Well being a Liverpool fan it's almost a weekly occurrence to try and take positives from an undeserved defeat, nevertheless here are mine: - Jack Robinson was outstanding, did not put a foot wrong. Definite contender for a starting position - Coates was absolutely superb (own goal aside). Great in the standing tackle, great in the air, great at reading the game, and great at starting attacks with incisive passing - Henderson gave another confident assured display. I really think he's benefitting from playing less regularly without the pressures of starting every match. - Borini's runs are brilliant, I do not know how he didn't score today, reminds me of Maxi with his knack of being in the right place. Has been very unlucky. - Downing had a very good game, if he continues to play like that he can stake a claim for the first XI in my opinion. - The fact that we missed Sterling and Suso says a hell of a lot about their development this season I would have given a mention to Assaidi, however he frustrates me when he waits just a little bit too long to cross the ball. Great with the ball at his feet though, one of those irritating players to play against who is impossible to tackle. Bring on Anzhi Mackalakakhaakakaaaka! EDIT: Also Suarez scoring again is never a bad thing.
It's a steep learning curve for us. Udinasi were/are a very good professional side and they took good advantage of all the space that we gave them. Their back three had a 5 man screen in front of them when we had the ball which made space very difficult to find or create. However Suarez and Gerrard showed that it could be done. I have to disagree about Downing though. Yes he played better than he has done for a long while but he still lacks confidence (ie he will shirk responsibility) and that bite that all forward players need to have. I was very impressed with Coates. OK he was wrong side for the og but you could equally ask where the hell Carra was?
Think you're a little harsh on Downing. He created a goal with a good cross and Suarez arguably should have buried his header from a superb ball in from Stewie. He definitely looked a lot more incisive to me, although I do feel his game relies on crosses from the byline and with our diminutive strikers (unless Carroll is given another chance) that style isn't going to suit us in the long run. He showed tonight what he can do, maybe Brendan's little pep talk did him some good.
All last season i was arguing for Downing to be given time to settle and for people to get off his back. However I now truly believe that he flatters to deceive. Yes he has a bit of pace and control but when the responsibility for either shooting or creating a decisive pass he bottles it. I realise that he pulled the ball back for our first goal but how often do you see him react like that? When have you seen him deliver a shot with true venom?
Normally I would completely agree with everything you're saying. However he was good tonight and I think he deserves a bit of credit for reacting positively to the speculation about his career. He seemed a lot more positive tonight and didn't do a lot wrong. He could benefit from being a little more adventurous at times but I think tonight he showed glimpses of the player we signed. Ran at the full back a couple of times, tidy passing and a couple of superb crosses both of which should have been goals.
I'm one of Downing's worst critics....but he played well tonight. Would still happily play Sterling, Borini, Suarez, Suso and Assaidi ahead of him though, but at least he's starting to give some position competition.
Downing played well but faded a little bit. However, he only seems to perform in cup competitions. I want him to deliver in the PL.
Undeserved defeat? You Scallies got all you deserved. Can't believe your team struggles all last season to qualify for Europe, then, having got there with a realistic chance of winning the second best club championship in europe, you field basically a reserve team. Then you have the temerity to moan about losing. Unbelievable! You showed Udinese absolutely zero respect, rolling out a bunch of no-marks against a decent european team. No respect, no style, no hope - Liverpool Football Club!!
I counselled the same patience which is now handed over in buckets to Rodgers, who IMHO is the one flattering to deceive. I suspect Downing will continue to get grief, no matter what he does. He has delivered venomous shots on occasion. He hit the woodwork a few times last season and took responsibility for a shot late on last night, which went to the 'keeper. I suspect we'll continue to either win handsomely or lose stupidly because Rodgers asks for it. He doesn't do Plan Bs and he can't shut down a game. I'm not surprised at how things have gone at all. It's not bad luck, it's as advertised. He may be good at the media, which was part of what got him the job, but the media are already looking askance at him for his early outburst about referees. He's now blaming the players as "lazy." And that sounds just like Hodgson. I'm not convinced he's got the belief of the whole squad and it's a tentative thing which can start leaking quickly. I'll also take this quick opportunity to draw attention to my contention that the media hype about Suarez not being a goalscorer was BS. Sadly too many fans sucked it up. 7 in 9 laughs at the muppetry.
I disagree - I think the squad are buying into the style of play/philosophy. It also helps that the youngsters have been developed to play the same way to ease their transition from reserves to the first team. And I'm glad he said the players were lazy. Because they were extremely sloppy starting the second half - a poor 20 mins and we conceded 3 goals. What is he supposed to say? 'Ah it was a good performance, the players gave it their all and we move on'? Constructive criticism is always welcome and if Rodgers's comments help the players to stay focused for the full 90 mins rather than 70 mins, then great.
