SAS focus ignores Reds' team ethic
Posted by Steven Kelly
RECOMMEND4TWEET0EMAIL
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge Liverpool
Allsport
Liverpool's SAS duo are the ones in the spotlight.
You often hear the question “without them, where would Liverpool be?” when people talk about Liverpool and star strikers Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. But it’s the same as asking what tennis’ Rafa Nadal would be like without his forehand? Or how boxer Floyd Mayweather would do if he had to stand still?
The fact is that the duo’s goalscoring achievements have been so extraordinary this season that they tend to take the spotlight for themselves and blot out everything else. But standing in the darkness are a dozen or so individuals who have made significant, valuable contributions to this exceptional Liverpool year and, if the media or opponents choose to focus solely on SAS, it is up to the Liverpool fans to carry the flag for their ignored colleagues.
Before the last two games, opponents have placed great emphasis on Suarez in particular -- Sunderland boss Gus Poyet going so far as to say the Reds would be midtable without him. Given that tenth place is currently occupied by a team [Stoke City] with 40 points and 37 goals you can only hope he was joking!
It’s not as if two main goalscorers is an uncommon phenomenon in English football anyway. This Liverpool side possibly won’t break through the 100-goal mark, but if they did it would compare with the Chelsea side of 2009-10 who hit 103 that season with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard scoring 51 between them.
Working on an average for the title winning sides in recent years, 45 goals is the norm for those players casually dismissed as “the other eight.” The last time Liverpool competed for the title in 2008-09 they were finally bested by a Manchester United side that scored a mere 68 goals; 30 of which came from the head or boot of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were Liverpool’s main duo in the tally of 77, but the rest still chipped in with a very respectable 47 goals between them.
What might be throwing people off the scent is the absence of a third main goalscorer. True, Steven Gerrard has 11 so far this season but his only effort from a moving ball was the header against Everton back in January. In the Reds’ last title race, Dirk Kuyt contributed an impressive tally of 12, and in past title-winning seasons other clubs have been assisted by significant totals from the likes of Javier Hernandez (Man Utd) and Mario Balotelli (Man City).
In the end such talk of overreliance on two strikers can be dismissed by the simple statement of fact that football success involves far more than putting the ball into the back of the net. Its importance is duly noted, but the incredible emphasis upon it indicates a shallow appreciation of the game.
Certainly the other players on the Liverpool teamsheet have come in for criticism: Simon Mignolet? Couldn’t catch a cold and gives fans the jitters when he dawdles on the ball; Glen Johnson? He plays when he feels like it; Martin Skrtel? Would make a good wrestler, but is an accident waiting to happen; Daniel Agger? Injury prone and slowing down; Jon Flanagan? Inexperienced and prone to rash challenges.
Jordan Henderson? Enthusiastic but limited; Philippe Coutinho? Goes missing on away grounds and has a weak shot; Steven Gerrard? Not really at his best in a deeper role and starting to look his age; Raheem Sterling? Over reliant on pace and not a thinker.
These are of course only the cherry-picked worst insults from a bewildering season that has confounded many an expert, never mind a supporter, so it’s probably not unusual for outsiders to think dimly of Liverpool’s team when their own fans have been equally callous at times.
The good has obviously far outweighed the bad: Mignolet has maintained the required alertness for a team that often dominates possession, making crucial saves at times when an equaliser could have been damaging (Southampton, Old Trafford and the opening day Stoke penalty); Johnson’s good days are great and he’s having more of them now; Skrtel has been resolute and dominant whilst contributing important goals; Agger’s cultured play has become Liverpool’s first line of attack; Flanagan has become a cult hero akin to the great Joey Jones in the 70s.
Henderson’s tenacity gives no respite to any opponent; Coutinho’s slide-rule finesse has cut through many a defence and if he has now added long-range shooting to his talents there’s no telling how high he can go; Gerrard has steadily adapted to a new role some thought was beyond even his extraordinary capabilities; Sterling is arguably the English game’s most improved, gifted young player and will almost certainly be taken to Brazil this summer by Roy Hodgson.
So other managers and players can focus on the two strikers if they wish, but it simply means they are not taking the club who sit top of the league seriously. Underestimate them at your peril as shown perfectly by the third goal against Tottenham, which sprang from a defence furiously retreating from Coutinho because of a crippling fear of where Sturridge and Suarez lurked behind.
Perhaps the expected addition of Champions League fixtures will stymie Liverpool’s performance next season, but there is always the possibility that the significant rise in every single player’s performance levels (plus the addition of new talent) will continue to head skywards.
This team might actually get better. That does not appear to have crossed any outsider’s mind, and the longer they stay in ignorance the longer Liverpool will pick up “cheap” points.
So sing it from the rafters, Liverpool are a two-man team. Keep spreading the word...
SAS Focus ignores Reds' team Ethic.
Posted by Steven Kelly
RECOMMEND4TWEET0EMAIL
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge Liverpool
Allsport
Liverpool's SAS Duo are The Ones in The Spotlight.
You often hear The Question "without them, Where would Liverpool be?" when People talk About Liverpool and. star strikers Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. But it's the same as asking what tennis' Rafa Nadal would be like without his forehand? Boxer Floyd Mayweather or How to Stand still would do if He had? The Fact is that The Duo's goalscoring achievements have been so this Extraordinary Season that they Tend to Take The Spotlight for themselves and blot out everything else. But standing in the darkness are a dozen or so individuals who have made significant, valuable contributions to this exceptional Liverpool year and, if the media or opponents choose to focus solely on SAS, it is up to the Liverpool fans to carry the flag for their. Ignored colleagues. Before The last Two Games, opponents have placed great Particular Emphasis on Suarez in - Sunderland boss Gus Poyet going so Far as to say The Reds would be midtable without him. Given that Tenth Place is Currently Occupied by A team [Stoke City] with 40 points and 37 goals You Can Hope He was only joking! It's Not as if Two main goalscorers is an Uncommon Anyway phenomenon in English Football. This will not possibly Liverpool Side Break through The 100-Goal Mark, but if they did it would Compare with The Chelsea Side of 2009-10 Season with Didier Drogba Who hit that 103 and Frank Lampard scoring 51 between them. Working on an average for the title winning sides in recent years, 45 goals is the norm for those players casually dismissed as "the other eight." The last time Liverpool competed for the title in 2008-09 they were finally bested by a Manchester United side that scored a. mere 68 goals; 30 of which came from the head or boot of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were Liverpool's main Duo in The Tally of 77, but still chipped in with The Rest A very respectable 47 goals between them. What Might be throwing off The People is The absence Scent of A Third main goalscorer. True, Steven Gerrard has 11 so far this season but his only effort from a moving ball was the header against Everton back in January. In the Reds' last title race, Dirk Kuyt contributed an impressive tally of 12, and in past title-winning seasons other clubs have been assisted by significant totals from the likes of Javier Hernandez (Man Utd) and Mario Balotelli (Man City). In the end such talk of overreliance on two strikers can be dismissed by the simple statement of fact that football success involves far more than putting the ball into the back of the net. Its importance is duly noted, but The incredible Emphasis upon it Indicates A Shallow Appreciation of The Game. Certainly The Other Players on The Liverpool teamsheet have Come in for criticism: Simon Mignolet? Couldn't catch a cold and gives fans the jitters when he dawdles on the ball; Glen Johnson? He plays when he feels like it; Martin Skrtel? Would make a good wrestler, but is an accident waiting to happen; Daniel Agger? Injury prone and slowing down; Jon Flanagan? Inexperienced and prone to Rash challenges. Jordan Henderson? Enthusiastic but limited; Philippe Coutinho? Goes missing on away grounds and has a weak shot; Steven Gerrard? Not really at his best in a deeper role and starting to look his age; Raheem Sterling? Over Reliant on Pace and Not A thinker. These are of Course only The Cherry-picked worst insults from A bewildering Season that has confounded Many an Expert, never Mind A Supporter, so it's probably Not unusual for Outsiders to think dimly of Liverpool's team when. their Own Fans have been equally Callous at Times. The good has obviously Far outweighed The Bad: Mignolet has maintained The Required alertness for A team that often dominates possession, Making Crucial saves at Times when an equalizer could have been damaging (Southampton, Old Trafford. and the opening day Stoke penalty); Johnson's good days are great and he's having more of them now; Skrtel has been resolute and dominant whilst contributing important goals; Agger's cultured play has become Liverpool's first line of attack; Flanagan has become a cult hero akin. to The great Joey Jones in The 70s. Henderson's tenacity gives no respite to any opponent; Coutinho's slide-Rule Finesse has Cut through Many A Defence and if He has now added long-Range Shooting to his Talents there's no telling How HIGH He Can Go. ; Gerrard has steadily Adapted to A New Role some thought was Beyond Even his Extraordinary capabilities; Sterling is arguably The English Game's Most improved, gifted Young Player and Will Almost certainly be taken to Brazil this Summer by Roy Hodgson. So Other Managers and Players Can focus on the two strikers if they wish, but it simply means they are not taking the club who sit top of the league seriously. Underestimate them at your Peril as shown perfectly by The Third Goal Against Tottenham, which sprang from A Defence furiously retreating from Coutinho because of A crippling Fear of Where Sturridge and Suarez lurked Behind. Perhaps The expected addition of Champions League fixtures Will stymie Liverpool's Performance next. Season, but there is always that The Possibility The Rise significant in every Single Player's Performance levels (Plus The addition of New Talent) Will Continue to Head Skywards. This team Might actually get better. That does Not Appear to have any Crossed Outsider's Mind, and The longer they stay longer in ignorance The Liverpool Will Pick up "cheap" points. So Sing it from The Rafters, Liverpool are A Two-MAN team. Keep spreading the word ...
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