Tottenham 2, Liverpool 0: Blah

By: Ed | May 15th, 2011

suarez

Spurs come away with a deserved win over a less than impressive Liverpool.

For all the pre-match talk about the big occasion and Liverpool capping their resurgence by cementing a European place, this one turned out to be as much about looking to next season as it was about finishing off this one. As the final whistle drew near, it seemed like there was a general sentiment that, while it would have been nice to see everything go right on the pitch during Liverpool’s last home match and the first after Kenny Dalglish’s contract agreement, there’s still been plenty to celebrate in the recovery of a season that seemed like it was beyond repair. Disappointing, yes, but a whole lot to look forward to.

With Andy Carroll returning to the starting lineup and Raul Meireles exiting, the hope was that we saw more cohesion moving forward and the development of a partnership that’s going to drive Liverpool forward for years to come. Luis Suarez had been on top form coming in, and getting Carrol back in the lineup would allow for the January arrivals to get a jump-start on next year’s campaign.

It was Spurs who came out of the gates with more urgency, though, and they were dominant in the opening minutes. Liverpool’s been at their worst this season both home and away when the opposition sets the tone, and today was another clear example of the type of passive play we’ve come to loathe. For Spurs it meant a goal inside of ten minutes; their fifth set piece in the Liverpool area was finally converted by Rafael Van der Vaart, as his deflected effort spun over the head of Pepe Reina and into the far corner. A deserved lead for the guests and a worrying start for Liverpool, who we’d all expected would continue their form from Monday’s spectacular win over Fulham.

Spurs gradually relinquished control and Liverpool grew into the match as the half progressed, but they never really hit top gear and looked more than a little disjointed getting forward. It was frustrating to watch and, as we saw in the 20th minute, apparently frustrating to be a part of, as Luis Suarez was booked for putting a boot to Michael Dawson after the central defender hit the deck without much help and lashed an arm out at the Uruguayan.

The frustration continued until the 35th minute when Liverpool finally had their first real chance of the match through Jay Spearing, who dragged a left-footed shot well wide. They had another chance four minutes later, as some good work from Martin Skrtel on the right left Andy Carroll with a clear header at goal, but his effort ballooned over as Carlo Cudicini scrambled to get back in front of goal. Carroll was again involved in the last chance of the half, after the foul he drew led to a free kick for Luis Suarez just outside the penalty area. Suarez curled it past the near post, though, and Liverpool ended the half without a lead for the first time in four matches.

I think we all expected that Liverpool would come storming out of the gates in the second half, so it was plenty concerning that we didn’t get anything close to it, and the problems were magnified when Spurs added to their lead ten minutes after the restart. Steven Pienaar and John Flanagan closed down on one another on the left edge of the Liverpool penalty area and, just before entering the box, clattered shoulder-to-shoulder and hit the turf. It looked like the contact was shared and initiated outside the area, but, in a turn of events that Liverpool supporters are all too familiar with, Howard Webb wrongly awarded a penalty. Luka Modric sent Pepe Reina the wrong way, Spurs had their second, and as long as Liverpool continued to stumble, the match was out of reach.

And that unfortunately proved to be the case, with Liverpool unable to put much of anything together for the remaining forty-odd minutes. Jonjo Shelvey’s introduction livened things up for the first few minutes he was on the pitch, but Spurs’ defense turned Liverpool away anytime they started to look threatening and had little trouble containing an attack that scored 13 goals in their past three matches.

It’s easy to point to the addition of Andy Carroll as the main problem for Liverpool today, and while I think there’s credence to it, the absence of Raul Meireles looked to be much more impactful. The Portuguese midfielder has been a mainstay in the starting eleven and been one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers, and when Liverpool are at their best Meireles often has a part to play. His constant movement and distribution were sorely missed today, and I think the impotence of Carroll, Luis Suarez, and Dirk Kuyt up front were indicative of that. The front men weren’t alone in their struggles, though, as we saw Lucas and Jay Spearing lose the midfield battle to Luka Modric and Sandro, and little to speak of at the back.

