Reds Take The Bridge

Reds Celebrate Raul's Goal

In my last post before this game i said that Chelsea would try to make this game about Torres, i said that Sky would try to make this about Torres and I finished by saying that this game was about taking 3 points and that was all Liverpool would focus on - seems i was right.

Before the game much was said about the £50m man, the camera focused on him talking with Drogba, the commentary mockingly suggested that they were discussing who should score first and who second, who should set who up, who would take the credit, banners that were born red and white now appeared identical in every detail apart from the colour - a startling lack of originality. Chelsea slightly adjusted their set up, Drogba forced from his usual central position to accommodate his new team mate, other than that it was pretty much the same players that everyone guessed would start.

Despite the build up and the hype going into this one many people seem to have forgotten that with the exception of a few games, many encounters between these two sides had been cautious, uneasy and un-entertaining low scoring games - even with the hype there was never much doubt in my mind that this game would follow a similar pattern.

The Liverpool line up was greeted with many raised eyebrows before the game, the system employed against Stoke was still in place and Luis Suarez, who most people assumed would start against Chelsea was still on the bench - somewhere he was to remain for the entire game. Against Stoke the system was in place to combat their physical approach, their height advantage and their threat from set pieces. Against Chelsea the system was in place not to combat Torres or the 3 pronged Chelsea front line, the system was in place to control the midfield.

Defensively it was a 5-4-1, the emphasis on controlling what Chelsea could do, restricted them, but when Liverpool attacked the system seemed to seamlessly change into a 3-4-3, Johnson and Kelly pushing up the wings, Meireles and Gerrard able to move forwards to support Kuyt and Lucas to anchor the midfield, and with three centre backs there was always the option for Agger to move forwards and play the ball as he does, once the attack broke down, the system reverted back but the midfield presence remained and Liverpool were largely untroubled.

And Liverpool did control Chelsea, Chelsea could only do what they were allowed to do, there was little space, they could only move around the final third - they could not penetrate it. And that is due to the way Liverpool played, quickly closing down, doubling up, keeping calm and squeezing the space. Chelsea managed one solitary shot on target in the entire game, every other shot was deflected out or simply planted straight into the crowd - most importantly they were mostly from distance and Chelsea could not feed their front three.

Speaking of their front three, the debut £50m man was completely ineffective and turned out the kind of performance which was typical of him under Roy Hodgson. He got his dream move to a 'big club' but that still did not inspire him to perform, much was said about him in the build up and surely there must have been some motivation for him to show us exactly what we lost and Chelsea what they had gained but he quite simply did not look bothered.

As organised as Liverpool were in defence, in attack there was an equal level of organisation. We did not simply sit back as has been suggested. When we went forward it was with purpose and the only thing really lacking in the first half was the final ball. In fact at half time Liverpool should have been ahead! Whether the ball bounced up or not Maxi should not be missing or in fact hitting the bar from 3 yards out, by hitting the bar from that range he probably did the most difficult thing he could have done - but to me it seems that the miss was actually more beneficial to us.

The second half started much as the first did only this time it was Liverpool asking more questions of Chelsea, again the organisation was superb, Chelsea were showing signs of frustration, signs that had been evident since Cech and Ivanovic had their lovers tiff. With the hour mark approaching, substitutions where not far off and it would be Chelsea who would make the most notable change - bringing off Fernando Torres. The change was greeted at one end with cheers and down the other end there was only jeers, the away support making their feelings known. After the change Chelsea looked to be more of a threat, a more familiar shape with more familiar personnel - but for all the increased threat, their attack would remain toothless.

Chelsea may have made the change looking to claim victory but Liverpool would get everything they deserved minutes later. Gerrard stormed down the wing, shrugging off challenges and not giving up, Kuyt had actually drifted out of the box and was now making his way back in - in doing so he may not have realised that he actually drew the defenders away from the space behind, Gerrard crossed the ball, and to be fair it was not the best of crosses and Cech should easily have caught it, but he didn't, and Meireles, who had ghosted in behind everyone, kept his cool and volleyed the ball into the net to send the onlooking Liverpool supporters into euphoria.

