BENFICA V LIVERPOOL MATCH PREVIEW

                                           MATCH PREVIEW

One thing is for sure every game from now until the end of the season is massive for Liverpool and all of them with the feeling of must win games about them,  well maybe we would take a draw away to Benfica.  The games are coming thick and fast with not much respite in the coming weeks so it will be tough.
  We go to Portugal on the back of a great performance last Sunday and it will give the team great confidence going into such a big game.  I think it will be a very tough game with Benfica highlighting their capabilities earlier in the competition in convincing fashion in the way in which they dispatched of Everton,  so Liverpool will have to be wary.  Benfica are a side very dangerous going forward and play a very quick passing game which Liverpool will have to close down or be taken apart.  So i think Rafa will resort back to being ultra defensive again tomorrow night due to his concern of the threat Benfica pose.

                                            THE TEAM

So i reckon Rafa will go to this team selectino for tomorrow night
Goalkeeper- Reina
Rightback- Johnson
Leftback- Insua
Centreback- Agger
Centreback- Carragher
Left midfield- Babel
Right midfield- Kuyt
Centre midfield- Lucas
Centre midfield- Mascherano
Centre midfield (attacking)- Gerrard
Centre forward- Torres

I think this will be Rafa's defensive team selection,  just not sure if he'll play Babel or bring back Benayoun,  but i'm pretty sure about the rest of the team.

                                           PREDICTION

BENFICA 1-1 LIVERPOOL  I would take this as a result away from home and finish them off back at Anfield.

KEY PLAYER- Mascherano -  I think he will have to be at his best to protect the defence and break up the Benfica passing game.                                               

YNWA

LIVERPOOL 3-0 SUNDERLAND MATCH REPORT

                                             MATCH REPORT

No margin for error with games running out and Liverpool still trailing in the race for fourth place.  This was a must win game against a Sunderland side on a decent run of form and still boasting about the infamous beach ball win earlier in the season.  A good reaction was paramount after last weekend's devastating defeat against Man Utd to put Liverpool back on track.

                                             THE TEAM

I was expecting a more attack minded team selection for this game and I wasn't disappointed,  it was good to see Torres getting some support in the form of Kuyt.  The defence was as expected,  but good to see Babel getting another start out wide and i was pleased to see only one holding central midfielder in Mascherano with Gerrard playing alongside him in midfield giving him the chance to have more influence on the game.  Overall i liked the team selection.

                                             THE MATCH

                                       Torres scores an amazing opening goal

Liverpool got off to a flyer, really burst out of the traps at a ferocious pace and in only the first minute could have taken the lead when a cross over to the back post was met by Agger who hit a net bound volley only to see Gordon pull off a very good save.  It set the pattern of the day,  and Liverpool continued the tempo for the whole of the first half creating numerous chances,  which was very pleasing after hardly creating a chance last week at Old Trafford.
  Liverpool didn't have to wait long before taking the lead and it was that man Torres once again.  It came in the form of a long clearance from Reina which Torres ran onto down the left wing martialled by the Sunderland defence,  but with no danger he managed to cut inside from the left and found space to unleash an unstoppable shot into the postage stamp corner of Gordon's goal in what was an amazing piece of finishing giving Gordon no chance and giving Liverpool a great confidence boost early in this match.

                                  Johnson scores Liverpool's second

Liverpool played with a great tempo and some very good incisive passing making Sunderland look like they were chasing shadows.  Some very good moves and chances were being created,  in fairness the scoreline should have been more emphatic.  It was a joy to watch unless you were a Sunderland supporter.  Good chances for Agger, Torres,Gerrard,Maxi were all created in the first half but it wasn't until late in the half until Liverpool scored their second,  and it came with a hint of luck,  Johnson cut inside from just outside the box and unleashed a left foot shot which was slightly deflected off a Sunderland defender and flew into Gordon's left hand corner leaving him stranded.
  The second started with Sunderland trying to get back into the game after being overun in the first but it wasn't long before Liverpool started controlling the game again and they went further ahead on the hour mark when Babel sent over a cross from the left and Maxi headed down to Johnson who played a great pass into the onrushing Torres who controlled it brilliantly in the centre of the penalty area and produced a sublime finish to finally finish off Sunderland. The rest of the game was played out with a hint of a training match about it as the job was done,  so substitutions were made and Torres went off to a standing ovation.