Today went just about the opposite of what we’d hoped for, and if today was supposed to be a celebration of the massive turnaround that Liverpool’s experienced in the past four months, it’s got to be seen as a disappointment. What we saw today, though, is still a part of that turnaround, and it doesn’t erase any of the positives of recent weeks or Liverpool’s Europa League hopes. It does, however, provide a stark reminder that this summer is a tremendously important time for the squad.

One match left and still something to play for, and, regardless of today’s result and whether or not they get the help they need from Birmingham, Liverpool will finish this season having restored our belief that better days are on the horizon.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Premier League, Team News

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RedDownUnda

Sorry guys, it's all my fault. Ed did his bit by refusing to predict a winning score, and I'm sure Sir GalahadThreepwood slept in his team shirt, but I forgot to make sure the wife trashed the car again. I mean shit, have I got to nag her every Friday?

"Yeah, just the newspaper and a bottle of Chateau Muddy for me darling. Oh and don't forget to get into some dickhead 18 year old to wipe off the side of the car again. Cheers."

I mean, is it too much to ask? It's about winning; and it's worked the last four weeks. Don't mess with a winning formula. Next week - I promise. I'll take to the fucking car myself with a hammer if she can't sort it herself. If you want something done properly....
lfc80uk

I knew it!
Scottytoohotty

The best part of that game was when Jonjo Shelveys penis sent Sandro flying into the stand
DJ-Chutfield

I'm not sure if we need a new central midfielder with Aquilani's potential return (May 15th having been the rumoured deadline for negotiations with Juventus). A midfield rotation of Lucas, Gerrard, Meireles and Aquilani along with youngsters Spearing and Shelvey, I think we're quite strong in the middle of midfield.

Defence is our absolute top priority in my opinion. Left-back has been lacking since Riise left and centre-back needs a lot more depth. Once these two requirements are met, only then can we think about wingers. A pacy attacking leftback can fulfill the same duties as a winger anyway a la Johnson in the half of his first Liverpool season. Ball-playing centre-backs and left back are absolutely mandatory.

As for today's game, I have nothing to add that hasn't already been said by those who beat me to the punch. Disappointing, but ultimately not the end of the world. I love how the kid that got nailed by Sandros' shin tried to suck it up and act tough for Johnson. "Can't let Glenn Johnson see me cry! *stiff upper lip!*"
wak

i think the cntre back also need new signing. agger is pure class, but as we all know, he is made of glass...so, i think, instead of playing carra and skrtel every single match and let them clear the ball into orbit, we should buy a ball playing center back... someone like david luiz, like agger himself....by doing that, we wont be losing so many ball possesion...
Yann

Kuyt, love him to death, is not as effective out wide as he is up front and really shouldn't be lumbered with that responsibility. A while back the Anfield drums were beating for N'Zogbia and I'd happily take him over Jose Enrique, having closely watched them both recently. He's skillful at speed and can finish, which I think is a prerequisite for any forward of centre player Liverpool brings into the squad next reason. We need to become more potent because I can already see too much weight being placed on the shoulders of the sensational Suarez. His frustration showed. Over the course of a long season, the ferocity of the Premier League could wear him down. He's too valuable to over-expose and attacking options are crucial for our top 4 aspirations.
Sam

What does N'Zogbia have to do with Enrique? We're definitely buying a left back and definitely buying a winger. I doubt N'Zogbia will be one of the wingers, but his potential purchase has absolutely nothing to with Enrique.
Yann

Stiff shit if its got up your
goat but I wasn’t professing to offer a tactical masterclass. I’m simply making
a comment about our need for pace and width, and stating a preference. Yes they’re
not apple to apple but both play on the left and for what its worth, N’Zogbia has
been known to play left back when required. I suggest you youtube ‘The Special
One’ and get your fix that way.
Red2death

I know we missed Meireles today, but I somehow get the sense that Kuyt is as much or even more influential than Raul in our recent success in front of goal.

