Liverpool Res 2 Everton Res 3 (Aug 16 2005)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL RES 2 Everton Res 3

Report by Dave Usher at the Racecourse Ground

Scorer(s) - Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Danny Guthrie Half Time - 0-2 Venue - The Racecourse Ground Date - Tue 16 Aug 2005 Star Man - Danny Guthrie

 

 

 

 

 

Florent Sinama-Pongolle came off the bench to lead a spirited fightback, but the reds' reserves just came up short in a closely fought encounter with the blues at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

The young Frenchman, making his first appearance in 8 months since damaging his cruciate ligament in the League Cup semi final 2nd leg at Watford, was introduced after 51 minutes with his side trailing by three goals to nil. He wasted no time getting in the thick of the action, and had scored within five minutes of entering the game.

His skill and pace took him away from the Everton defence, and he was crudely hacked down on the right edge of the penalty. It was inches away from being inside the box, but although there was no penalty awarded, it mattered not as Sinama met Mannix's delicious free kick and headed past a helpless Richard Wright.

The fightback was on, and five minutes later Guthrie and Barragan exchanged passes on the right before Guthrie fed Sinama inside the box. He drove to the byline and cut a great ball back for Godwin Antwi, but he dragged his shot well wide.

Adam Hammill then beat Richard Wright to a Guthrie cross, but his header was hacked off the line by an Everton defender. Liverpool were a totally different side now that FloPo had breathed life into them, and two minutes later Whitbread saw an overhead kick clear the bar by inches after O'Donnell had headed Mannix's corner down to him.

The reds continued to pile forward, and Sinama was causing all sorts of problems for Everton's young defensive line. The French u21 star was used in a right sided attacking role. Not quite on the wing, as he was pushing inside to support Godwin and to allow Barragan room to overlap.

After 72 minutes he escaped the defence again, but his goalbound shot was well blocked by a defender. Just when it looked as though Everton had weathered the storm, the outstanding Guthrie produced a stunning left footed volley from 18 yards which flew into the top corner leaving Wright with no chance.

It was no more than Guthrie deserved for a busy, inventive performance in which he was everywhere. The blues were rattled now, and were reduced to ten men a minute later when Harris was sent off for a second bookable offence following a scurmish in the middle of the park.

Liverpool couldn't force an equaliser however, and the blues held on for a victory which on the balance of play they probably didn't deserve. Liverpool played the better football, but an inability to deal with crosses and set pieces proved their undoing.

Everton had gone in front after only six minutes, when Seargent whipped in a free kick from the left and an unmarked Vidarsson headed past Paul Willis in the Liverpool goal.

The reds had actually started the game quite well up to that point, with Hammill twice threatening inside the first three minutes. First, he collected the ball from a long throw, but his shot was charged down well by Hughes. Then a minute later he cut inside from the left leaving two defenders in his wake, only to drag a shot disappointingly wide.

Liverpool responded quite well to going a goal down, and Wilkie shot over the bar after some trickery from Hammill and a good lay off by Godwin had given him a decent shooting opportunity from 18 yards.

It was a pretty even game at this point, but Liverpool's lack of a cutting edge meant that it was vital they took any chance they came their way, and just as vital that they kept it tight at the back.

Unfortunately they looked in trouble every time the ball came into the box in the air, and Vidarsson claimed his second headed goal of the game on 36 minutes when he outjumped Barragan and sent the ball looping over Willis. My initial impression was that the keeper may have done better, but I may be being a little harsh on Willis. I'd need to see it again to be sure.

Willis was one of several inexperienced players in the line up, as the reds starting eleven had a very unfamilar look to it. New boys Barragan, Godwin and Hobbs were all included in a line up which contained five centre backs, and no recognised striker. Godwin played up front on his own, and battled manfully, competing for everything and showing good awareness of where his team-mates where.

He's clearly not a natural frontman, but he's big, athletic and strong. He often tried to cushion the ball with his chest into the path of supporting midfielders, and even though it didn't always come off it was good see his awareness. Obviously its too early to form any sort of impression on him, especially without having seen him play in his natural position, but overall he did ok.

Hobbs was used as a holding midfield player, and he just looked like a defender playing in midfield. He did ok, and certainly did nothing wrong. He just didn't look like a midfielder. I'm looking forward to seeing him play at the back though.

As for Barragan, he's an excellent footballer with very good technique. He's very good on the ball, he loves getting forward and is clearly a player with a lot of promise. I don't think he's a natural defender though, as positionally he was caught out several times. I see similarities in his game with Vegard Heggem, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Barragan end up playing further forward.

Paco Herrera is in charge of the reserves this season, and he went with a 4-1-4-1 formation. Barragan and Peltier were the full backs, with Whitbread and O'Donnell the centre halves. Hobbs sat just in front of them, with a midfield quartet of Wilkie, Mannix, Guthrie and Hammill.

Even when substitutions were made, Herrera stuck with that system. Sinama replaced Wilkie on the right, and James Frayne came on to replace Hammill with ten minutes to go. I would have liked to see a bit more adventure shown, especially at 3-0 down, but I suppose it's difficult when you have so few natural forwards to choose from.

With the reds being two down at the break, they needed a good start to the second half if they were to get back into it. No doubt most of the reds in the 1000+ crowd had hoped to see Flo as the teams came out from the dressing rooms, but Herrera resisted the temptation to rush him back, instead sticking to the original plan they had which was to give him half an hour or so.

Liverpool made an awful start to the half however. The passing was sloppy, and after possession had been given away cheaply thirty yards from goal, Anichebe turned O'Donnell and headed goalwards. Whitbread came over to cover, and a combination of Zak and O'Donnell bundled the blues striker over. The ref immediately pointed to the spot, although Whitbread wasn't happy about the decision.

Everton skipper Mark Hughes stepped up but his powerful kick was well kept out by Willis. Sadly, the let off was only temporary, as a minute later the reds defence failed to deal with another left wing free kick, Hughes nodded the ball back and Anichebe headed in from close range.

Herrera immediately threw on Sinama, but despite his best efforts the reds couldn't quite pull it back.

Flo was the best player on the pitch, he was different class. I could have given him the star man, but that wouldn't have been fair on Guthrie, who was excellent for the whole ninety minutes. He was involved in everything, never stopped running and scored a great goal.

Overall, it was disappointing to lose to a team who were not superior by any means. The difference between the sides was Liverpool's inability to deal with set pieces and crosses into the box. The reds huffed and puffed a bit, and it wasn't until Sinama came off the bench that they began to look the part, and the lack of options in attacking areas which proved such a handicap last season is still a problem this year.

I'm slightly surprised that most of the players being brough in seem to be in defensive positions, but Paco Herrera is scouring the globe for youngsters, so maybe he has a few more up his sleeve.

Of course, Flo is back now, and a certain Neil Mellor is still to return. With those two, the reserves shouldn't have any problems scoring goals. Work is needed on that zonal marking though.

Team: Willis; Barragan, O'Donnell, Whitbread, Peltier (Josemi); Hobbs; Wilkie (Sinama-Pongolle), Mannix, Guthrie, Hammill (Frayne); Godwin:

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