West Ham were defeated 3-2 by Liverpool, but there were plenty of signs that the Merseysiders should be worried in the future.
It was a weary Sunday morning, 2am, knowing I had to go to work only 8 hours later, but against my better judgement I decided to stay up and watch West Ham vs Liverpool.
First off, the game was brilliant. The first half was absolutely pulsating from start to finish. The second, however, was very one sided, and I was hoping in my claret and blue heart that the Irons could hold on, but alas, Torres.
The problems that Liverpool presented during the match were very numerous, even from before the match kicked off. No real surprises in the team selection, but the substitute bench for Liverpool was one that would raise a few eyebrows.
Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Degen, Dossena, Riera, Babel (along with the reserve goalkeeper). This selection should bewilder even the most positive Scouser.
We know Liverpool don’t have that quality striker to back up Torres, but when the entire attacking force on the bench consists of two wingers in Babel and Riera, one has to wonder why the like’s of N’go or El Zhar weren’t even on the bench, in the event that Liverpool had to chase the game.
Had the match turned out slightly differently, and Torres, when grabbing at his knee on the 20 minute mark, had to be substituted instead of single-handedly winning the game, what would Benitez have done?
His only option would be to bring on Riera or Babel, and play them out wide, whilst moving Dirk Kuyt to become the central striker, a void which he unsuccessfully tried to fill, until he became a hit playing out wide.
The first 90 seconds of the game highlighted the rest of the match. Jamie Carragher’s lapse in defense was a preview for the defensive nightmares to follow.
Liverpool were far from convincing, and looked very vulnerable on the counter-attack. What surprised me the most was how exposed they seemed to the pace of Zavon Hines, making only his second Premier League start.
Skrtl was very lucky not to be sent off following an incident in which he dragged the Jamaican down after losing possession.
Liverpool were struggling to break down a West Ham side who had lost their best defender, and arguably the best midfielder, of last season in Upson and Behrami within half an hour.
Ultimately this told in the second half when the hammers tired, and made their third substitution, taking off new signing Alessandro Diamanti after a twinge in his hamstring.
Liverpool’s zonal marking from corners again came under question, when Carlton Cole rose up smack bang in the middle of a triangle of Liverpool players to nod in Noble’s corner. Another defensive mistake along with Carragher’s conceded penalty, and these are flaws that will not go unpunished.
It was only the brilliance of the Spaniard on this occasion, who claimed the points for the Reds in a match that they should have dominated. Last week (and pretty much every second week) it was Gerrard who got Liverpool out of jail, and now, on occasion, they have Torres to fill that role.
Consider this: West Ham United’s line-up after the two initial injuries included a 20 year old centre-back, a 30 year old centre-back playing only his 3rd match in 2 years, a new signing who has only played 3 matches in top-flight football making his first Premier League start, a youngster making only his second Premier League start, and Carlton Cole, and you have to wonder how this game was even close.
I could mention how vulnerable Javier Mascherano is to being sent off, and how both him and Skrtl should both have been sent to have early showers, but this is the Premier League, and unfortunately the “big clubs” get such decisions in their favour time and again.
It happens too often, and it is the smaller clubs who pay the penalty, as we have seen for many seasons with the likes of Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, and John Terry getting away with studs up tackles, dissent, and having suspensions rescinded. I could mention this, but then I might upset some people.
At the beginning of the season I predicted Manchester United would drop out of the top four, to be replaced by the biggest club in Manchester, possibly more out of hope than anything else.
