Liverpool v. Aston Villa Post-Match Comments
The day started off well enough. A little coffee and Sunday newspaper, 3 slices of turkey bacon and the realization that Vein of Form would publish its first Liverpool post-match comments in over a week. The match appeared by all account to be very winnable and when the line ups were announced there was every reason to believe that the Reds would get more than a couple on the rapidly dropping Villa. But that is why they play the games.
Oh Momo, oh Momo, where has your form gone off to? For the 3rd match running the Mali midfielder has looked out of sorts. He was giving the ball up nearly with each touch and generally flailing around without much purpose. Steven Gerrard had his worst game of the season and Javier Mascherano is still settling in - this obvious from his errant passing and ill advised shot attempts. Even Vein of Form's hero, John Arne Riisse, had a bad outing. When your entire midfielder is off it doesn't usually spell 3 points.
Yes, Villa were quite aggressive and the trio of Ashley Young, John Carew and Gabriel Agbonglahor ran hard all match. That doesn't excuse the complete lack of sharpness Liverpool had for a large chunk of the match. Meaning, aside from a strong opening 15 minutes they were flat and had no teeth.
Bellamy and Kuyt gave their usual strong work rates, but Kuyt had many poor touches and Bellamy just couldn't link up with the midfielders' passes. Fowler's header at the end nearly snuck in, but in fairness coming away with a single point was all they deserved. Given Arsenal's defeat it would have been fantastic claiming full points but flat & uninspiring play will get you nowhere in the EPL.
The international break couldn't come at a worse time. The Reds' had a 12 day rest and looked rusty so additional time off - with the high potential for injuries from Euro qualifiers - will have Rafa pacing in front of his television whenever one of his players in on the pitch. We're not giving up hope that Mascherano will come good in the remaining fixtures and prove his arrival at Anfield will be a tremendous grab after all.
But with nothing to play for in the league, it has dawned on VoF that flat performances and doing just enough to secure at least a point will be the norm the rest of the way.
Oh Momo, oh Momo, where has your form gone off to? For the 3rd match running the Mali midfielder has looked out of sorts. He was giving the ball up nearly with each touch and generally flailing around without much purpose. Steven Gerrard had his worst game of the season and Javier Mascherano is still settling in - this obvious from his errant passing and ill advised shot attempts. Even Vein of Form's hero, John Arne Riisse, had a bad outing. When your entire midfielder is off it doesn't usually spell 3 points.
Yes, Villa were quite aggressive and the trio of Ashley Young, John Carew and Gabriel Agbonglahor ran hard all match. That doesn't excuse the complete lack of sharpness Liverpool had for a large chunk of the match. Meaning, aside from a strong opening 15 minutes they were flat and had no teeth.
Bellamy and Kuyt gave their usual strong work rates, but Kuyt had many poor touches and Bellamy just couldn't link up with the midfielders' passes. Fowler's header at the end nearly snuck in, but in fairness coming away with a single point was all they deserved. Given Arsenal's defeat it would have been fantastic claiming full points but flat & uninspiring play will get you nowhere in the EPL.
The international break couldn't come at a worse time. The Reds' had a 12 day rest and looked rusty so additional time off - with the high potential for injuries from Euro qualifiers - will have Rafa pacing in front of his television whenever one of his players in on the pitch. We're not giving up hope that Mascherano will come good in the remaining fixtures and prove his arrival at Anfield will be a tremendous grab after all.
But with nothing to play for in the league, it has dawned on VoF that flat performances and doing just enough to secure at least a point will be the norm the rest of the way.
posted by Anonymous at 5:17 PM
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