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More of the same - spineless defeat to Bolton shows why Liverpool miss Lucas just as much as Luis Suarez
Although their talismanic striker's absence has grabbed all the headlines, it was a lack of solidity in midfield which cost the Reds dearly against the resurgent Trotters
22 Jan 2012 09:47:00
Getty Images
ANALYSIS
By David Lynch at the Reebok Stadium
As Craig Bellamy fought a one-man battle against attacking mediocrity during Liverpool’s loss to Bolton on Saturday, it seemed clear where the Reds’ problems lay.
That Kenny Dalglish’s men have drawn three, lost two and won just one of their last six Premier League games seems to say at least as much about their generally poor league form as it does about the absence of banned striker Luis Suarez, who has missed the last four of those league games, as well as two cup ties that Liverpool won without him.
Yet, there was something different about the way in which the relegation-threatened Trotters dispatched a team who are supposedly aiming for a top-four league finish.
The ease with which Owen Coyle’s men sliced through the Liverpool midfield indicated that it was in fact something and someone else that the Reds missed most. Another South American, another full international, a lesser-valued lynchpin – Lucas Leiva.
The Brazilian’s status as an understated cog in the red machine, a vital part cruelly denied them by a cruciate ligament injury sustained against Chelsea in October, is becoming clearer with each passing game.
Bolton’s first two goals on Saturday, scored by Mark Davies and Nigel Reo-Coker, were both created through midfield runners latching onto simple exchanges with selfless front man David N’gog. Whilst there is an argument to be made over the tightness of Liverpool’s defenders on both occasions, there was an evident Lucas-shaped hole which proved incredibly costly for the Merseyside outfit.
The knock-on effects of the midfielder’s absence beyond just this lack of control in the centre of the park were also evident on the night. It was telling that the game was the worst the Reds’ defence has looked since defeat to Spurs as far back as September.
A notable sufferer was the previously unshakeable Jose Enrique. A candidate for signing of the season - one part human two parts defensive wall - the Spaniard endured his first bad game in a Liverpool shirt on Saturday.
His patchy performance, combined with a lack of cover from Maxi Rodriguez and the absence of a defensive midfielder, meant the full-back suffered a more dreadful evening up against Chris Eagles than he perhaps should have.
If one player is having an inevitable off day then the responsibility for picking up the slack falls to that anchor in midfield; Lucas’ injury, along with the absence of Jay Spearing through a hamstring strain, meant this failed to happen at the Reebok.
Kenny Dalglish is also not immune from criticism over the way he has formulated his midfield since the Brazilian's injury.
Against Bolton, the teamsheet initially provided plenty of hope for those in Red. An attacking triumvirate of Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Maxi Rodriguez was sure to be supported well by a midfield trio of Charlie Adam, Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson. Those central three had the potential to provide passing range, running and goal threat in abundance against a side low on confidence.
Therefore it was something of a surprise when the teams lined up for kick-off and Liverpool appeared to fall into a more traditional 4-4-2. This meant Jordan Henderson fulfilling an unfamiliar role on the right once more and, most importantly, Adam and Gerrard forming a central midfield pairing. Unfortunately, these are two players known for their contribution at the sharp end of the pitch and not particularly for their defensive discipline.
On a cold Saturday night in Lancashire, it was apparent why.
The lack of a holding midfielder meant that gaps appeared and they were exploited on countless occasions by increasingly impressive schemer, Mark Davies. It might be foolish to suggest that Dalglish does not know his best team, but the clear weakness of an undisciplined midfield two was clear to see from the outset. Jordan Henderson may not be a natural defensive midfielder but his legs in the middle could surely have covered for Adam’s lack of pace and Gerrard’s trademark forward bursts.
That said, it is not all bad for Liverpool. Whilst Lucas is undoubtedly a huge miss and will not be back before next season begins, they need only look down the East Lancs Road for proof that midfield problems can be overcome. Manchester United have regularly been criticised this season for a lack of quality in the centre and yet they sit second in the Premier League, a position that their fierce rivals doubtless envy.
However, if the Reds are to match the Red Devils, they must identify the firepower that their bitter enemy possesses as the reason why. Quality in the forward positions can often mask a multitude of sins and, though Suarez’s return approaches, it is clear the Uruguayan needs some help in that department if Liverpool are to achieve their aims.
Even in playing poorly against Bolton, Dalglish’s men managed an obligatory strike of the woodwork through Daniel Agger - the 19th time they have done so this season. This worrying statistic was of course partly accrued with Suarez present and hints at the profligacy his side must eliminate if they are to overcome Lucas' absence with positive results.
So, with just a matter of days left in the January transfer window, the Anfield hierarchy should perhaps look forward in more than one sense of the word if they are to secure a place at Europe’s top table once more.
Follow David Lynch on
By David Lynch at the Reebok Stadium
As Craig Bellamy fought a one-man battle against attacking mediocrity during Liverpool’s loss to Bolton on Saturday, it seemed clear where the Reds’ problems lay.
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That Kenny Dalglish’s men have drawn three, lost two and won just one of their last six Premier League games seems to say at least as much about their generally poor league form as it does about the absence of banned striker Luis Suarez, who has missed the last four of those league games, as well as two cup ties that Liverpool won without him.
Yet, there was something different about the way in which the relegation-threatened Trotters dispatched a team who are supposedly aiming for a top-four league finish.
The ease with which Owen Coyle’s men sliced through the Liverpool midfield indicated that it was in fact something and someone else that the Reds missed most. Another South American, another full international, a lesser-valued lynchpin – Lucas Leiva.
The Brazilian’s status as an understated cog in the red machine, a vital part cruelly denied them by a cruciate ligament injury sustained against Chelsea in October, is becoming clearer with each passing game.
Bolton’s first two goals on Saturday, scored by Mark Davies and Nigel Reo-Coker, were both created through midfield runners latching onto simple exchanges with selfless front man David N’gog. Whilst there is an argument to be made over the tightness of Liverpool’s defenders on both occasions, there was an evident Lucas-shaped hole which proved incredibly costly for the Merseyside outfit.
All-white on the night | Bolton destroyed Liverpool's midfield at the Reebok
The knock-on effects of the midfielder’s absence beyond just this lack of control in the centre of the park were also evident on the night. It was telling that the game was the worst the Reds’ defence has looked since defeat to Spurs as far back as September.
A notable sufferer was the previously unshakeable Jose Enrique. A candidate for signing of the season - one part human two parts defensive wall - the Spaniard endured his first bad game in a Liverpool shirt on Saturday.
His patchy performance, combined with a lack of cover from Maxi Rodriguez and the absence of a defensive midfielder, meant the full-back suffered a more dreadful evening up against Chris Eagles than he perhaps should have.
If one player is having an inevitable off day then the responsibility for picking up the slack falls to that anchor in midfield; Lucas’ injury, along with the absence of Jay Spearing through a hamstring strain, meant this failed to happen at the Reebok.
Kenny Dalglish is also not immune from criticism over the way he has formulated his midfield since the Brazilian's injury.
| MUDDLED IN THE MIDDLE |
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Against Bolton, the teamsheet initially provided plenty of hope for those in Red. An attacking triumvirate of Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Maxi Rodriguez was sure to be supported well by a midfield trio of Charlie Adam, Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson. Those central three had the potential to provide passing range, running and goal threat in abundance against a side low on confidence.
Therefore it was something of a surprise when the teams lined up for kick-off and Liverpool appeared to fall into a more traditional 4-4-2. This meant Jordan Henderson fulfilling an unfamiliar role on the right once more and, most importantly, Adam and Gerrard forming a central midfield pairing. Unfortunately, these are two players known for their contribution at the sharp end of the pitch and not particularly for their defensive discipline.
On a cold Saturday night in Lancashire, it was apparent why.
The lack of a holding midfielder meant that gaps appeared and they were exploited on countless occasions by increasingly impressive schemer, Mark Davies. It might be foolish to suggest that Dalglish does not know his best team, but the clear weakness of an undisciplined midfield two was clear to see from the outset. Jordan Henderson may not be a natural defensive midfielder but his legs in the middle could surely have covered for Adam’s lack of pace and Gerrard’s trademark forward bursts.
That said, it is not all bad for Liverpool. Whilst Lucas is undoubtedly a huge miss and will not be back before next season begins, they need only look down the East Lancs Road for proof that midfield problems can be overcome. Manchester United have regularly been criticised this season for a lack of quality in the centre and yet they sit second in the Premier League, a position that their fierce rivals doubtless envy.
However, if the Reds are to match the Red Devils, they must identify the firepower that their bitter enemy possesses as the reason why. Quality in the forward positions can often mask a multitude of sins and, though Suarez’s return approaches, it is clear the Uruguayan needs some help in that department if Liverpool are to achieve their aims.
Even in playing poorly against Bolton, Dalglish’s men managed an obligatory strike of the woodwork through Daniel Agger - the 19th time they have done so this season. This worrying statistic was of course partly accrued with Suarez present and hints at the profligacy his side must eliminate if they are to overcome Lucas' absence with positive results.
So, with just a matter of days left in the January transfer window, the Anfield hierarchy should perhaps look forward in more than one sense of the word if they are to secure a place at Europe’s top table once more.
Follow David Lynch on
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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