                                 Torres second goal against Sunderland

                                          THE PLAYERS

REINA- virtual spectator but great save from Zenden to keep clean sheet
JOHNSON- getting better with each game tremendous runs forward and a great attacking option
INSUA- played well after tough week last week,  got forward and put over some great crosses
AGGER- missed a host of chances but strolled through the game at the back very good at bringing the ball out from the back
CARRAGHER- solid game as ever never put a foot wrong
BABEL- flashes of what he can do but not enough for me, think he just needs a run of games
MAXI- best game yet, some great passing and tremendous workrate
MASCHERANO- usual brilliant performance and also produced some great passes and one or two shots
GERRARD- good to see him in this role more influence, some great passes and crosses from the captain
KUYT- great work rate and great foil for Torres was very involved
TORRES- another superb performance a constant threat, scored two goals but could have had more

                                 SUMMARY

Superb performance,  in my opinion,  the first half performance was Liverpool's best of the season.  Played the game at a great tempo and passed the ball quickly compared to so many games this season where we have only seen a pedestrian pace.  Good to see Rafa being more attack minded  I hope he takes not of what this team is capable of when allowed to attack,  too often he prefers the defensive approach.
  Great to see width with Babel, Maxi, and Johnson providing it and Torres having support up front with Kuyt who complimented him brilliantly,  I was a lot happier to see Gerrard in central midfield where he can influence the game more,  what a difference it made.
  Overall superb stuff and hopefully Rafa will learn that this type of team and formation is the way forward for us.

YNWA
                                                 

4TH SPOT

                                                  4TH SPOT

Can we get fourth spot after another setback?  We've had so many setbacks this season, but now we are running out of games, and the margin for error is getting slimmer.

I personally, think that we can win all of our remaining seven games and if we do that I think we can get fourth spot.  Even the Chelsea game at home, I think we can win, which comes second last game of the season and our last home game of the season.

                                                     
Other teams chasing fourth place have games in hand but I think they have tougher fixtures, and I believe they will drop many points, but don't get me wrong I know its out of our hands and we do need help from other teams but we have been in this position before and have the experience of achieving champions league qualification before and this will stand us in good stead for the remainder of the season.

I do believe we need our big players to step up to the plate, Gerrard has not had a great season and we have never needed him as much as now. Torres as well, who to be fair has been carrying us with his goals but he has been becoming increasingly frustrated in recent games and was quite lucky to stay on the park on Sunday.

 

I also think Rafa has to go for a more attacking approach for the remaining games of the season, as we need to win games not be satisfied by not losing, where far too often his team selection is based on. Would like to see more of Aqualani and Babel, they give us more of an attacking look and made a big difference in last week's fixtures.

So come on Liverpool let's finish on a high.
                                         
  More of this will do nicely                                                                                 

YNWA                                                      

MAN UTD 2-1 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

                                            MATCH REPORT

now this is a match report with a difference, its just my take on the game. i didn't see the game only the first half hour of the game and then some of the game on the radio in the car.
i saw all the goals but i couldn't bring myself to watch the game last night or even the highlights as i find it hard to take losing to MAN UTD.
so i hope you don't mind my report to much, its just my take on what i saw and heard yesterday.

                                      TORRES and GERRARD celebrate after taking the early lead

                                         THE TEAM

just what i expected the line-up to be RAFA has been using this team selection recently for all the big games, a bit too defensive minded for my liking but he's tried and trusted it.
BABEL unlucky to be dropped but then again RAFA seems to like MAXI.
                                       

                                      ROONEY takes the penalty

                                            THE GAME

like i say i only saw about the first half hour in which i thought LIVERPOOL started brightly and scored a great early goal from TORRES from a good LIVERPOOL move involving GERRARD and a good cross from KUYT which TORRES buried into the MAN UTD net.
but i felt we conceded too soon after taking the lead, it came from a poor header from INSUA who headered the ball infield straight to VALENCIA who caught MASCHERANO wrong side of him and he took advantage by bursting straight towards the LIVERPOOL box, MASCHERANO tried to get back but could only get to VALENCIA by pulling him back initially from outside the box, but continued inside the box where VALENCIA fell. referee WEBB pointed to the spot and booked MASCHERANO. i thought it should have been a free-kick outside the box but i also think MASCHERANO was lucky to stay on the park as i think VALENCIA was through on goal. 

                                          RAFA and FERGIE clash again

i felt the rest of what i saw was mostly MAN UTD in control. when i heard some of the second half it sounded like MAN UTD were comfortable and LIVERPOOL were not threatening much.
once again i don't think referee WEBB was giving LIVERPOOL much but still i don't think LIVERPOOL did enough PARK scored the winner with a brave header from a good cross from FLETCHER. GERRARD was once again quiet and TORRES just didn't get any service and was getting frustrated picking up a booking in the first half and becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of service.
TORRES had a great chance in the last minute which he scuffed into the air and BENAYOUN could only attempt a weak header towards goal.

                                           PARK scores the winner

                                           VERDICT
very disappointing day, i felt if we held ont the lead a bit longer it could have been difficult for MAN UTD and then when we went behind the team wasn't set up for chasing the game hence the late substitutions.
GERRARD very quiet once again, TORRES must be getting really fed up in these away games with the lack of support. INSUA struggled against the pace of VALENCIA.
a tight game once again but one i think MAN UTD shaded in all fairness.
not much margin for error now in the race for fourth place.

YNWA                      

LIVERPOOL 3-0 LILLE MATCH REPORT

                                                    MATCH REPORT
 make this
although it was not the champions league it was still another great european night at anfield. another massive crowd producing a great atmosphere, obviously lifting the team from the off.

personally i wasn't sure how this game would pan out with LILLE being a free scoring team this season and LIVERPOOL struggling to score all season and really worrying about losing an away goal which would make this a mountainous task.

                                                    THE TEAM

it was a shame AQUALANI was missing after his great performance on monday night, but i do believe he was ill. MAXI is cup-tied so there had to be a change there. LUCAS and KUYT came in and did really well, LUCAS surprisingly for everybody playing more of an attacking role and looking good doing it.
overall i was happy with the team that was selected.

                                            GERRARD after scoring the early penalty

                                               THE MATCH

LIVERPOOL started well puting LILLE on the back foot from the kick off with some sharp and good passing moves creating one or two early openings, LIVERPOOL knowing that an early goal was required, and it came when LUCAS of all people burst into the LILLE box with a tremendous run before being brought down for a stone wall penalty.
GERRARD stepped up to the plate and slotted the ball into the corner of the net sending the LILLE keeper the wrong way. great start for LIVERPOOL just what they needed, they kept playing well throughout the first half. but LILLE are not a bad side aswell and they came into the game and looked lively on the break and got into some dangerous positions but LIVERPOOL defended well.
midway through the first half REINA pulled off a match changing save when LILLE broke right through the centre of the LIVERPOOL defence but REINA came out so quick to narrow the angle and managed to get a hand onto the shot which looped up and onto the top of the LIVERPOOL net, and saving LIVERPOOL from losing that dreaded away goal.

                                             LUCAS is brought down for the penalty

the second half started the same as the first with LIVERPOOL on the front foot and within five minutes of the restart they were two in front when TORRES raced onto a long ball played into the LILLE half and finished the move off with a a clinical chip into the LILLE net as the keeper raced out towards him, it was a touch of world class finishing.

                                                 TORRES scores LIVERPOOL'S second goal

but after LIVERPOOL scored their second goal they seemed to get very nervy as the half wore on and kept giving the ball straight back to LILLE inviting pressure. the LIVERPOOL defence became very hasty with their clearances and the crowd became very quiet and anfield became very tense as a LILLE goal would have changed the tie completely. KUYT produced two tremendous long range shots on target in the space of minutes.
but as LIVERPOOL feared another late goal against them up popped GERRARD in the dying minutes with a great run into the LILLE box and hit a great shot which the LILLE keeper saved only to fall to TORRES who controlled and turned to produce a great finish into the LILLE net and give the anfield a huge sigh of relief.
a very enjoyable game with both teams trying to score, but in the end a great result and now LIVERPOOL can look forward to a quarter final.
                                             
                                                     THE TEAM

REINA didn't have a lot to do but produced a great save midway through the first half
JOHNSON looking fitter and getting into more attacking positions defended well
INSUA good game defended well and made some great runs forward
CARRAGHER solid game made one superb last ditch tackle in the second half and kept the defence solid
AGGER good game although felt he became nervy in the second half with some of his clearances and pass backs
BABEL frustrating night felt he kept running in to good positions with no delivery, still think he needs a run in the team
KUYT usual hard working performance and a couple of great efforts on goal
MASCHERANO tremendous workrate good passing as well
LUCAS really good game, great run for penalty and got forward a lot more
GERRARD good game from the captain, cool penalty, some quality deliveries from set pieces
TORRES looking back to his best, world class display, 2 great goals

MAN OF THE MATCH- TORRES just superb and the 2 goals were world class finishes, but gives so much to the team

YNWA 

LIVERPOOL 4-1 PORTSMOUTH MATCH REPORT

                                           MATCH REPORT

a scoreline, a performance just what the doctor ordered. this was so important for LIVERPOOL the loss of confidence in recent games was not showing in this game.
but the pace LIVERPOOL played at was a total contrast to the two games witnessed last week and made such a difference causing PORTSMOUTH all sorts of problems.
although i think the changes in the team were big factors, the line-up had more of an attacking look about it and so it proved with the outcome.

                                      AQUALANI scores his first LIVERPOOL goal

                                 THE TEAM

REINA- didn't have much to do but set up some great attacks with distribution
JOHNSON- looked more like himself getting forward a lot
INSUA- played a lot better after a difficult week
CARRAGHER- usual steady self, solid
AGGER- some good passes from the back solid game
MAXI- very good game some strong running and some really good passes
BABEL- had some good runs, scored a great goal
MASCHERANO- very good game broke any PORSTMOUTH attacks up
AQUALANI- best game yet, hopefully we'll see more of him, capped it with a great goal
GERRARD- this was more like him a lot more involved in the play good shutting down at the first goal
TORRES- proved once again why he is so vital, scored 2 goals and set up the other 2 outstanding display

                             TORRES celebrates

                             THE MATCH

for the early stages of the match it looked like LIVERPOOL were going to struggle to break down a PORTSMOUTH team intent on spoiling.
and it was just a bit of pressure from GERRARD on the PORSTMOUTH goalkeeper that changed the game with his clearance being partially blocked by GERRARD and the ball falling to MAXI who just slipped the ball to the unmarked TORRES in front of an empty goal.
this made for great passage of play for LIVERPOOL scoring another two goals in a short space of time.
BABEL scored the second with a good finish, also doing his confidence no harm.
then the third came from AQUALANI with a great finish marking his first goal for LIVERPOOL capping a fine display from the big money signing, i reckon it was his best performance to date.

                        JOHNSON looked fitter

the second half was just like the first all LIVERPOOL possession and lots of chances, the best of TORRES unleashed a superb shot against the post and BABEL hit the bar after a fine save.
TORRES scored the fourth with a fine finish after creating space for himself. PORSMOUTH scored a late consolation goal but this was a great LIVERPOOL performance that LIVERPOOL will want to build on in this important end of the season.

