Random musings: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

By: Jack | November 29th, 2011

I reckon a run of the mill, ho-hum recap of this defeat – our sixth of the term – would represent the most extraneous of missions. What I really fancy at the moment is a mindless ramble on any number of things that caught my eye during this eyesore of a match.

Romelu
One of those days

On with the musings:

• No need to hold any punches here. Kenny Dalglish simply owns us, unbeaten in 13 against Chelsea. The man has somehow managed to engineer three consecutive wins at Stamford Bridge. That’s unheard of. And to think, we once went 86 league matches unbeaten at home. How I miss those days.

• What is with Fox Soccer Channel’s coverage of the League Cup? It’s bloody awful. As if the grainy, skewed picture wasn’t enough, the fact that the footage appears to be stretched from its original feed – meaning we get no running clock or any of the graphics that accompany the match – makes the shit damn near unbearable. I don’t know if this is how the competition is presented in the UK or not; either way, something needs to happen asap. Inexcusable.

• I don’t feel the need to go in-depth into the match because, really, it didn’t seem like, at least to me, that Andre Villas-Boas was putting too much emphasis on winning it. Sure, I assume that he would’ve liked to win, just like all of us. But it wasn’t a priority. The priority seemed to be blooding the youngsters while also getting some of those players on the fringes of the first team some much-needed pitch time. To that extent, he was successful.

• For those freaking out (again) over the result, calm down. Sure, the result is disappointing – who likes to lose, much less to Liverpool – but try to put the game in some context. Look at it this way: It’s another game in which AVB got to see how some of these players stack up in various positions; Fernando Torres got 90 minutes; Ross Turnbull didn’t fuck up. These are good things.

• As for bad things. How about Josh McEachran? I couldn’t be more disappointed for the kid. He had no chance to make even the most remote of impacts after picking up that knock. When did that go down, 15 or so minutes in? Ridiculously unfortunate. Plus, you know, that midfield wasn’t exactly the greatest for him to step into. Let’s just hope that the injury isn’t severe and that we can get Josh out on loan to a quality side in January.

• Speaking of midfields, Florent Malouda really doesn’t need to be playing anywhere near one in the future. He just doesn’t. At least he hit the crossbar, right?

507490101
Balls

• Is that consecutive matches without a flare-up for David Luiz? Careful, Bob, you’re in danger of becoming a normal, boring (good) defender. Nobody wants that. Well, wait, does winning a penalty that wasn’t given count as a flare-up? You be the judge.

• Romelu Lukaku was semi-impressive for me. Yes, he is still mighty rough, but the indications are that he will be a handful for a decade to come. He was successfully able to navigate multiple defenders on a number of occasions Wednesday; it’s clear he already knows how to use his physical presence to great effect. What he is struggling with is his decision-making and that final ball. I think there was one move that showed what we can expect when he puts it all together, and that was midway through the first half when he controlled the ball well and then burst past Enrique down the left before his low cross toward the near post was blocked behind for a corner. It displayed all the tools. Proper nurturing is needed, but this kid is going to be something in the near future.

• Torres. Was he on the pitch in the first half? Anonymous. He improved in the second half – thanks in large part to him upping his work rate – but, overall, it wasn’t promising. That early season run of form seems so long ago now.

• Who is not going to be something in the near future? Alex. What has happened to this man? His latest performance again lends creed to Villas-Boas’ decision to shun him during the early part of the season. Normally you could chalk this up to match rust, but I don’t think that’s the case at all. The Brazilian is just not up to standard at the moment – which, unfortunately, can be said for many members of this squad.

• Set pieces. Again. Seriously?

• I love Frank Lampard, but the man cannot be called upon to carry the burden of a midfield anymore. He just doesn’t have the creative ability required in this system. He seemed to labor through today’s proceedings. There was a pass or three, but overall, it just wasn’t clicking. Ramires’ introduction gave us some zest, but you can’t expect the Brazilian to be the lock-picker, either. I trust AVB has already identified several targets to rectify this pivotal problem.

That’s all I got. What did I miss? I wouldn’t mind hearing about some of the things that caught your attention from the match in the comments section. Hit us up, people. Until then, keep that blue flag flying high. And remember, we’re fine baby. This is a process, and we’ll get there eventually. Have faith.

Some Related Chelsea Posts:

Category: Match Reports

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DarrenTrueBlue

First things first Jack your stuff is brilliant. We need to get rid off alex, malouda, jobi mikel and as much as I like the guys anelka kalou bosingwa and dare I say the legend that is lampard, drogba is pretty m
uch already away we need the likes of arjen robben type players back at the club to make it the stronghold it used to be. God bless AVB and I hope he stays for the long run but if I don't see a Chelsea game at the moment I am terrified for the result. But I will never stop loving the blues.
Tebedu

Ramires is like a Dog chasing a Balloon.
the reason he doesnt stop running, is because he has to run after the ball even when he is in possession of the thing, such is the quality of his touch (or lack of)
setiaraja

Whatever it is....I always have faith in the Blues - that's what I am in for as a supporter. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, for sure.
Maysam

This is what I believe too
http://www.talksport.co.uk/spo...

