0:1. A very poor display. We started quite well, but after 25 minutes without finding a way to break through, we failed to control the rhythm and GAK was allowed to control the game. We gave the ball cheaply, Dudek was out of confidence, and the referee's judgements were bad, so we lost. But fortunately we still are able to enter the Group Stage.
Hopefully this will let Rafa and the team back to reality and figure a way to breakthrough. It's like the 2H of the Spurs games that we just allow the opponents to attack. We need to control the rhythm.
Plus from the game: Not much except watching Potter has his first start in first team. Hope Rafa will still give the young boys some opportunities. The other item is that Riise played much better than last year. Keep it up, John Arne!
Minus from the game: Dudek has completely lost his confidence. We need Kirky to be back ASAP. Kewell already take his day off. An invisible performance. Maybe we should drop him on Sunday and hand Warnock/Finnan a start? And we need to find a way to control the game rhythm. This has now become an urgent item.
Hopefully it's just the team hasn't reach the top gear yet, and we will get better and better. But a few games like last night will almost ensure us to have another disappointing season, and worse of all, Gerrard to leave...
Player Rating:
Dudek: 5.5 Though the goal was not his fault, he has a few shaky moment in the game and almost led to goal...
Carragher: 7 Another solid performance, this time as a right back. Crossed the ball several times but didn't result in an opportunity for the strikers.
Henchoz: 6.5 First start of the season, and it was not a bad performance. But one thing I don't like is that he said he was aware that the GAK captain was given 2 red cards. If this is the case he should at least let Gerrard know and launch a complain, so that the referee can discuss with his colleagues and make the right decision.
Hyypia 7 Solid performance from our vice captain.
Riise: 7 On a day Kewell is invisible, Riise provided a lot of attacks from the left side.
Potter 6.5 A solid performance for the home-debut boy. Keep it up and challenge the first team!
Gerrard: 7 Yet another good performance from our captain. Geared up a lot after we were behind, and it is a mystery that he didn't get a penalty, but instead get a yellow card.
Diao 6: I think he will still be challenging the first team. Maybe the backbone for our League Cup team.
Kewell 5.5: Virtually invisible. The fact that he was substituted on 59 minutes when we were behind tells you that Rafa was not happy with his performance as well. One more performance like this and I am sure Rafa will relegate him to the bench, especially we have Garcia now and Warnock is challenging this position as well.
Cisse 6.5: Not much chance, but to be fair he did not get any support from the midfielder.
Baros 6.5: Similar comment to Cisse. Also has another penalty claim denied. I am just afraid he will be labeled as a diver now...
Warnock 6: Subsituted the invisible man, a good performance but failed to create any real chance.
Sinama-Pongolle: A much better performance than the Spurs game, did have one tame goal attempt.
Hamann: Just played the 3 minute injury time to protect our "lead".
Kop: 6.5 Not much to cheer for...
Rafa: 5.5 Unable to inspire the team but after all the result is the thing that matter.
Grazer AK: 7.5 A good display from the Austria double winners. Though their captain should have been sent off after 2 red cards.
Man of the Match: Riise this time, although Carragher and Gerrard also come close.
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