The Times:Hodgson’s men plumb the depths at hands of lowly Northampton

Liverpool 2
Northampton Town 2
(aet; 1-1 after 90min; Northampton win 4-2 on pens)

Taken into extra time and penalties, Liverpool suffered the embarrassment of being knocked out by a team who are 69 league places below them. The defeat leaves Roy Hodgson in no doubt that his squad lacks the depth to mount a serious challenge to the top four.

There will be those who point to the 11 changes that Hodgson made as reason for Liverpool’s demise but such excuses are made hollow because they were still able to call on several internationals to perform what should have been a routine task.

Almost as predictable as Hodgson’s decision to field a largely second-string starting XI was the involvement of Daniel Agger in Liverpool’s opening goal. Having claimed this week that he would not change his ball-playing style even to suit the tactics employed by his manager, Agger reminded Hodgson of his ability to carry possession and instigate attacks from defence.

His slide-rule through-ball for Milan Jovanovic was inch perfect and the Serb ensured his team-mate’s creativity was not wasted with an unerring finish to give Liverpool the lead in the ninth minute.
That, though, was the only moment during the first half when Liverpool put together a move of sufficient quality to emphasise the gulf in class one would normally expect between these two sides.

Hodgson cut an increasingly disgruntled figure and his annoyance was understandable as Liverpool began to concede territory, allowing Northampton Town to strike at goal from the edge of the penalty area.

One of the main criticisms of Hodgson’s tactics is that his team sits too deep, inviting the opposition to attack.
It is a failing that was once again evident after the interval as Northampton were allowed to make the running for long spells and despite their lowly status they were not about to let such a golden opportunity pass them by.

Billy McKay struck the equalising goal after latching on to Kevin Thornton’s header down from Liam Davis’ cross. It was nothing more than the visiting team deserved.
Such moments are writ large in cup folklore and it was enough to inspire belief in the Northampton ranks that they could become the first team from English football’s fourth tier to knock out Liverpool in the League Cup.

While Ian Sampson stood near the touchline urging on his players, Hodgson sat rooted to the bench leaving the beseeching duties to Sammy Lee, the Liverpool assistant manager. Not even the sight of a club legend frantically imploring his players could rouse them from their slumber, however, as Liverpool surprised everyone inside a half-empty Anfield by proving that there were new depths they could sink to.

Ryan Babel, who was brought to the club at the cost of [pounds sterling]11 million three years ago, was the worst offender, showing nothing to suggest he is of a superior class to any of the Northampton players.
Rather than enjoying watching a commandin performance the home supporters had to endure chants from the visiting section informing Hodgson that he would be sacked in the morning – a little more than two months since he took the job.

Their mocking may not have hurt but the Northampton goal in extra time from Michael Jacobs did when he pounced after Thornton’s initial effort had been blocked. Northampton’s celebrations were in stark contrast to the look of sheer embarrassment worn by every Liverpool player.

With five minutes remaining before a penalty shoot out, Ngog dragged Liverpool back into the game with a header from a Jonjo Shelvey corner but even that was not enough to stop Northampton from launching one last attack and onlya miraculous goal-line clearance by Martin Kelly to deny Nathaniel Wedderburn denied them.
Having kept their chances alive Northampton swiftly dashed them in the penalty shoot-out as the npower second division side took the tie 4-2.