Liverpool 4 Sheffield United 0 - Prem (Feb 24 2007)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL 4 Sheffield United 0

Report by Dave Usher at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Robbie Fowler (2 pens), Sami Hyypia, Steven Gerrard Half Time - 2-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Sat 24 Feb 2007 Star Man - Steven Gerrard

 

 

 

 

Coming off the back of such an emotionally draining victory in the Nou Camp, a home game against Sheffield United is not really something you would look forward to. It had damp squib written all over it, but despite not being a vintage display from the reds it was as comfortable a victory as we’ve had all season. It was achieved without getting out of second gear.

Some teams come to Anfield and play for a point, Sheffield United looked like they knew they would get nothing and only started to show any interest in the game when it was way beyond them. They will point to the award of the first penalty as the moment they lost the game, but to me they never really looked like they thought they could get anything from the game. I watched Neil Warnock tell Sky on Friday that he doesn’t expect to get anything when they play the top four, and his players seemed to feel the same way.

Predictably, Rafa rung the changes, handing starts to Fowler and Crouch up front, and giving Javier Mascherano his debut. The first thing I noticed about ‘El Jafe’ is that he’s a bit of a short arse. I thought he was of similar size to Alonso, but he’s more like Garcia. It’s been said that he could be the ‘new Hamann’ but to me he’s more like Makalele, both in size and in style of play.

He wasn’t involved much early on, but there are a few reasons for that. Firstly, he hasn’t played for months, and it was always going to take him a little while to get into his stride. Secondly, it’s a new team with new team-mates, so again, he needs to do a little adjusting. The third reason was the way the Blades played. They let our defence have the ball, and just sat tight on Mascherano and Gerrard, preventing them from coming to collect the ball from the back four.

I was watching the Argentine closely, and he kept coming to show for a pass, but one of their players were always in close attention and therefore Carra or Sami couldn’t give him – or Gerrard – the ball. That changed a bit as the game went on, but in the early stages it was difficult for him to get involved.

What I liked about him though was the game intelligence he showed whenever one of the full backs went forward. He was always dropping back and filling in for people so the team kept it’s shape, and when he had possession he kept things simple and didn’t take unnecessary risks. I think there’s a lot more in his locker than what he showed in this game, but it may take a little time for him to show it. Until he’s settled in and match fit, he’ll probably just keep to the basics and not try to be too ambitious.

As far as debuts go, it was satisfactory and he really couldn’t have wished for an easier game to start his Liverpool career with.

From the moment we took the lead this game was over, as the Blades just seemed to accept their fate. Gonzalez had gone close to opening the scoring when he outpaced the defence to latch onto Hyypia’s brilliant through ball, but he couldn’t keep his shot down. That had been the only real threat to the visitors goal until we were awarded the first of two penalties.

I didn’t see the incident at the time, as I was following the flight of the ball. I heard the Kop appeal for it, and I saw Gerrard in a heap and Steve Bennett pointing to the spot. Having seen the TV replays, I’d say it was a soft penalty for them to give away, but it was a penalty and Kozluk deserved all he got just for sheer stupidity.

Neil Warnock had a moan about Bennett, and also about Gerrard, whom he claimed was looking for it and went down too easily. Was he looking for it? Too right he was, and so he should have been. If someone is holding onto you in the box, what are you supposed to do, just accept it, or point it out to the referee who is just yards away? There isn’t a player in the world who wouldn’t have done the same in that circumstance.

Gerrard put his arms up to show he wasn’t the one doing any holding, and Bennett could see what was going on. When Stevie tried to move away, Kozluk hooked his arm around his waist and dragged him to the floor. Bennett was watching the whole thing develop, and had no choice but to give that. You can argue that this kind of thing happens in every penalty area in every game in every country, and rarely is a penalty awarded for it. I’d agree, but when it happens right in front of a referee who has been alerted to it, then I don’t see how Warnock has any right to complain.

He also admitted afterwards that he’d told Kozluk to keep his arms down in the penalty area and not to be holding onto people. That’s who he should be angry with, not Bennett and certainly not Gerrard. I’ve criticised Gerrard in the past for going to ground too easily, and if he does it again then I’ll be the first to say so. For me though he’s done nothing wrong on this occasion, the blame lies entirely with the braindead defender who committed a foul whilst the referee was watching his every move.

Of course, there was another incident that was happening at the same time. Poor Crouchy was being kicked in the face and having his nose broken. If the foul on Gerrard hadn’t occurred, I’d have been wanting a penalty for what Hulse did to Crouch. It was clearly a serious injury, and the delay in getting Crouch seen to and removed from the field could have been a problem for the penalty taker had it been anyone other than Robbie.


