While it wasn't exactly a free flowing performance of the type we became accustomed to last season, I actually think we played pretty well yesterday. Certainly well enough to win the match.
Sunderland were always going to fire out of the blocks with their players determined to prove that their vote against Di Canio as manager was a good choice, so we set up to hit them hard on the counter attack and it worked wonders. It wasn't always pretty from us, and we probably did gift possession to them too much in the first half but we still scored goals and looked more than resolute at the back, with only a Larsson free-kick providing me with an 'oh, they may score here' moment.
Second half we picked it up. Well, after they scored early on. They ran out of energy after putting so much in to the first hour and we then just played the game at our own pace, restricting them all afternoon to long, ambitious strikes. I genuinely can't think of a single opportunity they created inside the penalty area, whereas our second goal was a thing of beauty after a cracking pass by Gerrard was brought down incredibly by Sturridge who then beat his man brilliantly before supplying the excellent movement of Suarez. Bang. The third was very nice too, proving that we can play on the counter attack much more effectively than this time last year. When you force the home team to have long shots and are able to counter attack to such great effect and win the game, I think you can call it a successful away day.
Also, I'd like to add that one of the reasons for our lack of free flowing football was perhaps the absence of Coutinho, who is the link between our deep lying midfielders and attack. Licking his lips at the thought of playing with Suarez and Sturridge again I suspect. Talking of whom, those two were fantastic. Obviously very clinical but I just enjoyed watching them; their touches were good, their movement was good, their link-up play was fantastic. You can't ask for more than that from two half-fit strikers.
Moses did well I felt, although there's no doubt he is more at home on the wing than in attacking midfield. Henderson is a good midfielder, and can do a job as a wide midfielder cutting but when he's asked to play wing back I think it's a tad too much for the guy. Sure, he provided great energy and did well defensively but you need to be very good on the ball in space to play wing back and he just isn't; he's more of an instinct player. Johnson's return couldn't come sooner for us.
Back three were brilliant. Toure showing why, once again, we can call him the bargain of the summer. Didn't put a foot wrong. Neither did Sakho, who I think is a lot more composed on the ball than credited. He had Altidore in his pocket, must have won almost every duel. Skrtel solid, but you get the feeling Agger will replace him when he does, inevitably, slip up. Enrique was Enrique. Some good bits of play mixed in with brainfarts. We need Cissokho back from injury ASAP to pressurise Jose. Mignolet generally played well but obviously made a rare error for their goal. His distribution was okay, certainly it seems to be improving. Lucas and Gerrard remain a slight worry, I think you can afford to have one in there but due to their lack of mobiliy thesedays having both on the pitch makes it tough for us to support the attacking players, and is perhaps why we haven't controlled games that well yet this season. Give Gerrard time though, he improved after November last season and was still key today with his corner resulting in a goal and great ball out to Sturridge for the second. Hopefully Lucas' 5th yellow card came at the right time, if such a thing exists, because we should be beating Crystal Palace at home without him.
All in all, I was delighted yesterday. Rodgers did well too bringing Sterling on, allowing Henderson to go in to the middle where he's more at home. Sterling had some good runs to help take pressure off the defence. Man of the match probably between the SaS and Kolo. Sturridge was involved in every goal for us, so you gotta give it to him I guess.
2nd in the league and we're yet to hit top form, I'm very pleased
