The Liverpool Way - First Team

The Reds claimed a much needed and well deserved victory against an in-form
Charlton at The Valley, as goals from Morientes and Riise capped an excellent second half fightback to see off the Londoners in a lively match.

Fans could have been forgiven in fearing the worst before the game considering our recent performances, particularly the Southampton debable and Charlton's recent surge up the league table.

But those fears proved to be unfounded, as we were treated to a Liverpool performance full of skill heart and passion. The players dug in and produced some really good football, especially in the second half, and Nando scored his first goal of what will surely be many for the club.

I texted a mate at Half-Time when we were losing 1-0 and said 'same old
shite' but looking back at the game now, in fairness we didn't play THAT badly in the first half and we had some glorious chances.

The horrible Dean Kiely made a great save from Garcia, Gerrard hit the bar and Nando missed an absolute sitter from about two yards.

Charlton had a couple of chances of their own however, and Dudek made a fantastic save when we were 1-0 down tipping the ball round the post from a Hreidarsson (I think) header.

It was hard to tell who's header it was as anybody who has been to Charlton will tell you the view from the back of the away section in the Jimmy Seed Stand (class name and with a name like that you deserve to have a more fitting stand made in your honour) is absolutely awful.

The goal we conceded was an awful one to give away, and yet again it was
Shaun Bartlett who for a very average player seems to score against us far
too much for my liking. Murphy swung a corner in and Bartlett was on hand
to head the ball down and watch it bounce into the roof of the net. Credit to Murphy, who refused to join the celebrations after just receiving a warm ovation from the travelling reds.

The marking was terrible and Traore (who had a superb game otherwise) just completely lost Bartlett.

Murphy showed in the 90 minutes reasons why we should have kept him and reasons why we were right to get rid of him. He had a fine first half making neat thoughtful passes rarely giving it away and switching the play.

The second half was different however as he gave the ball away very cheaply
at times and was caught in possession quite a lot. I like Danny and wouldnt
have minded it if he had stayed have as if he had he would have been an important part of the side this year due to the injuries we have suffered and the fact we have Antonio Nunez often playing.

He nearly scored as well in the 2nd half, but an amazing Djimi tackle (oo-er) stopped him as he would have had an easy tap-in.

We dominated the 2nd half from start to finish and again we were unlucky
when Riise forced a great save from Kiely as he tipped the ball on to the
underside of the bar.

Nando was coming more in to it as well and his touch, close control and aerial ability was absolutely fantastic. He has shown small glimpses of his undoubted class in his first three games, but last night he was fantastic in the second half.

He scored a great goal on the hour mark with a brilliant finish after cutting inside a defender and placing it with power past Kiely to send the away end and lots of day-trippers into raptures.

He has a touch of the Litmanens about him to me from what I have seen so far, just genuine class all over. Well done Rafa for getting a player of that class to the club.

The players were performing with confidence now, and there was only one winner after Morientes had got us back on level terms.

The winning goal came on 79 mins when Nando, Garcia and Gerrard linked up and put Riise in to slot past Kiely. Riise on the whole has done well in that left-midfield role and Kewell will have his work cut out when he is fit again to get back in the side.

Carra was fucking ace again and I honestly wouldn't swap him for anybody.
The way he brings the ball out from the back, his timing in the tackle, bravery, everything. Surely our new captain next season.

Any other game Carra or Djimi would have walked away with my motm but Nando gets it for his overall display.

Djimi seems to have recovered from his Burnley blip and was excellent and once again praise has to go the manager for having the foresight to keep him after it looked like he was going to the shite.

Most fans would have had Djimi and Finnan high on their departure list at the start of the season but they are important players for us now.

Garcia was much improved in this game compared to his recent performances.
I thought he did okay and did some good things but my mate told me that
Radio Merseyside gave him the motm award which I thought was taking things a bit too far. He was better than he has been, which isn't difficult, but nothing outstanding.

I do like him and I'm sure he will be a good player for us even though he is very frustrating. I have a friend who is a Barca fan and he was gutted when he was sold to us, so clearly he has talent.

Another positive to take from the game was we overturned a half-time
deficit again which is good to see. Under Rafa we have done that three or
four times already this season whilst under the previous regime we did it
once in a game v Spurs at the back end of the 98-99 season so that is one
main problem which has been eradicated.

Under Houllier we could have possibly scraped a draw but would probably have lost.

The importance of this win cannot be underestimated as a defeat would have
surely meant curtains for our chances of getting 4th place, as Everton
will surely beat Norwich at home which would make the gap ten points.

With games running out that may have been a bridge to far, but after this we can still do it.

We have an easier looking run-in than the blues as they still have to play
Chelsea, United and Arsenal while we only have to play Arsenal away out of
the top three.

All of our remaining fixtures are winnable even the Arsenal one as I have a feeling they might fall apart and give up after their defeat to United, combined with their Champions League obsession and their shit defence and goalkeepers.

Team: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore; Garcia (Potter), Biscan, Gerrard, Riise; Morientes (Smicer), Baros (Warnock):

Agree or disagree? Email me at johng@liverpoolway.co.uk

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