L4L Match Report: LIVERPOOL 3 v 1 B. Leverkusen

LIVERPOOL FC rounded off an impressive week (and pre-season) with a fine3 -1 win over German side Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield on Sunday, with new signing Joe Allen once again present – this time dressed in full LFC club wear – to watch over his new team mates.

‘Legend’ is a word bandied around the game far too often these days, however there is no word more fitting that describes the visiting side’s manager and former Reds defender Sami Hyypia, who was returning to Anfield for the first time since leaving the club in 2009.

With Kop (well, those that were present, as the attendance hit just over the 25,000 mark) in full voice chanting Sami’s name, the big Fin had to stop himself from automatically joining in with the customary ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ chorus prior to kick-off! But that’s where the initial niceties ended as the men in red raced into an early lead through young starlet Raheem Sterling – who cut inside from his wide-left position and curled a sublime shot into the far corner after only 2 minutes.

A lot has been made of the much vaunted ‘tiki-taka’ style which Rodgers wants his side to play during his new era, and the time that this may take to implement fully, however even at this early stage the signs are encouraging, with the new tactical shape most overtly evident. Essential to this shape and philosophy is none other than Lucas Leiva, who started his second match in just four days, and was immense again from his holding position at the base of the midfield. What was also noticeable about the Brazilian is his task of collecting the ball from Pepe Reina whenever possible (and sometimes, even when it’s not!), whilst also dropping in between the two central defenders (Carragher and Coates, for yesterday’s game), making a back-three on occasions.

He may have been most prominent at the defensive end of the pitch however it didn’t stop him ghosting into the area where he got on the end of a fortunate ricochet – after an initial attempt at a clever training ground routine set-piece – to tuck the ball into an empty net, making the score-line 2-0 in the 28th minute. It caused Brendan Rodgers to jokingly remark after the game that the Brazilian is “deadly from 7 yards out, with no ‘keeper!”

Whilst Liverpool looked comfortable on the whole, Leverkusen – who provided a much sterner test than the Europa League opposition from Thursday – had their moments during the first half and looked dangerous, especially when Bellarabi and Schurrle were in possession; the pair providing excellent movement and touch to the German side who worked a few openings, particularly down the Liverpool left.

Suarez – whilst never reaching the heights of Thursday night when he destroyed Gomel – was a constant menace to the Leverkusen back-line, whilst Steven Gerrard prompted and probed from his ‘no.10’ playmaker role. Jonjo Shelvey tried hard to impose himself in a role that doesn’t appear to suit his natural game, and was even told to calm down by his new manager after another overenthusiastic challenge left an opposition player lying on the turf needing treatment.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
The second half began with Liverpool using all of their outfield subs, as Gerrard, Suarez, Lucas, Jose Enrique and Downing made way for Adam, Henderson, Spearing, Robinson and Andy Carroll. The change in personnel inevitably brought a slight tactical shift with Shelvey now employed wide right, with Henderson and Spearing holding at the base of midfield. Adam was tasked with filling Gerrard’s role, though appeared slightly deeper throughout.

It was perhaps unavoidable that the pace of the match dropped to what effectively became a training ground game; although Sterling looked to be positive and direct whenever in possession. Andy Carroll tried to force the tempo (vocally, more often than not), mindful of making a positive impression on his new manager, and the big forward almost scored with a towering header at the back post after good work from Adam and Shelvey. Perhaps he should have done better but Carroll didn’t have to wait long to get on the score-sheet after a powerful left foot drive somehow found its way past despairing ‘keeper Bernd Leno at the Kop end. Whether this will be the big Geordie’s last goal in Red remains to be seen.

At 3-0 the tempo dropped further however Leverkusen were rewarded for their neat and tidy persistence when Sidney Sam shrugged off Jamie Carragher and struck a powerful drive past Pepe Reina, making the final score 3-1.

At the final whistle Sami Hyypia took to the Anfield turf once more where he shook hands, or embraced every Liverpool player, whilst being serenaded by the fans who still adore him.

Oh Sami, Sami….

L4L Man of the Match.

Difficult to choose in the context of what was effectively a training match, especially after all the changes made. Of those that departed at half-time, Lucas put in another impressive shift, whilst of those that played 90 minutes, Raheem Sterling drew excitement with his dynamic and direct dribbling after scoring an excellent early goal. However my vote goes to Sebastian Coates; the imposing Uruguayan hardly put a foot wrong and was solid and composed throughout, perhaps showing that he will be a more than adequate stand-in for the first choice pairing of Skrtel and Agger this coming season.
[ad_pod id=’DFP-MPU’ align=’right’]
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com

Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook