A home win against Wolverhampton would have been easy for the Liverpool of 4 months ago, but after a decisive loss to bottom-ranked Portsmouth, we weren’t about to jump to conclusions for today’s match.
Alberto Aquilani had his first start since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in a gazillion dollar transfer deal. He got a standing ovation when he subbed in the final minutes, though he had little (if anything) to do with the win. The clapping was more of a “welcome to Anfield” toast.
Liverpool started strong with crisp passing and a few graceful attempts on goal. Twenty minutes in, the tables turned. Wolverhampton started taking shots and, immediately, Liverpool’s confidence was deflated. Liverpool rallied in the 60th minute when Steven Gerrard took a beautiful cross out of the air, beating three Wolves defenders and their American goalie (Hahnemann), with a perfect header.
Soon after Gerrard’s goal, Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun came up with a CR9-esque goal from just inside the 18. It was 2-0 at the final whistle.
We’ve got huge games to look forward to this weekend.
Tomorrow’s big fixture will be the Club World Cup final featuring FC Barcelona and Argentina’s own Estudiantes de la Plata. Barça are the favored side, though Estudiantes are sure to put up a serious fight. More importantly, any statistician will tell you that NO game can be won or lost before it is actually played. Lucky for us.
Milan face Fiorentina. These two Champions League survivors are fighting for advancement on the league charts.
Chelsea square off against West Ham in a roudy London derby. Man United will host Dempesey and Zamora as Fulham work to establish a comeback in the premiership. Jozy Altidore’s Hull City are playing a newly confident Arsenal, and Man City play host to Sunderland. Oh, and Liverpool have Portsmouth (no telling where that one will go).
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It wasn’t a special day for Liverpool, but nice to see Arsenal back in killing form. Fabregas was not his usual self. Arshavin, on the other hand…beastly.
Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin is one of the most entertaining goal scorers on earth and today’s game-winner against Liverpool competes for goal of the week.
Arsene Wenger’s boys are going to be OK, but change is imminent at Liverpool. The Reds started strong (Kuyt had moments of brilliance) and then, with the own goal, they imploded.
And WHY was Xabi Alonso back to watch his old team suffer? (Why did he leave in the first place?) Mascherano wasn’t bringing much to the game and Aquilani was even less effective. Reflecting on the game as a whole, there doesn’t seem to be a dialogue between Torres and his supporting crew. As for Benitez, we’ve respectfully decided not to join the angry mob. The best we can say for him is NOTHING AT ALL.
Liverpool faces Carling Cup semi-finalists Blackburn on Saturday. If Fernando Torres is fit to play (we’re being told that he is) he will be playing alongside Gerrard for the first time in 10 matches. It’s not too late in the season for the Reds to make a comeback.
One thing to keep in mind… Torres may look like a chick, but he is a scrapper. If he overdoes it too soon, there is risk of more injury. Either way, it’s always great to have a star back in the game. Liverpool needs it and so does the EPL.
Liverpool face Man City at Anfield in a matter of hours. It’s been years since City nabbed a win at Liverpool and it’s looking like they are finally in a position to compete. Adebayor and Bellamy are fit. Robinho has returned, though he is expected to start on the bench, and Fernando Torres is out with a hernia. Rafa Benitez will have to rely on the timely returns of skipper Steven Gerrard and defender Jamie Carragher to strengthen defenses and create opportunities for David Ngog up front.
Four other Liverpool players have joined the healthy ranks, thanks to the workings of the now famous Dr. Kovacevic in Belgrade. The doctor’s horse placenta-based muscle ointment is said to have cured Yossi Benayoun, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Glen Johnson of otherwise debilitating injuries. While Rafa’s popularity at Liverpool continues to dwindle, he still has one of the best teams on earth. They probably won’t progress in the Champions League, but they can’t be ruled out of the Premiership just yet.
The Croatian striker is fed up with a lack of playing time for Gunners. While van Persie’s adbsence may create an opening for Eduardo, he may still opt for a move to Liverpool in January.
The Galaxy take homefield advantage over Chivas USA in what will be a heated contest. A confident Landon Donovan, who is being linked to Celtic and (less likely) Liverpool for possible transfers after this season, believes that Galaxy supporters will transform the atmosphere from last week at the Home Depot Center. The aggregate is tied, so a win is necessary for either side to advance. They kick off at 4:30 PST, live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Reds manager Rafa Benitez, shown above, has proclaimed that Fernando Torres can win matches at 80%. That gamble might have payed off against Fulham if the Spaniard hadn’t been spared the agony of a full 90, but it’ll be a much different story against Champions League group leaders Lyon on Wednesday night. As Liverpool’s fate rests on tomorrow’s result, Benitez will have to deal not only with a herniated Torres, but also with a long list of absentees including Steven Gerrard. (more…)
The Reds seemed to be back in championship form going into today’s game at Craven Cottage, which makes their 3-1 loss to Fulham that much more surprising. (more…)
