Negativity and Deflection

Last updated : 22 October 2011 By Kieran Davies

Let us not allow this to detract from our biggest test of the season. Prior to kick off the biggest surprise was the very defensive side Alex Ferguson fielded. Ask a Man United fan, they will tell you they played their ‘reserve’ side, ask an honest lover of the game and they will say that side was picked with a specific style of play in mind. It was picked to nullify Liverpool’s many attacking threats with the hope of that counter attacking sucker punch snatching all three points for Alex’s team.

The first half was almost a non entity, as although played with ferocious intensity nothing of any great attacking worth was created by either side. Half chances the best for pundits to debate over in the studio. As a fan disappointed with the disjointed first half display, I felt it was time for King Kenny to work his motivational magic to a side that although not playing badly, was playing with no fluidity.

Jose Enrique

The second half started with the visitors creating more clean cut chances but Liverpool still looked dangerous on the counter attack as this United side struggled in getting back to defend from their attacking duties and looked susceptible on the break. With half an hour to go, Liverpool started to gain more of a foothold and they started attacking more, pinning United back. A jinking run from Charlie Adam led to a free kick on the edge of the visitor’s box, pundits questioning whether there was contact immediately. After the game Ferdinand admitted contact and it was plain to see Adam still had control of the ball and route to goal when he went to ground.

Cometh the moment, cometh the man and it was a man all Liverpool fans have missed seeing, keeping them on the edge of their seats right up to the final whistle. For the second consecutive season a faltering United wall allowed Gerrard a window of opportunity which like all world-class players, he duly took, running off to the fans, kissing the badge he adorns so much. Liverpool continued this dominance whilst their opponents looked dangerous on the break. With a change in formation to the extremely attacking 4-3-3 with Welbeck, Chicarito and Rooney all on the pitch this was the Man United manager’s last roll of the dice

Steven Gerrard

Liverpool were continuing to create openings whilst their defence was holding but looked rickety under the barrage of quick attacking moves by the defending champions. A Man United corner and some poor Liverpool marking led to the lively Chicarito equalising for the visitors leaving the home side looking deflated. Straight from the kick off great wing play and delivery by Stewart Downing gave Dirk Kuyt the perfect opportunity to reply immediately but his scuffed shot was well saved by De Gea. The introduction of Jordan Henderson added something to our midfield and alongside his idol the protégée created chances and produced efforts that forced De Gea to justify his price tag and billing.

At times in the closing moments the defending champions had their backs up against the wall with Rooney having to make a perfectly timed header from under his own crossbar to deny Suarez an easy goal. Liverpool’s frailty at the back was still evident and when United had rare counter attacks they struggled to deal with the threat. Liverpool can feel they edged this encounter and created enough clean cut chances to win this game. They were cancelled out by a Man United side with a definite game plan which changed in the second half and allowed the home side the chance to play with more confidence as the game went on.

Whilst the performance was nowhere near the side’s potential, King Kenny did point out in his post match interview how much the club has come on since this time last year and how a measure of that is that we are disappointed with drawing with Man United. I’ve never disagreed with the King before but I think this is not the attitude fans have. The club is in a much stronger position financially and also in terms of personnel but even during the dour Premiership campaigns of Benitez and Hodgson, Liverpool fans expected their side to beat their arch rivals at Anfield. With good reason too as even Hodgson a man well out of his depth at the helm, managed a victory with David Ngog making this occasion even more remarkable. Where Hicks and Gillette took and left this club was a dark place no fan wants to return to but this is not to be used as a benchmark. Liverpool fans are some of the most passionate renowned globally and expect the club to be pushing for honours with Champions League qualification a minimum expectation. I know Dalglish was using this almost as a deflective tactic to any other non football related talk, just as Alex Ferguson did to mention how his side have played all the ‘top sides’ and remain unbeaten knowing they have not yet met their local rivals City.

Whilst we cannot strengthen needed areas until January, it is time for the players to use this performance as a needed confidence boost to play to their potential, stop hiding behind large transfer fees and do what they are employed to do. With Norwich at home seeming a comfortable opponent to begin this run of form, it would be a good time for Kenny’s attacking additions to thrive and turn opportunity into goals killing their opponents off clinically. With Gerrard working his way back to some sort of his old self, things are very positive but the fans now need the players to step up to the mark and give the fans what they deserve to see out on the pitch.