Improved Football

Boy what a victory that was (against Wolverhampton). Not only was it an emphatic victory, it was a good, solid AWAY victory.

The reason why I emphasize the word "away" is because we haven't won away from home in a long time. Apparently Liverpool only won twice on the road in the whole of 2010! That's a poor record in Liverpool's standard. Ok, we lost another 3 more on the road this time (Blackburn, Manchester United and Blackpool), which all the more makes the Wolves victory sweeter. And ohh, perhaps I didn't add this - the last time we won at the Molineux was like.... 50 years ago I think. That's a long time ago.

So to win with a pretty big scoreline (3-0) is quite an improvement. Kenny Dalglish's emphasis on 'pass&move' seems to be working pretty well. Less hoofing the ball for someone who don't seem to be able to win much headers, but instead, passing to make him run, which is his asset. Not only that, controlling that crucial area in midfield, pouring men forward to support the frontman, full back bombing forward.

Ever since Dalglish came back, he has often use a three-man central midfield, though rotating between Christian Poulsen and Jay Spearing. The former is coming to life, after receiving much, much criticism earlier in the season. It was his pass that allowed fellow central midfielder Raul Meireless to run into the empty space and create the opening goal. Also, with Poulsen in midfield, it allows Meireless to support Torres in attack, though Liverpool will be boosted by the return of the one legendary skipper and number 8 to the pitch. The latter though, will hope he gets more chance to play in the future. He showed what he can do when called upon, putting up impressive performance against Real Madrid (2008-2009) and recently, against Everton.

The three goals were all well taken, though Meireless' goal got everyone buzzing, most of them saying that it could be the "Goal of the Season" contender. Indeed it was spectacular. But more so was the 3rd goal.

Never have I seen a goal that involved this much passing: 30 passes. Of the eleven, only the Martins didn't get a touch: Kelly and Skrtel. It started with a clearance from Lucas, ending with a Glen Johnson pass which saw Dirk Kuyt broke free down the left, run down the penalty area, got tackled, but still somehow managing to get a half-chanced ball to Torres, whose swiftly hoof the ball into the net.

Conclusion: Worth the watch. More of this please. Yes team may learn to counter Liverpool's 'pass&move', but at least it's better than hoofing aimlessly. If the Redmen can keep playing like this, who knows? We might just win the league. Next season =D

You'll Never Walk Alone

~eNd~