Steven Gerrard Heroics Can’t Save LFC: UCL Review

(The FLags Are Waving, The Commons Flickr Images-Nigel Wilson)

It was a do or die the situation for Liverpool on Tuesday night in the final group stage match of the Uefa Champions League. The objectives were win and you’re in, anything less and you’re out. With their backs against the wall and the Kop behind them Liverpool disappointed yet again and fell short in a 1-1 draw with FC Basel of Switzerland. The draw officially eliminated the Reds from the knockout stage with Basel advancing in their place.

I use the words “yet again” to describe Liverpool’s performance on the night because like far too many times this season the Reds have not shown up to play a full ninety minutes. The first half display was very poor with not many goal scoring opportunities being created and many defensive woes still showing their ugly face at the back. The Reds struggled to hold possession giving the ball away in midfield way too many times as attacks kept breaking down at vital moments. Giveaways in their own end and poor marking by the center backs gave Basel far too much space to attack the box which led to the opener. In the twenty-fifth minute a nice passing play at the edge of the area fell to Fabian Frei’s feet and the Swiss midfielder turned and blasted a well struck shot into the bottom corner. Basel nearly doubled their lead when Streller saw his acrobatic volley fly wide as he was left wide open on the far post.

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As the second half began Liverpool tried to spark some light into the offense as Rodgers decided to move Raheem Sterling into a central striker position, bringing off Rickie Lambert and bringing on Lazar Markovic. Alberto Moreno also replaced Enrique as the Reds tried to get some kind of life in attack going. At the beginning of the half Markovic looked like a live wire and gave Liverpool a spark down the wing. However his night was short-lived and the nightmare continued for LFC with the Serbian getting sent off in the sixtieth minute for catching Behrang Safari with a trailing hand.

SOCCER/FUTBOL

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008/09

LIVERPOOL VS REAL MADRID

MEXSPORT DIGITAL IMAGE

10 March 2009: Action photo of Steven Gerrard of Liverpool, during the game UEFA Champions League 20008/09./Foto de accion de Steven Gerrard de Liverpool, durante la juego de la UEFA Champions League 2008/09. MEXSPORT/BACKPAGE IMAGES

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With ten men Liverpool still tried to press the game in search of that elusive goal to spark a comeback. The spark came from none other than their talisman and captain Steven Gerrard. A free kick at the edge of the area facing the kop was the stage and like so many times before Gerrard curled a beautiful shot off the inside of the post and in to give LFC some life. He ran arms outstretched and the passion in his eyes that he shows night in and night out trying to get the now roaring crowd behind him. The equalizer set up a frantic finish as Liverpool threw everything they could at the Basel goal. The best opportunities fell to Jordan Henderson who’s header deflected before narrowly being saved on the line by Tomas Vaclik. He then had a well struck shot from outside the box stopped in added time and that was all she wrote at Anfield.

For a must win match at home the performance from Liverpool was clearly not good enough and the alarming signs in attack and defense continue to be an issue for Brendan Rodgers side. Like so many times before they had to turn to their captain but even Stevie G’s late heroics couldn’t save LFC and this is very concerning. Gerrard was asked by reporters after the game if this performance was good enough to advance in the tournament and even the captain was very honest in his opinion and I quote.

"“I don’t think we deserved better. We have not gone out because of this performance, we weren’t good enough away to Basel and we let in a silly goal away to Ludogorets. You qualify over six games and we have not been good enough.”"

When even your captain can’t back up your performance it starts to underline what everyone has been saying and the concerns will only continue to grow over Rodgers future at the club and what needs to be done to turn yet another negative result around. It’s two steps forward and one step back which is something Liverpool cannot afford to continue to do at this stage of the season if they hope to get themselves out of this mess.

Rodgers is looking to improve the squad further. Picture courtesy of www.theguardian.com

The biggest concern for me isn’t even the defensive side of things, it comes down to the severe drop in goals from last season and wondering where the goals are going to come from. If something is not done in January to find a quality striker than this problem will only get worse even with a return of Daniel Sturridge in the line up.

However Liverpool need to move on because there is no time to dwell on what ifs and maybe’s. A huge match is just around the corner for the Reds as they travel to Old Trafford to take on their hated rivals Manchester United this Sunday. If there is any match in the world to turn things around for Liverpool it’s this one.