Given the fact that this tie was all but over after the first leg, it was somewhat predictable that this wouldn't be much more than a training exercise. It wasn't a great game, and it wasn't a great performance, but the players were professional and showed a good attitude. Not surprisingly, Gerard took the opportunity to give the squad players a run out, with Sami Hyypia being the only regular starter in the line up. It was nice to see the likes of Wright, Traore and Vignal given a chance, and it was of course good to see Fowler back in the fold after his well publicised problems of late. However, the most pleasing sight for me was of Jamie Redknapp skippering the side in his first start in 15 months. Jamie was in really good form, and I can hardly remember him wasting a pass all night.
I know there are plenty of reds out there who question whether Jamie is good enough for our first team, but I'm not one of them I have to say. Personally, I think if Jamie can get back to his best form and completely shake off his injury problems, then he'll be a big asset to the club. He may never be an automatic choice again, but he's already gone on record to say he accepts that and just wants to be a part of a successful squad.
That's one of the reasons why I've got so much time for Jamie, he loves playing for Liverpool, and is a positive influence on everybody at the club. He's the most dedicated professional at the club, is well liked and respected by everybody and goes out of his way to make all the new arrivals feel welcome. He's the first to arrive for training every day, and is usually one of the last to leave. He has never stalled on signing a contract, and is genuinely p[roud to be captain of Liverpool Football Club. And oh yes, the lad can play a bit too!
I know not everyone is convinced by Jamie, and the words 'unfulfilled potential' are often used to describe him. There may be an element of truth in that, but what I would say is that if Jamie has not progressed to become the player everyone thought he would, it's because of a) poor management and coaching for most of his Liverpool career, and b) the horrendous injury problems he's had in the last few years.
For me, as long as Jamie can stay fit, he'll have a big part to play this season, as his ability to keep possession is something which we've been missing at times, particularly away from home when there's been occasions where we've struggle to string three passes together (just ask Johann Cruyff!).
Jamie was in great form against Haka, but the rest of the midfield and also the strikers were a little off key. Diomede was given a rare run out, but appeared to be understandably low on confidence, and although he did produce some good things (notably the assist for Jamie's goal), on the whole he struggled a bit. Nick Barmby never stopped running, but his impact on the game was minimal, and Igor Biscan was okay, but nothing more than that, in the middle of midfield. Igor's also a bit low on confidence at the moment, but it really winds me up to hear people slagging him off. Igor's going to be a great player, and just needs to believe in himself a bit more.
It was inevitable that Robbie would get on the scoresheet, as he usually bounces back when he's been in the doghouse. His goal was an instinctive finish like we have come to expect from him, heading in after the keeper could only parry Diomede's shot from the edge of the box. Other than that though Robbie looked understandably rusty. Some of his touches were excellent, others were awful, and he appeared a bit sluggish at times. He'll be a lot better though for having got this ninety minutes under his belt, and hopefully there won't be any more off the field problems for a while. Aside from his goal, the highlight was the clever run and slide rule pass that allowed Diomede to set up Redknapp for the second goal.
Emile was also back in the side, after missing the game with West Ham through flu. He did okay, and took his goal really well, latching onto Redknapp's glorious defence splitting pass and calmly slotting past the advancing keeper. His finishing in one on one situations has improved no end in the past 12 months, andf hopefully the goal will put the spring back in his step, as he seems to have been lacking something since the back end of last season. It's hard to say what it is, but he hasn't been at his brilliant best for some time now. He's still done well of course, but there's so much more to come from Emile that if he ever utilises his full range of abilities he's going to be frighteningly good. Speaking of frighteningly good, Stevie G was also back tonight, replacing Redknapp with about 15 minutes to go.
The only downside to the game was conceding a goal to what is essentially the equalivalent of an English third division side. It came from an awful mistake from the otherwise excellent Djimi Traore. It was reminiscent of the goal he gave away on his home debut against Hull two years ago, as he got into a mix up with his keeper and gifted a goal to the opposition. Djimi needs to learn that sometimes it's okay to just hoof the ball into the stands. It was such a shame that this happened, as other than that he was faultless. He looks to have filled out a bit too, which is good news as he's always looked a bit too skinny to play in the Premiership in the past.
His fellow French youngster, Gregory Vignal turned in an immaculate performance at left back. Defensively sound, he used the ball well and looked great going forward. Greg is such an exiting prospect, and he has to be close to establishing himself as our regular left back. Carra's done a great job there, and Riise looks a really good acquisition as well, but Greg has the makings of another Lizarazu.
On the opposite flank, Wrighty also did his reputation no harm, with a high energy, combative display at right back. He may give the ball away sometimes, but he'll bust a gasket trying to get it back, and his enthusiasm is infectious. He's a really nice lad too, and I really hope he can become a first team regular in the years ahead.
The icing on the cake came via an own goal from Wilson, who just happens to be a former Man United player. I'm sure he'll have really enjoyed putting through his own net at the Kop end! I would have liked to have seen a couple more youngsters given a chance in this game, such as Sjolund and Partridge maybe. I felt that even John Miles and Steve Warnock could have been involved, but obviously Gerard felt that the likes of Barmby and Biscan could do with another game to give them a bit more sharpness, and who am I to argue with the great man!
TEAM: Pegguy Arphexad; Stephen Wright, Sami Hyypia (Markus Babbel), Djimi Traore , Gregory Vignal; Nick barmby, Jamie Redknapp (Steven Gerrard), Igor Biscan, Bernard Diomede; Emile Heskey (Jari Litmanen), Robbie Fowler:
