What a pleasure to watch. I was on the edge of my seat the entire game. I think that's the most important part for me watching Sunday's performance, we were an absolute pleasure to watch. It's been a long time since there was a game where I sat down and actually thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. It was nail biting , it had moments of controversy and generally had the whole package.
We started off slowly and looked to be giving them a bit too much respect, but there was a change sometime during the first half where you can see we thought "Is that all they have?" and started playing some proper football. Then the goal went in, and there wasn't much we could do about it. It came off his shoulder for heavens sake, could have gone anywhere. Not sure why Dirk was the man picking up Kompany, and it just compounded the issue by getting in Johnsons way.
We had the perfect response though, the heads didn't even dip, which seems to be a big change in the team. When we concede we don't just lie down now, we go and see if we can get one. Adam's shot was wayward and my nan probably could have struck it on target, but as he said in the post match interview, if you don't try you'll never score. Which is something I really like about Adam, he tries , everything. Shots, passes, tackles ... always looking to get involved.
From then on it was liverpool all the way, except for the slow start in the 2nd, we took a good 10 minute battering, but again we got to a point where it was "is that all they got?" and played like with an attitude of "Welcome to Anfield lads". We should have won no doubt, but you can't account for a great performance from the 2nd best keeper in the league. Hart was magnificent. He was the difference maker.
Positives I take away from this, pretty much everything on display.
Pepe brought a new definition to sweeper keeper, and while it's exciting to see him run out and do all that, I know Pepe will keep a cool head and control the situation. Like when they broke late in the 2nd half and it was 2 on 1 , the pass gets to Silva on the spot and who is right in his face, Pepe, making shooting first time an impossibility. Silva then has to try dribble around Pepe, giving 3 defenders the time to get on the line and stop any shot, which is what happened.
The backline was great and solid. I am loving the Agger/Skrtel partnership. Carragher is going to be on the bench for awhile. There is no reason to bring him back, Agger is a solid leader and we look much better playing it out of defense. Enrique was stalwart in his defending, his attack however seemed to be a bit stuttered. Johnson as well, defended great, but the few runs he did make came to nothing. Still much better than anything we have had for awhile. The only criticism would be the awful back passing, played Pepe into numerous dangerous positions. This happens maybe once or twice a game yes, but I think I counted around 4/5 ... far too much.
What can you say about Lucas that hasn't been said already? I have run out of superlatives to describe this lad. He was perfect. Everything he did was Perfect. Thank god Roy/Purslow never got their way, that's all I can say.
Now to the frontline. This is where I think we are struggling a bit. Kuyt used to be the man that would get into those right places and have that easy tap in for the goal, for whatever reason this year it just hasn't happened. Could be a loss of a yard of pace or maybe just having a bad season, but he hasn't scored for us in the league. We need to seriously consider buying a tap in player. Someone of the mold of Hernandez. We have the Aguero superstar in Suarez and I wouldn't swap him for anyone, but we need that person who gets into the box and can place a header or an easy tap in.
Downing for me has everything he needs to be a class player the only thing he is missing is confidence. I think once he gets one assist or one goal the floodgates will open and he will be prolific. Andy Carroll did everything he was asked when he came on. Was strong in the air , challenged all over the pitch and his header in the last minute was exactly what you are supposed to do, get above the defender, get a powerful header on target and going across the keeper. Hart was just that much better on the day. I doubt he will have to do that much work for the remaining season. He needed to be at his very very best that day, unfortunately he was.
Kenny got everything spot on as well, from his formation, to the lineup to his substitutions. When they went a man down his first thought was go for it, get the win. Bringing on Carroll to do so. Screw this playing for the point malarky.
All in all well impressed with the guys! Loved it. More of the same please.
