OUT of eleven penalties this season Liverpool only converted four, that is less than fifty percent.Downing missed yesterday against Chelsea.Gerard, Kuyt, Suarez, Adam all have have missed this season. Do we try our defenders including Reina in the future?. Maybe they are going to get us better returns.
To be honest, I'd happily have had Kuyt continue taking them, as far as I know the miss against Everton was his first from about fifteen in a red shirt. As it looks like he might be going next year, then I'd probably pick Gerrard from the first XI, then when not playing just give them to Suarez. Sure they've had a bad season from the spot, but the two in the league cup against City were the only two that really mattered looking back and Gerrard put them both past Englands finest.
In all competitions, we have missed seven penalties this season and scored just four. Thats a conversation rate of just 36%, not good enough. Obviously, first choice taker is Gerrard. Downing is a very good penalty taker. He took them for Villa and possibly Boro too (?), he has shown his can score them in the League Cup final shootout too. I think yesterdays miss shows high much pressure he feels under and I'd give him credit for keeping his cool and attempting to place it (which he did fairly well since it was only an inch from going in and he sent the keeper the wrong way). I don't want to see Adam or Carroll taking them. Adam goes for placement and is predictable. Carroll goes for raw power down the middle, again, predictable. I think Suarez is a little predictable too but thats more to do with him not wanting to do the simple thing. What about Carragher if he is on the pitch...? He was put on during a World Cup or Euros game for England to take one of the shootout penalties (which he scored before having to retake it). Failing that, Bellamy, Johnson, Kuyt (if he stays), Maxi (same), Agger...? I'd imagine Pepe would be able to stroke a decent penalty too. Then there are any possible incoming players too.
i think we should give up on trying to score from these ridiculously difficult 'penalty' situations. I suggest a pass back from the spot and then build up play to try and break down the opposition even further before attempting a shot on goal........ 12 yards out is a long way....... other than that, give the ball to johnson or henderson!
Gerrard has a good record so no reason to change things when he's on the pitch. Same with Kuyt - can't remember him missing too many. Shelvey looks like he has good technique (brilliant goal yesterday) maybe he'd be a candidate going forward.
After seeing the half time show yesterday I'd say Fowler has a shout even with the mask over his eyes
