FURTHER to our absence from all European competition last season, Liverpool fans should be excited about the Europa League campaign.
The competition enjoyed a renaissance last season after some brilliant displays from the likes of Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid, and the prospect of facing these teams should be considered as an opportunity to regain our reputation on the continent. We are also at the onset of yet another re-building job after failure to qualify for the Champions League hastened Kenny Dalglish’s departure at the end of last season.
Liverpool were so far adrift from fourth that qualification is no longer considered a formality, indeed, it is widely accepted that finishing in the top four this season would mark a considerable success. Despite all of this, speaking from a personal point of view regarding the Europa League, there is something inherently dissatisfying and frankly quite boring about the competition. One suspects this is a view shared by countless other Reds fans.
Put simply, we have been spoilt rotten by our glittering history in Europe’s premier competition and as many non-Liverpool fans love to remind us – a sense of ‘entitlement’ has crept in (not that this is an altogether bad thing mind). That said, the seeming lack of respect for the Europa League isn’t helped by UEFA’s demeaning of the competition in recent years. This in itself can be attributed to a couple of factors: firstly, the Champions League captures the top four teams from the ‘best’ European nations, whereas the old UEFA Cup used to attract similarly placed teams who had challenged for their domestic league title, thus strengthening the competition. Secondly, the re-branding and in particular the re-formatting of the competition was, in hindsight, a disaster.
The league format is almost a hindrance and teams who take part from the qualifying stage onwards – like Liverpool are now – often rest key players in the group stages due to the resulting increase in fixtures. A final reason why the competition lacks credibility at times is one that is admittedly borne out of downright big club snobbery: for games we can’t attend, watching Liverpool on a Thursday night on Channel Five (who have lost the rights incidentally) is not the same as watching us alongside Messi and co. on Tuesday or Wednesday on Sky or ITV. Of course, this is solely a supporter’s point of view and in no way is it inferred as being representative of the majority.
The players on the other hand enjoy wage levels that are bordering on immoral, therefore, their professionalism and dedication towards this competition, and indeed every single Liverpool game, should be steadfast and unquestioned. In tonight’s third round qualifier against FC Gomel in Belarus, it was hard to tell whether Liverpool were of the incorrect mindset or whether their bad performance was simply down to a lack of quality on the evening. Thankfully, they managed to achieve a 1-0 victory, which is an almost perfect result in any away European tie, but Gomel will feel extremely aggrieved to have not recorded a goal against a dodgy Liverpool rearguard.
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After a scrappy opening period, Gomel created the first chance of the game on 25 minutes. Steven Gerrard mistimed a lunging tackle on Dmitri Platonov in the right full back position, allowing him to fire a cross into Igor Voronkov who could only head over. As it transpired, this first chance instigated a very shaky period for Liverpool who looked alarmingly susceptible at the back right up until half time.
Aleksandr Alumona – who troubled Liverpool and particularly Martin Skrtel all evening – had a low shot saved by a nervous looking Brad Jones on 29 minutes. The same player then fired straight at Jones from six yards out after fashioning himself a one-on-one by shrugging off Skrtel’s challenge after a ball over the top.
Liverpool’s defence was an accident waiting to happen and the chance conceded on 41 minutes summed up their vulnerability. The ball was treated like the proverbial hot potato after a simple punt over the top, where neither Skrtel or Jones took ownership of the situation. It eventually fell to Platonov who squared it to Alumona; fortunately however, Jamie Carragher – on his 700th appearance in a red shirt – saved a certain goal with a typical last minute challenge.
The second half continued in a similar vein. Almost immediately after the restart, yet another high ball wasn’t dealt with leaving Platonov clean through. Jones sprinted from goal in an attempt to intercept but left himself in no man’s land – he would have breathed a huge sigh of relief when the touch taken by Platonov was far too heavy and the ball ran out of play.
The closest Liverpool went to falling behind came on 64 minutes. Sergey Kozeca struck a cracking left footed curler around Jones which cannoned off the post, the ball then fell to Alumona who sliced his shot straight to Platonov, and with the goal gaping he fired agonisingly wide. Liverpool were yet again let off the hook.
Almost immediately after their most uncomfortable moment of the match, Liverpool took an undeserved lead. Stewart Downing received the ball on the right touchline, jinked inside his marker and fired in a powerful left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner from roughly 25 yards. Downing will be relieved to start his campaign with a confidence boosting goal and hopefully this will kick start a good run of form for the England international.
There were several instances last season where Liverpool dominated games and created numerous chances only to fall behind against the run of play. This often demoralised the players, ironically though, the shoe was on the other foot in tonight’s game. Gomel looked shell-shocked to find themselves behind to a crucial away goal, allowing Liverpool to pass the ball more comfortably in greater space. However, there was still time for Alumona to threaten Liverpool for a final time when a thunderous volley from outside the area flashed just wide on 88 minutes.
Brendan Rodgers’ first competitive game ended with his first victory as Liverpool’s manager. However, he will be aware that despite some mitigating circumstances – such as a much travelled team still lacking in players and full match fitness – performance levels will need to improve drastically against what will soon be far superior opponents. The team’s defending will probably be his greatest concern, but tonight also proved that it will take time to impose the passing game he intends to adopt at the club.
L4L Man of the Match: Stewart Downing – Probably sounds slightly obvious after he grabbed the winner but his distribution was tidy and he displayed some intelligent movement off the ball.
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If most of these guys r goin to play in the season coming then br will go in the mrnin