Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0 - Prem (Jan 20 2007)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL 2 Chelsea 0

Report by Peter Schulz at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Dirk Kuyt, Jermaine Pennant Half Time - 2-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Sat 20 Jan 2007 Star Man - Dirk Kuyt

 

 

 

 

Two goals, the performance of the season against Chelsea and a spectacular last minute defeat for the mancs. I guess we can’t really complain about 'Grand Slam Weekend' as the title race looks like it just might have been reopened. With 11 points still to make up, however, we should keep our feet solidly rooted to the ground and remain focused on winning our games, one at a time.

No matter what we do, we are dependent on a major loss of form to both Manchester United and Chelsea. The Blues, admittedly, look like a team in deep crisis, but Kuyt and Pennant’s excellent goals only compounded them to their first defeat in 13 games. With Carvalho and Terry back soon, Mourinho could easily turn this slump around, no matter what the press boys say.

After all that has gone on with them over the last three or four years, it’s nice to see them finally having internal problems, internal power struggles and bitching and moaning in the press. In the past Mourinho has done so well to keep a lid on things by constantly stealing focus from the team’s performances, but now the pressure comes from his own boss, and he is not taking it well.

I went into the Chelsea game more confident than I’ve been before any other game. I wasn’t worrying about anyone in the Chelsea team. Neither did Rafa or the players. They did their routine warm up sprints in front of where I sit in the Centenary, and you could see it in their eyes. There was focus and determination that I haven’t seen for a long time, and I knew we’d see a performance.

Gerrard was first to head over after only a couple of minutes, but we weren’t made to wait long. Carragher’s ball was flicked on by Crouch with Ferreira and Essien nowhere in the vicinity, and Kuyt set it up for himself with his head and lifted it to Cech’s right before you could say “shite defending:”

John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho wouldn’t have conceded that goal in a million years of defending, but it was well-taken by the Dutchman, who seems to be buzzing completely off the Anfield atmosphere. The feeling is mutual, Dirk. We saw a lot of excellent individual performances, but for me, there was none greater than that of Kuyt who was simply everywhere.

Chelsea didn’t know what had hit them as the reds swarmed all over them. Riise was played in brilliantly, although Geremi looked completely clueless as the Norwegian came inside to pick up the ball. His weak right-footed effort was saved well by Petr Cech.

The pressure paid off again soon after as Essien headed a left sided cross to safety. At least that’s what he thought until Jermaine Pennant lined himself up for a shot on goal. The rest is history. He didn’t hit it particularly hard, but it was weighted perfectly and dipped to leave Cech with no chance as it clipped the bar before going in.

It was the right winger’s first goal in 30 games for the reds, but you wouldn’t have thought so listening to the post match interview on BBC. For me, the lad just doesn’t seem to have the hunger as he dwelled on the goal instead of focusing on improving his performances further. He did well in this game, but he’s got a long way to go yet to repay Rafa’s faith.

Chelsea, meanwhile, did not offer much other than long balls to Drogba. The Ivorian, I thought, was the Blues’ only real threat, but Carragher and Agger again dealt with him to perfection. The mancs might be drooling over this Vidic character, but he’s got nothing on Carragher in the air and nothing on the Dane with the ball at his feet.

Arjen Robben had to go off injured after landing awkwardly after a challenge by Carragher. The defender, making his 450th appearance for Liverpool, then gave a piece of his mind to Steve Finnan as the right back sportingly put the ball out of play so the Dutchman could receive treatment. Before the physio arrived Pepe Reina could be seen shaking his head in disgust, clearly delighted with the plight of the man who got him sent off at Stamford Bridge last season. Shaun Wright-Phillips came on and looked quite lively.

Chelsea looked to get back in the game, but couldn’t find an opening when Alonso was off for treatment. Carragher made several key interventions to keep Drogba from getting in.

The second half was equally comfortable as the reds looked more likely to build on their lead. Riise’s 40 yard effort slammed off the bar and Kuyt sidefooted over after collecting Gerrard’s excellent flick. Crouch had another tame header saved, and it remains an area for him to work on. Other than that, the Kuych partnership (see what I did there?) looked in complete command against the worst Chelsea defence in years. After all, it had only cost Roman Abramovich some £50m + William Gallas, so how could the Russian possibly expect miracles from Mourinho?

It was not just the backfour that provided the entertainment as Drogba nutmegged Ballack for one of the most bizarre moments at Anfield in a long time.

Our season looks to be getting back on track right at the last moment, and as Thierry Henry lost Vidic and rose to head in his late winner at the Emirates, the title race was effectively reopened. It’ll take a miracle for us to get back in it, however, so let’s just focus on doing our job.

The team did that to near perfection on Saturday and it will have given the players and coaching staff belief. Another 14 performances like this and you never know.

Team: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio; Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Riise; Crouch (Bellamy), Kuyt (Gonzalez):