Talk lfc match report

by Anthony Jones for Talklfc

In enjoying their best season for many years, it is amazing that Liverpool are currently frustrated with their lot. However the inability of the side to find the net on a regular basis seems to be slowly chipping away at the confidence of the fans. A quiet Anfield welcomed Charlton on a snowy Liverpool evening. There was barely much noise for the remainder of the game as Liverpool continually knocked on the Charlton door only to be denied entry. Liverpool may have accumulated more points this season than in any other Premiership campaign at this stage, they've also scored the least amount of goals in that same period.

Benitez, clearly conscious of the significant game coming up on Wednesday shuffled his pack bringing in Traore at left back, allowing Carragher to return whilst in midfield Cisse played on the right with Hamann partnering Gerrard in the centre. Upfront their was an opportunity to look at Crouch and Fowler in tandem. Jan Kromkamp was also given the chance to show what he can do in his normal position of right back as he came in for Finnan.

As they have done in a number of games this season, Liverpool started lively pushing Charlton deep into their own half. After twenty minutes the home side had enjoyed over seventy percent of the possession. Despite that chances were coming in a steady trickle rather than a constant flow. It's been a problem for some time now and one which is often unfairly attributed to the club's strikers. Whilst there is more to come from all of the Liverpool frontmen, there is a problem with creativity in midfield. Liverpool rarely got in behind the Charlton defence with Kewell often cutting in. On the right flank, Cisse threatened but rarely got the better of Charlton's on loan left back Jonathan Spector who had clearly expected the push and run approach. In midfield Hamann was a steadying influence but with Charlton sat so deep they needed drive and Steven Gerrard tried but couldn't keep up the pace often enough.

This wasn't to say Liverpool didn't create chances but when they did they weren't quite ruthless enough. Either failing to hit the target or giving Myhre the chance to make the save. Liverpool were nearly shown the way to goal by a Charlton defender when Gerrard whipped in a wonderful cross from deep. Herman Hreidarsson could do nothing but deflect the ball and his effort was set for the top corner until Myhre diving full stretch pushed it around the corner. Another ball from the right was superbly controlled by Kewell just outside the area and his strike was beautifully struck but drifted wide of the post. Charlton were defending their area well and denying Liverpool and space to get into a shooting position. As the half wore on the frustration grew with the groans from the supporters clearly audible in the ground.

Liverpool again picked up the pace towards the end of the half and Djibril Cisse twice found himself in the centre of the box. On the first occasion Cisse diverted a header goalwards from outside the six yard area which was destined to open the scoring until Myhre made a smart save. He then showed good feet a little later on when another ball in was well controlled and then volleyed goalwards only for Myhre once again to deny him.

The second half was a similar story. Liverpool continued to struggle to break down the Charlton defence and too many crosses came from deep or attempts to get wide ended in a corner. Djibril Cisse did deliver a dangerous cross from deep which caught the Charlton defence unorganised but Peter Crouch running onto the ball showed he's better at heading a ball when he doesn't have to worry the pace. As he showed against Manchester United and for England, his aerial strength is diverting the ball not powering it home and here it allowed Myhre to make an easy save. On probably the only occasion Liverpool did get behind Chartlon, Cisse for once beating Spector for pace, Morientes who had replaced Crouch failed to attack the far post and a good cross came to nothing.

Charlton who had failed to bring Reina into the match for much of the game threatened for the second time this season to steal the three points off Liverpool. A good one two between Euell and Bryan Hughes down the left flank opened up a chance but Euell's left footed effot was off target. For all that, Liverpool did have a winner late on, or so Robbie Fowler thought as he ran off to the Kop to celebrate. Having defended a corner, Charlton vacated the area whilst Liverpool played the ball back in. Fowler's first touch opened up a shooting chance and his second drove the ball low and hard between the legs of Myhre and into the back of the net. The linesman however had already raised his flag despite Fowler being onside, it would seem that Cisse who was also in the area but away from the ball was the one who'd caught the linesman's eye. It was a cruel blow for Fowler who'd used the ball intelligently all game and had shown a number of signs of the maturity he now has in his game.

Despite moving up to second place, the feeling of disappointment could not be ignored. A promising performance from Kromkamp on the right and the overall control were pleasing signs. However not for the first time it was easy to see what Benitez was attempting to achieve but for a number of reasons this is still a work in progress. Through a combination of so many games and the failure to bring in all the players that were desired due to work permit rules and incomplete negotiations Liverpool are short of the mobility Benitez desires. The pressing game that was fundamental to Valencia's success has clearly been transitioned to Anfield however the speed of movement from back to front has yet to arrive in full. Steven Gerrard has at times provided it but he can't be expected to do it every week and Liverpool need others to stand up now and take up the slack.

Of immediate concern to Liverpool will be the injury to Sami Hyypia. He left the field at half time with Traore switching to the centre. With Agger cup-tied in Europe, should Hyypia not be available Traore will again need to deputise, a situation which will not fill too many Reds with confidence.