Football News: Rodgers rues decision to rest Gerrard against Sunderland

Yesterday Liverpool played out a turgid scoreless draw at home to Sunderland, the only reason this match report has taken so long to write is simply because I have only just woken up from the torpor induced by watching the 'performance'.

The last time I saw anything so slow and boring I was watching a programme on Sloths, that move so little algae grows on them.

Though that sloth did join the football rumours team as our Everton rumours editor, Ed025, after his starring role alongside Dickie Attenborough.

I digress, mostly because writing about such a woeful performance is painful to do, as the action was so lacking it gives me nothing to write about.

This was not a game of missed opportunities, there were barely any opportunities at all, with both teams thankful that they managed to get as many goals as none by the end of the game.

Liverpool lacked any kind of creative spark until Gerrard was brought off the bench after 67 minutes, but even he could do nothing to stop this game petering out as much as my interest in it.

The only bright spot for both clubs was a clean sheet, though neither defence could claim to have been tested enough to have had to earn it, rather than just be given it as a nicely wrapped gift.

Connor Wickham buzzed about causing a nuisance on the odd occasion, could even have had a penalty given for a possible foul by Martin Skrtel, but achieved little else against the club he supported as a boy.

Still, Wickham's impact on the game dwarfed that of USA international Jozy Altidore, who was completely anonymous, at best.

For Liverpool, Ricky Lambert looked ponderous, but at least he made an effort and kept trying to force an opening, Coutinho probed but turned over possession repeatedly and Henderson had an off day.

The only player that actually threatened at all, for either side, was Raheem Sterling, but his threat was limited by sheer weight of numbers as he repeatedly cut inside into the massed ranks of the Mackem defence.

Perhaps Brendan Rodgers should have tried having a word in his ear at half time, one similar to the words he has been trying to claim cured Sterling of his dip in form.

Gus Poyet will have gone home content his team were untroubled and took the point they clearly went to Anfield for, while Rodgers will continue mouthing nonsense about starting slow like none of it was his fault.

Written by Tris Burke December 07 2014 11:05:29