The Liverpool Offside - Aston Villa vs. Liverpool, 04.19.15Zeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2015-04-19T22:00:03+01:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/82153722015-04-19T22:00:03+01:002015-04-19T22:00:03+01:00Liverpool "Too Passive" in Villa Loss
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<p>A disappointed Brendan Rodgers offered a painfully accurate assessment of Liverpool's failings on Sunday afternoon, save for his evaluation of the play of Steven Gerrard.</p> <p>As fun as it promised to potentially be, Sunday's Wembley semifinal ended up being about as far from fun as possible. Thirty minutes in it seemed like the good times--and a cup final--were on the way, but what unfolded over the next 60-plus minutes dragged the sentiment of the occasion as far down as seemingly possible, and few were left feeling good on the Liverpool side of things. Aston Villa were deserved 2-1 winners, leaving Liverpool with slim top-four hopes to cling to over the final weeks of what suddenly became a campaign without any purpose.</p>
<p>The result was, like so many of Liverpool's disappointments early this season, lacking in energy and urgency, a point Brendan Rodgers was quick to point out in <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fliverpoolfc.com%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2F183777-rodgers-the-better-team-won-at-wembley&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2015%2F4%2F19%2F8453501%2Fliverpool-1-aston-villa-2-fa-cup-semi-final-wembley-passive-low-energy-gerrard-excellent-wut" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">his solemn post-match remarks</a>:</p>
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<p>"You can always lose a game, but you'd hope you can play well and give yourself an opportunity. I thought we were second best today, to be honest. They were better than us. We had some chances but Aston Villa were better than us today. There's an obligation here to fight right until the very end. We have come close now in two competitions but failed to make the steps. Hopefully in the future we can learn from that. I think sometimes you can want to win too much and the focus comes away from what allows you to win.</p>
<p>"I thought our energy was low today. Aston Villa had a good start and I felt we were too passive in the game. I had to change the system, it got us some joy, we started to control the game a little bit and then we got in front - but we didn't keep the lead long enough. We were too passive on the side of the field, Fabian Delph skips through way too easily and they got back into the game. Second half, we hoped to play better but we just didn't create enough today. It was a trademark of the team last year - in the first 20 minutes of games, the intensity of our game was very high. Of late, that hasn't quite been the case. We just were nowhere near our level. Congratulations to Aston Villa because they played well and are through to the final. The better team won."</p>
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<p>It's hard to argue with any of what Rodgers offers here--without two clear leaders in Mamadou Sakho and Lucas, Emre Can and Jordan Henderson tasked with less effective roles from the start, Lazar Markovic hauled off at the half despite some promising glimpses, and Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho fading in influence as Liverpool's approach shifted to long balls over the top rather than any coherent build-up, Liverpool's "energy" players were nullified from start to finish. Players can be blamed, but the tactics and setup, which once again failed to address the ongoing lack of attacking creativity in the side.</p>
<p>Where Rodgers' critiques veer wide of the mark is, as it so often does, in discussion of Steven Gerrard's performance, which the third-year boss described as "excellent." Little commentary needed here, as it's been discussed plenty already, but one hopes that Rodgers is simply paying lip service to a club legend rather than giving what he feels is an accurate assessment of the captain's contribution.</p>
<p>However he truly saw it, the final conclusion is that both he and his squad need to be far better in the coming weeks. All involved need a strong foundation from which to build for next season, which will hopefully mean that days like today are few and far between.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/4/19/8453501/liverpool-1-aston-villa-2-fa-cup-semi-final-wembley-passive-low-energy-gerrard-excellent-wut-Ed-2015-04-19T19:00:02+01:002015-04-19T19:00:02+01:00Villa 2, Liverpool 1: Shambles at Wembley
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<p>On a day that was promised as a wonderful occasion, Liverpool fail to live up to the hype, crashing out of the FA Cup to an Aston Villa side that was far better on the day.</p> <blockquote>
