Liverpool FC Match Analysis [2011-2012]

Just a general legend for what we'll be doing here:

Starting XI + Formation = Black
Goals = Red
Assists = Green
Ratings ==> 48 hours after the end of the match. with comments no longer than 10 words. average ratings will be posted then
MOTM==> Decided based on ratings = Blue
Highlights = Link will be provided in the Multimedia/Highlight thread, and will also be shared here after each game.

More to come
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1- Liverpool FC 1-1 Sunderland AFC
Date: August. 13, 2011| 15:00 KO
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)
Referee: Phil Dowd

Goals: Suarez (12), Larsson (57)
Assists: Adam (12)
Cards: Carragher(45), Henderson (60), Adam (66), Kuyt (72)
Notable Event: Suarez' missed penalty (7)
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members): Pepe Reina
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Flanagan------Carragher--------Agger--------Enrique------
------------------Lucas--------Adam----------------------
---Henderson-----------Suarez--------------Downing------
------------------------Carroll----------------------------

Bench: Doni, Robinson, Kelly, Spearing, Meireles, Kuyt, Ngog

Subs: Kuyt for Henderson (61), Meireles for Suarez (76)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina- 7.4
Flanagan- 4.5
Carragher- 5.5
Agger- 7.4
Enrique- 6.9
Lucas- 6.75
Adam- 7.1
Henderson- 5.75
Suarez- 6.8
Downing- 6.9
Carroll- 5.8
Kuyt- 6.75
Meireles- 6

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=5EJJFFIK
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2- Arsenal FC 0-2 Liverpool FC
Date: August. 20, 2011| 12:45 KO
Venue: Emirates (London)
Referee: Martin Atkinson

Goals: Ramsey-OG (78), Suarez (90+1)
Assists: Meireles(90+1)
Cards: Carroll(28), Lucas(45)
Notable Event: Emanuel Frimpong (Arsenal) red card at 70th minute
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members): Jose Enrique
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Kelly------Carragher--------Agger--------Enrique------
------------------Lucas--------Adam----------------------
---Henderson-----------Kuyt--------------Downing------
------------------------Carroll----------------------------

Bench: Doni, Suarez, Flanagan, Spearing, Meireles, Skrtel, Maxi

Subs: Suarez for Carroll (71), Meireles for Kuyt (71)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina- 7.4
Kelly- 7.75
Carragher- 6.8
Agger- 7.4
Enrique- 8.7
Lucas- 7.3
Adam- 6.8
Henderson- 6.8
Kuyt- 6.9
Downing- 7.3
Carroll- 6.25
Suarez- 7.9
Meireles- 7.8

HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.megavideo.com/?d=DZV2C6WP
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3- Exeter City FC 1-3 Liverpool FC
Date: August. 24, 2011| 19:45 KO
Venue: St. James' Park (Exeter, Devon)
Referee:

Goals: Suarez(23), Maxi(55), Carroll(58)
Assists: Henderson(23), Suarez(55), Suarez(58), Nardiello (PK, 80)
Cards: Henderson(52)
Notable Event: Raul Meireles' Dislocated Shoulder(21)
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members): Luis Suarez
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Flanagan------Skrtel--------Wilson--------Robinson------
------------------Spearing--------Adam-------------------
---Henderson-----------Meireles--------------Maxi------
------------------------Suarez----------------------------

Bench: Doni, Enrique, Carragher, Kuyt, Carroll, Downing, Shelvey

Subs: Carroll for Meireles (21), Downing for Suarez (59), Shelvey for Adam (77)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina- 7.8
Flanagan- 6.5
Skrtel- 6.8
Wilson- 7
Robinson- 7
Spearing- 7.5
Adam- 6.6
Henderson- 7.2
Maxi- 7.3
Meireles- 7
Suarez- 9
Carroll- 6.3
Downing- 6.7
Shelvey- 6.3

HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkpdyj_exeter-city-v-liverpool_sport?start=30#from=embed
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4- Liverpool FC 3-1 Bolton Wanderers FC
Date: August. 27, 2011| 17:30 KO
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)
Referee: Lee Probert

