In these early fixtures, the results are all that matter, as James Milner pointed out only a week ago. Two matches and two 1-0 wins, despite the fact that Liverpool have yet to find their rhythm and form. The Reds fended off bright and lively newcomers Bournemouth, and Christian Benteke opened his account with a strong finish for the Reds’ first Anfield win, despite the calls for Philippe Coutinho to be flagged offside.
Manager Brendan Rodgers opted to return to his starting line-up from the opener at Stoke. Again, the side looked out of sync. In fact, the Merseysiders were dominated for the opening 20 minutes before growing into the match. The Cherries can even feel a bit hard done by. However, once possession got tidier and Coutinho routinely got on the ball to dictate the attack, Liverpool wrestled control and rarely looked like giving it away. Once more, it was not pretty, but it’s another three points collected.
Here are four findings from the match.
Coutinho at the centre
The little midfield magician put in another Man of the Match performance, despite being involved in the match’s most controversial call. The Brazilian continues to find his form after his late summer return and remains the cleverest player on the pitch for the Reds, creating more opportunities than any other. In the past, he may have struggled as a conventional number 10, but he is fashioning a playmaking role of his own.
A year ago, Rodgers said Coutinho was the brains of the team. Those words may have seemed overzealous then but now seem increasingly prescient. At the minute, there is simply no player more pivotal to Liverpool’s fortunes. His flicks and tricks, looking to unlock tight defences, should instill confidence on which the team’s performances can build. Keeping him fit and in form will be essential.
Still out of sync
While results matter, performances do too. Stealing victories against teams that should be beaten and who will finish below you in the table is effective but does not necessarily bode the best for future success. It is still early days and there will be a lot of matches for this club. Yet, shadows of last season have yet to be banished.
Slow starts, dodgy defending and a knack for making things harder for themselves were all on display by Liverpool’s players again. Last year things disintegrated into a crisis in confidence. This is not last year’s team, but some of those problems have yet to be completely sorted. It is compounding the typical early season search for their rhythm.
No doubt Bournemouth brought their A-game Monday night and jumped on top of a lethargic opening. The Liverpool defence was put under heavy pressure and were fortunate to not have conceded what would have been a poor goal, that could have just as easily counted. Still, they restricted Bournemouth to longer range efforts. Then, after benefitting from some more questionable refereeing, the Reds could never quite put the Cherries away. Improvement is a must, as a trip to the Emirates awaits.
Benteke’s finishing touch
Regardless of whether the call was correct or not, Benteke’s first goal as a Red was a beautiful, striker’s finish, crashing the back post and ensuring the ball found the net. The big Belgian not only got on the scoresheet but routinely dropped deeper to be more involved than last week. He nearly had another one late, to nail on the win, only to have the ball smash off the crossbar at close range. His sharpness will undoubtedly improve.
For all the talk that he might not fit into the Liverpool system, Benteke is showing that he has more to his game than getting his head on the end of crosses. To avoid being isolated up front, he took responsibility for getting himself into the game, displaying an array of qualities and casting aside superficial assessments. He can clearly play with his feet and pick a pass too, as his slotted cross for Coutinho’s near deflected shot highlighted. As he gains greater familiarity with his team mates and his role in the system, he should prove his worth and provide the goals so desperately missing last year.
Lallana still a luxury
Adam Lallana can only be a squad player in a club with Liverpool’s ambition. The ex-Southampton star that started at Bournemouth has talent, can play with both feet, hustles on the pitch, and occasionally produces a moment of magic. However, he lacks pace, defends inadequately, and likes a touch far more than he should. He rarely even plays a full 90 minutes. When everyone is fit, he is little more than a luxury player.
In another team, outside the top four, Lallana would be a quality playmaker. He proved this with the Saints. In this team, too many players exceed his ability. Unfortunately, he falls just shy of the step up. Yet, Rodgers continues to try to shoehorn him into the line-up, complicating Coutinho’s emerging role in the middle. With the number of matches Liverpool will play this campaign, he should get games, but he should not be the first choice in league play.
Comments.
Loading comments…