Five lessons from Liverpool’s narrow victory over Wimbledon in the FA Cup.
Big sides can no longer expect an easy ride in cup competitions these days. Gone are the games where a top division side could brush lower league opposition out of the way without breaking a sweat, as they now need to be on top form to get through. On Monday night a spirited Wimbledon team took Liverpool to the wire in south London, and though the Reds prevailed, there were five lessons they will need to take away with them back to Anfield.
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5. Mignolet still shaky
The Belgian would have been expected to keep a clean sheet against the Dons, and though he made some impressive reactionary saves in the early stages of the contest, his error in Wimbledon’s equaliser was glaring to say the least. Flapping at the corner that lead to Adebayo Akinfenwa’s equaliser, his confidence will no doubt have taken another bruising from his mistake.
4.Henderson is not captain material just yet
Still very much Steven Gerrard’s understudy at Anfield, Henderson is to be expected to take a step up in the coming months to help prepare for Gerrard’s departure. However, judging by the evidence he’s not ready to take over from the legendary Reds icon just yet.
3. Reds must take ALL opponents seriously
Although he was the recipient of a Mignolet error, muscle bound striker Adebayo Akinfenwa proved to be more than a battering ram for Wimbledon. All night he tormented Liverpool’s defence, evading players at will and even found himself unlucky not to grab an assist. Despite his size and stature in the game, Liverpool need to be wary of whoever they come up against as the 32-year-old showed.
2. Is Rodgers using Lambert wrong?
Though he is not one for lack of trying, the veteran England star is best used when long balls are coming into him with runners feeding off his flicks and knock downs. This is not a system that Rodgers wants to employ, understandably, though it does beg the question; why did Liverpool sign him?
1. Gerrard’s influence will be hard to shake
A week after announcing his departure from the club, it would be no surprise to see the 34-year-old subdued and off the boil. Instead he rolled up his sleeves and dragged the side through to the fourth round during their time of need. It goes without saying that they’ll miss him when he’s gone, but when they stubble to overcome League Two opposition in the future, who will they turn to?