Against Wolves, these problems seemed to have been addressed to some extent, and it is benefiting the partnership between himself and Suarez. Carroll, even when playing up front alongside Suarez, has been too isolated and with aimless long balls being pumped up to him, it was not a surprise he was ineffectual.
The likes of Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen have surely been working on these problems in training as it was evident that the Reds elected to play the long ball a lot more selectively and you can see that Carroll knocked down the ball to both Suarez on a number of occasions and once to Steven Gerrard later on in the game to get a long shot away. Players such as Suarez were playing a lot closer to Carroll, and the link up play between the pair improved exponentially because of it. You can see a partnership beginning gel as a direct result of the pairing actually playing as a pair.
Another big factor is of course how Carroll elected to play the game himself. There seemed to be a lot more energy about Andy around the pitch, closing down players and making forward runs. It paid dividends in the fact he actually played a lot more of the game inside the opposition penalty area than he has done recently. He was nearly rewarded with a goal but was unlucky to hit the post from a header.
So in conclusion, we saw a more confident Andy Carroll on Saturday, playing to his strengths with the team better able to utilise his abilities, and in the process helping him strike up better combination play with Luis Suarez. Let’s hope he continues in the same vein of form in his next match and he gets a goal too.
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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!!!!