David Maddock a sport analyst was watching on last night game - and believes there was plenty to be impressed with
Liverpool set up the mouth-watering prospect of a final against Manchester United tomorrow night with a comfortable win against AC Milan.
Goals from Joe Allen and Suso gave Brendan Rodgers plenty to smile about against the Italian side.
But what did we learn from the game?
Here's our man David Maddock with the answers:
1) Gerrard remains the penalty king
Rickie Lambert, is not, after all, infallible from the penalty spot. It was almost written in the stars, that after scoring 34 penalties for Southampton with precisely zero misses, the £4m summer signing should be presented with a spot kick to open his Liverpool account...and duly planted it into the grateful grasp of Milan keeper Christian Abbiati. So, Steven Gerrard won't be making way any time soon then, but at least Lambert has got that stat out of the way in a meaningless game. continue reading
2) Filippo Inzaghi's already on borrowed time
Filippo Inzaghi won't be lasting long at the San Siro. I know, I know, he's only just taken over, but judging by his anguished efforts in this tournament, the former Milan idol is no manager. Defensively, they were all over the place, and you can't see him lasting much longer than predecessor Clarence Seedorf, who was given the bullet less then five months into his tenure.
David Maddock a sport analyst was watching on last night game - and believes there was plenty to be impressed with
Liverpool set up the mouth-watering prospect of a final against Manchester United tomorrow night with a comfortable win against AC Milan.
Goals from Joe Allen and Suso gave Brendan Rodgers plenty to smile about against the Italian side.
But what did we learn from the game?
Here's our man David Maddock with the answers:
1) Gerrard remains the penalty king
Rickie Lambert, is not, after all, infallible from the penalty spot. It was almost written in the stars, that after scoring 34 penalties for Southampton with precisely zero misses, the £4m summer signing should be presented with a spot kick to open his Liverpool account...and duly planted it into the grateful grasp of Milan keeper Christian Abbiati. So, Steven Gerrard won't be making way any time soon then, but at least Lambert has got that stat out of the way in a meaningless game. continue reading
2) Filippo Inzaghi's already on borrowed time
Filippo Inzaghi won't be lasting long at the San Siro. I know, I know, he's only just taken over, but judging by his anguished efforts in this tournament, the former Milan idol is no manager. Defensively, they were all over the place, and you can't see him lasting much longer than predecessor Clarence Seedorf, who was given the bullet less then five months into his tenure.
3) Sterling is one of the world's top young performers
Raheem Sterling is rapid. And deadly. Seriously, Milan were terrified of him here, in his 45-minute cameo that suggested he truly is one of the emerging talents in world football. After tormenting the Italians with his pace and vision down both flanks, Milan took simply to hacking him down at every opportunity, even though this was supposed to be a friendly. Wisely, Brendan Rodgers took him off at half time, but notice is served. He could be devastating in Europe this season.
4) And Ibe could one day do the same...
Jordon Ibe is roughly at the same stage Sterling was at two years ago...and has a similar amount of promise, given his pace, strength and direct running style. The big question though, is will be get the same chance at Liverpool, because the club is at a very different level now? The kid has real talent though, and it would be good to see him given more game time this season.
4) And Ibe could one day do the same...
Jordon Ibe is roughly at the same stage Sterling was at two years ago...and has a similar amount of promise, given his pace, strength and direct running style. The big question though, is will be get the same chance at Liverpool, because the club is at a very different level now? The kid has real talent though, and it would be good to see him given more game time this season.
5) Monday's final is more than a friendly
Liverpool may not have been too interested in this tournament so far, even if they have looked solid enough and well organised at the back. But all that will change in Miami, given the opposition.
Most teams probably would have preferred to go home to prepare for the new season, but now they are playing in the final, the Reds won't want to lose against Manchester United, and cede an important psychological blow before the campaign gets under way. Expect a very different tempo in the early hours of Tuesday morning
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