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Liverpool 3 Aston Villa 1: 'It's like Arsenal!'
Posted by Garstonite on Yesterday at 07:05:11 PM
As the team news was announced there was the odd groan around Anfield about a couple of issues. No out-and-out wide player, given the tediously dull Steven Gerrard – wide or central player – debate and the great performance given by Jermaine Pennant midweek. No Daniel Agger at the heart of the defence also had a few people questioning whether Hyypia could withstand the pace of Baros and Agbonlahor, too.
But the side was incredibly close to that which went on that great run from around this point in time until mid-January last term. And whilst the rotation policy was in full swing then as well, the core of players remained the same. The back-line had a solid feel about it and the midfield have been around long enough to acknowledge the discipline Benitez demands from his players, as well as having the flair, in both Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia, required to unlock a side. I will say proudly that I predicted the team correctly. The only reason I mention it is because it probably won’t happen for another four years.
Following the bad press Liverpool have had this week, quotes from anonymous board members, misinterpreted or not, helped towards a good atmosphere as Rafael Benitez’s name was chanted frequently throughout.
Despite fielding what seemed to be a very adventurous side, Villa came to stop Liverpool playing, above anything else, as they threw men forward cautiously.
Liverpool, as you may expect, started a lot better that their opponents. Xabi Alonso started off excellently and knocked the ball around effectively. Sissoko was the standard bearer, working hard against Villa’s industrious midfield which, from what I have seen of them, has been the key to their success this season.
The lack of mobility from corners - that we had in abundance from Daniel Agger and Gabby Paletta midweek - was frustrating. Peter Crouch tried to make things happen with some darting runs, but the ball seemed to be falling in the places he’d moved from. John Arne Riise fired a shot on the volley from a Luis Garcia corner, which went harmlessly over, in truth. A regular ploy that is rarely executed. Maybe one day he’ll break the net with one, but I’d still prefer a more conventional cross delivered.
The game continued and Villa couldn’t get hold of the ball. The referee didn’t seem to like Sissoko’s over-zealous nature and was a little whistle-happy, but it had Villa play-maker Stilian Petrov running scared and he was about as useful as a solar-powered torch. Gareth Barry, however, got himself stuck in and, if nothing else, made Steven Gerrard a little ineffective and halting attacks, by playing the ball back to Steve Finnan on a couple of occasions.
Liverpool made up with this with their verve and imagination and whilst we didn’t have much pace through the middle, our tempo had the likes of Mellberg and Ridgewell bowled over.
Despite dominating possession, we didn’t penetrate often enough, although Crouch went close with a header from a corner and John Arne Riise saw a shot from a free-kick go just over the bar. The crowd, whilst enjoying the pressure, had seen this happen all too often and not being clinical enough may have cost the Reds, as it has done at times this season. Luis Garcia had a shot from range which flew over Sorensen’s goal and suddenly, frustration was apparent in the f’ing and blinding from some quarters of the ground.
After thirty minutes though, Liverpool maintained their early authority and Jamie Carragher floated a ball to his central defensive partner Sami Hyypia, who had stayed forward following a set-piece, he won the knock down and Kuyt’s close control allowed him room to dart a shot low into the back of the net. 1-0 Liverpool and the fans moaning about the lack of attempts and whatnot were saying ‘well, it was only a matter of time’. Typical.
It was, of course, a fitting way to make his mark on a game that hi
Posted by Garstonite on Yesterday at 07:05:11 PM
As the team news was announced there was the odd groan around Anfield about a couple of issues. No out-and-out wide player, given the tediously dull Steven Gerrard – wide or central player – debate and the great performance given by Jermaine Pennant midweek. No Daniel Agger at the heart of the defence also had a few people questioning whether Hyypia could withstand the pace of Baros and Agbonlahor, too.
But the side was incredibly close to that which went on that great run from around this point in time until mid-January last term. And whilst the rotation policy was in full swing then as well, the core of players remained the same. The back-line had a solid feel about it and the midfield have been around long enough to acknowledge the discipline Benitez demands from his players, as well as having the flair, in both Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia, required to unlock a side. I will say proudly that I predicted the team correctly. The only reason I mention it is because it probably won’t happen for another four years.
Following the bad press Liverpool have had this week, quotes from anonymous board members, misinterpreted or not, helped towards a good atmosphere as Rafael Benitez’s name was chanted frequently throughout.
Despite fielding what seemed to be a very adventurous side, Villa came to stop Liverpool playing, above anything else, as they threw men forward cautiously.
Liverpool, as you may expect, started a lot better that their opponents. Xabi Alonso started off excellently and knocked the ball around effectively. Sissoko was the standard bearer, working hard against Villa’s industrious midfield which, from what I have seen of them, has been the key to their success this season.
The lack of mobility from corners - that we had in abundance from Daniel Agger and Gabby Paletta midweek - was frustrating. Peter Crouch tried to make things happen with some darting runs, but the ball seemed to be falling in the places he’d moved from. John Arne Riise fired a shot on the volley from a Luis Garcia corner, which went harmlessly over, in truth. A regular ploy that is rarely executed. Maybe one day he’ll break the net with one, but I’d still prefer a more conventional cross delivered.
The game continued and Villa couldn’t get hold of the ball. The referee didn’t seem to like Sissoko’s over-zealous nature and was a little whistle-happy, but it had Villa play-maker Stilian Petrov running scared and he was about as useful as a solar-powered torch. Gareth Barry, however, got himself stuck in and, if nothing else, made Steven Gerrard a little ineffective and halting attacks, by playing the ball back to Steve Finnan on a couple of occasions.
Liverpool made up with this with their verve and imagination and whilst we didn’t have much pace through the middle, our tempo had the likes of Mellberg and Ridgewell bowled over.
Despite dominating possession, we didn’t penetrate often enough, although Crouch went close with a header from a corner and John Arne Riise saw a shot from a free-kick go just over the bar. The crowd, whilst enjoying the pressure, had seen this happen all too often and not being clinical enough may have cost the Reds, as it has done at times this season. Luis Garcia had a shot from range which flew over Sorensen’s goal and suddenly, frustration was apparent in the f’ing and blinding from some quarters of the ground.
After thirty minutes though, Liverpool maintained their early authority and Jamie Carragher floated a ball to his central defensive partner Sami Hyypia, who had stayed forward following a set-piece, he won the knock down and Kuyt’s close control allowed him room to dart a shot low into the back of the net. 1-0 Liverpool and the fans moaning about the lack of attempts and whatnot were saying ‘well, it was only a matter of time’. Typical.
It was, of course, a fitting way to make his mark on a game that hi
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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