Boavista haven't lost a home game this season, and I think I'm right in saying that they'd won every one until they came up against the reds. This was your typical reds away performance in Europe, the only unusual aspect of it being that we actually conceded a goal. Thanks to ITV's decision to show the Arsenal game, I couldn't watch this game from the comfort of my armchair and had to go into town to watch it. I'd watched the Kiev game in the Hanover, and that turned out well so I decided a repeat performance was in order. We're unbeaten in games I've watched in the Hanover, so I expect I'll be back for more of our away games which ITV deem too unimportant to be shown on their main channel.
Actually, I don't blame ITV for that decision, as let's be honest, most of our European away performances aren't exactly thrilling for us, never mind the neutral viewer. I don't see why the whole nation should have to watch the same game though, as surely it would be better for the regional stations to screen the game which is most relevant to them. Why should Granada have to show Arsenal instead of the reds?
Anyway, enough of that, what of the game? Well I'd have probably taken a point had it been offered before the game, but after watching the game I reckon we should have won it. Boavista didn't really offer much threat, but we have a habit of making teams look bad. We've got that down to a fine art in fact, and even the best attacking sides can look inpotent against us. Even the loss of Sami didn't seem to effect us too much, with Carra slotting in nicely at centre half and young Wrighty producing an excellent performance at right back.
This was a big test for Wrighty, but I thought he was outstanding, and even strongly considered him for the star man award. In the end that went to Hamann, who produced his customary excellent away day European display. Didi juts gets himself in the way and breaks up attacks before they get anywhere near our goal. In games such as this he's priceless.
The loss of Sami may not have made much of a difference in this game, but it could prove costly over the coming weeks. At this stage it isn't known how long he'll be out, but with a hamstring injury you would expect it to be two or three weeks minimum. With Dortmund in town next week, Sami's absence may well be significant, as Jaap Stam's dad (aka Jan Koller) will fancy his chances against Steph and Carra.
We're a bit thin on the ground in defence right now, and when Riise went down with a knock it was then I realised that we didn't have any other defenders on the bench. The only other defensive option we would have is Biscan, although I suspect Heskey would make a pretty decent stop gap defender. After all, in these type of games he plays more as a defender anyway.
I thought Emile had a decent game, but he is in dire need of a goal. The one chance he had went straight at the leeper, and although he could be criticised for not finding the net, I just felt it was unlucky. It wasn't an easy ball to take on the half volley but he made excellent contact with it and if anything hit it too well. If he'd scuffed it slightly it would probably have gone in. Emile's form has been pretty good the last few weeks, and all that's missing is the goals. They'll come though.
Goals aren't a problem for Super Dan at the moment though, and when we were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box I was calling for Danny to take it. Gary Mac seemed to have assumed control of all our dead ball situations of late, but even though he had a fairt amount of success last season (the Pit anyone?) I still reckon Danny's better. Murphy puts more power in his free kicks, whereas Gary Mac goes for precision.
Thankfully Danny talked his way into taking it and the rest is history. It was awful goalkeeping, but credit to Murphy who kidded the keeper by giveing him 'the eyes.' Four goals in five now, although that's still not enough for some people. I mentioned in the Kiev report that immediately after his goal someone remarked "he's still fucking shit" and as soon as his first pass went astray tonight the boo boys were at it again.
Once again, I thought Murphy was excellent, the one blemish being the stray pass which resulted in the corner from which they equalised. It's inevitable when you give away a cheap corner like that, that you'll get punished. It's always the way. That said, it was damn good goal. The marking was okay, but the guy Silva can't half jump, and the header was perfectly directed into the top corner.
That was the only real threat they posed, as other than a few long range efforts we were comfortable. The only slight criticism is that we seemed to settle for just the one goal and didn't get forward to support the dilligent Fowler, who worked so hard again. Against Kiev, we got men forward in support, but tonight the supprt didn't arrive quick enough. Vladi spent most of his time defending, and the driving force of Stevie G was missed.
Even so, that's just a minor criticism and the overall effort and organisation was excellent. We made a good team look ordinary, and a draw against Dortmund and we're in the next stage. I fancy Kiev to beat Boavista, so a draw would also do Dortmund if that's the case, so don't expect a classic at Anfield.
TEAM: Jerzy Dudek; Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia (Stephen Wright), Stephane Henchoz, John Arne Riise; Vladimir Smicer, Gary McAllister (Patrik Berger), Didi Hamann, Danny Murphy, Emile Heskey; Robbie Fowler:
