Report by Dave Usher at Anfield

What a difference a summer makes! Visiting Anfield in the last couple of years has been like going to the dentists. You have to do it, even though you knew it wouldn't be a pleasant experience and often it would even be excruciatingly painful.

But the events of the summer meant that those who flocked to Anfield for this game did so with fresh hope in their hearts, and by the end of an entertaining contest will have left feeling happier than they had for some time.

I was absolutely buzzing, and the enthusiasm I hadn't felt in so long was back with a vengeance. How refreshing and exhilarating it felt to actually be able to celebrate a winning goal with all the joy and passion I used to feel.

I couldn't do that last season, as the passion had been sucked out of me by the sterile performances and insulting excuses we had to endure on a weekly basis, and in the back of my mind I couldn't help feeling that every goal scored served only to strengthen the position of a man that simply had to be removed from his post if we were to be able to enjoy the game again.

But the decisive action of the Liverpool board in the summer has changed everything. Benitez has come in and has made an immediate impression. The football is better, the overpaid underachievers have been shipped out, and we even overturned a half time deficit to win a game for the first time in about five years.

I don't know exactly the last time that happened, I'm sure there are some statto's out there who will be able to enlighten me, but I'm sure it's a long time. So for Benitez to do it in his first home game bodes well for the future.

Steven Gerrard revealed afterwards that strong words were said at half time and the manager changed a few things around for the second half. Whatever he said did the trick, because the performance after the break was excellent.

Not that the first half had been that bad. It wasn't good, but under the circumstances it may have been expecting too much for us to go out and click straight away.

The front pairing of Cisse and Baros had not looked particularly good at White Hart Lane, with Milan especially enduring a poor afternoon. It couldn't have more different in this game though, as the Czech led City a merry dance all day.

Cisse had some encouraging moments too, and I feel they have the making of an excellent partnership. Many have called for another striker to be brought in to replace Owen, but I'd rather we didn't and just let these two try and form an understanding.

Bringing in another forward would simply put a fly in the ointment, especially where Milan is concerned.

Baros needs a run of matches, so he can relax and just play his normal game. With the Czech's he isn't under pressure, and he can just go out and play. At Liverpool, for so long his place has not been secure, and he must have felt that if he didn't score he'd be back on the bench.

No-one could ever accuse Milan of lacking effort, and my theory is that often he is actually trying too hard to impress. After Spurs last week if I'd have been Benitez I'd have taken Milan to one side and said to him: "Your place is safe, I'm giving you a run of games so just relax and show us what you can do."

He may have done that for all I know, but there's no doubt that against City we saw the Milan Baros of Euro 2004. He was relaxed, confident and a right bloody handful. Baros must be a pain in the arse to play against, as he never stops running and is so direct and tricky.

For all Owen's goals and massive contribution to the club in the last seven years, he was never able to form a regular effective partnership with any other striker. I'm not saying that's Owen's fault, but it is nonetheless a fact.

Perhaps Michael is not so easy to play with? He was the main man, and it was up to others to adapt their game to play alongside him if they wanted to stay in the team. Heskey could do that when he wanted to, but one or two occasions aside, Milan and Michael never looked like hitting it off.

But the departure of Owen could be the making of Baros. There were signs today that he and Cisse could really gel, because it looks like they want to. There is no 'senior' partner. They're two young lads both trying to establish themselves and both seem to want to play together and for eachother.

One of the most significant moments for me in this game came just after Gerrard's winning goal, and it's something which many won't have picked up on. I only noticed because I happened to be looking in their direction at that particular moment, but as the teams lined up for the restart, Cisse went up to Milan and gave him a little pat on the arse to congratulate him for the part he'd played in the goal.

It might not seem like much, but I felt it was significant as Cisse went out of his way to do it. It showed that there's no ego involved, and Cisse was more than happy for his partner to get credit. It's things like that which make players want to play together, and these two could be fantastic for us given time.

Neither may match the total Michael would normally have given us, but between them they could get a bucketload, and if the midfield chip in too then hopefully Owen won't be missed.

In a disjointed first half, it was Baros and Gerrard who provided the only real moments of quality. The skipper played a more disciplined role than he had in the latter part of last season, but he was just as impressive.

He played more central than he did last season, as the reds kept their shape with Finnan and Kewell staying out wide at all times. Gerrard stayed central, but his impact on the game was still colossal, as he created one goal and scored the other.

Gerrard may have disappointed (angered in some cases) many fans over the summer with his flirtation with Chelsea, but even though his long term commitment to the club is still in serious question, his commitment when he is on the field is beyond reproach.

The first half was relatively even. Kewell stung the palms of James after cutting in from the right, and he then volleyed over from 20 yards. Hyypia did likewise from a much better position, and Gerrard also tested James from distance.

At the other end, City had a few promising situations but were generally kept at bay by Carragher and Hyypia. Sami was outstanding in the first half I thought.

City dangerman Wright-Phillips wasn't getting too much change out of Riise, and the game looked to be heading into the interval with the scores level at nil nil until a calamitous mix up gifted Liverpool old boy Anelka a goal at the Kop end.

A long ball was harmlessly running through to Dudek when Carragher intervened and tried to cushion a back header to his keeper. It wasn't a bad header at all, and Dudek should have gathered it easily. But he hadn't been expecting it, and didn't react as alertly as he should and spilled the ball into the path of Anelka.

After being beaten on his near post last week at Spurs, and now this, Dudek's place would surely be under threat if his potential replacement Kirkland wasn't injured yet again.

It was a terrible time to concede a goal, and given the reds' recent record of being unable to come back from being behind, no doubt some fans will have been fearing the worst.

