It has finally started looking good for Liverpool. Gerrard, Torres, Benayoun, Kuyt and Aquilani are starting to get back their rhythm. We have put together a couple of wins and simultaneously a double of clean sheets as well. The defense still looks a little leaky but things are improving. We have got back Martin Skrtel to partner Agger in the center of the Liverpool box.
I am trying to give this live reporting another chance. Maybe I don't prove to be the curse around their neck. The next game is huge in terms of the Champions League positions. Tottenham are currently occupying that 4th spot in the table. If we can give them a good dose, they will be just one point ahead of us. And may have been overtaken by Manchester City by then. A win at Anfield against the men from London would be an awesome thing to achieve in the New Year.
Here's wishing the entire Liverpool team and its supporters a wonderful 2010. May the team flourish and score goals. We will be there to make sure Torres and Gerrard know what its like to have Liverpool supporters behind their back.
You Will Never Walk Alone.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Fratton Park - against the Botom 3 contenders
The game at Portsmouth is an ideal way to try and get back some of the rhythm for Liverpool. The side in blue is not at the top of their confidence. Gerrard, Torres, Johnson and Kuyt were all deemed completely fit. The 6th minute saw a dangerous free kick floated into the Liverpool box and the resulting loop back into Reina's path was deflected away for a goal kick.
With the Liverpool defence not at its very best, there were expected to be some long balls from the Portsmouth backline. Carragher had to use all his experience to defend one such ball against the front two fielded by Avram Grant. Dossena floated a wonderful ball for Torres in the 18 yard box. But the defence could pluck it away from his feet. Then Torres sped away from his own half to finally get a corner. But one after another, the corners were well defended, with some degree of not the best deliveries attached to both the balls. The left of Liverpool midfield once again saw the almost forgotten Italian who goes by the name of Dossena. He did look lively from the initial touches and his ability to put in good balls for Gerrard, Torres and Kuyt to attack.
Torres and Gerrard combined to pick up Kuyt inside the 6yard box but the Dutchman could not connect with the bouncing ball. That was half a chance with the ball almost at his feet. Torres went for goal in the 21st minute from just outside the box. The ball curled very well but just did not dip enough under the crossbar. That shot would have alerted the Portsmouth goalkeeper to the abilities of this Spanish striker. Once again he ran onto a left wing ball from Gerrard but could not get the slightest of touches. Any minimal contact would have diverted that ball into the goal, with the goalkeeper too close to the ball. Dossena's foul allowed a free kick to be delivered right into the upper right corner but Reina was up to it. Then a swift counter attack needed a clearing header from Agger. The resulting corner was cleared to finally move the ball away from Liverpool area.
The first half an hour had seen better organization and field play from Liverpool, but Portsmouth appeared to be more threatening from their minimal attacks on the opposite goal. They were better in the final third while we were trying to control the overall game. And the team with more attacking intent had their noses in front. A goalmouth scramble saw Reina parry a shot which bounced for Johnson to head away to safety. However the weak header allowed Belhadj to volley a superb goal from the tightest of angles. It flew inside the near post of Reina even before he could see it.
Portsmouth 1 - 0 Liverpool. 33 minutes.
Daniel Agger had the best opportunity to drive home the leveller. Gerrard free kick floated beautifully onto the far post, Agger had a free header 6 yards out. All he had to do was to direct it goalwards. And he managed to let the header fly across the goal. In the 42nd minute, Mascherano flew into a tackle onto Tal Ben Haim. He managed to hurt himself and see red at the same time. That was that for the first half. Is my curse still on ? Should I move away from the keyboard and stop writing this live report of the match.
With the Liverpool defence not at its very best, there were expected to be some long balls from the Portsmouth backline. Carragher had to use all his experience to defend one such ball against the front two fielded by Avram Grant. Dossena floated a wonderful ball for Torres in the 18 yard box. But the defence could pluck it away from his feet. Then Torres sped away from his own half to finally get a corner. But one after another, the corners were well defended, with some degree of not the best deliveries attached to both the balls. The left of Liverpool midfield once again saw the almost forgotten Italian who goes by the name of Dossena. He did look lively from the initial touches and his ability to put in good balls for Gerrard, Torres and Kuyt to attack.
Torres and Gerrard combined to pick up Kuyt inside the 6yard box but the Dutchman could not connect with the bouncing ball. That was half a chance with the ball almost at his feet. Torres went for goal in the 21st minute from just outside the box. The ball curled very well but just did not dip enough under the crossbar. That shot would have alerted the Portsmouth goalkeeper to the abilities of this Spanish striker. Once again he ran onto a left wing ball from Gerrard but could not get the slightest of touches. Any minimal contact would have diverted that ball into the goal, with the goalkeeper too close to the ball. Dossena's foul allowed a free kick to be delivered right into the upper right corner but Reina was up to it. Then a swift counter attack needed a clearing header from Agger. The resulting corner was cleared to finally move the ball away from Liverpool area.
The first half an hour had seen better organization and field play from Liverpool, but Portsmouth appeared to be more threatening from their minimal attacks on the opposite goal. They were better in the final third while we were trying to control the overall game. And the team with more attacking intent had their noses in front. A goalmouth scramble saw Reina parry a shot which bounced for Johnson to head away to safety. However the weak header allowed Belhadj to volley a superb goal from the tightest of angles. It flew inside the near post of Reina even before he could see it.
Portsmouth 1 - 0 Liverpool. 33 minutes.
Daniel Agger had the best opportunity to drive home the leveller. Gerrard free kick floated beautifully onto the far post, Agger had a free header 6 yards out. All he had to do was to direct it goalwards. And he managed to let the header fly across the goal. In the 42nd minute, Mascherano flew into a tackle onto Tal Ben Haim. He managed to hurt himself and see red at the same time. That was that for the first half. Is my curse still on ? Should I move away from the keyboard and stop writing this live report of the match.
Trying to make a comeback
Ever since I started writing these match reports, Liverpool had seen the roughest patch in the last 10 years or so. I thought - maybe I am the curse. Had tried to revert it by not making any attempts to do a live reporting.
However, this is something very close to my heart. I am trying it out today. If Liverpool manages anything less than 3 points today, I will go back to hibernation.
Hope lady luck smiles on me and my beloved club.
You Will Never Walk Alone.
However, this is something very close to my heart. I am trying it out today. If Liverpool manages anything less than 3 points today, I will go back to hibernation.
Hope lady luck smiles on me and my beloved club.
You Will Never Walk Alone.
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