Goals: Henderson(15), Skrtel(52), Adam(53), Klasnic (90+2)
Assists: Kuyt(15), Adam (52), Kuyt (53)
Cards:
Notable Event: Referee being utter wank
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members): Lucas
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Kelly------Carragher--------Agger--------Enrique------
------------------Lucas--------Adam----------------------
---Henderson-----------Kuyt--------------Downing------
------------------------Suarez--------------------------

Bench: Doni, Robinson, Maxi, Spearing, Shelvey, Carroll, Skrtel

Subs: Skrtel for Kelly (30), Carroll for Suarez (77), Maxi for Henderson (77)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina- 7.6
Kelly- 6.5
Carragher- 6.1
Agger- 8.25
Enrique- 8.25
Lucas- 9.25
Adam- 8.75
Henderson- 8.6
Suarez- 9
Downing- 8.4
Kuyt- 8
Skrtel- 8.6
Carroll- 6
Maxi-6.5


HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.zshare.net/video/94226353078e6f76/
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5- Stoke City FC 1-0 Liverpool FC
Date: September. 10, 2011| 15:00 KO
Venue: Britannia (Stoke-on-Trent)
Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Goals: Walters (21- P)
Assists: -
Cards: Suarez (90)
Notable Event: Dominated the game, Penalties not given, missed a lot of sitters
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members):
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Skrtel---------Carragher--------Agger--------Enrique------
------------------Lucas--------Adam----------------------
---Henderson-----------Suarez--------------Downing------
------------------------Kuyt----------------------------

Bench: Doni, Carroll, Johnson, Spearing, Bellamy, Coates, Maxi

Subs: Carroll for Kuyt (67), Bellamy for Henderson (67), Johnson for Skrtel (81)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina-
Skrtel-
Carragher-
Agger-
Enrique-
Lucas-
Adam-
Henderson-
Suarez-
Downing-
Kuyt-
Carroll-
Bellamy-
Johnson-
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6- Tottenham Hotspurs FC 4-0 Liverpool FC
Date: September. 18, 2011| 13:30 KO
Venue: White Heart Lane (London)
Referee: Michael Jones

Goals: Modric (7), Defoe (66), Adebayor (68, 90+3)
Assists: -
Cards: Adam(12), Skrtel(36), Coates(40), Suarez(45) Adam (28), Skrtel (63)
Notable Event:
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members):
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Skrtel---------Carragher--------Agger--------Enrique------
------------------Lucas--------Adam----------------------
---Henderson-----------Suarez--------------Downing------
------------------------Carroll---------------------------

Bench: Doni, Kuyt, Robinson, Spearing, Bellamy, Coates, Maxi

Subs: Coates for Agger (27), Bellamy for Suarez (70), Spearing for Downing (70)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina-
Skrtel-
Carragher-
Agger-
Enrique-
Lucas-
Adam-
Henderson-
Suarez-
Downing-
Carroll-
Spearing-
Coates-
Bellamy-

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7- Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Liverpool FC
Date: September. 21, 2011| 19:45 KO
Venue: AECS (Brighton, East Sussex)
Referee: Michael Oliver

Goals: Bellamy(7), Kuyt(81), Barnes(90-PK)
Assists: Suarez(7), Maxi(81)
Cards: Spearing(59), Lucas(90)
Notable Event: Return of Gerrard after 6 months
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members):
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Kelly---------Carragher--------Coates--------Robinson------
------------------Lucas--------Spearing-------------------
---Maxi----------------Suarez--------------Bellamy------
------------------------Kuyt----------------------------

Bench: Doni, Carroll, Gerrard, Downing, Shelvey, Flanagan, Wilson

Subs: Gerrard for Suarez (75), Flanagan for Kelly (86)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina-
Kelly-
Carragher-
Coates-
Robinson-
Lucas-
Spearing-
Kuyt-
Maxi-
Bellamy-
Suarez-
Gerrard-
Flanagan-


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8- Liverpool FC 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Date: September. 24, 2011| 15:00 KO
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)
Referee: Kevin Friend

Goals: OG- Roger Johnson (11), Suarez (38), Fletcher (49)
Assists: Adam (11), Enrique (38)
Cards: Lucas(34), Carroll(57), Kelly(67)
Notable Event: Gerrard's league return, loads of chances missed as per usual
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members):
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Kelly-----------Carragher--------Skrtel--------Enrique------
------------------Lucas--------Adam----------------------
---Henderson-----------Suarez--------------Downing------
------------------------Carroll----------------------------

