It was a huge relieve to see the ball in the net just 1 min before the end of extra time. Yes, extra time! Can you believe it? And I thought we were going to walk all over them in Anfield!
For the 3rd consecutive time this season, we managed to nick the winner late in the game. It was too not the kind of games for the weak hearted. I was mentally preparing myself for penalties. Thank goodness we did not need to go that far. It was a fine cross from Babel to Kyut. The Dutch-connection.
It's also interesting to note that for the past 2 games, the style of play changed the moment Nabil El Zhar came on as a substitute. In the game against Boro, he came on for Arbeloa covering the right back position. It was his run down the right that resulted in Carragher's equaliser. Against Standard Liege, he came on for Keane. Kyut was moved to the central position behind Torres and El Zhar sat on the right flank. His impact was immediate. The referee should have given a penalty for an infringement on him in the box. What is undisputable is the fact that this 18 yr old Moroccan boy certainly has a lot of potential. I will like to see Rafa handing him a start against Villa this Sunday.
Earlier in the week, Rushie mentioned on the club website that it was important that we managed to win games even when we were playing badly. King Kenny, in Singapore this week, echoed the same comments in the local papers today. However, we will certainly need to improve our game if we are to get anything out of Villa Park this Sunday. Villa is surely one of the in-form teams at the moment. They have managed to score in the last 5 games and some high scoring games too. With Gerard out for 2 weeks due to a groin surgery, it will be Mascherano and Alonso running the engine room in the middle of the park. Unless Alonso hits form at the right time, too I foresee we'll lack connectivity between the back line and the forwards. Babel has been uninspiring since he returned from Beijing. One would expect him to be in good shape but he looked heavy and tired. Keane really needs to show the form he displayed at Spurs. I think he has been disappointing so far. I did mention before that he needs time to settle but it's almost 5 games since he started in a red shirt and we need to see more of him. For a player of his quality and experience in the league, I almost expected him hit the ground running.
The next 2 games will be challenging. Away to Villa on Sunday followed by the international break for the World Cup qualifiers and then Man U visits Anfield on 13 Sep. A big big game. Probably the most anticipated game in the season. It's never easy to play them after an international break (in fact, it's never easy to play any time!!) . Let's hope we stop this losing trend against them. Enough is enough. Surely, we must be able to beat them on our own turf!
Things are also looking fairly interesting in the Champions League group stages. Once again we meet PSV Eindhoven and Marseille. Athletico Madrid will prove to be a tricky team to play against. It will be not be stroll in the park but then again, we would fancy facing Liverpool in Europe? Afterall...................This Is Anfield.
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