This is such an amazing feeling. A cup final!!!! Been far too long!
Overall, I thought we were excellent and Kenny was 100 percent spot on tonight. Everything from selection to tactics, the King was on the money.
Having watched the replay on Fox Soccer here in the States (I had to miss the second half live
) the team performance, desire, hunger, and most importantly,
pride in the Liverpool shirt were on full display. The lads really do deserve a pat on the back with this performance after the Bolton horror show. Great resilience.
On the penalties, I'm not sure I would call either as penalties. Both Dzeko and Adam have their foot out. In real time, a ref can't make that call IMO.
I said during the match that the penalty on Richards was harsh and I still think so. I can see the reasoning for it though. He did have his arms outstretched, no matter what. But, I don't know. That's a tough call.
PlayersReina - Don't think he had much to do. Should have done better on their first goal, but in fairness Spearing or Lucas would have prevented de Jong from ever getting a shot off.
Johnson - So/so tonight. I think you can probably place some of the blame on him for the Dzeko's goal. Of course, he did grab the assist for our second, so he did make up for it, eh?
Skrtel - Beast. Great defensive performance, and a special mention to his shot in the second half. If only some of our attackers would take a shot like that!
Agger - Like Reina, don't think he had much to do. Still a very solid performance and won a penalty.
Enrique - Mixed bag for me personally. He should have scored. Probably would have if he would have taken it on his right foot. But he was solid defensively. I was critical of him on Saturday because I thought he had a shocker early in that game.
Gerrard - Played deep today and showed he can play there if necessary. I would still prefer him as an attacker, but in this case needs must. Ice cold veins to take that penalty. Legend.
Adam - I thought Adam was good tonight. After City scored, he kind of dropped somewhat, giving away a stupid foul, until he played that ball to Kuyt. He seemed to pick it up a bit then. I'm still terrified when I see him defending in, near, and around our box though
Henderson - Showed why we bought him. The kid has great potential and played a few beauties of through balls. Thought he displayed great maturity in his play tonight.
Downing - One of his better performances (on TV at least - don't know how his movement was?) for me. His shooting still leaves a lot lacking, but I think Dalglish's Bolton post-match comments have awoken him somewhat. No matter what you think of Downing, he's a better player than how he's been playing for us this season.
Kuyt - Best performance this season. Good to see Dirk back. Great movement and energy, and - sit down because this may shock you - he controlled the ball well to set up the Glen/Bellers combo for the goal. Well done Dirk!
Bellamy - MOTM by a country mile. It wasn't just his goal or his pace, his work rate was phenomenal, movement excellent, and he was a threat all game long. A well taken and well deserved goal (with his left too). He came on a free. FREE!
FREE!I just hope we're not too burned out for Saturday. God, I'd love to knock both Manchester sides out of cups in the span of 3 days......