The goal was the reward Liverpool deserved for a commanding and organised performance. The message from the fans was clear "you should have stayed with the big club", and lets be honest, we were all grinning and the thought of what was about to happen. The game wore on and still Chelsea could do nothing, their one real attempt at goal was expertly saved by Reina who stayed on his feet and stayed big - ever dependable. But, towards the end it was Liverpool who looked the most likely to score and in the closing minutes of injury time we managed to push Chelsea right back into their own defensive third with Kuyt chasing every ball, the message clear - Chelsea can't attack if they have to defend. Too many times have we seen Liverpool sit back towards the end of games and suffer, and it is true that we did retreat further and further back as time wore on but we always retained our shape and belief and even on the break we were a real threat to Chelsea. Three points was exactly what Liverpool deserved.

Chelsea may have their star £50m striker but, and this has always been the case, he has never played with the belief, effort, work rate, heart and desire of Dirk Kuyt. The two are completely different players, one is a real old fashioned work horse, his touch is rough at times but he never stops going, he never gives up and he will always give it his all, and many times over the years, deep into injury time, he has been seen chasing down opposition defenders high up the field, closing the goalkeeper down, defending from the front, giving his all for the club - and always played out of position on the wing. The other, is a world class striker and no mistakes about it, he is the modern footballer, over paid but when he is on form brilliant to watch, he will never chase down opposing defenders late on, he will never tirelessly run around the pitch giving his all, his attitude at times is petulant, he will complain when there is no complaint to be made and he does not play for anyone but himself - that much he has made clear. People can say what they want about Dirk Kuyt, he is frustrating at times, but he always gives his all for Liverpool Football Club, and he led the line against Chelsea superbly - he is a player who will be remembered for all the right reasons.

There wasn't a single player in red who had a bad game, Lucas and Gerrard were like midfield ninjas, silently going about their work but their control on the game was immense, Gerrard who has been quiet of late for the wrong reasons really was superb, his movement, his passing, his tackling, he really wanted to win this one. Lucas again is proving to be a valuable asset, 89% pass success against Stoke is one thing but to have the same figure in a game against Chelsea is outstanding and his tackling percentage was in the high 80's aswel. He hasn't proved all his doubters wrong but believe me he should have by now - his role and what he does for the team in that role is what he should be judged on and there can only be one verdict - he is an essential part of the Liverpool first team and will be for years to come.

The substitutions were spot on, swapping attack for defence but even Fabio Aurelio has attacking qualities that can not be ignored, both him and Poulsen slotted in quite nicely and we never lost shape, the work rate was the same. Even Luis Suarez was not needed, Chelsea fielded both of their newly acquired big money players but neither could aid their cause - David Luiz is a quality signing and a much better buy than our former #9 - he is a player i think can make a real impact in England, he does need a hair cut though. The fact is, Suarez was not needed, and that speaks volumes about the level of control that Liverpool had on the game. Had Maxi not hit the bar but instead scored, the second half may have been entirely different, Liverpool may have sat back sooner, Chelsea may have attacked with more purpose, we simply can not know, but for me in hindsight i think that Maxi missing was something of a blessing in disguise, although had the game finished 0-0 i might be saying something a little different!

Not interested in hand ball's or penalty shouts. When a player has his hands by his side and has the ball blasted at him from 4 yards and the ball strikes a hand it is not hand ball - don't be ridiculous. As for Johnson's shove?? It's only what John Terry does 4/5 times a game with no punishment.....

Sky's initial report straight after the game stated that Liverpool snatched victory, quite how they come by this finding is unknown, there was no snatch, no smash and grab, only a deserved victory. People have pointed to Chelsea's superior shot tally, yet they only had one on target, but that is apparently a measure of how superior they were. Had it in fact been Liverpool who had lost the game with a superior shot tally but inferior shots on target tally we would have been hung out to dry for not taking our chances and converting possession into goals. We finished the game with more shots on target than Chelsea despite having less than half the shots on goal that they did, i would say we clearly took our chances when they came and reaped the rewards too.

