Today's match was a classic example of a team working together to unlock a defence, each player played their role and they did it well. Liverpool always looked like the likely winners. After the first 15 minutes it became obvious we'd score sooner rather than later as we linked up our play throughout the whole attack force. Suarez was a key player in the attack, but today's match belonged to Henderson. The reason why we signed him was quite obvious today as he set up at least 5 chances I counted. He took a first touch, he passed the ball well, he had great vision when doing through balls and his crosses were brilliant. That's even forgetting the goal which was a superb finish. The rest of the half was a near carbon copy of the first half against Sunderland, great positional and passing play was a common theme and unlocked Bolton's supposedly great defence all too easily. The main difference I saw today was in fact, pace... Kuyt isn't the fastest player by far but it showed his work ethic and acceleration played havoc with dragging players out of position for passing. He got hold of the ball and kept it, leaving time for players such as Suarez, Downing and Adam to get forward on storming runs again dragging Bolton's defence ragged. So ended the first half, during the break I was most nervous about being complacent in the second half but if there's one thing Liverpool fans can take heart from from the 2nd half display, it's that any mistake we make Dalglish is always looking to learn from it. It showed when we came out in force and were very quickly rewarded with 2 goals as we surprised the Bolton defence yet again with great energy and creative passing. It was obvious towards the end of the 2nd half we were beginning to tire, but so were Bolton and the game got a little sloppier but was still enjoyable. A misfortunate mistake from Carragher let us down at the last moment as a misjudged pass flew off Carra's foot, leading to Klasnic capitalizing on the clearance. If there was anything we could have done on reflection, subbing Carra towards the end would have been it, although with Coates not yet signed we had nobody to play there. There are many positives we can make from that game, but I will pick out of a couple of players who I think were especially good today: Lucas - Today his brilliant work was a little more obvious than usual due to Bolton's rare wandering attacks. He organised the defence side of the midfield very well, and when Bolton came on the attack he was there to get it back and shift it further up. The higher he played, the higher the whole team played. This is rare, as usually it's down to the central defenders to determine how far up the team plays, but Lucas set the benchmark for the team to follow. Skrtel - I was wondering why the hell he came on for Kelly, but he soon proved me wrong to doubt him. As the right fullback role he had plenty more opportunity to show his attacking side, that many including myself didn't know he had. He didn't produce many crosses but he did manage to get to the edge of the box and thread through balls a lot more than he would usually. Unfortunately he let himself down at the end, when he was caught too far upfield as Bolton broke due to a mistake from Carra. If Skrtel had had been at the RB position then, we wouldn't have conceded. Henderson - His chance creating today was brilliant, and I don't know why but he really looked like he clicked with the players. He knew where everyone was, and he drifted towards the action and into the RW much more easily than he had done before. He moved into space more, and was not afraid to hug the byline. I was particularly impressed with his one touch flicks and through balls that split the Bolton defence in half, he worked in perfect conjunction with Downing who dragged defenders out of position in order to create huge amounts of space for Suarez and Kuyt to work in. I am looking forward to our game against Stoke in a few weeks, and hopefully we can continue this form throughout the season and get that much desired top 4 spot.
Excellent analysis! We did look excellent today. It was a great team effort with everybody playing their part in the victory. Lucas played well again and Suarez again looked excellent and was cutting open the Bolton defence. I felt Suarez did deserve a goal today because he was important and played well but it just wasn't to be. The defence was also excellent and kept Kevin Davies quiet which I felt before the game was crucial because K.Davies is a massive threat for Bolton. I was pleased for Henderson because he has come in for some unfair criticism lately. In the games against Arsenal and Exeter, I felt he was solid but didn't do anything spectacular. I felt he performed well today. He took his goal well with a nice finish. He also put in some excellent crosses (The one which Kuyt almost finished springs to mind) It's a shame we conceded that last-minute Klasnic goal but that was the only disappointing part of today. Overall, an excellent display and I look forward to Stoke away. It's going to be a difficult fixture but if we can put in a performance like today's, we could pick up another three points! YNWA.
