Another match, another opponent comprehensively outplayed and beaten by RAFA’s team. Pundits will say that rotation is an issue with RAFA’s selection, but they don’t give credit to the gaffer, who has stuck to the same team that had beaten Marseille and narrowly lost to Man Utd recently. Why oh why don’t the pundit give credit where credit is due?Harry Redknapp brought his team from the south coast and the current team with the best away record in the EPL to Anfield for the 3pm kick-off. This was basically the same team (well more or less minus one or two players who sat in the bench instead) that were drawing all the praises when we met at Fratton Park earlier this year.
It was evident in the early stages of the game that the Liverpool players were right behind RAFA and the fast tempo that the home team set for the visitors, were always going to create problems. Moreover, the home team were all up for it due to the massive media reports on the rumour that a certain former German national coach were being lined up to take over from Rafa. It served only to galvanise the home team.
Two goals up within 20 minutes due to slick and dangerous passing and chances put paid to Pompeii’s ambitions in the first half. The writing was on the wall early in opening 5 minutes when a dangerous ball was played through to Torres on the right and he played in a beautiful cross just outside the six yard box to Kuyt, who was arriving unmarked. Credit to Glen Johnson who came across from his right-back position to stick out his foot to deflect away Kuyt’s on target shot. It could have undoubtedly been the opening goal as replays showed that Kuyt’s shot would have beaten the onrushing James, a former Spice Boys during his hey days at Anfield. The block by Johnson though, came with a price as he was clattered into by James although it was purely accidental on the part of James. The treatment to Johnson took several minutes and though he was adamant he could carry on, he would only hobbled around for the rest of the 1st half after treatment.
It was during this period with Johnson’s struggling to shake of the knock that Liverpool capitalised. All it took was a cross by Kewell from the left to pick up the unmarked Benanyoun, who unleashed an unstoppable volley that shook the net with James well beaten. It wasn’t an easy skill to hit the ball on the volley especially when Kewell drove it from the left but Benanyoun made it look casual.
Portsmouth was shocked at the pace and precision of passing that Liverpool was displaying and before they could recover, a through ball was played to Torres with Campbell shadowing him and though it appeared that Campbell managed to nick the ball off Torres, the ball came off Distin who was on the way back to help out and wrong footed James in the goal too!! An assist for Torres is presumed in this case as his mere presence on the ball caused so much panic and confusion in the Portsmouth defence.The pace dropped after the frantic first 20 minutes and Liverpool began to pass and probe the Portsmouth defence time and again, but there was to be no breach for the rest of the first half though there was some half chances created.
In the 2nd half, Lauren and Kanu were introduced into play by Redknapp and it paid dividends 10 minutes later as Kanu broke on the left and then chipped an inviting cross to Benjani. He arrived late at the far post and, although Riise tried to guard him, it was already too late. Benjani feint a shot and passed him before he blasted a rocket shot to Reina’s left near post and scored. Pepe was blameless as the pace of the ball was so fast that he had barely moved and let alone see the flight of the ball. A chance for a clean sheet was lost on the night.
For the next 10 minutes, it was all Pompeii as they threaten to run riot with every attack but the Liverpool defence, marshalled by the excellent pairing of Carragher and Hyypia never allowed the Portsmouth forwards or midfield another sniff at goal bar one miskick by Arbeloa which allowed Papadioup to flash a shot just over Pepe’s goal.
After the fight back by Portsmouth, the Liverpool midfield of Masherano and Gerrard began to boss the midfield again. However, it was the introduction of Babel and Aurelio for Benanyoun and Kewell that re-galvanised the Liverpool team. Firstly, a brilliant pass by Carragher spotted Babel who burned Herriedersson with his pace. As Babel was cutting in from the right, James came charging out to try to block him off and managed to get a touch on the ball as Babel jumped to avoid the challenge. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for us, the ball rolled out of the penalty box at a leisurely pace perfectly setup for Torres to calmly slot the ball to the keeper’s left into a gapping goal. The Kop erupted to greet another brilliant and composed goal scored by the new Kop hero called Torres! A two goal cushion was established again and surely there must be no coming back now for Postsmouth.
With the clock ticking towards to final whistle, Liverpool won a corner on left and although the ball was cleared, it landed nicely for Carragher. He sent a perfectly weighted chip towards Gerrard who had rushed back onside and headed the ball towards the centre where, you’ve guessed it, an unmarked Torres let fly a magnificent volley that gave James’s despairing lunge no chance of a save. Again, the Kop erupted to greet and celebrate the new Kop Idol, Señor Fernando Torres!! The famous Arbeloa out-of-the-top skydiving into the puddle of Liverpool players celebration was conspicuously missing from the live coverage on the t.v. Guessed Stevie might have warned him off after he caught one on his jaw in Marseille!!!
It was a comfortable win in the end but take nothing away from the boys as Liverpool were a team playing with purpose, determination, drive and passion unmatched by their visitors. The on form Pompeii team, had won six in a row away from home and they were no easy push-overs.
At the back of MASSIVE rumours surrounding the position of Rafa the gaffer again with the new owners suposedly lining up Klinsmann as the replacement, the Liverpool crowd again chanted Rafa’s name during the game. This big win will certainly make G&H sit up and take note of the progress that Rafa has made and the way Liverpool comfortably outplayed the visitors. All this and Liverpool’s goal difference is a healthly +20 goals, and only 1 behind Arsenal’s +21 goals. Although all the other top teams won earlier, Liverpool are still in contention for the EPL crown. No matter what the press or the so-called pundits might say, the team is generally getting stronger. With this win, Rafa and the boys are hitting the higher gears at the right time to win all the 4 games during the busy Yuletide festive period and that will put us in a good position to challenge for the EPL crown come May 2008.
My Christmas wish is for Rafa to be contracted for another 5-6 years before the end of the season and our quest for No. 19 and No.6 will surely come, if not this season, at the worse the next season.
From all of us at MyRAWK, we wish all Christians and fellow REDS fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! No, 19 and No. 6 surely to greet us all soon!
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Benayoun (Babel 64), Gerrard, Mascherano, Kewell (Aurelio 76), Torres (Lucas 86), Kuyt.Subs Not Used: Itandje, Voronin.
Booked: Arbeloa.
Goals: Benayoun 13, Distin 16 og, Torres 67, 85.
Portsmouth: James, Johnson (Lauren 46), Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka (Kanu 46), Diop, Pedro Mendes, Muntari (Taylor 73), Kranjcar, Mwaruwari.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Nugent.
Booked: Diop, Hreidarsson.
Goals: Mwaruwari 57.
Att: 43,071
Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire)
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