Before Wednesday night’s game there was a real sense that Liverpool would come out wanting to kick the cat after losing to Spurs at the weekend.
But it never really happened for us against Atletico Madrid.
Of course, Steven Gerrard has gone and got us out of jail in the dying seconds and as we all know it’s not for the first time.
Okay, so the penalty was a tad controversial but while the Madrid players protested vigorously, Stevie kept his cool brilliantly and hammered it unerringly into the Kop end. So for me he deserves enormous credit yet again for staying focused when he could so easily have been distracted by the rumpus going on around him.
But there were a couple of things in particular which struck me about the side last night and which are niggling causes for concern, I feel.
Firstly, I remain worried that our full backs are not showing up to the standards we expect to see at Anfield.
First and foremost defenders have got to be able to defend. But for Madrid’s goal Fabio Aurelio found himself caught upfield and he never recovered the ground as Madrid countered quickly.
In fact it was Albert Riera – a left winger – who tracked back to try and block the attack.
Aurelio and Andrea Dossena are clearly vying for the left back slot at Anfield yet it’s clear neither have convinced Rafa Benitez. And I can understand the reasons for that.
I’m afraid I still have doubts too about Alvaro Arbeloa. He’s tidy enough at times but when you think of some of the great right backs we’ve had at Anfield – the names of Chris Lawler and Phil Neal spring to mind – well, let’s just say he’s got a lot to live up to.
Those two were famous not just for being top defenders, but for adding an incredible number of goals too.
The other big concern is that without Torres, we look like we’re struggling to get goals.
Robbie Keane works his socks off but isn’t a target man and will be disappointed he isn’t getting on the score sheet more regularly.
Up front I wonder whether we do, Torres aside, have an out and out striking alternative of the quality we need.
That said, we kept battling away on Wednesday night.
Madrid played with typical European style, sitting deep and taking us on in their own half, which made space difficult to find and chances hard to come by.
Thankfully, when you’ve got the thrust of your captain at hand, there’s always hope.
Credit him and Liverpool for, once again, showing they never know they are beaten. But we can do much better.
Rafa Benitez now has a few clear days to work with the first team squad ahead of another home game and it will be valuable time.
It looks like Torres will be back for the visit of West Brom on Saturday evening and that’s what we all want to see.
There’ll still be a sense of frustration after the Tottenham defeat and the failure to win the Champions League group at Anfield last night.
So while we didn’t quite get it out of the system against Atletico, the visit of the Baggies will give us another chance. This time I expect us to take it.
An emphatic victory and three points safely acquired is what we need right now.
Back to winning ways, please boys!
But it never really happened for us against Atletico Madrid.
Of course, Steven Gerrard has gone and got us out of jail in the dying seconds and as we all know it’s not for the first time.
Okay, so the penalty was a tad controversial but while the Madrid players protested vigorously, Stevie kept his cool brilliantly and hammered it unerringly into the Kop end. So for me he deserves enormous credit yet again for staying focused when he could so easily have been distracted by the rumpus going on around him.
But there were a couple of things in particular which struck me about the side last night and which are niggling causes for concern, I feel.
Firstly, I remain worried that our full backs are not showing up to the standards we expect to see at Anfield.
First and foremost defenders have got to be able to defend. But for Madrid’s goal Fabio Aurelio found himself caught upfield and he never recovered the ground as Madrid countered quickly.
In fact it was Albert Riera – a left winger – who tracked back to try and block the attack.
Aurelio and Andrea Dossena are clearly vying for the left back slot at Anfield yet it’s clear neither have convinced Rafa Benitez. And I can understand the reasons for that.
I’m afraid I still have doubts too about Alvaro Arbeloa. He’s tidy enough at times but when you think of some of the great right backs we’ve had at Anfield – the names of Chris Lawler and Phil Neal spring to mind – well, let’s just say he’s got a lot to live up to.
Those two were famous not just for being top defenders, but for adding an incredible number of goals too.
The other big concern is that without Torres, we look like we’re struggling to get goals.
Robbie Keane works his socks off but isn’t a target man and will be disappointed he isn’t getting on the score sheet more regularly.
Up front I wonder whether we do, Torres aside, have an out and out striking alternative of the quality we need.
That said, we kept battling away on Wednesday night.
Madrid played with typical European style, sitting deep and taking us on in their own half, which made space difficult to find and chances hard to come by.
Thankfully, when you’ve got the thrust of your captain at hand, there’s always hope.
Credit him and Liverpool for, once again, showing they never know they are beaten. But we can do much better.
Rafa Benitez now has a few clear days to work with the first team squad ahead of another home game and it will be valuable time.
It looks like Torres will be back for the visit of West Brom on Saturday evening and that’s what we all want to see.
There’ll still be a sense of frustration after the Tottenham defeat and the failure to win the Champions League group at Anfield last night.
So while we didn’t quite get it out of the system against Atletico, the visit of the Baggies will give us another chance. This time I expect us to take it.
An emphatic victory and three points safely acquired is what we need right now.
Back to winning ways, please boys!
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