Liverpool 1 Arsenal 0 - Prem (Feb 14 2006)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL 1 Arsenal 0

Report by Dave Usher at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Luis Garcia Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Tue 14 Feb 2006 Star Man - Sami Hyypia

 

 

 

We may have left it late, but there’s no doubt that the reds were worthy winners, as Arsenal were comprehensively outplayed at Anfield. It’s worrying that once again dominance was not converted into goals, but heartening that the side can once again completely control a game against quality opposition.

Arsenal have had their problems this season, and certainly aren’t the side they were a year or two back. Still, they’ve got a lot of quality players to call on and you can’t under-estimate them. They were never really in this game however, or at least they wouldn’t have been if we had been able to finish any of the numerous chances we created.

As expected, Fowler started up front once more, and overall I was really encouraged by his form. He is looking sharper than he should be given his lack of football this season, his touch has been excellent and he’s definitely quicker than I thought he’d be. The common perception of Robbie is that he’s slow, but I'm starting to think he isn't at all. He mightn’t be especially quick, but he definitely isn’t slow.

Robbie’s link up play and awareness was a feature of an impressive first half display from the reds. Gerrard and Kewell were always looking to capitalise on the inexperience of Gunners' full backs Flamini and Eboue, and both had several good moments during the half. Alonso was at his imperious best spraying passes out wide, and Sissoko’s work rate meant that Arsenal just couldn’t get on the ball.

Basically, Liverpool were in complete control, and as is so often the case, the only thing missing was goals. Slack finishing was again to blame, although inspired goalkeeping from Lehmann also played a big part.

Arsenal’s defence looked uncomfortable all night, with Senderos looking especially dodgy. The young Swiss defender was close to scoring an embarrassing own goal, and only Lehmann’s agility spared his blushes.

The reds were getting the ball in the box regularly, and the service from out wide was very good all night. The exception being set pieces, which were once again awful. Do we even practice corners?

Our penalties aren’t much cop either, and it’s got to the point now where I never expect us to score. When Eboue sent Nando tumbling (good decision by Poll, a lot of refs would have shit out of giving it as it was a bit soft, but the full back definitely shoved Morientes), I can’t say I was confident we’d score.

Gerrard has missed a few, and scored a few. He’s not bad, but he’s no Danny Murphy when it comes to penalties. Danny was the last reliable penalty taker we had, and now it’s just a lottery whenever we get one. Gerrard’s kick wasn’t too bad, but Lehamann made a fantastic save.

To their credit, the players didn’t let their heads drop and they kept plugging away. Arsenal offered little threat, but almost got through on one occasion when Adebayor was flagged offside. I was right in line with it, and was convinced he was a couple of yards offside. I’ve just seen a replay of it however, and it was very tight. Hard to blame the linesman for that though as it looked well off to me, and I had the same view as him.

Morientes had a couple of good chances, but first completely missed his kick and then headed straight at Lehmann from Fowler’s lovely left wing cross. It wasn’t a good night for Morientes, who looks completely devoid of confidence. He’s missing chances which he’s made a career out of putting away, and it’s hard to know just what’s going wrong.

In his defence he always works hard, and I thought overall his play was quite good once again. However, the chances he missed could have proved costly on another night, and he needs to start finding the net soon.

The impressive Riise also went close to opening the scoring in the first half, with a superbly struck shot which went inches wide. Riise was well up for this game, and seemed to be trying to put Ljungberg into the stands at every opportunity. I really thought he was excellent, both in defence and attack. The same can be said of Finnan on the other flank, who turned in a typical Finnan display.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first. Liverpool again dominated, and Arsenal couldn’t create anything of note. Gerrard created a chance for Fowler when he drove past Flamini and whipped in an early ball. Fowler’s first touch was sublime, and he didn’t even break stride as he sent a right footed shot towards the far corner. It was vintage Fowler, just like the old days, but Lehmann got down superbly to make another great save.

Liverpool were in total control, but Lehmann was inspired. He made another great save from Kewell’s wonderful overhead kick, and Morientes sent a flashing header just wide from a good left wing cross. It was starting to look like one of those nights, as no matter what the reds did they couldn’t score.

Rafa then made a change as he withdrew Alonso and sent on Hamann. Xabi had been very good, but he was immediately given an ice pack as he took his place on the bench, so presumably there was an injury involved. Robbie eventually started to look a little tired, and was withdrawn following his first two sloppy passes of the night. Cisse was brought on in his place.

Hamann slotted in effortlessly and Alonso wasn’t missed. The reds were not making the most of the many corners they were forcing, although Hyypia had an effort cleared off the line after managing to get a flick on a poor near post corner. The best chance fell to Morientes when Gerrard delivered a great ball from the left which was just begging to be put in. Nando and Cisse were both in there, and it seemed certain Morientes would score. I don’t know what happened, but he didn’t get anything on it and the danger was cleared, much to the derision of the Kop who howled their disapproval. I’d have to see the replay before I could say if it was a bad miss, but at that point patience with Morientes was wearing thin.

Garcia was immediately intriduced, and I was just hoping it wouldn’t be Morientes who went off then as I was worried he’d have been booed off. It was Sissoko who got the hook, although he’d played very, very well.

As time ticked away, I thought back to the game last season and Mellor’s last gasp winner. I had been confident all the way through this game that we would win it, but that confidence had ebbed away when Nando failed to convert Gerrard’s cross.

Then out of nothing, Hamann sent a shot goalwards, Lehamann made yet another great save, but the ball rolled across the goal and it was obvious that Garcia would reach it first. Initially it seemed a certain goal, but Garcia had a bit of ground to make up to reach the ball, and by the time he got there Lehmann had regained his feet and was in position to cover the goal. Luis struck the ball hard and low and Lehmann was desperately close to keeping it out. Thankfully the ball found the corner, and Anfield erupted.

The goal was no more than we deserved, but it was cruel on Lehmann who had been magnificent all night. He can be a bit of a dick at times, but credit where its due he was outstanding on the night. He also applauded the Kop when he took his place in goal, which is something that not every keeper does these days.

He had to make one more save, this time from Cisse’s wickedly struck volley from the corner of the box. Arsenal threw everything forward, but despite a couple of anxious moments when the ball pinged around the box, the reds defence held firm, marshalled superbly by the magnificent Hyypia.

The win could prove to be a pivotal point in our season. Had we not got that late goal, we’d have been on a downer going into the cup tie with the mancs, and we’d have lost more ground in the race fro second place. Confidence is not exactly sky high anyway, especially with the strikers, and had we drew another blank the pressure on them would have increased once more.

Garcia’s goal has changed all that however. Confidence will be high, the strikers (Nando in particular) will feel a little better knowing that their lack of goals didn’t cost us any points, and the fans will be a lot more relaxed after two wins on the bounce.

Star Man wasn’t easy. Kewell was good once more, Finnan and Riise did very well, Carra was impressive and Sissoko really impressed me with his work rate and Robbie was very good too. I’m giving it to Sami though, who didn’t put a foot wrong all night. He just shades it from Momo.

Robbie will have benefitted from the 80 minutes or so he got tonight, and although it’s a shame he can’t play at the weekend, at least he will be fresh for the game with Benfica next week.

This game was the first in a run of important games, but we’ve got off to the best possible start. Now bring on the mancs.


Team: Dudek; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Gerrard, Alonso (Hamann), Sissoko (Garcia), Kewell; Fowler (Cisse), Morientes: