Match Date: 9 August 2012

The first thing that needs to be pointed out is that Daniel Agger is in the starting XI which doesn’t help those that are drumming on about a possible move to Manchester City. Agger has also been pictured at Liverpool training with a new tattoo on his knuckles reading, “YNWA.” Joe Allen was also spotted in the stands, adding to the speculation that he is on his way to Anfield. Other than Agger though, Brendan Rodgers has named yet another strong line-up as he continues to get his top players as much playing time together so that they can continue to work on his philosophy and get their match fitness up to speed before their first Premier League meeting with West Brom Albion and former assistant manager Steve Clarke.

1st Half

Liverpool started very brightly against their Belarus opposition. From the very beginning they looked to be much more in line with they way Rodgers wants them to play than they did last week against Gomel. Keeping the ball well and getting good numbers in support, Liverpool’s start was very bright. Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez both looked to check to the ball, with their backs to goal, and receive the ball from either Lucas or the likes of Daniel Agger and lay it off to Gerrard, Shelvey, or either Johnson and Enrique at outside back. Downing started brightly as well, choosing to take on Klimovich down the line and put a cross in with his right foot rather than cut inside on his stronger left foot.

Another encouraging sign, one that Liverpool supporters didn’t see as much as last season, was Suarez and Gerrard linking up well as Gerrard had done so brilliantly with Fernando Torres during his time at Anfield. It was Gomel’s back line that made it possible for Suarez and Gerrard to link up so well because of their loose marking. Time and again, Suarez was free and able to get the ball to his feet far too easily and give him time to find Gerrard and others while still being able to find space for a retun pass. Liverpool’s high wingers/inside forward, Borini and Downing, were able to stretch the Gomel full backs and the central defenders found themselves stretched as well, with neither picking up Suarez’s runs. Gomel were also playing a high line which allowed Suarez the option of getting in behind them if there was nothing to check to. Suarez’s runs behind paid off a few times as well and if it weren’t for some questionable decisions by the linesman, would have gotten in a few more times.

The first goal came in the 21st minute through new signing Fabio Borini. The build up started from Lucas who played the ball through to Suarez on the left side of the 18 yard box. Suarez got by his defenders and tried to play a ball back to the penalty spot, but through a kind deflection, the ball fell to Borini who made good connection for his first Liverpool goal. Liverpool continued to show their dominance throughout the first half and deserved their second goal in the 41st minute, scored by Gerrard, his 150th for the club.

2nd Half

The second half continued with Liverpool controlling the match and three minutes in Gomel’s defense was opened up again through good play by Enrique, Suarez and Gerrard who played the final ball through to Borini only for him to be wrongly adjudged offside. It wasn’t long before they had another chance, this time from a right footed cross by Downing that fell to Gerrard at the top of the box only for him to hit the post. The play continued, with more good interplay between Liverpool players, Suarez was able to get a good opportunity to get on the score sheet only to be denied by Vladimir Bushma, who was trying his best to keep his side in the match.

A trended that seemed to take place throughout the second half was the positional swapping of Gerrard and Borini. At times Borini would drift inside and play the role behind Suarez, with Gerrard moving to the left side and while Gerrard was still very much effective out there, Borini really didn’t have much of an impact playing through the middle, but it is something that could be interesting throughout the season, that sort of fluidity that Liverpool haven’t had the last two years under Dalglish and more so Hodgson.

In the 72nd minute, Glen Johnson popped up at the edge of the eighteen and struck a lovely left footed volley for his first goal in Europe in 9 years. Glen Johnson is an interesting right back. He loves to get to the by line and put balls into the box, but he can also cut in and put in a good left footed shot as he memorably did against Chelsea last year for a late winner and of course his left footed volley against Hull City in 2008. It has become less of a surprise these days though as Johnson is one of four players in the Premier League to have less than a 10% difference between right and left foot shots. (Side note: Peter Odemwingie has only a 2.41% difference between left and right foot shots, where as Antonia Valencia is the most one footed player of them all, taking 96.49% of his shots with his right foot.)

Conclusion

Liverpool looked a much better side than they had in their pre-season tour, which was mostly a showcase for the younger players and to continue to raise the profile of the club in North America, but they also looked much better than they did against the same opposition last Thursday. The players seem to be working very well under Rodgers philosophy. They moved the ball very quickly at times, but would rest with the ball when needed. They were also creating a good amount of chances and were spread the ball well to do so. Rodgers will be hoping that they can continue to build upon today’s victory as they get closer to the beginning of the season.