The New Kid On The Kop

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When I saw the line-up Kenny came up with for the game against Stoke, I couldn’t quite decipher what the intent was. A few minutes past kick-off and I was still attempting to determine Johnson’s and Kelly’s position. Not quite apparent and Liverpool took time to settle down and get a foot hold on the game. I then recalled a statement I made in a recent article which highlighted that Dalglish will inevitably tweak the team to avoid being reliant on one person as was the case when Torres was around. The formation, apart from stifling Stoke whenever they attacked, provided a barrage of attacking impetus.

In previous times, the majority of efforts on goal would have probably been a result of Torres latching on to a through pass or well-placed cross. Today was different. Liverpool’s best efforts at goal during the first half came not from a striker but from two potent defenders, Johnson and Krygiakos. It was a point blank save by Stoke’s ‘keeper which kept the score level when Johnson rose to meet Kelly’s cross (I stand to be corrected on whether it was Kelly’s delivery). The point is, Liverpool under Dalglish will defend as a team and attack as a team. Build-up is of utmost importance and as long as Liverpool have players who can finish off attacking surges, games will be won.

Stoke proved to be a challenging outfit for the Reds and made it hard for Dalglish’s men to create space. The much needed and awaited opener came after a Gerrard long shot was loosely cleared, Krygiakos making way for Meireles to blast goalwards with his left foot. Another brilliant goal from the Portugese international. One nil up and Liverpool were in no mood to let the lead slip. One factor which I always stressed as lacking under Hodgson is ball retention. This deficiency has been sorted out by Liverpool’s coaching stuff and the players are well aware not to concede possession even deep in defense. Play the ball out of defense rather than hoof it up high up field, a sure way of frustrating opponents, settling down and ensures the initiative is not handed to your adversary.

As the game progressed, I thought to myself a second goal would do much to extinguish any desire by Stoke to battle on. On came the new signing Suarez, El Pistolero, and Anfield was buzzing with excitement. The boy looks his age, probably a bit younger I would say, but he is of international quality which speaks volumes about his talent. I instantly appreciated his touches, two back-heels in quick succession showed he is class. Not the finished article, mind you, but on course to become a fine World Class player and how better to achieve this when your mentor is Kenny Dalglish? Suarez sent the Kop in delirium when he caught up with Kuyt’s through ball, rounded Stoke’s goalie and shot goalwards. The ball took some time to make its way into the net and was nearly cleared off the line. A goal it was and Suarez, who has yet to put in a full training session with Liverpool, proved why Kenny was so keen on taking him away from Ajax. Awesome.

The only downside to a stupendous win is that Liverpool’s position in the Premier League table remains unaltered. Liverpool have gone from strength to strength under the watchful eyes of Kenny Dalglish. Players no longer seem uninterested. There is a wanting, a desire to do well, fight for every ball and most of all not concede goals. The next game against Chelsea will be a defining moment – not due to Torres’ presence as I’m sure Dalglish will stress against giving Torres too much respect. A win against Chelsea will propel us further up the table and dent the hopes of a direct rival of finishing in the top four. I forsee a winner next Sunday, and, I’m confident it will be the Reds who will end up victors. Dalglish has that sparkle in his eye and his aura has transcended to the players who look as if possessed with positive vibes. Without a shadow of a doubt, Liverpool football club are in renaissance.

See you next time.

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8 Comments

  1. El-Pistoleroooooooooooooooooo SUAREZZZZZZZZZ, what a week all we need now is to dent Chavski’s title hopes on Sunday……YNWA

    Great news hearing the Twat Garry Neville has hung up his boots finally, he should fuck off back to his under ground bunker

  2. fantastic sign 4 us. EL-PISTOLERO, a very active and effective young striker i think we will enjoy till the season ends!
    YWNA!!!!!!

  3. I Could not sleep last night.Overcome with joy that i havent felt in along time.Suarezz!!!1Always knew this kid was special.I was hoping he scores on his very first debut and he did just precisely that.AWESOME!!!!!! If God be for us, who can be against us??? YNWA

  4. Well written. I too couldn’t figure out what the system was when I saw the lineup. It seems like Kenny was employing 3-5-2 with a 3-5-1-1 in field players with Gerrard seemed too always drift behind Kuyt, an even behind Lucas, to pick the ball.

    Although we won, I don’t see this formation will be LFC’s lineup next game against Chelsea next Sunday. A basic 4-4-2 will need to be drilled with Suarez-Kuyt or Suarez-Gerrard up front. IMO

    But well done Reds and Suarez nonetheless. :D

    1. With all the players contributing equally, it is hard for opponents to counter. With Torres and Gerrard as our main threat, Liverpool became predictable – mark these two and Liverpool are finished. Dalglish introduced total football, pass and move, defend and attack in numbers. This man is a genious. Bring on Chelsea!

  5. It was a good formation for Stoke but I think we’d struggle against Chelsea with a similar lineup. Despite all our possession we struggled to create too many genuine chances because of how isolated Kuyt often found himself.

    I expect that we’ll go to a 4-3-3 against Chelsea (4-4-2 would instantly give Chelsea numbers in the middle of the park, which is where our creative outlet is). It’s conceivable that we could even play 4-3-1-2 with Gerrard sitting in behind Kuyt & Suarez. That would allow us to play Meireles, Lucas and maybe Aurelio again in the centre of the park.

    Kyrgiakos is fine against a slow team like Stoke but I’d worry if he’s forced up against Torres. He’s not mobile enough and doesn’t read the game as well as Carragher.

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