WELL what can you say? Not like Liverpool Football Club to be involved in such a dramatic match! Got to love the rollercoaster they put us through, I ended breaking the lounge light accidently whilst celebrating Carroll’s winner! Not in the wife’s good books!!
I do want to take the time though to have a little look back at our performance last night, specifically those of Carroll and Henderson as a sort of follow up to an article of mine published last week.
Starting with the big man Carroll. Not for the first time this season I thought Carroll put in a very good shift and have seen stats that show for example he won 9 out of the 10 aerial duels he was involved in and 14 of the 18 ground duels. This was a difficult game for Carroll because as soon as we went down to 10, Shelvey had to drop back and the promising partnership they had begun the game with was prematurely disrupted. So Carroll was required to put in a lonely shift against two solid centre-backs which I think he came out on top of.
He was winning balls and holding up balls played to him, helping to alleviate some of the pressure Blackburn put on us, was unlucky not to score earlier and took his goal well. Offensively I think on occasion he could have done a bit more running and closing down but that is a minor point, the team was able to utilise his strengths and that showed. It was defensively where Carroll impressed again for me, utilising his strength and height to help out at set pieces and throw-ins.
It is glossed over following that glorious Alonso-esque pass from Skrtel for the first goal but Carroll won the ball well, held of the attacker, before laying it off for Skrtel rather than just hoofing. I also think he was wrongly criticised for his role in the Yakubu goal as from my view it was Johnson rather than Carroll that lost Yak. I know he cost £35m and there are question marks about his temperament at times but if we can get him to build on games and performances like last night we could have a hell of a player. He is wrong and needs time to adapt and settle and will benefit from being the focal point and having people buzzing round him.
Let’s move on to Henderson. I thought the lad was quality last night, putting in a decent shift and making himself a contender for man of the match in my eyes. He certainly looked more settled in a central position and was starting to make a point about all those who have been quick to judge on ¾’s of a season in an unfamiliar role. I thought he adapted very well to reverting to right-back when asked, and was a constant thorn in Blackburn’s side with his marauding runs up and down the flank. His energy and movement was able to upset Blackburn’s attacking momentum as they couldn’t fully commit on their dangerous left side.
His versatility could be invaluable to Liverpool but I have a fear this could also be his undoing in a red shirt. Personally I want to see Henderson given a run to the end of the season in a central position and give him the opportunity to stamp his authority on it. By being a flexible player he will often be used to fill in, in unfamiliar positions as we have seen this year which will affect his confidence and see certain sections of support get on his back.
Again, as with Carroll I know he cost a lot of money but we need to forget about the price tag, they are Liverpool players and deserve our support. I think Henderson has a bright future at Liverpool.
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It would be remiss of me not to mention a couple of other stand out young performers at this time. I thought Coates was excellent and showed signs of the type of player he could grow into in a red shirt. Some of his tackling was fantastic and heading was solid. I think the lad needs time to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League but when he does he will be a rock. The ball he put in for Agger when we got the winner was as well floated and directed as Dunn’s free-kick for Yakubu.
Shelvey grew some more last night as well and it was a shame for him that he had to drop deeper when we lost Doni as it was clear he was relishing his advanced role. His part in Maxi’s second was fantastic to see, the cheek to rob Dunn like that followed by the confidence to drive forward and get a shot on target off speaks volumes.
Spearing once again stepped up with his terrier like attitude to show his importance as a squad player for us and had a solid game filled with his usual no fear attitude. I feel for young Flanagan, he impressed last year on his introduction to the team but has struggled this year. I think next season a loan to a championship/league 1side would be an important move.
As happy as I am to win I know that problems aren’t instantly solved, but what I am encouraged by is the performance, to come back from the confidence blows of conceding a 2-goal lead, again, as well as being down to 10 men, and register a victory with a late winner will do wonders for the squad and hopefully boost ahead of Saturday and beyond. I must also say that I think I’m in love with Danny Agger! Boy have we missed him!
Come find me on twitter @timdibs to have a chat about LFC
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I will eat my words and will not flinch if they throw an egg on my face! I have many a times before criticized Hendo on these very forums for his lack of desire and underachieving performances. But I agree and yesterday he had a really good game, even when he was switched to right back after what seemed like an absolute debacle, he showed perhaps glimpses of a future where he will be a truly valuable player.
And Andy? He had a stellar of a game yesterday, some of his touches to hold the ball when needed were beautiful! The amount of work that he put in defensively deserves praise, it is justice on a football pitch that he got the winner in the dying seconds. Very very happy for the lad, lets just hope he gets a bit more luck going his way for the rest of the future.
Good article – think we watched the same match – unlike many others.
i never doubted Hendo but always blamed KD for killing his confidence by playing him out of position.
Shelvey putted a great shift to me. I think he is better than Adam in that midfield.
Or for giving him confidence by showing faith in him, and playing him in the league week in week out?
Agreed.