Systems/formations/set up? It looked like 4 4 1 1 without the ball, and when we had the ball, it was so fluid, I couldn't tell.
I've noticed this a lot in the last couple of months. With the ball the interchanging between the front three and some of the midfield is so constant that no one seems to have a set position. Until, that is, we lose the ball, then everyone slots in. It's superb to see and you get a real sense for what Rodgers is trying to achieve. We are still weak in some areas, but it's looking very very impressive especially in the middle and final thirds.
Sturridge was outstanding. Use all the different words you can think of to agree with me.
He was so good he out Suarez'd Suarez. £12m. Snip.
Carragher did well. Again.
A lot of people talked after the Arsenal game, myself included, about how while Carra had a great game it was at the expense of the system. we sat too deep, we invited them onto us etc. Sunday blew the whole thing out of the water. That moment when he dived in and won the ball, but was booked because you "just can't do that anymore" made me feel quite nostalgic for the tackling of old. He can stay in the side for the rest of the season for me if his legs hold out.
Henderson as a left mid/false winger? The lad has such an engine that he can actually cover 1.5 positions quite easily.
Quite hard to judge what Hendersons position actually was, other than he was superb wherever he popped up. He's quickly becoming my new favourite, which is dangerous because having a love affair with a footballer can only end in badly (ie with them holding up a rivals shirt at the end of a transfer window!)
It isn't just about the energy of the lad, his touch is starting to show a new level of class. A lot was written a few months ago that he doesn't add anything to the attack. A lot of people are starting to look very silly. Which leads me onto some other questions... what happens to the likes of Shelvey and Allen now? Will they be happy rotating in?
The Lucas train gathers momentum, one stray pass out of defence notwithstanding.
It is true that he has been unconvincing since he came back, but it was important to let that slide because he was out for more than 12 months. Yesterday was the first game in which he looked back to his best. He played out of his skin and kept their attack quiet. When I look back at the game there were not many moments when we worried about the Man City attack (the goals aside). Compare that to Arsenal when we were clinging on for dear life.
And finally, is Gerrard back to his "GEEERRRRRAAARRRRRDDDDD!" best?
What a hit son! Something has just clicked into place and I'll happily admit I was wrong on Gerrard earlier in the season. I have been convinced for years that he can't play in a midfield 2 or 3 because he lacks the discipline. The last 6 weeks or so he has shown real leadership, but not in the grab-all-attention style that used to dominate his game. His performances are mature and gives me real hope that his career good go on longer than many of us felt possible.
Overall, the game was a joy to watch. We just looked better than Man City in every area, but couldn't kill the game off. There should, however, be no shame in that. City hadn't conceded in 6 games and we put 2 past them. They saved a point due to something that I would argue was part fortuitous, part world class from Aguero.
The moment of the match for me, was the first goal. Many of us have screamed at Liverpool for putting the ball out when an oppo player is rolling around on the floor. We've called it a sign of softness. It showed a killer instinct to keep attacking, so much so that even a few passes before we scored I just had a feeling that we were going to put it away. Haven't felt like that about a liverpool attack in eons.
Now let's make the hard work in recent weeks pay off with wins against West Brom and Swansea.
