Liverpool 2 – 1 Manchester United

Well. Well well well. They say a pessimist is never disappointed, and I’ve never been a fan of tempting fate – which is why my previous post was so negative. But it was also like that because, well, I honestly didn’t expect us to take anything from that game. Not a sausage. After three minutes, I expected a hammering. After the equaliser, I still expected them to nick it, but I was at least pleased that the inevitable defeat was at last going to come in the face of a pulsating match, a non-embarrassing performance, and not a whiff of controversy. It wasn’t until about ten or fifteen minutes into the second half that I even allowed myself to dream. And not until the final whistle that I believed we’d actually won it. That’s the ludicrous situation we’ve got ourselves in – a team that considers itself to be a title challenger treats a simple home win over one of its closest rivals as a fairytale result.

Now, let’s not get carried away. This does not, by any stretch of the imagination, make us suddenly look a title-winning team. In fact, Chelsea and Arsenal will have been watching this match with glee, having seen little to truly intimidate from either side. Nevertheless, it’s a simple fact that we picked up seven points from three games without ever actually playing well at all – and now we sit second in the table as one of only two teams with ten points, having beaten one of the other Big Four teams – and our most hated rivals – in the process. And having done so entirely on merit – true, this is largely because United were so awful, but we deserved that win. It wasn’t controversial, it wasn’t lucky. We were the better team.

And we did it without our own “Big Two”, as well. Yes, Gerrard was on the pitch when the winner was scored. But his only worthwhile contribution to the match – psychological boost aside – was giving Pepe Reina something to do (and what a something, our brightest performer so far this season managing to stay alert and tip over Giggs’ superb, dipping shot. Wouldn’t trade him for anyone.) This was tremendously important to the team. Obviously, when we have those two firing on all cylinders, we can look like world-beaters. But crucially, we haven’t fallen to pieces when missing the pair. Alonso stepped up to the plate to control central midfield in tandem with the brilliant Mascherano (Sky’s obsession with his going missing for the Tevez goal notwithstanding) – and while we lacked a final cutting edge in front of goal in Torres’ absence, you couldn’t fault Kuyt and Keane for effort, only for end product. And in the latter’s case, we know that will come. It’s Crouch all over again. Hell, it’s Torres in his first few games for us. The luck hasn’t gone his way, and it’s made him over-eager to impress – and that’s causing him to lose focus. At some point soon, he’ll get a flukey goal against someone crap – and after that, just watch him go.

Aside from the win itself, the most pleasing thing about the match was the vindication of all of us who said “Give it some bloody width, and then we’ll see”. Riera is not the sort of winger we’d have got had we had twenty million quid in the bank – but at the moment, he is a winger, and that just might do. He showed willingness to run with the ball, take people on (and had the skill to beat them) and got down to the byline on a number of occasions. His delivery wasn’t perfect, but he made up for that by his ability to bring the ball into the box from out wide. Though not spectacular, it was certainly an accomplished debut. The linkup with Aurelio was excellent too, although this did mean that the best of our play was a little heavily-focused on the left (which may also have something to do with Evra being a much better player than Brown, and Rooney not being a right winger). The fact that he was replaced by Babel means that we haven’t yet had the chance to see how having a pacey, proper winger on each side would shape up, but that vision can’t be far away.

And Babel. Before the game, I was disappointed that he wasn’t starting on that right flank. But credit to Rafa, he knew that against United we might just find ourselves in need of an impact sub, and that Torres might not quite be fit enough to be it. I want to see this kid start more games, because I’m genuinely excited by him – but I’ve also seen how much better he appears when taking on tired defenders late in the game, so maybe – especially now that Riera’s here – he might have to settle for being Stevie Heighway just a bit longer. He got lucky with the goal, essentially scuffing it into the net, but the point is – he was in the right place at the right time, finishing off one of the few genuine chances we’d carved out.

