And yes, Liverpool goes 3 pre-season games, still without a win. Worried? Not really, after all this is pre-season, with the priority on getting the players back into shape. Give credit to the Thais, they matched Liverpool in most departments, especially in the center of the park. In the first half, Plessis and Lucas couldn't control Liverpool's engine room well, and time after time, gave the Thais lots of possession. The Thai attacks were swift and tricky, Liverpool's midfielders just did not provide enough cover for the Reds' defence. Ok, so Liverpool got off to a good start. Carragher long cross finding Babel, which was well controlled by him, before he strucked a sweet right foot shot into the bottom left corner of the goal. The first half belonged to Liverpool. Thailand's defence was at sixes and sevens, only to be saved on several occasions by their goalkeeper. At the break, Liverpool more than deserved their 1 goal lead.
First half performances by the Reds :
Cavelieri : 4/10. Almost gifted the Thai the lead as early as the 2nd minute when his poor clearance went straight to a Thai player. But fortunately for the Reds, the Thai shot wide.
Degen : 6/10. Had more chance going forward but still do not look likely to make the right back position his own.
Insua : 6/10. Wasn't seriously tested and handed the defensive and attacking jobs well.
Carragher : 6/10. His pace was seriously tested by the Thais but he stood up well.
Agger : 7/10. Had a fine game, could have join the attacks more but with Plessis and Lucas not providing enough cover in the middle, restricted his forays into Thai's area.
Plessis : 5/10. Did not cover well and was often found wanting by the tireless Thai's midfielders.
Lucas : 6/10. I thought his passing was good on the night, had one or two crossfield crosses which found his target, but otherwise, he did not control the midfield well.
Babel : 9/10. Scored a goal and could have had 2 more. He was looking energetic and always wanted to take on defenders.
Kuyt : 6/10. Could have provided more crossed into the Thailand box.
Nemeth : 7/10. Made one mazy run which was let down by his poor final touch. Otherwise, he looked lively and always wanted to take matters into his own hands.
Ngog : 5/10. Another poor display. I seriously wonder what were the qualities that made Rafa brought him to Melwood from PSG.
In the second half, injuries to Srktel and El Zhar means that Liverpool has to play some players out of position for most part of the game. The defence which let Thailand score their equaliser consists of Arbeloa, Kelly, San Jose and Johnson. Martin Kelly's pace was exposed by the Tampines Rovers' winger, Sutee Suksomkit, as he ran onto a through ball before sending a absolutely clinical strike pass the Liverpool goalkeeper, Gulasci. It was no more than Thailand deserves as Liverpool seriously looked out of sorts for 2/3 of the second half. It was only in the last 10 minutes when Torres was sent on that the Reds suddenly looked like an attacking force.
Second half performances by the Reds :
Gulasci : 6/10. Made some good stops but was powerless to stop Sutee's clinical strike.
Reina : 6/10. Only had 12 minutes on the field and was not tested.
Arbeloa : 7/10. Looks solid and when called upon to attack, did well.
Kelly : 5/10. Was made to look untidy by Sutee's pace and was not able to impose himself on the game without the guidance of a more senior central defender partner.
San Jose : 6/10. Was sent on to replace the unfortunate Srktel and had a decent game.
Johnson : 7/10. Tried hard to impress with his attacking display and had a dipping shot which went wide deep in injuring time.
Mascherano : 7/10. No nonsense with his tackle and made one "impressive" dive which got the Thai player a yellowcard. Senseless display but yet effective. Not my favourite type of player though.
Spearing : 8/10. I was impressed by his passing and ability to dictate the attacks.
El Zhar : 5/10. Was taken off injured after attempting a overhead kick which was obviously not going anywhere.
Dossena : 6/10. Seems like he can attack better than he defends!
Riera : 6/10. Had only 7 minutes on the field and was playing on the right flank!
Voronin : 5/10. Did not take his only best chance of the game well, shooting wide when a Torres' through ball found him in acres of space in front of the Thai's goal. His positioning in the box was also a big question mark as he could not connect with any balls that were sent into the box.
Pacheco : 5/10. Tried too hard to take matters into his hands when a simple pass to a fellow colleague could have been a wiser choice.
Torres : 8/10. Made an instant impact when he was brought on. At times, he tried to take on the whole Thailand's defence by himself and was only foiled by their last ditch tackles. You can easily see the difference in class in him as compared to the rest of his team mates.
YNWA @ 11:14 PM
