The breakthrough took a good 82 minutes to come by, and the opposition was not one of the elite best ones in the world, with Ludogorets Razgrad making way into Champion’s League for the first time and straight away into an Anfield night.
The crowd sang loud, and they gave the atmosphere that was missing for a long time, but on the turf things did seem a little frustrating. There was tremendous build-up play, no doubt, with Henderson, Sterling and Balotelli surely the best players of the match. Even Moreno and Manquillo were superb, marauding up and down the flanks, balancing defense and attack superbly. But there was a spark missing, the unpredictability it attack, the fear that the presence of Luis Suarez brought on the field.
The current Liverpool squad is very stronger, make no mistake. Infact they are more balanced than they ever were. But the absence of Luis Suarez has somehow made the opposition feel that Liverpool is an easier opposition now, and that is where the confidence comes from.
As for the gameplay, Liverpool’s build up has been tremendous this season. Though Coutinho and Lallana were quiet in the game, Sterling and Henderson were passing and running really well. Moreno has been a fantastic addition, he has a strong tackle and some of his runs forward are mesmerizing. Lovren has been a brilliant leader at the back and Manquillo is similar to Moreno at right-back.
But, most of Balotelli played really well in the game. He badly needed it, no doubt. His goal was a perfect example of the player he is. He used his skill to control the lofted cross by Moreno, then his strength to hold of two defenders, and lastly his famed finishing to put it in the far corner with the outside of his boot.
Ludogorets came with astutely planned defensive gameplay, attacking effectively from the counter. The weighted through ball that made Lovren unsuccessfully track back before seeing his tackle go empty and Mignolet being rounded by Abalo was a perfectly executed counter attack.
Lastly, Gerrard. The man. He is getting old, and slow. But he is a presence and Liverpool needs that presence. His calmness as he slotted the ball opposite from where the keeper dived, into the 93rd minute of an Anfield Champion’s League game, was worth applauding.
Liverpool are finding their way back, we can see it in their efforts. Luis Suarez is not easy to replace, but the team, as a whole, are trying really hard to do so.
Source: DSG