I don’t know what was going through his mind as he waited to take the kick, but I know what was going through mine. I was shitting myself in case he missed, because he had not scored in front of the Kop since his return to the club. He must have been desperate to get that goal in front of the Kop, I know I was. If he was nervous, you’d never have guessed as he dispatched the penalty with ease.

Minutes later, he was put in the same situation, after Gerrard was hauled down in the box once more. Three times this season Fowler has benefited from Sheffield United players fouling Gerrard in the box. This time he nonchalantly dinked the ball into the opposite corner, sending Paddy Kenny the wrong way.

At this stage I was positive he’d get his hat-trick, and would not have been surprised had it been three penalties. The Blades were there for the taking, but we didn’t seem to be that bothered about running up a big score. There wasn’t too much urgency, although Pennant was lively on the right flank and was always looking to make something happened. He worked tirelessly tracking back and getting tackles in too, and had it not been the impact Gerrard made on the game, Pennant would have been my star man.

The first half had been played almost in silence. The atmosphere was really bad, as it has been for most league games this season. Luckily we’ve got the mancs and Barca up in the next couple of weeks, so at least we’ll hear some noise in those games.


There wasn’t much to get excited about against Sheffield though in truth. The game was low key, and there’s just not too much at stake in Premiership games now. Barring some serious mishap, we’re going to finish third or fourth, no higher or lower, and it’s hard to get excited about that. If we were going for the title, maybe the atmosphere would have been better, but it’s hypothetical now as we aren’t going for the title.

Even when Sami fired in the third goal, the roar was hardly deafening. The fourth goal got more of a reaction, presumably due to the quality displayed to create it. Mascherano fed Fowler, who had spotted Gerrard making a run behind him and released him with a first time pass. The skipper’s first touch took him away from the last defender, and I don’t think anyone expected any result other than a goal when he lined up a shot on his right foot. He didn’t disappoint, the ball nestling in the bottom corner.

It was his last involvement in the game, as Rafa took the opportunity to give him a rest and introduce Alonso. Not a bad substitution to be able to make, especially as Momo was still left on the bench. Questions are being asked by the fans as to how we can keep four world class central midfielders happy. The question really should be whether Rafa will be given enough cash to ensure we have such strength in depth in other positions, such as up front and out wide.

Defensively we don’t need so many players, as there’s less rotation in the back four. Other than perhaps a top class left back, we don’t really need to strengthen (unless Sami goes in which case we need another centre half). But if Rafa had the quality to choose from up front and out wide that he has in the middle of midfield, he’d be a happy man indeed.

Alonso was into his stride straight away, and showed some encouraging signs of an understanding with Mascherano, who as the game wore on got better and better. I was also encouraged by the way Kuyt and Pennant linked up several times, playing nice little give and go’s and one two’s.

Dirk played well after coming on as a sub, and I’d say this was one of his better performances in recent months (he was good against Chelsea too, but he’s had some stinkers recently).

It must be said though that Sheffield were truly awful. I didn’t expect them to come here and give us problems with free flowing football, but I did think they’d probably make things very difficult for us and that they would be very physical. Yet I can’t remember a single bad tackle in the game. They were one of the least physical sides we’ve faced, which again suggests that they had written this game off beforehand and were already looking to their next match.

The one threat they posed was from substitute Kazim-Richards, who I really liked the look of. He’s fast, powerful, and looks to be pretty skilful too. He gave Riise some uncomfortable moments, and almost created a consolation for them when his superb cross on the run was smacked against the bar by Hulse from close range.

He’d earlier crossed well for Hulse to force a camera save from Dudek, and he was easily United’s best player on the day. Surprising he didn’t start the game really.

Robbie went close to his hat-trick with a low right footed drive from 20 yards that was parried by Kenny, but he had to settle for just the two in the end. The hat-trick will have to wait until next weekend I guess.

All in all, a satisfactory day’s work. Four goals scored without breaking sweat, and a ninth consecutive Premiership clean sheet at home. If this is to be Dudek’s last appearance for the club at least he’s ended on a high, and not letting in six.

Mascherano is now up and running as a Liverpool player, and Pennant continued his improvement with a lively display. Gerrard had to be the star man, because he put the shits up Sheffield and was largely responsible for three of the four goals. On paper a partnership of Gerrard and Mascherano is mouth watering, but then Xabi and Momo aren’t too bad either are they?

Always I say the same, for sure we have possibilities, no?


Team: Dudek; Finnan, Carragher (Agger), Hyypia, Riise; Pennant, Gerrard (Alonso), Mascherano, Gonzalez; Crouch (Kuyt), Fowler: