Five things we learned from the Liverpool win – can we reach Champions League football…
Liverpool eased to a relatively comfortable 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday lunchtime, with Lazar Markovic scoring the only goal. The hosts had Liam Bridcutt sent-off early in the second-half, and never really threatened until late on.
Here are five things we learned from last night’s game:
5) Liverpool fans can be excited about their summer signings
Three of Liverpool’s best players today were Lazar Markovic, Emre Can and Alberto Moreno – all summer signings, and all players that have been criticised during the first-half of the season. Markovic has steadily improved over the last six weeks, and his first league goal will only help his confidence grow. Can has been in great form since his move to centre back, while Moreno has improved after some early season jitters. Adam Lallana’s form, prior to his latest injury, is also cause for optimism, and it’s becoming clear that maybe Brendan Rodgers didn’t do as badly as we feared.
4) Mario Balotelli’s days at Anfield are numbered
One summer signing still very much under scrutiny however is striker Mario Balotelli, who is still awaiting his first Premier League goal. Today, Rodgers chose Fabio Borini to play ahead of him in the starting line-up, despite the absence of Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge. His plight was perhaps best summed up by his second-half slip, when he looked to be through on goal – he skipped away from his marker, but his feet went from under him and the ball escaped him. He punched the floor in frustration, and his Liverpool misery continues.
3) Brendan Rodgers is planning for life after Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard was withdraw at half-time today due to injury, and we coped admirably in his absence. Jordan Henderson moved inside to centre midfield, Emre Can moved out to right wing back, and Dejan Lovren slotted into the back three. The Reds were comfortable throughout, while Lucas Leiva’s presence in the holding midfield role once again allowed them to dictate the pace of the match. It was encouraging also to see young Jordan Rossiter on the bench, as Brendan Rodgers continues to plan for life after his captain, who will of course join LA Galaxy in the summer transfer window when his contract expires.
2) Liverpool can cope without Raheem Sterling
There was an understandable sense of fear among the Liverpool supporters ahead of today’s game, with Raheem Sterling’s absence confirmed prior to the match, as the 20-year-old forward enjoys an extended winter break, allowing him to recuperate after 32 games in just four months. Sterling has done a brilliant job at filling in for the injured Daniel Sturridge, and there were question marks over how Fabio Borini and co would cope. But the performance of Philippe Coutinho and Lazar Markovic were a joy to behold, and we could have easily scored more than once. With the likes of Sterling and Sturridge to come back into the team, a top four place is not beyond us.
1) If Liverpool sign anyone in January, we need it to be a goalkeeper
Hardly new news, but even in a game where he had relatively little to do, the Belgian looked bereft of confidence. His kicking and distribution were poor, even causing manager Brendan Rodgers to throw up his arms in frustration. With Brad Jones sidelined through injury, Liverpool surely have to target a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window. There will have been eyebrows raised earlier this week when Victor Valdes, a player previously linked with Liverpool, signed for Manchester United, when we consider the Reds’ issues between the sticks. There are still other targets available, and Rodgers would be wise to act soon.
