Liverpool started quicker than we did and created a few half chances with Bellamy getting far too much space and causing some problems for Jonas down our left.
However, I thought we generally controlled the game in midfield, increasingly so as the game progressed, and over the course of the game we created more clearcut chances.
We were never under any concerted pressure defensively, but Williamson and Perch were really good. They contained Carroll fairly effectively, and Perch got in a good number of excellent tackles.
Our midfield prevented Liverpool from getting on top in the game, but misplaced too many short passes for my comfort.
Hatem Ben Arfa clearly had the beating of Enrique, made the first goal and was contributory to the second. However, we just didn’t get him on the ball often enough.
Liverpool seemed rather disjointed to me, and lacking in their customary energy and motivation. Stephen Gerrard had very little influence on the game, and at times even seemed rather disinterested.
Something doesn’t seem right in the Liverpool camp to me, and while it might have been justified from a footballing point of view, I thought hauling Andy Carroll off at St. James Park was a particular poor piece of man management by Dalglish for the long term.
Persevering with Shelvey until the 75th minute with players like Dirk Kuyt kicking their heels on the bench seemed an exercise in footballing futility and bliddy awful management to me. Moving Gerrard to right-back position when Reina was sent off, was another act of sublime stupidity.
The crowd were merciless with Enrique, Suarez and of course Andy Carroll. I have to say I felt really sorry for Carroll: sadly, his career is undoubtedly going backwards at Anfield and personally it gives me no pleasure to witness it.
Liverpool’s propensity for banging long straight balls down the middle simply will not get the best out of him, but they seem pathologically incapable of getting the ball wide and giving him the service he onced thrived on. This is Dalglish’s fault.
Finally, it’s interesting to note that he has become “Dalglish” now instead of “King Kenny”!! Long may the Scotch tosser reign.
Only registered users can comment.
