Improve our game

We were lucky in our first 4 game, but we need to improve our game quickly before lucky runs out. With Stevie G the other players need to play much harder especially Villa Park is a tough place to go, and they will be up for this after the Barry saga.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Skrtel
Aurelio
Alonso
Mascherano
Kuyt
Keane
Babel
Torres

Result 2:0

Match Report 080827 vs Standard Liege: Lucky escape

1-0 and we were really lucky to win the game. Standard Liege played very well and Reina was at his best to keep us in the game. It was not until the 118th minute that Kuyt received a great crossing from Babel that ruled out the penalty shootout. In all it was a very poor performance and we were lucky to go through.

Is the problem due to formation? To cope with Keane and due to absense of Mascherano, Rafa needed to change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2, but it was very clear that we lack wide players. It was not until El Zhar came on that we have more attacks from the side, and Babel was virtually anonymous before the winning cross. Now that Stevie G need to have an operation, Rafa may still need to play 4-4-2, but the next two games are going to be very tough. More works need to be done by Rafa in the next fortnight.

Players Rating:
Reina: 8.5 Another on fire performance.
Arbeloa: 6 Poor performance.
Carragher: 6.5 Solid performance.
Skrtel: 6.5 Solid but not impressive.
Aurelio: 7 Willing to go forward and was one of the better player.
Kuyt: 7.5 Worked hard and at the end he sent us through. But he is not a wide player and lack pace.
Gerrard: 6.5 Affected by injury.
Alonso: 6 Not much contribution.
Benayoun: 5.5 Anonymous.
Keane: 6 Still couldn't gel into the team yet.
Torres: 6 Not many chances.

Substitutions:
Babel: 6.5 Largely anonymous before his terrific cross.
El Zhar: 7 Came on and provided us the much needed width.
Plessis: 6 Time killer.

Rafa: 6.5 Would be disappointed about the performance, and he now has another big problem to solve as Gerrard will be out for 10-15 days.

Standard Liege: 7 Would count themselves unlucky not to go through.

Player of the Match: Reina. 12 million saves.

We need to win

This is a must win game and we need to be gear up to avoid any embarrassment. Standard Liege proved they can be dangerous at their home, but this is Fortress Anfield and the Kop will drive us to another memorable European night.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Skrtel
Dossena
Kuyt
Gerrard
Alonso
Babel
Torres
Keane

Result 3-0

Match Report 080823 vs Middlesbrough: We created our luck

2-1 and two late late goals from Carra and Stevie G settled the win. Some may say that this is due to luck, but we need to create our own luck. Should Carra not be alert and not take a shot, there will not be an equalizer; Should Stevie G gave up after his wonderful freekick was blocked by Turnbull, there will not be a winner. These are great turning points of the game, and we won the game with the never say die spirit.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 A good performance and had no chance to the Mido goal.
Arbeloa: 6 Did not offer too much going forward.
Skrtel: 7.5 Solid defending.
Carragher: 8.5 Scored one, saved one. Superb.
Dossena: 6.5 Didn't go forward as expected.
Kuyt: 6 Not much offered.
Gerrard: 8 Tried and tried and scored a winner.
Alonso: 6 Was guilty of giving away the ball for the goal conceded, but repaid by involving in both goals scored.
Benayoun: 6 Not much offered.
Torres: 7 Very lively but couldn't scored.
Keane: 7 Much better performance and was involved in the winning goal.

Substitutions:
Babel: 6 Largely anonymous.
Aurelio: 6 Not enough time to impress.
El Zhar: 6.5 Provided more width to us.

Rafa: 7 Would be happy about the fighting spirit. But we need to improve to beat Standard Liege.

Middlesbrough: 7 A well done performance and they deserve at least one point. But this is Fortress Anfield.

Player of the Match: Carragher. Inspired us to win with short sheeves.

Home win

First home game of the season is vital to give something for the fans to cheer for, and no doubt we need to work hard for a win. Boro was single hand destroyed by Torres last season, and he will be continuing his momentum with the help of Keane and the gang.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Agger
Dossena
Kuyt
Gerrard
Alonso
Benayoun
Torres
Keane

Result 2:0

Match Report 080816 at Sunderland: Torres saves the day again

1-0 and it was the wonder goal of Torres that won us the 3 points. It was a difficult match, and we did not start playing well until 30 minutes. But in the second half it was one way traffic with Alonso coming on, and he almost scored from 60 yards. At the end he provided a killer pass to Torres and what a golden goal it was.

At the end of the day, 3 point away from home is not a bad result, but if we want to win #19, we definitely need to improve a lot.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Another clean sheet as he was not seriously challenged.
Arbeloa: 6 An average performance.
Carragher: 7 A solid performance.
Hyypia: 7 Apart from an early error he was superb especially in his positioning.
Dossena: 7 Good performance especially when going forward.
Kuyt: 6 Average performance.
Gerrard: 7 Good performance.
Plessis: 5.5 Poor in passing.
Benayoun: 6.5 Had a good game and should have win us a penalty.
Torres: 7.5 Two chances, one goal.
Keane: 6 Did not do to well and even blocked Torres' shot.

Substitutions:
Alonso: 8 Superb performance. If he play like this week in, week out Rafa would keep him.
El Zhar/Aurelio: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6.5 Still need to improve especially the understanding between Keane and Torres.

Sunderland: 6 Didn't do much to win the game apart from the first 30 minutes, but they are a much improved team then last year.

Player of the Match: Alonso. One assist, and almost scored from 60 yards.

Start perform well

After a disappointed draw at Belgium it is now back to our bread and butter. Sunderland away won't be an easy task and we need to play much better if we are to get a result. Gerrard will be back and give the team more confidence, and Keane and Torres need to play with more understanding. A draw won't be too bad at this early stage, but if we really want to challenge for the title, start with a win.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Agger
Dossena
Kuyt
Gerrard
Alonso
Benayoun
Keane
Torres

Result 2:0

Match Report 080813 at Standard Liege: Wake up, team!

0-0 and we were very lucky not to lose the game. Is it because Gerrard was injured, or just the players are not yet into the game? Thanks to the superb performance of Reina, who made a few good saves especially a penalty save and we can go home with a draw. Still we definitely need to wake up if we are to qualify, as one mistake with a goal conceded will make it very difficult.

Players Rating:
Reina: 8 Superb performance to keep us alive.
Arbeloa/Carragher/Agger: 6 Average performance.
Dossena: 6 Handball almost cost us the game, although it should be out of penalty area.
Alonso: 6 Almost scored from a free kick.
Plessis/Kuyt: 5.5 Very quiet.
Keane/Benayoun: 5 Anonymous.
Torres: 5.5 Not yet back to his normal performance.

Substitutions:
Gerrard: 6.5 Came up and brought some confidence to the players.
El Zhar: 6 Insufficient time to impress.

Rafa: 6 Disappointed about the team performance and need to do a lot to improve.

Standard Liege: 6 Would regret not winning the first leg.

Man of the Match: Reina. Saved us from further disgrace.

Season starts

Season will start tonight with a tricky trip to Belgium. Although our focus should be in the league, we still need Champions League money to finance the team, so we need to make sure we can get in. With several injuries Rafa may play some youngsters. Whoever will start tonight, make sure to bring victory home.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Carragher
Agger
Dossena
Agger
Plessis
Kuyt
Keane
Benayoun
Torres

Result 2:0