Last night’s draw with Sparta Prague was disappointing to say the least – but you have to say it was the type of away performance in Europe Liverpool fans have become used to in the last season and a half. Kenny Dalglish certainly has his work cut out for him if he wants to correct our ineffectiveness on the road in Europe, but considering we had out a fairly depleted squad, the result wasn’t too bad in the end.
With the Europa League being the competition where we expect to see more youngsters and fringe players given a chance to shine, I have to say I was somewhat disappointed not to see Milan Jovanovic and Dani Pacheco get a run out at all. When you consider also that we’ve spent most of the season struggling in the striking department then it does make you wonder how up to now, both Jovanovic and Pacheco haven’t been given more playing time.
Firstly, the case for Jovanovic is simple; he has pace and is very direct in his play, which is what our team has been screaming out for this season especially. Along with that, the Serb hasn’t actually looked too bad whenever he’s come on. He may look off the pace sometimes but one thing I like about him is that when in possession, he is usually looking to make something happen rather than being passive in his play. It’s clear he’s had a hard time settling in but has he really been so terrible in matches that he deserves to barely feature? I don’t think so.
Apart from the poor game he had against Northampton in the Carling Cup, Dani Pacheco has managed to show glimpses of his natural ability whenever he has made a rare cameo appearance and if there was ever any doubt over his ability as a player, his performances at the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championships will have dispelled those reservations. Anyone who watched the competition over the summer will know that Pacheco lit up the tournament with his technical ability and lethal finishing, and also managed to walk away with the Golden Boot for being top scorer. Comparing his finishing from a couple years back in reserve and pre-season games to now, it is clear that he has greatly improved his shooting and seems to have grown a real predator’s instinct in front of goal.
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I couldn’t agree more. The 1st thing I checked today was whether Pacheco had played any part in the game. It was quite disappointing to see that he hadn’t. I’m not sure whether there is an issue with his attitude, but I would think that with all the chances that younger players are getting under Daglish, Pacheco will also get a chance soon and hopefully grab it with both hands!
the pair of them played, in front of Kenny, for the reserves last week and both were crap. if you don’t do it when the boss is watching then he’s not going to pick you
Gime them both more playing times…
Any of them can do better than David Ngog.
I’m as big a Pacheco fan as anyone but once Cole came on I knew there was ni chance Dani would come on.
Whenever I’ve seen Jovanovic play for us he reminded me of a headless chicken. And he’s losing the ball quite frequently. I know that there are quite a few players in our squad who can’t keep possession or beat a man, but Jova just convinces me even less than Maxi and Kuyt.
As for Pacheco, well, what can you say. Many fans seem to think that he is so good that he should be played more often, but three managers in a row (Benítez, Hodgson, Dalglish) don’t seem to be too convinced. These men see/saw him train almost every day. And as pete has stated above, Kenny watched him play last week and he had a stinker. Doing it against other kids (reserves) or doing it for the first team against seasoned pros is a big difference. On the other hand N’Gog didn’t cover himself in glory yesterday. Albeit he tried he did nothing but fall over much too easily. Probably Pacheco couldn’t do worse.
Players like Maxi and Ngog are in the team even though they offer nothing in attack. Jovanovic should replace Maxi while Pacheco should replace Ngog. Maxi is decent in possession but is past his peak. As a winger, he has no pace, no guile, no penetration and usually just passes the ball sideways or backwards. I just don’t see what he offers to the team. Ngog for me is just not good enough. Every time he plays against physically strong defenders he gets f***ed. He’s scored 9 league goals in 56 appearances which is hardly impressive. For me, Maxi and Ngog should be dropped.
In contrast, Jovanovic has never really been give a chance. He’s made something like 5 league starts and 5 substitute appearances. His goalscoring record at Standard Liege speaks for itself and is a regular for Serbia. He has the pace and the power to be a great asset for the team but just hasn’t been given a proper run out in the first team. As for Dani Pacheco, what else does he have to do to get into the team? He was by far the best player in the Under 19s European Championships and has been absolutely brilliant for the reserves. He has the creativity and the flair and has the ability to unlock defences so I don’t understand why his chances have been so limited.
Both Jovanovic and Pacheco are good players, the latter still young and promising and can only get better. Kenny should give both a run out in the first team and let them show us what they can do. Something must be wrong if average players like Maxi and Ngog are playing regularly instead of them.
With Pacheco i agree with you because the guy has talent,he is 19 years old and must be given some chances.but Jovanovic is an average at most player,a Standard Liege player(no disrespect to Standard Liege but they aint LIVERPOOL standard) and a player with a decent last season and world cup.at 29 years old he should have never been brought here,waste of money and space(Thanks to Rafa for another mistake again…)..Pacheco and Joe Cole are the best wingers we have right now,Maxi and Jovanovic are two of the worst wingers to have played for the club and Kuyt is NOT a winger,he is a striker!!bring Eden Hazard or Ashley Young at summer cauz we need those crosses from the wings.
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Coentrao
A.Young Gerrard Meireles Hazard
Suarez Carroll
Bench:Skrtel,Kelly,Lucas,Joe Cole,Kuyt,Pacheco,Pavlyuchenko,Taiwo,Marveaux,Kjaer,..etc.
sorry steve, but with your team we’d concede around 3 goals per game, at least, no single defensive midfielder, 2 offensive fullbacks??? common, that’s a fantasy football team, gerrard is no holding midfielder, meireles neither, nothing to do with reality.
Hazard has said he wants to move to a club that has french speaking players and is in a city that his wife and child can settle in, i.e Arsenal or at a push Chelsea
It seemed to me that KK was trying to get the blend of youth and experience on the pitch last night. Not just that, but once Aurelio went off, Cole was brought on to get some game-time.
I think this was more about showcasing some players that will be leaving in the summer in order to (hopefully) increase their value.
With Carroll and Suerez cup-tied this season, Ngog will surely drop down the list in Europe next season especially if, as reported we sign another striker in the summer and have the youngsters coming through. Maxi & possibly Cole could also be replaced if sufficient funds are made available.
I believe that Krygiakos may also be leaving as long as a replacement can be found. I dont think there will be wholesale changes in the team or else the young blood wont see much gametime next season, but I do think that if a player can be replaced with a better one, then KK will definately look to move in the transfer market.
Reina
Kelly Kjaer Agger Coentrao
Sanchez Gerrard Defour Hazard
Suarez Carroll
Bench: Meireles,Charlie Adam, Pacheco,Taiwo,Ashley Young ,Mertesacker, Benzema etc.
These formations is perfect.
Come back to reality, Jason.