Definitely against Spurs we were highly impotent upfront, missing the passing between Suarez, Kuyt and Maxi. It was almost as if the team was instructed to make sure every attack passes through Carroll - it just looked horribly unnatural. And Kuyt, when allowed to come in to occupy his preferred central forward role, is the man that makes the pass-and-move upfront happen. He's the one that's busy drawing defenders away and making space for those short passes. He's the one who can control the ball, hold it up for a second, and lay it off to Suarez or Maxi or Flanno; rush in to get the return pass; provide a decoy so Maxi is left unmarked; or just charge toward the line and win a corner. Not spectacular, but he's our Lucas of the final third.

We missed him in that role today. He's effective out wide too, but not half as good as when he's right up front. Nevermind Kuyt filling in for Carroll - it should be the other way round. Today, Carroll couldn't fill that role, not on current form, and our system that's worked so well broke down because of it.
cheekyfellow

Once we have wingers, Carroll will be a beast
Guest

Well as I've articulated to you and others before, I do believe that Carroll will be quite the center forward for us at some point or another, as indicated by his Man City performance. That of course is neither here nor there, as I have to agree with you that Kuyt up top would've made more sense today, hindsight being 20/20 and all:

------------Kuyt-----------------
Maxi-------Shelvey----------Suarez
--------Spearing----Lucas---------

Such a lineup would have been better at A.)maintaining our pass and move system of recent games B.) presented a three-man midfield of Shelvey/Spearing/Lucas to counter the Van der Vaart/Sandro/Modric opposition and C.) matched Suarez against Rose instead of Kuyt. So theoretically, not only would we have negated a mismatch that the Spurs held over us today, but we would have had one of our own to exploit. One expects King Kenny and Mr. Clarke to outwit old 'Arry, but again, I suppose hindsight is 20/20...
Red2death

I think our system needs to be changed for Carroll. Today we were just in weird shape - trying to play what we've been doing before, but with different personnel, and in different positions. Carroll's going to be great. He's young, big, has a great shot on him, not to mention a seasoned scorer with his head, and has demonstrated a bit of vision too that will only get better with time. But the guy needs the right service.

Ultimately, as much as I love seeing fast movement and swarming on and off the ball like we did pre-Tottenham, I think that's going to be Kenny's second-choice strategy. Seems like first choice will be 4-4-2 with Suarez and Carroll upfront, and two proper wingers down the side who will have to be recruited this summer - Young, Hazard, or any of the other dozen names constantly linked with us. That should suit Carroll well, and he can thrive off good crosses from the byline.

That's for next season, after a summer of proper preparation. Right now, shifting the team around yet keeping the tactics the same just throws the team off kilter. And yes, that's the hindsight talking, and yes I actually would be one of those people, if were down 1-0 at halftime, thinking maybe we should try bringing on Carroll.

Still, the signs are promising. Mostly the newfound ability to put away 'lesser' teams. If we could consistently bag 3 points in matches where we dominate, against teams that we're supposed to beat, I'd gladly accept performing horribly against the top 3 or 4.
Guest

I really hope your wrong about this "4-4-2 as the long-term goal business," bud. I'm not quite like Jonathan Wilson in my contempt of the 4-4-2, but I do prefer a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 set-up, and do feel that Carroll can play as sole striker in such a system with Suarez as a winger or trequartista. You might be right about Kenny's plans for a 4-2-2-2, and we've certainly had some success with it this season. But when we run into solid 3-man midfields like on Tottenham or Arsenal, we need to be able to mirror that. Of course, by stating that I'm probably unnecessarily doubting the flexibility already demonstrated at times by Dalglish and Clarke, so perhaps my anxieties are unjustified...
Faz

