Bolton Wanderers 2 Liverpool 3 - Match Reaction
Just like the beginning of last season really wasn’t it? Unconvincing display, trailing midway through the second half, the opposition go down to ten men and we just about go on to take the three points. How many times did we see that last year? On the plus side, we showed character and created enough chances to win several games. On the negative side, we let in two more awful goals and had it not been for the dubious red card awarded to Sean Davis, this could have been even more points dropped.
It was a strange game. We started well enough, dominated the play and squandered some clear chances. Then they forced a few set pieces, we began to look edgy and lo and behind we fall behind after failing to deal with a routine corner. Insua’s defending at the back post was awful, he appeared to duck underneath the ball and was beaten far too easily. The debate may continue to rage about zonal or man to man marking, but it doesn’t matter what system you are using when a player misses a header in the way Insua did. Still, he’s just a kid and he’s been one of our more consistent performers so far this season. He’ll hopefully learn from this.
We reacted well to the goal and looked dangerous when we attacked. Torres should have done better when Johnson drilled a ball into him, but he didn’t get anything on his header and the ball went just wide. Next time Johnson collected the ball in that position, he went for it himself, and found the bottom corner with a crisp low shot to draw us level. He’s comfortabl been our best player in the opening four games of the season, and he’s slotted into the side seamlessly.
Just before half time we needed a brilliant stop from Reina to keep out Matt Taylor’s free kick after Lucas had committed a foul on the edge of the box. Had that gone in, the Brazilian would have had to go into hiding as the lynch mob would have been out for blood. Fortunately it didn’t, and we went in at the half on level terms. Not for long though, as we let in another awful goal just after the break. Davies beat Krygiakos in the air, nobody tracked Cohen’s run into the box and Carragher couldn’t get across to block the shot.
Six minutes later Bolton were down to ten men, as Davis unintentionally clipped Lucas’ heels as he chased after him. Lucas infuriated the Bolton players by asking for Davis to be sent off, and whilst I’d be pissed off if someone had done that to one of our lads, as it’s Bolton and Gary Megson I’d be lying if I said I gave a fuck. The sending off made things a lot easier for us, as they could no longer man-mark Gerrard, who suddenly began to come to the fore.
He crashed a brilliant shot against the bar, and then played a significant part in the equaliser, when his lofted pass was beautifully chested into the path of Torres by Kuyt, and Liverpool’s number nine claimed his third goal in as many games. Chances came and went, and Bolton were just starting to get within sight of the finish line when Gerrard ruthlessly slammed in a half volley from 16 yards to secure all three points for his side. How many times has he done this for us down the years? He was woeful against Villa, but he’s earned the right to have the occasional off day because so often he’s done things like this. We’re lucky to have Steven Gerrard, and all of our hopes this season rest on him and Torres staying fit.
The win was vital as we go into the international break, as had we dropped any points in this game we’d have had a torrid couple of weeks waiting for the next game to come around. The three points were desperately needed and most welcome, but it can’t mask the fact that we are nowhere near our best and there are a lot of question marks surrounding the team at the moment. Defensively we are leaking goals at an alarming rate, although it hasn’t helped that Carragher has had a new partner for virtually every game so far. Krygiakos did ok on his debut, but he is what he is. A stop gap. I don’t expect him to be a world beater, but hopefully he will be able to do a job when required and hold the fort until Skrtel and (especially) Agger are fully fit.
So no game now for a couple of weeks, and all we can do is hope and pray that the international fixtures don’t hurt us too much on the injury front.
You’re right mate, it was a strange game - but hopefully it will prove the turning point. The players looked fired up to get the result and hopefully now our form will improve.
What’s annoying is the Mancs are also far from convincing yet still getting the results. Had hoped it would turn to shit for them when they played someone decent.
Johnson has been a revelation though, Paul Merson must be regretting the bollocks he spouted about him being a poor signing…if he remembers.