By Savya Narang
On a night when Liverpool should have secured progression into the knock-out stages of the Europa League, the Reds would instead be pondering over what went wrong in the final stages of their tie against Young Boys of Bern.
Safe in the knowledge that the earlier match had seen Anzhi Makhachkala beat Udinese 2-0, if you were a sports betting fan you’d be putting good money on Liverpool to beat a team at home who they’d already beaten 5-3 away, and qualify for the knock-out stages in the process.
You’d also ultimately be wrong.
Having twice taken the lead at Anfield, and having created the better chances, Liverpool should have seen off the match without much difficulty.
But two top quality strikes from Raul Bobadilla and Eslad Zverotic ensured that the 2nd place of the group is still up for grabs.
The visitors looked determined to get a result right from the start as they kept possession well and pressed high up the pitch with good intensity but it was Liverpool who took the lead through Jonjo Shelvey in the 33rd minute after some fine play between Joe Cole and Suso.
Steven Gerrard had just entered the field in the 31st minute, yet another unorthodox tactical change by the manager which saw Liverpool pass the ball better in midfield. By the time the first half ended, it looked as if Liverpool would be comfortable in keeping the lead as the visitors, even though they threatened Pepe Reina’s goal throughout, failed to create a chance worth mentioning.
The second half saw the visitors’ No.9 produce a piece of wonderful control and a world class finish which would have gotten Luis Suarez’s approval, to level the score. The man himself was brought on to win the game for the hosts in the 60th minute.
And some quick exchanges with Steven Gerrard on the edge of the box lead to an opening for Joe Cole who cooly slotted it past the keeper the give the hosts the lead for the second time.
But the hosts found another equalizer in the 87th minute when Zverotic was afforded enough space outside the Liverpool box helping Young Boys leave Anfield with a point of which they were fully deserving.
Here are the player ratings for the Reds:
Pepe Reina would have been disappointed to have conceded two goals. Although probably nothing could have been done about the first, he would have been furious with his defence for not shutting down Zverotic for the second goal. Liverpool have been affording far too much space to the opposition outside their own box, something Rodgers clearly needs to look at. Otherwise, made a couple of routine saves. 6/10
Andre Wisdom For the 31 minutes that he was on the field, Wisdom looked solid in defence and offered more than what we’ve come to expect from him going forward. Definitely gaining confidence from playing for the first team, the teenager found acres of space ahead of him on a couple of occasions and just before he was taken off, he delivered a lovely cross, his best in a Liverpool shirt only to see it go out for a corner. 7/10
Stewart Downing was good at the back but offered very little going forward. And on the few occasions that he did, he failed to find the perfect pass. One rampaging run in the second half momentarily looked like it could end with a strike similar to that against Anzhi, but he scuffed his shot badly wide. 6/10
Martin Skrtel had another good game. He was a rock at the back, making some good interceptions and important tackles. He has been coming into his own the last couple of games and it only bodes well for Liverpool’s back line. He played two long balls too, both finding their target when Liverpool were struggling to get the ball out of their half. 7/10
Jamie Carragher was good with the ball at his feet. Always trying to pass it out the back and not hoof it over. But almost sold Reina short in the 19th minute with an under-hit back pass. 7/10
Nuri Sahin is yet to assert his authority over a match. He showed some nice touches and played some good passes, and though he is capable of doing it at a higher level this was the first time in a while he had the opportunity to play from a deeper role. He also made some neat tackles, but was caught in no man’s land for the second goal and should have prevented it from reaching the target. 6/10
Jordan Henderson started the game in midfield but was shifted to right-back after the early substitution of Wisdom. Had some good opportunities to score from his central role and linked very well with Shelvey. In the 26th minute Henderson was 1-0n-1 with the keeper and should have been the one to give Liverpool the lead. He continued to do well as right-back and made some important interceptions. Maybe could have tried harder to block Bobadilla’s shot but lets not take anything away from that finish. More than useful with the ball at his feet. Would love to see him linking up more with Shelvey. 7/10
Suso Full of energy and always looking to make things happen. The young Spaniard also got some shots away, a couple of them on target. Combined well with others around him and fed them with some wonderful defence-splitting passes. His delightful return ball to Cole at the edge of the area set up Liverpool’s first and then again he sent Cole through on goal in the 51st minute. Got a chance to put Liverpool 2-0 up at the end of the first half when he found himself 1-on-1 with the keeper but his shot drifted inches wide of the post. 8/10
Oussama Assaidi started the game well with some tricky runs down the left hand side but failed to provide a decent cross. Found it increasingly difficult to beat his man in the second half. Assaidi nonetheless was a constant outlet for Liverpool and is showing that he is a serious option for league game time. Beats men for fun, needs to find the end product. 7/10
Jonjo Shelvey had been deployed as a ‘False 9′ and justified that position with a goal, his fourth in this tournament. It was the simplest of headers from a foot away with an empty goal and will go down as a well worked team goal but somebody had to be at the end of it. Shelvey, playing that position, had to make sure that it was him. Had a good game overall, combining well with Cole and Henderson. A wonderful back heel from Shelvey saw the latter through on goal. Shifted to midfield when Suarez was introduced on the hour mark. 8/10, man of the match for a selfless performance as much as a quality one.
Joe Cole possibly had the best game of his Liverpool career so far. Played some wonderful passes and linked well with Suso. Got himself a goal as well which could have possibly been a winner after earlier claiming an assist; Shelvey’s goal was created by Cole. Had some other wonderful opportunities to score as well and should have made the most of it. Rodgers now has another player to choose from for the weekend—but can he maintain this form for more than one game? Was taken off for Sterling on the 75th minute with a minor knock. 8/10
Steven Gerrard was introduced into the picture with just over half an hour gone. With him came more controlled and quality passing from Liverpool. And within two minutes Liverpool found themselves a goal up. Linked superbly with Suarez at the edge of the visitors’ box and then sent Cole through for Liverpool’s second. Won the ball back for the Reds on a number of occasions too, but was like Sahin culpable for letting Young Boys attack far too easily through the centre of the pitch for the late equaliser. 7/10
Luis Suarez came on for Suso at the hour mark. Was as lively as ever but failed to make much of an impact apart from his role in Cole’s goal. 6/10
Raheem Sterling came on as a late substitute for Joe Cole with just 15 minutes remaining. N/A