<p><b>Aston Villa 2:</b> <i>Benteke 36', Delph 54'</i><br><b>Liverpool 1:</b> <i>Coutinho 30'</i></p>
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<p>And so it ends. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> season, which had taken a three-month hiatus from providing a perverted fairytale ending for <span>Steven Gerrard</span> and ushered in a wonderful run of results, reverts to type at the worst possible time, with Aston Villa running out deserved winners at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. A brief mention for the victors, who really were excellent on the day when it came to exploiting Liverpool's weaknesses. Tim Sherwood set his side up well, and they weathered the brief storm that saw Liverpool go in front, and by the time the second half rolled around, there only looked to be one winner in the match. Well played to them, and their spot in the final is more than justified on today's performance.</p>
<p>Back to the suck, and while there will be time for it to be heartbreaking, to feel sad about what could have been, and to miss Liverpool's long-serving captain, right now it's awfully hard to feel anything other than disappointment in Liverpool and, more importantly, <span>Brendan Rodgers</span>.</p>
<p>Rodgers' hand was nudged in an unproductive direction with the revelation that Lucas was injured midweek, but in truth, few would have been surprised had Rodgers selected Gerrard in front of the Brazilian anyway. Their fates have been intertwined for most of Rodgers' tenure, and today was perhaps the most inexplicable turn in their dysfunctional relationship. Level at 1-1, having already been overrun for most of the first half, Rodgers put his captain at the base of the midfield, the position that was so key in Liverpool getting off to their worst start to a season in 50 years.</p>
<p>The results were immediate, with Villa midfielders getting in behind and exploiting space between Liverpool's midfield and back line twice within the first five minutes. As a choice to improve the match, it was suicidal, and one that ultimately led to Villa's winner. Rodgers' side had, as mentioned, been poor up to that point, but opting to change formation for the third time in a match to literally the worst tactical setup they have employed all season was inexcusable.</p>
<p>Liverpool had maybe one or two positive moves going forward the entire day, a remnant of another major sticking point in a Liverpool season that's had many, otherwise relying on hopeful hoofs forward throughout the match, turned up to eleven when they were chasing an equalizer. Unsurprisingly, it rarely threatened the Villa defense, and on the lone occasion that it could have, <span>Mario Balotelli</span> was incorrectly ruled offside. Poor decision from the linesman, but Liverpool deserve nothing from a match that saw any sort of impetus disappear as it wore on.</p>
<p>Questions need to be asked about both players and manager, with all involved culpable. Few can emerge with any sort of credit here; Balotelli was positive--at times too much so given the frequency with which he was whistled offside--during the second half, Coutinho showed glimmers of hope in the first, Henderson was energetic throughout, Simon Mignolet solid when called upon, and <span>Dejan Lovren</span> continued to claw his way up to a passably average level at the back. But it's hard to feel good about anyone or anything, really, with Liverpool's season effectively ended.</p>
<p>Hardest is the prospect of trying to reconcile the performance of one of the club's greatest ever players, in a competition with which many of his positive qualities have made their mark over the years, asked to complete an impossible task by a manager who has been far too intimidated by his legend to do what's needed. Gerrard lacked the legs to do the job further forward and doesn't have the discipline or ability to be effective in a deeper role.</p>
<p>He was always going to play 90 minutes, and his performance was one of preservation and caution rather than the forcefulness and energy with which he's long been associated. Those calling for Gerrard to be given a substitute's role on the day, regardless of who else was or wasn't available, saw it coming. It's just a shame that Brendan Rodgers either didn't, or, even worse, chose to ignore it.</p>
<p>Now Liverpool have six days to collect themselves before heading to West Brom, and six days for Rodgers to get his squad playing for the future rather than to try to preserve the memory of Steven Gerrard. Continuing down that path only serves the opposite purpose, and could very well end his Liverpool career around the same time as Gerrard's wraps up.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/4/19/8452469/aston-villa-2-liverpool-1-shambles-at-wembley-as-rodgers-blind-spot-Ed-2015-04-19T17:23:01+01:002015-04-19T17:23:01+01:00Aston Villa 2, Liverpool 1: Rank the Performances