Bench: Doni, Flanagan, Coates, Spearing, Bellamy, Kuyt, Gerrard

Subs: Kuyt for Henderson (71), Gerrard for Suarez (81)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina-
Kelly-
Carragher-
Skrtel-
Enrique-
Lucas-
Adam-
Henderson-
Suarez-
Downing-
Carroll-
Kuyt-
Gerrard-

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9- Everton FC 0-2 Liverpool FC
Date: October. 1, 2011| 12:45 KO
Venue: Goodison Park (Liverpool)
Referee: Martin Atkinson

Goals: Carroll (71), Suarez (81),
Assists: Enrique (71), -
Cards: Lucas(50)
Notable Event: Kuyt' missed penalty (45)
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members): Pepe Reina
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Kelly----------Carragher--------Skrtel---------Enrique------
------------------Lucas--------Adam----------------------
---Kuyt-------------Suarez------------------Downing------
------------------------Carroll----------------------------

Bench: Doni, Flanagan, Coates, Spearing, Henderson, Gerrard, Bellamy

Subs: Gerrard for Adam (67), Bellamy for Downing (67), Henderson for Lucas (88)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina-
Kelly-
Carragher-
Skrtel-
Enrique-
Lucas-
Adam-
Kuyt-
Suarez-
Downing-
Carroll-
Henderson-
Gerrard-
Bellamy-
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10- Liverpool FC 1-1 Manchester United FC
Date: October. 15, 2011| 12:45 KO
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)
Referee: Andre Marriner

Goals: Gerrard (67),
Assists: Adam (67), -
Cards: Lucas(50)
Notable Event: Missed chances again and Evra accusing Luis of racism
LFC MOTM (voted by GL members):
First XI:
---------------------------Reina--------------------------
Kelly----------Carragher--------Skrtel---------Enrique------
------------------Lucas--------Adam----------------------
---Kuyt-------------Gerrard------------------Downing------
------------------------Suarez----------------------------

Bench: Doni, Robinson, Agger, Spearing, Henderson, Carroll, Bellamy

Subs: Henderson for Lucas (57)

AVERAGE PLAYER RATINGS (BY FORUM MEMBERS)
Reina-
Kelly-
Carragher-
Skrtel-
Enrique-
Lucas-
Adam-
Kuyt-
Suarez-
Downing-
Henderson-
Gerrard-

Lets keep preseason friendly analysis in a different thread?

^
Yea, This thread is for official games only, so then we can use average ratings of all season, goals assists, etc. Just created it for now, and still thinking of what we could possibly add to it.

Sepi wrote:^
Yea, This thread is for official games only, so then we can use average ratings of all season, goals assists, etc. Just created it for now, and still thinking of what we could possibly add to it.

Average ratings over the year.

By Average i mean- First the cumulative sum ratings of all the members of 1 player in a match / By the no of members voted.

Then the Addition of all the match days ratings of a player divided by the number of appearances he has made, Which include subs.
This would give us the average rating and how players have performed in General.


How is that?

I thought this thread was specifically for user-generated content. That is, out ratings of the players, managers, subs, etc.

We should just use the stats thread for official stats like shots, passes, etc.

I'm currently working on putting some stuff together and possibly creating a website for just this, but I'm not sure if I want to put up stats from this past year or just start fresh from next season.

Yea man. This thread is basically Match Facts (venue, players, goals (time of goals), assists) MOTM) and Player Ratings....

The player ratings is the most important, IMO.

It will be interesting to average out the ratings to see who the supporters thought were the best players throughout the season, which players improved the most, etc.

Do we do our player ratings in here? Or is this just you? (Just wondering, sir.)

I'm hoping we all do them, so we can average them out per game and get a good idea about what supporters thought.

poolsupporter wrote:I'm hoping we all do them, so we can average them out per game and get a good idea about what supporters thought.