Like I say, this isn’t some kind of new dawn. We’re not suddenly the best team in the country – beating an off-form United doesn’t put us on their level yet, either. There’s a lot of work to do, areas in which we badly need to improve. But by god, that felt good. An absolutely huge psychological hurdle has been vaulted, and we’ve even managed to find a good performance in the process. Benitez seems to have realised that a change in attacking approach will pay dividends, and all of a sudden the upcoming trip to Marseilles – with our captain and our number nine, we would presume, fit to start – is something to be relished rather than dreaded. The season has well and truly started. Liverpool : P4, W3, D1, L0, Pts10. Man Utd : P3, W1, D1, L1, Pts4. Beautiful.

Seb

I hate playing United. Hate hate hate. Despite that run of Danny Murphy-inspired 1-0 victories, I have barely any fond memories. All I remember when I think of playing United is :

- Going down to Marine FC to watch the games on the big screen (on a Saturday lunchtime. Always, ALWAYS a Saturday lunchtime), with my uncle, the only United fan in the place, and seeing David James repeatedly flap at crosses, and us losing every time
- Gary Neville being a twat
- Mike Riley sending off Sami Hyypia after about four minutes
- Wayne Rooney being a twat
- Us playing badly, United playing little better but somehow coming away looking like they’ve hammered us

Despite the news that either Torres and/or Gerrard may be involved in some capacity, I’m not optimistic. And frankly, given that we’re going to lose whatever happens, I’d almost rather not risk Nando in particular aggravating his injury further. After all, it’s about time Robbie Keane stepped up and did something – and if you remember that El Nino went a few games last season without scoring, before getting off the mark against Chelsea and thus securing immediate hero status, it’s hard not to see a parallel. Likewise, the papers are full of guff about Quagmire… sorry, Riera… being some kind of lucky charm, by virtue of the fact that his only decent game for Citeh was a debut win over Man U.

But still, I find everything about these games agonising. We will almost certainly play badly and lose 1-0. And then when they win, they’ll just be so unbearably smug about it. That’s what I hate about losing to United. Moreso than losing to Arsenal, or Chelsea, or even Everton. The fans, the players, the manager – everything about that club is steeped in the most rub-your-face-in-it kind of gloating that takes all of the spirit and enjoyment out of the game (because at the end of the day, it’s a sporting contest, and we should be able to take defeat with good grace – but it’s hard when you’ve got Rooney gurning like a prick in front of the opposition fans, or Neville running the whole length of the pitch to try and incite crowd trouble).

I’ll spend the build-up to tomorrow’s game, and the length of time up until the first goal, feeling  sick with worry. After the first goal goes in, I’ll just become angry, and get progressively moreso. In fact, I’m wondering if I should just stay in bed until it’s all over. That way, if we somehow manage to come away with a 0-0 draw – surely the only realistic positive outcome – I’ll actually be pleasantly suprised, and might even be able to watch MOTD…

Seb

Liverpool 2 – 1 Middlesborough

“Below-par Liverpool steal win against North-East rivals… Mark II” seemed to be the press consensus after this game.   I’m not going to get into accusations of bias, but simply state that I disagree.  

For a start there was a clear difference in the standard of the opposition.  We made a poor Sunderland side look more dangerous than they are.  Here we face a Middlesborough that on it’s day can take it to anyone, and that’s just what they did.   Downing, Tuncay and the new slimline Mido GTI showed the sort of class that would be welcome in shirts the right shade of Red and to a man we were made to work hard and this we did. Middlesborough created in quality, we returned fire in quantity creating far more chances.  Sure mostly half chances, but still chances.

Throughout there was a battling passion it would be great to see present at every Anfield fixture this season.  Robbie Keane had his best game yet in a Liverpool shirt.  He might still be waiting for his first goal, but he’s off the mark with perfect a assist for Gerrard’showitzer.

Middlesborough can rightly feel gutted to come away empty handed, they thoroughly deserved Mido’s opener.  Yet I’m reminded of Robbie Fowler’s injury time winner against Crystal Palace in the 1st Leg of the 1995 League Cup Semi-Final.  It won the game at the death, just as Gerrard did here.  My point being that goals in injury time are no less deserved that those scored before the 90 minute mark, they’re just often more valuable!

