Just how good is Stevie G? No matter where you play him, he's usually man of the match, and this was no exception. He has played left back before - last season at Villa Park - and he was the reds best player that day too. Nevertheless, Jamie Carragher was badly missed tonight, not because his absence weakened the defence (Stevie was a more than adequate replacement) but the midfield was seriously weakened by Gerrard's switch to defence. Gary Mac did okay, but Hamann's contribution was nil up until half time. His second half display was considerably better, but it had to be. We were pretty lacklustre all over the field really, and this is a recurring theme it seems. If you put us up against a shite team, we usually drop down to their level. Put us against a good side, and we raise our game.
City are woeful, and we shouldn't have any trouble beating them, yet we did. That's what seperates champions from the rest, and until we learn to beat these sides on a regular basis, the top three is the best we can hope for.
Gerrard's selection at left back doesn't say much for Ziege's prospects. He was signed to play left back, but already it's obvious that he lacks the necessary qualities to do it. So tonight he played in midfield, and he was shocking. He offered no protection to Gerrard, who must have been absolutely livid. Ziege is a hugely talented footballer, with wonderful crossing ability (sadly not on show tonight though), great vision and two good feet. Sadly he's an idle so and so.
Litmanen and Smicer showed some nice tyouches, and seem to have a good understanding. Not surprising as they're both skilful, talented and intelligent players. They combined to set up the reds only goal, when Vladi clipped in a lovely ball onto the head of Emile, who's finish was emphatic. That should have been the platform for a comfortable win, and had City not equalised so soon after the break, it would have been.
The game was fairly even after that, but we had the better of the chances, and should have won, but such is life. A point is disappointing because of the poor quality of opposition, but if we beat West Ham on Saturday then four points from the two games isn't bad at all. We aren't going to catch the mancs, but if we win all our homes games and draw all our away game we won't be far off second place at the end of the season. Of course, a few more away wins would be nice, particularly at the Pit.
TEAM: Sander Westerveld; Markus Babbel, Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz, Steven Gerrard; Vladimir Smicer, Gary!McAllister (Igor Biscan), Dietmar Hamann, Christian Ziege (Bernard Diomede); Emile Heskey, Jari Litmanen (Robbie Fowler):
