Final score : 3-2
Scorer : Kuyt-2x, Riera (Liv), Amir Zaki (Wigan)
Red Card : Valencia (Wigan)
Man of the match : Dirk Kuyt
Never in my wildest dream had I thought I would see Liverpool under Rafa Benitez playing with only two defenders. Well it happened in this game, be it after Wigan were down to 10 men, but it happened and it worked!
Another comeback victory, another Kuyt winner in the dying minute, and I’m absolutely loving it right now.
Daniel Agger made his first appearance in the league this season and while overall he did ok, the rustiness was clear for all to see. He missed tackles, failed to get the ball off the opponents lots of times, he messed up the offside trap once and of course that horrible error that gifted Wigan their first goal. But he made up for it with that wonderful run, beating his man and a perfect assist for Kuyt for the equaliser. I felt sorry for him after the error because the last thing he needed was just that, stupid error that will take away his confidence in his league comeback. But he reacted well and I’m so pleased for him. He is a good player, an important one and I’m sure he will be back to his best with the run of games he will play. I just hope Rafa won’t be too harsh and drop him after this.
Kuyt played upfront in the absence of Torres and he played very well. He could have had a hattrick if not for the fine saves by Kirkland. As well as he played, I have no doubt he will return to the right side when Torres came back. I hope he will take it well because based on his performance in this game he certainly deserves to play up front. However the team is more important than a player and I’m sure he won’t make an issue when he is asked to play on the right.
We are leaking goals at the moment and when the halftime finished at 1-2, I fear we have used up all or our luck for the season. Surely we can’t stage another comeback? But we did and big pats on the back for the whole team including Rafa. He subbed off both of the fullbacks and replaced them with attacking players. Of course the sending off helped, a lot, but it was really pleasing to see Rafa took real initiatives to win the game. When we were chasing the game we were actually playing 2-4-4! Well done Rafa.
However we need to be careful, we need to stop conceding goals. We can’t keep producing gritty comebacks; sooner or later we won’t be able to win games after going behind. The laws of average guaranteed that. I’m sure Carra and Agger will get used to play with one another soon and I hope they will produce the partnership that worked so well before Agger got injured. I want them to be the first choice partnership because for me, as well as Skrtle has been playing, Carra-Agger partnership is better.
Riere scored his first goal, and he deserved it too as he has been playing well since his debut. Gerrard put on a real mature performance, he really is becoming a real wonderful player, realising his potential as the best central midfield around. Alonso also continued his good form without being spectacular and Keane is still trying too hard, I think. He needs to relax more.
Only 1 player I’m worried about, Dossena. I had such a high hope for him when he signed but right now he is looking like the weak link of the team. And he is fat too! Losing a few kilos will do him a lot of good.
Special mention to Amir Zaki, he really is some player! I’m not just talking about that goal he scored (beautiful wonderful second goal), but also how hard he worked for the team. He pressed the defenders all the time and just never stopped running. Definitely the signing of the season.
Wigan played really well. Shame that the sending off robbed them of all 3 points. Oh well, that’s football for you, sometimes things go against you, sometimes they go for you. One thing for sure, it luck in football has its own way of balancing things out. We are enjoying good lucks at the moment but bad lucks will come our way. I just hope when the time comes we will be good enough handle it…….
Dear God,
GUP
