Gerrard’s dream finale quickly turning to a nightmare
It’s been an unsettling story in many ways. Steven Gerrard, iconic Liverpool player, being cut loose from the club and seemingly storming to Los Angeles in a huff. He clearly doesn’t want to leave and there’s much more to his souring relationship with Brendan Rodgers than either party are willing to offer up.
Still, as much as the midfielder has romantic notions of leading his side up the Wembley steps to hoist the FA Cup in one, final two-fingered salute to his critics, there’s a genuine possibility that even if his side get to the final, he won’t even start.
And his impact on today’s game will only fuel those that feel he’s of little use to Liverpool anymore, that a midfield of Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson is a better bet. How did it come to this?
He’s a convenient scapegoat and the jovial reaction by many to his moment of madness was somewhat inevitable. The inconvenient truth is that with 10 men, the hosts were better and the sending-off resulted in United sitting back and not pressing as hard as they did in the opening period.
But it suits the current narrative to point a judgemental finger at Gerrard. And he deserves so much more than that.
Juan Mata back to lift United
Prior to United’s impressive win over Tottenham, the Spaniard was struggling to feature in Louis van Gaal’s plans. After the 1-0 defeat to Southampton in early January, the Dutchman seemed to lose faith in Mata’s abilities and he was subsequently forced to make do with regular substitute appearances.
But, as van Gaal changed his formation again to something resembling a 4-1-4-1, Mata was brought back in from the cold and asked to play in a wide-right role. It coincided with the team’s best performance of the season against Spurs – where United were expansive and enterprising with a good tempo and plenty of chances created.
And credit Van Gaal for not bringing Angel di Maria back into the side for today’s clash. Instead, he kept faith with Mata – a player that’s never really let him down. As he said in the aftermath of the win, the diminutive midfielder has been quietly consistent this term but has been sacrificed with Van Gaal repeatedly tinkering with the formation and system.
“He always played good, in my opinion. He’s one of my constantly playing players. But sometimes you also need balance in your team and you have to select other players. But he played very well. He can play this position very good and with this combination with Valencia and Herrera, it’s a Spanish wing.”
Retroactive punishment for Martin Skrtel?
It was a nasty conclusion. With the centre-back pushed forward to try and make the most of Liverpool’s inevitable route one approach in the closing stages, he desperately chased a through-ball. But he was never going to reach it. David de Gea was off his line quickly to smother and as he came to collect, Skrtel gritted his teeth and was intent on leaving his mark.
http://vine.co/v/OYIrF0ZDgOX
In the aftermath, Brendan Rodgers defended him saying:
“The ball was played through but it probably looks worse in slow motion. It looks like he is trying to get a nick on the ball, to get a toe on it the ball went into the goalkeeper’s hands. Martin is not that type of player, he was just a fraction out.”
Unfortunately for player and coach, the video evidence suggests it was pre-meditated. Skrtel slows up as De Gea gathers the ball and the defender follows through, deciding to jump over the goalkeeper after he’s left his stud marks on the Spaniard’s right calf.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa received a three-game retrospective ban earlier this season for a stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can during the Capital One Cup semi-final meeting between the teams and depending on what referee Martin Atkinson puts in his report, Skrtel could be dealt a similar punishment.