So we all post our player ratings for each match and then take averages to see what the general consensus is. I like it, good idea. Have your calculator on the ready Poolsupporter! :study:

UPDATE: Post your ratings + one line description please. Until 48 hours:

Reina: 7- Faultless and couldn't do much for the goal.
Flanagan: 4- Solid first half followed by a shocking second half
Carragher: 5- Hoofed a fair bit and was clumsy
Agger: 6- Solid, but didn't offer enough going forward
Enrique: 7- Very solid but should have contributed more to attack
Lucas: 6.5- Very good first half, but fatigue got the better of him in second half.
Adam: 7- A threat throughout, however first half was a better showing
Downing: 6.5- Great first half, but disappeared in second half
Henderson: 5.5- A lot of work rate, but a very quite show
Suarez: 6- Great goal, but was clumsy and missed a peno
Carroll: 6- A lot of hard work and won a lot of headers, movement need to be better.

Subs:
Kuyt: 6.5- Had a great effect coming on for Hendo
Meireles: 5.5- Did he even touch the ball ?

Reina: 6.5- Easy game.
Flanagan: 4- Inexperienced.
Carragher: 6- Average
Agger: 6.5- Good.
Enrique: 7.5- Needs to join the attack more.
Lucas: 6.5- Average by his standards.
Adam: 7- Class, Great passing.
Downing: 6.5- Great first half, but disappeared in second half
Henderson: 5- Not a RW IMO.
Suarez: 6.5- Great goal, but was clumsy and missed a peno.
Carroll: 5- A lot of hard work and won a lot of headers, movement need to be better.

Subs:
Kuyt: 6.5- Had a great effect coming on for Hendo
Meireles: 6.5- Came into the game well.



I just love the copy paste system ... <3

Well i would agree in most parts with some minor plus minuses so won't go into breaking down every1!

but just would my MOTM was clearly Charlie Adam

Henderson had the best pass completion ration of all players today with 88%.Lot of his good work goes unnoticed IMO.He looks really good on the and always there for the ball i personally thought he had a good first half.Made few good runs off the ball too would have scored probably if Suarez picked him out rather than picking out Carrol when clear through in the 1st half

Reina: 8 - No mistakes.

Flanagan: 4 - A little too cautious going forward and his guy scored a goal at our back post.

Carragher: 5 - Like Sepi said, hoofing and clumsy, could have gotten a red for his foul on Gyan.

Agger: 8 - Did his job very well.

Enrique: 6 - A bit like Flanagan, minus defensive mistakes.

Lucas: 7 - Did mostly what was expected.

Adam: 7 - Was to be our primus motor in midfield, but the whole team lacked common rhythm and understanding, making his job harder. Quicker decision-making needed.

Downing: 7 - A promising debut.

Henderson: 6 - Tried hard, but was missing.

Suarez: 7 - Good goal and a few flashes of skill, but was as bad as everyone else at working as a unit.

Carroll: 6 - More accuracy needed with headers, at times wandered too far away from attack.

Subs:
Kuyt: 7 - Great movement, looked rather dangerous, but we weren't creating much by the time he came on.

Meireles: 6 - Did OK, couldn't help us to find that needed next gear.

Reina: 8 - Couldn't do much for the goal. Made good saves.

Flanagan: 5 - The goal was down to bad marking from him. Was decent in defense though.

Carragher: 6 - Both CBs defended well. Did resort to some hoofing.

Agger: 8 - Comfortable on the ball and made some great last ditch tackles.

Enrique: 6 - Good defensively, made some good forward passes, but needs time to gel.

Lucas: 7 - Broke up play well, but gave away careless fouls and didn't seem like he completed as many passes successfully as he usually does.

Adam: 7 - Good delivery from set pieces, but was expecting a little more dictation from the middle of the park.

Downing: 8 - Great start from him. Definitely has the ability to beat his man. I do however think he shouldn't be constantly switched from left to right, and vice versa.

Henderson: 6.5 - Held possession well like Lucas does, but wasn't filling his role as well on the wing( RM).

Suarez: 7.5 - Started off well, but just the lack of training with us showed. Misread a few passes in the second half. Can't believe he missed the penalty.

Carroll: 5.5 - Once again everything was played to his head. (Not his fault) Made some good moves, but accuracy off headers is required.

Subs:
Kuyt: 6.5 - A good impact sub. Tried his best to get us to scoew.

