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Hardy
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LukeS
Craig HillAston Villa 1 – 2 Liverpool (Post Match)
August 12th 2007 08:16
Time has come. Finally after so many seasons, I have this very feeling that our time to seriously challenging or even winning the league has arrived.
Starting with a team sheet that is unsurprisingly surprising, I didn’t know what to expect. At first sight, Riise on left wing? And we don’t even have a left winger in the bench? What was Rafa thinking?!
Combined with the fact that we were poor on away games and never won opening match under Rafa, this match seemed to be going an uncertain way.
But then, as the match progressed, slowly it begins to make some sense. Rafa wasn’t gambling, he was using his several years of premier league experience. Maybe the fact that we were poor on away and never won on opening are actually giving him enough experience to finally break the tradition.
We are no longer sitting and wait for chance to break in with 4-5-1 formation. Gerrard, Alonso, Torres and Kuyt are set for attack. And the reason for Riise placed in left wing was to close down Villa’s attacks. It was very obvious everyone were running hard and restricting Villa players’ space. Had Rafa put Kewell, it won’t be possible with him still finding his full fitness while Leto is a gamble. Pennant was needed to help attacking, but I am puzzled by the absence of Benayoun even in the bench.
Our attacking front were performing and linking up very well. And that’s the cause for the own goal to our favor. There were chances, but we couldn’t score another killer. When we looked set to win with a goal difference, Villa were given penalty after Carra handled the ball inside penalty box. At that moment, our lionheart hero suddenly turned villain, and he looked deeply disappointed. Barry made no mistake and the game is now looking towards a draw with less than 5 minutes to full time.
Then came the moment convincing me to believe this season is going to be special.
Gerrard shown no intention of letting the game go into a draw, and soon get himself into action and stopped clumsily by Petrov. We got ourselves a free kick, but by no means it’s easy to score at that spot. Then we are reminded that Gerrard is our captain marvelous. A perfect curling free kick and we are back leading the match. 2-1. And that’s the final scoreline.
All night, Gerrard has been imperious. The goal is very deserving for him, and what a start to the season. Liverpool fans will surely find it no stranger to have a lot of goals of the season, but this one is just perfect.
The other reason for me to be happy was Torres and Babel’s performances. Torres is definitely going to raise our level, and he looked pretty comfortable with Kuyt. Babel was excellent when he came on for Pennant. He should seriously be given more time on the right wing than Pennant. His fast pace drives and shots are simply exciting and effective. Compared to last season, the team we have now look so much more likely to score than the previous one.
And this is just the opening. Three points, we are off the ground running.
Captain fantastic flying high
Starting with a team sheet that is unsurprisingly surprising, I didn’t know what to expect. At first sight, Riise on left wing? And we don’t even have a left winger in the bench? What was Rafa thinking?!
Combined with the fact that we were poor on away games and never won opening match under Rafa, this match seemed to be going an uncertain way.
But then, as the match progressed, slowly it begins to make some sense. Rafa wasn’t gambling, he was using his several years of premier league experience. Maybe the fact that we were poor on away and never won on opening are actually giving him enough experience to finally break the tradition.
We are no longer sitting and wait for chance to break in with 4-5-1 formation. Gerrard, Alonso, Torres and Kuyt are set for attack. And the reason for Riise placed in left wing was to close down Villa’s attacks. It was very obvious everyone were running hard and restricting Villa players’ space. Had Rafa put Kewell, it won’t be possible with him still finding his full fitness while Leto is a gamble. Pennant was needed to help attacking, but I am puzzled by the absence of Benayoun even in the bench.
Our attacking front were performing and linking up very well. And that’s the cause for the own goal to our favor. There were chances, but we couldn’t score another killer. When we looked set to win with a goal difference, Villa were given penalty after Carra handled the ball inside penalty box. At that moment, our lionheart hero suddenly turned villain, and he looked deeply disappointed. Barry made no mistake and the game is now looking towards a draw with less than 5 minutes to full time.
Then came the moment convincing me to believe this season is going to be special.
Gerrard shown no intention of letting the game go into a draw, and soon get himself into action and stopped clumsily by Petrov. We got ourselves a free kick, but by no means it’s easy to score at that spot. Then we are reminded that Gerrard is our captain marvelous. A perfect curling free kick and we are back leading the match. 2-1. And that’s the final scoreline.
All night, Gerrard has been imperious. The goal is very deserving for him, and what a start to the season. Liverpool fans will surely find it no stranger to have a lot of goals of the season, but this one is just perfect.
The other reason for me to be happy was Torres and Babel’s performances. Torres is definitely going to raise our level, and he looked pretty comfortable with Kuyt. Babel was excellent when he came on for Pennant. He should seriously be given more time on the right wing than Pennant. His fast pace drives and shots are simply exciting and effective. Compared to last season, the team we have now look so much more likely to score than the previous one.
And this is just the opening. Three points, we are off the ground running.
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
I heard Torres missed a sitter though, but Gerrard's free-kick was damn sweet, or so I've heard because I have yet to see it.
Thanks for the match review Hardy!
Charles.
Comment by LukeS
Athletics News
Torres played well and linked up with Kuyt impressively. I think the main difference between the previous years under Rafa is the lack of a defensive midfielder being used. However im sure we will see one employed against Toulouse away and probably Chelsea at home this weekend.
A good start!
Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Yep, we won the opening game for the first time in 5 years.
Thanks for stopping by Luke - check back soon.
Charles.