MAN OF THE MATCH- TORRES 2 goals looked back to his best and set up the 2 other goals


YNWA
                                        

LIVERPOOL V PORTSMOUTH MATCH PREVIEW

                                      MATCH PREVIEW

every game is important now but after the last two performances LIVERPOOL have played there really has to be an added importance to this match, never mind fourth place another performance on par with the last two will cast serious questions over the team, RAFA, the future of the club and the fans are starting to lose patience in what has been a difficult season for them after the heights of last season.
this will be a difficult game with LIVERPOOL'S confidence not great and PORTSMOUTH with nothing to lose and recently reaching the FA CUP semi-final.

                                      THE TEAM
still missing from the squad are SKRTEL,AURELIO and BENAYOUN will be a doubt after missing the trip to LILLE. so i reckon the team will be-

GOALKEEPER- REINA
RIGHT BACK- JOHNSON
LEFT BLACK- INSUA
CENTRE BACK- CARRAGHER
CENTRE BACK- AGGER
LEFT MIDFIELD- MAXI
RIGHT MIDFIELD- KUYT
CENTRE MIDFIELD- LUCAS
CENTRE MIDFIELD- MASCHERANO
CENTRE MIDFIELD (ATTACKING)- GERRARD
CENTRE FORWARD- TORRES

i think it will be more or less the same team as thursday other than MAXI who is available again coming in for BABEL.
                                   KEY PLAYER-

 TORRES will be the key player for LIVERPOOL on monday night i reckon with not many goals being scored the team will once again rely heavily on him, so heres hoping he has a good night.              
                               
                                 PREDICTION

i think its going to be a very tight game with LIVERPOOL low on confidence and PORTSMOUTH going to be shutting things down and no doubt playing counter attack. LIVERPOOL will need to up their tempo from the last two games if they are going to penetrate PORTSMOUTH,they have been too pedestrian in their build up and they need to show more directness in their attacking. i would like to see JOHNSON getting down the line more than he's been doing since coming back from injury. also GERRARD has to rally the troops more, he's been very quiet in recent games so hopefully he'll be more like his usual self.
i do think we'll win and i think the score will be-
                                LIVERPOOL 1-0 PORTSMOUTH
         

YNWA

LILLE 1-0 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

                                               MATCH REPORT

another massive game for LIVERPOOL and another poor performance topped off by losing another late goal in europe. but to be honest there wasn't much deserved from a performance that was so similar to monday night's display, when after that you would have looked for a far more positive reaction.
the playing surface was not best and you may use that as an excuse to LIVERPOOL'S poor play on the night but i'm not buying that its the same for both teams..
                                              THE TEAM

RAFA sent out a very strong looking team one that i wouldn't argue too much about i think JOHNSON would be the only one that i would have questioned especially after just returning from injury.

                                              INSUA had a difficult night

GOALKEEPER- REINA played well on a difficult surface made some good saves but felt he should have read the flight of the ball better at the LILLE goal
RIGHT BACK- JOHNSON struggled all night hardly got forward passed poorly and torrid time defending would question his fitness with his lack of running
LEFT BACK- INSUA given a roasting all night feel he's struggling confidence wise right now and struggled with HAZARD all night
CENTRE BACK- CARRAGHER one of few who deserved pass marks defended well although couldn't manage to get on the end of HAZARD'S free kick which flew straight into the net
CENTRE BACK- AGGER was ok struggled once or twice with LILLE attackers running at him
LEFT MIDFIELD- BABEL one of those games that highlight why RAFA doesn't play him regularly one or two good moments but missed best chance of the match and gave the ball away too often
RIGHT MIDFIELD- KUYT very poor game hardly heard him mentioned before being subbed
CENTRE MIDFIELD- LUCAS not strong enough struggled to hold onto the ball gave away too many free kicks
CENTRE MIDFIELD- MASCHERANO worked hard but also found it tough with LILLE dictating play
CENTRE MIDFIELD ATTACKING ROLE- GERRARD very quiet once again this is a game where you felt the captain had to set an example and even looked at times like he wasn't interested, very worrying
CENTRE FORWARD- TORRES worked his socks off with no help around eventually getting frustrated leading to a booking unlucky not to score with a good header

