LIVERPOOL 3 FULHAM 1

 

 
Scorer (s)
Fernando Morientes,Sami Hyypia, Milan Baros
Half Time
1-1
Venue
Anfield
Date
Sat 5 Feb 2005
Star Man
Fernando Morientes

 

 

Report by Dave Usher

at Anfield

When the reds lost three games in a row recently, it prompted one Daily Mirror hack to declare this "the worst Liverpool team in history." So now that we've won three in a row, does that make them the greatest reds' team ever?

I'd be interested to know what the, ahem, 'journalist', concerned thinks about this, as if he can call Rafa's side the worst in history after three defeats (one of which was a 1-0 loss to the team second in the table, and another was a 1-0 defeat for our reserve side), then surely away wins over Watford and Charlton, plus this 3-1 win over the might of Fulham must rank up there with the greatest achievements in our history?

I'm being sarcastic of course, but the hysterical press reaction to our recent bad run has put a lot of things in perspective for me.

I've had a bit of a moan this season about one thing and another, and I'm not totally happy with everything that's gone on. But when I see Rafa being so unfairly attacked by outsiders who simply want to create unrest where there is none, it makes me want to go completely the other way.

He's made mistakes, and whatsmore, he's the first to admit it, which is very refreshing. But where is the credit for the good things he's done? The fans are aware of it, and he can always count on the support of the local press, but nationally it seems like the knives are out for Benitez already.

There's never any mention of the horrendous injuries he's had to endure.

No mention that the squad he inherited was in need of serious reconstruction.

No mention of the vast imporovement we've seen in the standard of football until the recent bad run.

No mention that he's brought players of the undoubted world class of Alonso and Morientes to the club.

No mention of the fact we're in a cup final in his first season in charge, and we're still in the Champions League.

It seems all the national press want to talk about is how shit we are and how Steven Gerrard will have to leave us because we're just not good enough for him.

After the Southampton game I was pissed off. We were awful, and there was a distinct lack effort from the players. It was a real low point, and I was angry.

Then I saw the press response to it, and the foucs of my anger changed. It's hard to put into words, but basically I had what Jules in Pulp Fiction would describe as a 'moment of clarity.'

Suddenly it didn't matter that Nunez and Josemi are shite, or that I could probably outrun Pellegrino, or that Garcia is the most frustratingly wasteful player I've ever seen. Rafa was under unfair attack from outsiders, who clearly have their own agenda regarding Gerrard and LFC, and that was all that mattered. Time to close ranks.

Since that game we've seen a much better effort from the players, and the results have reflected that.

Against Fulham we were far from fluent, but in patches we played some good stuff and right now it's all about picking up points. Everton will slip up, it's up to us to make sure we capitalise when they do. Our run in is much easier than theirs, and we have an ace up our sleeve in the battle for fourth - Fernando Morientes.

Nando had been outstanding in midweek against Charlton. He deservedly got off the mark with a brilliant goal and his all round play was wonderful. He carried that form into this game, and the first half was a Morientes masterclass.

Within eight minutes he'd given us the lead with a trademark header. The rapidly improving Garcia nutmegged someone out wide and swung over an excellent cross, but the finish was something else.

Rising like a salmon, Nando connected sweetly and directed the ball perfectly into the corner. It was just the type of goal we expected from him when we signed him.

The goal didn't surprise me, but other things I've seen from him most certainly have. Watching Morientes for Madrid, I saw a penalty box striker who was great at getting on the end of the chances created by the likes of Figo and Zidane.

He never struck me as much of a link up player, or someone who was a particularly hard worker. He was just a good finisher, and great in the air.

I couldn't have been more wrong. He's so much more than that. He's the complete forward, a mixture of Litmanen and Shearer. His touch is fantastic, he has the ability to bring others into the game with his skill and vision, and he works his socks off.

In the first half he was head and shoulders above anyone else on the field. He faded after the break, and appeared to tire. Interestingly, Rafa left him on, which was surely to help with his fitness. The more ninety minute games he can get under his belt, the better he will become. And that, is why I think we'll get that fourth place.

Nando's excellent goal was cancelled out not long after though, when Garcia gave the ball away cheaply in midfield, as he has done on countless occasions this season. This time it proved costly.

Boa Morte swung over a glorious ball from the left and Cole was left with a free header which gave Dudek no chance. At first glance it looked as though Traore should have been tighter, but in Djimi's defence he'd gone with Radzinski's run and Cole had peeled off the back of Hyypia.

It would be easy to try and apportion blame to individuals, and although the goal could have been prevented I think great credit has to be given to Boa Morte for what was an absolutely perfect cross.

It was strange, as after that goal the game just seemed to die for a while. The atmosphere was shocking for the rest of the first half, and the game was played in near silence.

Fulham looked quite threatening any time they came forward, as Liverpool's midfield struggled to pick up runners from deep. Thankfully, they lacked any real punch in attack, but they did get into several threating situations without testing Dudek.

Gerrard had one of his quieter games, whilst Biscan, although doing nothing wrong, contributed very little.

He did force a save from Van Der Saar after good work by Morientes and Traore on the left. Morientes had produced a sensational drag back and flick to release Traore in the tightest of spaces by the left corner flag, a piece of skill reminiscent of a move pulled off by Litmanen in a game with Spurs a couple of years ago.

Morientes is just like Jari, but with pace, strength and aerial ability. His mullet isn't quite there yet, but he's getting there.

The second half could have become a very nervy affair. It was absolutely vital we secured three points, and the longer it had stayed level the more tense it would have become.

The reds couldn't get into top gear, but were still doing enough to apply the pressure and suggest that they had a winning goal in them.

Baros almost set up Morientes following a good run to the byline, and the Czech was denied a certain goal by a great block by Zat Kinight after Riise had knocked the ball back in from the back post.

Knight was excellent for them I thought. He's a giant of a lad, he's got pace and seems comfortable on the ball. I haven't seen too much of him, but he's done well whenever I have watched him.

It was our own big centre half who turned the game in our favour however, when Sami got the slightest touch on Gerrard's well flighted free kick. Van der Saar could only watch helplessly as the ball nestled into the corner of the net.


The goal stirred Fulham into life again, and although they didn't create anything too clear cut, they were enjoying good possession and had the scores stayed 2-1 then the closing minutes could have been very tense indeed.

We needed another goal to kill them off, and thankfully Milan obliged. Traore started the move by winning a loose ball in midfield and surging forward. He found Morientes, and he in turn released Riise.

The Norwegian's low cross found Baros who drilled the ball in at the Kop end to put the result beyond doubt. It was just reward for another afternoon of hard graft by the Czech.

There were several good performances for the reds, although no-one really stood out that much. Picking a star man wasn't easy.

Riise had a good game down the left, and Garcia produced his best home performance since September on the other flank. The little Spaniard's talent has never been in question for me, it's his application and concentration that has been the problem.

Too often he gives the ball away cheaply, and the bad has far outweighed the good of late. The last two games though he's redressed that balance somewhat. I was tempted to give him the star man, but it would have been more to do with him being better than he has been rather than being our best player.

Carra was excellent as usual, as was Finnan, and apart from some crap distribution I thought Hyppia played very well too. Traore had another solid game, and doesn't appear to have been unduly affected by his horror moment at Burnley.

In the past, a mistake like that would have destroyed Djimi's confidence, but he's made of sterner stuff these days,

I'm giving it to Morientes though, even though he faded in the second half. His display in the opening 45 minutes was pure class and his workrate was excellent.

We waited a long time to get him, but the wait has been worthwhile. An absolute joy to watch.

 

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

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

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