Barclays Premier League – January 2nd 2008 – Result
Liverpool 1 Wigan 1
Two more dropped points for Liverpool against another team looking for a draw against the Reds. Wigan are now managed by Steve Bruce, who used the same tactics when manager of Birmingham earlier in the season, but this time Liverpool actually managed to make a breakthrough when Torres scored in the 49th minute. However despite a lot of possession the Reds didn’t threaten the Wigan goal anywhere near enough, and it was inevitible that Wigan would hit the Reds with a sucker punch. That came with ten minutes left, and from then it was obvious the home side were not going to get back in front.
Five points from the nine on offer over Christmas isn’t enough, and Liverpool really will struggle now to make a challenge for the title. Despite dropping back into fifth place tonight, if Liverpool won their game in hand they would still only be nine points behind leaders Arsenal. However Arsenal and second-placed Manchester United are more often than not able to break down opponents who arrive intent on getting a single point, Liverpool just don’t quite have the personnel to pull that off. With the new owners no longer waving any cash around it’s unlikely the attacking side of the squad will be improved in this transfer window, and so there will be more matches like today before the season is out.
Liverpool: 25 Reina, 3 Finnan, 17 Arbeloa, 23 Carragher, 12 Aurelio, 16 Pennant (18 Kuyt, 86), 14 Alonso, 20 Mascherano (15 Crouch, 84), 7 Kewell (11 Benayoun, 74), 8 Gerrard, 9 Torres
Unused subs: 30 Itandje, 6 Riise
Bookings: Mascherano 79, Torres 90
Goals: Torres 49
Wigan: 1 Kirkland, 25 Melchiot, 18 Scharner, 19 Bramble, 8 Kilbane, 16 Valencia, 14 Landzaat, 11 Brown, 2 Taylor (10 Koumas, 79), 9 Heskey (6 Sibierski, 84), 23 Bent
Unused subs: 12 Pollitt, 17 Boyce, 20 Olembe
Bookings: Scharner 59
Goals: Bramble 80
BBC Stats: (Liverpool – Wigan)
Possession: 63% – 37%
Shots on target: 11 – 1
Shots off target: 4 – 5
Corners: 4 – 1
Fouls: 13 – 16
Sky Stats: (Liverpool – Wigan)
Possession: 69.7 – 30.3
Shots on Target: 8 – 1
Shots off Target: 6 – 6
Corners: 4 – 1
Fouls: 13 – 16
Referee: Steve Bennett
Attendance: 42,308
reading this hurts me so badley i love liverpool but hate what the owners and maneger is doing to us we need to sort it out
Liverpool certainly have the personnel to break down Wigan, Birmingham, Sunderland or whoever comes to Anfield.
It is hard to ascertain what is wrong with this squad. They certainly have the talent in the strike force with Torres, Crouch, Babbel and Kuyt; a solid midfield; reasonable width (no team is perfect in this regard); solid in the back and a world class keeper. Benitez has a fantastic track record of success, so why are our seasons essentially over by the New Year?
I do not have any easy answers. The loss of Agger and Hyppia have hurt. They have had their fair share of dodgy penatlies go against them. However, the most obvious thing to me is the lack of cohesion and general malaise of the squad.
They do not seem to be able to keep consistency and fluidity for anything close to 90 minutes. Also, they look dispassionate (save a few individuals). As a support this is the most frustrating thing. I can put up with Rafa’s disingenuous squad selections, missed chances, but the lack of urgency (save the final five minutes) disappoints me most of all.
I don’t think the talent gap is very large between the big 4, but the psychological gap is huge…
I don’t think the talent gap is very large between the big 4, but the psychological gap is huge…
I think you’ve hit the proverbial nail on its head there matey…
Manyoo, arsenal and chelsea seem to have an urgency to their play and at 0-0 would switch to all out attack after, say, 60mins….we seem collectively accept our ‘fate’ and ‘hope’ it changes, rather than making it change….
I have just read the News of the World article were, it is claim that Rafa expects to be sacked. The new owners have a lot to answer for in broken promises, but it seems that their assessment of Rafa as the best Manager in Football and would back him to sign “Scooby something”, at least that is what Gillet said, is now another lie.(sorry reassesment) As a 73 year old my values are now dated but I have no time for unethical people and the 2 yanks have all the appearances of being very unethical. Or should I just blame the newpaper reports for their unfavourable press.