Liverpool FC Forum

[RAFABENITEZ]

Well the first half we showed Europe how good we can be, wwe wiped the smile of the smug Italians and played them off the park. We were in for every challenge and didnt let them have time on the ball.
Towards the end of the half we started to lay back and let Juve play. they had one or two chances but did we raise our game? no, we just stagnated.
In the second half, Juve began to control the match, the referee was giving them silly free kicks, but we were getting nothing off him. Baros was a disgrace in the second half. He didnt mind running with the ball in his clumsy manner, but once he lost it did he try to win it back? no, he just stood there, sometimes appealing to the ref, and anyone could see that would get him nowhere.
Then they got a very lucky goal, i suppose Del boy was onside in the first half, so maybe this was justice, but a soft goal to give away.
Overall it was a decent performance, perhaps we played too fast in the first half and tired ourselves but all we have to do is get a draw in Turin - not even a score draw. Cummon you Red men, you showed them smug Italians up in the first half, we can do it!!!!

RATINGS
Carson -7- made some excellent saves such as the Del boy one in the first half, just one mistake that could cost us.

Finnan -7- decent game from him, was unlucky with an early shot but the ref seemd to enjoy giving fouls against him.

Hyypia -8- Played well and the goal was an excellen finnish(da-dum..tshhh)

Carra -8- Looked solid but need help from more offensive players in the second half.

Traore -7- played well, provided reasonable support to JAR in the first but was pinned back by Camronaesi in the second half.

Garcia -9- Man of the match, the goal was as good as any that i have seen, he displayed some wonderful skill, and was one of few who kept up the high tempo in the second half.

Biscan -6- An ok game from Igor but gave the ball away too much and didnt show up enough.

Gerrard -7- Picked out the widemen and frontmen well on the counter attack, but he didnt drive us forward enough in the second half. Would have benefited from having Hamann to cover him.

Riise -6- Played ok, and provided decent passes, but again he didnt keep up his level in the second half.

Le Tallec -7- A good game from ALT, he supplied the pass for Garcia`s wonder goal and caused a few problems.

Baros -6- In the first half he busted a gut to run wide and draw Zambrotta back, but his control of the ball again let him down. In the second half, he dropped his work rate massivley, and once he lost the ball, didnt attempt to win it back, needs to close the goally down more on pass backs so he has to clear the ball, thus increasing our chances of winning it back.

[LFC #1]

Agree Garcia was MOM, he was excellent. He definitely prefers playing in Europe against clubs from the continent as he gets more time and space on the ball and it is less physical.