By KP
The expectation in and around me from Kopites following the Wolves game was fever pitched which resulted in a rousing rendition of our club anthem, but the referee for some reason started the game before we reached the end which was disrepectful to our traditions.
Liverpool started with a high tempo, pressing high up the pitch with fluid passing led by Gerrard and Meireles prompting and posing problems for the Fulham midfield and defence led by old Liverpool stalwart Danny Murphy. The fast start almost led to a goal when Torres fastened on to a Kuyt through ball and clinically prodded the ball past the unrushing Stockdale, but was adjudged off-side - supporters around me castagated the lassistant referee's decision and commented that the female assistant referee (Sian Massy) should be called to replace him. The dominance in this period allowed Agger to move serenely into midfield on more than one occasion, linking up delightfully with Glen Johnson.
Both full-backs were getting forward, with Kelly as has become his trademark, providing the overlapping option and after 10 minutes h produced a precise low cross which was met with a Maxi diving header which was pushed away by Stockdale. This marked the end of any pro-longed Liverpool dominance in the game with, and our intensity and pressing dropped, with Danny Murphy and Steve Sidwell asserting their authority and controlling possession for almost the rest of the first half, a part from a Glen Johnson drive being tipped over by Stockdale on the 24 minute mark. In fact, Liverpool could quite easily have gone in 1-0 nil when Fulham had two shots, one paried by Reina in quick succession on the half-hour.
Liverpool started the second-half with a markedly higher tempo, but could not get a grip on the midfield and it came as surprise when we took the lead after 52 minutes when from a loose Fulham pass, Torres defelected shot struck the post and Panstil hooked the ball in his own-goal trying to clear of the line. Fulham, then took control pinning us on the back foot for the rest of the game with Liverpool defence having to provide a rearguard action with Reina producing an excellent save from Dempsey's shot and Meireles clearing of the line from a Hangeland header from a corner. Fulham came close a few more times before the end with Reina again coming to the rescue from Dempsey. Raul Meireles continued on from his impressive man of the match performance against Wolves, again linking up delightfully with midfielders and Fernando Torres. He seems to be providing Liverpool with another go too option a part from Gerrard.
Sitting in the Kop the last fifteen minutes felt like an hour, but we made it. While we were fortunate, we managed to win when not playing well which is what good teams do. It’s obvious we need more creative quality and pace as has been said more than a few times on this blog, but we are showing enough passion to win even when not controlling matches, which is no bad thing... roll on Stoke.
KPThursday 27 January 2011
Saw the highlights and even though we were under pressure at certain points in the game, I thought we had a good number of chances. it was good to see us keep another clean sheet. We need to attack and defend collectively.
ReplyDeleteI do hope we can get the three points against Stoke, as this will keep us moving in the right direction. YNWA
Cold as the attic pole, but warmly chanting away with rest of the reds was an incredible feeling.
ReplyDeleteHughes must have been gutted not to get something out of the game, as they played with confidence.
It was almost one sided with Fulham passing well, and especially pressing on second half.
Even though we were denied a goal in the first six minutes, the own goal from Pantsil made up for some of our play, who cares who scored, it went in.
Another impressive performance from Raul Meireless!
More support for Torres please….
As a lifelong LFC fan it was a massive thrill to sample the atmosphere of one of our home games with the thousands of fellow reds.
ReplyDeleteWe made a bright start with everyone thinking that Fernando had scored after 5 mins but we were all disappointed that the linesman raised his flag incorrectly. We then made several attempts on goal with Dirk Kuyts downward header and Glen Johnson's long range shot being the stand out points - the Fulham stand-in goalkeeper Stockdale was outstanding in keeping out both efforts. We then proceeded to lose our control of the game with us dropping off and not closing the gap on the Fulham midfield with our old boy Danny Murphy in particular coming back to Anfield and having a very good game.
The atmosphere with the score at 0-0 at half-time was one of we could do better - the tempo was raised a little at the start of the second half which culminated in the only goal of the game going in for us through a goal mouth scramble which resulted in Fulham's John Pantsil unluckily diverting a ball into his own net.
The team again went into its shell and again let Fulham take the control of midfield which caused Meireles to clear the ball off the line.
when the final whistle went after 3 anxious minutes of injury time the Kop was relieved that we had secured the three points.
To win and not play well are signs that we are getting there again slowly as a top team through hardwork, determination and skill and the run of the green/luck occasionally.
The roots of recovery continue to be made with us now in 7th and chasing the top 6 teams instead of worrying about the bottom 6 teams.
I think the big question this blog needs to adress is whether we give Torres what he wants? What do people think?
ReplyDeleteLivi