“This was worth more than three points”

I shall be honest. I was quite glad that the match was scheduled at the same time with Formula 1. A perfect distraction as I really was afraid of this encounter. I thought: “They’re Chelsea, they’re like a machine, they’ll eat us up and leave only the shoes!” I was afraid of watching another poor performance and afraid of suffering while watching it. So I didn’t. The main focus was on Formula 1. However, when I received a message after 11 minutes (from a Mancunian, by the way) telling me that Torres scored, I had to turn on the second computer. With one eye on the action in Sao Paulo, and the other one on Anfield I couldn’t be more thankful for the ability to multitask! Was this our team? Was this the same team as the one who struggled and failed against Everton, Blackpool and err … Utrecht? I couldn’t believe my eye. The Blues were as surprised with the new-old Liverpool as the fans, and they got more perplexed every minute.

In the first half we were the machine destroying Chelsea. The champion! In the second half we had to defend, we had to be careful and we were. There was no running around without any plan or idea, instead there was organisation, well-thought-out strategy and a deliberate vision.

Our Golden Boy provided the type of clinical finish that has made him one of the world’s finest marksmen before sealing the points with a devastating curler on the stroke of half-time. Is Torres back at his best? If this performance wasn’t a proof, I don’t know what a proof you want. It was vintage Torres with his self-confidence, the power, the intensity and the spirit which was missing so painfully.

Even though Torres scored the goals and grabbed the headlines, let’s not forget the others.

There was Raul Meireles with his another brilliant performance and this ooooooh, so excellent assist. I get to like him more and more every match, we are so lucky to have him. There was Dirk Kuyt, our Iron Dutchman, whose energy boosted our side. There was Pepe Reina who kept another clean sheet and produced grate saves in the second half when Chelsea had few chances to score.

There was an impressive Martin Kelly (thank you Carra for teaching him so well); there was Maxi Rodriguez volleying over after Torres had flicked the ball into his path.

And finally there was our midfield driven on by Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva. This Lucas who has been criticised for his inability of playing proper football since his arrival in Liverpool. Has he taken private classes by Dirk? Because he was everywhere, covering every inch of the pitch. What a splendid performance that was.

So with all that, with all that quality and determination the visitors were pretty much devoid of the rhythm and composure that has earned them so many plaudits of late and they could count themselves lucky to survive a penalty-shout and to leave Anfield with losing 2:0 only.

Finally we’ve seen a performance to be proud of, we’ve seen some magic. Fernando Torres said “It was worth more than three points.” Bless you, lad. Indeed it was. This meant a hell of a lot more for all of us.

-Amanda

amanda@empireofthekop.com