by Ciggy » Sat Nov 27, 2004 11:19 pm
Ive just found this on football now site. Intresting article.
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Touching the void - how to beat Liverpool
In the 70's and 80's Liverpool awoke to make such a big noise the whole world heard them. They became one of the greatest clubs this world has today and since that day they remain a club that, win or lose, always remain something of great importance.
Not many teams have caught up to Liverpool's standard in England. Undoubtedly an amazing club they have disappeared in to a shadow that is loved by many Liverpool fans but they're far away from who they once were.
Now things are changing, they have a new manager, a new group of continental players and a new way of playing - but they're still in limbo, they're not great again yet.
Although they won't become what they once were in the 70's and 80's, I doubt. That's difficult and takes something special.
Right now Liverpool are a club with progression and they obviously have talent. For all the misfortune that Liverpool have had lately they have remained in the top half of the table edging at the places held by most other teams. They're still competitors and once back in to a groove again with Benitez' style they will be a threatening contingent to other teams.
Yet lately, they've hit a few snags - they are competent though, they are resourceful and will create means to counter an offensive. They have Gerrard, a midfield maestro, an old experienced, yet youthful player. They have Benitez, a talented tactician and offensive genius. All will come in to play.
So what is this weakness?
The midfield
You'd think with Gerrard, Alonso and company all pacing around like Rats escaping an aerial threat of killer pigeons - they could barely be stoppable but, this is their weakness as most of Liverpool's game is built around midfield mastership and if you break that down, if you stall the flow and more importantly the influence of these midfield players the confidence throughout the team will diminish leaving lots of gaping holes for Arsenal to take their pick of shots.
To penetrate this weakness we need to win things in midfield, and we have an edge. While Gerrard is focussing matters on one of his biggest fans, Vieira, and taking the game to him - we will be left with Cesc to create, damage and find the ball to the feet of a multitude of players.
The aim to obliterate a Liverpool team is not playing football with them but diminishing their greatest influence in the team, which will put pressure on them. If you cut off their supply you can basically stall their attempts.
Now - can Arsenal do this.
Our flaws are from midfield but Vieira and Gerrard will be pre-occupied as they will begin their exchange and competitiveness throughout, leaving Cesc to be our most important player.
Elsewhere though we need to come together and work off Cesc and send our defence a little further forward. A gulf between goal and our defence will give their midfield less movement.
Basically we will have to be an older Arsenal and at our best as this is not some mediocre team. They could quite easily make matters easier for us by giving us a real challenge to re-implement our potential to fight back and give our strengths some air to come out and breathe.
All over the Liverpool squad there is a player, a unit that will challenge each of our players to re-awaken themselves. We haven't had any real competition. PSV decided to go WWE on us and wrestle us in to dramatic consequences although it helped to raise our game. 9 men against 11 and a draw away from home in Europe. It's impressive stuff.
Liverpool need this win, they will be up for a fight - they will really need to win this game as they are struggling and every game is important before they can replenish weaknesses in January. Maybe what Arsenal need - a good intense battle for all the players.
Liverpool could very well be our blessing in disguise.
There is no-one anywhere in the world at any stage who is any bigger or any better than this football club.
Kenny Dalglish 1/2/2011
REST IN PEACE PHIL, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.