More than anything, we're missing Alonso's leadership in the center of the pitch. Someone there the players trusted. They don't trust Lucas, or Spearing.
Shocking that we've gone from the best midfield in Europe to an average one at best. Doesn't help that Mascherano is a moaning twat.
I'll say again, there's just a lack of presence in there, a lack of spine, similar to Arsenal. Honestly, Aquilani can't come soon enough. For me, this
Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Aurelio
Masch
Gerrard Aquilani
Kuyt Torres Yossi
is just about the best starting 11 out there.
And it's not about the lack of depth either. There were enough good players out there to win the game. There was just no spine, no leader out there, to stick the team together. That's what we're missing with Alonso, more than his passing, or vision. Our team yesterday was just filled with good to very good support players. Stick an Alonso, or an in form Gerrard, and we'd be so much better. Even an on form Agger would make a huge difference.
Also, the system (or the way we implemented) was terrible. Agger, and Skrtel were playing as full backs, with Yossi, Babel, Johnson, and Fabio just to cramp up the wide areas, leaving only Lucas and Spearing in the center, and they just got bullied.
We're still in it though. We've lost only one point yesterday, from the top of the table. Just fucking hope that Mascherano, and Aquilani are fit, Gerrard is back in form, Torres is fit, and Agger and Aurelio remain fit.
We've seen glimpses, but we've been outplayed by any decent team. It's got to start this week. With the Lyon game, who are a very good side. It will be just like us, defeating the Mancs next week.
We're very fortunate, we're still in it, and it does seem Rafa has got one thing right - the top teams will lose more points.
Oh, and I'll be the first to say this, expect bids from us for Cattermole and Turner next summer.