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<p>With a loss against Aston Villa in the books, we want to know how you would rank Liverpool's performers and who your Man of the Match is.</p> <p>Let's not talk about that because ugh.</p>
<p>Now let us know how you saw things. Clicking the thumbs up button is a vote to move the player up the list-or to help keep them on top. Hitting thumbs down is a vote to push that player closer to the bottom. It's half Man of the Match poll and half player rankings, and we want to use it to find out who you think played well after each <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> match and, at the other end, who you'd maybe like to see given the next game off.</p>
<p>At the end of the month we'll go back through the results of that month's Ranker polls to hold a Player of the Month vote. Then, at the end of the season, the monthly results will help to determine The Liverpool Offside's Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season. </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/4/19/8452065/aston-villa-2-liverpool-1-rank-the-performancesStitch Invader2015-04-19T16:53:06+01:002015-04-19T16:53:06+01:00Aston Villa 2, Liverpool 1: First Thoughts
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<p>Villa comes from behind to best Liverpool at Wembley.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
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<p><b>Aston Villa 2</b> <i>Benteke 36', Delph 54'</i><br><b>Liverpool 1</b> <i>Coutinho 30'</i></p>
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<b>Pre-match thoughts:</b> The biggest story before was Steven Gerrard starting, as Lucas picked up an injury in training on Friday.<br><br>
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<div align="justify">Villa started as the more dangerous side. Charles N'Zogbia nearly found Christian Benteke with a fizzing cross to the far post, and minutes later he had a long shot tipped over by Simon Mignolet.<br><br>
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<div align="justify">Liverpool struggled for a long period to maintain meaningful possession with Villa looking better in the midfield.<br><br>
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<div align="justify">But Liverpool scored with their first real chance of the match. Philippe Coutinho ran onto a ball from Raheem Sterling in the box and used a slight possession to slot past Shay Given.<br><br>
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<div align="justify">Villa bounced right back with Benteke finishing off a quick counter attack to bring his side level.</div>
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<b>Half-time thoughts:</b> Liverpool looked vulnerable at times, but so too did Villa. The result was a wide open first half that promised an even better second.</li>
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<li>Mario Balotelli replaced an ineffective Lazar Markovic at the half.</li>
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<li>Fabian Delph scored to give Villa a 2-1 lead after Liverpool's midfield allowed another counter attack to slide right through them.</li>
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<li>Brendan Rodgers brought Glen Johnson on and moved Emre Can into the midfield as Liverpool looked for a late equalizer.</li>
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<li>Liverpool came very close in the 87th minute with Gerrard heading it towards the left corner of the goal. However, Kieran Richardson did nicely to clear the ball off the line.</li>
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<b>Full-time thoughts: </b>In a season filled with tough losses this one is up there with the most painful. Slim hopes of fourth live on, but with this performance it's hard to put much belief behind the hope.</li>
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<p align="justify">We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">join the community on the Liverpool Offside,</a> where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/4/19/8452211/aston-villa-2-liverpool-1-match-recapDan Bernstein2015-04-19T12:00:02+01:002015-04-19T12:00:02+01:00Matchday: Aston Villa v. Liverpool