Meireles: 6 -Seemed to be played out wide on the left. It was doomed from the beginning.

I'm rather happy with the positive outlook for the LFC fans here after the opening fixture. I too, have not many complaints after the match and see many positive outputs from this match as only the 2 points lost disappoints me.

Overall I wasn't surprised on how well we started with Kenny's pass and move increasingly gaining momentum and increasingly troubling Sunderland. But what I did not expect was the immediate chemistry between the team to the extent that 4 new debutantes played among each other like they have been for years. Reina was superb as usual. Enrique although a bit cautious in attack (understandable) was superb in defense and recovery. Carra and Agger had their vintage "CarrAgger" partnership going on with the silk and steel chemistry of old. Flano? I love the boy but he needs to erase his concentration lapses that take him in the box as before the goal he was solid but the Larsson goal destroyed his confidence and left him vulnerable and made me wonder why the more experienced Kelly wasn't on board. Not disappointed with Flano as he is only 17.

Lucas was superb as usual as his partnership with Adam was excellent. Speaking of Adam, I never expected a debutante to be pulling the strings for the reds so effectively. I always knew he has passing skills and vision as he didn't hesitate to show it here but his on the ball dribbling and positioning was excellent along with his superb set-piece assist to Suarez.

Henderson? This was his first game as I was debating with others that I feel he is more effective in a central role where it can exploit his 360 range of passing distribution, box-to-box engine, and overall viewpoint in which he has more options to split the defense and create chances in the centre. I understand he is also effectual in cutting in from the right and making crosses but I feel this investment into him will bring out more of his rather complete qualities. Decent debut though.

Downing? I would've preferred if he was involved with just a tad bit more of the play but was promising nonetheless with accurate crosses and showed us all why it doesn't take speed and fancy move to dazzle the opponents as he proved that guile and intelligence is the way to go with his superb run and other flashes of brilliance.

Suarez? Despite the missed penalty, he redeemed himself by his incisive finish. But, he does need more chemistry with the team-mates as this is understandable as Raul and Kuyt (his partners in action) were on the bench along with the fact is some decision making can be off at some times but a solid performance nonetheless.

Carroll? I'm surprised with all the criticism on him considering his hold-up of the ball was excellent along with his touches and chest control. He dropped deep many a times to distribute as it showed initiative and did have a positive effect. Despite what the idiots in the general say, he out matched his markers many times yet was just of the mark with some attempts. Headers? Considering the whole mid and back line insisting on crossing to him with 3 defenders on him, it was quite hard for him to perform in that sense.

This brings up the main problem I have with the tactics.

Why is it that everytime we feel under pressure for a goal in the 2nd half, the strategy automatically changes to: Hoof the ball and do it mostly to Carroll.

I understand that Andy is one of the best header-ers in the world but this destroys the meaning and concept of pass and move and shows how we cannot be clutch enough when it matters. We have seen in many games that Carroll is just as good with his feet as he is with his head! Also, hoofing the ball to Carroll is read by the opposition who surround him every time a ball is aimed towards him. This is the only problem I have had so far with the tactics as the end time hoofing has to stop!

But overall, many young players on the pitch along with some great performances and not to mention Carroll disallowed goal (for a nudge) and a daft call against Richardson.

Edit: It seem Aquilani will be leaving despite his pre-season promise as this is a major loss for the team.

YNWA

Reina: 8 - Solid. Nothing he could do with the goal. Nice saves.

Flanagan: 5 - Did well first half. 2nd half, he became a nervous wreck.

Carragher: 5 - Not the best game from Jamie. Wasn't influencial or composed when Sunderland equalised. Could of been sent off too with a couple of bad tackles. Too many times he let the defender too much space to shoot. Started to hoof again too. Hopefuly he puts this game behind him.

Agger: 8 - Did his job very well.

Enrique: 8 - MOTM for me. No-one went passed him, and he did well linking up with Downing. If he keeps playing like that, LB is sorted.

Lucas: 7 - Most underrated role in the world. Check Right back Section. May cheer you up with the result.

Adam: 7 - Dictated play in the first half. He needs to learn how to tackle though. He should of marked the man who whipped the ball in for Sunderlands equaliser.