Stick to one. Let him play no matter what.
Maysam

Interesting...
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.u...
Maysam

Is that true that Chelsea asked Steve Clarck to come back to Chelsea but they did not reach an agreement because of 50,000 pounds ?
Maysam

Nice article ...Thanks
Richard Georges

Oriol Romeu was impressive.
Dave

"Have faith" absolutely beautiful. Had a small tear coming out of my eye.
Jack

Sums it up nicely I think: http://www.weaintgotnohistory....
Austex

What would you do with Lampard if you don't want him carrying the burden of midfield anymore?
Jack

He's not an everyday starter for me. Continue rotating him at the current pace, obviously, while looking for a creative midfielder not just to partner him, but to improve this midfield in general. None of our current crop can simply change a game from the position.

Our best midfield right now, for me, is Romeu, Raul and Ramires. Partnering Lampard with Romeu/Mikel and a creative type in the Modric mold could prove to be excellent, though
Mateo

that would exile Ramires, i can not allow
Jack

Not at all. We need rotation. He can't play every game, just like the rest of our guys. We need at least five fit midfielders anyway. I'd prefer to have six if I'm honest for rotation purposes alone.
App

i dont like you much but sometimes you talk sense, but dont get too happy fool.
CharlieFineman

Villas-Boas certainly needs more time to put his stamp on the team. He was surprisingly honest at evaluating Lukaku's performance, describing it as 'his worst game so far'.

Personally, I don't rate Carling Cup as an important competition (and most of us probably don't), but of course it's disappointing to see the guys lose. Especially given that most of our youngsters bar Romeu will now have to wait even longer to get some minutes. I just hope Roman doesn't come round waving his axe come January.
PML

I'm a Liverpool fan but I had to say I thought the above musings were really, really good. No trolling and good analysis really entertainingly written. Excellent!
Tela

Lampard was better than that loser ramires by thousands of miles.....
ZachAttack8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... Please just watch this. Its getting very annoying looking at every thread hearing about how you hate Ramires. Posting it on here once will do, but 15 times is getting you nowhere. Take it up with AVB if you feel so passionate about it.
Tela

What is it about ramires that you all like ? Tell me why I would like him more than I do malouda or kalou. The guy commits more deadly fouls, contributes close to nothing. If you are talking about videos, I will compile a video proving to all of you why he should never play in that team.
ZachAttack8

Alright I'll start off with the fact that you think Kalou is better then Rami. Kalou has had arguably his worst season at Chelsea thus far and meanwhile, Ramires is proving why he is a vital asset to this team. I notice that when it seems like everyone else in a Chelsea shirt is half-assing it on the pitch, he is still sprinting from box to box. The guy is a workhorse. Yeah, he commits fouls. So does any other aggressive player and you can blame him for that all you want, but personally, I want more of that from other players. I want guys getting in on tackles, fighting for the ball, showing other teams why they need to work to beat us and not just be so pedestrian on defense. On the offensive side, he creates chances, he is great when it comes to sitting the main attack and before you know it, he is making that cutting run behind the opponents defense looking for a through ball. He is in his second year here and has more that earned my respect in that time. That is why I like Ramires. There ya go.
KTBFFH
Jack

Stop it. Just stop it.
Tela

Am I not allowed to give my opinions ?? or should I be clapping to your analysis all the time ???
James

We need some 23-26 year old signings, players like jesus navas, gorcuff, dare I say it.. Modric! And we need some more fresh defenders, scrap alex, we love baldy but his times gone, get cahill maybe chiellini. blue is the colour.
AJ

The worst thing about the match was what happened to josh mceachran.
Sdfffff

You guys looked awfull last night. Defending was terrible. Midfield was woefull. Attack... Only after Lucas got injured you got some foothold in the game but even then it was somewhat lifeless and lacking energy and spirit. Great win for Liverpool FC at the Bridge three times in a row or what is it?
PatrickTheRed

The worst thing about the match was what happened to Lucas. I would've rather lose that match and keep him injury free, he's been the best holding midfielder all year. Hurry back ynwa!
Suarez from the car park...

absolutely. hammer blow for the reds. Lucas is an absolute monster in midfield as he shows game after game. he was a master against Citeh.
However, the blues still couldn't takeover the midfield/game.

You seem to be relying on Sturridge a lot right now, which tells it's own story. The older guys are still very very good players, but is it just that they are all off colour at the same time?

Watching the Newcastle game there's a lack of finishing. Torres is in a bad place right now esp. If he gets to the end of the season in this form, what do you do?