The signs of improvement under Kenny Dalglish are undoubted, in fact a top 4 finish which was so remote before the New Year is now entirely possible, not to get carried away of course, a lot can happen, but it is no longer impossible. As for Kenny as a permanent manager?? Why not, he is doing a fantastic job and it is once again a joy to watch Liverpool play, and there are smiles all round, he has earned it.

Not to put a downer on the victory but beating Chelsea was the easy part, funny logic i know but it is true. What we do now is of paramount importance, we must beat Wigan and we must beat West Ham. Last time we played Chelsea we beat them, we then slumped in the games following on from this taking only 4 points from a possible 12, one of those games was a draw with Wigan. Winning the next two games would be a massive thing for the club, 6 straight league victories, it would be great if it was also 6 straight clean sheets too. The third game??? Liverpool v Manchester United. Going into that game on the back of such a run would be brilliant and the famous old stadium will be rocking, the noise deafening, i can't wait.

Oh and as for Mr. Torres suggesting that Liverpool did not deserve to win, why is that exactly? Oh right, that's it yeah, because Chelsea are the bigger club as you said earlier in the week - you will come to learn the truth in time Fernando, you said there was nothing higher than Chelsea - that's because the way back up to Liverpool is closed for you mate. And as for our formation and set up which took Chelsea by surprise, if you had actually bothered to check up on your opponents and not so obviously consider yourselves favourites for victory you would have seen the formation was also used against Stoke in mid-week.

Kenny's red machine charges on, as do the length of these posts by the looks of it!

All done folks, don't forget to leave feedback now! TWITTER

From Stoke To Chelsea

So after a week off which also included a frantic final 3 days in the transfer window it was back to concentrating on the football.

Before Kick off record signing Andy Carroll was paraded before the Anfield faithful to a chorus of applause and i do not doubt for a second that he wished he could be part of the game. How his Liverpool career will turn out no one really knows but since coming in he has done, and said all the right things so there is certainly a lot of promise with regards to him; and he can play a bit too! Looking forward to seeing what he can do for us already.

Arguably the most exciting of our new boys, Luis Suarez was always likely to play some part in the game, many had hoped for a full 90mins but the approach that was opted for in the game was probably best considering he has not played since the start of December. More on him a little later.

Stoke are well known for their style of play - dull, uneventful, physical with an emphasis on set pieces, in particular - long throw ins (they take far too long to take throws). That is their 'style' and if it works for them and their supporters enjoy it (as if) then that's that - definitely not every ones cup of tea.

Over the last 6-12 months it has been my view that teams no longer really come to Anfield for a draw, unlike in the seasons following on from Istanbul right up to 2009, most teams seem to be coming to Anfield with a view to taking the 3 points and have been determined to do so. Over the last few weeks however there has been a shift in this - alright it may only be Fulham and Stoke - but both teams have come for a draw. The Reds did not play anywhere near their best against Fulham and invited pressure on leading into a nervy finish, but Fulham never really took the game to us, after the goal their game plan was largely unchanged and it looked as though we would be the architects of our own downfall in the game, thankfully this did not happen - unlike many times in the past. Stoke never really looked a threat, before the game, confidence high many including myself predicted a comfortably victory, but when sense took hold and after considering the opposition and their 'style' of play, the game looked a far trickier prospect. The game however panned out as many had predicted before play.

To combat Stokes physical approach to the game and their love of getting men in the box for throw ins from the half way line, Liverpool lined up with 3 centre backs in Soto, Skrtel and Agger, 3 quite different players, a Greek beast, a Ball carrying Dane and a Slovakian in transition - the move paid off. We had an extra attacking threat from corners and enough cover to allow Agger to go on one of his little runs which is how we got the free kick leading up to the first goal. Stoke according to some where very 'organised' if you call  no more than 10yards between the back four and the front man with everyone else squeezed in between 'organised' then i guess they where. There was a lack of ambition from Stoke, long balls through to Carew would be the norm for the whole game and even then it wasn't very effective, they packed the middle, closed down in a bid to cut out any passing moves and generally concentrated on defending rather than attacking.