I think Kenny got the new players spot on. Suarez is amazing- not just saying this because Torres dumped us (looks like we got the last laugh with that though- at least for now)- but I really think Suarez is MUCH better for us that Torres was. Torres gave us goals- Suarez creates... he inspires... he is the whole package. One on one with a keeper- I think Torres would be better- but overall for 90 minutes- both worked hard for us- but I think Suarez does it more intelligently. Henderson- after a couple of quiet but faultless appearances he makes his presence felt more. He was much more involved this time- much less on the fringe. Involved with all that happened. More like the player we wanted to sign. Adam - he frequently frustrates me with giving the ball away easy by striking lost-causes. One or two of those may go in over the season- but he's giving the ball away too much and one-or two of those silly shots will end up MISSING a chance for goals. That said- his passing is superb- when he is in a good position his striking is good. He was an inspired choice... I had my doubts if he could make the step up... and he did. Downing. I never doubted Downing would be a good player- I just doubted he was the best option for us. Can't say I'm disappointed. Only a matter of time before he gets a goal or two. Enique- inspired full back. Brings great value attacking and defending. How come there wasn't more of a circus after his signature? Coates- thought he did spectacular in the stands- his eyes were on the game and he never broke a sweat or accidentally started to cheer for Bolton. The only new signing that I still wonder about is Carroll - he's not quite ready yet. I see the value in him- I see what he brings to the team... I think we overpaid for him - I think he was a hasty- "Oh shoot- we just sold Torres" snap buy. It seems like less thought went into that purchase than some of the others. I think Dalglish can mold him into a fantastic player- but he's not there yet. I hope his ego can survive being 2nd fiddle long enough to get to the player we need and paid for- it may (most likely will) take more than a season longer and I'm sure being the £35,mill man makes your head swell slightly. As for the old guys... Kuyt was Kuyt- hard working, intelligent, involved- if lacking the finesse that would make him a world beater. Carragher did his job... for 89 minutes. Agger and Skrtel, strong back- both made nice promising attacking runs forward as the Bolton midfielders took their siesta. Reina- did all we expect of the wonderfull baldy. Lucas was the midfielding God that Rafa promised he would eventually become for us 5 years ago. Great performance- but let's not get too carried away- all our lads did well- but Bolton were not up to par today- we can't expect every team to roll over like that... it was below Bolton's standard- and not all teams will be this easy. Some of the finishing was lax and the last goal showed what we saw against Sunderland and Exeter that we can get complacent and lose focus as the game goes on. We had three goals against Bolton so it didn't punish us... it might later in the season. Great game but don't relax too much.
It's so good to have a team that work for each other, there are many talented individuals in our squad and they are starting to bond into a formidable team.
From the Guardian: No Bolton manager has won a league game at Anfield since 1954 and Owen Coyle, who has now lost three times at this ground as manager of the club, argued that it was also the effect of spending £110m that was not made available to Hodgson. Convenient that Owen appears to have forgotten all the other times Bolton failed to beat us when we weren't spending. Even Hodgson beat you, Coyle, you 3 times loser.
Excellent analysis. Suarez was at the forefront of everything we did well, None of this would have been possible without the work done by Lucas and Charlie Adam. Both were superb. I'm delighted Charlie Adam got his goal, and a lot of people have realised he has a right foot. Downing was a constant threat down the left, Henderson who has recieved unfair stick had his best game of his fledgling Liverpool career. All and all it was a wonderful display by Liverpool, if we can continue this form we will be challenging Chelsea for a top 3 finish. Or even challenging Man United for runners up spot.
Great analysis Ze. I didn't manage to do an article but this one is another level Didn't watch the game but what you mentioned was all in the Match of the Day highlights and you described them perfectly. Owen Coyle is just being a sore loser and I have to agree Coates done really well in the stands, although I feel he was eyeing Suarez up too much for my liking
You really must admire the MOTD editors who made it appear that Bolton were an attacking force in the game! As for Coyle, what else could he say after his team had been so convinvingly dismissed. It's a bit pointless saying "we didn't play" when you really mean that you weren't allowed to play.
I watched Match of the day last night and I was very impressed with Lee Dixons punditry. He did something the less intelligent pundit is inclined to do ie Ray Wilkins and Jamie Redknapp. That is not cream over Luis Suarez (whom I'm not saying wasn't majestic because he was), but was more inclined to high-light the less obvious. He did so by high-lighting Stewart Downing. Stewart Downing was a constant threat down that left side yesterday and he's possibly adapted the quickest out of the new signings. I've been really impressed with him.
