Liverpool 3 Napoli 1
All I can say about this game is: thank god for Stevie G, as the score would have most likely remained 1-0 in Napoli’s favour if he hadn’t of come on in the second half to rescue us. There was very little invention, or fluid football, from us in the first half and we didn’t look like we were going to be able to come back from the one goal deficit until after the break, but thankfully we did and now we sit pretty at the top of the group with just a draw needed to qualify for the next stage.
It is a great pity that we just can’t stick to a regular 11 who play week in week out, as that is probably unlikely taking into consideration injuries and suspensions and the like. Perhaps if we had started with Stevie G then the first half would have been better, but then again it could just have easily made no difference. The same can be said for Torres having the chance that Ngog had in the game, he might have put it away, but then again he might not have done (especially the way he has been performing this year).
I thought that Shelvey had a good game today, and that Poulsen really shouldn’t be playing. I am still liking Meireles and think that he has been a good addition to the side and I think that Soto had a great game at the back as well.
That’s three wins on the bounce now for us, hopefully we can continue this good vein of form against Chelsea this weekend.
Unbelievable game. I felt like turning the game off after the first half and then I couldn’t believe Hodgson took Jovanovich off. He was one of the more lively players in the first half. I had assumed Paulsen would be sacrificed to make way for Stevie but no.
I can’t believe we are giving Paulsen minutes when we have Pacheco that could slide perfectly into the side. Ngog and Pacheco up top, Miereles and Spearing in the middle. Roy definitely seems to favor British youth (Shelvey, Eccleston, Spearing) when Pacheco is arguably the brightest of the bunch.
Am I the only one that thinks Ngog was class? He held off the defense well on a number of occasions and was quite physical for a skinny lad. He also had some fancy footwork once or twice and worked his arse off. I also think Soto had a very solid performance, even subduing Lavezzi at times in the 2nd.
Miereles seems out of place on the wing. He’s not particularly pacey or deceptive. Not to take a dig at Miereles, as I do think he is quality, but I’d still rather have Aquaman in the XI.
Finally, I think it is time we stop kidding ourselves that Johnson is a right back. Time to unleash him Gareth Bale style and put Kelly at right back. Johnson is the closest thing we have to a true winger.
Honestly I feel that Shelvey’s performance was probably one of his worst for us so far this season not to mention that he is lucky to not have been sent off in the first half. Carra was made to look silly at his inability to get the ball away from the opposition. Meireles is not a wide player, can we please stop playing him on the right (our midfield looked crap until Stevie came on). And for Poulsen… well his contribution to giving possession resulting in us conceding the goal speaks for itself. I believe we’ve got a decent squad of players if utilised properly and that is probably whty I’m so critical of there performances, especially when we’re on a good run.
First half we were awful – very little in the way of creativity, but not bad defence. To be fair the first half team, while very little in the way of chances were created, they did restrict a pretty strong Napoli team to just the one goal.
Second half was simply the Stevie G show – his appearance lifted the whole team and we certainly played with a lot more urgency. All the headlines will go to Stevie but I thought Lucas did well when he came on also and to be fair he did set up Stevie’s third goal.
Would really have loved to have seen Pacheco last night – Roy give the kid a go. He’s bright, knows where the goal is and just wants to play.
As for Sunday – I hope we can be a little bit more positive and take the game to Chelsea – a win would do wonders for moral and really would give the season a whole new feel.
Just quickly – Man City have now lost three games on the bounce, I hope they get the same amount of media attention that we have been subject to in recent times!!