Articles
Talk lfc match report
By Anthony Jones at Talklfc
In the old days, before the European Cup acquired a new name and had the glitz and glamour that the Champions League now attracts a trip to face a side from a country such as Bulgaria was always viewed as the trickiest of assignments. This was often primarily due to lack of reliable scouting information, but also because these sides played in tight, unwelcoming grounds and had players capable of pulling off a shock.
Since the advent of the Champions League, the away trip has lost some of it's fear factor, yet the shock results still happen, quite possibly as often as they used to. A trip to Sofia to play CSKA stood in the way of Liverpool and the riches of group stages of the competition. Having fairly easily brushed past TNS and Kaunas, this was a definite step up in the quality of opposition. Rafa Benitez demonstrated how seriously he was taking the game by putting out the strongest side available to him. Warnock continued in a back four containing Finnan, Carragher and Hyypia, with Traore, Kewell and Zenden all unavailable, Riise who may have played at left back was required to play in midfield. The midfield also featured Garcia, Alonso and Gerrard. There was talk that Sissoko may start, but Benitez appears keen to give Alonso and Gerrard to work on a partnership which in theory could be as good as anything in European football, but has yet to really click. With Cisse continuing upfront with Morientes there was once again no place for Baros in the side, though he did make the bench. Benitez has however confirmed he is looking for a buyer for Baros to help fund other signings.
CSKA made a good start to the game, showing the level of technical ability you expect of a Bulgarian side. However for all their possession Pepe Reina in goal for the Reds was rarely called upon. Liverpool made a shaky start and took a while to get into their stride. Benitez may be concerned about his side's inability to start brightly which blighted a large part of last season.
However having managed to keep the opposition at bay for the first twenty minutes, a good first target for an away side, Liverpool then opened the scoring. It was Steven Gerrard, who has had such an outstanding start to this season's European campaign who helped create the goal. Picking up the ball outside of the box, he drove forward, committing defenders and then played Cisse in down the left. The striker looking to surprise the keeper struck the ball first time with his left foot. Whilst it was a tame finish, the keeper seemed surprised by Cisse's early strike and failed to collect the ball, instead it trickled into the back of the net.
The first goal was quickly followed by a second which really should have ended the tie. A free kick was won out on the right flank, and Gerrard curled a cross into the box. Liverpool fans have so far been somewhat underwhelmed by the performances of Fernando Morientes, his manager believes the player's problem stems from the type of service he's received. It might just be a fact, as the cross from Gerrard was in the kind of area Morientes has thrived on over the years. Gaining a yard on his defender, he lept into the air, hanging as the ball arrived and headed home.
For the remainder of the half Liverpool looked relatively comfortable. The left side of the defence showed signs of concern. With Warnock's positional play again looking questionable alongside Hyypia who looked uncomfortable against pace, as he has done for much of his Liverpool career, CSKA felt they still had a chance. With the half coming to a close it looked like Liverpool had done enough. CSKA had other ideas, a break down the right saw a cross delivered into the box. Steve Finnan was at fault, failing to close down the winger to prevent the ball in. Having been given the space, the ball was delivered with great quality and Dimitrov arrived late into the box to head home.
The second half kicked off in much the same style as the first. CSKA looking comfortable in possession and threatening until the final third where their lack of quality and composure tended to show. At the other end, Liverpool looked slightly less fluent (except for moments when Gerrard and Alonso really clicked into action) but far more likely to score. This was the tune for much of the second half. Morientes hit a post having been put through as his curling effort went just the wrong side of the upright. The Spanish striker did however get a second goal.
The ball was played out to Cisse on the far right of the eighteen yard box. The striker showing good composure and vision picked out Gerrard on the other side of the box with a lofted pass. Gerrard brought the ball down brilliantly and dribbled out onto his left foot, beating a Bulgarian defender in the box. He in turn then cut the ball back to Morientes who took one touch to control it with his back to goal and then struck a shot goalwards on the turn. In truth it was a tame finish, but as Cisse had shown earlier, an effort on target always has a chance and the ball squirmed through the keeper's legs.
For the remainder of the game Liverpool looked relatively comfortable without ever completely shutting out the game. Hamann and Sissoko replaced the midfield pairing to get good run outs, whilst Antonio Barragan made his debut in senior football with just over ten minutes remaining. In all it was job done for the Reds in what was a decent though not totally convincing display. With few of Liverpool's new signings on display it was unsurprisingly a performance not unlike many of last season from the Reds. Warnock failed to convince that he is the long term answer at left back, whilst Hyypia's lack of pace has been known for some time as Benitez continues to search for more options in that position. Alonso and Gerrard showed some promising linkup play whilst it'll be pleasing for the club that both strikers managed to get on the score sheet.
The main question the fans will be asking is can Benitez deliver more width to the side. To be fair, with Zenden already signed and Mark Gonzales set to join once work permit problems have been solved, it is clearly something the manager is looking to address. As well as the stated aim of signing a centre back, Rafa has made it no secret that he also wants a right sided midfielder. So for the time being, Liverpool fans may have to satisfy themselves that they have moved a long way to entering the Champions League proper, whilst waiting to pass judgement on Benitez's efforts in the transfer market.
