Worth the point

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For the seventh successive league game a draw between Birmingham and Liverpool. It would have been a different story if Pepe Reina haven’t made some outstanding first half saves, especially the one low down from Cameron Jerome, but the longer the game went on, the more inevitable was the final result. Birmingham was so solid at home, and Liverpool lacked of creativity and … player’s form. I won’t judge any particular player because the whole team didn’t shine. Did he?

When I first saw the line-up, saw that Stevie was going to play up front with Fernando like in good old days, I felt a prickle. It has to be a big match, I thought … Yes, I was a little bit naïve, but this was the optimist in me.

But Birmingham was too solid for us, they were truly impressive. The blue-whites defended very compact, didn’t leave much gaps, and kept our skipper away from Torres; Stevie tried, and tried, but he lacked space to pass the ball through.

As for our Number 9: he had one good challenge on the goal, but in overall still was a shadow of himself. He appeared rusty and tardy, made many unusual mistakes, and seemed … I do not know … He still isn’t there, but he isn’t the one to blame. Today’s tabloids are full of critics against him. Oh come on! The whole team (except Pepe, but I’ll get back to him later) didn’t knock my socks off. Why blame only one single player? Yeah, yeah, because he’s the star, he’s the striker bla, bla, bla … Bollocks. The one to blame is Vicente del Bosque. Why on earth did he take Torres to Argentina? Was there a reason? I do not see any. Let me know, if you know the answer, please.

There are more than one man running on the pitch, and yesterday they underperformed. Where was Maxi? HE was really disappointing, slightly nervous, and nearly invisible. Lucas & Poulsen? Hmm … They had some good moments, but in overall … pfffff … Christian Poulsen is too slow; he needs to learn the “”English”, fast way of playing football very quickly. Paul Konchesky had a decent, solid debut; I liked what I saw. Raul Meireles played too short to be judged, but he didn’t look bad; made one serious challenge. I’d love to see more.  Jovanovic? As for me, he had a good game. A lot of running … yeah, OK. With no visible result, but he was trying hard, and was everywhere, wasn’t he?

We definitely missed Dirk Kuyt, and his energy. The match once again showed how dependent we are on single players, and Roy hasn’t really got much of a choice to replace, and combine, has he? Luckily Joe Cole is coming back for the next league game on Sunday, and I hope we will get something to cheer about.

Now, now! I didn’t forget Pepe Reina, our shining star yesterday. And I do not mean he’s bald head in the English sun, but he’s performance. World class savings, solid as rock; yesterday I had a feeling that nothing will hit him for six. Did he redeem himself for his recent blunders? I think he did. And how he did! Thank you Pepe. Keep up performing like this, and we will love even more!

In conclusion, the performance was far, far away from good; it was worth this one mingy point wasn’t it? For sure, it has been everything else than a boring game: We’ve seen a plenty of action, lots of pressure, brilliant blue-white defending, and magnificent goalkeeping made in Spain. If only the result hadn’t been that disappointing …

-Amanda

amandoloss@empireofthekop.com

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4 Comments

  1. Lucas and Poulsen together in our midfield is a total waste, not because they’re bad but because we lack guile going forward. Each is solid in their position but there’s not much to offer afterwards in terms of offense. We need to always play one together with Meireles and Gerrard in the middle.

    Meireles could’ve had a dream debut with a goal and really lifted us up overall. Konchesky is growing on me. His first half wasn’t all that but his second half passing really picked up. Pick of the crop? His pinpoint pass to Jova in the 52nd minute.

    Jova is Kuyt all over again, but much pacier. He still needs to integrate his game with the rest but his commitment, like Kuyt and Lucas, was full-bodied. He plays with head down and I don’t know much about that style’s impact on his game, but his never-say-die spirit is badly needed.

    Maxi was invisible and didn’t seem to give us much width. Our D’s is slow, very risky considering how high a defensive line we tend to play. There was fair confusion between the CB’s, which improved with Agger’s introduction for Konchesky in the 77th.

    Gerrard and FT9 were off on the day, GJ was awful in his defensive positioning, and we’re still playing too deep with NO bodies in the opposition box.

    What can I say about Pepe? He’s simply AWESOME! A colossus in goal, very safe hands behind our back four and a very motivating leader. Kwality.

    Birmingham’s finishing bailed us out and the scoreline flattered us.

  2. Last year we would’ve gone down by some freak occurance late in the game, so the point wasn’t that bad. Yeah we didn’t play well, at all, but Birmingham at home seems to be a very difficult fixture. I also think that our 2nd half was alot better than our first half.

    Lucas and Poulsen in the same team DOES NOT work. We can’t have two central midfielders who constantly turn the ball over. If Stevie plays behind Torres, I would like to see Mireles with Lucas or Poulsen. It makes so much more sense.

    I really liked Konchesky’s game. I think he is a brilliant signing who will be solid as a rock at LB which is something we’ve lacked for quite a while.

    I’d also like to see Agger back in the center of defense. I’m always worried about Skertel for some reason…I’m not sure why.

    Torres lacked any decent delivery. Sure he wasn’t at his best, but that will come with time. I think next week is when we will see him starting to get a bit special. Hopefully Joe Cole links up with him well.

    I can’t believe I almost forgot about Pepe! What a keeper. They could’ve shot 50 balls at him at the same time yesterday and he would’ve saved the lot. Makes up for any mistake he may have made recently.

    All in all, I wasn’t too upset with the game. I still think we’ll come good. Us supporters just have to keep the faith. YNWA

  3. good piece, written from the heart with some choice language! i agree Nando shouldnt be made the scapegoat regardless of how bad he played.. These tabloids are always gonna pick up how Torres plays over Poulsen for example. Its frustrating, even when Jamie Redknapp makes such noises as well..

    I never like playing Birmingham, they always like to stick it up us. Good defensive display overall the issue is creativity again. I like Konchesky alot, good solid player.

    Raul looked good too for the brief 15 minutes he came on, just why Poulsen? No need for him, especially in the Premier League.

    Oh well onwards and upwards, Old Trafford on Sunday.. eeeek.

  4. I just hope that Roy Hodgson doesn’t treat Raul like Rafa treated Aquilani. It would be fairly better to go with Poulsen/Leiva and Meireles rather than Poulsen AND Leiva. Why do I get the feeling that with Poulsen and Leiva we are repeating Mascherano and Leiva thing. And with that comes the repeat of last season which I really don’t want.

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