Excellent result for the Club this weekend. A powerful and commanding performance from the lads, and Rafa must also take credit for getting the tactics almost spot on. I say almost spot on as i believe Kuyt was anonymous again, and it is really starting to worry me that Rafa keeps placing blind faith in a player that is clearly not the player he once was. Whilst i will commend Rafa for his tactical nous, i will also question his undoubted ability to confuse the F**k out of any fan, at any given time. I suppose eccentricity is part of the 'genius' package, so i'll just learn to live with it. The big, big difference was the exclusion of Lucas from the side, and the football we played as a result was at times breathtaking, something that i have found myself, more often than not, unable to say this season. Similarities can be drawn from the Portsmouth game, playing football the way Liverpool Football Club should be playing football.
Quite a few forumites have tried to convince themselves that Rafa has changed the system to accomodate Lucas this season, how can anyone perceive this?. It is blatantly obvious that we are still playing the same system, with the same principles, just some people will use this perception to paper over the cracks of Lucas' inadequacies. I know we played 4-4-2 against Sunderland, as we have done a couple of times this season, but on the whole we are playing the same system as last season. The difference is that when Gerrard or someone capable of playing in the holding midfielder/deep lying playmaker role performs his duties, this system is a joy to behold, as has been proven on many occasions. We fizzed the ball around with confidence, players wanted the ball, when we got the ball in the middle, it was hit into space with purpose. Something that has been missing all season from the central midfield pairing. How long can Rafa persist with Lucas before he realises that this is where it's going wrong?.
The defence had hardly anything to do all game, Johnson was superb, and although the goal was courtesy of a deflection, he was there to pull the trigger, you've got to be in it to win it. We had the ball so often that Sunderland rarely had a chance to attack. This is how we should be playing. Agger was immense, should have scored a hat-trick and he gave us an extra attacking dimension. He really is a commanding and reassuring presence in defence and i really hope he can remain injury free for a long time and give us that stability we need. Johnson was immense, and such was our dominance of possession that his defensive ability was very rarely questioned. Insua did well in attack and his link up play was an improvement on recent performances. Mascherano was as important as he always is and i feel his passing game is improving with every game that passes, almost completing the installation of another string in his bow. Babel is another player who is also improving, and if he can get the nod from Rafa for the run in, then i feel we might just start to see the real Ryan Babel. I have beeen one of his biggest critics recently, i even wanted him offloaded in the January transfer window, such was my disgust at his petulance. He still needs to work on his dribbling and all round wing play, but i feel where he has most improved is in his attitude, work ethic and he seems to be turning into more of a team player. He has become more unselfish, and that can only be good for himself and the team.
Gerrard was everywhere, all we did that was good, came through him. He owned that centre midfield area, and it was a great sight to see. Getting the ball, looking up, picking his pass and following the move through. Quite simple when you put it like that, yet it is something that our centre midfield has been unable to do for the majority of this season. When he passes, he looks for the next move that's on, he never let's up. Gerrard oozed confidence, and that confidence spread like an infectious disease. Maxi was immense too, his link up play was excellent. He may not show the wizardry of a John Barnes, but he does the simple things well. He works hard for the team and what you see is what you get, that's why i like him and think he'll turn out to be a good acquisition for us. Another player who works hard is Dirk Kuyt, but he can't even do the simple things right this season and he is becoming painful to watch. He needs a break to try and find himself, a shadow of the man he was last season.
Reina had little to do, but when called upon he never fails to deliver, the agility of a cat. And last but by no means least, Fernando Torres. That first goal was pure genius, his second, pure genius also. To think of the injuries he's suffered this season and the sometimes brutal treatment that he receives from incompetent defenders, it is testament to the fact that he is the world's greatest striker. The lad was on fire and i pray he can stay injury free for the rest of the season, his presence will be crucial in the battle to secure fourth place. A little unfair to judge Aquilani as shortly after his arrival, Torres and Gerrard were taken off, and we all know how effective he is when playing with these two.
A very pleasing performance overall. My only hope is that Rafa will stick to the attack method and kick on from here. Barring the Birmingham game i expect to see this attacking system for the rest of the season. Even against Chelsea, we need to get at them at Anfield. I have no problem with Rafa showing respect to other teams, that is a given. What i do have a problem with, is when that respect borders on fear. I do not wish to see Lucas or Kuyt in the side for this important run of games, that is not a slur on their character, it is just my honest assessment based on the roles they have played and how they have performed during the season. Gerrard/Aquilani in the middle/hole, Maxi on the right and Babel on the left. Let's finish this season with an attacking intent and get that passport to the Champions League.
And just to finish off my post, Olic has just put Bayern 2-1 up!!!!! Have some of that you scabby Manc cu*ts!!
Roll on Redmen, and crush all those who stand before you, the future is in your hands. YNWA. IRWT.
