Lucas Leads By Example While Suarez Inspires

The train’s just pulled out of Liverpool’s Lime Street and I'm feeling pretty satisfied with life having watched Liverpool dismantle a Bolton side who will cause many a  Premiership side more than a few problems this season. Apart from fifteen minutes or so towards the end of the first-half and after the third goal when Liverpool appeared to step off the gas, this was game when the new recruits Adam, Enrique and Jordan Henderson came to the party.

Lucas Leiva was immense in the centre of the park, taking on the work of two players and it will interesting to see how many tackles he made in this match as he seemed to be everywhere. I even saw him out muscle Kevin Davies going for header which takes some doing! His performance was one of the key reasons why Liverpool started on fire and should have had the game wrapped up in the first half hour after Suarez, whose movement was imperious, missed a glorious chance when put clean through. Downing also tripped his lines when put through, hesitating when going through with the ball on his right and also Kuyt missing a gilt edged chance sliding in after a glorious move by the home side.

We started suffering Sunderland flashbacks a plenty as the half drew to a close.


Jordan Henderson’s goal capped another superb move, which he deliciously capped with a magnificently clipped shot in the top corner with his weaker left foot. As has been said previously on this blog, the criticism he has received is a tad unfair with him being a centre-midfielder playing out of position. It was nice to hear the crowd trying to encourage him rather than make disparaging remarks. In saying that, the dimensions of the side could be somewhat expanded with a right-sided player with similar instincts Downing. One wonders whether a fit Gerrard will be slotted into an old fashioned inside right position. But, quality and competition for places is just what we’ve pining for. As Kenny said in his programme notes “It isn’t about 11 players any more and the days when Shanks named the same starting eleven from one August to the next have gone. That’s why we’re delighted with the strength of our squad.”


The new found balance in the side gave rise to the second goal. With two left footed corner takers in the side it led to a whipped in corner by Adam being dispatched with aplomb by Skrtel with a power header which left the Bolton keeper grasping at thin air. This was in the middle of a purple patch in which Liverpool steaming forward almost immediately grabbed the third goal when Adam guided home a right footed drive. It was important to see him in an area where he caused so much havoc for Blackpool last season because it gives so much more potency to the Liverpool attack. Enrique looks very accomplished at left-back, but as is apparent he is very determined in winning the ball back for his team in addition to his skill at supporting the attack.

Make no mistake this was top performance by a very good Liverpool side, which even a late Bolton goal could not deny. One could say that the international break is coming at the wrong time for a team which is blending nicely and looks capable of going on a run, but for Martin Kelly the time away may just buy him time to rest another worrying hamstring injury.

Man of Match: Lucas Leiva.  His workrate had to be seen to be believed. He provided the platform to allow Charlie Adam to produce those glorious diaginal passes to Suarez and Downing and for Suarez to play as only Suarez  can.  In addition, he protected the defence with his interceptions and tough tackling.  His short passing has improved out of all recognition whereby his contribution is being felt by all supporters alike.