Blackburn reserves beat Liverpool reserves 3-2 tonight but were astonishingly fortunate to win. Liverpool were the better team throughout but a combination of indecision and poor movement in the final third meant they couldn’t make their superiority count. Blackburn only had three chances that mattered, and scored from all of them. The penalty that won the game – awarded in the 91st minute was a terrible decision from an over-zealous referee.
Liverpool started with a couple of senior players with Sotirios Kyrgiakos playing his first game at the back (partnering Daniel Ayala), Philipp Degen continuing his comeback and David Ngog leading the attack. Nathan Eccleston was making his first competitive start at reserve team level whilst young scholar Liam Jacob started in goal, as a result of injuries to our five other reserve team keepers – you couldn’t make it up.
The first goal was made and well-finished by Eccleston, in just the third minute. Liverpool worked the ball inside from the right flank, Eccleston had a quick step-over and finished from outside the box with his left foot. The reds looked comfortable early on but failed to take a series of half-chances. He was playing against Michel Salgado and the experience will have done him a lot of good.
Blackburn came back into the game. Their goal was disappointing. The number 10 got the ball half way inside the Liverpool half, ran into space, the defenders backed off and he finished well with a shot from outside the area. It was poor defending – particularly from Kyriakos – but when you’re playing too defensively-capable midfielders, in Plessis and Spearing, it was frustrating that they weren’t there to deal with the situation.
Kyriakos was very authoritative in the air although wasn’t really tested. The Blackburn strikers were young and played quite deep in the first half. He only had four or five things to do – and did them ok. However, his distribution was poor. Kelly and Ayala both looked more comfortable on the ball – but perhaps it was a matter of application.
The second half was much better. The reds pressed Blackburn all over the pitch, the full backs got further forward and Spearing came into the game more. Pacheco was everywhere whilst Eccleston’s pace always caused problems. Unfortunately, Ngog and Plessis continued to not eally applied themselves as we know they can.
The second goal was also taken by Eccleston on his right foot, this time, after a nice pass from Pacheco. The keeper might have done better but it was a strong shot and a good run. Pacheco was at the centre everything Liverpool did and whilst he probably shot too often, his first touch, quality and range of his passing and incredible vision was great to watch. As Mark Wright said in the studio, he tried to take players on too often – but he will learn.
The equaliser from Blackburn came after a mix-up from Plessis and Darby, a good ball in and an own-goal from Ayala after the keeper came and didn’t get there. Ayala was angry (as was Darby) which was good to see. The penalty, given for a challenge on Santa Cruz (the brother, not the Manc) by Spearing (the next Gerrard, they say – indeed) was a very poor decision. The ref had a better view, took a moment to think about it, and still gave it.
I feel a bit for Jay Spearing. Only he will know if his football is progressing. Whilst he clearly isn’t ready for regular first team action (despite a nice cameo against Madrid last year) he’s playing reserve team football against players who are often less experienced than him. He appeared to make sloppy mistakes and only started to impose himself in the second half. I can’t help but think that a loan move would do him good but suspect that his lack of height puts off lower division teams.
It was nice to see Bruna winning the ball occasionally – and looked a bit more solid than in previous years. He still has a long way to go, though.
McMahon told LFCTV after the game that “poor decision making” cost the reds – and he probably meant the players more than the ref. It was good to see Eccleston make such a good start – particularly against Blackburn after the rumours that he was leaving last autumn to sign for Rovers.
Next game is at home for Liverpool against Bolton. Until there is more of a presence in centre midfield, the reds will struggle to boss the game. But it would be good if Pacheco and Eccleston can get a consistent run in the side to build on this start.
The LFC match report is now available.
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