HIGH PRESSURE, HIGH TEMPO, HIGH QUALITY

By KP

That Liverpool produced the best performance of the season without Gerrard, Kelly, Johnson and Agger, showed just how well the team with youngsters Spearing and Flanagan to the fore, managed to curtail potential any threat from Man City. The Liverpool midfield and forward line pressed City high up the pitch from the first minute to last, and with midfielders dropping back to help the full-backs stop Johnson and Milner making any inroads, it was by far Liverpool’s powerful and most cohesive performance of the season.

John Flanagan produced a performance way beyond in tender years and experience.  He produced some excellent tackles and tracked back to ease forwards out the way, but he got forward at every opportunity providing Liverpool with an outlet which they haven’t had since Martin Kelly’s untimely injury.  Flanagan and Aurelio, who also had an excellent game, offered Liverpool authenticity in the full-back positions and marshalled both the dangerous Johnson and Milner as if they had been playing in tandem for years.  The real  shame  for Aurelio is that as capable a footballer as he is obviously is, time and again has been let down by his body.

Liverpool could have been gone ahead even before our opener, when Suarez glided on to a through ball which Joe Hart did well to push his early shot round the post.  The dominance of the Liverpool midfield, led by the stirring passion of Spearing and Lucas and the classy Meireles allowed Suarez and Carroll to show how dangerous they can be as a pairing.  A few minutes later Liverpool poured forward with the ball knocked  into the box, Kompany’s defensive block went straight out to the un-rushing Carroll who unleashed a ferocious 25 yard drive, which flashed past England No1 Joe Hart like a tracer bullet – to be in Kop at the moment was special, as the ground appeared to take off.

Man City’s hopes then dissipated with the heartbeat of their side Tevez going off injured.  Apart from a ten minute period either side of the half-hour, City seemed to have their minds firmly on the forthcoming FA Cup Semi­-Final, but that cannot detract from the dominance of a Liverpool team enthused by the manager to keep fighting for the final Europa League place and showing pride in the shirt.

The game was as good as over in a two minute phase which saw Kuyt guide his shot into the corner after Liverpool had constantly threatened the City goal.  A minute later, Raul Meireles produced a gorgeous cross from the left, which Carroll met with a trade mark header, which left Hart floundering as the ball nestled in the far corner of the net.  It was the goal which we had all been waiting for. A cross from the final third of the pitch allowing Carroll to get into the area and deliver the kind of header which at times make him unplayable.

Suarez had an excellent game, with his surety of touch and his sublime awareness of Carroll, but especially his link up play with Kuyt and Meireles who he has a good understanding with.  At the top end of the pitch, Suarez and Carroll in flashes showed, that their understanding of each other’s game is progressing and with Carroll’s hold-up play giving Liverpool an outlet when balls are played up to him from him neck to toe rather than lumped up to his head. Liverpool were everything that City were not and as Kenny said, “If you are going to get anything out of Man City you have to work hard.”

A special mention goes out to John Flanagan, who at seventeen showed the commitment and solidity required for the occasion. It was a performance which regular watchers of Liverpool’s reserves and Youth Teams have seen on numerous occasions this season, to which ends he provides leadership like a young Jamie Carragher.   Moreover, looking to the future, with some good young players coming through and with Jay Spearing supplying tackles to stop Man Mountains like Yaya Toure in his track, shows an example of the desire King Kenny requires from his players.

Arsenal will provide much more of challenge and yes Liverpool need more quality in the squad, but let’s not crab about this performance, because with the tenacity and passion we showed was skill and quality.  Liverpool’s sternest critic Tommo, that is Jessica Thompson’s dad (Jessica works at The Pasty Shop on the concourse at Liverpool Lime Street Station), may just be pleased.

By KP