Manchester City Res 3 Liverpool Res 1 (Apr 2 2007)

[TLW]

Man City Res 3 LIVERPOOL RES 1

Report by Dave Usher at the Regional Athletics Stadium

Scorer(s) - Nabil El Zhar Half Time - 0-1 Venue - Regional Athletics Stadium, Manchester Date - Mon 2 Apr 2007 Star Man - Nabil El Zhar

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool reserves’ recent good run of form was brought to a shuddering halt, as a woeful second half display saw them throw away a half time lead and crash to a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City. Nabil El Zhar scored early on as the reds dominated the first half, but the wheels came off after the break and City ran out comfortable winners in the end. Gary Ablett was furious with how his side performed after the break, as no-one came out of the second half with any credit.

It started quite well, and the reds were the better side in the opening 45 minutes, despite never reaching the level of performance they showed at Newcastle last week. It all went wrong after the half time interval though, especially in defence where huge gaps suddenly began to appear. City scored three, but it could have more had it not been for Daniele Padelli, who made some very good saves.


Ablett had made two changes to the side that performed so well at Newcastle, one enforced and the other tactical. Craig Lindfield was ruled out with a minor injury (he should be fine for the youth cup final), so Jordy Brouwer replaced him up front. The other change Ablett made was somewhat baffling, as Jay Spearing was benched for the returning Nabil El Zhar.

‘Speo’ had been Liverpool’s best player at Newcastle, and the only reason I can think of for him not starting this game was ‘Melwood seniority’. Maybe the lads who train at Melwood with the reserve squad get priority over Academy players, or maybe it was simply because Jay had played for the u18s on Friday? I don't know what the reason was, but he was badly missed.

Ablett complained after the game that there was no leadership on the field, but when the most natural leader at the club (Carra apart) is sitting on the bench, what do you expect? Spearing's organisational qualities and cool head were badly missed in the second half, as Liverpool just couldn't keep the ball and no-one wanted to take responsibility at the back. The poor marking and organisation made it far too easy for City.

It had all started so well too, with Paul Anderson starting the game in great form and going close to scoring twice on the opening eight minutes. First, he saw a first time left foot shot from 18 yards saved by Nicky Weaver after a good cross by El Zhar. A couple of minutes later he went even close, as City failed to deal with Threlfall's left wing cross, and Anderson sent a looping volley from the edge of the box inches wide of the far post.

El Zhar was denied by a last ditch challenge by D'Laryea after being played in by Brouwer, but the Morroccan did't have to wait long for another opportunity, taking Hobbs' fine through ball in his stride and hammering a shot past Weaver on 13 minutes.

Anderson was then brought down on the edge of the box after a surging run at the City defence, and from the free kick Threlfall brought a good save out of Weaver. From the corner, the ball broke to Insua outside the box, and although he connected well with his volley, it was a routine stop for Weaver.

City were offering nothing in attack, despite fielding the highly rated front two of Ishmael Miller and Daniel Sturridge. Paletta and Huth were comfortable for the entire first half, and Padelli only had to make one save, a straightforward stop after a shot from distance.

Liverpool weren't doing anything special, but they were on top and in Anderson and El Zhar they always looked a threat, especially on the break. Seven minutes before half time Paletta intercepted a pass and immediately played the ball into space down the right wing for Anderson to chase. He carried the ball into the box and tried to pick out Brouwer but Stephen Jordan got back to clear.

Brouwer did get a chance to get on the scoresheet just befoe the break, when he turned well on the edge of the box but dragged a shot wide.

City made a change at the break, and it made a big difference. Ched Evans, a striker who played against the reds in last year's youth cup final, replaced Marshall, as Miller switched the left wing. Suddenly, City were a different side, and they began to look very dangerous, especially on the left where Miller gave Stephen Darby all kinds of problems.

I don't think I've ever seen a winger get the better of 'Darbs', but Miller is a giant who runs like an Olympic sprinter. He did nothing as a centre forward, but on the left he was able to pick the ball up and start running, and Liverpool had real problems coping when he did that.

Evans levelled the score eight minutes in, but Ablett will have been furious at the defending. The ball was clipped in from the left wing, and Evans had no defender anywhere near him as he headed the ball past Padelli.

Liverpool almost regained the lead straight away, as Brouwer's pass sent Ryan Flynn scampering through. Weaver came out to narrow the angle, and Flynn's shot hit the keeper and went behind for a corner. Threlfall got his head on the corner kick, and Brouwer seized on the loose ball and forced a great save from Weaver again. That was as good as it got for the reds, after that it was all City.

Padelli saved well twice from Miller, and pulled off a terrific stop to keep out Obeng's long range screamer, but the keeper may feel he could have done better with City's second goal. Miller got away down the left again, and his cross-shot was parried by the on loan Italian keeper, but the ball fell kindly for Marc Laird who prodded the ball in from close range.

City continued to create chances, as Liverpool's defence was at sixes and sevens. Ablett was constantly shouting at his players, and at one point was screaming at Ronald Huth to get in line with the rest of the back four. The Paraguayan had dropped deep, and clearly didn't understand what was being shouted at him. In the end, Ablett had to get Insua's attention and get him to pass the message on. That's the problem when three of the back four barely speak English.


Padelli saved well from Evans, and Paletta cleared Sturridge's follow up effort off the line, as City continued to dominate. Ablett eventually opted to change things, bringing on triallist Reneil Sappleton for the ineffective largely ineffective Brouwer.

Sappleton (right) is on QPR's books, and played against the reds a few weeks ago when on trial at Middlesbrough. He's a 17 year old powerhouse striker, built like a brick shithouse, but this was a terrible game for him to come into as it was impossible for him to shine. He ended up chasing aimless long balls and barely got a kick.

Putterill was brought on to replace Threlfall, but it made little difference as Liverpool just couldn't get anything going.

City's third came in stoppage time, and the scorer, Adam Clayton, had only been on the field around ten seconds. Liverpool's defending was non existant as Sturridge slipped the ball through to the untracked Clayton who gave Padelli no chance.

I'm giving Padelli the star man, even though he maybe could have done better with the second goal, simply because no-one else deserved it. He can hold his head up, not many others can say the same.

The second half display was unacceptable, but looking at the overall picture the reserves have been doing pretty well since the turn of the year. I know I probably sound like a broken record, but I really think Ablett needs to play Spearing in midfield from now on, and move Hobbs back into the defence. Jack needs to play at the back if he's going to develop properly, and on this season's form he's the best central defender Ablett has, and that includes Paletta.

Play him at centre half, and Speo in midfield and the lack of leadership problem will be solved. Whether it happens or not remains to be seen, and I'm not even sure exactly how much say Ablett has in team selection. Maybe Rafa wants the likes of Paletta and Huth to play because he brought them in, I honestly don't know.


Team: Padelli; Darby, Huth, Paletta, Insua; Anderson, Flynn, Hobbs, Threlfall (Putterill); El Zhar, Brouwer (Sappleton)