I think Stewart, Gerrard and Suarez were our better players yesterday.
I don't say it so much for the goal - it was well taken, but an opportunity I would expect all of our players to take - but more because he did a tactical job wonderfully.
My bigger problem with Downing has always been his decision making: on the ball, his decisions whether to pass, to cross, to shoot, never seems to be the best; and off the ball, his movement usually leaves much to be desired. Besides, at some points of his Liverpool career, I also questioned his effort. For much of last season, he had a lazy attitude, not doing much for the team; and his reaction to scoring his 1st league goal for us (shushing the Kop) didn't do any favors to my opinion of him.
Yesterday, though, I think he was great. He was Kuyt-like running up and down the right side, which was highlighted by the fact Johnson had a kind of off game - more than once it was up to Stewart do recover the ball. He also kept the ball well (if I'm not mistaken, he had a 95%+ pass completion rate) and played some meaningful passes. In fact, Sturridge really should have done better with some of those balls.
With the inclusion of Allen, our attacking trio was able to press them higher up the pitch and that ultimately led to our 2nd goal.
I don't think Stewart did wonders yesterday - no one player did, for that matter - but I do think it was a performance he should build from.
I've questioned time and time again his so called improvement, which in my opinion still don't make him a player to take us forward, but if I see more performances like that of yesterday, I could end up changing my mind.
Unfortunately I'm not exactly confident he can keep up to that level, but well, here's hope he will not only do so, but improve from that.
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