Going into the game on the back of defeat against Stoke, questions being asked on whether Kenny’s men had the ruthlessness needed to put together a realistic push on the Premier League summit. The game on Sunday against Tottenham did not answer any of these questions and only served to create more. Against Stoke from the first whistle Liverpool pushed Stoke onto the back foot for twenty minutes and really should have turned this possession into goals, against a Tottenham team without the influential Michael Dawson in defence Liverpool looked second best in every battle on the pitch.
This resulted in the London outfit being first to the ball everytime, Liverpool’s midfield chasing shadows and ultimately committing mistimed tackles. Although none of the bookings in the game could be denied, common sense must also play a part and the question is raised as in such a heated, important battle whether an official should do all they can to defuse the tension in the game by speaking with players and not producing more cards than a Vegas strip magician. The downfall of the Anfield outfit was ignited when a slip by Daniel Agger which lead to Modric’s stunning strike left the centre back injured and in need of substitution. 1-0 down, off the pace in all areas of the pitch, under the cosh, welcome to your debut Sebastian Coates. Nothing can be gauged for the youngster under such circumstances as was a real baptism of fire for any player making their debut. After frustration on being muscled off the ball Adam picked up a silly booking and then followed it up with a challenge possibly warranting a straight red card leading to his sending off. Even the most ardent Liverpool fan was realising from this moment even coming away with a point looked unlikely but clung on to the cliché of ten men playing their hearts out from here.
From the start of second half Spurs picked up where they left off and Kenny’s half time words seem to have fallen on deaf ears. Any hopes Liverpool had of getting anything out of the game completely evaporated when Martin Skrtel picked up a second yellow card and got his marching orders. Many asking why he is playing at right back and against young, quick wingers would Flannigan not have been a better option? Only Kenny knows this. From here on Liverpool were stretched in all areas of the pitch and Defoe’s goal ended this as a contest with plenty of the game still left. Two further goals added to the side’s misery. From the second sending off no player performance can be analysed as in the Premier League you would expect all 19 teams to beat a team with a two player disadvantage. By the final whistle the players looked deflated on ready to get on the bus in their kit and get out of London.
With Wolves coming up on the weekend, Agger injured, Skrtel suspended Kenny really has a defensive headache. Youngsters Coates and Flannigan should get their chances to stamp their mark on the first team. Before this a tricky trip to Gus Poyet’s Brighton looms. What formation Liverpool line up in is anyone’s guess but the team needs a real shake up. The return of inspirational leader Steven Gerrard could not be more timely. Liverpool need a convincing victory against the high flying Championship outfit to boost confidence going into the weekend’s game against Mick McCarthy’s Wolves. Maybe fire and passion is needed and starting places for Bellamy and Kuyt might be in order.
Much has been said about Dalglish’s unique ability to bring the best out of players, well a third round Carling Cup trip to the American Express Community Stadium suddenly carries a lot of importance on whether Liverpool can get their season back on track. Quite an apt setting when players with such large price tags as Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing may feel they need performances to win the Anfield faithful over and justify the outlay. With only domestic competition to contest this season Liverpool must look to play every game like a cup final and with good performances comes confidence which will help Kenny’s rebuilt team gel. Even the usually dependable Jamie Carragher will feel he has critics to silence and some uninspiring performances by Pepe Reina also contribute to the general lack of confidence amongst Liverpool’s back line. Kenny thrived in Liverpool teams that were built on a solid defence and midfield with plenty of creativity and it is now to be seen whether Kenny can channel his vision through the players to be seen by all out on the pitch. With two crunch games in the space of 4 days this could prove to be an important week for Kenny, the players, the club and the fans.