I’ve mostly glossed over the negatives.  The lack of direction in the passing, a lacklustre showing from Xabi and the very nearly massive howler from Pepe.  Why? Because overall we showed just enough promise to be optimistic.  Which is more than can be said about the Villa game…

Karl

Some words from our captain.

Too right, Mr Gerrard sir! Ultimately it doesn’t matter how we beat United this Saturday.  All the matters is that we beat them.  However before we get all fired up about what’s just about the biggest game in the domestic season over the next few days expect a few updates.   For the sake of completeness, belated reviews of the Middlesborough and Villa results and then a bit of a heart on sleeve rant and round-up about the last couple of weeks as a Liverpool fan.

Karl

UEFA Champion’s League Draw

So then PSV, Atletico Madrid and Marseille.  Ouch! That could have gone better!

Initial reaction is that we should qualify, our European pedigree in recent years suggests that on our day we can take all of those sides.  What’s a little worrying is that all three will believe they have a genuine chance of qualifying, not to mention unique motivation to take some revenge on us.

Marseille deservedly beat us at Anfield last season, but a Torres masterclass tore them apart in the final group game.  It put us through, but let’s not forget cost Marseille a place in round two.

PSV we played four times in the 2006-2007 campaign – winning both group games before a majestic 3-0 away win in the First Leg of the Quarter Final followed by a drab 0-0 back at Anfield.  On that form we’ve nothing to fear, but a closer look at PSV’s Champions League record will show a team who’ve reached the last eight twice in the past four seasons and only once failed to qualify from the group stage.

Finally there’s Atletico.  Obviously the big focus here will be on Torres.  We took away their hero and whilst his armband proved he was a red,  for the previous decade he was the golden boy of the other Madrid.   Imagine Gerrard or Carragher turning out against us? It’s going to be an emotional night at the Vicente Calderón Stadium.  What’s more it won’t just be Nando in line for a reunion.  Little Luis Garcia and Florent Sinama-Pongolle are both ex-reds in the Atletico squad.

Karl

New signing! New signing!

Well almost.  It’s going to happen though, I’m sure of it.  After all, Liverpool missing out on their prime summer targets and then blowing the best part of £10 million on second or third choice targets just a few days shy of transfer deadline day.  I mean that’s never happened before has it?

I admit, I’m being a bit harsh on Senor Riera here.  I’ve never seen him player, I know very little about him other that he’s not in Spanish national side and once had a unsuccessful loan spell at Manchester City.

What’s wound me up here is the same old, same old situation.  We’ve had these kind of signings repeated over the last few years.  They’ve not worked before, so it’s hard to believe that it’ll be any difference this time.

I’m also not entirely sure where Albert fits in.  He can’t operate as a left-back or as a defensive midfielder in the way Gareth Barry could have.  So to make things even more depressing it looks like we’ve shot £9 million on a squad player.  Yes, we do need width and decent wingers, of that there’s no doubt.  I just find it difficult to believe that Riera is anything more another stop-gap signing.

Plus what of our youngsters and reserve options.  People like Paul Anderson and Adam Hamill. Signings like this have the knock-on effect that everyone else gets knocked one-step further down the pecking order.  Instead of looking forward to some young vibrant motivated youngster appearing down the flanks in the early rounds of the league and F.A. Cup’s we can expect to see the likes of Yossi, Voronin and all the other squaddies making us squirm against Lowerleague Albion.

*sigh* Oh and to make it worse Villa have just signed Milner and our new stadium has been delayed yet again!  Has being joint-top of the league ever felt so depressing!?

karl

Liverpool 1 – 0 Standard Liege
(aet. agg. 1-0)

Well, I can see why Gareth Barry’s decided to stay at Villa. He’s got far more chance of winning on Sunday playing in claret and blue than he would in silver.

