What a well crafted win for Rafa Benitez’s men. I mean, take a bow. For all the slagging the manager and the team went through last weekend, this response was very much-needed for some reassurance. And the fact that it has come against a solid Benfica side, who are no pushovers, makes the win very much enjoyable.
Lucas and Dirk Kuyt, two of Liverpool’s most criticized players, capped a fine performance for the team. It was indeed delightful to watch their level of involvement. Lucas made the “fist in the air” moment of the game, when he rounded up the keeper to score a Torres-esque finish. Equally impressive was the run he made to receive Gerrard’s through ball. I would like to see more of his attacking game in the future, as the lad does tends to seem better running into useful positions. One thing that I noted was how Gerrard’s movement was more in tandem with Lucas, which helped him play confidently.
Dirk Kuyt was unimaginably fantastic in the game. His goal says all about his determination, but some of his forward movement left the Benfican defenders praying for mercy. Played a brilliant role in the counter attack for the third goal, having surged himself into a position he was expected to be and laying off an exquisite low cross for Torres to finish it off. Such goals convey the integrity of the team, like the one against West Brom last year. I don’t want to go all Leo Messi on him, but if only he could reproduce such performances with more frequency, it would serve the team much better. I have also been very critical of the duo in the past, but I totally acknowledge their role against Benfica which bought out a completely different level of attacking skills from them.
Soto, Agger and Benayoun also made notable performances. I am beginning to wonder if it would serve us better by playing Agger at Left back selectively. He doesn’t provide the same level of crossing as Insua, but he looked way more comfortable in defending than the latter. Benayoun was at the centre-stage of every attacking move and was pivotal at his role yesterday, but still I would like Babel to have a start come Sunday. Last thing we need is another moaning left winger.
Elsewhere a goalless draw at Vicente put an end to Villa and Silva’s only passage to Liverpool. The Torres vs Beeyah showdown would have been mouth-watering, instead we have Athleti who gave us Torres and Maxi (and maybe Kun Aguero in the future for a nominal price so that us fans need not have to cringe at every kick in the leg El Nino has to put up with). Oh and I almost forgot, two more great finishes for Torres. Loved the dink from the right and above the keeper, the kind of goal “Typical Germans” would never forget :).
All things said, Rafa does have his ways in Europe.
the kind of goal “Typical Germans” would never forget
This was the best part of the article. I agree with almost everything you said but i would rather have Benayoun over Babel anyday. He is the most creative player we have after Gerrard and he should start every game when he is fit and i would want him on Right Wing but now with Kuyt back to his best and Maxi also coming into his old fom from the right, he has to settle for Left Wing but he has to start and i would rather have Babel coming on as an impact sub against tired defences.
It’s down to Rafa in rotating them wisely. Y I thot Babel would be a good fit for Sunday, is becoz he wins over Benayoun in giving us a physical presence, needed against Fulham and also he ll have fresh legs compared to Benny.
It’s down to Rafa in rotating them wisely.
Like rafa rotated them on sunday against birmingham?
Yes and not like purple nose rotated his white pele or white leper or whatever.
Lucas Leiva had his best game for Liverpool and deserves a mention after the amount of criticism he has faced and yes Agger should be starting LB in big games or when the opposition has a good RW, i said the same before the ManU game. I want Agger to play LB until Aurelio gets fit again
I really hope you win the Europa League Macha.. It’ll be a fantastic achievement for liverpool
as opposed to United’s fantastic carling cup I suppose !
And 3 Pl titles on the bounce… Still the champions of England…
But… Given the choice of playing in CL or Winning the Europa shit, i’d rather play in the CL against the best teams at the biggest stage…
Given the choice of playing in CL or Winning the Europa shit
Obviously you don’t have any of those choices left so just nip it in the bud will ya.
And don’t start talking things from the past mate. If every one of us uses the past to our convenience there is only one winner.
Past? Wtf da.. WE ARE STILL THE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND….
Tell you what… are you suggesting that winning the europa league is beeter than the carling cup… I ain’t saying that carling cup is great or anything.. but its no worse than a europa league… To any big club supporter, the europa league should be like winning a second tier title…. You got relegated to the lower levels.. so stop embarassing yourself…
no no. Carling cup is better than europa. In fact it is the bestest cup to win in the history of cup winning. Shame we couldnt win it.
[on a personal note, we shud take it outside the blog shud u feel hard pressed to retaliate :)]
Loved the dink from the right and above the keeper, the kind of goal “Typical Germans” would never forget
I agree.. the big German head on Ribery :p … meh
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Since someone is talking about history here, so lets rewind the clock to the season Fergie was about to get sacked, what saved him then, FA Cup Title and we all know what followed that trophy, i agree we would have preferred to be in Champions League Knockouts as opposed to winning Europa League but i think a trophy now can start another revolution here as it will not only end our 3 years trophyless run but it will also bring first trophy with Liverpool for some of the stars like Torres, Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt etc. which will be a morale booster for them and also we would have Rafa incharge next season to recify the mistakes from this season
[…] Still Alive in Europe “What a well crafted win for Rafa Benitez’s men. I mean, take a bow. For all the slagging the manager and the team went through last weekend, this response was very much-needed for some reassurance. And the fact that it has come against a solid Benfica side, who are no pushovers, makes the win very much enjoyable.” (BigFourZa!) […]