Liverpool FC Forum

bigmick wrote:Probably the most bizarre thing about the whole performance today was that Josemi actually looked really good when he came on. It was like a throwback to those halcyon days when we first signed him, the early games where he convinced us all that he was a good player. Cisse too looked like a top striker. Pacy, with intelligent movement and good control. Very strange.

I can't really argue with any of the ratings from Stu, save for Morientes whom I think maybe a shade fortunate to get an eight. I've been saying for a while now that we are playing well enough to really banjo somebody. Well enough to get a result that really makes everybody sit up and take notice. I really think it could have been five or six today, given our performance and the unnecessary sending off of Bowyer.

To be fair if one or two players had been slightly sharper it could have been at least 5. Infact in all honesty it should have been.

I thought the defence was immense today and Riise and Finnan were excellent.

I said at the start of the season if we had Joaquin we'd be able to consistently compete with Chelsea, i stand by that. 8 wins in a row, 8 league clean sheets and an average of over two goals a game in that period is superb. Gerrard and Alonso look frighteningly good at the moment. Kewell also impressed... the potential is there... again... lets not it up this time.

GOAT wrote:Another classy  performance that is becoming quite a regular thing this season! bring on anybody!

How about the bitters, currently getting tanked by villa, in a few days time?.

stu_the_red wrote:Didn't go to the game, to hungover but by christ what a performance that was. The only thing wrong was poor finishing, the passing, tackling, harrassing of Newcastle players and the physical side of our game were extremely impressive.

Reina - 7. Usual self, didn't have much to do, commanded his box well though and dealt with everything comfortabley, including crosses.

Finnan - 8. Superb, up and down, defended well and attacked well, good crosses, tackles, interceptions, headed clearances and very good use of the ball.

Riise - 8. Similar to Finnan, got up an down, tackled hard and was really effective. Great interception from a cross that denied Newcastle a certain goal.

Hyypia - 8. Finnished, rubbish, can't do anything, lacks pace and in general . Honest... The mans a giant. Immense presense, superb headers, great tackles, reads the game and sures everything up at the back.

Carragher - 7. Didn't really have much to do as the other three were superb, covered every blade of grass at the back though and swept up well, was solid as usual. Its good to be able to say he was one of our "worse" performers today and he still played well. Legend.

Luis Garcia - 7. Should have scored with a header, slowed the game down at the wrong times aswell on occassions, was sloppy occassionally to, however his link up play, clever movement and quick feet are a joy to watch. He brings the best out of Gerrard with his flicks and one touch passing.

Kewell - 8. Well, what can i say? He was wastefull today aswell and i can still give the lad an 8. Superb game, passed well, linked well, ran... Kewell actually defended, beat his man and generally looked superb. Lacks pace and sharpness that he once had but he's starting to find some form, if he can improve on this he'll start to win back the respect of some fans.

Gerrard - 9. Take a bow, you are the man and yes you're as good as the hype... when you perform like this. Getting better in terms of form and attitude and starting to show more consistency. Was simply immense today and ran the show from start to finish. There wasn't one attribute today he didn't show. Drive, passion, skill, shooting, movement, link up, hold up play, pace, power, finesse... If he can perform like this more often he can lead us to whatever he wants.

Alonso - 8. Excellent, hard in the tackle, distributes so cleverly and generally everywhere. Himself and Gerrard are the best two central midfield players in this country without question. He did however play 3 or 4 passes today that just went straight into the stand... Still, it would be rude to complain, awsome.

Crouch - 9. What can i say? The man adds something nearly every time he plays. The part he played in Gerrard's goal was excellent. His goal was over the line and in general linked up superbly with everyone. The boy's getting better with each game and i'm glad he scored today. He won't get 20 goals a sesaon but i genuinely believe he'll play a large part in alot of goals.

Morientes - 8. Touches of class, skill and intelligence. He's improving immensely. Really impressed me today, he was unlucky not to score from a header from a corner.

Subs:

Josemi - 6. Hardly had any playing time.
Flo - 6. Looked lively, didn't really get involved.
Sissy - 6. Looked dangerous on occassions.

Man of the match: Given and Gerrard. Can't seperate them. Crouch ran them both close aswell.