West Brom Res 0 Liverpool Res 1 (Aug 30 2005)

[TLW]

West Brom Res 0 LIVERPOOL RES 1

Report by Dave Usher at the Hawthorns

Scorer(s) - Antonio Barragan Half Time - 0-0 Venue - The Hawthorns Date - Tue 30 Aug 2005 Star Man - The Back Four

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool Reserves' encouraging start to the season continued as Antonio Barragan's second half strike ensured that all three points were secured against an experienced West Brom side at the Hawthorns. Paco Herrera's side have now won one, lost one and drawn one, but there has been a lot to take heart from so far.

The reds should have picked up a point in their opening game, were very unfortunate not to win their second match, but they got what they deserved in this game. Despite Albion fielding a side packed with experience, they only created one solitary opening in ninety minutes as Liverpool's young back four performed magnificently.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle was the only 'senior' player to start the game for the reds, although Peter Crouch was on the bench and was introduced for the final half hour. New signing Ramon Calliste partnered Flo up front, whilst fellow new boy Besian Idrizaj was on the bench and joined Crouch on the field for the final half hour.

Calliste had been on trial with the reds, and had impressed in last week's draw with Newcastle. He was handed a one year deal, but unfortunately it was announced on the same day that Michael Owen joined Newcastle. Some muppets on local radio phone ins had used Calliste as a stick to beat the club with for not bringing back Owen. "We don't get Michael but thats ok coz we signed a kid who was released by the mancs."

Without getting into the Owen debate here, it needs to be pointed out that the two issues are completely unrelated. Callists has been signed because the reserve side needs a striker. As reported on TLW at the end of last season, Rafa Benitez decided that the reserve side needed strengthening.

It wasn't possible to bring in the most promising young players in the country or from around the world, as finances just wouldn't allow it. Therefore he instructed Paco Herrera to find players who would not cost the earth, not necessarily to push for a first team place, but who would improve the reserve side.

If any of those players develop into first team material, then that is a bonus. Herrera has done just that, and the club have brought in several youngsters to boost the reserves pool of players. Calliste is one of those, and its unfair to bring him into the Owen debate. The reserves are very short of strikers, Calliste was available as a free agent and he can help to improve the reserve side. If he goes on to establish himself and makes the first team, great. If not, at least the reserve side has been able to call on a natural frontman, something they never had for most of last season.

Calliste had a much quieter game than last week, as he found it tough being up against the experienced Darren Moore. He did have the best chance of the first half however, when the lively Sinama-Pongolle played him in. Calliste showed good awareness to take the ball past Moore, but when faced with the keeper he fluffed his left foot shot.

The first half was pretty dire in truth. The reds defended doggedly, and restricted Albion to hitting long hopeful balls to loan striker Nathan Ellington. Liverpool's back four coped easily with Ellington, and Albion never really managed to get any support up to him.

For that credit must go to central midfield duo Jack Hobbs and Lee Peltier. Both players are more destructive than creative midfielders, but they chased everything, won loads of tackles and used the ball sensibly. They were up against Andy Johnson, Darren Carter and Richard Chaplow, but they stood up to the test extremely well.

The creativity was being provided by Guthrie, Barragan and Sinama-Pongolle. Guthrie had been the star man in both of the reds previous games, and he had another good game against the Baggies. This time he played on the left flank, having been used either in the centre or on the right in the other games.

He's a good intelliegent footballer, and has really blossomed this season since moving to Melwood. Barragan - who is probably the only one of the reserves new recruits who was brough in with the first team in mind - had a fairly quiet game to be fair. He is accomplished in possession though, and showed good instincts to get forward into the box, not least when he hit the winning goal.

Barragan tested Albion keeper Kuszczak with a 20 yard shot in the first half, and six minutes after the break he beat the keeper from close range to win the game for his side. The goal was the result of good link up play by Flo, who released Guthrie in on goal in the inside left channel. Guthrie's shot was well saved, but Barragan was on hand to finish from close range.

Shortly after that, Flo was replaced by Austrian teenager Idrizaj, and a couple of minutes later Crouch came on for Calliste. Idrizaj played just behind Crouch, and the pair looked lively as the reds tried to pick off Albion on the counter attack.

Crouch almost scored after what will become a trademark mazy run. The big fella got the ball into his feet, and drove at the heart of the home defence, going past two or three challenges before being denied by a good save by Kuszcak. We've seen this from his already in pre-season, and some people are going to be surprised by Crouch's ability to run with the ball this season.

Idrizaj almost opened his account on his debut, when he burst powerfully through the centre and hit a stinging shot with his left foot which was well kept out by Kuszcak. He's a big lad for 17. Tall and well built, he isn't your typical winger that's for sure.

Albion tried to push forward for an equaliser, but the closest they came was when Willis misjudged a Carter corner, and Moore headed wide of the empty goal. Other than that, Willis had little to do, as his defence held firm.

The reds defensive performance was summed up by the last action of the game, when Carter whipped a dangerous corner into the six yard box which looked for all the world like it would end up on the head of Moore or Scimeca. Instead, Miki Roque rose highest and met it with a powerful header which ended up near the half way line as the referee blew for time.

The lads worked tirelessly to win this game, and you could see afterwards how much it meant to them. There looks to be a good spirit about the side, and the new lads have settled in well.

Picking a star man was impossible. I could have gone for any one of the back four, but it would have unfair to single any of them out. Danny O'Donnell had the best game I've seen from him at this level, whilst Miki Roque has looked very assured for a 17 year old playing in a new country.

The full backs never gave an inch to Albion's wingers. Skipper David Raven was very calm and assured at right back, despite picking up a dead leg which prevented him getting forward as much as he would have liked. On the other side, James Smith was... well James Smith. This lad produces dogged defensive displays week in week out, no matter where along the back four he is asked to play. Opponents rarely get the better of Smith, and defensively he's rock solid.

Last year the reserves had a very disappointing campaign. This year they look better equipped and have more depth in the squad. Having a core of players who train together every day at Melwood will also help with their consistency, and this season should be a big improvement on the last one.


Team: Willis; Raven, Roque, O'Donnell, Smith; Barragan, Peltier, Hobbs, Guthrie; Sinama-Pongolle (Idrizaj), Calliste (Crouch):

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