What a day it was yesterday, what I saw was a total dismemberment of the rigid system we've been employing for the last 2-3 years. It was a totally different Liverpool, totally different players, totally different attitudes and a completely different outlook from the Master. Make no mistake about this, Kenny Dalglish has totally transformed this group of players. While a lot of credit has to go to Clarke, Lee and the other backroom staff it is the presence of one man only that has galvanised this Club. That man is Kenny Dalglish.
When i saw the central midfield trio of Lucas, Poulsen and Meireles I had that gloomy feeling normally associated with two of the selection. Poulsen getting booked for a ridiculously stupid and needless hack on Ward in the opening minutes had me seething, even though Ward made a three course meal out of it. I wondered what was Kenny's reasoning behind the selection but what I saw unfold before my eyes I could never have envisaged. Kenny had given the players something they had been starved of for a long long time, freedom to express themselves!.
There was no set anchorman in this formation, he trusted the trio to use their instincts and cover each other as and when required. Every player was given a free role and it was a joy to behold. Lucas looked like a totally different player, getting forward on a few occasions, Poulsen was playing incisive passes and tracking back well and Meireles, well, this style of play is clearly suited to his skill set. I really can't believe that I'm posting this positively about our central midfield area, something I've been unable to do for some time.
Meireles pass to Torres for his first chance of the game was Alonsoesque and I fully expected Torres to score, it wasn't to be. The Torres backheel to Meireles for his first chance was sublime also. Poulsen's pass to Meireles for the first goal was top drawer, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, inch perfect and Meireles was able to run onto it and take it in his stride. I fully expected him to pull the trigger but he played an inch perfect pass to Torres for him to tap in, great vision and awareness from Meireles.
We were all over the park in the first half, Kelly was once again immense, getting forward at every opportunity and solid at the back, he really is undroppable.
When we came out for the second half, Mick McCarthy's team talk had obviously been taken on board. They started to pressure us from the off and it looked like we were in for a rocky ride again. Then out of nowhere Lucas brilliantly headed a clearance to the feet of Maxi who played a sublime pass over the top into the path of Kuyt. As per usual Kuyt fu**ed it up, instead of taking it round the keeper he tried toe poking it through his legs. A perfect chance to kill the game off. Luckily for Kuyt, Meireles had his shooting boots on. The confidence to take on the volley was what impressed me most, that screamer against Everton has boosted him no end. And what a volley it was, the technique, the power and the unbelievable dip he got on it was perfect. Hennessey had absolutely no chance.
It was then that Wolves stepped up a gear and I think it's fair to say we spent most of the second half under the cosh. Ward and Jarvis were giving Kelly a stern test on that left flank and Kelly passed the test with flying colours. It looked like we were going back into ourselves as the fluidity started to remove itself from our play. Skrtel had a nightmare game again as time and time again he was turned inside out and beaten in the air. We were starting to run out of ideas. Kenny could see this and brought Shelvey on to mix it up.
The substitution almost proved to be an instant masterstroke. Torres with a brilliant through ball to Meireles who floated in a beautiful pass to Shelvey who controlled it brilliantly first time but leaned back on connection and put it just over. The other substitute, Hammill, caused us no end of problems and I almost had that feeling that we were going to be undone by a former player. He fired a fair few dangerous crosses in and should have scored as well. We looked nervous and agitated when we shouldn't have been, we were 2 goals up. Then came the long overdue substitution of Maxi for Aurelio, Kenny looking to provide back up for Johnson against Hammill. Good management and awareness from Kenny again, changing things when they need to be changed.
Then at last, we killed the game off. A delightful through ball from Johnson to Kuyt and guess what, yes, Kuyt fu**ed it up again and it was pure luck that the ball ricocheted to Torres and he lapped it up and it was finally game over.
I'd like to say that Torres was immense yesterday, Stearman kicked the sh*t out of him all game and he took it all in his stride. He scored 2 goals and was instrumental in setting up plenty of chances for his team mates. The fire is definitely back in his belly and that is all down to Dalglish. Torres has immersed himself in the Club's traditions and cultures since his arrival. For him to sit in the changing room with the greatest Liverpool player of all time giving him his team talk and advice is like a dream come true for him. The very man he idolises is now his manager and he can finally see that we are going in the right direction.
My only gripe with the performance yesterday was again our total lack of width and pace on the flanks. We were so narrow yesterday that we seriously limited our attacking options and Kenny has obviously identified this as a major problem. Ashley Young is a prime target and I'm hoping we can at least acquire one wide man this window. Kuyt and Maxi were wasteful again, yes they worked hard but that's not good enough anymore.
I'm also interested to see what happens with Johnson. I know he's only playing left back at the moment as cover but I really can't see him ousting Kelly now, that right back slot is his now. Hopefully Kenny will give him a crack on the right side of midfield or he moves Kelly in the middle to replace Skrtel and puts Johnson back in at right back. Skrtel has been very poor recently and I don't think anyone can question that we miss Carragher desperately. Shelvey played really well and is playing more regularly as each week passes, Dalglish is easing him in gently but more importantly is sticking with him.
Despite his 2 goals and all round scintillating display, MOTM for me has to go to Meireles. Not just for the goal, his link up play with Torres was a joy to watch, he was everywhere and looked like a completely different player than the one under Roy Hodgson. Proof if ever it was needed that man management skills are very important and that Dalglish possesses them in abundance.
Remember that these are the same players that were turning out drivel at the start of the season, the difference?, a certain Mr. Dalglish. He has turned this team around in a matter of weeks, he has given them freedom to express themselves and most importantly, he's got them playing for each other. Never in a million years would I have expected to post this positively this soon in Kenny's tenure and that is testament to a true legend!.
« Last Edit: Jan 23, 2011 03:23:00 pm by hardcoresoldier »
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