I can’t really say much about last night, except to applaud the adroitness of the 606 hosts who pointed out how frustrating it is for Liverpool fans to have all of their complaints ready only to then have them blunted by the little detail of actually winning the game. Particularly when such complaints revolve around Dirk Kuyt. But listen – him scoring an instinctive striker’s goal after having been switched up front doesn’t excuse the eighty-three bloody minutes he spent giving the ball away on the right of midfield. If it wasn’t galling enough that he was deployed there while Ryan Babel sat on the bench and Jermaine Pennant wasn’t even in the squad, it was made even moreso by the promise shown by Nabil El Zhar when occupying that position.

Look, we’re through now. It was a horrible, horrible performance by a completely disjointed team bereft of ideas, confidence and passion. But let’s not dwell on it. The only positives were the aforementioned El Zhar (who should have had a penalty – but let’s be honest, losing to a pen would have been even harsher on Standard, though I’d feel more sympathy had they not been such niggling, bullying gits, especially in their treatment of Our Boy Torres) and Reina, by far our best (although “best” is a relative term here) performer with a solid and reliable performance in addition to a couple of top-drawer saves.

I’m not at all confident heading into games with Villa and United (the latter in particular), but still. Three wins and a draw is, on paper, a good start to the season no matter what the performances have been like. If those performances improve, we’ll have no need to complain. But if things don’t start to come together sharpish… well, we’re going to get hammered when we come up against opposition better than the three teams we’ve played so far…

(Seb)

Fuck off.  Fuck off.  Fuck off.

A quick summary of last week.  We’re all set to sign a player, the team is playing well and Rafa is happy.  Enter stage left Parry, Gilette and Hicks to spoil the party by refusing to stump up the cash for Barry.  So inevitably we now have disharmony between manager and board and what little confidence we’ve managed to muster as fans stripped bare all over again.

Oh and look here’s news of Rafa’s potential resignation (or in this case a denial of it).  I give it a week before one of the tabloid’s publishes a story about DIC launching a new takeover bid.

* * *

Now it’s dead in the water, I feel genuinely embarrassed by how the club handled the entire Barry affair.  Hopefully all Villains will welcome him back with open arms.  It seems the majority of Liverpool fans didn’t want him anyway, so he’s surely better off at a club where he’s a living legend than as a squad player at a club run by the three stooges.

(Karl Eisenhauer)

Sunderland 0 – 1 Liverpool

The Performance? No.  The result? Hmm… no.  Torres’s finish?  Well okay yes, but no.  I’m talking about that goalie kit!  Infact, the entire away kit.  Seeing a Liverpool team run out in silver & red, with a keeper in a proper keeper’s green top just for a few moments jumped me back twenty years.  Then the game kicked off and we were far from championship material.

So what can we take from that game?  It was a better performance than against Liege, although it’s hard to see how it could have been worse.  We were somewhat fortunate to come away with three points.  If the Sunderland starting XI had possessed a decent striker things could have been very different.

Still we rode our luck a bit, and ultimately we did that thing all league winning sides are meant to do – Play badly and win One-Nil.  How often we can do that this season will depend on how often the big names do the business and those pundits thinking Torres will struggle to repeat his form last season might want to think again.

Ultimately I’m still feeling quite positive despite our slow start.  We’ve 3pts in the bag. We have Masch, Lucas and Babel all to come back and if we’re lucky maybe one more new signing to come in.

Right now if I have any concerns it’s over starting selections.  Alonso was brilliant for us today, grabbed the assist for Nando’s goal and almost won goal of the season on the opening day with a trademark 60-yard screamer.  Yet Rafa chose to start with the inexperienced Plessis.  Similarly defence? A lot of the talk this summer has been about the future defensive pairing off Skrtel and Agger, so it was a surprise to see Carra and Sami get the starts.  Surely it’s too early to start rotating already!?

As for the new signings.  Dossena definitely stepped up a gear today.  Meanwhile Keane frustrates, mostly himself with another ordinary showing.  Surely it would make more sense to stick with our winning formula from last season with Gerrard in behind Torres and then bring in Keane gradually?  At the moment it’s all starting to resemble Crouchy’s early Liverpool career and we all know how long it took him to break his duck.

(Karl Eisenhauer)