Five things we learned from the Liverpool draw – what needs to be improved before weekend game…
Liverpool’s players will have undoubtedly been disappointed not to be coming away from Bulgaria with all three points, after George Terziev’s late goal secured the hosts a 2-2 draw.
Here are five things we learned from last night’s game:
5) Lucas still has a Liverpool future
Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder is the most adept player in our squad to playing the holding midfield role. He is capable of winning possession and getting it forward quickly, while he can also drop back to support the defence. His presence particularly takes the pressure off Steven Gerrard who subsequently looked much more relaxed during the game. Lucas has been used sparingly by Brendan Rodgers so far this season, something that needs to change.
4) Raheem Sterling needs to be given creative freedom
Raheem Sterling was our best player last night. He caused the Ludogorets defence no end of problems with his pace, trickery and movement – and it is clear that he must be used centrally, with permission to drift out wide to either flank, to allow him to be at his most effective. In recent weeks, Sterling has too often been stranded out on the right, and has lacked the creative freedom to make a bigger impact on games. He needs to be playing just behind the striker.
3) We have real issues with protecting a lead
At the moment, we are just refusing to learn from our mistakes. Against Ludogorets, we sat back further and further until the inevitable happened – a goal. While that can partly be put down to nerves over our own poor form, we cannot escape the fact that least season, we would have continued to attack, and probably gone on to win the game comfortably, rather than invite pressure and an equaliser. The killer blow was bringing on Alberto Moreno for Raheem Sterling to play on the left of midfield. We should not be parking the bus against this standard of opposition.
2) Simon Mignolet needs help to deal with his mistakes
Another mistake from Mignolet, who virtually handed the Bulgarians their first goal. Quite what the issue is with the Belgian stopper is unclear, but he just seems to lack confidence, and has a nasty habit of making errors at crucial moments. One things is for certain, he lacks the competition for his place to have him sweating on his every performance. Brad Jones is never going to start a big game ahead of him, and the Reds need to change that in the upcoming January transfer window.
1) We need to make the most of our last chance
The biggest positive to come out of tonight’s game was Real Madrid beating Basel, albeit by just a goal to nil. That result means a win for us over the Swiss side at Anfield in two weeks time will ensure our progress to the Last 16. Such success is, of course, far from a forgone conclusion, and Rodgers and his team will need to perform far better than they have done in their first five European matches of the year, especially against a team that enjoys taking English scalps.