It was a really good game. I'd say most Reds would have enjoyed watching that 90 min performance, whilst most chavs will have enjoyed the result more.
I think we pressed them well from the get-go and were very aggressive all over - Anfield and the occasion, has the tendancy to facilitate such performances. I thought our possession and passing was good, although we still just lack that cutting edge in the final third. A performance like that warranted a two goal cushion IMO, and it's inevitable in a way, that when we play Chelsea we never quite get what we deserve. Of course, they must get credit for that because they were on the ropes at times and just dug in with one of their typical 'bus' displays.
On a side note, did anyone notice their sportsmanship straight after HT? I thought it was obvious myself and I knew from the moment that Luiz fella started taking an age to take a throw-in or free-kick (can't remember which), immediately after HT, that Maureen had blatantly told his Sloane Square rent-boys to time waste at every opportunity.
Anyway, back to us. I thought that Coutinho out of eleven good/top performances pipped our MoTM award. It isn't easy being a creative pivotal point against a defensive-quality-drilled outfit but the little Brazilian still managed to make and find himself in pockets of space, in order to turn and cause them problems. He, unlike players of Henderson's, Allen's or Downing's (as a good comparison) ilk aren't scared to attack defenders, no matter the names he's up against. I think a lot of that has a lot to do with his own belief in his obvious quality/ability, many players with their back to goal would play the way they are facing(safe), five yards. Not this lad, he will turn, and turn his defender inside out and begin an attack. Even though ad nauseam his shooting is poor more often than not, it's good to have a player like him on form who can jink and brush off a couple heavy challenges to create something, out of nothing. I think his form, along with the team's has really picked up recently.
The same can be said for his fellow countrymen, Lucas. His performances have a touch of the 'Xabi's', in that, in the season he's rumoured to be 'off', he's producing top class performances that should be quarantining him, as only an LFC player. His tackling, passing and confidence seem to have improved three-fold and he really has become an integral player in this 'new' formation, and both him and the system are complimenting each other very nicely.
Must say, I was slightly disappointed in our wide players - Markovic & Moreno. While the graft was there, neither looked like contributing going forward. The Spaniards confidence IMO looks a little low which seems to have taken that gritty attacking edge off of his game, and Markovic up against top quality opposition found it hard to get his man on the back foot and go at him/them, opposite to Coutinho. I think, when we go to their pit, that is an area we can improve on, but both Moreno and Markovic should shoulder the responsibility in attacking their respective flanks in the second leg much more, like Coutinho did through and around the center.
Sterling's goal was nicely taken (I just hope he doesn't believe 'the hype'), because as of late some of his performances look as though he has and the boy needs to try and keep his feet on the ground.
Credit to the back three in keeping the horrible scar-face pikey looking thing quiet for most of the match, such a rancid demeanor but not a bad footballer, even though he tripped over Sahko's heel and start dry-humping the hallowed turf of Anfield, in a sordid attempt to get a penalty for his side.
A great performance, one of which wasn't equaled by the result and it's typical really. We now go to their pit in a precarious position, where the crowd aren't behind us to facilitate our performance. But it has made it intriguing, will Maureen stick or twist at home, and do we have the cutting edge in the final third to get at a formidable home team with a defense to match?
« Last Edit: Jan 21, 2015 11:25:25 am by Beerbelly »
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