Tom Oldfield
Just like that, the Liverpool players and supporters alike believe again.
The Reds desperately needed the three points at Anfield against Manchester United – and thanks to talisman Fernando Torres they ended their four-game losing streak. On a day when United had the chance to bury their rivals’ title hopes, it was the hosts who showed the greater desire and quality on the way to a 2-0 victory.
Having shaded the first half, a Steven Gerrard-less Liverpool flexed their muscles further after the break with Torres setting the tone. And it was the Spaniard who finally swung proceedings in the home team’s favour with 25 minutes to go. He exploded onto Yossi Benayoun’s through ball, shrugged off Rio Ferdinand and fired home. Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher was back to his very best at the heart of the back four with Daniel Agger proving a perfect sidekick. It was like watching the Liverpool who rocked the Champions League earlier this decade.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men threatened, of course, but never settled into their stride, lacking a goal threat and wasting possession too often in the final third. Antonio Valencia produced promising moments on the right, yet Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov were largely anonymous and received little service. The champions launched frantic pressure in the closing ten minutes but Liverpool had come too far to let things slip and substitute David N’Gog sealed the points in stoppage time. With the late dismissals of Nemanja Vidic – sent off in his last three appearances against Liverpool – and Javier Mascherano, it ended ten-a-side but the hosts took the spoils. And suddenly, despite all the negative press surrounding Liverpool’s form, just four points separate the two clubs.
This win will rank up there with Benitez’s most important as Liverpool boss and in some respects it was an ideal fixture for the Reds given their recent struggles. Facing the champions, such deadly rivals, meant there was no need for lengthy pep talks as this clash always seems to get the competitive juices flowing. And his big names certainly came through for him.
This should not necessarily be seen as Liverpool turning a corner, though. This is just one step in the right direction and, as has been widely documented, the Reds must be near flawless during the remainder of the campaign in order to claw their way back into the title race. But there was plenty of encouragement for Benitez after inflicting United’s second defeat of the season, both on their travels and without scoring.
The major question looming for Benitez is whether his squad is equipped to use this result as a springboard for the coming months. There has never been much doubt over the Reds’ ability to turn it on for the bigger fixtures – after all, Liverpool beat United home and away last year but missed out on the title. They have done it in Europe too, claiming huge scalps such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and AC Milan. Now they must do it at the likes of Hull, Portsmouth and Burnley.
But this result will earn Benitez some breathing space. Despite assurances from his board, the Liverpool boss entered the clash with United under serious pressure. Had the points gone to the visitors, speculation would have continued over the Spaniard’s future on Merseyside. Instead, the talk will be of a glorious revival.
But amidst the euphoria and the triumphant scenes after the final whistle, the same concerns exist at Anfield. Is the Liverpool squad strong enough to challenge? Can Torres and Gerrard stay fit? And has Benitez brought in the right players? In truth, the victory prevented closer scrutiny of the Liverpool boss’ performance, particularly regarding his transfer dealings. While Torres, Pepe Reina and Javier Mascherano have been unquestionable successes, the same cannot be said of Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva, Robbie Keane and Andriy Voronin. And before them, the likes of Mark Gonzalez, Jermaine Pennant and Fernando Morientes flopped at Anfield while the jury is still out on Albert Riera and new boy Glen Johnson. A lot of money has been spent on players who have simply not met expectations.
Reaching two Champions League finals in three years – 2005 and 2007 – was a phenomenal effort for Benitez and his squad and it has earned him bragging rights and the upper hand in negotiations ever since, but he must be aware that he can only dine out on that success for so long and that a Premier League title is the key trophy that he needs to secure. He went close last year but sooner or later it has to be their season.
It remains to be seen whether this victory signifies the start of a Liverpool title surge but Benitez could have asked for nothing more from his players in the wake of their worrying losing run. The next challenge is to replicate this display at Fulham next weekend and then revive their Champions League hopes in Lyon. While the Reds have plenty still to do yet, as United can confirm, they are bouncing back impressively.
Related Articles:
- – Historical Stats Suggest Liverpool’s Title Challenge is Over
- – Liverpool Hotshot Torres Answers Own Questions
- – Tactical Analysis: Chelsea’s Diamond Formation
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Photo courtesy: Ryu Voelkel
