Showing posts with label Dirk Kuyt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dirk Kuyt. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Liverpool 3-2 Wigan Athletic, Kuyt and Riera ease Liverpool to a fantastic win.


I nearly thought i would come here and write about Liverpool's loss but that simply wasn't to be. Once again Liverpool have got something out of nothing. Liverpool again showed the character to overcome a 2-1 deficit at first half to win the match 3-2. I must say what a great performance by Dirk Kuyt and company. One more time Riera was impressive but this time his work was paid in goal. The absence of Torres in the attack is missed. On that day, while i watched Keane play, i kept on saying that the lad is unable to fill Torres's boots. I am not criticizing Keane. We all know how good a player Keane is and what he offers to the team. His runs and his never say die attitude say it all. He's just lacking the finishing touch, which in my opinion will come after more training with his new teammates.

Before the kick off against Wigan i was pretty confident that we would win the match rather comfortably. Reflecting on the opening 10 minutes of the first half, I can say that Wigan were all over us. Their 2-1 advantage in the first half explained that they had indeed come to Anfield with a victory or at least a draw in their minds. But the match changed as soon as Valencia was red carded. Rafa was very wise to switch to a more attacking formation allowing El-Zhar and Benayoun to come into play. The tactic employed by Rafa immediately made an effect as Liverpool gained the equalizer through Riera and eventually the winner thanks to a magnificent strike buy Kuyt.

There are certainly positives to take from this match but there are as well negatives. Liverpool have to start to make their lives easier. They need to secure the win as from the first half against the Wigans and Stokes of the Premier League. It isn't as easy to do as to say. But Liverpool are a match to anyone and can certainly play good football and score goals. The biggest positive for me with Liverpool this season is the mentality to come back and win a match. Am I starting to see a Liverpool with the character of the 80's? I wish that this could be our season. But it's too early to predict anything, especially with Chelsea gathering points and goals alike. If we can beat Chelsea at Stamford, which in my opinion would be tough but not impossible, we then stand a good chance, especially with Man U playing catch up.

Eight matches cleared and 20 points in the bag, Liverpool stand close second with Chelsea. Next up is Athletico Madrid for the CL group stages. As Rafa says, let's think about one match at a time. So' we'll speak about the Chelsea match later on.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Manchester City 2-3 Liverpool, a sweet double by Torres and a wonderful late strike by Dirk Kuyt gives Liverpool the winner

Manchester City v Liverpool has undoubtedly been one of the most breathtaking matches since the start of the season. Liverpool overcame a 2 goals deficit to win the match 3-2 after an injury time strike by Dirk Kuyt. This proved once again Liverpool's intent for a serious challenge in the EPL. Rewind a year back and you would have seen Liverpool losing such matches. And what a time for Dirk Kuyt to open his scoring account in the EPL. It was the first time since November that Kuyt scored in the PL and it gave Liverpool the winner.

Fernando Torres was once more outstanding, scoring a double to give Liverpool the equalizer. He scored Liverpool's 1000th goal and at the same time became the most prolific foreign striker ever to wear the red shirt. As much as the win was sweet, every Liverpool supporter would not forget the injury of Martin Skrtel. I was really sad to see the lad taken out of the pitch. Clearly he was in agony. Reports later confirmed that he had damaged his cruciate ligaments, which could see him out of action for more than 8 weeks.

Albert Riera's impressive form was striking throughout the whole match. It seemed like he is starting to gel well with the whole squad. The training sessions are working well for him as he gave Zabaletta a tough time on the left flank. Everytime he got the ball, he got the better of him and could find space and make some dangerous crosses. Give him a couple more months and he will be the key to most of our wins. He gives Liverpool's game a new dimension and dominates the left flank remarkably well, feeding the ball to the strikers when they need it.

Both goals conceded by Liverpool were due to defensive mistakes. But on the whole, Liverpool played a great game and came out with 3 points. 7 matches played and 17 points in the bag, Liverpool stand second, after Chelsea in the table. Now, Liverpool have to score as much goals as possible to close the gap in goal difference with Chelsea. Liverpool players will take their international break with smiles on their faces. Next up is Wigan Athletic at Anfield Road.