On the bright side, I think our youngster have shown great confidence going forward. Look at Flanagan bursting forward yesterday (maybe the fact that we are trailing help that) but that will give him confidence to help in attack later. And Shelvey have shown some glimpses of his talent yesterday(and lately), look at the almost Gerrard like shot. I thought that was going in!!Arghh!!
Ismael Jawad

Lap of Honor

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

There's already been enough said about this match. Painful penalty given. I would have a longed for a loss like this,though, back in October.
kenny

having nothing to do with todays match,excuse me, but I thank everything going on here on this page. everyday there are always new posts up with all the information I could ever want for Liverpool and I am checking and reading daily. I look at other offside pages and see very few new posts, and the ones there are don't have anything close to as much as what is written here, and I thank everyone here for keeping this going. so I am looking forward to this summer and next season. YNWA
Ed

Thanks very much for the kind words, always appreciated.
kenny

yes of course, being a longtime reader it's the least I should say
ChrisLFC

We were missing that "right place at the right time" guy today in Raul. He seems to make Kuyt, Maxi, Suarez all more effective. We definitely do have more work to do in the summer, but with that help, the pieces are there for us to continue our optimism and hopes to compete for the title next season.
wak

hi all, i just think that maybe if there is meireles in this game, the whole game system would'nt have change.... the formation 442 really look sucks because we dont have any good wingers. andy carrol were only fighting for the ball cleared out by carra and skrtel, he is starving of a good cross from the wings....

and by looking at the way jonjo playing, he really should be considered a straight replacement for meireles or gerrard, which means the whole game formation which we have been using would not need any changes... changing the way of playing after getting settled with one, really is risky after all...

btw, sorry for my english as it is not my first language~
Ismael Jawad

This match should act as a reminder to all of us that there's still much work to do. I wouldn't dare to say the team were at their best today but they weren't that bad either. As Ed mentioned, Lucas and Spearing lost the midfield battle today which in turn decided the outcome of the game. Modric's distribution was excellent through out and Sandro was more like a brick, which was perfectly demonstrated when he was shoved into the stands by Jonjo only to come out a few seconds later looking like nothing happened. Jonjo's introduction gave our midfield more volume and the lad is a very good ball distributor. My MOTM is Flanagan. He was hard done by the Webb's decision to award a penalty but still had a great game afterwards.

As for Carroll, it easy to shift the blame on him but if it was 0-1 at halftime, his introduction would've been made a necessity by the same people who're saying that they didn't fancy him for a starting berth. He didn't have a great game indeed, but just as the rest of the squad, he wasn't that bad either. Knowing that our bench was paper thin, it's kinda hard to see what other options Kenny had, especially when you take a look at Spurs' bench. With all the injuries, they still had Bassong, Defoe, Krankjar and Pavlyuchenko all ready to come in.
KC

I also think Lucas and Spearing lost the midfield battle because Meireles usually is there to track back and help out.
matt

i would agree. i think we got stuck in a bit of a trap today with the squad selection but not as a fault for carroll. with raul, it becomes an extremely fluid 4-2-2-2 the overlapping full backs are how we get width and we have a lot of movement in the center by others than spearing-lucas.

today however i felt it became distinctly 4-4-2, maxi didn't tuck in as much as usual and instead his movement was more vertical than horizontal, same for kuyt. i think that's where we lost the game, especially the first half when you looked at the spurs central triangle of VDV - Modric- Sandro passing the ball around our midfield, Spearing and Lucas were outnumbered and this time our wide players did not drift in as much as usual to help compensate for that disadvantage.

anyway this is just my opinion and tactics/formations can be watched by 100 different people and get 100 different opinions so what do i know
poorscouserbobby