The first half passed without much incident the highlight being Suarez running down the touch line to warm up prompting most the Liverpool fans to look and applaud and completely miss a great chance down the other end of the pitch, Begovic, it has to be said he made some fine saves and probably kept the scoreline respectable for the visitors. What was clear though was that towards the end of the first half, Liverpool were starting to wear their opponents down and a breakthrough looked on the cards but half time came.

The return of Lucas to the midfield was a big boost, after the Fulham game many people said that he was missed, during the game i heard the same line and it is true there was definitely a big Lucas sized hole in midfield - but not against Stoke. The lad has had much criticism from the vast majority although, personally i have been trying in vain to point out to people that he actually does a job for us that goes largely unnoticed but now when he misses a game - the loss is noted. Many will still not agree and be quick to jump on him but off the top of my head i seem to recall that last season he was in the top 3 passers and tacklers in the Premier League with amongst the highest success rate as well - against Stoke, again not too sure but was it 89% success rate on passes?? So 89% of the time he finds a team mate, 11% he doesn't, and I'm sure the success rate is well above average in most games he plays in - he is turning out to be a nuisance to the opposition and is proving more and more of his doubters wrong with every game - AND he always seems to raise his game for the big occasions ESPECIALLY ManUtd - remember the 1-4 at OT some still rather bizarrely talk of how ALONSO bossed the middle in that game - despite the fact he was not playing.

Second half and that breakthrough that was on the cards at the end of the first half did not take long to materialise. Daniel Agger on one of those runs that he does, always forwards, always roving and to think Roy Hodgson considered this to be a bad point to his game HA! The fact we had 3 centre backs to rely on really just invited him to go for a run more often, he did, was brought down and won the free kick that would lead to a goal. Ball fizzed in at goal by Gerrard, falls to Soto who isn't really expecting it, let's it run free so that Meireles can launch a rocket at goal that was never going to be saved. Possibly a bit of luck involved but the more promising thing was how many red men where in the box and how quickly they reacted when the ball was delivered. Raul Meireles, Mr player of the month, simply can not stop scoring right now, and long may it continue, very creative, doesn't always get it right but always gets on with it and when he does get it right - top class!

So Stoke make a few changes, more attacking changes, does it change the game? No not really, still quite an uninspiring performance from a team who brushed us aside with relative ease before Christmas. After the game when quizzed on this and the earlier game, Tony Pulis actually suggested that it was down to the crowd having influenced his players and then went on to say that the crowd at the Britannia drum up a more ferocious atmosphere than the Anfield faithful - well Tony, surely if that is the case (which it is not) then your players should be able to handle the Anfield atmosphere with relative ease, seen as how they are used to playing and 'performing' in a much more 'ferocious' atmosphere. It doesn't take too much to say your team lost because they did not compete - they where beaten by the better team!

Then we all got what we wanted, on he came, the £23m man, our new number 7, Luis Suarez. Many acknowledged his call back to the dug out, there was a slight cheer, then a more thunderous cheer when it was clear to all he was preparing to come on, but that was nothing compared to what would greet his arrival and little did he know that it was soon to get a lot louder.

Considering he had not played since the start of December he looked sharp, his first involved was to be on the receiving end of a rather strong but fair challenge - welcome to England Luis. But it did not take long for him to find his feet in the game, he was certainly helped in this by Stokes lack of ambition. His touches were good, his link up with Kuyt surprisingly good considering they had not even trained together, a few nice passes, a couple of decent runs, tracking back and helping out in the middle, a cheeky back heel in the box - all greeted with applause, he was certainly backing up his statement about working hard for the team. But we all desperately wanted more.

Stoke have a high line, ball falls to Kuyt and already Suarez has peeled away, his reaction instant, the ball through from Kuyt is a good one and Suarez has expertly played the offside trap before the Stoke defenders even know he's there. On he went, out comes the keeper and at that point there was only ever one thing Suarez was going to do, round he goes, Begovic is stranded, the goal is gaping, and Suarez, well, he must have been brickin it really, i think we all would have in his position, he had done the hard part and suddenly putting the ball in the net did not seem so easy, it would have been easy for him to succumb to the pressure of the moment, his strike on goal was not as strong as it perhaps would have been on any other day, he wanted to score, we wanted him to score, the defender sliding in could only tip the ball onto the post and in and Anfield erupted.

