Chelsea continued their four-year unbeaten streak at the Bridge this weekend. As we always knew it would be, the match was a 90 minute midfield battle with few chances created for either side. Makelele and Mascherano did what they do best, breaking up every attack as it reached the final third. Alex stood out as a reliable defender- more so than I remembered. He also raises the pulse when he goes forward for set pieces. Ashley Cole looked better for England than he did for Chelsea, but is still a world-class left back. However, the Chelsea attack couldn't build momentum due to the efforts of a fantastic Skrtel and Masherano. Liverpool was a slightly better side after 90 minutes, creating better chances, holding the ball, but couldn't bulge the net.
Skrtel has been with the club for only a few weeks, but he looks to be a regular. I am anxious to see Agger fully fit, because I can't imagine what our best defense is going to be then. It looks like Skrtel has taken Agger's place, which is a huge complement. Unclear how serious the wrist/thumb injury is, but he did finish the match.
Mascherano may be the most important player in the side right now. He tracked every attack, broke up momentum, and got stuck in. This is after spending the midweek in the States playing for his country, making it back to Melwood on Thursday. Gerrard, the heartbeat of the club, didn't get into attacking positions during this match, and was largely kept quiet. Kuyt and Gerrard exchanged the right-wing roles, but Crouch was the focus of the attack. Passes were choppy and inconsistent- both sides were anxious and play didn't flow.
Riise was featured, and it looked like the rest did him well. He had some gorgeous cross-field passes and didn't waste the ball in the form of long-range shots into row-Z as he has been lately.
It seems Rafa was content to draw- a good result at the Bridge, to be fair. However, a reversal would have been a huge lift for the club and provide an excellent jumpstart into Champions League glory and a frantic finish to the season. Abbreviated player ratings follow:
Reina: Alert, good kicking. 8.
Finnan: The usual. Solid. 8.
Carragher: Didn't need to get involved much. 7.
Skrtel: Quality. 8.
Riise: Gaining form? 7.
Gerrard: Quiet game for him. 7.
Mascherano: Kept Chelsea out of it. 9.
Lucas: Quiet, had trouble getting involved. 7.
Babel: Unlucky to be subbed. Always an interesting player. The battle between he and Belletti was fascinating.
Kuyt: Hard worker as usual. No finishing. 7.
Crouch: Missed a great chance, but had a good game. 8.
Pennant: Put on for Babel on the left. Out of place, and didn't get involved. Odd choice.
FA Cup on Saturday against Barnsley at home, and then Inter Milan on Tuesday. Back to league action on Saturday 23rd hosting Boro. Go you Reds!
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2 deflections:
The front pairing of Crouch and Torres looks like the best option for Liverpool. Kuyt doesn't look like as much of a threat to score as those two. Babel's a promising player out wide.
After making it to the Champions League final twice in the last three years, are things coming together for Liverpool to have another strong run this year?
Carragher looks like he can do his part again as the unshakable central defender, but what a test: Inter Milan.
This is where Rafa has to show why he can't be replaced. It looks like Liverpool are already out of the title race, and supporters have been up in arms about the rotation policy, and now Gerrard's playing wide right; the pressure has to be on Rafa to do well in Europe.
He's done so well in Europe with Liverpool and before that with Valencia. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Liverpool do really well again, semi-finals or beyond.
There's a general feeling that Rafa sacrifices league performances to have the side ready for the Champions League, and that his rotation policy is at the heart of that strategy. Are there other examples of things Rafa does as part of this strategy, or does it just look like it's a coordinated strategy because he has done better in Europe than in the league? With Valencia he did well in the league and in Europe.
I think the line-up was less a result of rotation in anticipation of upcoming matches and more a result of injuries. Voronin and Torres are injured, making Kuyt and Crouch automatic. Babel could have started centrally over Kuyt, but Kewell hasn't lasted a full match since his return. Pennant could have started on the right, but Lucas seems to demand a place lately. In hindsight, Pennant would have provided more service and a better chance for a goal, but Gerrard provided defensive cover that Pennant would not have.
Defensive selection is driven by injury as well.
You're right, Inter will be the test of the season.
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