29th September - Lyon Vs Liverpool (Europe)
A lacklustre Liverpool performance was punished by Cesare Prandelli’s Fiorentina; as Liverpool’s Champions League campaign suffered a set back.
Rafael Benitez’s men lacked innovation and unison, as two first half goals from Stevan Jovetic were enough to inflict the Merseyside outfit with their first lose in Europe this season.
Lyon’s convincing destruction of Debrecen creates a 3 point gap at the top of Group E, placing huge importance on their visit to Anfield in 3 weeks.
Liverpool were simply not good enough, losing the battle in midfield, as the men from Florence took their chances, defending as a solid unit and retaining possession well.
Liverpool started brightly enough as Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun had chances to score. However, as the home side grew in confidence they took the lead by beating Liverpool’s offside trap, allowing Jovetic to race through on goal, finishing with ease.
Just 5 minutes later and the shaken Liverpool defence slipped further behind. Juan Vargas flashed a powerful cross into the box, with Jovetic the first to react, and doubling his team’s lead in the process.
Despite a wayward 45 minutes, Benitez’ half-time hairdryer treatment seemed to work, as his team began the second half positively. After good work on the left Benayoun cut inside to test Sebastian Frey, while Lucas found space in the box but could only head a cross over Frey’s bar.
Liverpool, who are renowned for making thrilling comebacks under the leadership of Rafa, were unable to score in the second half. This leaves Benitez with much to ponder and analysis ahead of a busy fixture list with crucial games throughout October.
After so much adulation and praise following a free scoring vein of form, it was disappointing to see Fernando Torres involve himself in some petulant altercations in Tuscany.
I have mentioned before on this blog the difficulties El Nino faces when playing as a lone striker. Such difficulties are heightened when facing organised units in tough European encounters, but his quick-tempered attitude can be detrimental to his game and it’s important this is not a recurrent factor, as he has shown what an important match winning player he is for Liverpool.
Liverpool lacked intensity and tenacity, allowing the Italians freedom with possession, with ample time to pass and dictate play. Benitez was rightly critical of his players for lacking the appropriate mentality, but I am of the opinion that the central midfield partnership of Lucas and Aurelio was a contributing factor leading to our opening 45 minute demise.
When I saw the team line-up I was expecting Aurelio to play down the left, with Gerrard supporting Lucas in midfield. It was unfortunate that Javier Mascherano had a hamstring niggle, as he would have set an example with resilient tackling, determined back- four protection, while instilling confidence in the players around him.
Mascherano wouldn’t have allowed Fiorentina’s midfield the time and space to pass and move with consummate ease, while it’s likely he would have closed down Zanetti before he made the telling pass that created the first goal.
It is important to not dwell excessively on one result. This was a tricky away European fixture; one individual game, missing a vital player in Mascherano whose ideally suited for this type of game.
Liverpool need to show their bounce back ability, reverting back to the approach that led to them beginning the Premiership campaign with 23 goals in 7 games.
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