The Reds are back to winning ways after making hard work of beating Wolves consequently to dominating the game for the first 45 minutes (and it’s not the first time we’ve seen this). Wolves presented themselves with a 4-5-1 set-up which Mick McCarthy thought better to change to a 4-4-2 and substitute 2 players for the second half: and they gave us a run for our money, keeping us on edge notwithstanding the fact that we had half a dozen chances to put the game to bed after they pulled one back.
Positives!
Kelly is back fulltime at right back so that is one headache less. Carroll is getting better and better and his work rate is increasing dramatically. For the first time, the Reds finally gave up on the long pass looking for the lanky striker and instead made him play the Liverpool way. Yes, there were some long passes, but these were not the predominant feature as in other games. Carroll showed he can move, he can create spaces and he can provide assists, apart from having a crack or two at goal. Definite improvement! Steven Gerrard: say no more! Ten minutes of refreshment, one minute to relieve pressure on a suffering Liverpool side! The driving force behind Liverpool Football Club is back! Final major positive, three points in the bag and back to winning ways.
Negatives!
This is not an attempt to have a go at him, but Henderson? Evanescent! Not only was he out of the game I felt he never even made an attempt to get into it! His substitution was very belated. Carra and Skrtel seemed to have a shaky day at the office with some very dodgy defending, and we were lucky not to concede more than one. Agger was desperately missed. Relieved!
Just before Suarez was taken off I was thinking to myself, ‘Where would the Reds be without this guy?’, and punctually, he was replaced by Gerrard. The Uruguayan attacker was outraged and I must say I think he had every reason to be as he was without a shadow of a doubt a poisoned thorn in Wolves’ defense and a constant threat! So the question is, why take off Suarez? Controversial!
Now for a consideration dwelling on the negative! Why do we persist in substituting players only after the 70th minute (or thereabouts)? Do Liverpool only know how to play 4-4-2? If Wolves are able to re-adjust their play half-way through a game, can we? Food for thought!
Battle at Goodison up next!