Liverpool 8 Besiktas 0 - CL Group Match (Nov 6 2007)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL 8 Besiktas 0

Report by Dave Usher at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Peter Crouch (2), Yossi Benayoun (3), Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel (2) Half Time - 2-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Tuesday 6 November 2007 Star Man - Yossi Benayoun

 

 

 

 

Well I don’t think anyone saw that coming did they? As poor as our recent form has been there was little doubt we’d win the game (not for me anyway, as soon as I saw Crouch’s name on the teamsheet I was straight down the bookies), but to do it by a Champions League record score was surely more than any of us could have hoped for. To think that we actually lost to these a fortnight ago! Jesus Christ.

This was an absolutely sensational performance, and it was a pleasure to be there to see it. The players produced some stunning football, some wonderful goals, and they never let up all night. They kept pushing forward looking for more goals, and had the referee not generously blown for full time without playing any stoppage time at all (isn't the rule 30 seconds for every goal and substitution?), we’d probably have got double figures.

We almost did get double figures actually, as Benayoun and Babel were both denied by the woodwork and the keeper made some good saves to deny Gerrard and Babel. 10-0 wouldn’t have flattered us, such was the dominance of our side. Of course they aren’t very good, but they are by no means the worst team to play in the Champions League and to win 8-0 against anyone at this level is something to be proud of.

Rafa was asked afterwards if this had been coming, and he said it had because we’d been creating chances. Who is he kidding? There’s been nothing in recent months to think that this was coming, nothing at all. Then again, this was probably the first time in weeks he’d actually picked the team he should have done. I love Rafa, but lately I’ve just wanted to shake him and ask what the hell he’s doing. I’m sure I’m not the only one, and the players have probably wanted to do the same, some more than others.

Peter Crouch is the prime example of Rafa’s recent madness. Earlier in the season the big man didn’t really have much to complain about when it came to his lack of game time. He wasn’t playing well when he did get a chance, and the others strikers were all contributing more than him. Last season Crouch could legitimately claim he deserved to play more, and most fans would have agreed. However, in the opening weeks of this season he deserved to be behind Torres, Kuyt and Voronin.

Recently though, it’s been absolutely crazy that he hasn’t been playing. Torres has been injured, and Kuyt and Voronin should simply never ever be paired together as they cancel eachother out and neither looks any good when they play as a pair. The only way either of those should play is if it’s alongside either Torres or Crouch, and to be honest they should only be playing when Torres or Crouch aren’t available. Crouch and Torres deserve the opportunity to see if they can form a partnership, because if they can they will have opposition defenders shitting their pants at the prospect of facing them.

Opposing sides get a huge lift when they see Crouch not in the starting line up. No-one likes playing against him, and when he’s on form we’re a much better side with him in it. In recent weeks, he has been back in form. Look at the games we’ve had of late, and the best moments we’ve had in all of them has been when Crouch has been on the field.

In Turkey we only started to threaten when he came on at 2-0 down. Had he been on the field longer I’m sure we’d have got at least a draw in that game. Against Arsenal he came on for Torres at half time, and played really well. His link up play with Gerrard was a feature, and he went close to scoring on numerous occasions against the Gunners. Basically, he was a threat, which cannot be said of Kuyt or Voronin recently.

He then started against Cardiff, and was excellent again. Once more his ability to hold the ball and link the play, especially when it comes to combining with his marauding captain, gave the side a cohesion that has been sadly lacking. “Great, we’re starting to look a bit better now” I was thinking. Then I saw the teamsheet at Ewood Park and straight away it put me on a downer. What followed was no surprise given the handicap the team selection had given us.

We stank the place out, with Kuyt in a role that doesn’t suit him, and Gerrard in a role he cannot play unless Crouch is there for him to play off. The fans aren’t stupid, they know this, and spent most of the game chanting for Crouch to be brought on. When he eventually was, we absolutely battered Blackburn for the remainder of the game and should have won it in the end.

So Crouch simply had to start against Besiktas, and not even Rafa is pig-headed enough that he would dare not to pick him for such a must win game. And what happened? The big man ran wild and we scored eight goals. I’m not putting that solely down to Crouch’s presence, as there were obviously other factors and to be honest he wasn’t even our man of the match (although only Benayoun’s marvellous display prevented it). But we would not have played this well and scored so many goals if he’d been on the bench, that’s for damn sure. Yet still the rumours coming out of Anfield are that Crouch will be sold in January.

