Report
by Dave Usher
at
Anfield
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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.
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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