After watching the full game on Sky, I didn't think we were THAT bad in the first half. It wasn't great by any means and we didn't create any particularly good chances but I was expecting to see worse. Similarly, in the second half, I was expecting a much better performance I saw. Luck was definitely with us today but either way, scoring four goals in 45 minutes is impressive by anyone's standards.
Kirkland - 6 - Didn't do anything wrong with the two goals, neither of them I thought he should have saved. Didn't make any mistakes either during the rest of the game and again, it's pleasing to see him come for crosses.
Traore - 6 - Djimi had quite a decent game I thought. Nothing to write home about but defended well enough and got forward a few times. He showed again though that he's certainly come on a lot from the clumsy oaf that he was 2+ years ago. Unfortunately, current performances aren't changing many people's opinion of him.
Hyypia - 7 - I thought he had quite a good game actually. He made plenty of interceptions, blocks and clearances and would have been a higher mark if it wasn't for their two goals. The problem with them was Boa Morte was just too fast for him. Maybe his positioning could be called into question but if he's out paced by a striker, it's not really his fault. It means we need someone with pace there but he did play well today apart from as I said, the two goals which I'm not sure he could have done a great deal about.
Carragher - 8 - Typical Carragher really. He really has come on leaps and bounds in my opinion over the last few seasons. Not only does he give you 100% as you would expect, he's just become an all round very good defender. Excellent game.
Josemi - 5 - Thought he struggled with Boa Morte a lot all game, committed about a dozen fouls and of course got sent off. Not a great day's work for a defender really.
Riise - 6 - I didn't think he had a particularly bad game but seeing as he was playing in midfield, you expect him to be more of a threat going forward. Didn't really cause them too much problems. Kind of confirmed what I've always thought and that he doesn't have what it takes to be a quality winger. His passing isn't good enough nor is he creative enough. Anyway, didn't do much wrong but not involved enough for my liking. Playing him isn't going to help matters in a creative sense, considering our problem with shots on goal in away games.
Hamann - 6 - He's another one for me who just let the game pass him by. I know his best work often goes unnoticed but most Liverpool supporters now can see when he's having an effect on the game. Didn't seem to break up much of their play and didn't get on the ball much.
Diao - 4 - Poor game. I don't want to go over the top with the criticism of him as I didn't think he was THAT bad but I really am struggling to see a future with him in a red shirt to be honest. His passing was poor, his tackles just ended up giving them free kicks and of course, that flick he tried resulted in their first goal. To be fair, although I gave him a '4' he didn't get the chance to improve on that in the second half. Everyone else did. Still, he just offered us absolutely nothing.
Xabi Alonso - 8 - The fact that the game changed so much when he came on is testament to the influence he had on the game. His passing looked a cut above as per usual, he played a key part in Baros' goal and of course scored from a free kick. Excellent game.
Luis Garcia - 6 - Didn't really have too good a game either I thought. His all round play wasn't what you expect from him and he seemed to give the ball away a fair bit. On the plus side though, it was his header that eventualyl found its way to Baros after the keeper had saved it and it was after he was fouled, that Xabi Alonso scored from the free kick. He didn't really do much else though.
Baros - 8 - I thought he was very impressive today. Gave 100% all game and just never stopped running. He caused them plenty of problems down the channels with his running, played a part in the first goal and of course reacted excellently to score his own.
Cissé - 7 - I thought, again, that this was another promising performance from Djibril. Okay, he didn't score but his overall game and the way he linked up with the rest of the team was a definite cause for optimism, for me anyway. Showed a few good touches and did make a nuisance of himself from time to time. Set up Alonso for what should have been a simple tap in and played a part in Biscan's goal. Still waiting for him to really 'come alive' and start producing what he's capable of, mainly scoring and causing opposition defences more problems but you can already see him contributing more during the 90 minutes.
---
Warnock - Not enough time to judge him really but of course linked up excellent with Biscan for our 4th.
Biscan - What can you say, he scored within 20 seconds of coming on with his second touch. Very pleased to see him score.
