Novājinātā, krīzē esošā Liverpūle pret "Manchester United"
Foto: AFP
Šodien plkst.16:00 Anglijas Premjerlīgā sāksies divu grandu cīņa – „Liverpool” pret „Manchester United”. Ja liverpūlieši piedzīvos kārtējo neveiksmi, kas zina, vai šūpjošais Rafaela Beniteza krēsls nesagāzīsies pavisam...
„Liverpool” neviens nav atņēmis superkluba statusu, taču šīs sezonas rezultāti klubam ir gaužām bēdīgi. Ko vērts vien fakts, ka šobrīd Liverpūle piedzīvojusi četrus zaudējumus pēc kārtas (0:2 pret „Fiorentina”, 0:2 pret „Chelsea”, 0:1 pret „Sunderland”, 1:2 pret „Lyon”), un pēdējos 22 gados tas ir pirmais šāds gadījums. Ja šodien „Liverpool” piekāpsies arī „Manchester United”, tad tiks atkārtos 56(!) gadu rekords... Viegli Beniteza padotajiem noteikti nebūs – no savainojumiem īsti nav atguvušuies komandas līderi Stīvens Džerards un Fernando Toress (nav skaidrs, vai viņi spēlēs), bet pretī stāsies pēdējo trīs sezonu Anglijas čempioni.
Šis mačs būs interesants ar daudz ko. Protams, divu grandu cīņa pati par sevi ir saistoša. Tāpat svarīga ir sāncensība par titulu – „Manchester United” ir jāuzvar, ja tā nevēlas atdot līdera godu „Chelsea”. Taču tikpat aizraujoši būs pavērot, kā klāsies kādreizējam „Liverpool” elkam Maiklam Ouvenam, kurš šodien spēlēs mājinieku niknāko konkurentu „United” krekliņā... Alekss Fergusons ir pārliecināts, ka Ouvens ar skatītāju spiedienu tiks galā. Mazā uzbrucēja loma būs īpaši nozīmīga, ja spēlēt nevarēs Veins Rūnijs (arī savainojums). No pēdējiem septiņiem mačiem „Anfield” stadionā „United” uzvarējusi piecas reizes. Vai arī šodien tas izdosies?
Anglijas Premjerlīgas 10. kārta
| Spēle | Rezultāts | Vārtu guvēji |
|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton W. - Aston Villa | 1:1 (0:0) | (Ebanks-Bleiks 83' (11m) - Agbonlahors 79') |
| Birmingham C. - Sunderland | 2:1 (1:0) | (Ridžvells 37'; Makfadens 48' - Danns 82' (s.v.)) |
| Burnley - Wigan Athletic | 1:3 (1:1) | (Flečers 4' - Rodallega 11'; 52'; Boiss 76') |
| Hull C. - Portsmouth | 0:0 | - |
| Tottenham H. - Stoke C. | 0:1 (0:0) | (Vīlans 86') |
| Chelsea - Blackburn R. | 5:0 (1:0) | (Živē 20' (s.v.); Lampards 48'; 59' (11m); Esjēns 52'; Drogba 64') |
| Bolton W. - Everton | 25.10 | 15:30 |
| Liverpool - Manchester U. | 25.10. | 16:00 |
| Manchester C. - Fulham | 25.10. | 17:00 |
| West Ham U. - Arsenal | 25:10. | 18:15 |
| V | Komanda | S | U | N | Z | VA | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Chelsea | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 24:8 | 24 |
| 2. | Manchester United | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 21:9 | 22 |
| 3. | Tottenham Hotspur | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 21:14 | 19 |
| 4. | Arsenal | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 27:11 | 18 |
| 5. | Manchester City | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 16:9 | 17 |
| 6. | Aston Villa | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 13:8 | 17 |
| 7. | Sunderland | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 18:15 | 16 |
| 8. | Liverpool | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 22:13 | 15 |
| 9. | Stoke City | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 9:11 | 15 |
| 10. | Wigan Athletic | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 12:17 | 13 |
| 11. | Burnley | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 10:22 | 12 |
| 12. | Everton | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10:12 | 11 |
| 13. | Fulham | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8:10 | 10 |
| 14. | Birmingham | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 8:12 | 10 |
| 15. | Blackburn | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11:22 | 10 |
| 16. | Wolverhampton | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9:16 | 9 |
| 17. | Bolton | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11:13 | 8 |
| 18. | Hull City | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8:22 | 8 |
| 19. | West Ham | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9:13 | 5 |
| 20. | Portsmouth | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5:15 | 4 |
Rezultatīvākie spēlētāji
| V | Futbolists | Komanda | V |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.-3. | Fernando Toress | Liverpool | 8 |
| 1.-3. | Darens Bents | Sunderland | 8 |
| 1.-3. | Didjē Drogba | Chelsea | 8 |
| 4.-5. | Veins Rūnijs | Man. United | 6 |
| 4.-5. | Džermeins Defo | Tottenham | 6 |
| 6.-9. | Robijs Kīns | Tottenham | 5 |
| 6.-9. | Luiss Saā | Everton | 5 |
| 6.-9. | Kenvins Džounss | Sunderland | 5 |
| 6.-9. | Gabriels Agbonlahors | Aston Villa | 5 |
Kā vājais posms tiek uzsvērta Evras vājā spēle soda laukumā otrajā stāvā.
