the Andy Carroll comments I think it just comes back to the fact that some players can't or choose not to raise their games in meaningless friendlies! Whether, they think they are above it, risk of injury, lack of motivation are all contributing factors.

This game was a good exercise for the injured players but nothing more. Had Carroll got injured in yesterdays game, we would be up in arms. I would rather have a lazy Andy Carroll in a meaningless friendly than an injured Andy Carroll in a busy run up of League and Cup games. His last couple of outings in 'professional games' have been quite encouraging. All he needs is the necessary service, Downing for one isn't setting the world alight at LFC right now. Couple that with trying to fit into the rotating formations being used.I am not going to use the young and raw talent excuse. But I still feel he will come good at Liverpool!
Luis Suarez dentist

Well we are about 1/5 into the season so it's time to look at Liverpool's signings under king Kenny and how they have settled in.

Enrique - Quality. Has probably been our best player so far this season, far more dangerous going forward than our £15 million winger!

Downing - Puts in the odd decent cross. No goals and no assists yet though. Overall is confirming many fans suspitions that we paid way over the odds for a mediocre player.

Adam - One paced. Passes well but tries too many hollywood passes. Can't defend and looks like a passenger in a 4-4-2.

Coates - Clearly has potential, too early to judge him.

Henderson - Has largely looked lost in a Liverpool shirt (promising cameo against the scum aside). Good engine but hard to see what else he adds to the team.

Doni - Haven't seen yet really!

Carroll - Slow, looks disinterested, overweight. One good goal in the derby has been the highlight.

Suarez - Genius.

Overall this clearly shows that paying over the odds for mediocre British 'talent' is not the way forward. A few more like Suarez and Enrique would be great!
Suarez from the car park...

Well, I missed the game cos I forgot it was on!

Sounds frustrating having people out of position like Wilson, but I think he's always going to play second fiddle to others' development for now due to his age.

Add the high blood pressure from the weekend and the Suarez/Evra saga and we all need a little chill out. I know I do.

So here you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
kenny

I think Carroll has the feeling he's a necessity at the club. He and Suarez are the only two strikers who have been shown the reality of the premier league. Bellamy( I don't think... I would like though...) isn't going to be used over Carroll in a situation where Suarez can't play. So, Carroll probably thinks because of his pricetag he just gets to play, maybe not right away, but in and out until he needs to be consistent because of an injury. he knows he can make the bench more than not, and he thinks they paid all that money for a reason, they wouldn't spend that money and not resort to him. I can't see him being like that, but its a suggestion.
Ryan

He might not have been thinking like that, but maybe after scoring in the derby, therefore "making him a superstar game winner", he's decided he's shown his worth somehow. That might have worked for Newcastle fans, but surely he knows that we'll pick him apart even if he doesn't suck in a game.
Noel

Could be the case. But if it is, that's hardly more encouraging for his development than seeming as though he doesn't really care.
kenny

I haven't thought about that until today, I didn't see the game, but just hearing how he was acting in this game gives off that vibe. It probably was just the situation of the game, and nothing to worry about in the future. Certainly something I haven't seen in the past. He's young, he has his days, makes his mistakes. We can only look to the future.
Thomas Hoppe

Has Andy Carroll really been pushed to the fringes of the first team? He played nintey minutes at Goodison a few weeks ago.
Noel

A quick grab of minutes played so far:

Kuyt 455

Carroll 467

Henderson 492

Suarez 593

Adam 635

Downing 677

Lucas 685

Enrique 720
Thomas Hoppe

so...not sure what to take from that incomplete list. Maybe that Carroll is on the fringe of the starting eleven, not on the fringe of the first team like the players you left off.
Noel

That was my intended point—that he was, like Kuyt under Dalglish, a player you don't expect to see in the starting lineup week in and week out, and not that he was a player like Maxi who can barely get a minute. If I didn't make it as clear as I should have, my apologies.
Rosco

Reason for YNWA being booed is solely down to our famous tune being pillaged by Celtic over the last decade or more.

A huge no-no at ibrox.

They stab the grass because it's green around those parts.
Noel

They also booed Fields of Anfield Road and Doni's finger doing a 720, but point taken that YNWA's always going to be a... hard sell at Ibrox.
David Allan

The most entertaining thing all night was the Rangers supporters, doin the bouncy & winding us up. As far as the game we were pish! My daughter said dad who`s the num 9 for Liverpool he`s crap, i couldnt have agreed more.
Geoff Twentyman

This is exactly the type of line up you have to question.

There was no benefit to be had from playing Lucas at all, and the purpose of playing Aurelio as a winger also escapes me when we have such potential in our youth ranks.

I can understand fielding a team consisting of a mix of youth and experience, but to then play Wilson, Aurelio and Bellamy out of position seems ridiculous.

This was a glorious opportunity to give further experience to our younger players, to see who handled the pressure in such a cauldron and it was missed.
NotTooXabi

The question is really the point of the friendly. (The Reserves played today as well).

As Kenny alludes to in his post-game notes...the biggest plus was that Johnson, Agger & Aurelio played solid minutes (and came out unscathed. For now.) So if we assume the point was to get a few guys some match fitness (and provide some charity-gate money to Rangers), attempting to tactically analyze this one is akin to deconstructing the set-up in a 5-a-side kickaround.
Geoff Twentyman

Having realised that the reserves also played, I reverse my point - yes the point is why on earth this was shceduled!
Geoff Twentyman

Whether there's a point to the firendly or not, you've got to maximise the benefit from it, playing Lucas when he needs a rest and playing Bellamy, Aurelio and Wislon out of position is not maximising the opportunity.

Although I suspect the 4-2-3-1 representation of the team set up is more likely to be the lop sided 4-4-2 that is Kenny's preference in which case Bellamy wasn't necessarily out of position.
Thomas Hoppe

Lucas will be serving his suspension against Norwich so it presumably makes sense to keep as many of the other CMs fresh
Jake_LFC

What about Coady? Would he not have had more benefit from playing vs Rangers than for the Reserves?
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Not telling us anything that we didn't already know about Carroll and is so-called talent! The guy really is rubbish!
Geoff Twentyman

Something's clearly not working; I think Kenny wants Andy dropping deep back to goal to receive ball and lay it off before spinning his man and making runs back into the box to get on the end of a Downing cross or a through ball from the right. I think he wants him to play like Aldridge used to back in 87/88 and the change is taking time to come about.

It doesn't help his cause when we don't play to his strengths. Downing should be able to provide Carroll with ammunition from the left, but Aurelio and Maxi are not that type of player. Bellamy is also unlikely to operate as an orchestrator in the final third so I fail to see where Andy was going to get any service from.
Red2death

Even with service I think we really need to be more precise in attack. There were so many times Downing or someone else would whip a ball into the box, and vying for it is Andy Carroll vs 4 defenders. No other red shirt in sight. And we're even not talking about a pinpoint cross here, it's just a routine ball that your average defender will happily cut out every time.

Needless to say that's when all our possession play and fighting for the ball counts for nought because we then just give the ball back cheaply with a hopeful cross to nowhere. Of course I'd still expect Andy to get on the end of more of them given his size, but it's just a flawed way to play - focusing so much on midfield dominance, building from the back, and then not supporting the final ball. If our plan is to pump the ball into the box, then everyone sit back and hope Carroll can somehow get on the end of it and make it a goal, I fear for us.
Momo

Well said