Liverpool 3-1 Bayer Leverkusen – Match Review

Liverpool wrapped up their pre-season preparations by welcoming back living legend Sami Hyypia to Anfield.

The Finn, who made over 450 appearances for Liverpool over a 10-year spell at the club, is now testing his managerial prowess with German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Both Hyypia and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers selected relatively strong teams and a good mix of experience and youth, with youngster Raheem Sterling getting another pre-season run out for the Reds.

And it was Sterling who opened the scoring within three minutes. Jose Enrique slipped a through ball in between the Leverkusen right-back and center-back, which Sterling raced onto before skipping away from another challenge and slotting the ball into the far corner. It was the perfect start for Liverpool as it settled down the team who then got into a calm passing rhythm.

Leverkusen had their chances to equalize, with German striker Stefan Kiessling in particular wasting several good openings. Liverpool were too comfortable at times, which was shown by the lapses in concentration by the back four.

Liverpool consolidated their lead with a large dose of fortune after Stewart Downing’s clever free-kick was miss-controlled by Luis Suarez but Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec could only clear the ball straight into the path of Lucas who had the simplest of finishes, tapping the ball into the empty net.

Half-time substitute Andy Carroll made the result safe after some lovely link-up play with fellow sub Charlie Adam, before Carroll blasted the ball through the goalkeeper and into the net.

Leverkusen youngster Sidney Sam scored a very impressive consolation goal from 25-yards but that was as good as it got for Hyypia’s men as the game ended 3-1.

Pepe Reina had a fairly quiet game in goal, which was mainly down to Leverkusen’s wastefulness when they did create chances, as they usually missed the target rather than getting their efforts saved. His distribution was top notch and his composure on the ball was both nerve-wracking and brilliant to see at the same time.

The back four of Martin Kelly, Jamie Carragher, Sebastian Coates and Jose Enrique were decent, but showed moments of weakness when the runs of Bellarabi in particular resulted in gaping holes in the defense. Jack Robinson did well when he came on in the 2^nd half for Jose Enrique, looking strong in defense and technically good on the ball.

Rodgers started with a midfield of Lucas, Jonjo Shelvey and Steven Gerrard – the same midfield which worked a treat three days earlier against FC Gomel. Gerrard got forward to good effect and Shelvey did a decent job at controlling the midfield and keeping the ball moving. He was forced to play on the right hand side of the attack in the second half and did his job well, getting up and down the flank and putting in some dangerous crosses. Lucas anchored the other two midfielders excellently and got his reward for his hard work in pre-season with his simple goal. However, he looked slow and at times lazy with his tracking back when Leverkusen attacked, which meant there was often a large gap in between the defense and the midfield.

Jay Spearing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson all entered the fray at half-time, and did well to stifle most of Leverkusen’s counter-attacks, with Spearing and Henderson making sure there were very few gaps for the likes of Sam and Hosogai to run into. Adam also did well supporting Carroll and doing his best to break forward.

Rodgers chose to start with Downing, Suarez and Sterling as his front 3, and it worked a treat in the first half. Downing seems to have found his feet in this new 4-3-3 formation, enjoying his football on the right hand side where he can either cut in and shoot or drag the ball to his right foot and whip in crosses. Suarez looked rusty compared to his explosive performance in midweek, but he was still a constant threat to the Leverkusen defense and was heavily involved in the second goal. Sterling took his goal magnificently but is still quite a bit away from becoming a first team regular, as his decision making was suspect at times, while he was often crowded out of possession.

Carroll came on at half-time and showed that he can in fact play in the system Rodgers is implementing, taking his goal very well in the process too. His touch still needs to be refined but the signs were there showing that with a little bit more practice he can be a key member of the Liverpool squad.

A good way to sign off the positive pre-season, with the attack finally looking like its clicking and players finally looking like they understand their roles in the formation. West Brom on Saturday will provide a more serious atmosphere as points will be on the line, but things are looking good under Rodgers, only time will tell if he has had enough time to prepare the Liverpool squad for the new season.