Friday, November 30, 2007
A decent performance against Porto, a magnificent scoreline thought, that didn't really reflect the game played. Spanish hotshot Fernando Torres got his goal after some slack defending from Porto's captain Lucho Gonzalez, nice goal, smartly headed it downwards, hard for Porto's keeper Helton to catch. Liverpool then dominated the game for around twenty odd minutes. I simple forward advance from Porto led to their goal. Left midfielder "Kaz" marauds down the left side, and against Javier Mascherano, he just muscles him out like he's not even there, and Steve Finnan doesn't cover well. Kaz provides a brilliant cross, and although to far a hit for striker Lisandro Lopez, he manages to stretch, whilst out muscling Alvaro Arbeloa, and get a magnificent header pass Pepe Reina. After that Liverpool were all over the place, and could and should have gone two, or three, behind after a glaring miss from Lopez and a deflected long shot from Marek Cech.
Luckily for the Reds, half time came soon enough, with boos ringing round the stadium, for the Reds' owners? The referee for no stoppage time? Or just plain simply, Liverpool? I'm still puzzled. Anyway scrappy plays here and there dominated half of the second half, but a pinch of deflection luck and persistent Torres managed to get Liverpool ahead again. A handball by Porto's defender Milano Stepanov gave Reds' skipper Steven Gerrard a goal from the penalty spot to extend Liverpool's lead. Poor defending from the corner again gave substitute Peter Crouch his first substitute goal in over 19 months.
Haha... And with news Besiktas got a late winner against Marseille, it looks that even the Marseille and Porto might crash out if both lose their last match, which I hope so for Marseille!
Now Liverpool face Bolton Wanderers, conquerers of the champions Manchester United last weekend, at Anfield on Saturday.
Anfield
Saturday 1 December 2007
10.55pm (SG, GMT+8)
Channel 21/22/27
Liverpool Line-Up (Probable):
25. Jose Manuel Reina
23. Jamie Carragher
__ 4. Sami Hyypia
17. Alvaro Arbeloa
______________________________________ 6. John Arne Riise
8. Steven Gerrard (
C)
____ 22. Mohamed Sissoko
19. Ryan Babel
______________________________________ 7. Harry Kewell
15. Peter Crouch
______ 9. Fernando Torres
Substitutes (Probable):
30. Charles Itandje, 5. Daniel Agger, 21. Lucas Leiva, 11. Yossi Benayoun, 10. Andriy Voronin
Bolton are a very physical side, and a side with much tall players. Lol... Okay... Anyway Peter Crouch should be drafted in from the start to add some height in attack and especially defending set-pieces. Fernando Torres should start, feeding off Crouch. Ryan Babel and Harry Kewell should start, Babel allowed to cut in often, whilst Kewell's left leg will provide natural width and crossing ability from the left. John Arne Riise, Mohamed Sissoko and Sami Hyypia should play to deal with that famous Wanderers' physical threat. Steven Gerrard might play a less offensive role to deal with Bolton's three-pronged midfield. Alvaro Arbeloa, Jamie Carragher and Jose Reina completes the line-up. Daniel Agger, unsure from sources whether he is available for bench duty, if so, might come off once Liverpool are in a comfortable position, or even if 1-0 up with 10 minutes to play. Lucas Leiva might come on if Liverpool need more attacking, but stable, threat should Sissoko really suck and Liverpool losing. Yossi Benayoun will also add much needed creativity, whilst Andriy Voronin will come on should any striker fall prowl to injuries, or Rafa just decides to go for it.
C'mon Reds!
And today's a really windy day.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 5:32 pm