With the correct, quickly played cross from the left, Dirk Kuyt has the ability to come in from the opposite wing and win headers at the back post. It is then important, however, that midfield runners get into the box and anticipate the Dutchman's knockdown.
Liverpool will need to transform their recent rather ponderous approach play. They need more urgency in their passing game to create a faster tempo, though that does not necessarily mean playing more directly and merely launching the ball upfield more quickly.
Given the current pressure on the home side, and with the supporters' anxiety no doubt playing on their minds, it would be easy to fall into that trap. Rather Jamie Carragher, who has not been distributing as accurately as he can, must lead from the back and pass the ball out of defence. And the defence must get into the habit of moving the ball across their back line more quickly, which will work United's probable split front-three.
To do this well, Liverpool must have a player in midfield who wants the ball and is willing to accept it with some moral bravery and combine with colleagues to draw Manchester United's midfield towards them and out of position. Straighter, longer, more direct play will be meat and drink to Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand as Liverpool have no real power to compete in this area, even if Fernando Torres features.
In an ideal world Javier Mascherano would have had Steven Gerrard close at hand. The England midfielder's expected absence will hamper the hosts, who will crave some creativity and individuality in the final third to disturb United. Yet, most importantly, Rafael Benítez must ensure that his team boasts a good balance.
In this respect the left-back, Emiliano Insúa, with Fábio Aurélio or Albert Riera on the left wing, must try to achieve advanced, wide positions and conjure early, left-footed crosses. Should they achieve that, then they will know that Dirk Kuyt, always the willing Trojan, is a master of attacking the "second post" from diagonal passes and deep crosses. Liverpool have enough quality left-footed players to deliver him decent service.
Even if the indefatigable Kuyt drifts infield, he is adept at pulling off his man and being a danger at the back stick. With that in mind, it is critical that, at the moment of delivery, his team-mates are prepared to get in the box anticipating the Dutchman's knock-down. Kuyt's ability to hold his jump and steer headers from the back post could be the key. Patrice Evra, rested in midweek, will be a likely starter but has recently been found wanting in aerial challenges in deep defensive areas. Liverpool, who beat United at Anfield without Gerrard and Torres in the starting line-up last season, can exploit this. There are few other crumbs at present upon which the home side can feed.
Yossi Benayoun can make inroads but, if Gerrard is absent, probably needs a more central role with either Aurélio, Riera or Ryan Babel holding the left while Mascherano and, most likely, Lucas Leiva bite in the middle. United will probably play Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs as a midfield *** and Liverpool will need the help of their second striker, Benayoun, to help out in midfield if this is the case.
With the Israeli's support, the home side will still be able to even things up in that vital midfield area. Only if Liverpool keep the ball smartly in the centre will their left flank, whatever the personnel, be able to double up with confidence and progress forward to cross. Rarely are Liverpool underdogs but tomorrow this group must be ultra-strong to play on the front foot. As Brian Clough once said about a very talented outside left who played for him at both Derby and Forest, you may not have physical courage but you must have moral courage in a hot situation to want the ball.
guardian.co.uk: Liverpool must pass with urgency and cross with...
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Agger, Mascherano, Benayoun, Lucas, Kuyt, Babel, Torres.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Giggs, Scholes, Anderson, Valencia, Rooney, Berbatov.
Evram priekš otrā stāva augums par mazu, bet ne jau vienmēr tieši Evra arī būs vienīgais, kas cīnīsies par gaisa bumbām, daudz jau arī Rio ar Vidu izručīs un nocels.
Piekrītu gan, ka uzrakstīt šo ir viegli, bet īstenot daudz grūtāk.
"Just seen Steven Gerrard dressed very casually at Anfield. Did not look like a man who was ready for action this afternoon."
Cik atceros visi Gunner fani jau bija samierinajushies ar zaudi Emiraatos pret MU!
Nasri salika divus smukus vaartus un MU vairs nespeeja atspeeleeties!
Domaaju ka loti interesantaa speelee Pool vinnees!
United ierindā būs Rūnijs (paspējis saārstēt traumu). Ouvens līdz ar to uz rezervistu soliņa.
Kaut gan Rūnijam, kā runā, iespējams nemaz trauma neesot, bet - kāda sagadīšanās - tuvākajās dienās sieva gaida mazuli.
taads galants palicis peedeejaa laikaa
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt, Aurelio, Torres.
Rezervē: Cavalieri, Voronin, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Degen, Skrtel.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney.
Rezervē: Foster, Neville, Owen, Anderson, Nani, Fabio Da Silva, Jonathan Evans.