Carragher can still do a job so Agger was desperately needed, Jones did ok so again we didn't need Pepe. Borini offered little when on the ball but made good movement, Suarez coming in for him would of been an improvement. We just need more practice on the tactics tbh.
True, but we were ****! Where was Shelvey tonight?? Sky reporting Agger isn't injured either, not good. Only positive was Adam not playing...
Yeh I understand that, I suppose I was expecting more and it was quite a disappointing match to watch and I wanted to see goals and lots of them.
Result: Fantastic, any win away from home, especially in Europe, is satisfying! Performance: Not great, but not something to be concerned about either ... Missing some key players and clearly still in pre-season mode! Personnel: Disappointed to not see Shelvey in the starting line-up let alone not get a game at all! Really think he's the player that we really need to give game time, looks brilliant and should have been rewarded for his performances in the US ... However, good to see Sterling get a good run out (just hope he doesn't try too hard) Pleased for Kelly to get a half (still think he is much better than Johnson) and thought Carra played well on his 700th appearance!! Well pleased for him ... Skrtel had a bit of a torrid time against their striker and Borini was fairly quiet ... Oh and Downing scored!!!!!!!!!
Not saying either played bad, I am saying that having better players breeds confidence throughout a side. Gerrard does not always play well but when he comes off the bench after an injury you can clearly see the difference in the other players. Agger and Jones in the side would have resulted in a better team perfromance despite it being attacking play that was lacking Also need to remember that the majority of our first choice players are only just returning from their breaks and are not match fit. Plus we had to travel to Belarus to face a Gomez side that are sixteen games into their season already. We also have a new manager and a new system so I don't think we were that bad. You are right to say practice is needed, the players need to get fit and learn how to play under Rodgers
What does it matter, we got a 1-0 win in a Europa League qualifier. Job done and we go back to Anfield
European qualifiers always pretty **** though mate. Remember we lost 1-0 at home to Graz AK in 2004 CL (2-0 away win in first leg saw us through) and we went on to win the whole thing! So I don't think these games mean much, its more about getting up to speed with fitness and building an understanding with team mates.
I am guessing you wasn't impressed with him prior to tonight's game so was you expecting him to put in a performance tonight that completely changed your view of him?
I just google translated a Swedish match report, they describe Downing's goal as a "crime". Liverpool went to Belarus and won with it a good result at Anfield home-return. The brain behind the crime was Stewart Downing as distinct firing into the match only goal in a race that was marked by many careless mistakes and Liverpool who are not finished by a long shot. http://www.svenskafans.com/england/FC-Gomel-Liverpool-FC-0-1-0-0-450660.aspx
Been in work and just got home.Ii take it from these comments and those on Teletext that we didn't quite outpass the hosts with tikki-takka, Barcelona-type football/?
not a good game but as expected... they were hammering us really we gave up a serious amount of chances... the thing i am wondering about solely is why rodgers went with so many players not really on tour. I predicted before the game rodgers would pick borini, johnson and gerrard but i was suprised to see henderson as well... the midifled was terrible for us and we were not playing the football we were on tour. it looked like individuals not a team. Its not too bad as we got in and out and can now get home and move on. Serious work needed to get the england lads into a passing game... was not impressed at all by downing or gerrard. gerrard in particular just wanted to swan off up field all the time. We need him playing the game rodgers wants not the game gerrard wants. 1-0 job done, home tie to come and off we go...
