A chance to step forward bypassed Liverpool because it remains stuck in something that resembles quicksand.
Liverpool and Sunderland played to a goal-less draw Saturday in a Premier League game at Anfield. The only memorable aspect of the drab contest was the result itself. Neither team shined, and the same can be said about the players who participated.
The draw cost Liverpool a chance to build a three-game winning streak (for the first time in 2014-15) ahead of some crucial games in the coming days and weeks. Instead of celebrating a nine-point week, Liverpool and manager Brendan Rodgers will continue to face questions about the team’s current direction, while its troubling home form shows little sign of improving.
Liverpool has gone back to basics in an effort to improve its fortunes, and the no-frills approach was on clear display against Sunderland. Liverpool was focused and organized throughout but lacked a cutting edge technically and physically.
Sunderland outplayed Liverpool for large swathes of each half. The visitors were assertive in some parts of the game, comfortably reactive in others and hard-working throughout. Liverpool raised its game in response but never by enough to win the game or claim that it deserved to do so.
It took the Reds 20 minutes to establish themselves in the game and create any meaningful opportunities in Sunderland’s half. When they finally did, their finishing lacked the conviction and accuracy necessary to break the deadlock. Rickie Lambert and Philippe Coutinho had chances in the 23rd and 25th minutes, respectively, but Sunderland goalkeeper Costal Pantilimon wasn’t going to be beaten easily on this day.
Another 40 minutes would pass before Liverpool tested Pantilimon again, which undoubtedly was distressing for the home fans at Anfield. Sunderland had the better chances in the interim period, but Wes Brown and the lively Conor Wickham missed the target when opportunities presented themselves. Liverpool then came alive for good around the hour mark, but Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva each either shot too close to Pantilimon or missed the target altogether.
Steven Gerrard’s introduction raised hopes and decibel levels. Gerrard slotted into an attacking midfield position behind Lambert, but the Liverpool captain’s impact was more muted than what it was in last Saturday’s last-minute win over Stoke City.
Raheem Sterling troubled Sunderland in the second half with his speed and dribbling ability on the left wing, but the teenager’s performance didn’t reach a decisive level.
Henderson and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet would have liked to deliver stand-out performances against their former team. Both were understated Saturday — which is a good sign for Mignolet.
The Reds now are ninth in the the Premier League standings, and four points separate them from fourth-placed Manchester United (which plays Sunday). Their prospective revival continues, albeit at a snail’s pace. Ultimately, the game represents a missed opportunity for Liverpool to speed up things.
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Photo via LiverpoolFC.com
