, а так я за )))))
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Woeful stalemate showed why Rafa must buy Barry
Aug 14 2008
by Tommy Smith, Liverpool Echo <http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/>
APART from Pepe Reina saving Liverpool's blushes in Belgium last night, two things in particular struck me.
First was the importance of Steven Gerrard to Liverpool Football Club. And second was just why Rafa Benitez has been right all along to try and bring Gareth Barry to Anfield.
These are very early days and the Belgians and their fans were well up for it, of course. But it was a really poor performance with just two or three players along with Reina doing themselves any justice.
It was only when Gerrard came on halfway through the second half that you sensed Liverpool were going to survive. He calmed things down, made everyone play with a bit more assurance – something which had been woefully lacking until then – and added a bit more threat going forward.
Personally I would have much preferred to have seen him on from the start. I know he has had a couple of injuries recently but he was passed fit beforehand and if Stevie had been on from the beginning it might never have been as tricky as it turned out.
He is such an important player for Liverpool that when he is missing it is hard to cover for him. He and Mascherano were the ideal men to have in midfield for a game like that last night, and both were missed, with the Argentinian out at the Beijing Olympics.
Xabi Alonso tried to get on the ball and influence play at times but for me I'm afraid he is not the player right now that he used to be. He struggled last season, for all his undoubted ability on the ball when he has time, and with youngster Damien Plessis still settling into the first team, we never did get a proper grip in midfield last night.
Barry is strong in the tackle, good with possession, energetic and experienced. The owners may have questioned his value but if Liverpool had lost by a goal or two last night – which they could so easily have done – then they might have found themselves out of the Champions League before they were in it.
And that would have proved far more costly and embarrassing as we know, given the millions of pounds that come with success in Europe.
I know the move for Barry looks dead in the water but I for one hope it might yet be revived because it's clear to me – and I'm sure an increasing number of supporters – that Liverpool really would benefit from having him.
But let's end on a positive note with some well deserved praise for Reina, so often an unsung hero like my old mate Ray Clemence.
For three years running now he has won the Golden Gloves Award for keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League and last night he was unquestionably the Reds' man of the match.
His penalty save was crucial and while the tie is far from over, if Liverpool can impose themselves in a fortnight and get the victory we need, then we may well have the talented Spaniard to thank for getting us through.
Aug 14 2008
by Tommy Smith, Liverpool Echo <http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/>
APART from Pepe Reina saving Liverpool's blushes in Belgium last night, two things in particular struck me.
First was the importance of Steven Gerrard to Liverpool Football Club. And second was just why Rafa Benitez has been right all along to try and bring Gareth Barry to Anfield.
These are very early days and the Belgians and their fans were well up for it, of course. But it was a really poor performance with just two or three players along with Reina doing themselves any justice.
It was only when Gerrard came on halfway through the second half that you sensed Liverpool were going to survive. He calmed things down, made everyone play with a bit more assurance – something which had been woefully lacking until then – and added a bit more threat going forward.
Personally I would have much preferred to have seen him on from the start. I know he has had a couple of injuries recently but he was passed fit beforehand and if Stevie had been on from the beginning it might never have been as tricky as it turned out.
He is such an important player for Liverpool that when he is missing it is hard to cover for him. He and Mascherano were the ideal men to have in midfield for a game like that last night, and both were missed, with the Argentinian out at the Beijing Olympics.
Xabi Alonso tried to get on the ball and influence play at times but for me I'm afraid he is not the player right now that he used to be. He struggled last season, for all his undoubted ability on the ball when he has time, and with youngster Damien Plessis still settling into the first team, we never did get a proper grip in midfield last night.
Barry is strong in the tackle, good with possession, energetic and experienced. The owners may have questioned his value but if Liverpool had lost by a goal or two last night – which they could so easily have done – then they might have found themselves out of the Champions League before they were in it.
And that would have proved far more costly and embarrassing as we know, given the millions of pounds that come with success in Europe.
I know the move for Barry looks dead in the water but I for one hope it might yet be revived because it's clear to me – and I'm sure an increasing number of supporters – that Liverpool really would benefit from having him.
But let's end on a positive note with some well deserved praise for Reina, so often an unsung hero like my old mate Ray Clemence.
For three years running now he has won the Golden Gloves Award for keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier League and last night he was unquestionably the Reds' man of the match.
His penalty save was crucial and while the tie is far from over, if Liverpool can impose themselves in a fortnight and get the victory we need, then we may well have the talented Spaniard to thank for getting us through.
