Missing Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose for the clash might be
a misfortune. Having Paulinho sent off with half an hour to go could be a bit
unfortunate as well. However, 5-0 is never the scoreline reflective of the
differential between the quality of two teams. Brendan Rodgers managed the
absence of Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge very well. On the other hand,
Andre Villas-Boas has committed some fundamental tactical mistakes that halts
Tottenham strong run in December, also adds further pressure to his managerial
position at White Hart Lane.
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| How long will he stay? |
Playing a high back four is a more active defensive
strategy, which aims to regain possession as quick as possible and take charge
of the tempo of the match. The key to success is to have a back four of
excellent communication and understanding, also with reasonable pace. Barcelona
has executed this near to perfection, but AVB's attempt to clone this in
England has been disastrous.
The Portuguese seems to have learned little from his failure
in Chelsea. Having only four available first-team defenders for the match, with
two of them not the usual starters, also facing the red-hot Luis Suarez and
speedy Raheem Sterling, AVB's decision to press high up the field will hardly
be justified. Michael Dawson was forced on races with Suarez; Etienne Capoue's
lack of centreback positioning sense was well exposed; Kyle Naughton was simply
slaughtered. Hugo Lloris spent more time as a sweeper, having to go all the way
to the edge of the box at least three times each half to clear the dangers,
while once embarrassingly misjudged a header (Yes, a header) that went
unpunished, and in the second half helplessly being lobbed by Suarez.
It could be players' fault for failing to execute AVB's game
plan, but who would expect to see Dawson and Capoue trying to set Suarez in an
offside trap for 90 minutes?
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| Liverpool celebrating Flanagan's goal |
2. Where is plan B
Playing with ten men, trailing by two goals and with thirty
minutes to go, damage limitation should be the priority. On contrast, Tottenham
rode on the belief that they still had a chance to level the game. What AVB had
changed after Paulinho's dismissal was not solidifying the back, but to switch
from a four-men defence to a three-men one, pushing Capoue higher up and moving
Kyle Walker to the centreback. With Lewis Holtby and Nacer Chadli remained in
the more advanced midfield position, and Capoue desperately trying to make up
for his horrific defence, Liverpool only found it increasingly comfortable in
shaping up their counter attacks.
There might be some supporters who genuinely admire the team
for giving it a go, but with no question, 0-2 is a less demoralising scoreline
than 0-5. For the second time in a month Tottenham is demolished heavily. AVB's
decision-making ability in big matches is very questionable.
3. Lennon and/or Townsend?
.jpg) |
| who's right? Townsend (left) or Lennon? |
AVB seems to fancy playing a right-footer attacking midfield
on the left, which offers extra ball-handling ability in Tottenham's eleven. This
could work well with an attacking full-back like Danny Rose, but pairing up
Kyle Naughton and Chadli left Tottenham with an unbalanced attack. This
definitely did not help Aaron Lennon, who came back from injury and still
struggled to hit top form. Facing John Flanagan on the right, who maybe the
weakest link of Liverpool defence, the Kop could focus on protecting Flanagan,
as Spurs hardly created anything on the left. Chadli's best move of the night was
a header after a corner, leaving Glen Johnson alone with a relaxed afternoon.
Preventing Andros Townsend from over-burning is obviously
important for his young career, but undoubtedly he is the most dangerous winger
in AVB's side. It was already his fourth successive substitute appearances.
With Chadli and Lennon continue their unimpressive performances, would AVB finally
consider starting his best two wingers together?
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