REINA
Not much to do at all, one bread and butter save and thats it, was quick with keeping the ball moving as apposed to the way Jerzy would not take the easy option and end up taking long and sending it long to the strikers. Reina just sent it to the fullbacks and off we went again. Footwork (i think JBG mentioned this) was good and very assured.
6/10
HYPPIA
Not much to do at all, hardly touched the ball, really cant remember him having to stretch his legs at all. Few standard headers from goalkeepers kicks and thats it really.
6/10
CARRAGHER
Much the same as Sami, but had a few gallops upfield and produced a quality step over dummy and run to the byline and could have set up a goal. Even in these 'smaller' games, still has the same die hard attitude and will to win, did anyone see the way he reacted when Moro put the ball over the bar after chesting down a SG pass in the six yard box, his arms were in the air just like the fans. True Scouser.
7/10
FINNAN
Good solid game as usual, got forward well and had a few decent strikes at goal (without REALLY troubling!). Not much to deal with on the defensive side, but what he did have to do was done with efficiency, keeping it nice and easy.
7/10
WARNOCK
Good for him to get a run out, will have done his confidence the world of good. Strong in the tackle and good defensively, but TBH I would have liked to have seen a bit more from him in an attacking sense, he has a decent cross, and so should try and overlap and try and utilise this. Otherwise a good and sturdy performance.
7/10 (being a bit generous I think, was thinking more six?!?!?)
POTTER
Was decent enough but then again it was TNS! He should have really used this oppurtunity to REALLY impress Rafa, but didnt really do it, did produce a couple of quality crosses, but there wasnt any dribbling past players or anything really creative. All in all, as i said decent but somewhat disappointing, will only be used as a fringe squad member at best, when we get down to the nitty gritty.
6/10
RIISE
Good first half, saw plenty of the ball and had a few oppurtunities to score but choose to pass instead. I enjoy watching Riise play, but he just doesnt have enough craft (tricks) to beat his man, kick and run will work against TNS, but better fullbacks will stop this after the first couple of attempts. We all KNOW he is decent in the left mid position and is always good for a goal, but I think LB would be better, who more to the point a wingback in a 3-5-2 would be pefect for him (just a thought!).
Was assured when moved to LB, but failed to get forward much like Warnock before he was subbed. (Maybe these were Rafas instructions as they both failed to go forward to often).
7/10
GERRARD
HAT TRICK!!! And that was done but just playing in fits nad starts, what can he do on full pelt for 90mins....Please show us. Hopefully his head really is clearing and he is looking to the future as a true red, not like last year when he was still having thoughts about the end of the season.
Top Notch.
10/10
ALONSO
Consumate performance from our passing King. Kept the ball moving well and used his great vision as always with BOTH feet. Got stuck into a good few 50-50's, which is always good to see, shows he is FULLY committed in my opinion. Slowed up as the game wore on. Great pass zipped into Le Tallec on the edge of the box, if that was a top class striker or if Le Tallecs first touch was better (on that occasion) would have been a one on one with the keepers, and i personally would have expected a goal.
7/10
LE TALLEC
Hmmm, funny one this one. Le Tallec (IMO) definetly has the abilty, i can really see it screaming to get out, he has a good first touch, good passer and has decent pace too. But he somehow flatters to deceive, he just does enough, but not much more. Maybe this is because he doesnt want to make mistakes (which is fair enough), but i think he should really try and let his ability flourish and play his natural game, which i think is a very creative one with intelligence.
He must show this in training, otherwise he would not have played against Juve (i know we had injuries but still!) and nor would he have played today (IMO). If he doesnt come out of his shell, his career is gonna stall (as has begun a bit already). Could end up a bit like Potter and be just bit a fringe squad player. If he fails to impress or rather fulfill his potential this could be his last season at Anfield. However i have taken into acoount the hard work he puts in and runs he made to open gaps for Mori and the Midfielders too when giving him his score.
7/10
MORIENTES
On the whole very disappointing, had two CLEAR CUT chances, the scuffed shot in the first half and the header in the second, both should have been tucked away neatly. As many have said he still doesnt look that sharp and he has had the time now!!
However you could still see flashes of his abilty, which still has me hoping he will finally come good. He definetly needs to man up, and get a bit stronger as he is getting brushed off the ball far too easily. Good passing though and cant really remember him giving away possesion when he was on the ball (in terms of passing, not being tackled that is).
5/10
ZENDEN
Did well, injected a bit of pace into the game as it was beginning to stall, gave good width and supplied a good few crosses (one of which nando should have scored). Hope this is how we are gonna see him being played - OUT WIDE. He has a FEW tricks and can beat a man and get to the byline, and so far his final ball is looking good. He is up to the pace of the Prem and seems to get stuck in too. have to say in all in all, a short run out, but was pleasantly impressed....FREE, that makes so much better
8/10
CISSE
Short run out for Djib, would have liked to seen him replace Le Tallec and play up front, but i think the game was quite bunched up through the middle and centre and he would have found it hard to get enough space to run into, as TNS were playing (or trying!!) a high line. I think you need wingers in the game to stretch the play and create gaps for Cisse to run into and utilise his pace.
So it is ironic that he comes on as a WINGER!! He showed tremendous pace and injected a further spark to the play after that added by Zenden. Caused trouble, beat his man with no problem,got a few crosses in, won a few corners and free kicks too!! You can see he is itching to do what he did at Auxerre for us, i really think he wants to become a legend here. But is Rafa convinced??
I think the way we play at the moment is not best suited to Cisse, and TBH I dont really want him to play out wide, but at the same time, if HE isnt bothered by it and doesnt moan and is completely fine playing there, then its ok as he does add a new dimension, but i think it would only work from the subs bench and not from the start of a game. He is still very raw and not as 'classy' (yet!) as Henry for example, but we have a diamond and just need to cut it right.
I think Cisse's season is gonna be one to watch, for various reasons!!!
7/10
I would have liked to have seen more goals, but was pleased with the way we kept possesion and as the game went on there was a lot of one touch passing going on and it was looking good, but then again it was TNS.
As long as we can get through the three qualifiers without any serious injuries i will be happy, as we have got a head start on the rest and hopefully in four weeks or so from now the team will begin to play better as it really seems like the season has begun.
Remember it must still be weird for them to be playing already, their children will still be at school/nursery.
I am just happy footy is back on, as it was getting too boring. Just to add aswell looks as though Baros and Dudek are on their way, hopefully that will add to the coffers and we can continue to add to the squad before the deadline closes.
The only negative I can think of, is that OTHER people might just see this as the Steven Gerrard show, and start with the 'one man team' business.
The strikers have to buck up their ideas and start contributing PROPERLY.....We have to give Cisse a sustained run in the team and then he will hopefully flourish, however it looks like Morientes is gonna be a firm fixture this season.
Roll on the the rst of the season.
YNWA
