“World beaters going forward. Sunday League at the back” was how one poster on Red and White Kop summed up Liverpool’s performance against West Ham. It was a neat little phrase which contained some truth, although deeper analysis revealed problems in both parts of Liverpool’s performance.
Improving midfield
We’ve looked before at the changing role of Javier Mascherano. Against West Ham he passed the ball as often as you’d expect of Xabi Alonso – but offered more defensively than he has before this season. Lucas also contributed a lot both in possession and defensively – although it was noticeable that they occupy similar areas of the pitch. Collapsing on the couch back home (slightly drunk) it was noticeable watching Barcelona how much more space there was between midfielders. The partnership between Lampard and Mikel (shown here) whilst not a like-for-like comparison, shows a much clearer separation of the defensive and attacking midfielders in their diamond formation.
by Guardian Chalkboards
Good width
Liverpool do play with more width than is commonly acknowledged. When Kuyt cuts inside, Johnson is usually available and the same with Insua providing an outlet on the left when Benayoun drifts all over the pitch. However, these do also demonstrate that Liverpool weren’t as great a threat from out wide as they had been in previous games against Burnley or Stoke.
Improving defensively
However, it will be the changes in defence which Rafa and Pellegrino will be most keen to put right. Lucas and Mascherano both provided cover for the back four. Insua and Johnson also defended well – the latter particularly successful at stopping attacks higher up the pitch. But as this graphic shows, Liverpool frequently lost tackles in the air against West Ham. Two thirds of the tackles that Liverpool lost in their own half were aerial battles. Whether zonal marking or man to man marking, Liverpool have to do better in the air.
Carragher a cause for concern
Jamie Carragher has never been far away from criticism during his career with Liverpool but the insecurity of thinking that he may lose his place has helped make him into one of the best centre backs in the English game. He will almost certainly come through this difficult start to the season. But at the moment, he is not playing well. He conceeded (harshly) the penalty and was at fault for the second goal – beaten in the air at a setpiece as he was against Spurs and Aston Villa.
This graphic shows just how little Carragher is offering his team defensively. In an equally poor defensive display against Wigan last year (won 3-2 at home) Carragher won four tackles and lost one.
by Guardian Chalkboards
Against West Ham yesterday he did not win a tackle compared to Martin Skrtel’s 6:
by Guardian Chalkboards