Downing: 7 - Looked pretty good tbh. If he scored from that run, I would of bought his shirt. Provided width in the first half, hardly saw him in the second.

Henderson: 6 - Kept possession well.

Suarez: 7 - Wasn't one his better games, but he never went hiding after he missed the penalty. He scored a nice header, but looked tired after the 40th minute mark. Heavy touches and bad passes in the second half.

Carroll: 6 - If you asked for first half, I probably would of gave a 7. Was in the build-up play, and looked fit. (No Homo.) Took the goal well, but a stupid call made it disallowed. Deserved a 5 in the second, but you couldn't blame him.

Subs:
Kuyt: 7 - Looked good. Should of started imo.

Meireles: X - Meh. Still unfit. Didn't do too much. Didn't touch the ball too many times.

First post updated

Nice, I'm diggin that average player ratings thing already

Player Ratings Please...I'll update the OP later today:

Reina 7- Solid
Kelly 8- Rock
Carragher 7- Less hoofing and kept RVP quite
Agger 7- Very solid other than once Nasri went passed him
Enrique 8.5- Amazing
Lucas 7- Much better in second half
Adam 6- Woeful first half, much better in second
Henderson 7- Played an underrated role
Downing 7.5- Loves what he brings to the team
Kuyt 6- Not his best game
Carroll 6- Short of support, but tired down their team

Meireles 7.5- Played a role in both goals
Suarez 7.5- Same as Raul

Reina 8 - Clean sheet, saved very well from Van Persie. Wasn't too busy.

Kelly 8 - Pretty solid defensively, looked better going forward than Flanno, hit the post.

Carragher 7 - Clean sheet, but always going with the hoofing option.

Agger 8 - Clean sheet, good game.

Enrique 8 - Fine defending, ventured nicely forward on a few occasions.

Henderson 7 - Good game, but I'd like to see more forward runs and the odd flashes of creativity.

Lucas 8 - Very Lucas-like game, a few fouls but defended well in MF.

Adam 7 - Good passing in MF, but couldn't really help us in the attacking 3rd.

Downing 7 - I feel he's still trying to get used to his new teammates.

Kuyt 9 - MOTM for me, he was absolutely everywhere. He's like the world's highest playing DM with the way he's able to break up opponent's play in their own half. Almost always in the right place when he hasn't got the ball - or at least running there like a horse.

Carroll 7 - Did what he could. A pure CF and we need our midfield to provide him with some more ammunition in the box, currently we see Carroll too often outside goal-scoring range and that just doesn't work for a player like him.

Subs:

Meireles & Suarez 8 - Brought the extra energy and skill that won us the game.

Reina 7
Kelly 8
Carragher 6
Agger 7
Enrique 9
Lucas 7
Adam 7
Henderson 7.5
Downing 7
Kuyt 6
Carroll 6

Meireles 8
Suarez 8

If I remember the game tomorrow, I'll update. Right now, I need sleep. LATERRRRR

Reina - 8.5 - Good saves and kept a clean sheet. His distribution wasn't too shabby either.

Kelly - 7.5 - Good defensively, but needs a little more work going forward. Stopped short too often.

Carra - 7 - Did well defensively, but hoofed a good amount in the first half.

Agger - 8.5 - Did very well.

Enrique - 9 - Solid defensive and attacking work from his.

Lucas - 8 - Careless mistakes in the first half, but he broke up play brilliantly.

Adam - 8 - Came into his own in the second half, but tracked back very well. Impressed.

Henderson - 7 - Made some decent forward runs, but I didn't see anything extra ordinary that he added.

Kuyt - 7.5 - Once again he worked his butt off. There were at least 4 times in the first half where I thought he made the wrong decision going forward. (Mainly not taking opportunities to make some killer passes)

Carroll - 6 - Can't blame him to be honest. However, he really didn't add a thing to our game today. Did not look threatening at all.

SUBS:

Meireles - 8 - For the bits of time on the field, he did well. Looked good down the middle. Hand in both goals.

Suarez - 8 - Not much more can be said. His movement was first rate on and off the ball. And he scored.


Has anybody else noticed how much our game changed once Carroll was off? It seems like the minute he got subbed, all the crosses from every position on the field just stopped and we started playing the ball on the ground. That's what I want to see when Carroll is on.