No Solution for Old Problems

Never give too much importance to the results of pre-season friendlies. Regardless of what name is given to these games or the size of tin pot cups handed out to the winners at the end, they remain glorified training sessions where the intensity of training undergone by each side is likely to play a determining role

What can be taken out of these games are indications and sensations on the overall ability of a team, what their potential is for the coming season. Which is why Friday’s game against Lazio was so worrying.

For most of the game, it was almost as if we were back in last season. Liverpool dominated possession in midfield but struggled to create chances. Lazio were well organised and prepared to play patiently, more than willing to back off the Liverpool midfielders. Analyse the main action points throughout the game, however, and you’ll see that it was Lazio who had the most clear cut chances. But for the alertness of Pepe Reina, they would have been the ones to win this game.

In a way, it must have been what Benitez was hoping for. Earlier games had proven to be disappointing with neither Rangers nor Valarenga managing to offer Liverpool the sort of challenge that they were looking for. Perhaps aware of Liverpool’s high score wins in those games, and about their comparative lack of preparation, Lazio decided to play cautiously much like most teams coming to Anfield will throughout the season.

And, as so often in the near past, Liverpool didn’t have it within them to force an opening. Too much play went through the middle, making it easier for the Italians to defend, and when it did get out to the wings there wasn’t enough quality to really trouble the full-backs. It was only when the promising Andrea Dossena started pushing forward that Liverpool began making Lazio work harder. Even then, as yet there isn’t a good enough understanding between the players and most of his crosses, although in dangerous areas, often failed to find any Liverpool players waiting for them.

That, at least, is something that will improve with games as will, hopefully, Robbie Keane’s contribution once he fully assimilates how Benitez wants him to play. Just as Liverpool’s overall quality will rise when Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel return to the side.

Yet will that be enough? Had you asked any fan at the end of last season what Liverpool needed most, the answer most probably would have been two quality wide players to offer something different against teams intent on playing out for a draw. The worry is that, if you were to ask that question again in a couple of months, it is the same answer that you will get.