It's been a long time coming, but Jari Litmanen was finally given the opportunity which should have come weeks ago, and he was keen to make up for lost time. All the headlines after this game were of Michael's hamstring injury, and as a result of that Jari's magnificent display has not been given the recognition it deserved. Michael's injury was a big blow, and it is a concern, but rather than dwell on that I'm going to concentrate on the positives to come out of the game, and there were several, not least the magical display of the Mighty Mullet.
Upon seeing the line up, I remarked to my old fella that I fancied us to play well. The lack of pace up front was a slight concern, but otherwise the side looked pretty well balanced. Vignal and Riise in tandem down the left, Nicky Barmby on the right and Igor given a rare opportunity in his favoured central spot. Then of course there was the inclusion of the man who I have been so desperate to see given a chance - Jari.
I've been boring people shitless for weeks about how Jari should be in the side and how poorly he has been treated by GH, so I was delighted to see him finally given an opportunity in the team. To a lesser extent, the same applied to Robbie, although he has at least been given a couple of run outs to show what he can do.
The first fifteen minutes or so of this game we were tentative and we struggled to get going. Understandable really when you consider the lack of games that several members of the side have had lately, but as the first half wore on, the lads began to get into their stride. I don't think that this was a brilliant performance by any means, but it was pretty good, and certainly the best display I've seen at Anfield this season (not saying much I know, but still..).
The catalyst for this improved performance was undoubtedly Jari. I've said many times that the guy is a genius. His football brain is unequalled anywhere in world football. He's a step ahead of everyone on the field, and sees things before they even happen. One first time volleyed pass to the impressive Barmby was worth the entrance fee alone, as was the lovely drag back and flick down the line to leave Chris Perry swinging at thin air. He's a joy to watch, but unlike some of the other great entertainers in the Premiership, there's always a purpose to what Jari does, and it isn't showboating just for the sake of it.
He should actually have given us the lead shortly before half time when he latched onto the outstanding Hamann's through ball, but he shot tamely at Sullivan. I was gutted when he missed that chance, as the only way Jari will be able to stay in the side is by scoring goals. If he doesn't do that, Houllier will have the excuse he needs to leave him out. It's no secret that Gerard doesn't really fancy Jari. He doesn't see him as a striker, and is too defence minded to play him in the hole behind two forwards, so Jari has a problem.
When he missed that chance I was really downhearted. Not just because it would have meant we would have been on the way to three valuable points, but more because I knew how important this game was for Jari's future at Anfield. The fans and local press had been clamouring for Jari to be given a chance, and when he put that shot straight at Sullivan I just had an image in my mind of a smug looking GH saying "well I gave him a chance and look what happened."
That may be doing Gerard a huge dis-service, but sometimes you get the impression that he's setting a player up to fail in order to prove a point. I've heard it suggested that was what he did with Fowler at Bolton (though I don't personally go along with that), and although I'm probably being paranoid in the extreme, I feel that had Jari not scored that screamer in the second half, then it would have been a long time before he would be given another chance.
I can't remember getting so much personal satisfaction from a single goal in a long, long time. Of course I was over the moon at Michael's goals in Cardiff, Robbie's strike in Dortmund, and many others, but on a personal level this meant so much to me because I've been banging on for weeks about why Jari should be playing. More than that though, I was delighted for Jari himself. Many players would have spat the dummy by now had they been so shamefully ignored, but he's handled himself like the true professional that he is. The man is class, on and off the field. (The downside to scoring that goal though was that he was summoned to Townsend's Tactic Truck and listen to Andy drool about Teddy Sheringham's performance(!!!) in what was the most pointless piece of TV I think I've ever seen!)
The other reason the goal meant so much to me was because just seconds before, GH had called Owen and Heskey back to the bench to get ready to go on. It didn't take a genius to see what was going to happen. Houllier was looking to get his first choice partnership on, as if to say to the likes of me "well I gave them their chance, are you happy now?" Jari's goal forced a bit of a rethink, and Owen was kept under wraps for a while longer, with Robbie being the one sacrificed to get 'Ged's Pet' (aka Emile Heskey) on.
Actually that is a bit facetious of me, and I don't really mean it to be fair. However, it frustrates me that no matter how ineffective Heskey performs, he seems to get picked regardless. Emile is trying my patience in a big way right now, because he just isn't delivering the goods. It's because I rate him so highly that I'm being so harsh towards him right now. I believe the lad has got it all. He could be the best striker in the world, but doesn't seem to want it badly enough.
