Heading into tonight's home Europa League encounter with Young Boys of Berne, resulting from Anzhi's earlier 2-0 victory in Russia meant the Redmen could book their place in the last 32 next February if they could beat their opponents at Anfield. What resulted was a similar pattern to some games this season.
This was going to be no easy game, Udinese were dispatched home and away by Young Boys leading into tonight's encounter. Young Boys set their stall out right from kick-off when within 10 seconds had they being more calmer could have got off to the perfect start. A neat ball played behind Wisdom, only for the chance of a shot at Reina's goal go to waste. The passing of Young Boys was to be admired on the night, and found a lot of space like most sides have done between Liverpool's defence and midfield this season.
On the night the often maligned Joe Cole, had one of his best performances in a Liverpool shirt. A neat one two with Suso on the half an hour mark set up Liverpool's goal machine in this competition Jonjo Shelvey for the opening goal of the night. A little dink from Cole over the keeper, made it easy from 2 yards out for Shelvey to bag his 4th goal in 5 games in the group stage. The ever impressive Suso, was lively and the potential this lad has along with Sterling is a shining light that this European campaign so far has garnered. Liverpool went into half time at the break, probably harshly on Young Boys who showed glimpses in the first half that this game was far from over.
As the second half kicked off, some of Liverpool's problems albeit with somewhat a reserve side showed similar failings. We let the opposition control the ball, allowed them space between our defence and midfield. The return of Lucas Leiva is for Liverpool a must sooner rather than later as again his ability in dominating the space between defence and midfield is never more missed when glaringly exposed as tonight. We were made to pay when a dink over Henderson to Bobadilla ,who took one touch and smashed the ball beyond Reina into the far corner of the net. 1-1. Henderson was caught out by ball watching to allow Bobadilla in, now playing at right back due to Gerrard coming on for the injured Wisdom, moved into the centre of midfield. It was an unbelievable strike and one Young Boys probably deserved for the tenacity.
Liverpool did recover, the introduction of in-form Luis Suarez. He was involved in the goal, a nice move which set up Joe Cole for Liverpool retake the lead. A neat lay-off to Gerrard, who slipped the ball between the two Young Boys centre backs for Joe Cole to finish on his left foot under the on rushing keeper. 2-1. Joe Cole's first goal in the Red of Liverpool since the 5-0 win over Birmingham in April 2011.
But, like some games this season we were punished by not closing down and standing admiring the oppositions passing. Neat play from Young Boys 2 minutes from normal time, allowed Zverotic to score a fierce drive into Reina's net. Reina's form has being a concern among Liverpool fans for a long time now. He could have saved the shot but it went through between his both hands but such was the power and technique it would be harsh to label the goal as his fault entirely. The defence and midfield didn't close down which allowed the situation to arise.
A little frustrating for Rodgers and the Redmen, more control of the game would be what Rodgers wanted up till the second equaliser it could have being that way had the Redmen closed it out. Rodgers summarised in his post match interview with ITV: "We didn't control the game well in the final few minutes. But it's another point and we can still control our own destiny. It makes it harder than we would have liked. I'll always pick a team to win each game, listen, we want to qualify and if we have to go out to Udinese and win then so be it. Jonjo Shelvey was outstanding as a striker, and it was nice for Joe Cole. He's worked hard in training, he knows it's difficult for him, he's been away on loan but he's a fighter and that is all he can do."
Joe Cole was denied the hero due to Zverotic's strike. It's a pity for Cole with how his Liverpool career has transpired and also the win for Liverpool didn't come but both sides can be credited for a decent game. The win would have allowed a dead rubber in Italy in two weeks, but the Liverpool faithful now face a tricky trip to Udine in two weeks knowing only a win will guarantee that they play in the last 32 in the new year. At least the trip money wise could be well worth it for Liverpool's away support.
Despite that, Liverpool are progressing with Swansea on the horizon at the weekend. A the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, will be one game where Rodgers will love nothing more than the 3 points. And with the likes of in-form Johnson, Enrique alongside Allen, Agger, Gerrard, Suarez and Sterling to come back into the starting 11. Liverpool after the victory over Wigan last weekend go into the game 7 games unbeaten looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat in the League Cup at Anfield just under a month ago.
Ashley Williams has stoked up the fire ahead of the game regarding Luis Suarez, we will see how those comments look come Sunday when in-form Suarez comes to town. On a final note, the gesture of the Young Boys holding loft a banner "In Memory of Hillsborough" was a classy touch by a foreign set of supporters. Shows that the tragedy extended far beyond the isles of the UK and Ireland.
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