I hoped providing myself a bit of time to collect my thoughts might bring some clarity to the absolute horror show we just witnessed. But it hasn't so apologies if this doesn't flow!
There is absolutely no shame in being beaten, home or away, by that Madrid side. They have some of the very best players in the world, big, strong and fast. But to go down with nothing but a mild mannered whimper, gifting ridiculous goals and offering very little in attack was embarrassing. Where has our energy, our passion and determination gone? There was very little on show last night, after the first goal we simply rolled over and begged for the end.
The defense is a joke. Keeper, centre backs and defensive midfielder all culpable. Lovren gets caught out time and again. The first goal, he's 2 meters ahead of Skrtel, if he stays level with his partner he's in position to deal with the ball over his head. Its a first class finish but preventable. Gerrads another one always out of position. First goal, he again follows the ball instead of tracking Ronaldo's run.
For the second two; why we cant defend high balls into the box is beyond me. The centre backs and Gerrard are big athletic guys, as is Johnson they should be able to deal with crosses much better. And as for reacting to the second ball... we just stand around mesmerized by the thing like its about to explode. Its just basic stuff. Do we actually practice this stuff in training?
The attack and midfield where also pretty toothless. Coutinho aside, the others looked like a rabbit in the headlights. Too many safe passes, not enough urgency or bravery. Coutinho had a go but needed runners who weren't there. A big strength of the side last year was the number of players willing to run beyond the front men. This year its non-existent. Weak. I felt slightly sorry for Balotelli, he was by no means our worst performer and it looks to me like he's been scapegoated.
I was however, particularly disappointed with Gerrard. That was not a captains performance. He was the guy with the big game experience, he's been there and done it before and he needed to have a big game and lead by example, especially when we went a goal down. Unfortunately, like so often this year he looked slow and cumbersome with the ball and even slower without it and that has such a negative effect on our tempo and confidence. He never tracks runners and if he cant do it then he shouldn't be playing defensive mid.
Moving forward, I hope Rodgers is humble enough to take this medicine and implement some changes. Sturridge will improve us no-end going forward, and in defending from the front which has also completely disappeared. But its at the back and in the middle were are problems lie. We have to create the basis for the attackers to play with freedom, without the pressure of knowing 1 goal will not be enough to win a game.
Get a defensive coach in. Steve Clarke? Carra? Even just on a consultancy basis. Individually the defenders aren't bad but collectively they are way short of the mark. Also, get a decent goalkeeper coach in because Mignolet is getting worse, not better.
Against Hull I would give rests to Mignolet, Lovren, Johnson, Gerrard and Balotelli. There is no point having a squad and 'competition' if certain players are never under pressure for their place in the team. Some time on the bench would do some the world of good.
Enough is enough.