But, should Gerrard or Torres get injured, the bareness of the Liverpool squad will become exposed, and it may be them who will drop out of the coveted Champions League places.
pernunz
Roar Rookie
Like your positivity towards West Ham mintox. Wish I could be that positive myself. But, the reason Diamanti and Hines got tired was because Diamanti was starting only his 2nd game of top flight football I think (1st in England, at least), and the same with Hines. Bringing on Babel was well thought out by Benitez, and I think Babel can be the new Solskjaer, in terms of a perfect supersub with that lightning pace he has.
mintox
Guest
The squad depth or lack thereof is nothing new. Having said that Lucas has surprised me this year and Babel actually looked effective playing on the right wing as opposed to his apparent ability to play on the left (and where Benitez has predominantly used him up until now). With Aquilani to come into the team and both Kuyt and Babel able to play up front they have cover albeit poor cover. Then there is always the January window. Your article attempts to stir up some sort of worry that Liverpool fans need to have as a result of that game. I'd offer an opposing view. The first half provided glimpses of the brilliance of Zola who managed to catch out Rafa with Diamanti and Hines, both of whom exposed Liverpool shape and their runs caused the mistakes in the backline which led to West Hams goals. Rafa is no idiot though, he changed things in the second half and West Ham struggled to get and keep posession and Liverpool rightly finished on top at the end of the game. Hines and Diamanti were nowhere to be seen in the second half.. and that is football. All the top teams have and will have worrying games/halves/parts of the season the important thing is how they react to it. I think Liverpool did well out of this game and West Ham will cause a lot of teams problems.
pernunz
Roar Rookie
All that needs to happen is one injury, and Manchester United will be up against it. Look at what happened to Arsenal last season without Fabregas for the majority of the season. Last year for Man Utd, when Ronaldo got injured, Rooney was able to pop up with goals, along with Tevez. We have seen how many chances Berbatov has had this season already, and only managed to put away one goal. As for the best centre-back partnership in the world, were you not the slightest bit worried when Bellamy burnt Ferdinand for pace in the 89th minute? Or when he left the ball for Foster in the first half? There is no doubt that SAF is great at getting the best out of his players, and that the side is great at grinding out results, but it doesn't change the fact that in my eyes, Manchester United are a far weaker side this season. Man Utd are weaker, Liverpool are weaker, Arsenal and Chelsea are about the same (but Chelsea will be weaker during the African Cup of Nations, a crucial time for the title to be decided), and Manchester City (and dare I say Tottenham) will be much much stronger.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Scholes is generally smart enough to not make a second tackle and hence has only been sent off like 8 times in the EPL (correct me if I'm wrong), he knows he is hopeless at timing them and hence calms it down after the inevitable yellow which he often gets merely because of his reputation. Rooney rarely goes in studs up, generally if he has been wronged against which doesn't make it better but he's a forward, he doesn't tackle nearly as much as a defender or a midfielder so for complaints to be made against his defensive work are pretty lame and as for Terry, well I can't even remember his last bad foul, I haven't seen any recent games but I would say the last dozen games I've seen him in he's been the consummate professional. If you want to worry about tackling, read Arsene Wenger's recent comments, he has his finger on the pulse at least.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Yeah sure. that explains your unfounded anti-Man-Utd-trash comments too then? "Darren Fletcher is the poor man's Dirk Kuyt. So average with half the technical ability" - The comment of someone who doesn't watch enough Man Utd games to make a fair judgement no doubt. Here is Sir Alex's comment regarding Fletchers sending off in last years CL Semi-Final: "You saw his performance tonight and all the big games Darren is always a big player for you.'' Yes, so Sir Alex, Mr "I've won everything", one of the most successful managers in the world of all time would obviously be a worse judge of a footballer than you are, he had Giggs, Scholes, Carrick and Anderson to fill two Central Midfield berths and Fletcher was more-or-less guaranteed the other such were his performances. Given, Fletcher isn't gracious but that doesn't mean he lacks technical ability. He hits a fine long ball and its his team ethic for which he is selected, not to make mazy runs at defenders, he's exactly the type of player that wins you titles, no-one was expecting a brace from him on the weekend were they, no? "possibly more out of hope than anything else" - that's it, hope has clouded your judgement. Man Utd might have lost their best player and Tevez but they are now a more rounded team, that doesn't mean they are better off but it has already allowed the likes of Rooney to shine, Berbatov is coming good after adjusting last season, they still have the best centre back partnership in the world, Giggs is like a fine wine and we're finally starting to see something from Anderson & Nani. Man Utd are far from a spent force and for you to have written them off was about as sensible as some of the comment in your piece here.
pernunz
Roar Rookie
Definitely Robert. Found the link through a facebook advert. With our midfield of (post injuries) Kovac, Noble, Parker (who didn't have a great game), Hines and Diamanti, it shouldn't make too much of a difference on how we play when compared to the Liverpool midfield of Gerrard, Mascherano, Kuyt, Benayoun (and Lucas) there is a great gulf in class. On a more recent note, Darran Fletcher is the poor man's Dirk Kuyt. So Average, with half the technical ability.
pernunz
Roar Rookie
This article sounded a lot better in my head, and in my haste to write it, the effects of a loss of sleep through football watching and working a lot combined for a pretty poorly written article.
Eddie
Guest
Waste of time reading this article and the comments.
FIsher Price
Guest
You're right: Rooney and Terry just do whatever they want. Scholes gets sent off for his relentlessly horrendous 'tackling' only every now and then. Liverpool won't win the league under Benitez.
sledgeross
Guest
Watch on Wednesday morning when Leeds beat Liverpool at Elland road in the cup!
Robert B
Guest
Didn't know you were writing on THE ROAR 'pernunz'. Babel is actually a striker so he could fill the void, also it was him that provided the ball for Torres to head home the winner. There are questions of defensive frailties but with Agger and Aurelio approaching full fitness they could push people for places. I watched the game and frankly was not surprised that West Ham were able to peg us back twice, they are a good side who can play some good football and definitely take points off teams whilst playing at home. p.s. See you at the cup final.
pernunz
Roar Rookie
Exactly what Colin said. The fact that there were 2 enforced substitutes should worry Liverpool fans the most. Off the top of my head I can't think of a team that would field a younger team (unless they have already won the title) As for Man U dropping out of the top 4, their squad is no-where near title winning, when compared to the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, but alas, if we go into fergie-time at every match at old trafford, it will happen
pernunz
Roar Rookie
I find it quite ironic that I wrote this before the Manchester Derby -I could mention how vulnerable Javier Mascherano is to being sent off, and how both him and Skrtl should both have been sent to have early showers, but this is the Premier League, and unfortunately the “big clubs” get such decisions in their favour time and again. -It happens too often, and it is the smaller clubs who pay the penalty, as we have seen for many seasons with the likes of Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, and John Terry getting away with studs up tackles, dissent, and having suspensions rescinded. I could mention this, but then I might upset some people. And then look what happens. The referee decides to follow the letter of the law for time added on when it is in Manchester United's favor, but when they are leading 1-0 and make substitutions, no time gets added on.
David V.
Guest
Frankly they are not good enough, and with Alonso gone, there isn't someone who can control the game when it really matters- Gerrard can't do it all on his own and needs that type of player alongside him.
Colin N
Guest
It may be obvious, but these problems have been going on for a couple of years now, and haven't been addressed by Benitez.
Sam
Guest
Congrats Captain Obvious...what have you written about here that all Liverpool supporters dont already know? We have a shortage of quality strikers, check. Skertel and Mash are both prone to being sent off, check and should Gerrard and Torres get injured we are in trouble, check. Best stick to you day job methinks mate. In terms of zonal marking (the only topic of real discussion here) Rafa must get rid of it because we are simply leaking goals from it, against Villa, Bolton and now the Hammers. Its a joke, no one in the system knows what they are doing, and we have a lot of tall players who are adept at heading the ball, Carra, Skertel, Johnson, Kuyt, Gerrard, yet we cop goals week after week. United dropping out of the top 4? Clearly your Football knowledge is minimal at best. Even the most ardent Liverpool supporter will know they will finish in the top 4 this year.