I touched on it in an article yesterday about the positives and negatives from the Wolves game, but I think it is worthy of elaborating about how the Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez began to gel during the match on Saturday. You can see for yourself in the video below in Carroll’s best bits how Suarez and the Geordie are beginning to link up better, thanks to StrawberryFieldsLFC for the footage:
[youtube zVPvCxA-mGo]
So why has the partnership begun to gel? As you can see from the five minute highlight reel, one of the most noticeable things is that Andy is playing a lot more to his strengths. Some of this can be attributed to his team mates too who are beginning to learn how best to use the 22 year old and the rest due to Andy playing differently himself. At the end of last season when he was fit, and at the start of this season, 1 of 2 things has been happening.
1) The Reds have been pumping up long balls to Carroll so he can hold up the ball or flick the ball on. The problem has been the Geordie has been too isolated and either flicks the ball on to nobody or cannot keep possession of the ball because of an aimless hoof up to him.
2) Carroll was playing far too deep when the Reds have the ball higher up the pitch. There were too many times where the Reds have got into good crossing positions and Andy hasn’t been at the back post where he should have been.
The first issue was generally down to the fault of the team while the second issue could be contributed to Carroll’s lack of confidence. Both factors combined to mean that Carroll wasn’t been utilised to the best of his abilities.
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I thought besides Suarez, Andy was had a huge game. he was defending, putting in crosses, held up play, he had a damn good game. ok he didn’t score, but he had a big contribution to the team.
people should get of his back, and Jordan.
give em time.
I must say, I agree. Amazing how many people know more about the dynamics of this new squad than Kenny and Stevie. We all watch the same game and see so many different things. I guess that’s the beauty of football.
To me, Carroll has been one of our better players in the last two league games. It’s not only been the lack of low crosses and back passes that have left him fighting a lone battle. It’s also been the service he gets from the middle when we build up play that way on occasions.
The poor fellow has been busting his beans to present himself for at least 60 minutes (till he ran out of puff somewhat) and very rarely been given quality ball on the floor from anywhere. He has held up play admirably to my thinking. I have seen him on more than one occasion gesturing to his team mates to play to his feet. You just don’t get the time on the ball up front, so the balls played in must be spot on.
Just to rave on a bit more, the amount of times he has held up the ball with back to goal and controlled it under pressure of 2 defenders is a skill that is not easy to find. Used properly, it will bring the wide players into play even more, giving him time to then turn and get into the box or the far post.
Gerrard’s return should address some of these issues in terms of balls received from the midfield during the build up of play.
With either Johnson or Kelly into the team along with Stevie, this can be a really balanced, all round threatening squad from all angles. A squad capable of serving it up to anyone.
I honestly don’t think we are doing too badly at all. Chances created are not the be all and end all in terms of stats, but they do mean something. For all thats been said, we are creating a bucketload of chances with a team/ squad that is still yet to totally gel. Plus it’s been well documented that Henderson, Downing and Adam were all in the top 10 in terms of creating chances last season.
It’s not going to be too long before a big result comes our way. Hopefully in both of the next two games!
I meant, amazing how so many people know more about this new squad that Kenny and Steve Clark
are these people serious!! One thing is 4sure,we see things differently.
ahh helloooo, Percy, do you agree or disagree with the article? be more clear in your comments. you are too vague and unclear where you stand.
Why has no one addressed the ONLY problem in the Liverpool team…..
Our central defence is absolutely shocking!!!!