Fabio Borini Deserves Liverpool Chance but Shows Drop in Quality Post-Suarez
Fabio Borini hasn't had much of a look-in at Anfield this season, but the Italian striker was selected for Liverpool's Capital One Cup victory over Swansea City on Tuesday night and made a case for his further inclusion in the Reds' forthcoming fixtures.
Having only started one game this term it was a rare chance to shine, even though he started from the right wing, far from his best position.
Borini did create the equaliser from that area, though, with a terrific cross and got himself involved centrally at times. With Liverpool misfiring in attack of late he has done enough to deserve another run in the first team. Even so, his fight for a starting spot only serves to underline that which the Reds are without this season, which gave them so much success last year.
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Aiding the Press
One thing Borini did exceptionally well against Swansea was defend from the front, something Liverpool have really missed this season.
Whether pressing high up the field, tucking back in ahead of the right-back Javi Manquillo or closing down the goalkeeper, Borini's first priority was to make sure he worked hard and got through a tremendous amount of selfless running for the team. It doesn't automatically lend itself to being particularly effective, but after some shoddy and lethargic displays from the team of late, it was certainly a positive change.
"Borini's workrate was close to Kuyt's. His assist was a great one too. Should definitely play some part v Newcastle on Saturday.
— Artur Petrosyan (@arturpetrosyan) October 28, 2014"
It also was effective—others pressed around Borini too and Liverpool managed to frequently win back possession in the opposition half, allowing them to dominate the ball and territory to find key playmaker Philippe Coutinho as often as possible.
Borini quickly looked to get into attacking positions when the ball was won back and take up a more central area when possible, leading to his handful of shots, the closest of which was an effort on the turn with his left foot, which was just off target.
Not the quickest around, Borini also did his best to run down the flank with the ball and one effort led to his perfect cross for Mario Balotelli to equalise. It was Borini's will to work hard and break quickly which kept the Reds on the front foot for most of the match. He even did this late into the game when they trailed and were heading for an exit, and for that he should be applauded.
"Goal - Balotelli! Balotelli comes off the bench to get on the end of Borini's cross! https://t.co/e4X6HfHxJr
— LiverpoolFans (@LiverpoolFans1) October 28, 2014"
Movement the Key
Borini alone isn't the big problem here—all three of Liverpool's currently available forwards are.
The No. 29, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli.
Strikers they may be, but they are all too often stood still being marked inside the area, waiting for a pass to feet with their backs to goals. Last year Luis Suarez would be on the half turn, giving Coutinho an angle, an option, something to pass into and already looking to shoot before the ball arrived. Daniel Sturridge does the same: constant movement, always alive around the penalty spot and six-yard box.
Look back to Sturridge's goals against the likes of Manchester United last season, flicking in from close-range on a corner, or at Everton from a free-kick, even though he's not particularly good in the air.
How much movement inside the area do the two Italians and Lambert provide? Very little. They can hold it up, they can lay the ball off and they'll all shoot from outside the box.
But those are all low-quality chances, if even that. The natural instinct to find a gap and get a good shot in on goal is missing right now and it's making Liverpool's attack look blunt and lacking incision. It isn't the service from the second line, though, rather the lack of options they have to pass to.
Newcastle, Real, Chelsea
Liverpool have a tough run of games coming up, most notably after this weekend when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League and Chelsea in the Premier League. It is unlikely that the Reds will experiment too much with starting XIs and out-of-form players in those matches where possible—it will be the strongest side fit and hope they can perform better than they have recently.
Against Newcastle United, though, Liverpool need to take three points and prove their attacking impetus is indeed on the way back—and that means playing those with a bit of confidence and a point to prove.
Fabio Borini has to be considered for a starting role for the game at St. James' Park.
"Borini on Swansea: "We showed that we're a very strong team, mentally. I was pleased with my own performance, too." pic.twitter.com/ulwiL4L7Nl
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 29, 2014"
His one league goal for the Reds to date came at that ground, and both he and Mario Balotelli seem to work at least fairly well in a partnership—it's something that Brendan Rodgers must consider most seriously ahead of this fixture.
The Reds need a win over the Magpies and with no other attacker making a stand-out case for inclusion, Borini at least warrants a chance to start again himself—though he very much requires an immediate impact if he wants a regular spot ahead of Sturridge's return.
If not, the Reds will continue to rotate two or three players around until their main striker returns and tries to fire them back up into the top four, and Borini and Co. return to the bench at best.
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