Nov
10
Liverpool beat Hull City 4-1 in their most convincing display of the season – although high-flying Hull didn’t provide much opposition. They were out-classed all over the pitch. The reds are now 6 points clear at the top of the league.
The settled line-up has undoubtedly helped Liverpool – as has the break-through of players such as Amoo and Eccleston. Pacheco is really finding his feet at this level, too. It has, though, meant that players such as Flora and Weijl (international duty this week) not getting a look-in and first team fringers – Spearing in particular but also the likes of El Zhar when he’s fit – not playing regular football. That’s a real challenge for the structure of the league, and the setup at the club.
The match
The first goal came after 25 minutes as I was wondering if we’d see any end product from David Amoo, although Hull played ot his reputation and regularly doubled up on the quick winger. He’d seen a lot of the ball but the final pass was consistently poor. A nice pass from Irwin out to the left found Kacaniklic who beat the defender and Amoo, with his back to goal did well to control the ball, turn and score with his left foot in the near post. However, for most of the first half the reds were totally dominant but sloppy in the final third.
The rest of the goals came after half time. The second came after good work from Pacheco who set up Eccleston. The third was a welcome goal for Saric after a powerful run from Amoo.
There was support from across the Liverpool setup with Sammy Lee and TLW favourite Owen Brown watching on (apparently he heads up the scouting system now with Marcia) as well as Christian Purslow, the MD. Although, frankly, if I worked for LFC my wife would need to offer me significant inducements to stop me seeing every live game a Liverpool XI played.
In the first half in particular, there were frequent examples of the main problem for the reserve team: taking too much time in and around the penalty area rather than delivering the final pass decisively.
However, Liverpool reserves are great at winning the ball back in midfield: committed, tenacious, and determined. This was largely down to Irwin but also helped by Ayala reading the game well and a committed performance from Dani Pacheco.
Individual performances
Nathan Eccleston was again lively, playing across the front line. However, he would do well to try and pick out teammates more often, frequently ‘going solo’. He’s good – but not good enough to beat the whole Hull defence himself.
Mendy looks more solid every week.
Kacaniklic played well – an improvement on last week – was direct and looked to get the ball into the box. But David Amoo really caught the eye. He applied himself more than the last couple of weeks. His final ball wasn’t consistent but he ran at defenders and often did well, despite the amount of attention he received from Hull defenders.
Saric great close control, physically good but desperately needed a goal – he was at risk of becoming a kind of Morientes type figure. Saric will be helped hugely – I hope – from scoring his first goal of the season and greater confidence in front of goal will add another dimension to his great build-up play. So far, he’s probably helped by the lack of alternatives in that position without the injured Dalla Valle and Nemeth out on loan.
Martin Hansen may have been unlucky with the penalty that led to Hull’s consolation goal – but he did dive in, even if he did get the ball. I still fail to understand why he gets picked ahead of Dean Bouzanis who gives a much greater sense of commanding his area – as well as being a solid shot-stopper.
Pacheco watch
Dani Pacheco is working hard on his all-round game and it’s not detracting from his attacking play. Just before half time there was a great example when Pacheco closed down an apparent lost-cause, won the ball and got away a good shot, saved by the keeper. He is developing a good understanding with Irwin, dropping deeper to cover the centrebacks when Irwin broke forward. He faded out of the game in the second half but went on a blistering run near the end down the right hand side, which should have resulted in Amoo’s hattrick.
Next game: 24th November – Wigan Athletic v Liverpool reserves:
Related posts:
- Liverpool reserves v Bolton reserves post match analysis
- Liverpool v Manchester City reserves: post match analysis
- Liverpool v Hull City post match analysis
- Liverpool reserves v Sunderland reserves post match analysis
- Liverpool reserves v Man United reserves post match analysis
[...] of Mavinga and Amoo tonight, who will want to build on their good performances in the last match against Hull City reserves. I’m hoping Kacaniklic plays – after picking up an injury in the last game – [...]