MX23RW : Friday, November 8 19:03:17| >> :60:123:123:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Nov 22, 2012 at 8.05pm UK
 
Young Boys

2-2

Match Analysis: Liverpool 2-2 Young Boys

Match Analysis: Liverpool 2-2 Young Boys
© PA Photos
Sports Mole takes a closer look at tonight's Europa League clash between Liverpool and Young Boys.

Liverpool welcomed Young Boys to Anfield tonight for their penultimate game in Group A of the Europa League.

The Reds twice held the lead, but Elsad Zverotic's 87th-minute strike was enough to see the Swiss outfit claim a point and keep their own hopes of qualifying alive.

Here, sports Mole takes a closer look to see if the result was fair.

Match statistics:

Liverpool:
Shots 17
On target 12
Possession 57%
Corners 14
Fouls 9

Young Boys:
Shots 14
On target 8
Possession 43%
Corners 5
Fouls 13

Was the result fair?

You'd have to say so, although Liverpool were the better team. However, they didn't put the game to bed and only have themselves to blame.

Liverpool's performance

7/10. The Reds weren't that bad tonight, but Brendan Rodgers will certainly be unhappy that his team couldn't score more than two goals. It just seemed that there was a lack of experience at key times, and in key positions. Oussama Assaidi started well and looked lively down the wing in the opening stages, but soon faded. Suso put in another good performance in midfield, while Joe Cole looked something like his former self. Both of their goals came courtesy of some lovely build-up play, with Jonjo Shelvey and Cole profiting. Rodgers may feel that the first goal was avoidable, although hats must go off to Raul Bobadilla for the way he finished it. The Argentine was allowed to take the ball down virtually unchallenged from a long ball into the box. Elsad Zverotic's late strike was right at Pepe Reina, but was struck with power, while also taking a slight deflection. Luis Suarez was his usual self and was involved in pretty much everything when he came on.

Young Boys' performance

7/10. The Swiss team look like a slick passing side, but they struggled to create anything clear cut in the final third. Both of their goals came via brilliant individual efforts. Raul Bobadilla showed fantastic technique to take the ball down and volley past Reina from a tight angle, while Zverotic's shot flew past Reina before he saw it. Liverpool looked like scoring every time they went forward in the first half and Young Boys looked like they were on the ropes a few times. Despite Liverpool seeing the majority of the ball, Young Boys still managed to get forward as the clock ran down and their efforts were rewarded with a point.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Joe Cole: It may be the sentimental choice - and it may only have been against inferior opposition in the Europa League - but the England international had a good game tonight and deserved his goal.

Biggest gaffe:

Pepe Reina flapped at two free kicks that were slung into Liverpool's box. He didn't look comfortable with either one, but it's hard to separate which one was worse.

Referee performance

Alon Yefet had a good, quiet game.

What next?

Liverpool: The Reds travel to Udinese needing to better Young Boys' result to go through.

Young Boys: The Swiss team host Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, who have already qualified.

ID:55890: cacheID:55890:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5158:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jonjo Shelvey on November 22 2012
Read Next:
Liverpool held by Young Boys
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!