Sheff Utd Res 0 Liverpool Res 2 (Apr 10 2007)

[TLW]

Sheff Utd Res 0 LIVERPOOL RES 2

Report by Dave Usher at Saltergate

Scorer(s) - Jack Hobbs, Ricky Sappleton Half Time - 0-1 Venue - Saltergate, Chesterfield Date - Tue 10 Apr 2007 Star Man - Paul Anderson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Anderson’s best performance of the season helped the reds second string bounce back from last week’s defeat at Man City to record a comfortable 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Chesterfield’s Saltergate Stadium last night. A first half strike from Jack Hobbs and a last minute screamer from trialist Ricky Sappleton gave Gary Ablett’s men all three points, but in truth the scoreline should have been much more emphatic as Liverpool dominated from start to finish.

Ablett made two changes to the side that lost at City, recalling the fit again Craig Lindfield up front in place of Jordy Brouwer, and bringing in Jay Spearing for Gabriel Paletta. That meant a tactical reshuffle, as Spearing lined in midfield alongside Ryan Flynn with Hobbs reverting to his more natural role at the heart of the defence with Ronald Huth.

The side was much more balanced, and the difference between this performance and last week’s was vast. Sheffield United never even came remotely close to breaching Liverpool’s backline, and Daniele Padelli will rarely have had an easier 90 minutes. The back four were excellent, but they received excellent protection from the hard working duo of Spearing and Flynn. As I said last week, Spearing’s leadership, positional sense and organisational skills were badly missed against City, and it’s no co-incidence that the side looked so much more comfortable with him in it.

Hobbs influence at the back was also decisive. He’s been in great form of late, but his opportunitites to play in defence have been restricted somewhat. Whenever he has played there, he’s been outstanding, and he was once again in this game. I’d have to say if I was judging players based solely on how they have performed for the reserves, then I’d say Hobbs should be a lot nearer to the first team than Gabriel Paletta.

The defence looks better with him in it, and Ronald Huth looks better next to Jack than he does when Paletta is in the side. Paletta has played ok for the reserves, but he hasn’t stood out in the way that Hobbs has done.

I don’t remember the Blades managing a single shot on target in this game, and the only moments of concern for Padelli came from the occasional high ball and buffeting from their strikers. It wasn’t just in defence where Liverpool impressed however, the whole team performed well and plenty of chances were created.


The first of which came after just three minutes, when Nabil El Zhar flicked the ball into the path of Lindfield, who shot over from the corner of the box. Anderson started the game brightly, and as the first half wore on he began to really torment the United full back.

Paul’s form hasn’t been good for much of the season, but there’s been some encouraging signs from him in recent weeks, and this game saw the return of the Paul Anderson who looked so exciting last season. There was a confidence and directness to his play that has been lacking for much of this campaign. He ran at the full back at every opportunity, knocking the ball into space and charging after it before the defence had a chance to react.

He did this on several occasions, and you could visibly see him growing in confidence with each successful run. On 20 minutes he set off on a superb run that saw him beat three defenders as he dribbled his way into the box. His attempted cut back was intercepted, but el Zhar seized on the loose ball, danced around two defenders and sent a shot across the keeper which looked a certain goal. Somehow, Paul Gerrard managed to get a hand on it and deflect it behind for a corner.


The reprieve was only brief, as from Anderson’s corner the ball broke to Spearing on the edge of the box. His drilled the ball back into the box and Hobbs sidefooted it into the net from eight yards. Spearing will claim an assist, but if he meant that then he’s an even better player than I’ve been claiming. It looked like a misdirected shot, but credit to Hobbs for the alertness he showed to finish it off.

Five minutes later the reds put together the best move of the game with an incisive counter attack that almost resulted in a wonderful goal for Spearing. Threlfall picked out Lindfield on half way, and he spotted Anderson galloping up the right flank. The winger took Lindfield’s pass in his stride and carried the ball to the edge of the box before lobbing it into the pass of Spearing who had ran the length of the field in support. He struck it first time on the half volley, but couldn’t find the target and the ball sailed narrowly wide.

This was a good spell for Ablett’s side, and on the half hour mark they put together another fine move. Insua did well on the left to get away from a couple of challenges and lay the ball off to Threlfall on the touchline. Spearing went on an overlapping run and collected a pass before reaching the byline and crossing to the back post. It was a good ball, but Anderson hadn’t attacked the space and was still hanging around the edge of the box.

The second half followed the same pattern. Liverpool dominated and created plenty of chances, but just couldn’t get the second goal. El Zhar wasted a great chance just two minutes after the break when he latched onto a clever backheel from Lindfield but sidefooted his shot too close to Gerrard. It was clear what he was trying to do as there was a big gap in the far corner, but he didn’t direct it well enough and it was an easy save.

Five minutes later Lindfield and El Zhar combined well again, and the Morroccan squared the ball to an unmarked Threlfall in a central position18 yards out. Had it been on his left foot the outcome wouldn’t have been in doubt, but unfortunately it was on his right, and he didn’t make good contact and Gerrard made an east stop.

Liverpool continued to dominate, and on the hour mark a swift counter attack should have resulted in the second goal. Threlfall sent a glorious sweeping crossfield pass into the path of Anderson, and he advanced to the edge of the area before feeding Lindfield. The striker did everything right as he held off two defenders, but his shot was too close to Gerrard.

A minute later El Zhar and Anderson combined on the right, and when the former Hull man crossed into the centre Spearing found himself with a good shooting opportunity, but scuffed his strike and Gerrard saved easily.

Ablett made his first change with 13 minutes left, replacing Threlfall with Jordy Brouwer. The Dutch youngster went up front, with El Zhar dropping back to the right wing and Anderson switching to the left. Four minutes later Lindfield was replaced by Sappleton.

The 17 year old is currently on trial, and made a brief appearance at City last week where he had little chance to show what he can do due to the reds having completely lost their way in the game. This was a better situation for him, although he didn’t have much time to make his mark.

He bears a striking resemblance to Emile Heskey, but if anything he actually looks bigger than the Wigan striker. He’s a real powerhouse, as Sheffield’s right back found out to his cost when he was shoulder barged almost into the front row of the stand. Sappleton’s touch looked decent enough on the few occasions he managed to get on the ball, and when a chance presented itself a minute from time, his finish was emphatic to say the least.

He used his immense body strength to turn a defender on the edge of the box and give himself a clear shooting opportunity, and then almost burst the net with a blistering shot that Gerrard didn’t even see. It’s a long time since I’ve seen a ball hit so hard.

The goal gave the scoreline a more realistic look, and also removed any possibility the home side may sneak an undeserved late equaliser. It’s also done Sappleton’s chances of a permanent move no harm at all, assuming that decision hasn’t already been made of course.

It was the reserves fourth win out of five, and the lads are finishing the season well. I’m giving Anderson the star man, but it could just as easily have been Spearing or Hobbs, who were both outstanding. To be fair, every single member of the side played very well (except Padelli who had nothing to do), with Insua showing his attacking qualities and Flynn turning in another tidy, busy performance in midfield.


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