The game opened up with a typical possession-based, quick-moving Brendan Rodgers style, as we looked to take the game to Villa. The team pressed up and were aggressive, constantly searching for lone-striker Daniel Sturridge with long balls.
Our deserved breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Jose Enrique dinked the ball through to Sturridge to score arguably his best goal in his Liverpool career so far. The striker’s swift touches and dribbling in the tightest of places was a joy to behold, and is the marker of a player who is on top of his game and full of confidence.
In the second 45 we employed a very disciplined and conservative approach. The fullbacks did not bomb forward at will, and we pressured Villa’s midfielders and tracked wingers Agbonlahor and Weimann effectively.
The second half tactics were a risk – especially with a one goal lead – but it was the correct decision by the manager. Villa’s quick counter-attacking style could not be employed with us defending deep and having that many players behind the ball. Secondly, Villa had no real invention in their midfield three of Bacuna, Westwood (and later, Helenius) and Delph, so there was no real concern of a defence-splitting pass.
By adopting this approach, we successfully cut off all service for Christian Benteke – a striker who’s physical presence was a hindrance when we lost to Villa 3-1 in December last year.
The decision to try and nullify Villa, rather than go at them and get a second goal, was a brave move by Rodgers. This was a plan that could have very easily backfired. However, complete faith in the plan is admirable, and it was good to see us adopt this pragmatic approach and show a bit of guile in grinding out a win.
In terms of performances, Steven Gerrard was, for me, the best on the pitch. The captain showed a lot of determination in closing down Villa’s midfield and put in a number of aggressive tackles. We are used to seeing Gerrard score heroic goals, and be great in attack on his day, but the captain showed similar heroics in his own third, and seemed like a man who wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of our three points.
Other notable performers were new signings Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure. Both continue to impress with alert, brave, and defining defensive performances. Much like Gerrard, both seemed unwilling to settle for anything less than a win.
Daniel Sturridge was once again incredible. Apart from the goal, Sturridge’s defensive efforts on our right flank in the second half were superb. Sturridge looked like a great team player, and intelligently covered for Glen Johnson.
The one concern of the game was the poor performance of Phillipe Coutinho. Coutinho was aggressively closed-down by Villa, and as a result was unable to play effective passes. Seeing that we failed to create many chances in the game, there is a worry that maybe we have settled into a mental laziness in relying on our play to go through Coutinho.
This must be a concern for Rodgers, and he must find a way to shake things up and get other players contributing in the creative department.
Last season it took us 7 games to get 6 points – now we’ve got 6 from 2. The team looked determined and alive, and it seems the manager has learned from last season, and understands that sometimes we have to eschew our philosophy in order to pick up results.
Our first true test is in a week’s time against Manchester United, and that will give us a good idea of how far we’ve come.
Until then, we can enjoy the satisfaction of a good start.
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