When he runs at defenders he is literally unstoppable. So how come he doesn't do it more often? He frustrates the hell out of me at times, because I can see how good he could be, but he seems to have neither the confidence, nor the desire to become the player he is capable of. If he was just crap, then I could accept that, but as I say, I believe he could be the world's best. Someone remarked to me yesterday: "imagine if you could put Erik Meijer's heart into Emile Heskey's body." If that were possible then you really would have a world beater (not to mention a bloody good chef!).
Robbie didn't have great game by any means, and he looks desperately short of confidence right now. I felt for him being dragged off so early in the half though. We'd just scored and were on a bit of a high. I'd have given him another ten minutes or so, as we were in the ascendancy and who knows what would have happened. I've seen Emile have just as ineffective a game as Robbie, but he is always left on the field, and if Robbie is feeling a bit frustrated, I can see why. However, the only way he can force Houllier's hand is by playing well and scoring goals. Until he does that then it will be Owen/Heskey all the way.
When Robbie came off, something kicked off around the area of the bench. I was too far away to see what happened, but I got the impression that a fan in the Paddock said something to Houllier (or Thommo?). I saw Thommo standing up shouting something at someone behind him, and stewards appeared to get involved. Apparently it was claimed on the radio that Robbie said something to Thommo, but I have to say that my initial thought was that it was someone in the crowd that was involved, not Robbie. As I said though, I was too far away to tell, and maybe we haven't heard the last of this particular incident.
Nick Barmby and Igor Biscan are two other players who's future's have been a source of press speculation recently. In fact, Barmby would now be a Sunderland player had he not stuck to his guns and vowed to fight for a place. His form this season hasn't been the best, but he was more like his old self yesterday. He was excellent, working tirelessly and showing a lot of craft down the right hand side. Good to see him back.
The same goes for Igor. He had a pretty good game I thought. He wasn't outstanding, but considering that he has been out of the picture for a while, and that that his confidence has to be really low, I thought he did all that we could ask from him. He worked hard, defended well and made some good strong runs. If he is to be played, it simply must be in the centre of midfield. He's wasted anywhere else, and it destroys his confidence. Given time, and a run in the side, Igor could be immense for us, but he needs people to be patient with him.
The other main plus point from the game was the form of the defence. Sami was his usual self, but what pleased me was that Henchoz looked more like the player we know he is. He's had some really dodgy moments at times this season, and people have been writing him off. I've often heard him described as the weakest link in the defence, which is unfair. He's shown in the past how good he is, but when he isn't on top of his game he can be a bit dodgy. He seems to start off each season pretty slow, but then gets into his stride later on. Hopefully he's had his bad spell and will be back to the red-faced, puffy cheeked, blowing for tugs Henchoz that we all know and love.
Dudek had nothing to do, which is a big compliment for the defence considering that Spurs played pretty well. They're a good side, and I reckon they'll do pretty well this year. The lad Ledley King at the back is pure quality, and they won't miss Sol Campbell at all the way he's progressing. We had to play well to win this game, and we did. As I said earlier, we weren't outstanding, but there was some good football played and we defended well. We need to improve further of course, but after Villa and Boavista this was a much needed home win.
What I did notice was that we didn't play too many long aimless balls up the field. With Fowler and Litmanen up front there was no point doing so, and as a result we played the ball to feet a lot more. All the good moves we put together had Jari at the heart of them, and it was nice to go to Anfield and actually be entertained. Gerard will be delighted with the clean sheet, as his footballing philosophy is geared entirely around a solid defence. As for me, well I was just delighted to see some nice football (albeit only sporadically) as well as get the opportunity to witness greatness once again. For that is what Jari Litmanen is. Just ask Ajax fans what they think of him.
The man should be one of the first names on the teamsheet every week, I just wish that Houllier thought that way. Still, a few more performances like this one and Gerard daren't leave out the Mullet. There'd be a riot if he did, with me at the front of it!
TEAM: Jerzy Dudek; Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz, Gregory Vignal; Nick Barmby, Dietmar Hamann, Igor Biscan, John Arne Riise; Jari Litmanen (Michael Owen) (Gary McAllister), Robbie Fowler (Emile Heskey):
