Liverpool now only have one piece of silverware to aim for after they lost to Besiktas in the Europa League on penalties
Extra time, penalties, and ultimately crashing out of the Europa League was not what Liverpool had in mind last night, especially with a huge match in the Premier League on Sunday against Manchester City at Anfield.
Having been on such a promising run, last night’s defeat to Istanbul signals the end of the side’s journey in Europe for another season, and another avenue to win a trophy cut off. Liverpool will be bitterly disappointed this morning as they now focus on finishing in the Premier League’s top four, and trying to win the FA Cup.
So, what did we learn about Liverpool during last night’s game. Here are five things:
They still lack cutting edge
The first half from Liverpool last night was excellent, apart from the goals. Both Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge were guilty of wasting opportunities of grabbing a vital away goal that would have put this tie to bed. While many fans have been crying out for Sturridge’s return, he is some way off his best, and a lot is being put on the shoulders of Sterling too. One main difference between this season and last is that Liverpool don’t seem to possess that ruthless streak in front of goal.
A more pragmatic approach within European games is needed
After being in control in the first half, there were certain things Liverpool didn’t adapt to. They needed to drop another man into midfield, while throughout the game they seemed surprised at how slow the pitch was – which if you watch most games at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium – including the one in 2005 – the surface has rarely played quickly. It was perhaps a lack of experience in the middle of the park that hindered Liverpool in this case, while with a shortage of experienced central midfield options available, it would have been difficult to change things in that area.
Current management of Mario Balotelli is poor
A lot of people are scratching their heads as to way the Italian was substituted last night. Sure, he was on a yellow card, but he was proving to be effective for the Reds by winning the ball high up field, getting fouled a lot and perhaps should’ve had an assist to his name when he put Sturridge through on goal. He looked the more threatening of the front trio but Rodgers decided to sacrifice him – while comments about his work rate last week seemed to be harsh at the very least.
Lovren not ready for a sustained run just yet
It has been a signature of Brendan Rodgers’s management that when a player is out of form he has a sustained run out of the side before gradually being reintegrated into the side. With injuries taking their toll on Liverpool last night, Rodgers’s hand was forced and he had to give Lovren a second game within five days. He didn’t do badly within the game overall but as the tie went on more and more errors started to creep in, which made the decision to put him on the fifth penalty all the more bizarre.
A new midfielder in the summer proving to be more essential
Liverpool’s shortage of options in the middle of the park was felt last night with the absence of Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson. Emre Can moved into midfield for the first time since November, while the demands took their toll on Joe Allen as the game went on. Though there were midfield options on the bench with Jordan Williams and Cameron Brannagan, the manager is in a bit of a dilemma. It adds to the need to not only replace Gerrard, but find a midfielder that can change games and be calm on the ball in times of difficulty.
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