Having learnt that Arsenal and Manchester United had drawn in their earlier fixture with a score of 2-2, it was hoped that Liverpool would narrow the point gap to 4 points and go back into contention for the title race. This means that Liverpool would leapfrog back into 3rd place over Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea FC.
With the central midfield pairing of Javier Mascherano and Momo Sissoko, it was hoped that Blackburn would not be able to threaten Liverpool at Ewood Park as much as they did against Arsenal and Manchester United at their previous outings. The only strikes from Blackburn worth noting was strikes from Dunn and a moment of brilliance by the otherwise disappointing David Bentley in the first half which hit the uprights. Despite that, Liverpool maintained most of the possession of the ball.
Without the sublime organic passing of Alonso and the striking instincts of Torres, the strike force comprising of Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard was starving for ideas in the 1st half. Often times, there was a lack of understanding between the pair.
Despite the support of Yossi Benayoun and Babel, we showed the lack of creativity to break through the rock solid and stubborn defense of Blackburn.
However, we managed to test Brad Friedel for the first time in the 41st minute with a powerful shot from Ryan Babel before going into the break.
With much needed anticipation and clamoring from the visiting supporters, Harry Kewell was called into to substitute Babel and Peter Crouch for Benayoun, much to the joy of the visiting Anfield faithful.
Numerous wasted chances from Dirk Kuyt, who could have had a second-half hat-trick and former Liverpool keeper Brad Friedel, who had a blinder of a game to twice deny a luckless Gerrard left the traveling REDs feeling that wasn't going to be their day at Ewood Park.
Without the grace of lady luck, another glaring opportunity missed was Peter Crouch’s header, which was cleared off the line by David Bentley in the last 20 minutes.
Though thoroughly disappointed, Rafael Benitez, in his post match interview said, “With the chances that we had I think could have won - clearly in the second half"."It is important for me to see the team going forward with confidence and pressing and controlling the game.
"The team is progressing, we are creating enough chances to win every game and this is positive. We just need to take the chances."
We can only hope for lady luck to shine on us against Besiktas in the Champions League on Wed morning. (Game is on either 812 0r 813 on WED 7 Nov at 3:00AM)
Blackburn: Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Bentley, Dunn (Kerimoglu 56), Pedersen, Santa Cruz, McCarthy (Derbyshire 89).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Khizanishvili, Treacy.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Benayoun (Crouch 72), Sissoko, Mascherano, Babel (Kewell 63), Gerrard, Kuyt.
Subs Not Used: Martin, Arbeloa, Lucas.
Att: 30,033
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
NEXT GAME: NOV 11 @ 1:15AM LIVERPOOL FC V FULHAM @ ANFIELD
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DEC 16.....................the big reds game! Be there!
3 comments:
Kewell did well. Lets hope he gets fit and stops getting injured!
Conventional wisdom dictates a more defensive style of play when playing away. But that, to me, is not a trait of a team that aspires to be the Champions.
Why Crouch, who had a good game in the Cardiff match, was on the bench is quite beyond me. Instead our manager opted for a 5-men midfield with Kuyt as sole striker. Frankly the 2 points dropped may well cost us a great deal come May 08. Benitez may talk about ‘creating chances’ and we are progressing’ but well, in football, if you have created so many chances without taking them, then you are not progressing… Wenger and Ferguson (and Grant?) would look at the 2 points dropped with glee and relief; and on this evidence, me may yet have to wait for another season to land the title.
from alex
Sad Red
I liked what I saw in Kewell when he came on. The game changed when he and Crouchie got into the game.
I didn't think we had a shot at the Championship this season. Although our early season form suggested we would push harder and higher up the table; it was inevitable that every Red felt that No.19 would come.
I think it's unrealistic to expect this so soon although we've won the Cup and Europe. After all, Wenger and Sir Shite took more time to deliver their first silverware.
I am however, very worried over our inability to score.
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