In January 2011, after the game against Blackpool, I tweeted something on the lad.
It was along the lines of ‘with each passing game, I’m beginning to think Meireles is just overrated’.
Till that extent, I’ve only seen fleeting glimpses of brillance from Liverpool’s No. 4. My mind churned out an impression of him, coming to a definitive conclusion that he just wasn’t good enough.
For close to five months of football, what had he offered in the red shirt? Just the usual industrious nature, hard running, and perhaps, some brainless footballing. His shots rocketed into the stands on occasions more than one in games!
However, that conclusion proved to be short-lived. How wrong I was. Bam.
Just when I was starting to moan on how rote his football looked, and how dumbfounded I am whenever he gets his start, he proved all his critics wrong in the most emphatic fashion.
Even Tony Barrett, the most respected Liverpool journalist by a mile, stood in awe.
‘TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
His unusual error misspelling the word ‘Raul’ only served to underline his excitement at the nature of the sublime finish Meireles conjured up yesterday. I could imagine him, hands punching the air in delight, and having barely settled down, tweeted the message furiously after much elation!
His rich vein of form came after smashing a supreme shot past a hapless Tim Howard, flapping his arms in utter desperation. Was it a sign of things to come, or was it just a one-off? Little did we knew, but till then, it was perhaps a welcome relief that Meireles managed to grab a goal and ease the weight from his shoulders.
And from then, his confidence flew. Sky-high. The bald head started strutting his stuff in a Liverpool shirt. The following weekend, when all we needed was to exorcise the ghost of the away games curse and come away with a much needed victory, Raul smashed a dipping peach only to see Hennessey rooted, gazing in amazement as the ball ripped the back of the net.
It’s been business pretty much ever since. Yesterday’s goal against Wigan, yet another supreme volley, put him on a roll of 5 goals in 6 games.
Dalglish’s return to the hotseat has certainly inspired the Portuguese. The King has ulitised him in an advanced attacking role, and the impact it had has been mind-blowing.
Professionalism, belief, optimism, and confidence in himself. The inspired revival of a sleepy Meireles has been brought out by the King himself.
Twitter @redsonfire