It was a long time coming and I personally could never have invisaged seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Of course I am talking about the fact that our tunnel visioned manager actually benched Lucas and Kuyt. The result was great also! And the performance was good to boot. Funny how dropping two of yout most mundane players from the first eleven had such a drastic change to the teams dynamic. Many people myself included have been advocating a change like this to get the team 'ticking' again and looking a threat. Of course, we're not out of the woods yet regarding this one game and I expect Kuyt and Lucas to be back in the side at OT. Yet when we're facing teams we should be expecting to beat and by rights if we want to think about being a top four team, we should be thinking about beating sides like Portsmouth and others. Our manager should not persist with ordinary players who don't have an ounce of attacking threat in them.
I thought Aquailani came in last night and did a great job and even at this stage of his cameo'd Liverpool career you can see the difference between him and Lucas. His movement is top class and he actually looks quite comfortable on the ball in comparison to Lucas who looks uncomfortable. His runs, his passing last night was very good and his goal was excellently taken on his 'weaker' foot. He offered us more from midfield going forward and as I said it's been a painfully long time coming. I was glad to see the undroppable Kuyt dropped to the bench and Maxi looked much more of a threat than Kuyt ever does.
The football was good, Torres was looking for goals and not petulance, Gerrard looked something similar to his old self. The poor body language wasn't apparent and the team looked better for it.
For Lille I'd keep Kuyt and Lucas out of the side their hinderances and give El Zhar (sp) a game out wide if Riera isn't playing.
You shouldn't change a side like that after a performance and result like that, keep the momentum going Rafa!
Good post.
I can remember people talking about Babel's touch could pass for a shot. Last night his touch looked impeccable, could see him raising his hand for the ball looking very eager. All these things are good signs for us, the thing about Babel; he can have a relatively ordinary game and still produce goals. That's a sign of a really good player, he played well last night and like any attacking midfielder he's prone to lose the ball...ask the likes of Ronaldinho. But Babel is learning to know when to pass, and he's also tracking back showing a bit of determination. Really pleased with his performance, heard the commentator talking about his balls into the box but they were all in dangerous areas.
Aquilani, what can I say, in games like last night he will always do well. He has composure something that any real quality player has, that makes him make brilliant decisions on the ball. As many have said; his movement is just great! I mean he shows real hunger in getting into the box and even tracked back and did some defending. I am really looking forward to him partnering Masch more in the midfield. Seems eager to take the free kicks as well, that one that was central he looked up for it only to be denied by Gerrard. Aquilani is great lad, many would moan and act as if the world is caving in, but he has waited patiently for his time. And he took it well.
Torres..LEGEND!
Pepe LEGEND!
Gerrard needs some talking to!
Logged
