It all started with Liverpool's lost in the Champions League. I'm not being bias or anything, all honesty, Liverpool played the better game. Alonso's mistake led to the first goal of the night. Liverpool's one defence mistake and the second goal of the night. Awesome header by Kuyt (a little too late but brought about a teenie bit of hope and faith) and that wrapped up the score line. I didnt like Liverpool's line-up when I saw it. Kuyt up front alone? Not something that suited him best, but with Gerrard behind him that was a little more better. I'd rather have seen Kuyt and Bellamy start and Gerrard playing center midfield along side Pennant, Gonzalez and Alonso. I would have preferred to see Zenden
not playing. I never really fancied the guy. I dont think he's great and I definitely say he played like crap. He gave too many balls away. And he just didnt shine, as what he was supposed to do like the other Liverpool players. Mascherano?? I dont like him. Maybe he did shine out once in awhile, tackling the ball and getting it... Only to lose it again. In defence, I'm lovin' with it... Carragher and Agger in centre defence, Riise and Finnan for support. I'd say its Liverpool's best defence line-up. Hyypia would have had trouble holding down the fort. I know he's good, but he's not at his best form to be what he was. So thank god he didnt start.
In no specific order, but the best for the last:
Alonso was fantastic... up and until the moment he committed he foul which led to the first goal. But he played awesomely! Managing to push Kaka and tackle with such class. Alonso definitely played so fucking well.
Gerrard was fantastic (is he never?). First half amazing display. Really played well with Kuyt. That's why I love him, he's the best!
Kuyt. That's all I gotta say. He's awesome but would probably have been better with another support up front with him. Couldnt have scored in the first half... Deflection... Grrr!
Zenden? I have so much doubts about him. I didnt want him to start. I'd rather have gambled with Kewell to start. And Kewell would have put on a much better display compared to... Zenden. I dont like this fella that much. I think he shouldnt have played, never ever again (especially after what he showed in Athens)
Carrangher, ALL HAIL! He's the best defender I know at the moment. He really stopped the ball so many times and that's awesome. That's why I fucking say he's the best.
Agger didnt see him much huh? And when he did, it was good. with Carrangher he stopped Kaka but failed to mark Inzaghi (whom I freaking HATE)
Riise is awesome. He plays defence and can move up front to midfield and score. He has the best power shots from the greatest of distance. Just too bad he didnt pull it off when he had the chance. Went slighty above the cross bar.
Finnan was good as well... played really well. Not much comments cause I dont really concentrate much on him because I knw he pulls it off well.
MASCHERANO!!!!! I hate this fella. He shouldnt have started. ARGH!!! I think Benitez gambled too much playing him. I think he played horribly. go away!! I dont like you. Yea, he's played well this season but WTF!!! He's not consistent. EEEESH!!!
Reina... He is, without a doubt, the best keeper in Europe at the moment. But he cannot be blamed for the first or second goal. I mean, the second goal he could've stopped it. Inzaghi tucked it beneath his arms. I'd say the defenders were to blame for the second goal. There was NOT one single defender in the box. It was Reina and Inzaghi - make it or lose it. I still worship him. No doubt about that.
And the best, drum roll....
Pennant. He played as if he's played with Liverpool all his life. He played sooooo well. Getting the ball so many times. Making chances. He was the best Liverpool player out there on the field. Definitely outshone his seniors. People like Zenden should be so damn ashamed.
Players who sucked: Mascherano and Zenden
Players who rocked the field: Gerrard, Kuyt, Kewell, Alonso, Riise, Carrangher and
PENNANT!!!!!!!!
Opinion on the substitues...
Crouch came in too late and Zenden was taken off too late. The damage was already done. Crouch should have started... OR substituted Zenden WAAAYYYY WAY earlier OR start with Bellamy and if that was giving results - get Crouch in. We all know what he can do.
Mascherano off and Kewell on... Woooohoooooooo!! I love Kewell. I think he's awesome. Like I said, I dont like Mascherano. I'd prefer Kewell hands down. Kewell played sooooooo much better compared to Zenden and Mascherano. I would have thought he's been playing all season. Kewell - 7, I love him!
So
my preferred line-up:Reina, Gerrard, Carrangher, Agger, Riise, Finnan, Pennant, Alonso, Kewell, Kuyt and Crouch/BellamyIf we started with Crouch and it wasnt working out, substitute him with Bellamy. Create more problems for the defenders, whom were already having problems with Gerrard and Kuyt. And if Bellamy started and it didnt have its effect (which I really doubt) substitute him for Crouch and let him rule the aerial portions.
Why Kewell? Like I said, I would rather have gambled with him, then putting Zenden or Mascherano.
