NO COLUMNIST enjoys giving stick to players - but sometimes you have to do it.
So it is only fair that after a performance like Saturday's, every Liverpool player involved gets a huge pat on the back from me.
That is what they all thoroughly deserve after a magnificent performance against Manchester United, one which lifted the heart of every Reds fan, including me.
Let's be honest, when we saw the team sheet was missing Torres and Gerrard, it looked like we really were up against it.
But the players rose to the challenge and produced terrific performances all over the Anfield pitch.
Liverpool have perhaps been guilty of a lack of belief at times against United and the fact we hadn't beaten them for so long in the league was clearly a factor in that.
But faint hearts never win anything – and it was great to see the confidence and togetherness of the lads.
Rafa Benitez rightly highlighted the character they showed after going down to that early Tevez goal. I was delighted to see the team not shrinking but growing and fighting their way back with such obvious determination and self belief.
We closed United down at every opportunity. Mascherano led the way and was wonderful; Dirk Kuyt as usual never stopped while Xabi Alonso gave his best performance for a long time and had a huge influence on the outcome. And while Robbie Keane may not have performed miracles in possession, he tore around tormenting United's defenders..
Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel were rocks at the back and Arbeloa also showed just how solid and committed he can be.
The fans too played their part. These lunchtime kick offs usually affect the mood inside the ground but on Saturday in the sunshine it felt more like a European night.
A word too for Rafa Benitez. Once again he got it right with his tactics and the use of his substitutes. He put Ryan Babel on at just the right time and gave him the right orders. The manager must take credit for the fact that Babel popped up as the match winner.
The challenge now must be to take this long overdue win over United and bottle it.
If we show this sort of spirit and determination against all our opponents in the league then I’m sure we will make the progress we are all desperate to see this year.
The message to the players is simple.
Well done lads – in future pretend you are playing United every time you take to the pitch!
With an attitude like Saturday's we won't go far wrong.
So it is only fair that after a performance like Saturday's, every Liverpool player involved gets a huge pat on the back from me.
That is what they all thoroughly deserve after a magnificent performance against Manchester United, one which lifted the heart of every Reds fan, including me.
Let's be honest, when we saw the team sheet was missing Torres and Gerrard, it looked like we really were up against it.
But the players rose to the challenge and produced terrific performances all over the Anfield pitch.
Liverpool have perhaps been guilty of a lack of belief at times against United and the fact we hadn't beaten them for so long in the league was clearly a factor in that.
But faint hearts never win anything – and it was great to see the confidence and togetherness of the lads.
Rafa Benitez rightly highlighted the character they showed after going down to that early Tevez goal. I was delighted to see the team not shrinking but growing and fighting their way back with such obvious determination and self belief.
We closed United down at every opportunity. Mascherano led the way and was wonderful; Dirk Kuyt as usual never stopped while Xabi Alonso gave his best performance for a long time and had a huge influence on the outcome. And while Robbie Keane may not have performed miracles in possession, he tore around tormenting United's defenders..
Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel were rocks at the back and Arbeloa also showed just how solid and committed he can be.
The fans too played their part. These lunchtime kick offs usually affect the mood inside the ground but on Saturday in the sunshine it felt more like a European night.
A word too for Rafa Benitez. Once again he got it right with his tactics and the use of his substitutes. He put Ryan Babel on at just the right time and gave him the right orders. The manager must take credit for the fact that Babel popped up as the match winner.
The challenge now must be to take this long overdue win over United and bottle it.
If we show this sort of spirit and determination against all our opponents in the league then I’m sure we will make the progress we are all desperate to see this year.
The message to the players is simple.
Well done lads – in future pretend you are playing United every time you take to the pitch!
With an attitude like Saturday's we won't go far wrong.
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