It was vital that we picked up three points, and in the end we were full value for the win. Kiev didn't register a single shot at goal as far as I can remember, as the reds back four picked up where they left off against Spurs. The last two games suggest that they are reaching the level of performance which served us so well last year. It's a good job too, as the attacking side of our play still isn't the best, although with a bit more fortune we'd have won this one a lot more convincingly than we did. Jari had one wrongly disallowed by the otherwise magnificent Pierluigi Collina (if only we could make a dozen clones of him), Heskey missed a sitter and Barmby hit the post. Jari also had one cleared off the line and Heskey was denied by a great save by Kiev's extremely dodgy keeper.
So although it wasn't a magnificent display, it was pretty good and we seem to be improving steadily now. The only gripe is Houllier's worrying habit of sitting on a lead, and the infuriating way he keeps subbing Jari. Once again the Mighty Mullet was the reds' best player, but once again he was replaced with little more than an hour gone. He wasn't visibly tiring (unlike young Riise who was blowing for tugs at that point), and although I didn't have a problem with the introduction of Fowler, surely it should have been Heskey who was replaced?
I'm not going to start criticizing Emile, so all I will say is this: Gerard made some much publicized comments about Fowler's form and fitness before this game. He had a point, and few could argue with what he said. However, has he ever chosen to criticize Emile in the public manner which he did Robbie? No, he hasn't, and I doubt he ever will. Why? We know the answer to that I'm afraid, and it's also a significant factor in Robbie's poor form, and is the reason why he will eventually leave the club.
The reception Fowler got when he came on has caused a split amongst many supporters. Some are embarrassed by it, others believe it was an excellent show of support. I said after the West Ham game that I was embarrassed by the reaction to Fowler that day, but this was different and I was cheering as loudly as anyone when Robbie came on (although just seconds before I'd been booing my fucking head off when Jari's number went up. The first time I've ever done that in my life, but I make no apologies for it.)
The reason it was different this time was because unlike the West Ham game, Fowler was on the field and needed our support. His confidence is low, and he needed a lift, particularly after his manager's earlier comments. Contrary to how the press reported it, it wasn't a 'scathing attack' on Robbie, it was an accurate assessment of his current form and fitness, and GH also stressed that he felt it would be sooner rather than later that Robbie's form would return. However, Houllier is no fool and he knows how the press operate. He knew they'd concentrate on the negative aspects of what he said, so why did he say it, particularly on the day of an important game when the press would be looking for a negative story? It's fairly obvious really.
But back to the game. As I said, it wasn't a fantastic performance, but it was pretty similar to the game with Spurs. Kiev had quite a bit of the ball, but just like Spurs, they didn't create anything. That was largely due to the excellence of the back four, but the role of Hamann shouldn't be overlooked. As he so often is in European games, Didi was magnificent against Kiev. He's an awkward looking bastard and he just seems to get in the way and break up every attack before it even reaches our back four. He's not pretty, but he's bloody effective. Actually, that could be the slogan of 'Houllier's Liverpool.'
Any pretty stuff that we do see these days comes from the mercurial Finn Litmanen. Once again he was outstanding, and despite the excellence of Hamann, I went for Jari as the star man. I watched the highlights when I got home, and Jari was asked if he was surprised to be subbed. No doubt he wasn't surprised (I know I wasn't), but I suspect he was pretty pissed off. Being the model pro that he is though, Jari replied by saying that he has total respect for his team-mates and manager and doesn't question decisions. A class act.
It would be wrong to say I lost interest in the game when Jari was subbed, but I certainly lost heart. I mentioned that I booed when he was taken off, and I wasn't alone. Mind you, Gerard's a sly dog, and he knew that he'd get away with taking off Jari because the crowd favourite Fowler was coming on. That doesn't make it right though.
Predictably, with the departure of Jari our attacking play more or less ceased completely. Two banks of four, the long ball to Heskey, and for about the hundredth time in the last two years we were hanging on at the final whistle. We'd played pretty well, but had Kiev scored that free kick right at the death, we'd have a completely different slant on this game, and all the good stuff would have been forgotten. Had we taken our chances it would never have come to that of course, and we need to be more clinical in front of goal, particularly as our style of play means that chances won't be coming around too often.
The plus points from the game were the fact that Dudek didn't have a save to make, Henchoz continued his recent resurgence in form and the rest of the defence were rock solid. Stevie G was class, although most of his best work came in a defensive capacity, and I thought Barmby played well and was unlucky to be subbed. His corners were shite though. Heskey did some good things, but his first touch was at times awful. So much so that his second touch was usually a tackle.
Boavista's win over Dortmund suggest that it will be between us and the Portuguese as to who wins the group. If we need to go there and win, we will do. I've every confidence in that, because when we have to win we do, and away from home I'd fancy us against anyone, particularly if Litmanen keeps his place. It's Newcastle next, and the way their defence pushes up to the halfway line is perfect for Jari. Providing he has players making runs, he could carve Newcastle to pieces. There's no Owen of course, but Heskey's pace could be important, and maybe Smicer should be brought in to try and get behind their square defence.
We'll have to wait and see what GH does though I suppose. Don't expect Jari to play 90 minutes though, as he hasn't been allowed to do that a single time since he's been here (not to my knowledge anyway, although I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong about that).
TEAM: Jerzy Dudek; Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz, Gregory Vignal; Nick Barmby (Danny Murphy), Dietmar Hamann, Steven Gerrard, John Arne Riise (Gary McAllister); Emile Heskey, Jari Litmanen (Robbie Fowler):
