Liverpool VS FC Utrecht : Match Review

I nearly fell asleep watching the match this early morning
as it was quite a boring, dull and disappointing all-square game.
My mind was telling me to skip this live match as Liverpool
are already guaranteed top place in the group and there
is really nothing to urge and spur the player on to achieve
a desirable result. But my heart and body are willing to forsake
a few hours of sleep to watch my beloved supported team
and players in action. I was disappointed by the proceeding
but I guess it is just what was expected when Hodgson is
still the lead-man.

In this purely academic match, Hodgson made the right decision
to put in the reserves and allow them to show the manager and
the fans what they are capable of. He made 10 changes to the
squad which lost to Newcastle at the weekend with Skrtel the
only player from the last match and was the captain for the match.
Reina wasn't even in the reserves and Brad Jones was the goalie
and it was a pretty reasonably quiet game as he was rarely challenged.

Wilson started alongside Skrtel in central defense with Kelly and
Aurelio at the side. Poulsen was given the call-up to partner Shelvey
in the central midfield and surprisingly Cole was played as a left-wing
and Javanovic was at right-wind when they should have change
sides. Babel and Eccleston were leading the attack.

The defense were doing fine with the countable challenges from
the opponent and Kelly and Aurelio were charging forward to
help out in the attacks whenever possible. The main issue is with
the midfield section.Poulsen was virtually anonymous in the match
and I think he has very few touches on the ball and was running around
like a headless-fly. Shelvey is doing well for a player at his age and
if he continue to perform and mature, he will be a wonderful asset
to the team and looks to fill Gerrard's shoe when the time comes.

Cole played badly in this match and really failed to meet expectation
of a player with his talent and pay grade. He lacked the speed and agility
to run-at and dribble pass the opponent and when he was given a clear
half-chance to score, he took a wild swing and delivered a weakling shot.
As what I have said before, Javanovic is a good player and when
given chance to play in a couple of games, he will show what he can do
to help the team. He was unlucky not to score in the 1st half when his
25m shot hit the cross-bar. If only Hodgson can allow him to play a
few more matches to allow him to show his prowess.

Unfortunately, Babel returned to his former self and performed below
par again in the match. Hodgson gave him a full-match to prove himself
but he was woeful in his shots and runs.Young Eccleston was also
given a chance to show his ability but his over-zealous late tackle resulted
in the only yellow card in the match. Although, he show-off his
speed and agility but he lacks the match positioning but at his age,
he can only improve if he get to play many more games.

Hodgson was seen rubbing his face in frustration as the team
was finding difficulties in finding opening in the opponent's defense
but he should see it coming with the squad that he put in.
If he put Pacheco in the starting 11, I think the whole game will
be played in a very distinct tempo and pace as from the way that
little Pacheco played when he was substituted into the team in
the 56th minutes. Liverpool clearly lack a winger to fully utilised
the width of the field and put in well-placed crosses for the
forward to attack it, and Hodgson need to address this issue
to bring in a quality player during the January transfer window.

Liverpool will face Hodgson's old club Fulham at Anfield this Saturday
and hopefully Gerrard will be fit to be featured in this match with
Torres back in the attack too. Given the terrible away form, the Reds
need to get all the 3 points at home and to correct the once-again
negative goal-difference with a delightful scoreline win.

You Will Never Walk Alone!