Like clockwork, the problems plaguing our side once again reared their ugly heads. We couldn't score despite plenty of intrusions into our opponent's third and got caught out of position at the back. We were lucky not to lose and the only way to justify a win is to say we deserved it, but even that is laying it on a bit thick. Sure, we dominated the match, played a reckless style that was enjoyable to watch, but should have scored loads of goals and not allowed any by a clearly inferior side.
Sterling has to take his shots, forget about trying to help Balotelli break the duck or trying to share the wealth with his captain, he has to shoot it. Has he lost his confidence? If so, his play on the ball doesn't show it, he should just thump away without a concious like Suarez did last year. I'd rather he take it on a decent look than lay off and let the defence collapse around whomever receives it. It became infectious as even Gerrard passed on a decent look at the top of the box where he has, in the very least, challenged the keeper many times throughout his career.
Beyond that, after the first goal, eighty-two minutes into the match and seen coming from a mile away, Rodgers should have pulled everyone back instead of allowing his players to be greedy. I know it's not his style, but it should have been 4-0 at that point, take what you can get and park the bus. Our defence become porous and Ludogorets produced counter after counter with ease. Once Sakho and Lovren got 'adventurous' the probable became inevitable. Also, Mignolet didn't help with his decision to come out of net so early. Then, of course, we are saved by a dubious penalty, which probably did more bad than good. No matter what, we must learn to score without Sturridge, whom along with Gerrard, saved us many a time last season.
As for individual performances, Lallana is now 0-2 on chances to impress. Big surprise, I thought he was going to show me I was wrong about him being a wasted £26m? Yeah, not gonna happen, if he pulls his club out of this scoring rut, I may lay off of him, but he won't. We'll be laughing about him being the second worst acquisition in LFC history soon enough. I also thought Southampton was going to be relegated? Again, ridiculous.
Balotelli was probably the man of the match, but Moreno needs special mention for his assist, five chances created, 37/41 passing (90.2%), and 3 tackles for good measure. Also, Manquillo was a beast on defence, leading the side with 8 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 clearances. In the end, it's a much needed three points for our Champions League cause. Next we have West Ham at Upton, which means Sam Allardyce trying to measure up against Rodgers and Liverpool's superior talent. I will be shocked if Big Sam takes a stifling defensive approach, but if he does, it won't be the first time he's surprised me. Hopefully we'll find an answer to our scoring issues early on and then pour it on.
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