Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 0 (Prem) - Dec 10 2005

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL 2 Middlesbrough 0

Report by Dave Usher at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Fernando Morientes (2) Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Sat 10 Dec 2005 Star Man - Sami Hyypia

 

 

 

 

No goals against in ten games, seven consecutive league wins and now even the strikers are scoring. There’s a real momentum building at the moment, and this time next week Rafa Benitez’s side may well have added the title ‘World Champions’ to their European crown. Good times to be a red.

Boro became the latest side to fall victim to Rafa’s red strangling machine, as Pepe Reina & co equalled the club record with a tenth straight shut out. The business like, almost routine way Liverpool secured the three points gives great hope for the months ahead, especially as re-enforcements are no doubt on the way in January.

There were few surprises in Rafa’s starting line up, and the team which began this game is perhaps the strongest we have even when everybody is fit and available (although Garcia may well deserve to be in there I suppose). Gerrard once again filled the right sided berth, and filled it with great aplomb once more, whilst Kewell was positive and bright on the other flank, although he still looks to be a yard short of pace.

The reds didn’t start particularly well, and for the first twenty minutes Boro looked the more accomplished side. That was in large part due to the poor start made to the game by Xabi Alonso. The playmaker struggled to get his passing going in the early stages, and didn’t look himself at all. This was typified by one woefully overhit through ball for Gerrard which the skipper bust a gut trying to catch only to just fall short.

It was a pass Alonso could normally play with his eyes shut, and it's so rare to see a bad ball from him. Gerrard was warmly applauded for his efforts in trying to keep the ball in, and that desire has been evident all season. The watered down performances we often saw last year seem like a lifetime ago now.

Once Alonso eventually settled into his game, so did Liverpool. Gerrard had a couple of efforts from distance which failed to trouble Schwarzer, and Riggott made a terrific tackle to deny Crouch a tap in after a low cross from the skipper. Whenever the ball was put into the box Boro looked vulnerable, as their lack of height meant Crouch and Morientes were winning a lot of headers.

Nando had a back post header tipped over the bar by Schwarzer, and then Crouch’s perfectly cushioned header teed up Sissoko for what should have been his first Liverpool goal. Momo timed his run into the penalty area perfectly, but as the ball sat up he failed to get either power or direction on his header and Schwarzer made an easy stop.

It was a shame for the young midfielder, as he was absolutely outstanding and his energy and desire to win back the ball has been a significant factor in this run of clean sheets. He covers so much ground, and must be an absolute nightmare to play against as he doesn’t give the opposition a second on the ball. He's an absolute cast iron guarentee of a yellow card every game though, and another suspension is looming after a second half lunge saw him collect his customary caution.

At half time I wasn’t unduly concerned, even though we could obviously play better. The longer the half had gone the more we had improved and I always felt a goal was coming. Reina hadn’t had a save to make once more, and with the form Gerrard was in I was confident the second half would see us score two or three and ease to a comfortable win.

That’s how it ended up, but it could have been so different had Reina not been on his toes. Pepe has had plenty of games where he’s had nothing to do, and this was looking like another. So credit to him that on the two occasions he was called into action after the break he was up to the task.

Viduka was the first to be denied by the young Spaniard, when he found space in the penalty area (how the Liverpool defence failed to spot his gargantuan frame is a complete mystery) and looked to have sent Reina the wrong way by giving him ‘the eyes’. Thankfully Pepe stuck out a leg and deflected the ball wide.

Liverpool responded with some good football, but were having difficulty creating any really clear cut openings. Rafa decided the guile and inventiveness of Garcia was needed, and opted to introduce him for Crouch. The effect was immediate. Within two minutes of coming on, Luis crossed from the right, Gerrard cleverly ducked underneath it and Morientes was left on his own to control and finish.

At the time the reds were actually playing with ten men, as big Sami had been forced back to the dressing room for treatment on a cut head. Sissoko temporarily dropped into the back four, and Boro sensed that this would be their best chance to grab an equaliser. They almost did.

With the Anfield crowd howling for a free kick after Kewell had been dragged back, the referee waved play on and Morrison went through on goal. His shot was well struck but Reina got enough behind it to divert it behind for a corner. The fans were looking anxiously towards the touchline for any sign of Big Sami returning, and when he emerged from the tunnel with a big white bandage on his bonce he was given a heroes welcome as he charged back onto the field to defend the corner.

The ball was whipped into the area, and predictably it was the bandaged barnett of Hyypia who rose highest to clear the danger, to an almighty cheer from all corners of the ground. Just for good measure he then cleared the next ball in too.

It capped another brilliant display from the Finn, who in recent weeks has been playing as well as he ever has. I can’t remember the last time he didn’t win a header, and he’s been an absolute giant during this ten game run without conceding a goal. The arrival of a new centre half will only be beneficial to Sami, as it will allow him to occasionally put his feet up, and hopefully prolong his Liverpool career. When he does eventually leave he will be remembered as one of the greats.

The second goal had a hint of controversy about it, but Nando won’t care. When Carragher played the ball forward looking for Garcia, Morientes may have been fractionally offside. I’ve seen the replay, and if he’s off it’s by inches. Yet the way it’s being reported you could be forgiven for thinking he was stood on the six yard box goalhanging.

Quedrue tried to head the ball clear but only diverted it goalwards. Nando had anticipated it and got there before Schwarzer to lob the ball into the net and secure the points.

Riggott was then sent off for two bookable offences, the second of which was very harsh I thought, but it didn’t change the game as Boro were already beaten by then. Rafa was even allowed the luxury of sending Josemi on for a cameo (or comedy) role in midfield for the final few minutes.

Picking a star man was tough, as the whole team played well. Nobody had a bad game, but the three who stood out for me were Hyypia, Sissoko and Gerrard. I’m giving Sami the star man just ahead of Momo.


Team: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell (Cisse); Crouch (Garcia), Morientes (Josemi):