Liverpool FC Forum

[Leonmc0708]

A last minute Milan Baros penalty earned the lads a hard fought 3-2 win over a resilient Crystal Palace today, with the new Liverpool hero bagging a much deserved hat-trick.

Baros underlined his growing importance and stature for The Reds putting in a superb performance, menacing and full of running, with a hat-trick, including two penalties, to deny Palace, who impressed despite the loss of their talisman, Andy Johnson.

Kolka (sp?) cancelled out Baros' early penalty with a thunderbolt of a shot just before half time, before showing off his acting skills with a dive to emulate Milan's fall to gain a free kick (that ironically provided our second).

However there was still time for Rafa's boys to regain the lead when Baros got on the end of Harry Kewell's cross shot from a well worked free kick in first half stoppage time.

We dominated the game but once again missed far too many chances, with Garcia guilty again of missing what looked a sitter.

The boys where punished when Michael Hughes' header (how the hell can a five foot nothing menace win in the air?) made it 2-2 about ten minutes into the second half during what was probably only the Eagles' second attack.

Palace defended with great spirit, with ten men behind the ball all the time, and we looked like we were running out of time when Harry Kewell, (having his best game of this season), fed Baros with an equisite pass that split the Palace defence. Baros was again felled in the box, and duly got what should have really been his third penalty of the game, and he kept his nerve to just about beat Palace keeper Kiraly and earn a vital three points for us.

Palace had some chances, and tested Kirky early when I think it was Watson, fired in a fierce shot and the big fella needed two go's to finally gather the ball.

Jamie Carragher, in a rare forray forward, found himself in space, when another perfect Alonso ball popped up right in front of him inside the box, but Carra, (outstanding once again), could not get a shot in on target, and the keeper smothered it.

The breakthrough finally came around the twenty minute mark when Legerwood bundled down Baros inside the box as Milan left him (and the rest of the Palace defence) for dead with another lightning run.

My @rse was twitching, when Josemi appeared to be making his way up the field to take the kick. Not cus I was worried he would miss, but cus I had fallen for the rumour that he won a penalty competition at Melwood and would be taking the spot kick. My twenty quid was wasted, and Milan slotted the ball, sending the keeper the wrong way, with aplomb.

Baros should have surely had a second opportunity to score another penalty just a few minutes later, as he was sent tumbling inside the box, for what looked like a clearer penalty than the first. This time however, Dowd, who again added to the crumbling reputation of Premeirship referees with an inept stop - start display waved away all penalty appeals.

The Kop was stunned a few moments before the break, when Josemi, ball watching once again, was nowhere as Kolka (sp?)picked up the ball on the left of the box and unleashed a wonderful shot which flew past Kirkland and nestled into the net.

What a time to score a goal! But a better time to score was coming up....

Liverpools response was instantaneous, and Baros restored our advantage in first half stoppage time when Harry Kewell raced into the box down the right to square Alonso's free kick for Baros to bundle in.

I felt we may have been left to rue missed chances when some slack play led to another shock Palace equaliser.

Kolka was allowed far too much time and space out on the left, as Josemi again was guilty of being sucked into the ball rather than being disciplined, and a good ball in found Michael Hughes totally unmarked and able to head in from yards out. Hughes impressed me greatly, and proved a real thorn in our side all game.

As we went in search of a third goal, you felt it simply was not meant to be as Alonso fired a free kick just inches wide and Riise, impressive again and unlucky to be subbed, had two vicious volleys fly just wide from set plays.

As we piled forward in search of a winner, Palace were forced further and further back, deeper and deeper and at times they defended desperately but always did enough to prevent a winner, that was until the dying moments........

As some of the boys, clearly frustrated and some tired looking, looked like having to settle for a point, one young man was in no mood to gain anything less than three points.

As Big Mick said, cometh the hour, cometh the man, and Baros was still full of running going into the final minute or so of normal time. His hard work and endevour was awarded with a second penalty in the 90th minute when Tony Popovic brought him down.

The referee, not wanting to be upstaged by Milan, booked the Palace goalkeeper for his timewasting antics before the spot kick was taken and then proceeded to book the hatrick hero for milking the much deserved applause of his adoring fans following another well taken spot kick.

All in all, a great result, and no matter what anyone says the best way to win a game is in the final moments.

Man of the Match, Milan Baros despite a strong charge from the Referee for that particular plaudit. Here's hoping it is not the first match ball Milan takes home this season.

[The_Rock]

happy as long as we win.

2 problems.

1)josemi looks like a liability. Finnan should play until josemi regains his early season form.
2)we need another quality striker. If Baros does not score, god knows who is gonna.

[zarababe]

[A.B.]

god knows who is gonna.

Midfield

Why? Gerrard. Gerrard can create chances not only for Baros but for himself and the rest of his team mates. We can not depend on Baros or any other striker for that matter. Benitez is keen on goals comming from various areas from the pitch.

Goalscorers:
Baros(10)
Gerrard(4)
Garcia(3)
Cisse(3)
Mellor(2)
Riise(2)
Alonso(1)
Biscan(1)

[The_Rock]

no comments 

[Pig Catcher]

Kirkland(7/10) -Not much to do, had no chance with the goals.

Josemi(6/10) - Looked vunrable at times, and his postional play left a lot to be desired, got sucked into the middle for the second goal and left Kolka free to cross.

Troare(7/10) - Solid, got foward towards the end and supported the attack.

Carragher(7/10) - Another solid display, snuffed out any danger, not too much to do.

Hyypia(6/10) - Had a tidy game, was solid in the air, but was at fault for the first goal, came out and played the offside but steped back and played Kolka on side.

Garcia(6/10) - Very quiet and ineffective.

Riise(8/10) - Thought he was a threat all the time he was on, surprised when he was substituted.

Hamann(7/10) - Had a good game defensively, but when trying to deliver into the box he failed.

Alonso(7/10) - Quietly effective, tidy in possesion, and tackled well, done well for the second goal.

Kewell(6/10) - Done well for the second goal but another lackluster performance.

Baros(9/10) - Full of running, constant threat, still needs to get his head up sometimes, but man of the match perfromance.

[The_Rock]

my review :

Post Match Thoughts

1) Kirkland - couldn't do anything abut the goals...becos of (look at (2))

2) Josemi - Not sure whats wrong with josemi now. He was great in the 1st few matches. Now its going all wrong for him.

3) Carra - Solid. Not his best game for us this season, but was still the best defender we had.

4) Hyppia - Ok.  Thought he was at fault for playing the C.palace player on-side for the 2nd goal. No Pace......

5) Traore - Another Steady game. Maybe he will replace hyppia soon if he keeps performing like this.

6) Risse - Another steady game. Looked ****** when he sub.

7) Hamann - Below par. If he does not play well, we will concede goals. He is due a bad games once in a while.

8) Alonso - One word to describe him.....Mystero. If we had Jan Koller, we could have scored 3 more headers.

9) Garcia - Didnt really get into the game. Garcia plays better when he has a lot of space.

10) Kewell - Finally, something to be proud of. Created the 2nd goal for baros. Had a hand in the 2nd penalty too.

11) Baros - Need i say more. 5 star performace *****

Subs :

Finnan - Defended well. attacked well. Put in a few good crosses. Should start ahead of josemi if not zenden will tear josemi to pieces.

Mellor - Just saw him smiling when he came on. He then got sent off or something to that effect  . Becos i never saw him after that.

Pongolle - Nothing much to say as he came on in the 92 min.

[Paul C]

Josemi is a good tackler, passes the ball quite well and gets forward well but he gets caught out of possition too much

I don't get his pace cos when he's running past people to whip a cross in he's quite fast but when chasing back he looks slow, weird

[Leonmc0708]

Kirkland(7/10) -Not much to do, had no chance with the goals.