Was it his? Well as far as we are told, it can only be an own goal if the ball is going out before an opponent diverts it into the goal, Suarez' strike was certainly goal bound, whether or not the fact that the defender knocked the ball against the post and in makes any difference i do not know - time will tell. But surely the dubious goals panel will let him have it, especially in the circumstances, after all it was hardly the most clear cut of own goals and it was definitely already going in.

On the night it was not an amazing performance but i think if anyone is going to apply the word 'composed' or indeed 'organised' to either side then surely they must apply it to Liverpool. Not a natural formation, not one we are used to any way, adapted well to combat the opposition to great effect and 3 points well deserved. And importantly, a clean sheet, 3 in a row now for the reds and lets hope that run continues. Pepe Reina is in fine form and his outstanding reflex save towards the end of the game outlines what a great goalkeeper he is - in my opinion; the best.

Ok so moving on, Sunday, Chelsea an it is all change, Torres swaps red for blue, Suarez will surely start, and no Andy Gray to preach to his misinformed and biased opinions - now who would have predicted that a few weeks ago. Lets just hope Sky have rat traps round the studios and commentary boxes because Ratboy is hardly unbiased, i think the only person he doesn't hate is Fergie, and he is not someone anybody besides manure fans want to see on the TV every weekend.

Chelsea v Liverpool, over the last 5/6 years this fixture has become a bit of a tasty one, slightly cooled in terms of the meaning of the game but there is certainly increased animosity between both clubs in this fixture has become a bit of a tasty one, slightly cooled in terms of the meaning of the game but there is certainly increased animosity between both clubs and their supporters which will only have increased given recent developments. Kenny Dalglish's team talk has probably already been done for him, Torres suggests that he has moved up in his career, Chelsea are the bigger club and after them there is nothing higher - that last statement isn't even true about English football let alone the wider European Arena and i suspect there will be an instruction of some sorts to go out their and show him who the bigger club us, not that it needs reaffirming to the men in red but it would certainly infuriate the Chelsea faithless.

This will not be an easy game, and it is not about Torres, the Chelsea 'fans' will try to make it that and i suspect the TV will too but it is about 3 points for us. We are currently 4 wins off the top 4 and should we beat Chelsea that would drop to 3 wins with the best part of 4 months left to play, Champions League football next season is certainly a possibility just as a lack of it is certainly a possibility for BOTH teams. Chelsea are fragile, since we beat them they have endured a torrid time, they have slipped down the table, they have turned in poor performance after poor performance, there are echoes of our own fall in 2009/2010 about them, it is hard to stop the fall, Abramovich has thrown money at the problem, soon that wont be as easy as it sounds, the team is ageing, they do have some top class players but they are lacking in spirit, they can be beaten, this is not the Chelsea who a few years ago would have easily brushed us aside in our current state. They are a team who came to us earlier in the season at the top, while we struggled at the bottom, but we beat them and we can do it again.

We need to believe we can beat them, we can play our game, we can get goals, they will think that the game is theirs, ignore the media crap that regularly comes from the likes of Terry and Lampard, they will go into the game thinking they will win and win comfortably, they will not go into the game thinking that we could win or that they are better, in fact i believe they will try and try and try to get Torres in on goal, if he does play he will certainly be their main focus in attack, they will want him to score desperately because of the potential psychological affect and because of the affect it would have on their own dull, plastic flag waving commuters.

We can win.

Thanks guys, feedback would be great too!

more HERE

The Heartbreak Kid

Fernando Torres has left Liverpool Football Club. If you had said a month ago that Torres would not be a Liverpool player come February 1st most people would have laughed. After all, why should we believe such a statement? A statement about a player who had on numerous occasions declared his love for the city, the club and it's supporters, a player who had declared his commitment to the cause, and who would do so once again in January.

That commitment, the words used, all are very hollow now, hollow and meaningless.

The question on the lips of every Liverpool supporter is why? Why has he done this now, why did he declare his loyalty, why did he disrespect the club and the fans, why Chelsea?

His timing is poor, his choice of club poorer.

Fernando Torres wants to win trophies, all players do.

We all knew he wanted to leave, he hadn't quite said it, but we knew, and to be honest, none of us blamed him. The club is not the club he joined, fresh from a second Champions League Final in 3 years, the club that had such high hopes, the club that, with his help took the title race to the wire in 2009 - and since then it has been a rapid fall from the top. He has been away and conquered Europe and the World with Spain, he has seen the trophy cabinets of his countrymen expand year by year - he left Atletico for glory which he could not get and now he has done the same to Liverpool.

It could all have been so different though.

Had he handed in his request at the start of the month it would almost certainly be down to Roy Hodgson, there would have been ill feeling towards the request but the failing Liverpool manager would have taken the flak and Torres may have left Anfield with a bit more dignity. Although, following on from the appointment of Kenny Dalglish - could that have been the decision that could have persuaded him to stay? Who knows, but given how things actually turned out, i would have to say no.

I think it is something of an insult to Kenny himself that Torres did what he did, under Roy Hodgson, Torres was a shadow of himself, under performing, taking criticism left right and centre. Under Dalglish he looked like a totally different player, he had his belief and confidence back, he was getting back to his best and that was all down to Kenny Dalglish, the team entering February is miles different from the team that started January, and not much has changed, 3 players out, 2 players in.

Handing in the transfer request was an insult to Kenny Dalglish and the faith and support he had given Fernando.

Handing in the transfer request was an insult to his team mates who had always stood by an supported him.

Handing in the transfer request was an insult to every Liverpool supporter young and old across the world.

He has moved to Chelsea in search of glory.

He has swapped the passion, desire and support of the Kop for the Shed.

Flags and banners made with pride, scarves held high in support of the team, he has given this up for plastic flags and throw away scarves left on seats to try and drum up an atmosphere in a stadium that has none.

He has left a team building for the future to join a team whose star players will soon be retired to the studio.
Had he waited til the summer and still wanted to go, he could have had his pick of any club in Europe, had he kept his to his word an not signed for another English team he would have left Anfield with his head high, with the good wishes of the supporters and a thank you from everyone, he would have been remembered fondly, celebrated upon his return, it would not have been an easy loss but it would have been an acceptable one.

But Fernando Torres has left in disgrace, his reputation in tatters. He will not receive a fond welcome upon his return to Anfield, and i think, when he does return, and feels the full fury of the Liverpool faithful it will hurt him inside, he will step out onto the pitch with memories of good times stirring in his mind, those memories may even bring a smile to his face for years to come, but there will be no heroes welcome.

He will realise his mistake in time, his first interview for his new club was dull and uneventful, he looked like a lost child - or a man who was beginning to realise exactly what he had done.

There where no fond words for the club he left or the supporters who had adored him from day one. He said he did not want to talk about Liverpool and would never say anything bad about us. But in his haste to impress his new audience he declared that he had always wanted to play for a top club and is happy that he can do that now, he stated that after Chelsea there is nothing higher, and it was 'like destiny' for him to score against us on Sunday - all words which will have cut deep into the Liverpool supporters, the club and his former team mates.

It is true though Fernando, there is nothing higher for you than Chelsea, the reason??

The way back up to Liverpool is now permanently shut to you.

Chelsea are going backwards and we are likely to pass them on our way up. They are by no means guaranteed a Champions League place next season, and with a few wins under our belts then we can put ourselves in a great position to challenge Chelsea for fourth spot. Fernando will be well used to fighting for fourth by now and with the way Chelsea are going - he will need to be.

What Fernando Torres did for Liverpool will never be forgotten, years down the line when the dust has settled, the goals he scored may actually be enjoyed, never as they once where but they will bring up happy memories, and i don't think we can ever really forget the way he terrorised Vidic, like i said, in the long run what he did for us wont be forgotten.

But what he did to us will always overshadow everything he ever did for us.

After years of lies and deceit at the hands of two American cowboys Fernando took it upon him self to tell some more lies to the Liverpool supporters - he told us he was committed, that he would not leave and that we should get behind him and the team - Nando you should really have known better.

On the whole he will forever be remembered for the wrong reasons.

The flame of a potential Liverpool legend burned out on Monday night and there is no going back.