AGAIN
Monday, December 17, 2007
So as usual, like the seasons before, Liverpool have not beaten Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United since Rafa Benitez took over.
When will I ever have that unmistakable feeling of happiness after Liverpool prevail for Manchester United for once? Anyway this game was
so like last year's fixture... Liverpool dominated proceedings, had various chances to go ahead, but didn't, and Manchester United had that huge stroke of luck, and they scored first. The rest of the game, all those Devil losers had to do was just sit back and defend.
Liverpool should have taken the lead, when Steven Gerrard's corner was not dealt with by Edwin van der Sar, Harry Kewell's effort should have gone in, and when Fernando Torres' one could not have missed, unfortunately, it did. Liverpool had another chance after a collision between van der Sar and defender Nemanja Vidic, however Dirk Kuyt wasn't fast enough to reach for the ball as Patrice Evra cleared the danger. After not taking these chances, Liverpool lost an unfortunate goal after Wayne Rooney's scuffed shot landed at Carlos Tevez's feet.
Liverpool totally dominated the second half, with substitute Ryan Babel's chance the highlight for the Reds. Rooney almost made it 2 for United but did not get his shot from Cristiano Ronaldo's cross right. It was almost déjà vu in the Arsenal-Chelsea game. No one was really dominating the match until in the final seconds of the first half, William Gallas capitalized on a Petr Cech mistake to head home from close range. Arsenal defended really well and should have at least scored another 2. First Robin van Persie was found offside, secondly van Persie missed from a little more than 6 yards out, then Emmanuel Adebayor thought he scored but was disallowed for a foul on Tal Ben-Haim, and finally Cesc Fabregas should have at least made it 2-0 to Arsenal, but saw his shot blocked. Four chances and all missed, Chelsea could not punish them, even though they had several chances of their own, after getting their players to surge into Arsenal's box. I've got to say, Emmanuel Eboue's
kinda dirty, going in hard on John Terry like that, but how can I say Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Alex ain't? They were so rough to Fabregas at the end. And ironically, Fabregas celebrated seconds later when the final whistle was blown.
Here's some interesting stats for you.:
Liverpool vs Top Four:
Chelsea (H) 1-1
Arsenal (H) 1-1
Man Utd (H) 0-1
Chelsea vs Top Four:
Liverpool (A) 1-1
Man Utd (A) 0-2
Arsenal (A) 0-1
Arsenal vs Top Four:
Liverpool (A) 1-1
Man Utd (H) 2-2
Chelsea (H) 1-0
Man Utd vs Top Four:
Chelsea (H) 2-0
Arsenal (A) 2-2
Liverpool (A) 1-0
So as you can see, Liverpool only picked up two points off the other top fours this season so far, however, all at home, unfortunately. Manchester United, on the other hand, picked up seven points off the top fours this season so far, one at home and two away. Arsenal picked up five points off the top fours this season up till now, two at home and one away. Chelsea only picked up a point off the top fours this season so far, all away though.
You can see, Liverpool have not done well against the title rivals this season, with only two draws and all at Anfield. Many people may argue the Chelsea one should have ended up in a win, so the Reds should have had a win and a draw. But it didn't materialized and had Liverpool better defended their 1-0 lead against Arsenal, we still might have that four points even after yesterday's night lost to Man Utd.
Sickenin'...
Chelsea's three away games at their rivals all ended up without a victory. Their only excuse could be, its away. But they ain't doing as well, but still are third. Liverpool can look to that stat and build on better results in the future, and not thinking its over. Chelsea should be on zero points against their rivals, as said against Liverpool. The Man Utd game, most might say, was a lost as the Blues were in a turmoil as that was the time Jose Mourinho left. Well, fair enough. But the Arsenal game, they just lost it hands down.
Manchester United picked up the most points with wins over Chelsea and Liverpool, and a draw with Arsenal, divided between away and home games. The Liverpool one should have been a draw, whilst the Arsenal one was just pure unlucky, after Gallas' last ditch goal. Man Utd did not play all those games at home, so will enjoy home comforts when the other Red giants visits Old Trafford.
Lucky, lucky, lucky...
Arsenal have a decent record against their title rivals, not losing at all, a la Man Utd. Arsenal did get a good result against Liverpool, but should have lost it to Man Utd. Their win over Chelsea, well, could not be disputed.
So it seems Arsenal and Manchester United are leading the race for the title, even though its early, look clear favourites, as they are more consistent. As much as I'd like to think Liverpool are still in it, they must be at least within reach of the leaders come end of the Christmas period, where many games will take its toll and Benitez's rotation policy will fully take effect, and hopefully produce results. Let's say, 5 points difference is the maximum Liverpool can be off the pace, but it must be said they must get much, much closer than 5 by the New Year to stand any chance of going through. February onwards, the Champions League knockout stages begin, and the exertions in Europe, with little or no matches for resting players, and most weeks having two games in each, the fatigue will set in and by then, Liverpool might loose a bit of the pace. Having said that, won't the other team lose a bit of pace too? Anyway whichever team is still up there in the running during the Champions League knockout stages will surely be the better team with good depth, and ultimately clinch the title, as they supposedly deserve to. =)
C'mon Reds. Its not over. There's still a good chance, make it within 7 points and hold it, hopefully one will slip up sooner rather than later. =)
Right?
Bye~!
my thoughts at 4:24 pm