Josemi(6/10) - Looked vunrable at times, and his postional play left a lot to be desired, got sucked into the middle for the second goal and left Kolka free to cross.

Troare(7/10) - Solid, got foward towards the end and supported the attack.

Carragher(7/10) - Another solid display, snuffed out any danger, not too much to do.

Hyypia(6/10) - Had a tidy game, was solid in the air, but was at fault for the first goal, came out and played the offside but steped back and played Kolka on side.

Garcia(6/10) - Very quiet and ineffective.

Riise(8/10) - Thought he was a threat all the time he was on, surprised when he was substituted.

Hamann(7/10) - Had a good game defensively, but when trying to deliver into the box he failed.

Alonso(7/10) - Quietly effective, tidy in possesion, and tackled well, done well for the second goal.

Kewell(6/10) - Done well for the second goal but another lackluster performance.

Baros(9/10) - Full of running, constant threat, still needs to get his head up sometimes, but man of the match perfromance.

Did you go the game today ?

[kazza]

I thought that Kewell had a better game. There seemed to be more commitment there and a little more confidence. Let's hope that he is turning the corner.

[Paul C]

at one point at 2-2 he had the ball in our half and walked with it, he when rolled a pass to someone rather than doing something possitive with it, but I agree he did look a little better today

[Pig Catcher]

Kirkland(7/10) -Not much to do, had no chance with the goals.

Josemi(6/10) - Looked vunrable at times, and his postional play left a lot to be desired, got sucked into the middle for the second goal and left Kolka free to cross.

Troare(7/10) - Solid, got foward towards the end and supported the attack.

Carragher(7/10) - Another solid display, snuffed out any danger, not too much to do.

Hyypia(6/10) - Had a tidy game, was solid in the air, but was at fault for the first goal, came out and played the offside but steped back and played Kolka on side.

Garcia(6/10) - Very quiet and ineffective.

Riise(8/10) - Thought he was a threat all the time he was on, surprised when he was substituted.

Hamann(7/10) - Had a good game defensively, but when trying to deliver into the box he failed.

Alonso(7/10) - Quietly effective, tidy in possesion, and tackled well, done well for the second goal.

Kewell(6/10) - Done well for the second goal but another lackluster performance.

Baros(9/10) - Full of running, constant threat, still needs to get his head up sometimes, but man of the match perfromance.

Did you go the game today ?

Why? Whats wrong with my marks?

[Santa]

Kirkland(7/10) -Not much to do, had no chance with the goals.

Josemi(6/10) - Looked vunrable at times, and his postional play left a lot to be desired, got sucked into the middle for the second goal and left Kolka free to cross.

Troare(7/10) - Solid, got foward towards the end and supported the attack.

Carragher(7/10) - Another solid display, snuffed out any danger, not too much to do.

Hyypia(6/10) - Had a tidy game, was solid in the air, but was at fault for the first goal, came out and played the offside but steped back and played Kolka on side.

Garcia(6/10) - Very quiet and ineffective.

Riise(8/10) - Thought he was a threat all the time he was on, surprised when he was substituted.

Hamann(7/10) - Had a good game defensively, but when trying to deliver into the box he failed.

Alonso(7/10) - Quietly effective, tidy in possesion, and tackled well, done well for the second goal.

Kewell(6/10) - Done well for the second goal but another lackluster performance.

Baros(9/10) - Full of running, constant threat, still needs to get his head up sometimes, but man of the match perfromance.

Did you go the game today ?

Why? Whats wrong with my marks?

Cool it, it's only Leon...he is in the opinion that if you do not go to the game, your opinion is inferior to his. He only wants to know if you went to the game so he can write you (and your comments) off. We get this sort of rubbish after every game.

[bigmick]

PC, if you did go to the game, you're back a bit sharpish aren't you?

[Pig Catcher]

Who said I went to the game?

I watched it on my satellite.

People shoulden't put words into my mouth.