Another relegation side and another lethargic start from Liverpool. Were it not for a well-worked early goal that seemed to lift spirits and get the Reds playing on the front foot, it might have been another dreary display. Yet, after the goal, the Merseysiders definitely looked more lively than they have in weeks. There was a movement and commitment that seemed missing recently, as Liverpool topped Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Anfield. Confidence was difficult to sustain and the Londoners nearly nicked a draw. However, the Reds pulled out the result with a nostalgic nod from a legendary number eight.
Here are four findings from today’s match.
Still lacking finish
Apart from Philippe Coutinho’s beautifully shaped, curling effort against the grain to the far post for the opening goal, too many Reds look lost in the penalty area. Twice Liverpool should have finished the game off with a second goal, when Lallana and Sterling missed clear chances early in the second half. Both were unable to even get shots on target. Heartbreakingly, Ricky Lambert looks like a striker destined for either early retirement or a final spell in the Championship. Even Steven Gerrard failed to convert a penalty to secure a go ahead goal in the 78th minute. Were it not for Nedum Onuoha’s shocking lack of composure and dismissal, the Reds likely would have drawn rather than reclaim a result. Simply put, this squad is filled with too many players that lack cutting edge. Striker problems aside, no small number would be worth £10+ million more if they only scored more goals. Against a poor QPR, Liverpool were lucky to earn the three points.
Lallana a luxury
As talented a player as Adam Lallana is, he rarely plays a full match, does not defend well, and does not score enough goals to start for Liverpool. There are already enough players in the Red’s squad lacking polish in front of goal, but they do not force Raheem Sterling to marginally wide positions in the same way Lallana’s inclusion seems to do. The former Southampton captain may have been Rodgers’ first choice transfer last summer, and may be unlucky with injuries, but he has proven a poor fit for this team. Early in the season, when he returned it looked like he might have had goals in him, but he doesn’t. At his best, he lacks the physical and mental pace to be an effective cog when Liverpool are at their attacking best. At just 19, Jordan Ibe brought more attacking drive on the left side in the not-quite-20 minutes he played than Lallana did in the 67 of his. Being a favourite of the manger provides a lot of opportunity, but Lallana has so much more to prove to have any chance of justifying his price tag, if that is even possible.
Set piece struggles
One area manager Brendan Rodgers cannot shirk responsibility is set pieces. Liverpool have been positively dreadful attacking or defending from when play is restarted. While corner kicks have marginally improved in the last few weeks, in that they have begun to beat the first defender. Granted Gerrard redeemed himself with a strong headed goal from a corner, it was against a QPR side playing a man down. A more pressing question is why it took until April for Liverpool to look like they were capable of taking corner kick properly? Defensively, they continue to be a complete shambles. The way the Reds conceded from a corner in this match encapsulated their entire season’s inability to defend well from dead balls. Defenders failing to stay with runners, looking at each other in disbelief, while yawning spaces open for opposing attackers. Regardless of the situation, Liverpool have looked too static and lacking method with their set pieces. Their struggles are not all execution and that only leaves a poor reflection on the manager.
Gerrard’s redemption
Fortunately for the Anfield legend another chance presented itself for Captain Fantastic. After the first penalty miss of his season, he once again conjured up something special in the waning minutes of a match. It was a reminder of just how great he has been and the long shadow he will leave behind once he heads to America. He is not the same player he once was. In fact, he probably shouldn’t have even started this match, as he remained on the fringes for most of the contest. Still, it is hard not to be moved watching him once again score and spread his arms in front of an adoring Kop. There is no question he will be missed in ways that probably cannot even be realised until he is gone. In scoring his 118th league goal for the club, Gerrard impressively tied with club legends Kenny Dalglish and Michael Owen. More disconcerting, his seventh league goal also tied with Raheem Sterling for the club’s goalscoring lead this season. The only shame was that this didn’t come two weeks from now when Gerrard takes to Anfield for the last time.
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