If that happens it’s an absolute disgrace and Rafa needs to have a serious rethink if that really is his intention. As delighted as I was after this game I couldn’t get too excited about it simply because I am fully expecting Rafa to fuck about with the team this weekend and wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Crouch back on the bench. I hope I’m wrong, but we’ll see.

I can’t believe we’ve won 8-0 and I’ve spent most of the report so far moaning! Of course I’m pleased with what I saw and it was a great night to be at Anfield. I wish I could look at this game as the end of our bad run and the start of something special, but I’ve had my fingers burned too many times now and seen too many false dawns. If Rafa ever learns his lesson and stops playing favourites or trying to be clever, then there is a really good team here waiting to be unleashed. It’s a big ‘if’ though isn’t it?

But I’ll stop moaning now, and concentrate on this game. Obviously it was a must win game, and the fans needed to up their game because we’ve been as lacklustre as the players for most of this season. The atmosphere for this was good, with the smallish number of Besiktas fans making their presence felt too, early on at least. They’d been fantastic at their place and made one hell of a din, but it didn’t take long for them to go quiet at Anfield.

Besiktas actually started ok I thought. They were working really hard to close us down, and they were committing players forward on the break. We’d started well ourselves, but they were having a go and went close to an early goal when they got in behind Hyypia and when the ball was crossed to the near post one of their players got there first and shot into the side-netting. Pepe had it covered anyway, but it was a sign that they hadn’t come to just sit back.

Unfortunately for them, they simply can’t deal with any kind of cross into the box. Whether it was a high cross or a low one, every time the ball went into the box we looked like scoring. Voronin shot wide after Crouch had nodded an Arbeloa cross into his path. Then Crouch headed wide after a great ball in from the left (by Riise I think). A goal was coming, and it was no great surprise who got it.

Voronin turned the ball into the path of Crouch, and when he was challenged by a defender the ball broke fortuitously and sent him in on goal. His first effort was saved by the keeper, but he was first to react to the rebound and gleefully slotted the ball home. His relief was there for all to see, it’s been a terrible couple of months for the big man, but he’s come through it and has rediscovered his form. Whether it’s enough to convince his manager he should play more remains to be seen, but at least now he’s not making it easy for Benitez to leave him out.

The delighted frontman slid to the turf in celebration, whilst a delighted me clutched the betting slip in my pocket that had Crouch first goalscorer in a 4-0 win. I was halfway there, and confident we’d have no trouble in getting the other three goals. Especially the way Arbeloa was raiding down the right hand side and getting balls into the box. He was very impressive again, and providing he maintains the level he's shown so far he will have to be considered one of Rafa's best pieces of business, given that he cost under £3m.

Yossi almost made it 2-0 when Mascherano cleverly fed Arbeloa, and he turned brilliantly away from his marker before cutting the ball across to Benayoun. His first time shot was well struck but bounced off the post and away. The little Israeli had another decent chance shortly after but shot wide, but he didn’t have to wait long for his first Anfield goal.

Riise’s quick throw set Voronin scampering down the left. He cut inside the full back and picked Yossi out with a perfect cross. One touch and an emphatic finish later and it was game over. Besiktas gave up after that, and whereas they’d been trying to counter attack and get forward earlier in the game, now they were content to just sit in their own half and adopt a damage limitation policy.

As for me, I was feeling pretty confident of winning my bet when the half time whistle went and we were two goals up. Another goal around the hour mark and then the fourth with five or ten minutes to go would do me nicely. Problem was, Besiktas’ goalie had other ideas. Twice he parried shots into the path of Benayoun, who gleefully slid the ball into the empty net to claim a hat-trick.

It was no more than he deserved, and no more than the keeper deserved after failing to acknowledge the applause of the Kop, and then infuriating them further by feigning injury after a nothing challenge with Gerrard. Those two quick goals put my bet in real danger though, and at that point I was calling for Dirk to be brought on!

No such luck though, as the misfiring Dutchman remained on the bench as the rampant reds continued to pour forward looking for more goals. Typical of my luck, as usually when we get a few in front we relax a bit and take it easy. Rafa normally subs his best players and the game fizzles out. But when I’ve potentially got some much needed cash coming in, we go all gung ho looking for more goals. Bastards.

The fifth goal was inevitable, and typically it was Stevie Me who got it, his ego not allowing him to settle for just the 4-0 win, the selfish prick. Bitter, me? You betchya!