I think the overall thinness of the squad showed through today. When the best sub we can bring on as far as effectiveness (and extra points for dumping sandro in the stands) is a 19 year old it tells what we have to overcome. (I do think he will be a monster for us in years to come). N'gog and Joe Cole, whoto be fair only had 8 minutes were entirely useless. When you manage two shots on frame for the duration and ZERO in the first half, it tells. Defensively, you have go give vdV credit for his goal, a fantastic strike that anyone would have been proud of, and he was under direct pressure from Johnson. The penalty was ridiculous but I can wager that what web saw was not the shoulder to shoulder challenge but Peinnar getting knocked over and decided it was a penalty. I don't think it was a penalty, but I could see it given, but only through some very clouded and semi-intoxicated glasses. I've heard 3 different commentators during that sequence and none of them thought it was a pen.. oh well.. webb gave it was, but really that took the initiative away from us. Credit spuds for playing well and taking us off our game. it will happen again, but it's where we go from here. Do we bounce back and pull off a final win of the season against the Aston villa that just beat Arsenal? The King will have to speak to Suarez about being careful and he'll likely wind up with an FA charge. I don't think Webb saw the incident, otherwise he would have had little choice in sending the little biter off.. to be fair only had 8 minutes were entirely useless. When you manage two shots on frame for the duration and ZERO in the first half, it tells. Defensively, you have go give vdV credit for his goal, a fantastic strike that anyone would have been proud of, and he was under direct pressure from Johnson. The penalty was ridiculous but I can wager that what web saw was not the shoulder to shoulder challenge but Peinnar getting knocked over and decided it was a penalty. I don't think it was a penalty, but I could see it given, but only through some very clouded and semi-intoxicated glasses. I've heard 3 different commentators during that sequence and none of them thought it was a pen.. oh well.. webb gave it was, but really that took the initiative away from us. Credit spuds for playing well and taking us off our game. it will happen again, but it's where we go from here. Do we bounce back and pull off a final win of the season against the Aston villa that just beat Arsenal? The King will have to speak to Suarez about being careful and he'll likely wind up with an FA charge. I don't think Webb saw the incident, otherwise he would have had little choice in sending the little biter off..
Prad

Tottenham beat us fair and square today, no doubt.

But Howard Webb is either incompetent or biased, couldn't tell which.
paul

Let's ask Ryan Babel!
Prad

wonder what happens if a player over in the bundesliga criticizes a referee in the premier league.

knowing the FA, they'll go ahead and give the player a three match ban just in case the player has a future in England.
Khaine

In my opinion, we needed a result like this, to avoid any complacency or illusions about the state of our squad and its needs. We've been overperforming for the past few weeks really, with talks of title challenge next year suddenly common, and there's a lot of work to be done if we want to get that top 4 spot. It's a shame it probably comes at the expense of euro footy, but maybe we don't need that distraction next year.

About the game, I wasn't really surprised by the result, even though a liverpool victory was apparently all but guaranteed by a lot of people. I also don't feel like we were as bad as some posters made us out, as we had the lion's share of possession, played some good stuff along the ground and were merely let down by some sloppy decisions and play in the final third, not to mention a King / Dawson pairing that appeared to get a toe or head to absolutely everything. Carroll was anonymous in the box, mainly due to some godawful crossing, but for periods showed good hold-up- and interplay, as well as a ton of rust, which is to be expected.

I summed my feelings up as 'Meh', but 'Blah' covers it just as well.
matt

this may be a stupid question but if birmingham get relegated does that mean 6th place gets the europa league?
paul

No, they have qualified. We have to beat Villa and Spuds have to not win against Brum for us to squeeze in as the last qualifier. Seeing as Brum are drop-zone fodder, they'll want to win, so it won't be a breeze for the spuds.
Jake_LFC

So there can be a team in the championship playing in Europa? What a joke
paul

Think about it. The FA cup also qualifies for Europe, and any club in the land has the opportunity to win it. They don't because the big clubs don't join in until most clubs have knocked each other out, but the door is there for any club, including non-league.

Top championship sides are bigger and have better players than a number of clubs that make Europe every year. Small countries can only submit their sides, even if they're only semi-pro.