Interesting start to the second half.
Sunderland went down to 10 men after 47 min gone. Liam Bridcutt got another yellow when he chops down Emre Can down as he races down the left wing. Fair yellow and fair sending of. I thought his first booking was more harsh but not the worst sending off I have seen.
Right after sending off LFC's approach changed mentally and it results in us losing the initiative in the game. We stop running, pressing, etc. for a few minutes.
Adam johnson is allowed time on the edge of the box and get a brilliant swerving strike away and hits the post. MIgnolet had no change when the ball swerved.
Emre Can btw had a terrific game up until 70 mins. Good on the ball. Strong in defense, good at joining in the attack when the time is right when Sunderland is starting to retreat to much.
We took quite a few yellows in the first 60 mins. Coutinho was on a yellow for blocking Sunderand taking a freekick early and quite frankly should have had another one when he did it again. His inexperience was on show for sure. Borini was also on a yellow for a bad tackle in the first half. Henderson just got a yellow for a late tackle.
I feel a change was needed at that point as we lost the initiative but over the folowing minutes we started gaining posession and calming down again despite looking nervous.
At 67 mins the sub finally comes. Borini has worked hard and had a decent game and comes off. Ballotelii gets the nod. In theory a much more accomplished player skill wise than Borini but still without a PL goal for LFC. Suspect that may change now that Sturridge is closing in on a return unless someone comes in and offer decent money for Mario. We all recall their excellent Tottenham game together ealrier in the season (Sturridge and Ballotelli).
Glad we took someone off on a yellow at that point. Borini was still flying into tackles.
Ballotelli came on and added a threat to our attack but a big egotistical in the first few minutes which is likely down to lack of success and goals for LFC so far. Trying to make a mark.
At 75 mins the game felt on an edge although LFC controls possession. We only had the one goal cusion and some of players were starting to look a little tired. Coutinho especially.
I wanted to see a sub for him but the sub never came and I as I said above he was lucky not to be sent off.
We have looked much more assured last few games in the 3421 formation with the two being wingers and the wide men in the 4 being wingbacks.
Looking at this I wonder if we should try to go for Van Ahnholdt who is on loan at Sunderland from Chelsea.
Both him and Czech in the summer would strengthen our squad. Chelsea
already have Luis, Azpilicueta, and bertrand on left back who is likely ahead of him in the line. Bertrand has had a brilliant season at Soton and would offer great competition for Moreno. Same for Ahnholdt. And both are an upgrade on Jose Enrique who is too much of a liability defensively although not a bad squad player.
Having said that of all the ones I have mentioned only Enrique may be happy on the bench so for harmony within the squad maybe keep status quo for a little longer.
This is by the way the perfect game for Ballotelli to get his first premier league goal and last 5 mins he does not even look interested in getting into the box. Sad to see. Chat needs to be had yet again.
This is despite henderson racing down the right side after neat interplay with coutinho and he is in a position oft he right edge of the box and ballotelli doesnt even try to get into the box.
Conclusion
In the end a great defensive performance.. Great one - nil win. On another day or with Ballotelli in the mood we might have won this by more.
Also notice we don't have Allen and Sturridge. I think we win this game more with those two players fit but happy with 3 pts.
We also rested some good players in Sterling, Lallana and Manquillo (hope especially the latter gets more playing time as we get into the latters stages of the season despite Markovic's great game today.
YNWA,
Stian
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