Heart-break

It was a bad weekend......I can't even bear to read any reports of our game against Reading on Saturday. Obviously, I didn't write about it as well. It was a game we should have won if not for the tactical mistakes Rafa made (my opinion). When my friend John text me and asked where were the Wingers, I realised that they were all sitting on the bench (ie. Kewell, Benayoun, Babel).

Can we petition for Rafa to sell Sissoko in the Jan transfer window?? And fancy Rafa giving up mid way through the second half?? Unbelievable!!! I am mourning...........seriously!

Anyway, it's just not the perfect way to lead on to our must-win game against Marseille on Wed morning. The only consolation is the fact that Arsenal lost as well last night. Other than that, I am beginning to feel it's going to be another "almost" season. I hate to criticise the team but this time round, I cant convince myself why I should not. In any case, John has kindly contributed a write-up for my blog. I echo his sentiments completely. Have a read:

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I just understand Rafa's tactics at the last game. Firstly, he again went for the same formation as the Arsenal game ie. no natural wingers. He had Gerard playing an unusual left, Voronin on the right and Sissoko in the middle. Very glaring mistakes in my opinion.

1. The team is on a winning streak and he changed the dynamics. I'm for players rotation but not ridiculous formation change because that unsettles team dynamics much more than mere player change (ie. winger for winger, midfielder for midfielder). As a result the wing play was totally ineffective if not absent except for the occasional mistimed and mis-directed cross from Riise, the left fullback (where is Gerard then the left winger? Will explain in next bullet).

2. Gerard's instinct is in the midfield. His dominance in the team undermines Sissoko's responsibility to push the midfield thrust which inevitably became Liverpool's main thrust since the wings were ineffective. Unfortunately Sissoko is a pale shadow of his past and Benitez has chosen wrongly. It's time to offload Sissoko or banish him to the bench. Trial and experimentation cannot be afforded if Liverpool is serious about winning every game.

As a result of the dislocated formation, we had Gerard inevitably floating into the midfield to take control with Sissoko being inadequate. The only goal is a good illustration.

And with Gerard out of position, Riise is forced to move up, exposing the back. This led to the 1st and 3rd goal.

3. Voronin's instinct is on attack. I would rather he play the midfield than Sissoko given his creativity. Again he was largely absent on the wings.

4. Reading is smart in that they were patient. They cleared the ball rather than risk giving the ball away to Liverpool. As a result, Pool had periods of possession but without great threat. This painted a false illusion and did not arouse a sense of urgency in Liverpool. Pool was like a frog in hot water, oblivious to the glaring vulnerability and lack of bite.

It was all the more disappointing that Benitez conceded defeat at 60min. His reason was to cut loss but were'nt there great depth on the bench? He could have restored the usual formation - bring in Yossi and Kewell, take out Crouch and Sissoko.

I feel sorry for Gerard. He was all over the field trying to lift the team but his coach played the team out. I can't recall any contribution from Mascherano and Crouch. Sissoko and Riise were glaringly playing clumsily and stupidly.

While I'm willing to give Benitez benefit of the doubt, his wild cards are exhausted. Enough excuses. I'll be one to call for his head if he does not deliver his promises and that may come as early as this week against Marseille and Man U.