Liverpool 'Uplift': Praising Roy Hodgson's tactical nous against Chelsea - Why the job only gets difficult from here on
To suggest that Fernando Torres was the chief architect of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Chelsea at Anfield is perhaps wrong as it was the tactical nous and acumen of Roy Hodgson that prevailed on the night.
Roy Hodgson’s ploy to deploy an out-mode and out-dated 4-4-2 formation paid dividends with Dirk Kuyt’s tireless performance providing Fernando Torres the assistance that the striker had been craving.
The roots of victory lied much deeper than the moments of individual brilliance by Torres and it was two unheralded players that ran the show last night.
Although, Torres hogged all the headlines in the morning papers but looking deep into the squad, we find that it was in fact the bodies on the line defending by Carragher and Co. that was the main stay of this win.
Of course, you have to score to win any match and Torres silenced his doubters with two beautiful goals but the credit must be given to two midfield marshals that ran the Chelsea midfield rugged last night.
Lucas Leiva, who has so often been the target of Liverpool faith full’s impatience, gave his best performance wearing the red of Liverpool as his indefatigable performance stifled Chelsea’s overpowering midfield and starved them of any space in the middle
of the park.
And Kuyt’s boundless energy added zest to a previously misfiring attack as Chelsea suffered their worst defeat of the season.
If Lucas and Kuyt continue this sort of form the Lime Street faithful may view them in different light as they do now.
It wasn't the best of decisions to play Raul Meireles in an unfamiliar right midfield role but it was a decision that paid dividends and just behind him, Martin Kelly showed that the absence of Glen Johnson was more of a boon than blow to the Anfield outfit.
Of course, Liverpool’s fragile confidence was on show early in the second half when the needless negativity crept in and they sat back and invited the revival of the visitors, but it was the dogged yet composed defending that thwarted wave after wave of
Chelsea attack.
It took more than luck and in fact impeccable goal-keeping skills, not to mention the faster than lightening reflexes by Pepe Reina to keep out two goal bound strikes, first by Florent Malouda and then by Nicolas Anelka but Liverpool held their own remarkably
and credit to Roy Hodgson for that.
The simple trick to repeat for Hodgson is to display the same passion and desire at Wigan and Stoke next week. Although, a 9th place finish in the prevailing circumstances at the club may well be a sign of improvement but for a club of Liverpool’s
stature, it still is a disappointment and with two winnable fixtures in the coming week, Liverpool can certainly turn the title race on its head.
Liverpool are now only five points behind Manchester City in the fifth place and all that could change in just a matter of a week if Liverpool keep up the momentum. There aren’t many out there who are willing to bet their bottom dollar on it.
The obvious good news for Liverpool is that their squad is regaining the confidence that had gone missing in recent weeks and three straight wins have helped greatly in that regard.
More importantly, Fernando Torres has rediscovered his goal scoring touch and its all down to Liverpool to keep up the good run of form.
Roy Hodgson is enjoying his finest hour as the manager of Liverpool but his job only gets tougher from here on.
Tags: