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Liverpool Comment: Petulance Of Fernando Torres Shows Just How Far Reds Have Fallen
Disgruntled star epitomises fear and loathing in Lille defeat...
| Bet: | Returns: | Lille £16.50 | Draw £35.00 | Bordeaux £55.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Lille £16.70 | Draw £35.00 | Bordeaux £55.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Lille £16.67 | Draw £33.00 | Bordeaux £55.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Lille £16.20 | Draw £37.50 | Bordeaux £55.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Lille £16.80 | Draw £34.00 | Bordeaux £47.00 |
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Mar 11, 2010 8:47:00 PM
By Neil Jones at Stade Lille Nord Metropole
It has long been a staple of Liverpool's European diet, the solid and steady away performance. But that was then - this is now.
Rafael Benitez does not, at the moment at least, possess a side of vigour, of mental toughness, nor one with the propensity to produce a dominant away performance. Eden Hazard's 84th-minute goal - scored direct from a free kick which evaded all inside a crowded penalty area - leaves Liverpool staring down the barrel of a season without silverware.
It is perhaps harsh to level too much criticism at Benitez and his side, considering that they were a matter of minutes away from a battling stalemate away from home - a useful result in any European tie, especially one played on a cabbage patch of a pitch, in sub-zero temperatures.
Monday night's abject loss to Wigan Athletic had represented a new low for Liverpool in terms of performance level. When Benitez, often fiercely protective of his troops, questions his side's passion and quality, you know something is wrong. Tonight represented a swift chance to mend the wrongs of the DW Stadium, and potentially place one foot firmly inside the door of the quarter finals.
And in parts, Benitez got a reaction. Liverpool were far less wasteful in possession than they had been at Wigan. But to use that as a positive is stretching reality, considering the poverty of performance on display in Lancashire earlier in the week.
Excuses can be made, the pitch was horrendous - a point made by Ryan Babel on Twitter prior to kick-off - and was never likely to enhance either side's passing game. Yet Lille found a way to adapt, Liverpool retreated into their worrying shell of petulance and self-pity. The sight of Fernando Torres picking up yellow card for the second successive game after a brattish show of dissent sums up the general ill-feeling around the side at the moment. Torres had his moments here, but was his own worst enemy as he allowed his rhythm to be disrupted.
Lille were worthy victors, if not dominant. Their spring-heeled duo of Eden Hazard and Yohan Cabaye were dangerous from the off, tormenting the Reds full-backs regularly. Emiliano Insua was booked, harshly, after a tussle with Hazard, whilst Johnson looked nervy for long periods, and invited Cabaye to let fly on at least one too many occasions.
So, after one defeat in ten, it is now two straight losses for Benitez's side. And whilst the Wigan defeat will be the barometer for ineptitude in the Liverpool season, tonight's reverse could arguably have more severe consequences. An exit from the Europa League would perhaps not resonate in the way failure to attain fourth spot would, but it would still hurt.
The Reds will walk a tightrope in the second leg, knowing an away goal for the French side at Anfield could kill the contest, and ensure a season already short on positives could also end without silverware.
It has long been a staple of Liverpool's European diet, the solid and steady away performance. But that was then - this is now.
Rafael Benitez does not, at the moment at least, possess a side of vigour, of mental toughness, nor one with the propensity to produce a dominant away performance. Eden Hazard's 84th-minute goal - scored direct from a free kick which evaded all inside a crowded penalty area - leaves Liverpool staring down the barrel of a season without silverware.
It is perhaps harsh to level too much criticism at Benitez and his side, considering that they were a matter of minutes away from a battling stalemate away from home - a useful result in any European tie, especially one played on a cabbage patch of a pitch, in sub-zero temperatures.
Monday night's abject loss to Wigan Athletic had represented a new low for Liverpool in terms of performance level. When Benitez, often fiercely protective of his troops, questions his side's passion and quality, you know something is wrong. Tonight represented a swift chance to mend the wrongs of the DW Stadium, and potentially place one foot firmly inside the door of the quarter finals.
And in parts, Benitez got a reaction. Liverpool were far less wasteful in possession than they had been at Wigan. But to use that as a positive is stretching reality, considering the poverty of performance on display in Lancashire earlier in the week.
Excuses can be made, the pitch was horrendous - a point made by Ryan Babel on Twitter prior to kick-off - and was never likely to enhance either side's passing game. Yet Lille found a way to adapt, Liverpool retreated into their worrying shell of petulance and self-pity. The sight of Fernando Torres picking up yellow card for the second successive game after a brattish show of dissent sums up the general ill-feeling around the side at the moment. Torres had his moments here, but was his own worst enemy as he allowed his rhythm to be disrupted.
Lille were worthy victors, if not dominant. Their spring-heeled duo of Eden Hazard and Yohan Cabaye were dangerous from the off, tormenting the Reds full-backs regularly. Emiliano Insua was booked, harshly, after a tussle with Hazard, whilst Johnson looked nervy for long periods, and invited Cabaye to let fly on at least one too many occasions.
So, after one defeat in ten, it is now two straight losses for Benitez's side. And whilst the Wigan defeat will be the barometer for ineptitude in the Liverpool season, tonight's reverse could arguably have more severe consequences. An exit from the Europa League would perhaps not resonate in the way failure to attain fourth spot would, but it would still hurt.
The Reds will walk a tightrope in the second leg, knowing an away goal for the French side at Anfield could kill the contest, and ensure a season already short on positives could also end without silverware.
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