If we got beaten today by the future champions then this is why...
1. Sissoko in midfield and Gerrard on the right wing? Everyone knows, including Rafa, Stevie performs best in the middle, end of.
In all fairness Sissoko was crap today and it was plain to see, his control and passing were terrible at times.
2. Possession and domination.At home with a full house we had a chance to carry on our form and yes, we dominated the match! Bellamy made Vidic look pathetic at times and caused chaos on the right. Our attacking football was quality save for some dodgy passing at times. Utd responded to our dominance and could only counter-attack with a 5 man midfield in the 2nd half. (They did no better in the 1st half either). When was the last time Utd came to Anfield and were made to look ordinary?
How much possession did we have? How many corners did we have? And convert? That brings me to my next point.
3. Our finishing is suspect and very questionable at times. I won't mention names, it's the usual suspects. Credit for the attempts I suppose but it's soul destroying at times to see
so much possession fizzle out to nothing. We must convert our chances!!
(For a split second half the universe thought Risse had pulled a rabbit out of the hat with his free-kick but it's exactly those chances we must take if we can't score from open play).
Long range chances ie Gonzalez, Gerrard & Risse (from open play) are potshots at worst and unlucky at best if the 'keeper gets a finger on them. The ratio of potshots v unlucky was more for the former than the later, a lot more.
Not good.
4. SubstitutionsI think Rafa got it wrong on 2 counts today. The starting 11 and the subs.
Aurellio for Gonzalez. Like for like so no change there. And little advantage gained.
It mystified me why he subbed Pennant for Bellamy. I expected to see Stevie G slot in behind Dirk and Pennant to take his position on the wing? No!
Bellamy is an out-and-out striker so why bring on a winger for a striker and leave a below-par midfielder on?
Crouch for Sissoko. See above. All very strange if you ask me and all very strange if you don't.
5. Champions are lucky. Or classy, or both.I had a horrible feeling in the last 10mins that we hadn't taken our chances and might be punished.
It was like Grounhog day as the team who scrapped a late winner last week repeated the feat this week. They turned the screw after doing f**k all for most of the match and got lucky. All our pummeling on their goal and we were hit with a sucker punch. But that's foootball. They aren't 12 points clear 'cos they're crap, we're 19 points behind them 'cos we haven't taken our chances or been that good. Fact.
If we are gonna get beat it might as well be by the future champions (and I hate saying that!)
Lets not forget we did good in Istanbul and Cardiff and needed an element of luck and class to win so credit where credit's due.
At least Chavski won't win it this year! And the Gooners are closing in so time for some decisive finishing.
PS I just loved it when Gary Neville got kicked in the nuts