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<p>Liverpool's last hope for silverware takes them to Wembley, where they'll face Aston Villa for the right to meet Arsenal in the FA Cup Final.</p> <p>Whether it's the romance of the competition, the narrative of the captain, or just having another match after nearly a full week off, it's hard to not feel excited about this one. Two wins to lift the FA Cup on Steven Gerrard's birthday, and two wins to put the cherry on top of a season that probably doesn't deserve it. To get there they'll have to beat Aston Villa today, and it will likely be anything but easy. Nearly every step of the way that's been the case for Liverpool, however, meaning today shouldn't be any different. Come on you Reds.</p>
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<div align="center">The Match</div>
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<p><strong>Full Preview:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/4/18/8440679/aston-villa-vs-liverpool-fa-cup-match-preview-team-news-and-ways-to">Aston Villa vs. Liverpool</a></p>
<p><strong>Kickoff:</strong> 3:00PM BST/10:00AM EST from Wembley</p>
<p><strong>Television:</strong> BT Sport 1 (UK & Ireland); Fox Sports One (USA-English), Fox Sports Deportes (USA-Spanish); ESPN2 (Australia); Orange TV (Indonesia); 111 mio Sports 1 (Singapore)</p>
<p><strong>Online:</strong> Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2 Go (USA)</p>
<p><strong>Full Listings:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1520716/aston-villa-vs-liverpool/">LiveSoccerTV</a></p>
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<p align="center">Given<br>Bacuna Baker Vlaar Richardson<br>Westwood Delph Cleverly<br>Grealish N'Zogbia<br>Benteke</p>
<p>Bench: Guzan, Okore, Sinclair, Weimann, Cole, Lowton, Gil</p>
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<p align="center">Mignolet<br>Can Skrtel Lovren<br>Markovic Allen Henderson Moreno<br>Gerrard Coutinho<br>Sterling</p>
<p>Bench: Jones, Johnson, Toure, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, Balotelli</p>
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<p>If you haven’t already, sign up for an SBNation account and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">join the conversation on the Liverpool Offside</a> where we'll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, and tactical discussion.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/4/19/8451321/aston-villa-vs-liverpool-2015-fa-cup-time-tv-schedule-live-online-streaming-Ed-2015-04-19T03:00:02+01:002015-04-19T03:00:02+01:00Pre-Aston Villa Overnight Open Thread
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<figcaption>Cardboard cut out of the captain, as you do on the way to Wembley. | Clive Brunskill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Five questions to pass the time as we wait for kick off from Wembley.</p> <p>1) Martin Skrtel is set to return from suspension; who joins him at the back?</p>
<p>2) <span>Steven Gerrard</span> is also set to return from suspension; will he get the start or will he make an appearance from the bench?</p>
<p>3) Which of <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> wily wingers will <span>Brendan Rodgers</span> choose?</p>
<p>4) Will Rickie Lambert or <span>Mario Balotelli</span> get an opportunity to start?</p>
<p>5) Will Tim Sherwood consider a puffy vest too casual for Wembley?</p>
<p>Bonus: For what in your life do you feel most grateful?</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/4/19/8450967/pre-aston-villa-overnight-open-threadStitch Invader2015-04-18T15:49:38+01:002015-04-18T15:49:38+01:00Preview: Aston Villa v. Liverpool
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<p>One win away from the FA Cup final for Liverpool and Aston Villa, who meet at Wembley on Sunday in the competition's second semifinal.</p> <p>It might not be to "save" <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> season, but a win tomorrow and some silverware on the final day of the season would go an awful long way toward creating some positive sentiment after the tide seems to have turned--mostly in a negative direction--since a difficult two-match stretch that saw them fall out of the race for the top four. At least sort of. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City's</a> horrible form means that Liverpool are still <i>alive</i>, but the FA Cup represents the only possible prize that is entirely within Liverpool's grasp.</p>
<p>On the immediate horizon is a semifinal date with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a> at Wembley tomorrow, with the winner facing either <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> or Reading in the final. Villa are yet to secure their top flight future but are increasingly comfortable; the win over Spurs last weekend meant they're now six points clear, and while their run-in includes the likes of Manchester City, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com/">Southampton</a>, they have to be considered one of the frontrunners to remain in the top flight for next season.</p>
