My two favorite chants in football squared off at Anfield Monday night. One that's mildly offensive to elephants. And another that's horribly offensive to Mrs. Steven Gerrard and the entire Gerrard family. Right, enough chit-chat, Spurs were top of the mini-league for 3rd & 4th position, and with a win would only be five points back of table-topping Man City. I've found it increasingly perplexing that no one really wants to talk up Spurs title chances whatsoever while the two teams in front of them both have serious issues. You almost begin to wonder if Harry himself believes they are true contenders, but in any case they've silenced the critics with their play and are a force to be reckoned with domestically. Liverpool were bringing up the rear to the surprisingly persistent Newcastle at the evening's onset and were boosted by the return of the also mildly offensive Louie Suarez.
Liverpool
Pepe Reina-6.5 (Deyan's Rating- 6) - Crucially denied a tame Gareth Bale effort that would have sucker-punched Liverpool and gifted Spurs the three points.
Daniel Agger-6- (6.5) A mostly quiet evening for the Dane, would have like to see him venture forward a bit more as Liverpool had plenty of numbers to deal with Adebayor and Bale on the counter.
Martin Skrtel-7- (8) Marty was sound in the tackle and fearless in the air. He's a lot faster than Agger.
Glen Johnson-7.5- (7.5) He looks just as comfortable playing at left back as he does on the right, and he did incredibly well to keep the lively Kyle Walker in check for the most part.
Susan Kelly-4- (5.5) Got a decent shot away, and exactly one decent cross on the evening. BAE afforded him plenty of space and he failed to deliver a decent ball most of the evening.
Jay Spearing-5.5- (4.5) A bit tenative, perhaps from his famous red card. Could have shot on a couple occasions but chose to pass instead.
Charlie Adam-6.5- (6.5) I was curious to see how Adam and Gerrard did in the same side, and there seemed to be plenty of room for both of them.
Dirk Kuyt-3.5- (4) On an evening where Liverpool lacked a bit of ingenuity, the tireless Dutchman dramatically failed to provide the spark. His movement and decision making was wrong, and Suarez should have come on for him at half-time.
Craig Bellamy-6.5- (6.5) Energetic, and typically plucky performance from the Welshman, but I can't see how he can keep Downing out of the side forever, too talented.
Steven Gerrard-7.5- (7.5) Stevie was back to his old self, especially in the first 20 minutes, the game's liveliest segment. England's de facto heir apparent to the captaincy?
Andy Carroll-6- (6) He didn't have the worse game, but he snatched at his team's best chance, and didn't have the speed to elude Michael Dawson early on.
Subs
Suarez- (6) Looked Liverpool's most dangerous threat immediately after he came on, could have used 15 more minutes.
Downing- (4.5) Needs games.
Spurs
Brad Friedel-6.5- (7) Was brave on the one occasion he had to be, and also got down well for Johnson and Kelly's respective efforts.
Ledley King-6.5- (7.5) Seems to stay out of harms way, which isn't normally a compliment for a center half, but I mean it in the most positive sense. Looks fit to me.
Michael Dawson-7- (8) Vintage performance from the reliable Dawson. Kaboul's done well, but this is their best partnership.
Kyle Walker-7.5- (7.5) He's quick, he's confident, he looks the total package. He predictably drifted out of the game as Spurs sat back, but what a quick rise to stardom he's undertaken this year.
Benoit Assou-Ekoto-5- (5.5) Not the Cameroonian's best game of what has been an otherwise fine season. He's probably still scratching his afro for head-lice and wondering how Cameroon didn't qualify for the ANC.
Garreth Bale-6.5- (5.5) This was as out of sorts, and tired as I can remember seeing him. He really didn't have much help and missed VdV.
Scott Parker-7- (8 MOTM) He seems to attract bodily harm like a magnet. Great second half, not the best first half.
Niko Kranjcar-6- (6) Signs of life from the forgotten Croatian. Probably his first start in 2 years.
Jake Livermore-6- (6) Hardly saw any of the ball, but no matter. He did enough to break up Liverpool's passing and defended well.
Luka Modric-7.5- (7.5) The shifty Croat was at his best on this evening, but unfortunately it was all ball retention and he had precious few chances to run forward with the ball. Sometimes you forget how good he is with so many other stars in their side, but he is as good as any.
Emmanuel Adebayor-4.5- (4.5) He wants too many touches, he wants to drop too deep, he wants to make the run too late. Hasn't scored in his last 8.
Subs
Saha- (5) Always been a fan, but this move didn't make sense.
Rose- (NA) No time for an impact
Ref-8- (8) 26 year old Michael Oliver had a great game, and got almost every decision right despite Andy Carroll incessantly telling him to **** off. You'd like to see more young referees in all sports.
Liverpool Verdict - Frustrating evening for the Reds who will see this as two points dropped. They never created enough chances to break Tottenham down, and a draw is probably a fair result. Still not sure what their best XI is.
Spurs Verdict - They didn't really try to win a game, but a point at Anfield is hardly a result to scoff at. I'll admit that I keep waiting for them to come crashing back down to earth, but with a healthy Ledley King, and a reliable Friedel in goal, Spurs look poised to stay comfortably in the top 3.
MOTM-Glen Johnson, Match rating 4/10.
3 comments:
Go Blue
You guys really overlooked how well martin kelly played. Bale was a complete non factor with the exception of one play (which kelly was not involved in). Also, johnson was better than walker and your ratings do not reflect that. He took the ball from walker several times and walker also turned it over in his own end on a few occasions. walker may not even make the squad for euro as i h
Matt- I agree w/ the Kelly assessment because for a player to stop a star such as Bale he deserves more merit then we gave him BUT Bale played far more centrally then he normally does so they were rarely one v one and kelly gave no attacking threat w/ no quality crosses...Johnson and Walker were both givin 7.5 ratings by both Sam and I which means we both thought they played well, Johnson was better then Walker defensively but he cannot cross with his left foot and it showed throughout the game...Walker, Johnson, and Richards should all make the euro squad as they are all full of quality and can play multiple positions.
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