In the old days, before the European Cup acquired a new name and had the glitz and glamour that the Champions League now attracts a trip to face a side from a country such as Bulgaria was always viewed as the trickiest of assignments. This was often primarily due to lack of reliable scouting information, but also because these sides played in tight, unwelcoming grounds and had players capable of pulling off a shock.
Since the advent of the Champions League, the away trip has lost some of it's fear factor, yet the shock results still happen, quite possibly as often as they used to. A trip to Sofia to play CSKA stood in the way of Liverpool and the riches of group stages of the competition. Having fairly easily brushed past TNS and Kaunas, this was a definite step up in the quality of opposition. Rafa Benitez demonstrated how seriously he was taking the game by putting out the strongest side available to him. Warnock continued in a back four containing Finnan, Carragher and Hyypia, with Traore, Kewell and Zenden all unavailable, Riise who may have played at left back was required to play in midfield. The midfield also featured Garcia, Alonso and Gerrard. There was talk that Sissoko may start, but Benitez appears keen to give Alonso and Gerrard to work on a partnership which in theory could be as good as anything in European football, but has yet to really click. With Cisse continuing upfront with Morientes there was once again no place for Baros in the side, though he did make the bench. Benitez has however confirmed he is looking for a buyer for Baros to help fund other signings.
CSKA made a good start to the game, showing the level of technical ability you expect of a Bulgarian side. However for all their possession Pepe Reina in goal for the Reds was rarely called upon. Liverpool made a shaky start and took a while to get into their stride. Benitez may be concerned about his side's inability to start brightly which blighted a large part of last season.
However having managed to keep the opposition at bay for the first twenty minutes, a good first target for an away side, Liverpool then opened the scoring. It was Steven Gerrard, who has had such an outstanding start to this season's European campaign who helped create the goal. Picking up the ball outside of the box, he drove forward, committing defenders and then played Cisse in down the left. The striker looking to surprise the keeper struck the ball first time with his left foot. Whilst it was a tame finish, the keeper seemed surprised by Cisse's early strike and failed to collect the ball, instead it trickled into the back of the net.
The first goal was quickly followed by a second which really should have ended the tie. A free kick was won out on the right flank, and Gerrard curled a cross into the box. Liverpool fans have so far been somewhat underwhelmed by the performances of Fernando Morientes, his manager believes the player's problem stems from the type of service he's received. It might just be a fact, as the cross from Gerrard was in the kind of area Morientes has thrived on over the years. Gaining a yard on his defender, he lept into the air, hanging as the ball arrived and headed home.
For the remainder of the half Liverpool looked relatively comfortable. The left side of the defence showed signs of concern. With Warnock's positional play again looking questionable alongside Hyypia who looked uncomfortable against pace, as he has done for much of his Liverpool career, CSKA felt they still had a chance. With the half coming to a close it looked like Liverpool had done enough. CSKA had other ideas, a break down the right saw a cross delivered into the box. Steve Finnan was at fault, failing to close down the winger to prevent the ball in. Having been given the space, the ball was delivered with great quality and Dimitrov arrived late into the box to head home.
The second half kicked off in much the same style as the first. CSKA looking comfortable in possession and threatening until the final third where their lack of quality and composure tended to show. At the other end, Liverpool looked slightly less fluent (except for moments when Gerrard and Alonso really clicked into action) but far more likely to score. This was the tune for much of the second half. Morientes hit a post having been put through as his curling effort went just the wrong side of the upright. The Spanish striker did however get a second goal.
The ball was played out to Cisse on the far right of the eighteen yard box. The striker showing good composure and vision picked out Gerrard on the other side of the box with a lofted pass. Gerrard brought the ball down brilliantly and dribbled out onto his left foot, beating a Bulgarian defender in the box. He in turn then cut the ball back to Morientes who took one touch to control it with his back to goal and then struck a shot goalwards on the turn. In truth it was a tame finish, but as Cisse had shown earlier, an effort on target always has a chance and the ball squirmed through the keeper's legs.
For the remainder of the game Liverpool looked relatively comfortable without ever completely shutting out the game. Hamann and Sissoko replaced the midfield pairing to get good run outs, whilst Antonio Barragan made his debut in senior football with just over ten minutes remaining. In all it was job done for the Reds in what was a decent though not totally convincing display. With few of Liverpool's new signings on display it was unsurprisingly a performance not unlike many of last season from the Reds. Warnock failed to convince that he is the long term answer at left back, whilst Hyypia's lack of pace has been known for some time as Benitez continues to search for more options in that position. Alonso and Gerrard showed some promising linkup play whilst it'll be pleasing for the club that both strikers managed to get on the score sheet.
The main question the fans will be asking is can Benitez deliver more width to the side. To be fair, with Zenden already signed and Mark Gonzales set to join once work permit problems have been solved, it is clearly something the manager is looking to address. As well as the stated aim of signing a centre back, Rafa has made it no secret that he also wants a right sided midfielder. So for the time being, Liverpool fans may have to satisfy themselves that they have moved a long way to entering the Champions League proper, whilst waiting to pass judgement on Benitez's efforts in the transfer market.
