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Massive, I don't know how many of you saw the Liverpool v. M'Boro match this morning, but let's just say, that if you have observed Liverpool over the past 2 seasons, the first 90 minutes unfolded to script.
Despite Liverpool's relentless attack, Boro did a great job. They came out with purpose and threatened Pepe Reina's goal on more than one occasion. What could have been the goal of the season was a brilliant flick and spin by Tuncay leaving Carragher confused and bewildered, but the Turkey ace parried his shot straight to Reina. Boro took the lead in minute 78 with clinical finish by substitute Mido. At this point, I was not worried but predicted a draw. Sure enough, in minute 85, Jamie Carragher (of all people) let go a shot from the top of the area which deflected cleanly into the back of the Boro net.
Now, while I "knew" we wouldn't lose, I sat on the edge of despair seeing this draw disrupting the Reds chance at building some early season momentum -- a necessity if we are to be near the leaders at seasons's end. But I was haunted by ghosts of the past. This is not the Liverpool team of 2007 or 2006. This is a new team with a greater sense of purpose.
As the game clock ticked down to full time the 4th official's board flashed 5 minutes of extra time. At that point, with all the Liverpool pressure on the Boro goal, I had hope, but still expected a draw and I admit, worried about a late Boro counter-attacking winner. But I was guilty of being subordinated by those evil demons of seasons past.
As the notice of the 5 extra minutes flashed on the board, the Mighty Reds turned up the pressure, pounding the Boro defense with attack after attack. Even the conservative, the skeptical and the pessimistic aspects of my psyche took pause - was this the same team from last year? The team that lost fewer games in the Prem than manurnited but still failed in their bid for the title?
Captain Gerrard's last minute strike answered those questions EMPHATICALLY. HE DRILLED THE BALL INTO THE BACK OF THE BORO NET RIGHT AT THE DEATH giving the Reds a terrific victory and three valuable points.
And with that, I believe Liverpool has turned a massive psychological corner. They have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a league match, a necessity if you are to challenge for the title. They have not had such a win in as long as I can remember.
Still, there is a long season ahead so it would be premature to predict a Liverpool title this year. More importantly however, it looks like we are shedding the demons of past...but the real test will be September 13, when the wicked demented psychotic drunk and his skunks come to town...there is no secret why that lot are called devils - they are evil.
If we go into that game undeafeated and come away with a victory over Darth Vader and his thugs, it will be a triumph of good over evil and I predict, a very very different year for Liverpool.
YNWA.
Despite Liverpool's relentless attack, Boro did a great job. They came out with purpose and threatened Pepe Reina's goal on more than one occasion. What could have been the goal of the season was a brilliant flick and spin by Tuncay leaving Carragher confused and bewildered, but the Turkey ace parried his shot straight to Reina. Boro took the lead in minute 78 with clinical finish by substitute Mido. At this point, I was not worried but predicted a draw. Sure enough, in minute 85, Jamie Carragher (of all people) let go a shot from the top of the area which deflected cleanly into the back of the Boro net.
Now, while I "knew" we wouldn't lose, I sat on the edge of despair seeing this draw disrupting the Reds chance at building some early season momentum -- a necessity if we are to be near the leaders at seasons's end. But I was haunted by ghosts of the past. This is not the Liverpool team of 2007 or 2006. This is a new team with a greater sense of purpose.
As the game clock ticked down to full time the 4th official's board flashed 5 minutes of extra time. At that point, with all the Liverpool pressure on the Boro goal, I had hope, but still expected a draw and I admit, worried about a late Boro counter-attacking winner. But I was guilty of being subordinated by those evil demons of seasons past.
As the notice of the 5 extra minutes flashed on the board, the Mighty Reds turned up the pressure, pounding the Boro defense with attack after attack. Even the conservative, the skeptical and the pessimistic aspects of my psyche took pause - was this the same team from last year? The team that lost fewer games in the Prem than manurnited but still failed in their bid for the title?
Captain Gerrard's last minute strike answered those questions EMPHATICALLY. HE DRILLED THE BALL INTO THE BACK OF THE BORO NET RIGHT AT THE DEATH giving the Reds a terrific victory and three valuable points.
And with that, I believe Liverpool has turned a massive psychological corner. They have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a league match, a necessity if you are to challenge for the title. They have not had such a win in as long as I can remember.
Still, there is a long season ahead so it would be premature to predict a Liverpool title this year. More importantly however, it looks like we are shedding the demons of past...but the real test will be September 13, when the wicked demented psychotic drunk and his skunks come to town...there is no secret why that lot are called devils - they are evil.
If we go into that game undeafeated and come away with a victory over Darth Vader and his thugs, it will be a triumph of good over evil and I predict, a very very different year for Liverpool.
YNWA.
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