                                        HAZARD'S goal in the 85th minute

                                             THE GAME

LILLE came out the traps and left LIVERPOOL wondering what had hit them. LILLE set up attack after attack and it took about 15 minutes for LIVERPOOL to get a foot hold in the game. TORRES worked and tried his best with very little support, TORRES in fact created a great chance for RYAN BABEL on 26 minutes sending BABEL through one on one with LANDREAU but could only hit a tame effort at goal which LANDREAU saved with his right leg.
LILLE still had most of the play with LIVERPOOL looking very lethargic and not showing much energy at all everything being done very slowly when in possession.
they did have a good little spell just before half time TORRES being fouled on the left hand edge of the box, GERRARD hit a good shot which LANDREAU parried away to safety but in the same attack JOHNSON with one of his few crosses put one into the LILLE box and TORRES got a great jump and sent a good header towards the bottom right hand corner but LANDREAU produced a great save.

                                               TORRES tries again with no support

the second half was worse than the first half especially after LIVERPOOL ending the half quite well. LILLE controlling the play and looking dangerous and LIVERPOOL giving away possession so easily and with no pace in their play, also far too many silly free kicks were being given away one of which led to the goal, when you give so many free kicks away in your own half at this level you are only asking for trouble and thats what LIVERPOOL got with only 5 minutes to go HAZARD out on the left whipped in a superb inswinging free kick which everybody missed and with REINA not tracking the flight of the ball was left rooted to the spot only to watch the ball fly into his right hand corner.
things could have got worse when AUBAMEYANG shot against the outside of REINA'S left hand post with a slight deflection off AGGER, that would have been a disaster had it went in.
GERRARD looked like he was going to equalise in the dying second only for a LILLE defender to make a tremendous last ditch block.

                                          GERRARD denied in the last minute
              
                                          ANALYSIS

very poor performance, lack of heart from certain players, very pedestrian when in possession and not hungry enough to chase and close the LILLE players down, very worrying performance and i can't see how RAFA can be happy with his players after this. didn't really deserve the draw theyv played for.
just not good enough for these loyal fans. those diehard fans that travelled should get their money back out of the players pockets, PATHETIC from LIVERPOOL.

MAN OF THE MATCH- CARRAGHER true red tried his best with so many passengers around him good solid display

YNWA

LILLE V LIVERPOOL MATCH PREVIEW

                                                             MATCH PREVIEW

only chance of silverware this season in europe's secondary competition while ARSENAL and MAN UTD show classy displays in europe's primary competition seeing them ease into the quarter finals, LIVERPOOL can only watch with envy especially after their latest disaster at WIGAN on monday night.
although 4th place in the league is priority this competition is showing great importance as well because of the lack of silverware in recent years.
there has to be a dramatic improvement on thursday night in LILLE or LIVERPOOL'S season could capitulate in what has been a rollercoaster of a season, but with games running out there is now no margin for error.
excuses there has been for most of the season with the injuries but not now as most of their injuries have cleared up.
LILLE is not the ideal opponent after such a disaster earlier in the week especially with LILLE having a good run of form and fighting for the french league.

INJURIES- BENAYOUN will face a late fitness test after taking a knock on his ankle on monday night.SKRTEL is still out, also AURELIO is out, MAXI is cup tied, but i believe everybody else is available.

                                                                      THE TEAM

GOALKEEPER- REINA
RIGHT BACK- CARRAGHER
LEFT BACK- INSUA
CENTRE BACK- KYRIAGOS
CENTRE BACK- AGGER
LEFT MIDFIELD- BABEL
RIGHT MIDFIELD- KUYT
CENTRE MIDFIELD- LUCAS
CENTRE MIDFIELD- MASCHERANO
CENTRE MIDFIELD(ATTACKING)- GERRARD
CENTRE FORWARD- TORRES
i think there will be one or two changes from monday's team CARRA going back out to right back because i didn't think JOHNSON looked fit when he came on the other night. AGGER partnering KYRIAGOS after recovering from his bruised knee, while MASCHERANO will go back into the middle of midfield where he is at his best, letting GERRARD push further up the park. i think BABEL will come in on the left midfield due to BENAYOUN struggling to be fit and MAXI cup tied.

