Crouch’s Challenge Cripples Liverpool
Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 by Dina Ely
An outstandingly poor challenge from striker Peter Crouch limited Liverpool to ten men during their high-pressure English Carling Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday. Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-0, with both goals scored in the second half.
Although Chelsea dominated possession throughout (57% to Liverpool’s 43%), Liverpool held their own for the first hour. But with a grand total of 17 fouls to Chelsea’s 7, their composure was clearly diminished. Regardless, they withstood shot after shot and looked as though their dogged determination would prevail over growing frustrations.
Unfortunately for the away team, a Frank Lampard strike in the 59th minute was deflected by Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher and soared past keeper Charles Itandje. Although the goal was recorded as Lampard’s, it is unlikely it would have hit target had Carragher’s touch not intervened.
It was the beginning of sheer misery for Liverpool. In the 60th minute Crouch was awarded a red card for a dangerous two-footed challenge, in which he tackled Mikel John Obi high and clumsily.
13 of Chelsea’s 19 shots occurred in the second half; Liverpool could do little more than chase Chelsea’s players as ten demoralized men attempted to outplay eleven who, despite the lead, were clearly not content to simply waste time. In the 90th minute Andriy Shevchenko scored the goal that sealed Liverpool’s fate.
Crouch’s sending off, while not the only factor that contributed to Liverpool’s loss, underscored a steady theme today. With no corners and 7 fewer shots than the opposition, much of their time was spent defending. Their attack was lacking, and only weakened as the game wore on. Although Liverpool have lost their last two EPL matches to Manchester United and Reading, statistics have been on their side. In those games, their wealth of possession and shots should have worked for them–but it is perhaps the quality of both that can be called into question. Crouch (who has 4 goals, 2 assists, and 27 enthusiastic shots with Liverpool this year) may not be the team’s best striker, but his absence harmed them as they fought to present any kind of threat to Chelsea. Steven Gerrard’s presence was also dearly missed; he was unable to play due to illness.
Liverpool are struggling to maintain their “top four†status in the English Premier League as they find themselves head-to-head with Manchester City. Chelsea, by contrast, are comfortably in second place.
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[...] Chelsea at the 59th minute when his strike was deflected in off Jamie Carragher. One minute later, Peter Crouch was sent off with a reckless tackle on John Mikel [...]
Chelsea vs Liverpool Highlights | Goalcentre.com - Soccer Highlights and Videos
[...] Chelsea at the 59th minute when his strike was deflected in off Jamie Carragher. One minute later, Peter Crouch was sent off with a reckless tackle on John Mikel [...]