Positives from last night

[Guest Sabre]

We were dynamic and determined, the midfield moving with real intent which we've lacked in previous matches. Once again our defence was solid although a touch deep at times (I think we were worried by Martins' pace). The real positives for me though were some superb performances from Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonson, the former hasn't featured that much recently but the lad was doing great things in the final third, twisting his way through tight spaces, aching for a goal which his performance deserved. Xabi's performance was one of a lad determined to put his poorer form behind him and take control of the game. Tackling well, distributing well, attacking and running with the ball. His pass for Finnan to cut back wasn't just a superb pass but also a gutsy one - he received the ball and in recent times, he would have normally kept possession by turning back towards our goal, but instead, under a little bit of pressure, he took a great first touch and slipped a sublime pass through the defence which had exactly the right legs on it. He made it easy for Finnan who in turn made it easy for Kuyt. Beautiful goal. And of course, what can you say about his second? We were starting to get jittery but his composure summed him up - sublime footballer with magic in his boots. Takes his time, doesn't panic, superb tackle to steal the ball and then whammy! You knew it was going in the moment he struck it.

 

May I also take a second to note Gerrard's performance was a real team performance - did his job well and helped the team.

 

No way are we out of this yet lads. The reds are coming up the hill.

[Skillz]

All good points. Thought Alonso showed glimpses of his true form against Chelsea. He was superb. Garcia was also excellant and his form has been more consistent this year IMO. He deserved THAT goal and what a goal that would of been.

 

Too much much has been made about our performances over the last week but we didnt get the results our performances deserved.

 

We are going alright IMO and if the strikers hit form look out!

[Cooldude]

Some of the football we played was just sublime, the only thing lacking is the finishing touch.

 

Xabi was everywhere and involved in everything. Even without the goal he would've been MOTM. Newcastle couldn't get past him all night and he orchestrated play with his passes.

 

Garcia I thought was good, his movement is superb and he should've had at least a goal. Some of the things he does on the football pitch is just freakish. The blind turn and throughball that put through Bellamy was something else. Plus that take and shot that hit the bar...

 

More impress with Kuyt everytime I see him, he really has almost everything you want in a striker.

 

Finnan got Duff in his pocket all game. Thought Agger struggled with the physical Ameobi but he'll be fine when he starts getting used to it

Edited September 21, 2006 by Cooldude

[Figaro]

Kuyt has impressed me with everything but his finishing so far

 

Now he's scored - he'll start banging them in (allegedly )

 

He really does do some covering - he single-handedly pressurised their defence into making numerous errors.

[jimmylibel]

Up until the pass to Finnan I actually thought Xabi was having one of his poorer passing games. He gave the ball away a bit too often with sloppy passing or picking the wrong option - the second of which is particularly unlike him.

 

Also thought we didn't control the match as much as we did last season or even some of the games we've played this season - thought we controlled the game against Chelsea far more even before Ballack got sent off.

 

Anyway there were plenty of positives last night but don't think it was a fabulous performance. There's still plenty room for improvement. The encouraging thing is that I think we're quite capable of making that step and hopefully will come with just a bit more fitness and after our players have gelled a little more.

[JRC]

Up until the pass to Finnan I actually thought Xabi was having one of his poorer passing games. He gave the ball away a bit too often with sloppy passing or picking the wrong option - the second of which is particularly unlike him.

 

 

Couldn't disagree more. I can only recall 2-3 misplaced/misdirected passes all game from Xabi, and he was on the ball an awful lot. Although, as was noted earlier, he seemed much more prepared to take chances - less turning to space and taking a simple option, less phased by the close presence of a defender or tackler. The passes he did make all had that simple confidence about them - pace, direction, selection - that only Xabi on top form shows. He had a quiet 15-20 mins before he scored (and how good was the tackle to gain posession as well), but otherwise I thought he looked back to his very best.

[Leo No.8]

Garcia looked extremely sharp last night, his touch, skills and passing were absolutely fantastic. On any normal night he'd have been the hands-down man of the match but Xabi played extremely well and scored that incredible goal so you really can't give it to anyone else.

 

As for Kuyt - he really is going to be a real favourite here, the guy couldn't be better suited to Liverpool Football Club. He gives his absolute all, has tons of ability and appreciates the supporters. I love the way he stays out and claps the whole ground, its such a nice touch, plus he chases every single ball. So often you think 'go on chase that defender down' or 'put the keeper under pressure on that kick' but most strikers just don't have the lungs to do it. Kuyt though, chases every single one without fail.

 

But apart from all those kinds of reasons for fans to like him, our Dirk looks some player as well. During the first half, he took down a ball at the far post that was above his shoulder and killed it dead - that was a flash of supreme skill I don't think many people believed he was capable of before he arrived here. I was one of those who really wanted him to sign but I didn't realise just how good his touch and link play were, so it must be one hell of a shock for the people who only saw him in the World Cup and were understandably less than impressed.

 

Since watching him play here I can really see the Mark Hughes comparisons; he is equally brilliant technically, attacks the ball and links in the same way but works even harder and may well score more goals.

Edited September 21, 2006 by Leo No.8

[Bootle Buck]

We dominated the first half and zipped the ball around all over the park.

The final ball in most occassions just wasn't there. But it was nice to watch. We let the Brcodes play for 15 minutes and looked a little uneasy at the back but then we got hold of the game again and it never looked in doubt.

 

Xabi was all over the place and looked determined to put in a good perfromance.

 

Garcia has some amazing touches and his speed in getting the ball under control is superb. Unlucky not to have two goals.

 

Kuyt ran his bollix off and could have had a hat-trick.

 

Bellamy was below par and Sissoko wasn't really needed as much. I would have liked to have seren Gonzalez on for Momo after 60 minutes to give him a go.

[Euphrates]

I thought the biggest difference was more men getting forward from the midfield, hasn't been happening a lot lately, especially noticeable against PSV.

[KD07]

I watched the Barcodes' defenders everytime they were in possession of the ball and tried to put myself in their position with regards to decision making. I kept getting harried out and started pulling my hair out when red shirts kept coming and sniping me out of my stride.