In his latest article for Liverpoolfc.com, columnist Paul Tomkins reflects on the brilliant 5-2 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road.
How many teams can go away in the Premier League and, in the process of giving full league debuts to two teenagers - in addition to another player, who is even younger (and who only started his first senior game last month) - win by a three-goal margin?
This came just days after the incredibly impressive win at West Brom in the League Cup. If that seemed like an inexperienced side, the one that dismantled Norwich was much the same age.
Liverpool scored five at Carrow Road (or Carrot Road, according to my spellchecker), but yet again were denied penalties; first, when Agger was bundled over as a defender had a grip on the back of his shirt, and then later, when Suarez was knocked to the ground when through on goal - in a situation not too dissimilar to the red card and penalty given against the Reds on the opening day, except in this case Suarez the victim of some kind of bizarre karate chop. (The same player almost cut him in two later in the half.) Suarez has now been denied four clear penalties in six league games.
And as I noted last week, why don't players who know they've fouled someone, but then accuse the player of diving, get pulled up for cheating? They are trying to get a player booked, after all, which other pros are always telling us is a cardinal sin in football.
A lot was said about Brendan Rodgers' philosophies this summer, but you can't do exactly the same thing with a different set of players; no two groups of individuals can ever be even remotely identical. And, of course, even if Rodgers had just brought his entire XI with him, they'd probably find it twice as hard because of the pressure and expectation, and also because teams habitually fight harder against big-name clubs. No-one really coasts against Liverpool.
Liverpool have better players than Swansea, but they have to be, to cope with the greater expectations and the fact that the Reds don't get easy games. So at least some equalling out takes place; better players, but under more pressure.
Despite the greater quality now at his disposal, Rodgers had created a well-oiled machine with more limited components at the Liberty. It didn't happen overnight, but of course, they arrived into the Premier League - and into most fans' consciousness - as a more advanced project. This is still a new build. Right now, the manager is still assembling the machine; he's not even gone to his oil can yet.
But things are developing nicely, even with reshuffled selections. Three wins in the last four games (in all competitions) have included two five-goal hauls away from home, although the defensive side of the game could best be described as still a work in progress. And the one defeat, against Man United, was harsh to say the least.
Liverpool attempted over 700 passes at Carrow Road, and completed 90 per cent of them. Rodgers' side made 375 passes in the Norwich half; over 50 more than the home side made in both halves. Although Norwich created a host of chances, Liverpool controlled the game, and created more.
A couple of weeks ago I noted that Liverpool hadn't played any through balls, but now the Reds are finding those incisive passes. It's not the only way to score - you can succeed with long-range shots (though the odds aren't good); after a dribble into the box; from set-pieces; from flick-ons on long-balls; by getting wide and crossing; and by getting to the byline to deliver pull-backs.
Rodgers' side are now getting in behind teams, both on the flanks with intricate play, and through the middle with incisive passes. One of the successful through-balls against Norwich was played by Daniel Agger, who, after storming forward, sent Suarez through on goal; the Uruguayan shot wide, but within seconds had curled a delightful shot into the corner following the now obligatory nutmeg.
If you're not going to play with a targetman, and if you're not a side full of height, then set-pieces and long-balls are obviously less available to fall back upon. That instantly limits the options. High crosses into the box can still work - if the ball dips at just the right point - but they won't be as effective with diminutive forwards.
Clever build-up play is obviously the Rodgers way, but as familiarity now spreads between the players, there's an increasing amount of penetration at the end of moves. And the goals are starting to be shared about a bit; Suarez is suddenly almost a goal-a-game man (five in six league matches), and Gerrard, Sahin and Shelvey all look capable of double figures from midfield if they get enough playing time.
Joe Allen has goals in him when he starts further forward, Assaidi had an excellent record in Holland for a winger, and three of the back four - Johnson, Agger and Skrtel - could easily add three or four apiece. Meanwhile, youngsters like Sterling and Suso are good finishers who are simply adjusting to top-flight football, but it might take them a while to find their scoring boots.
On the whole, when youngsters move up a level, they have to get used to facing far better defenders, but also goalkeepers who can save shots that they would usually expect to score with. And of course, if you're a star in the youth team or reserves, you might frequently take charge; but in the first team - and certainly with players like Gerrard, Suarez and Sahin screaming for the ball - a teenager is perhaps more likely to pass to his superiors. In time, the rookie should grow less likely to defer to the seniors, but of course, ultimately you want players to shoot when that is the best option, and pass to those better placed. It's just not always that simple.
To my mind, Nuri Sahin - a veteran at 24 - put in a quite exceptional display at Carrow Road, with superb control, clever passing and several productive tricks and flicks. Within a few days he's gone from no goals to three. What's most encouraging is that two of them were reminiscent of the type with which Cesc Fabregas made his name: ghosting into the area at just the right time to tap home at the end of a good passing move.
To continue the Spanish comparison, Sahin reminds me somewhat of Xabi Alonso, in the way he adjusts his body to receive the ball, takes it cooly, finds a pass and then creates an angle. In terms of position, he's been playing slightly more advanced than the Spaniard ever found himself, and is perhaps a little more mobile, but the composure and skill is equally evident.
Indeed, with Allen so busy and clever, Lucas a virtual shoo-in when fit, Shelvey improving rapidly, Henderson looking like he's grown in stature (and build), Gerrard looking fit enough to keep rolling back the years, along with the addition of the cultured Sahin, the centre of midfield is arguably set for years of territorial domination. Only Gerrard is over 25, and that bodes incredibly well.
The star of the show on Saturday, however, was Suarez. So much nonsense surrounds him that it's easy to forget that he is a quite remarkable footballer. I've never seen anyone nutmeg defenders so relentlessly and successfully and he mixes incredible tight control with a hunger to chase down every last ball. Of course, another way to score goals that wasn't on my list is to win possession in advantageous areas, and he is an absolute master at that.
It's hard to know where Suarez fits in the Liverpool hall of fame. It's too soon to induct him, after less than two years, but at the same time, he has consistently done things that no other Liverpool striker quite has.
If he can maintain his current scoring ratio, then he will start to look like the complete centre-forward; because he can do everything else.
The one thing Rodgers didn't have at Swansea was world-class players. Suarez and Gerrard certainly qualify in that sense. Maybe some of Liverpool's other players can be included under that controversial banner (in that people always argue about its definition), but at the very worst, the likes of Lucas, Agger, Johnson and Reina are international class. These are players who'd get into most of the top 10 international sides in the world.
Hopefully in time, some of the youngsters now shining so brightly will go on to prove themselves equally good.
Source:Liverpoolfc
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