      KEY PLAYER- GERRARD after monday we need a big performance from our captain to inspire his troops and keep our season alive never have we needed him as much

PREDICTION -      LILLE 1-1 LIVERPOOL
think it will be a very tight game and with TORRES up front i think we'll nick a goal but i think LILLE might score as well so i'll go for the score draw.

YNWA                                                                                    

WIGAN 1-0 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

                                                         MATCH REPORT

this rollercoaster of a season has had more downs than ups and this was a severe down. severely damaging in the race for 4th spot with games running out and rivals with games in hand you felt this was a game LIVERPOOL had to win. after enjoying maybe their best run of results of the season and getting key members fit again there could be no excuses.

                                                           RAFA wonders what went wrong

                                                  MY TAKE ON THE TEAM

 WIGAN looked up for it from the start whereas you felt LIVERPOOL could just turn up and the win would just happen for them through attendance.
i don't think the playing surface was the best after just being re-laid but its the same for both teams.
i can't honestly blame RAFA for his team selection for this game maybe i would have liked BENAYOUN to play just behind TORRES rather than KUYT but i was happy to see GERRARD playing deeper once again. no problems with the defence either with MASCHERANO proving he can play right back no problem.
so i can't blame RAFA at least for his team selection, the players have to take the blame for this one, too slow disinterested, you can make excuses about players on international duty but this was monday night how much rest do they need.

                                                           TORRES had a frustrating night

                                              THE MATCH

LIVERPOOL started slowly and never got going, WIGAN were like a team fighting for their lives.
LIVERPOOL had one or two chances TORRES hit the outside of the post with a shot early on. but WIGAN were asking the most of the questions without creating too many clear cut chances. LIVERPOOL had a good chance in the 1st half when BENAYOUN had a great run into the right hand side of the box and cut the ball back to GERRARD but he snatched at it and put it wide of the post, TORRES put a header over the bar late on in the 1st half but i can't remember an attempt on target the whole game, how poor was that against a WIGAN side that has been leaking goals in all season and with no form.
the damage was done on the 35th minute when KUYT tried to pass a ball back to a team mate inside his own half only to play the ball straight to BOYCE who said thank you very much and turned and crossed the ball perfectly for RODALLEGA to slot the ball past a helpless REINA from inside the 6 yard box.

                                                     RODALLEGA scores the only goal

you would have thought this blow would have got a response from LIVERPOOL but there didn't seem any. frustration crept in with 5 LIVERPOOL players being booked on the night. TORRES had an off night in front of goal and still its only his 2nd game back since recovering from injury. but there was too many players not performing for LIVERPOOL tonight and i felt they only started to show a bit pressure in the last 20 minutes without looking like scoring.
at the other end WIGAN were still looking dangerous on the break and with CARRAGHER looking uncharacteristically shaky with a dodgy pass back in the 1st half and in the 2nd half he headed the ball past REINA only to clear the ball off a WIGAN forward only for it to divert towards goal with luckily for LIVERPOOL the alert KYRIAGOS responded by heading the ball from underneath his bar and away to safety.
but in the end the game LIVERPOOL went down with a whimper rather than a grand stand finish which you would have expected. WIGAN hung on comfortably and left LIVERPOOL worrying and wondering where to go from here.
                                       