Seriously though, it was a fantastic goal and came from the kind of football we don’t see anywhere near enough of. Actually, some of the other goals had been really good too, notably Benayoun’s second which was the result of some terrific build up play involving the influential Voronin and the much maligned Riise.

The Ukranian played a big part in Gerrard’s goal too. Mascherano cleverly slid the ball between two Besiktas players into his skipper’s path, and he found Voronin before continuing his run into the gaping space vacated by the Besiktas defence. Voronin’s instant flick back into the space was perfect and Gerrard surged through to score with the aid of a deflection. Brilliant goal.

Gerrard was subbed shortly after to give him a well earned rest and to give the promising Lucas another run out. Voronin was also replaced by Babel, and earned himself a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd. He was creative, inventive, and worked tirelessly. On one occasion Arbeloa had charged forward and the move broke down. Besiktas tried to counter in the space he’d vacated, but Voronin and the ever diligent Mascherano had both got across there to cover and between them won back possession.

I like Voronin, for the most part he’s played well this season, and the occasions he hasn’t has usually been when he’s partnered Kuyt or been used out wide as he was against Arsenal. Whenever he’s partnered Torres or Crouch he’s played well, and he’s another who has made a strong case to keep his place this weekend.

His replacement, Ryan Babel, couldn’t have done any more either when it comes to laying down a marker for a place in attack. He scored one delightful back-heeled goal following more brilliant set up play from Yossi, and then he scored a somewhat less delightful effort when a defender hit the ball against him and it looped comically over the keeper into the net. He was inches away from a hat-trick when he met Kewell’s cross with a thumping header that almost broke the bar at the Kop end, and he was a constant threat from the moment he came on. He looks far better up front than out wide, and with Kewell edging closer to full fitness we may see more of Babel in a striking role.

Kewell again looked lively, and if he’s up to it I’d start him at the weekend. Even if he can only manage an hour, it will be worth it because he’s by far and away the best option we have for the left wing.

With the crowd in celebratory mood and chanting ‘attack attack attack’ and we want eight, the players didn’t disappoint. The wonderful Mascherano played a crossfield ball to Benayoun that Alonso would have been proud of, and once more the Israeli’s delivery into the box was perfect, as Crouch glanced a fine header into the roof of the net.

It was fitting that Crouch started and finished the scoring, because for me he was the catalyst to this performance. When the ball was played up to him, whether it came to his feet, chest or head, time and again he’d get the ball down and find a team-mate and keep our attacking momentum going. Like I said earlier, when he’s on form he knits our play together and others perform better. So far I think he has only partnered Torres once, in the Carling Cup when the Spaniard bagged three against Reading. On paper it seems like a perfect partnership, so let’s hope we see them get the opportunity to make it work.

As impressive as Crouch was however, it’s impossible to look past Benayoun when it comes to the star man award. He scored three, hit a post, and had two assists. A brilliant performance from a player who didn’t exactly have people dancing in the streets when he arrived. I for one was distinctly underwhelmed by his signing, largely because I felt he was an inferior version of the man he replaced, Luis Garcia.

I was wrong about that though, we are certainly not a weaker squad by having Yossi instead of Luis. Whether Yossi proves to be the big game player Garcia was remains to be seen, but he’s already shown that he’s as much of a goal threat and just as creative as the popular little Spaniard. Whatsmore, he gives the ball away much less than Luis did, and he’s making a lot of people eat their words, me most definitely included.

As for what this result will do for our season, well I hope we use it as a springboard to go on a run and start playing better football. We should still qualify from this group because the other teams are simply not that good and we should be beating them. We've made it hard for ourselves with some wretched performances, but providing the manager stops helping other teams out with his team selections we should have no trouble winning our remaining games.

I’d like to think that this performance will have shown Rafa how important an in form Peter Crouch is to Liverpool, but I fear his mind is already made up and we should just enjoy the big man’s magic feet whilst we can.

Some may argue that this performance vindicates Rafa's rotation policy or his recent treatment of Crouch, as clearly the player was keen to prove a point. I disagree, I'd say this display merely highlights the folly of some of Rafa's recent selections. Rotation is one thing, but playing out of form players ahead of those who can offer more to the team is another. I await Saturday's team selection with great interest, not to mention trepidation.

Team: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurelio (Kewell); Benayoun, Gerrard (Lucas), Mascherano, Riise; Voronin (Babel), Crouch: