Liverpool escaped Loftus Road with a 2-3 win yesterday, but in truth, they did not deserve it. If QPR, and more specifically Leroy Fer, converted their chances in the first half the game could have been a lot different. The second half was a manic affair, with displays of bad defending from both sides. Liverpool were lucky that QPR are an extremely forgiving side. If Rangers had any game management skills they would have walked away with at least one point. The worry for Liverpool would be how difficult this tie was, bearing in mind how poor QPR have been and where Liverpool aspire to be. They lacked cohesion, structure and looked vastly different to last year’s exciting side.
The difference between last year and this year is obvious. Any side would miss Luis Suarez. Worryingly Daniel Sturridge has been plagued by injury and this void is not close to being filled by Mario Balotelli. You could argue that Liverpool have gone further backwards with him in the side. Raheem Sterling is no doubt their most important attacking option now and was again excellent for them yesterday.
Brendan Rodger’s men look confused and laboured in their play this season. Six months ago their pace, directness and ability to stretch defences all over the pitch was contagious. Suarez, Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge would inter change positions across the pitch with each looking to attack their opponent’s back four at every opportunity. The speed at which they would transition through midfield and commit defenders was a highlight of their play, with each of the four possessing the necessary technique, vision and pace to carry out the game plan. Adding to the four, Jordan Henderson added further threat, utilizing his athletic abilities to run from deep which caused further problems for the opposition. They had lots of options, lots of runners and lots of goal threats.
Contrast this approach to what we have seen this season. Balotelli is now the focal point of their attack and has offered little in goals or creative play. He is a more traditional striker (if you could ever call Balotelli traditional) than Suarez or Sturridge. This has meant that Liverpool can no longer have their forward players interchanging positions and confusing defenders. He is also less willing to stretch defences and dribble at pace at the back four. Adam Lallanna has also been brought in to make up for the loss of Suarez. Although closer to the mould in terms of technique and attacking make-up, he has not found his niche in the side as of yet. He has the ability to go past a player, but lacks the top level pace to run behind defences and open up space for his attacking partners.
This lack of attacking cohesion has clearly played on Brendan Rodger’s decision to deploy Steven Gerrard further up the field in the first half against QPR. It is widely accepted that Gerrard does not have the legs anymore for that position as he has not been deployed there for the last few years. Rodgers was probably looking for his skipper to inspire his struggling attackers, but the former England captain looked sluggish and off the pace. He is now much better suited to the deeper lying position he finished the game in. This attacking midfield position was filled by Philippe Coutinho last season to great effect and Rodgers will be hoping that he will rediscover his form soon. He was often the catalyst in linking the midfield and attack last year and he showed some of that form in his pass to Sterling for yesterday’s winner. The run by Sterling and perfectly weighted pass was reminiscent of many of last year’s goals.
Defensively, Liverpool still look vulnerable. Although some good players have been acquired, especially Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno, the same issues defending set pieces and crosses are there. Jamie Carragher was aghast in the Sky Sports studio yesterday at their defending of set pieces and cited it as the worst in the Premier League right now. Their defence is a weak point and, coupled with the drop in their attacking power, leaves them vulnerable.
Whether Rodger’s has the personnel to carry out last year’s game plan is still not clear. If Sturridge were to return, coupled with some good form from Lazar Markovich(who has the potential to provide pace and skill), Lallanna and Coutinho, the manager could be vindicated in sticking with his current attacking set up. Right now though, with so many pieces missing from the puzzle, he might have to look at changing his approach because, if Liverpool are to play like they did yesterday for the rest of the season, sides much better than QPR will not be so forgiving.
Wastepaperworthy 