Match Report 041120: We need a striker!

0-2 and it was a very poor result. The lack of striker is very obvious. I don't understand why Rafa did not start at least one of Mellor or Sinama-Pongolle, if not both. The formation is more like a 6-4-0 than 4-4-2.

We played quite well in the first 30 minutes and contained Boro quite well, with the exception of attack. Then all of a sudden a defense lapse and we are one down. Garcia 's goal was then incorrectly judged as offside. This is his second goal incorrectly ruled out... Kewell was improving, but definitively lack of confidence. He has wasted way too many chances! Then we lost the second goal due to a Alonso error... The only plus from the game is that Gerrard is back, but it is very clear that he needs to catch up... Time is running out, and we have two very difficult games coming.

Player Rating:
Kirkland: 6 Helpless in the 2 goals, once again defense let him down.
Josemi: 5 Luckily we won't see him again vs Arsenal as he got his 5th yellow card.
Carragher: 6.5 Solid as usual and saved at least 2 Boro chances. Even have a run forward in 2H.
Hyypia: 6 Can't stopped the 2nd goal as the ball was passed through his legs.
Traore: 5.5 Fault on 1st goal and before that, another Boro opportunity but Carra saved him.
Finnan: 6 Played quite bad. But need to gear up at next week facing Henry.
Alonso: 6 At the heart of every chance we have, but couldn't get something. Was faulty in the 2nd goal, first lost the ball in midfield, then covered the offsided Zenden.
Hamann: 6 Substituted for Gerrard. As usual he failed to inspire the teammates.
Riise: 6 Tried very hard but couldn't get anything.
Garcia: 6.5 A bad day as his goal was incorrectly ruled out...But he is one of our better player.
Kewell: 5 Wasted so many chances. And Rafa need to do something to improve his confience.

Substitutions:
Gerrard: 6 Welcome back! He's still not in 100% condition, and hopefully he will be there soon.
Pongolle: 5.5 Not much contribution for his 20 minutes on the pitch.
Biscan: Played a few minutes only

Rafa: 5.5 Why not play either or both Mellor or Sinama-Pongolle is really a mystery. And finally he will stop playing Josemi vs Arsenal.

Boro: 8 Played very well especially Downing. Maybe we should get him as well.

Man of the Match: Garcia/Carragher. Garcia was unlucky not on the scoresheet, and Carra is as usual reliable.