That doesn't excuse the handful of idiots who booed when the half time whistle went though. Just what possesses someone to boo the team off at half time in the first home game of the season under a new manager? It was only a handful as I say, but it only takes a handful of people to make a noise which can be heard by others in the stadium. To say I was shocked would be a massive understatement.

But within minutes of the second half starting, the reds were level. Gerrard's brilliantly executed slide rule pass was taken in his stride by Baros and finished with the coolness which won him the Euro 2004 Golden Boot.

The rest of the half was pretty much all Liverpool. Some of the football played was excellent, and when Benitez incorporates the new players into this side there's every reason to feel optimistic.

Liverpool attacked in numbers, and worked tirelessly. The balance of the side was good, and even if the two wide midfield players didn't play particularly well, at least they stayed wide and gave the team shape.

Finnan was typically average, but I felt a bit sorry for him to be honest. He's an average full back being asked to play as a right winger. He doesn't have pace, can't beat a man and thinks like a defender. There were several occasions when it needed an early ball, only for Finnan to dwell on it before running into trouble and having to go backwards.

He tried his best, which is all we can ask of him. His best isn't good enough, but Benitez knows that as well as we do, and this may well have been Finnan's last Premiership game for the club as moves have been afoot to offload him for some weeks.

As for Kewell, that's another matter. I don't know what to make of Harry. He did some good things, and no doubt on the MOTD highlights he looked pretty good. If you saw the whole game though, you'll no doubt have a different opinion.

In ninety minutes I think Kewell managed to go past Danny Mills once. It was so easy for Mills at times it was embarrassing. Kewell's form has been the subject of much discussion since the turn of the year, but it's not really getting much better.

With Luis Garcia coming in, Kewell needs to get his finger out, and arguing with fans in the Paddock isn't doing him any favours either. I don't know what was shouted at Harry, but he responded to it and had a heated argument with the Paddock for about 30 seconds in the first half.

I'm not going to condemn him without knowing a) what the fan yelled at him, and b) what he said in response, but it's the fans who pay his vastly overinflated wages, and that's something he would do well to remember.

If you replace Kewell with Garcia, Finnan with Nunez and Hamann with Alonso, then providing those players settle in and prove their worth, we could be onto a winner, as the rest of the side all functioned very well today.

Hamann's future is the subject of much conjecture, and Alonso's arrival suggests Didi's days are numbered. I don't think he's quite the player he was, and at times his lack of mobility can be a liability, but he's good to have around and I would be sad to see him go.

He played well against City, and it was his excellent pass which released Baros in the build up to Gerrard's winner. With Joey Barton rumoured to be on the way this week, Didi may be joining Finnan through the exit door this week. If this game was to be his swansong then he's gone out on a high.

David James showed the best and worst side of his game, and was typically erratic. He made great saves to keep out Baros, Cisse and Gerrard, but made total cock ups of three high crosses. He has not improved that side of his game since he was 20.

Baros and Cisse worked tirelessly closing down the City defenders, with Baros in particular running himself into the ground. Milan worked both channels to great effect, whilst Cisse tended to stay more central to provide the team with a focal point. The balance looked good.

City, and Richard Dunne in particular, just couldn't handle Milan. Twice in the first half Dunne crudely brought down the Czech, and while the first went unpunished, the second earned him a booking.

Dunne had been walking a tightrope all game (does that expression have anyone else conjuring up a mental image of a cartoon circus elephant up on a highwire, or is it just me?), so it was no surprise when he received his walking papers for pulling back Cisse.

Dunne was furious, but even though referee Poll didn't see it, his linesman did, and the correct decision was made. Dunne had to be dragged away from the official by Danny Mills, presumably because Mills wanted to have a go himself, as that's what he did.

I was sat right in line with the incident, and had the same view as the linesman. "You saw that, I didn't touch him" said Dunne to the official. I saw it too, and you fucking did lardarse.

Dunne should have been red carded just for his disgracefully fat appearance. A professional footballer shouldn't be allowed on the field if he's that size unless he possesses the talent of Jan Molby. Dunne most certainly does not.

"He's here, he's there, he's every fucking where Richard Dunne" sang the City fans. Too true. Dunne can cover most of the field just by standing still.

The City fans also sang "Robbie Fowler is a blue, he hates scousers" Not even going to dignify that with a comment.

Benitez made his full compliment of substitutes, and all did well, especially Stephen Warnock who looked calm and assured when he replaced Finnan for his home debut. I'm so pleased for this lad as he's an excellent prospect who had been treated terribly under the previous regime,

Right now he must be pushing Kewell for a starting place, and I'd expect him to play against Graz on Tuesday. Diao also did well at centre back after replacing the injured Josemi - who can also be pleased with his home debut.

The final change was Igor for Kewell late on. He was only on the field a few minutes, but looked spritely and provided us with a typical 'Igor moment' when he burst through the centre and played a one two with Warnock before totally miskicking in front of the Kop.

It seems that Benitez has realised that if Igor is going to have one of his 'moments' then it's better to have him doing it in the opposing area than his own.

Biscan may be another in line for a start against Graz, and hopefully he'll show us a glimpse of that pre-season form which earned him so many rave reviews. Eeeeegggoooooor.

So all in all it's been a good start to Benitez' reign. Four points from the opening two games, and both strikers have now got on the scoresheet this season, which was important following Owen's departure.

The new arrivals should improve the side immeasurably, and with hungry young players waiting in the wings to fill in when necessary, things are looking better than they have for a long time.

 

LFC: Dudek, Josemi (Diao), Hyypia, Carragher, Riise; Finnan (Warnock), Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell (Biscan); Cisse, Baros:

 

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

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