<p>Results have improved since Tim Sherwood's arrival, including a three-match winning streak in early March and the aforementioned 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane last time out. Sherwood will have to deal with a shorthanded squad tomorrow, however, with a raft of player absences through injury and suspension. Among those expected to miss out are <span>Gabby Agbonlahor</span>, <span>Ciaran Clark</span>, <span>Alan Hutton</span>, and <span>Aly Cissokho</span> due to fitness problems, while Carlos Sanchez is suspended after his red card against Spurs. Scott Sinclair and <span>Ashley Westwood</span> should be available, however.</p>
<p>Against his former employers, Sherwood went with <span>Brad Guzan</span> in goal, Clark--who was replaced by Nathan Baker--Ron Vlaar, <span>Leandro Bacuna</span>, and <span>Kieran Richardson</span> across the back, Sanchez, <span>Fabian Delph</span>, as the midfielders, with Agbonlahor, <span>Jack Grealish</span>, and <span>Christian Benteke</span> providing the impetus going forward. Sherwood has preferred a diamond midfield of late, and with Sanchez suspended they could go with Westwood at the base. Benteke is the obvious danger man with Agbonlahor likely out, and <span>Andi Weimann</span> should come in to join the Belgian up top, while Sinclair could feature throughout the forward areas.</p>
<p>For Liverpool:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Mignolet<br>Can Skrtel Lovren<br>Johnson Henderson Lucas Moreno<br>Markovic Coutinho Sterling</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Liverpool will welcome Martin Skrtel and <span>Steven Gerrard</span> back from their respective three-match bans, while <span>Daniel Sturridge</span> is going to be a match-time decision due to a lingering hip injury. It comes too soon for <span>Adam Lallana</span> as well, who's still recovering from a groin injury suffered against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>, and <span>Mamadou Sakho</span> will be out until the final weeks of the season with a hamstring strain. <span>Mario Balotelli</span> should be available after missing out in each of the last three because of injury and ongoing illness. <span>Jordon Ibe</span> is cup tied after featuring for Derby County earlier in the competition.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Skrtel comes straight back into the starting eleven, but it's not quite so clear if Gerrard shares that same fate. The Slovakian has been Rodgers' most consistent defender this season, riding out a difficult fall spent alongside <span>Dejan Lovren</span> and settling well into a back three along with <span>Emre Can</span> and Sakho. He should join Can again here, with Lovren--who has been not completely disastrous in recent weeks--likely on the left. A back four is again possible, and if that's the case, it's Lovren who drops to the bench.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Assuming the move to three at the back again, it forces Rodgers to reduce numbers in midfield or sacrifice someone up top. With Ibe cup-tied the only realistic (sorry, Javi) options at wingback are <span>Glen Johnson</span>, Lazar Markovic, or one from <span>Jordan Henderson</span> or <span>Raheem Sterling</span>. The days for the latter pair in that role appear over, while Markovic could get the start further forward. That leaves Johnson on the right with Moreno likely on the left, and Henderson joining <span>Joe Allen</span> or Lucas centrally. It should probably be Lucas.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If Markovic pushes up the pitch, it would be nice to see him occupying the role Ibe took up against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a>, with <span>Philippe Coutinho</span> in a false-nine role and Raheem Sterling on the other flank. Coutinho caused plenty of problems in a new role, and while a cup semifinal might not be the time for further experimentation, it's not too dramatic a shift from previous setups. It all leaves Gerrard on the outside looking in from the start, though a spot in the starting eleven for the captain--and perhaps a different formation--wouldn't be surprising at all.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Kickoff is set for 3:00PM BST/10:00AM EST on Sunday, with BT Sport 1 providing coverage in the UK and Fox Sports One airing the match in the US. Our coverage will continue with any breaking team news, team sheets when they’re released, and live coverage tomorrow including full viewing options and post-match reactions. If you haven’t already, sign up for an SB Nation account and join us for it.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/4/18/8440679/aston-villa-vs-liverpool-fa-cup-match-preview-team-news-and-ways-to-Ed-