This much is clear, the Liverpool side who did just enough to beat Aston Villa on their home pitch after coming off the back of doing just enough to beat a physical Stoke side at Anfield, is not the same side that started the barren 12/13 campaign.
Physically, technically and mentally they appear stronger and more resolute. Without doubt this theory has not been tested to its full capacity, as they are yet to concede a goal, and more crucially, yet to concede a goal before scoring. The scenario where self-belief and attacking fluidity are the only tools available to fight back from a deficit, is yet to present itself, and thus the jury is still most certainly out as this is the truest test of any side presenting themselves serious contenders in any form.
Context aside, the display from Liverpool and Rodgers on Saturday was of a level that has arguably not been seen from an Anfield team in a number of seasons
The opening thirty minutes were bright, Aston Villa’s early fixtures to Arsenal and Chelsea did them no favours, and their first half performance was generally fatigued and lethargic as a result. Make no mistake, Liverpool applied kilopascals of pressure, and distributed the ball with consummate ease, however Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard were given the room to pick passes and move Villa’s cement legged midfield into chasing shadows.
It was only a matter of time before Liverpool would break Villa’s defence, with Coutihno, Sturridge and Aspas given the directive to move into space, almost regardless of position, chances began to present themselves. Both Enrique and Johnson were allowed to stretch the play, creating a marking dilemma for Villa. It was this combination that gracefully unpicked Villa on the twenty first minute, after holding up the play, Sturridge laid off to Enrique, before returning to a central position. Enrique was not only given time on the ball, but the legroom to weight a pass that would dissect Villa’s holding mdfielders from the defensive line they were protecting. Coutihno’s dummy, which wrong-footed all three surrounding defenders, was characteristic of a player far older and theoretically wiser in the art of outsmarting opponents. He created the space for Sturridge to receive Enrique’s pass without even touching the ball.
Villa’s defence floundering, Sturridge was able to drag the ball around the flailing Guzan before having the guile to chip the ball into the net, pervading both goal mouth defenders in the process.
Twenty one minutes after a match build up that was all about Benteke being the next Drogba, Sturridge announced himself as powerful, dangerous and clinical.
This forced life back into Villa’s legs, as they finally began to retain possession and supply Benteke. In turn this proved why Kolo Toure might just be the signing of the window. If Sturridge and Coutihno have given Liverpool an attacking dimension, Toure and Mignolet have given Liverpool defensive fortitude. Benteke was made to work for every moment on the ball by the Ivorian, who seems to be the incarnate of age being just a number. When Benteke finally managed to find the space to shoot, Simon Mignolet dived to a shot stopping save.
Above all else, and with much regret, Mignolet appears to be highlighting some of the frailties Pepe Reina suffered in previous campaigns. The ability to be an out and out shot stopper is foremost. Mignolet, who by all accounts is a large frame in goal, produced two saves from Benteke on Saturday that effectively won Liverpool all three points. His second, as the final whistle was beckoning, was made of reaction speed and concentration that had surely begun to wain throughout the squad.
With these positives in mind, it’s worth noting, Mignolet’s distribution suffers at times. He over hits long balls on occasion, and while under pressure has made poor decisions, conceding possession. Given time, this can and must be worked through by John Achterberg and his team.
Rodgers tactical niche displayed itself during a robust but ultimately uneventful second half. Aware of Villa’s counter attacking strengths, and apparent weaknesses in genuinely opening defences from open play. Rodgers chose to set Liverpool into a counter attacking position himself. Breaking down Villa’s play where possible, and forcing Villa to either make a goal or run out of time. Rodgers then swapped an energetic Aspas for the newly arrived Cissokho. Liverpool essentially adjusted to a four four two, with Cissokho and Henderson playing as left and right midfielders respectively.
Despite a late flourish from Villa, Liverpool were able to retain the clean sheet an take all three points back to Anfield.
Liverpool will face tougher games, most notably against David Moyes and Manchester United within the week. However given the six points from two, a draw would return a strong seven points from three.
More importantly, Liverpool have made genuine improvement on last year, and are starting to turn draws into wins.
Some interesting questions will be answered over the final week of the transfer window, and squad depth will be tested with Cup fixtures mid- week.
A year on from Being Liverpool, the signs for Rodgers remain positive. The true tests of character are yet to come however, with blips almost inevitable in the Premier League. It is the reaction to those stutters in performance that will dictate the success, or failure, of Liverpool under Rodgers.
At least Ferguson has finally retired.
Follow Justin on Twitter @gentjw
Latest Forum Discussion