WHAT a disappointing weekend for the Redmen. Not only the fact our winning start to the season came to an abrupt end against Southampton but the defeat also highlighted our lack of creativity in attack on the day.
Without the injured Coutinho, and in all honesty during the Brazilians recent dip in form, the Reds have looked short of imagination and attacking impetus in the final third. The only silver lining on this dark day at Anfield is the imminent return of Luis Suarez.
Many pundits have been surprised at the form shown by Liverpool without the aid of our temperamental talisman Suarez. Unbeaten in all but one of the 10 league games of his suspension it would have been nice to welcome Luis back sitting pretty, undefeated on top of the league. While we’ve been somewhat brought back down to earth with a bang it’s far from being all doom and gloom.
For one thing we were somewhat unlucky to lose the game on Saturday. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying we deserved to win but the defeat could definitely have been avoided. Starting the game with four centre-backs in defence raised an eyebrow from the off and wasn’t an ideal situation by any means. Enforced through injury or not it was one element of the team that contributed to the disappointing performance and result against the Saints.
Throughout the game itself we seemed one step short of the pace with misplaced passes aplenty and moves breaking down in their inception phase. The midfield looked disjointed at times and the lack of movement was a reason for the lack of penetration needed to cause the opposition sustained pressure. Aspas again disappointed looking a little out of his depth which meant Sturridge wasn’t able to consistently link up with midfield so dropped deeper and deeper to receive the ball. His frustration led to instances of selfish play when he seemed determined to shoot on sight irrespective of the position of team-mates.
This link up between midfield and the front line is one of the strengths in Suarez’s game and with the injury to Coutinho the Uruguayan’s return is all the more timely. His trademark illusive movement and unquestionable ability on the ball will add both a renewed spark and extra dimension to our attacking play. The time spent observing from the side-lines should make Luis additionally determined to make a positive contribution from the off. The enforced absence could serve as a motivating factor and given the will-he won’t-he stay dramas Suarez should feel as though he now owes the fans his total commitment.
The jury will always be undecided on Luis as a person but we need to focus on his qualities as a footballer and what he can bring to the team. Not many players in the country will give opposition defences as big a headache as Suarez on his day. With movement and trickery to burn the player has made many top class defenders appear statuesque and silly in equal measure. Almost single-handedly responsible for the return of the school ground favourite ‘nut-meg’ back into top flight football Luis will surely bring excitement and entertainment to the Reds attack terrorising defences all along the way.
Results this weekend have given the game against United on Wednesday that extra bit of spice. I can think of no better stage to mark the return of Suarez than a packed Old Trafford and the opportunity to defeat the defending league champions on their own patch. The scene is set for Luis to send a message that he’s back in business and keen to make up for lost time.
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