EPL Post Match Report: Middlesbrough 1 Vs Liverpool 1

Middlesbrough versus Liverpool – match report by Will Tan


19 minutes to another Liverpool defeat!!!! Screamed the commentator shortly before Torres equalized with a superb shot from 30 yards!

I guess we, the Liverpool fans have gotten used to it nowadays …. as even commentators lately (and he’s not our regular bluenose closet RED, Mr. Andy Gray!) need to exaggerate to earn their money just like their media counterparts whose season target No.9 is Liverpool’s current manager, Mr. Rafa Benitez.

It was a match that started brightly for Liverpool early in the first half in which Steven Gerrard had a shot from outside the penalty which was comfortably saved by Schwarzer.

Middlesbrough were looking to play on the counter and to exploit the slowness of Hyypia on the left hand side of the pitch.

The uncertainty and tentativeness of Alvaro Arbeloa only compounded the situation when it was his lack of cover for the attacking Tuncay.

Against one of Tuncay, Arbeloa was left picking up the pieces. The header by Tuncay was then headed back towards Boateng waiting in the middle with Hyppis unable to do anything but watch.

As the bar flew towards, Aliadere in the far corner, Carragher was dragged out of position with Reina jumped to make his body as big as possible however, Aliadere’s header off the ball went back to Boateng and subsequently went over both Carragher and Reina. Boateng was a step quicker than Hyypia and was on hand to slide the ball into the net driving the home delirious crowd!

Middlesbrough was having the upper hand in the middle who chose to play on the counter but did not create much as the Liverpool defence stood firm during the 1st half.

There were countless offsides by the Boro players such as Downing, Tuncay and Aliadere which were testing the resolve of RAFA’s well-drilled defensive lines that are hardly appreciated by the pundits and commentators alike.

It was a strange 1st half in that the Liverpool players seemed bereft of basic passing as time and again, seemingly unable to find their teammates – it was like the old Gerrard Houllier’s last days as manager of LFC!!!

More like GH’s team than RAFA’s team! What’s happening with the players?

Have they lost their confidence in RAFA or have they started believing what is written in the papers?

The 2nd half was much better and it felt more like RAFA’s team and of course, when Torres scored with that wonderful strike, the commentators went berserk with comments like ‘Torres – just saved RAFA’s job!’ and ‘Torres – wonderful talent but wasted in a team like Liverpool’ etc ……

Hang on, don’t these commentators remember that Torres is doing what is paid to do? And what Torres loves to do? Scoring goals as a striker?

Don’t these commentators remember that Torres wanted to play for RAFA and not SAF though the latter courted Torres for several seasons?

Without RAFA, there would be no Istanbul 2005 and Big Ears permanently in the Museum and the most memorable FA Cup final in history in 2006 and there would certainly be no Torres in the current team!

Sshheeesshhh …. And they call themselves professional commentators! Blah!

After Torres scored, the game turn itself on like any game at Anfield this season. Middlesbrough went into back into its defensive shell and played totally on the counter as they took off Aliadere for Hutchinson, a youngster who would have no chance whatsoever to trouble the experienced pair of Carragher and Hyypia.

Who’s playing effective football ala GH and the Special One? Hmmm …. the home team of Gareth Southgate.

After Torres’s goal, RAFA made several changes by brining on Xabi Alonso, Babel and Kuyt for Arbeloa, Benayoun and Voronin respectively.

Tactically, Riise moved to leftback and Xabi and Mascherano took the centre with Kuyt on the left and Babel behind Torres whilst Stevie G had a roaming role.

For while, this seemed to wonders as the Boro defenders could not contend with the menacing strike combo of Torres and Babel. In one threatening attack, Torres pulled Huth away and Wheater backing off to Babel who was charging onto goal and Babel unleashed a thunderous shot from 30 yards only to miss by a few inches.

RAFA then switched Babel back to the right when Boro made some changes in salvaging and retaining the point for themselves.

In fact, Liverpool went on to search for the winner and had a couple of chances which went begging.

Stevie G had couples of chances from outside the penalty box which was saved and the other, at the end of injury time, curled agonizingly centimeters away from Schwarzer’s left post.

Hyypia also had several attempts at goal but it was not to be. Another disappointing draw in 4 successive matches. We probably deserve to win but that’s for another day.

For now, we would have to look over elsewhere for inspiration out of our current rut. As for now we have other teams such as Everton, Man City, Blackburn and Aston Villa to worry about other than the big three of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, though we still have one game in hand.


DID YOU KNOW?
Liverpool have not won at Boro since 2002, when goals from Heskey and Riise won it 2-1 - with Middlesbrough's goal coming from current manager Gareth Southgate.

STAT ATTACK
M'boro v LIV'POOL
41% POSSESSION 59%
2 SHOTS ON TARGET 6
5 SHOTS OFF TARGET 7
3 CORNERS 9
6 FOULS CONCEDED 13
11 OFFSIDES 5
1 YELLOW CARDS 1
0 RED CARDS 0

Goals: Boateng (26) 1-0; Torres (71) 1-1.

Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Young, Huth, Wheater, Grounds; O'Neil, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing; Tuncay, Aliadière (Hutchinson, 74). Substitutes not used: Turnbull (gk), Riggott, Lee, Johnson.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa (Babel, h-t); Benayoun (Alonso, 59) Mascherano, Gerrard, Riise; Voronin (Kuyt, 75) Torres. Substitutes not used: Itandje (gk), Agger.

Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands).

Booked: Middlesbrough Huth; Liverpool Alonso.

Man of the match: O'Neil.

Attendance: 33,035.


Goal Match Highlights








Next EPL Game: Liverpool FC VS Aston Villa
January 20th 2008 @ 12:00AM