The Kop starts bouncing again

Plenty of talking points in the match against the Rovers and believe me if this was a big four encounter it would have been discussed to death. To start with, it served as a fantastic homecoming for Torres and mind you, this wasn’t just Torres trying to recover slowly into his previous mould. This was Torres clearly on a mission trying to make up for all the lost time. Also in this match was fulfilled the Maxi-Torres reunion since their Athletico days and boy didn’t they get along. Gerrard also broke his duck in the premier league after, well when was it Hull? And Reina, does he need any introduction. Exemplary. All those things aside the main talking point of the match will be the despicable animals from Rovers who, just a day after Aaron Ramsey’s horrendous injury, have dug deep to highlight the ugly low levels of English football.

Sugar Daddy and Bum face

Before I delve into the match proceedings, I shall use the next few lines to express my deep discontent towards two of my most hated footballing characters. El Hadji Diouf, of all people has this thing for Liverpool every time he plays us firing all sorts of shallow warnings that just as always whizzes past the eyes like an irritating bug. Seriously, what this plain old douche-bag did for us that makes him such a petulant child is beyond me. Recently I made a comment that Liverpool never boasted of Sugar Daddys, but then there’s Diouf. His perceived lack of effort, coupled with his lavish showboating lifestyle had served as an epitaph for his Liverpool career. Guy never made an effort and in the same sentence wanted to be looked at alongside one of those legends who shook the Kop. Next of course is Fergie’s lapdog, Big Sam, who has still not figured out how to get some life. For all his thinly veiled barbs and the 4-0 hiding last year, Sam was back again at his best, this time speaking more duff about Liverpool’s playing methods. This coming from the same man who played his Kyrgiakos at the Torres position. Well he is as much a manager as a one-armed trapeze with an itchy bum, so enough said.

The Kicking and Screaming

Going into the match, all the jibe served as a perfect motivator for us as the team had the kind of gloss that went fishing for most of the year. Torres had this mazy run at one point when he picked up the ball in one foot dragged it to the other and slipped it in between the two opposition players, from where he took the ball from the half line to the edge of the box, before he got fouled. And this is where things started getting ugly. Torres, Maxi and Lucas were constantly targeted by the bullies. And this wasn’t just normal football challenges. Some of them had the intent of malice that could have ended players careers, like when Maxi Rodriguez was kicked on his chest or when Lucas was shoved to the ground. Feel sorry for Maxi, the guy has had his first taste of real English football but some of today’s knocks must have come as a shock to anyone playing the game. Torres was particularly targeted as if to end his chances of recovery. So much that Blackburn deserved at least 3 red cards today and I can only hope someone makes an inquiry and press charges for this deliberate attempt at injuring us.

Fight goes all the way to the tunnel

Goals for good

First goal of the game is simply the best team goal scored by us this season. For all the naysayers out there who find us a defensive outfit, this is your answer. Talking through the goal in 5 passes, it started with Lucas laying the ball to Gerrard, who laces it to Aurelio, runs past the opponent to receive the ball, crosses it diagonally to Yossi who after a well thought second or two finds Gerrard running to the center. And with the ball and the goal in front of him there always looked like only one destination. One touch football at its ever best. Blackburn had their equalizer from the penalty spot, after the ball made a foul by touching Carra’s hands. And just as I was gutted with the thought of the game going away from us comes Nando and really what odds are there for little Nino to miss from 6 yards. Superb piece of skill from Maxi to provide the assist. I wonder what they say “Just like the old days” in Spanish.

Hail Pepe

Second half was an all nervous affair, with the Rovers putting various exhibits of long balls, which almost worked for them. Our game took a back step as the players came into a lot of pressure. There is a measure of blame to be apportioned to the midfield who switched off unable to cope with the hordes of fouls that went unnoticed. Thankfully, one man who never gets perturbed no matter what, had his say again. Pepe Reina made an unbelievable  stretch to save the day, that has like before kept us in the top four contention. Love the man, simply. Arsene Wenger can bring in thousands of youth and try to make them a decent keeper, but never can he accomplish some one like Reina. Character-wise, Football-wise, this man is the best. And it keeps kicking me in the gut that he like his father had to be second choice when doing national duties.

Long time since we enjoyed a victory that has been so satisfying. The onset of March has always kept us marching towards greatness. The win against Unirea had me guarded in optimism, but this has pushed one step ahead. We still have a long way to go before getting into the final shape. But more importantly Del Bosque couldn’t possibly fuck it up if he plays Torres again this time.

And my heart goes out to the Gooners. Brushing aside the old enmity, here’s hoping we’ll do them some favour.

Edit :

Just came in, have a look at Rafa’s jibe back at Sam.

“He is a model for football all around the world. I am sure he is a model for behaviour and for kids all around the world. I am sure Barcelona are thinking of copying this style now too. The way we have to be on and off the pitch should be an example to kids and parents all around the world.”

Well in Rafa. Adios.