Sometimes two players just click instantly, while others take time to build up an understanding, and it has been very clear from Craig Bellamy’s first three matches back in a Liverpool shirt, that he hasn’t taken him long to strike up a partnership with Luis Suarez.
Great minds think alike as they say, but there seems to be a complete understanding about where each other will be on the pitch when they interchange passes. It led to some great pieces of attacking play against Brighton and Bellamy is delighted that the pair have hit it off so quickly:
“I managed to link up with Luis Suarez who is such an impressive player and it was a good feeling.”
Suarez made the pass for Bellamy’s goal early in the match, and throughout the first half, Suarez, Bellamy, Maxi and Dirk Kuyt all combined well to create a number of chances for the Reds which should have seen the side well ahead at half time. Manager Kenny Dalglish described some of the football as “exceptional” in the first half and it was a joy to behold to see some of the interchange of passes.
Of course it was only against a Championship side but Brighton are a very good outfit, as shown after they shook off their nerves to have 60% possession in the second half, creating a few chances to equalise before Dirk Kuyt put the game beyond any doubt.
So why was there such a difference in the fluidity and pace of the attacks in the early stages of the Brighton match compared to the lacklustre display against Tottenham even before Charlie Adam was sent off?
For starters, it must be said Tottenham and Brighton are different standards of side, but beyond that there was more urgency about the Reds, most likely inspired by the stinging 4-0 defeat inflicted by Spurs at the weekend.
Above all else though, the big difference for me was the formation and personnel. Conspicuous by their absence were Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll; all for different reasons didn’t play in the Carling Cup last night. The absence of Adam and Henderson especially, allowed Liverpool to play with two holding midfield players in Spearing and Lucas which allowed Liverpool greater possession in the first half.
The security of two players protecting the back four, allowed the 4 players up front to play with freedom and to interchange positions frequently to trouble Brighton’s backline. Bellamy was playing wide right, wide left and through the middle at different points during the match, and the same could be said of Suarez, Maxi and Kuyt. The majority have the technical to move into different positions, creating difficulties for the Brighton defenders about who to mark and keeping them unsettled so they couldn’t establish positions and hold a line.
In addition to this fluidity of movement positional wise, pace also allowed the Reds to open the Brighton defence, using counter attacks and the ability to get behind defenders with speed to create goal scoring opportunities. This freedom of movement is in start contrast to when Andy Carroll plays, and if the Reds are to incorporate Carroll in this system, Carroll will need to adapt his game in the coming years or he could find it difficult to get a starting berth, unless Dalglish decides to shape the team around him.
Fundamentally though, what makes the Reds attack so much better with the likes of Bellamy, Suarez, Maxi and Kuyt all playing together is that they can play the system which Kenny Dalglish likes best, pass and move with quick counter attacks and a fluid formation. They have the pace, technical skill, vision and anticipation to make the system work. The likes of Henderson, Adam and Carroll will need to adapt to this as otherwise Liverpool may not play as well as they could as they seek a Champions League place this season.
Written by David Tully for Live4Liverpool.com.
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Two defensive midfielders and squad rotation. Kenny’s getting praised for all the things Rafa got slated for.
Kenny should look back when the team that did good and against Chelsea last season after he took over. There were no Henderson and no Adams. Now he should have the same midfielders that were there and with upgraded options of Downing n Bellamy. Maxi, Kuyt n Gerrard were there and we took Chelsea out. These set of players just have great movement and awareness to pick out a team mate with ease. With Henderson in the mix, it disrupts the fluidity as he don’t seem to know where to go n the lack of urgency in his game, passing the ball backwards too frequently as he is not able to pick out the runs by the forwards slows the attack and frustrates the team. Coates should be given playing time towards end of games more regularly.As long as the new trio (Adams,Henderson,Carrill)is not thrown in to start until they improve, we look good enough to give the top teams a run for their money if not beat them totally.The trio need more playing time as subs but on a regular basis. We have the top 4 quality.
We keep the new signings need more time to adapt to Kennys style, lets just accept the facts they are NOT good enough. If they do not fit into the system why were they purchased in the first place…using the excuse that they need time to bed in just doesnt cut it anymore. Do you see Phil Jones, Ashley Young and De Gea needing half a season to bed in for Scum Untd? They were all firing from the off except for the first 2 games where De Gea made a couple of mistakes but since has been exceptional. As much as I hate to say it they have been a total waste of money. Daglish said that we would only be bringing players that would improve on what we already had but this is simply not the case the midfield has gone backwards when you consider the loss of Meireles. Simply put the signings have been failures and worst of all we have spent massive money on them when we could have purchased world class youngsters from outside England for that money. We just better hope Gerrards return will turn things around or else i dont see Suarez who is a real gem of a player sticking around once the big 2 in Spain come calling.
Liverpool have too many slow players for pass and move, thats why utd have been so good this season because they have a lot of fast players