Steaua Bucharest v Liverpool

Steaua Bucharest v Liverpool

3 December 2010

With 10 changes from the 2-1 defeat against Tottenham, Liverpool went into the match against Steaua Bucharest only needing a draw to secure qualification to the next stage.

Early qualification meant fridge players could look ahead to more game time against Utrecht with the manager, less likely to risk Gerrard, Torres and Meireless et al, with the frequency of games over the Christmas period, just over the horizon. With these games in mind, the strength in depth of the first team squad is sure to be tested and with Babel, Jovanović and Pacheco in the starting line-up for the first time since the Northampton debacle, the players in question, and others like the recently capped Wilson were keenly aware that strong performances could elevate them through the ranks, particularly with Carragher and Agger out with long-term injuries.

In a match where Liverpool were for the most part under pressure, Ryan Babel showed a level of maturity, particularly in the first-half, which will have confounded his many critics and left many of his fans hoping for a long run in the side.  Playing upfront alone, he showed he was capable of holding the ball up and either waiting for the arrival of team mates or bringing others into play. In the 19^th minute he showed a superb piece of awareness, as he moved on to the ball in the wide right position, he intelligently brought the ball back from his more stronger right foot on to his left and waited until support arrived in the area, delivering a brilliantly measured cross on to the head of Jovanović who gloriously headed home.  It seemed only right that Liverpool’s two best attacking players on the night should provide the night’s bright spot.

Young Wilson stood up well to the prolonged waves of attack by Steaua by creating a centre-half barrier with Kyrgiakos ably supported by Kelly.  Pepe Reina, pulled of a string of good saves on the night, but an uncharacteristic loss of concentration allowed a soft header by Bonfim on the hour to squirm through his legs.  It was a deserved leveller as Stancu had missed a glorious chance just before half-time, screwing a shot wide with the goal at his mercy after the ball broke to him following a challenge by Kyriagkos.

Liverpool against the run of play almost sneaked a late winner with Kyriiagkos getting on the end of an Aurelio cross to see his powerful header come crashing back of the crossbar.


KP  3 December 2010