L4L Match Report: LIVERPOOL 3 v 0 FC Gomel

AN impressive performance which provides tangible evidence that Rodgers’ ideas are beginning to make an impression, or an easy victory that shouldn’t be taken too seriously due to the nature of our opposition?

A question that many Liverpool fans could well be asking themselves in the aftermath of a dominant 3-0 victory against FC Gomel last night, with goals from Fabio Borini, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson.

One indisputable fact is that Liverpool served up a vastly improved performance from the first leg and finally looked like a team that are on paper far superior to their Belarusian opponents.

They began the game with such intensity that it was easy to forget the team’s lack of competitive action. Almost immediately, the understanding between Suárez and Gerrard was a joy to watch, with Borini and Downing playing notable supporting acts in a new look Liverpool attack. It was very encouraging to see Steven Gerrard in a more advanced central role, his best position and one which allowed him to notch up a prolific amount of goals and assists in Rafael Benítez’s era. A lack of goals from midfield was a major problem last season and hopefully this interesting tactical move by Rodgers will pay dividends – a prolific Steven Gerrard would undoubtedly be a massive bonus for Liverpool.

On 15 minutes, Gerrard combined beautifully with Suárez down the left hand side. After a quick 1-2 between the pair, which featured a superb reverse ball from Suárez, Gerrard played a slide rule ball back to the Uruguayan who hit a powerful side footed shot just over the bar from roughly 20 yards.

Suárez showed no ill effects from his hectic footballing schedule and soon after he fashioned himself a one-on-one with an impudent nutmeg at the edge of the box. He probably picked the wrong option with the finish though – side footing towards the near post which allowed an easy save.

Breaking the deadlock looked to be inevitable and on 20 minutes Lucas played a low ball invitingly to Suárez towards the left hand edge of the penalty area and he effortlessly jinked past his marker and moved menacingly towards the by-line (this is fast becoming a trademark of Liverpool’s no. 7). His attempted cross was then blocked by the keeper but the ball looped straight to Fabio Borini, who fired a low right footed volley into the bottom left hand corner from 10 yards.

Borini was delighted to cap his first match at Anfield with a confidence boosting goal and his all round performance was good. The stand out feature of the Italian’s display was his determination and work rate; this coupled with an equally dynamic Luis Suárez meant that Liverpool’s new striking partnership got off to an encouraging start.

Liverpool doubled their lead on 41 minutes, the tireless Suárez chased and harried at the edge of the penalty area, and as so often is the case with the brilliant Uruguayan, his hard work was rewarded when the ball broke kindly into the box, allowing him to burst through on goal. Unselfishly, he picked out Steven Gerrard with a ball inside and the captain tapped into an empty net.
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Thanks to Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel’s relentless tackling almost as soon as the ball reached any opposition player in an advanced position, and indeed the effort throughout the team to win back possession at the very earliest opportunity, the remainder of the first half was pretty much constantly played in Gomel’s half.

The second period continued in a similar vein, Gerrard struck the post on 52 minutes with a low struck shot from 20 yards after some good work from a resurgent Stewart Downing. A few minutes later, Suárez was through on goal in a wide right position; his resulting shot was struck well and the ball seemed destined for the bottom corner, but the impressive Vladimir Bushma had other ideas and got down well to make a superb save.

The tie was wrapped up in fine style on 72 minutes when Glen Johnson received the ball from a wide right area and unleashed a ferocious left footed half volley that smashed into the Kop goal from 25 yards out. A tremendous strike that capped off a very good performance from one of Liverpool’s most underrated players, adding to an already impressive tally of goals with his so called weaker foot.

Regardless of the opposition, Liverpool’s performance was very pleasing. Their passing, movement and pressing were the most significant characteristics of this display. These are of course the fundamental building blocks that underpin Rodgers’ widely publicised footballing philosophy. It should be abundantly clear to Liverpool fans however that the club has been the subject of several false dawns over the last 22 years and for that reason it is far too premature to make any judgements on the new regime. Producing this kind of display on a consistent basis against far superior opposition will be a minimum requirement if we are to enjoy a successful season.

L4L Man of the Match

There were excellent individual performances throughout the team, especially from the likes of Downing, Borini, Johnson and particularly Steven Gerrard. However, the accolade has to go to Luis Suárez – his work rate, dazzling skill and expert movement lit up a packed Anfield and hopefully he can produce these performances throughout the season and cement his status as one of the Premier League’s best players.

 You can catch Antony on Twitter @antonyjlfc
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