Liverpool put their dodgy league form behind them to progress to the next round of the FA Cup with a well earned victory at Maine Road. Although the scoreline of 1-0 suggests a tight game, the truth is that the Reds were never in danger as City were even more hopeless than we have been lately.
But for all their inadequacies, credit has to reserved for the way our lads responded today with a good performance after the recent poor run. I thought I'd seen the back of Maine Road in September, but the randomness of the cup draw meant I was destined to make one last trip there.
However, my visit very nearly didn't take place as Mrs H decided I had to attend the local church service so we could discuss arrangements with the vicar for our son's forthcoming baptism. This meant I was anxiously looking at my watch during an extended epiphany service, followed by a chat with a vicar who turned out to be a footy fan. He said how he would be watching our game, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him that whilst he only had to walk across the road to his television, I needed to get away to be there in person.
After finally getting out at 11.50, I did indeed manage to reach Moss Side, find somewhere not TOO undesirable to park, then get in the ground for 12.55. All this was achieved without breaking the speed limit too much or going through any red lights.
Heading towards our turnstiles, I noticed that it was possible to pay on the gate for the home fans. This surprised me somewhat, as I had always been led to believe by City fans that they are a MASSIVE CLUB. Yet here they are, not troubled by relegation but having no chance of getting into Europe via the league and they can't sell all the tickets for a home FA Cup tie against Premiership opposition. Dear oh dear.
No such indifference from Reds fans though, with all 5,000 tickets being sold. This was a great effort considering the game was one of 4 aways in a 10 day period at the most expensive time of year.
When the teams were announced it was clear that Gerard Houllier was taking swift retribution for Wednesday's shortcomings. Out went Baros and Riise, who combined to be at fault for the goal we conceded and back came Traore and Mellor. The young striker was making only his second start for Liverpool and it's great to see him being given a go.
But I can't help thinking that it is not his excellent reserve performances that have given him a chance, rather the fact other strikers haven't performed and it is a final throw of the dice by Houllier. Another factor behind Mellor starting could be the fact he was on City's books when he first left school and certainly had something to prove. He went straight at it from the start, earning a corner and free kick inside the first five minutes.
But it was the unlikely boot of Vladimir Smicer from whom the first real chance came on seven minutes, when his long range volley brought off a good save from Schmeichel. Mellor then took charge again, curling an effort wide and getting into a dangerous position in the box and appearing to be fouled, but referee Uriah Rennie dismissed the penalty claims.
Liverpool dominated the first half with all the players getting stuck in. A special mention has to be made for Salif Diao, who was commanding and winning every ball, rather than hitting the man. Even Smicer was up for it, getting booked for a foul on Benarbia. City were reduced to the tactic of pumping long balls forward for Anelka to chase, which were easily dealt with by the back four.
Anelka has supposedly found his true happiness with City, but I can't see it lasting. He is pure class and isn't going to put up with carrying this team along for much longer, not unless a top quality striker is signed to ease the burden on him. But one disappointment was the fact a number of Reds booed his name when the teams were read out. There was no need for this at all.
Anelka would have swam back across the Channel to sign for us last summer and was fucked around by Houllier. He could have gone mouthing off to the press but hasn't, a clear sign he still thinks fondly of his time at Anfield.
As for his replacement, El Hadji Diouf, he put in 100% effort all game but that doesn't mean 100% ability. His commitment couldn't be faulted, but his contribution wasn't always productive. However I feel he will only produce the goods if he is given a run of games, perhaps in the troublesome left midfield position.
Another thing that annoyed me from Reds fans was something that has come up before but again can't be ignored. Once more some thought it was funny to sing songs about Harold Shipman. Just what is so amusing about a doctor who killed 250 of his patients I just don't know, but it's sick and those that join in are scum. What next, Yorkshire Ripper songs at Leeds, or maybe Moors Murderers songs when we play United?
But back to the game and in the first minute of the second half Liverpool converted their possession into a lead. Diouf was brought down in the area for what looked like a clear penalty but Rennie waved play on to the disgust of the Liverpool bench. But within 20 seconds Foe handled and Rennie pointed to the spot, somewhat harshly I thought as it was not deliberate.
But I wasn't complaining as the first incident was clearly a penalty. Diouf again tried to claim the kick but Danny Murphy was having none of it and after a little shimmy, sent Schmeicel the wrong way to put the Reds 1-0 up.
As has so often happened, Liverpool began to relax a little and invited City to attack. But they offered nothing and Henchoz especially dealt with everything they threw at us.
After about fifteen minutes of City mainly having possession,
Liverpool seemed to realise that there really was nothing to worry about by if they attacked and began to reassert their authority again. Mellor continued to cause problems and Diouf began to get into the game a little bit more. Then with fifteen minutes left Houllier decided to resort to tried and trusted methods and sent on Emile Heskey for Mellor, who received a thunderous ovation for his efforts.
City sent on Goater who proceeded to head over from six yards and desperation crept in when Berkovic got booked for diving in the area. Towards the end Anelka made a bad tackle on Traore. There was no personal malice in it, more frustration that he hadn't been able to score a goal and stick two fingers at Houllier. But it did deserve a booking, only for Rennie to let it pass. It was the third or fourth controversial decision Rennie had made and I think he gets a kick out of it.
He seems to think that the fans go to the match to watch him referee, rather than see the teams on the pitch. He has to be the centre of attention. Compare this to the world's most recognisable referee Perluigi Collina. With his bulging eyes and alien shaped shaved head, he is not one to blend into the background, but he does as he lets the game flow and doesn't attract attention to himself with controversial decisions.
In the final two to three minutes Schmeichel added himself to the City attack as they desperately searched for an equaliser and with City suddenly left short in defence, Diouf could easily have had a hat trick in that time. First he raced into the City half whilst Schmeichel was still chasing back, but his long shot was blocked, then when the big Dane was actually in goal, a Diouf cross that went wrong confused him and bounced off the bar. Finally, Schmeichel fluffed a clearance into Diouf's path and his 45 yard lob bounced just inches wide of the post.
It was to be the last action of a satisfying Reds win. Afterwards the whole team and coaching staff came down to the Reds support to offer their thanks for what has remained magnificent backing through a difficult period. Although both Diouf and Diao got a bit carried away when they through their shirts into the crowd!
Being interviewed later, Houllier's response that it was a MASSIVE WIN for Liverpool. Whether this was deliberate irony and he'd spoken to city fans too, who knows? Hopefully we can now follow this up by building up a first leg advantage in the League Cup and get three long overdue league points on Saturday.