Too bad Garcia is injured. If not this would be my line-up (regardless of injuries)
Reina, Gerrard, Carrangher, Agger, Riise, Finnan, Pennant, Alonso, Garcia, Kuyt and Crouch.I'd leave my defence and if there were to be any substitutes... I'd take Alonso or Pennant or Garcia and replace with Kewell (whoever wasnt playing best). Play around in the midfield. I'd leave Crouch on for quite awhile. And if that doesnt work out... last 10minutes or so, work with Fowler (just for his sake) or Bellamy.
Based on the game they played, I'd leave Alonso and Pennant in. They were simply awesome
Now, here's my problem with the line-up. Aside from Mascherano and Zenden. I think that Kuyt and Gerrard needed more support up front. Pennant was coming forward which was great. Zenden didnt do much (should've taken him off wayyy earlier and never started with him anyway). Alonso kinda played a more defensive midfield role, which he did well - so no complaints. I would have loved to see more of Zenden forward but he didnt, so screw it. There werent enough Liverpool players to put extreme pressure on the midfield and defence of AC Milan. Although, Gerrard and Kuyt did create quite a lot of problems. I think it would have been great if Bellamy started... there would be more ground covered and it would have been an awesome match especially up front. Defence was good. Apart from the mistakes that led to the second goal. Midfield was good - holding back and silencing Kaka for majority of the game... well every second of the game except for the second goal. Thats about it.
I
hate Inzaghi. First goal is a freaking handball. You know, I made a resolution today... AND its a kinda stupid one. But I'm never touching Italian food ever again. I'll cook it for people but I wont eat it. I HATE HATE HATE THE ITALIANS!!! They are such cheaters. Big time divers. Look at the World Cup. They shouldnt have won it. And btw, DIDA is a sucky keeper. He's gotta thank his classy defenders for covering his butt.
Well based on the whole game and I'm not being bias. Liverpool played the better first half. Second half was also good, except with Milan's goal. Kuyt's header was awesome. I gotta admit that I started to feel that we wouldnt win it. Just a feeling. I wanted to have the BIGGEST of faith in the team that I love, but I knew we were screwed the moment the first goal went in. But then there was Kuyt's header.. AND I bet with you, most, if not all, Liverpool supporters were thinking that we could've pulled an equaliser. I did feel that way. Really did. From that teeniest of faith... It just burst out and I regained my confidence in Liverpool. (to no avail)
When the game started.. I started to shiver. I was shaking. Throughout the whole game.. I was shaking. like literally TREMBLING. It was like... so weird. So my body just suddenly started trembling and I just sat there glued to the match.
Like I said, win or lose, I would cry. I did... And when Maldini lifted the trophy. I was thinking that it could have been Gerrard... I cried even more. I fucking wanted an equaliser and I fucking wanted a penalty shootout or at least 30minutes extra time..
Ohhh, the referee SUCKED!!!!! He's so... ARGH!!! So bias. First half he was TOTALLY on Milan's side. I fucking hate that referee. He's a sucker and blahhhhh!!! eesh!
On top of it all, win or lose... I'm still a
REDS Supporter.
HAVE BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE. They are definitely the best. Comparing on performance wise... Liverpool should have won it. Compare on luck, AC Milan had it. To all Liverpool fans, You'll Never Walk Alone. Remember that! We'll stand together and unite and go forth next season.
To AC Milan... Congrats and I dont think you deserve it. Inzaghi was freaking lucky and that's all you'll ever get. Luck. You didnt play as well as you say you are... Compare to the game against Manchester United.. You guys just werent there. Liverpool kicked your butt in every aspect in the game and YOU know it. You just had luck in your hands. So congrats. Enjoy it whilst you can...
-They shouldnt even have been in the champions league- Hmpf, whatever
A defeat is a defeat. I admit we lost. fair and square. But who played better... Liverpool (even if I werent a Liverpool fan... I'd say Liverpool played better)
To Sir Alex Ferguson... Enjoy your stupid wine! Jealous old bastard.
To all the ManU, Chelsea and Arsenal fans out there... Shhhhhh! If you wanna diss Liverpool, go ahead... I only have one thing to say to you. We were the FINALISTS of the Champions League.. You guys werent. AIG- need I say more?
And another reason why it isnt my day. Blake didnt win American Idol... Jordin did... yea yea, she can sing bla bla. But I love Blake.
- my tears of sorrow will not fade.
Ohhh, another reason why it isnt my day... I only slept from 5.30am til 8.30am. Three freaking hours. Study study!! sigh!! BIG BIG SIGH!!
well more hours to come for the day... See how it goes... =S
Labels: Liverpool FC