Why on earth did Coutinho not start…?
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1) Coutinho should be on of the first names on the team-sheet…
The Brazilian, despite scoring from the bench last weekend, and performing excellently versus Real Madrid midweek, was a substitute again. When he came on after an hour, Liverpool became a totally different team. The Brazilian took risks, played zipped passes, and offered more creativity than the rest of Liverpool’s midfielders put together.
2) Mario Balotelli IS trying, but it really, really, really isn’t working…
A neutral will almost start to feel sorry for the much criticised Italian, who still hasn’t scored a Premier League goal. He toiled up top, and while he made mistakes (again), his work-rate was better, and he was keen to pass to teammates as a priority rather than mindlessly shoot on goal. He missed a guilt edged chance in the final second because his foot got stuck in the turf. Whether this will eventually result in goals, is not yet known.
3) Raheem Sterling is less effective out wide…
Sterling’s been the Reds’ best player by a country mile so far this season, but had a pretty uninspiring game on the right wing this Saturday. When he picked up possession, he had few players around him with which to play one-twos, and he didn’t have the same amount of room to dribble into as when he plays as a no.10.
2) Steven Gerrard is a set-piece expert, and seemingly little else…
The captain put in countless superb deliveries, but his ability to dictate tempo, dominate possession and link defence and attack, is diminished. Another abject, uncreative display.
1) Brendan Rodgers doesn’t trust Lazar Markovic to win him matches…
The Serbian cost an enormous £20m in the summer, but has so far totally struggled to show anything whatsoever. With the Reds desperate for a goal, Rodgers decided to bring on Jordan Henderson and Rickie Lambert instead of Markovic, showing the youngster exactly how much he rates him right now.
