Pffft, a poor showing in the second half - I don't think anyone performed as well as they had in the first half, we just seemed to lose our composure and our grip on the game.
Key players were tiring, the likes of Lucas and Suarez have had long seasons and summers without a propper break. Both of them dropped off their usual game in the second half and looked sluggish. As I say, two quality players who have played a ,lot of football in the last six months - both will be absolutely vital players over the course of the season and both get better and better.
Carra started the hoofing in the second half, which was a shame because he didn't do it much in the first half; often he looked for Lucas or Adam instead, which was great. But as I say, second half it was back to his old ways.
Flannagan had a very composed and assured first half, and a very nervous and slippery second, where he made a couple of glaring errors. No big deal really, he is a young lad and it' not as though he's our only right back, we have two up and coming youngsters and an experienced international in Glen Johnson - who whould be starting most games for us. Might knock his confidence a bit, but he will recover.
Enrique was excellent. Okay he gave the ball away a little cheaply once, maybe twice, but on the whole his passing was excellent, his work rate sound, strong in the tackle, making himself available and being very composed under pressure. Considering he's been here all of two days I think it was a cracking performance and he really looks a Liverpool player. Quality signing.
Adam was a little hit and miss for me. He had a good first half sitting deep dictating the tempo and direction of the play behind Lucas who was pressing high up the pitch and supporting the forwards and wingers more often than we have seen in the past. However in the second half when Lucas started to tire, Adams lack of mobility and movement became blatently obvious, and although his left foot is indeed very, very sweet - I'm not convinced he is anywhere near the level of Alonso/Pirlo and the likes, for knowing when and how to use it. For me he was too often looking to switch the play in the second half and not getting about enough or doing the simple things. He will be a good player for us - but he needs to cut down on the fags, booze and kebabs and remember a good 10 yard pass can be as telling as a 40 yard ball.
Downing was excellent. First half inparticular with his winding run and hitting the bar; getting at defenders, cutting inside them, playing the ball through the channel for Suarez and getting a couple of decent crosses in. Good stuff from Stewie. Certainly got a bit of pace and looked like one of our best and most consistent performers on the pitch today.
Henderson - as I said in the other thread he reminds me of Gerrard when he was 18/19. Like the rest of the team, he seemed very composed and sure footed in the first half, put in some good tackles, kept the passes sharp and simple, then in the second half while he was on, just looked off the pace and his touch deserted him a little - seemed to happen to everyone.
Suarez - quality in the first half, made Ferdinand shit himself. Won a pen, missed a pen, scored our goal. That's Luis Suarez. Shame fatigue set in in the second half as it did with Lucas and left his touch in the changing rooms.
Enjoyed it though - as frustrating as it seems now to not beat Sunderland, it's a long road ahead and we've revamed half our first team. Get our chins up and if we beat the Arsenal next week we'll be convinced we're gunna' win the league again, and all will be well!
