There's no point pretending otherwise, Barca gave us an absolute footballing lesson in the final twenty minutes or so of this game. We were chasing shadows, and have to admit that we lost to a side who in the end were far superior. Even so, that doesn't tell the whole story in my opinion. I'm not disputing the fact that the Catalans deserved to win the game, they obviously did. But up until they got the goal which put them in front, it was an even contest which we were probably just shading. In fact, at the time they scored that wonderful second goal, we were having a really good spell and had just missed a glorious chance when Michael somehow put his shot wide when it was easier to score.
That was the story of the match though, for Barca's equaliser also came after we had almost scored at the other end. Heskey turning brilliantly and having his cross-shot cleared off the line before the lurking Murphy could tap in. So even though in the final twenty minutes we were outclassed, there's no need to be unduly worried as far as I'm concerned.
Up until they went in front, we'd been more than a match for them, but once they got their noses up front they were in a completely different league to us. That said, had Didi been playing I'm 100% convinced it would have been a different story. I was worried that his absence could prove to be crucial, and in my opinion it did.
A close look at the game will prove that virtually every Barca attack had the outstanding Kluivert at the heart of it. He and Rivaldo switched roles in this game, with the Brazilian playing as the furthest man forward a lot of the time, and Kluivert dropping off into the space just behind him. Space which would normally have been filled by Hamann.
Didi would have been all over Kluivert like a rash, but instead the Dutchman had the freedom of Anfield to do exactly as he pleased. As a result, he was the best player on the park. We never got to grips with him, and this game highlighted exactly how important Didi has become to our side. In Europe, he's just as valuable to the side as Sami and Michael, and the fact he missed this game due to a booking he picked up in the Super Cup is nothing short of a disgrace.
It was in midfield where we came up short. Stevie G was simply awful, and this slump he has been in since all the press bollocks before the England/Sweden game is now becoming a real worry. He isn't himself, and his confidence looks shot to pieces. The 'Stevie Swagger' is gone, and we need it back, and soon. Alongside him Gary Mac looked his age. The man is a hero after what he did last season, but he hasn't looked the same player this time around. His set pieces are starting to annoy the hell out of me now too.
That near post corner of his only ever works when Babbel is in the side. Take Markus out of the equation, and they become inneffective. We've got loads of big lads, but the delivery isn't utilising that, and Murphy should be given the corner taking duties in my opinion.
Danny started this game well, but as the game wore on he became as inneffectual as Gerrard and McAllister. Vladi looked really good though, and it was just a shame that he was often starved of service. When he had the ball he had the beating of the full back Cristanval (and he also created Mickey's goal with a lovely through ball), but then he was moved inside to accommodate Paddy and never had a kick after that before being replaced himself.
Our substitutions actually made us worse. Fowler for Heskey? Unless Emile was injured then this was a bad move. He may not be scoring goals but once again his performance was excellent, and that drought has to end sometime. When Emile left the field, any hopes we had of getting back into the game went with him.
Berger for McAllister would have been a smart move had it been a straight swap, but instead we switched to a midfield diamond, and we lost our best attacking option of Vladi down the left. Not only that, but because we became too narrow, it made it easy for Barca to knock the ball around. Both full backs were in acres of space, and that was a big factor in why we couldn't get the ball back. We weren't hunting in packs, and that was why it looked so easy for them.
I'm not taking anything away from them though, and that third goal came about after about five minutes constant possession in which the only touch we got was when Sami managed to hoof the ball into the Centenary Stand. Exhibition stuff, and it was actually a priviledge to be there to see it. However, as good as it looked, it wasn't as though they had to produce anything really special to do it. It didn't take fantastic skill or technique for them to keep the ball like that, it was all down to movement. So therefore there should be no reason why we couldn't do that.
It comes from a lot of practice on the training ground. Barca's way of killing off a game is a lot more pleasing on the eye, and a lot less easier on the fingernails, than our way. We'll sit back and allow teams to have the ball in the hope that our defence will be solid enough to keep them out (which it usually is in fairness). They'll keep hold of the ball using the logic that if the opposition haven't got the ball then they can't score.
That has to be the main lesson taken from this game. We need to be better at keeping possession, because you can't keep giving the ball away to teams as good as this. Their second goal was sensational, their third was one of the best you'll ever see (even if Overmars was about two yards offside). It ended up being a bit of a procession for them, but let's not forget that up until they went in front, we were more than a match for them, and at times they were at sixes and sevens trying to cope with Owen and Heskey.
They're a much, much better side than the one which we beat last season, but I'm convinced that with a little more luck, and Hamann in the side, this would have been a completely different game. I'm not disheartened by this, and I still think we've got a decent chance of going through. We shouldn't let the final twenty minutes of this game cloud our judgement, although I've no doubt that's what the press will focus on.
I went for Owen as the star man, because he was a threat all night and they were shit scared of him. Vladi did well, so did Sami and I thought Riise was excellent too. For Barca, little Xavi had a wonderful game in the middle of midfield, and Kluivert was truly word class. Rivaldo on the other hand, did very little other than play for free kicks (which the referee was only too willing to give him - a terrible performance from the official I thought) and then sit on his arse crying about it.
We need to avoid defeat in Rome, but I wouldn't say we have to win. Ten points would be more than sufficient to see us through this group, so I'm still fairly confident. Mind you, for us to have any chance of going through we are going to need Stevie G back to his best.
TEAM: Jerzy Dudek; Jamie Carragher, Stephane Henchoz, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise; Danny Murphy, Steven Gerrard, Gary McAllister (Patrik Berger), Vladimir Smicer (Jari Litmanen); Michael Owen, Emile Heskey (Robbie Fowler):
