Starting line-up: (4-4-2)
Reina
Kelly Carragher Skrtel Enrique
Kuyt Lucas Adam Downing
Suarez Carroll
Kelly Carragher Skrtel Enrique
Kuyt Lucas Adam Downing
Suarez Carroll
LFC scorers: Carroll '71, Suarez '82
LFC Player of the game:
Dirk Kuyt – he was finally given a start on right wing over the ineffective Jordan Henderson. Dirk missed a penalty in the game (his first ever miss in LFC shirt!), but he was very active in the game. He almost scored a goal but his shot unlucky hit the post. He also involved in both of LFC goals. He intelligently let Jose Enrique low cross past over his head and created perfect opportunity for Carroll to open his scoring account. He also headed down the ball to Suarez to make his run for the 2nd goal. His most important contribution is his movement without the ball and timely run to the box as LFC tend to have insufficient bodies in the box in attack. He has forced opposing defenders to take notice of him which helped open up space for Suarez and Carroll to attack and score goals. Until LFC can acquire a natural right wing, Kuyt is basically a must start especially he has developed great understanding with Suarez and Gerrard.
Insights:
Liverpool certainly had the game officiating to thank for! To be honest, the game was 50-50 with 11 vs 11. Everton’s 4-5-1 could counter 4-4-2 well. Tim Cahill has always been a threat in the air against LFC, especially on the Carragher’s zone! The game has 0-0 written all over until an incorrect decision by referee to send off Rodwell for his silly but “yellow-card deserved at worst” tackle on Suarez. Yet, the reaction of Everton players such as Rodwell and Jagelika on their silly fouls on Suarez has proved that LFC possess a dangerous threat that fear Everton big-time while Everton certainly still lacks of anyone upfront who provide similar level of fear to LFC. While the class of Suarez is certainly the key difference between the two Liverpool teams, Dirk Kuyt is the real X-factor in the game. After this game, King should start playing Kuyt on right wing instead of Henderson. On the other hand, it’s not a coincidence LFC started to score once they introduced Gerrard and Bellamy into the game. While Adam and Downing are not bad signings by all means, Gerrard and Bellamy are superior in terms of quality and experience. I am glad for Carroll to finally open his league scoring account. The big man has shown his improvement in fitness and form over the past two weeks and his goal is well deserved. With the return of Gerrard, Carroll should have no excuse but to score more goals to repay the team, manager and the fans. I expect Downing to provide better crossing for Carroll. At this moment, LB Jose Enrique has proved to be a better provider from the flank. Jose has had one assist each in the past two games and has proved to be signing of the season for the Reds so far. Another thing that we learn from this game is we can effectively play 4 strikers simultaneously in the future game when we need to chase for winner or come back from behind. After the introduction of Bellamy in late 2nd half, we had as many as 4 strikers Carroll,Suarez,Kuyt and Bellamy playing together with Bellamy and Kuyt playing on the wing. The 4 strikers can provide serious attacking threat and I recommend King to continue to use this tactics in similar situation in the future.
