Dalglish Giving Liverpool A Blueprint For The Future

The absence of Craig Bellamy was reminder us all that although football is a part of life, it not as important as life in the grand scheme of things. The sudden and untimely passing of Gary Speed was a shock to all football fans as he not just an excellent footballer, he was a great ambassador for the game, but more importantly as many have testified he was a good man who was well respected throughout the game and beyond. He will be sadly missed which could be gauged by the heart felt minutes silence for both he and Brad Jones's son Luca.

The quality of Manchester City was apparent from the kick-off controlling possession with the power and pace they exuded from front to back. But it was Liverpool that could have gone in at half-time 2-1 up having shown character to come back from a goal down. The hard work of the magnificent Lucas able assisted by Kuyt, Downing and Henderson allowed Adam once again to probe and control the tempo of the game in the second-half. Midfield maestro David Silva struggled to stamp his usual authority on the game with the increasing authority of the Liverpool midfield.

The back four are looking assured and unless injury intervenes Skrtel and the Rolls Royce like Agger may keep out the likes of Carragher and Coates for a while yet.

The second-half showed a level of increasing maturity by a Liverpool team who dominated a Manchester City side, by far and away the best we have played this season, with confidence and by the end a brand of the famous pass and move. But, the same old failings let us down at home once again, even if we take into account the brilliant performance of Joe Hart¸ chance upon chance went a begging and right now instead of being sixth and three points outside the top four, we could and should be comfortably sitting among the top four, but unlike Spurs and Man City the Liverpool goals are not shared around prolifically and it is that which is hindering our home form.

Henderson helped stem the flow to the creative elements of the Man City midfield, but in attack he was woeful and one wonders why Maxi who was dropped. After a promising start, Downing's confidence seems to have whittled way and the creative aspect of his game has fallen by the wayside. Dirk Kuyt has missed a few glorious chances in the last three games and is another who seems short on confidence in the final third, thus yesterday although we controlled and dominated the last third of the game Suarez seemed the only player capable of unlocking the door, until Carroll belatedly entered the fray.

We have to become more clinical in front of goal as games are being squandered. No coincidence that Bellamy and Maxi are already off the mark with very little playing time in comparison to many of their colleagues. That said if points were given for moral victories we would be among the leaders, but its real points we are aiming for.

Kop-Post Man of the Match: Luis Enrique managed the potent threats Milner and Richards which assuredness and as the game went on became an attacking threat often picking up the ball in his own half driving forward and committing defenders with superb close control. Could easily have been Lucas, Agger or Luis Suarez who was all excellent.

R.I.P. Gary Speed