                                                         ANALYSIS
personally i have never witnessed such a lacklustre, no fight performance from a LIVERPOOL team in such an important game for the club as this one, like i said i was ok about RAFA'S team selection, but you can question why he could not motivate them for such a big game, for the whole game he never looked very encouraging he just sat on the bench most of the night with a look of rather being somewhere else which is so not like him as he is usually like a orchestra conductor on the touchline so maybe RAFA'S attitude didn't encourage the players.
personally though i think the players have to take the responsibility for this performance and damaging defeat.
                                                         THE TEAM
REINA- not a lot to do tried to counter attack with quick releases, no chance for goal
MASCHERANO- solid job at right back tried to get forward sent some decent crosses in
INSUA- very shaky night booked early struggled defensively and not great going forward
KYRIAGOS- big man was steady thought he was best player for us
CARRAGHER- don't think i've ever seen him so shaky
BENAYOUN- booked and not in the game subbed 2nd half one good run of note
MAXI- also had a quiet game
GERRARD- no inspiration, became frustrated, booked poor night from captain
LUCAS- poor night, booked and subbed
KUYT- usual workrate but very poor bad mistake for goal and no linkup with TORRES
TORRES- bad night, missed a few chances, booked out of frustration
BABEL- 8 minutes personally i think i would have told RAFA why bother, tried hard when he came on
JOHNSON- hardly ran, either like the rest of them not interested or not fit hopefully the latter
AQUALANI- proved why RAFA doesn't use him much didn't see him do anything

MAN OF THE MATCH- KYRIAGOS (difficult to find one) but the big greek at least showed passion and commitment

NEXT MATCH LILLE AWAY EUROPA LEAGUE

            

WIGAN ATHLETIC V LIVERPOOL MATCH PREVIEW

                                                           MATCH PREVIEW

stating the obvious when i say another massive game for LIVERPOOL, really we are down to the business end of the season and every game is a cup final now, no room for slip ups, so lets have a look at monday nights game.
apparently WIGAN have just layed new turf at the DW STADIUM hopefully making it more suitable for LIVERPOOL'S passing game. LIVERPOOL don't have a great record in monday night fixtures not witnessing victory in their last 5 monday night matches, so hopefully this record will be rectified this monday.

                                                                       THE TEAM

with WIGAN seemingly at full strength for monday LIVERPOOL still have a few injury worries, JOHNSON still not ready, SKRTEL will be long term and DANIEL AGGER has a badly bruised knee and left on crutches after last sunday's BLACKBURN bruising encounter. AURELIO also injured after leaving in 1st half on sunday.
but for all these injuries i don't think RAFA will change the team too dramatically for the trip to WIGAN.
i reckon the team will look a lot like this -

 

GOALKEEPER- REINA

RIGHT BACK- KELLY

LEFT BACK-INSUA

CENTRE BACK- KYRIAGOS

CENTRE BACK- CARRAGHER

LEFT MIDFIELD- BENAYOUN

RIGHT MIDFIELD- MAXI

CENTRE MIDFIELD- LUCAS

CENTRE MIDFIELD- MASCHERANO

CENTRE MIDFIELD (ATTACKING)- GERRARD

CENTRE FORWARD- TORRES

                                                              TORRES scores against BLACKBURN (more of the same please)

                                                                MY VIEW

i think this is going to be a very difficult game LIVERPOOL, though being on a good run of form at the moment not conceding many goals and now with TORRES back looks like we can see us scoring again, when for a few weeks there there was a worry of where the goals were coming from. now there is a more of an attacking look about us now with the likes of BENAYOUN back MAXI out on the right and GERRARD teaming up with TORRES again.
i just think there will have to be a bit of shuffle at the back especially with AGGER struggling, although KYRIAGOS available again after suspension.
so i think CARRA will play in the middle with KYRIAGOS and KELLY coming into right back, but i reckon if AGGER is fit then CARRA will go out to right back, but we'll just have to wait and see.

     KEY PLAYER- REINA he's been brilliant all season and i think he wil be key on monday night especially with the defence having to be changed he will need to have a strong game to give his defence in front confidence, also with his distribution and TORRES pace he could release some quick counter attacks.

PREDICTION-   WIGAN ATHLETIC 0-2 LIVERPOOL
                                      HIGHLIGHTS LIVERPOOL 2-1 WIGAN (from earlier this season)

YNWA