Stephane Henchoz played the full first half and looked pretty sharp and composed. It’s fair to say he didn’t have a lot to do but when he was called upon it looked like the old Henchoz out there. In fact the whole back four had a superb first half as we fielded a back four of Henchoz and Biscan in the middle and Vignal and Xavier at LB and RB respectively.
Biscan had a superb game throughout and Xavier looked ready for a recall to the first team squad. The player that puzzles me the most though is Vignal. He was outstanding in the first half, good neat passing, surging runs up the left flank and composed defending and reading of the game.
Second half he was a different player. He made several defensive mistakes (that he got away with) and this surely would not have impressed the watching Houllier. You would think with the left sided situation at Liverpool at the moment he’d be close to a first team recall but on this evidence you can see why the manager is refusing to pick him. His home performances for the reserves have been consistently poor season.
The team passed and moved well in the first half and Diouf looked lively partnering the impressive Mellor. Diouf should have scored on the 15 minute mark when Mellor crossed from the right after a superb build up. Diouf stretched out a leg but the ball flew over the crossbar. It was a good effort to be fair and he did well to get any contact on the ball at all.
Eventually though, Diouf did score. An agricultural clearance by Biscan was collected beautifully by the African enigma and he raced clear of two defenders to set himself up for a shot. He was caught in the box but stayed on his feet to finish beautifully in the bottom corner. Diouf had already picked up a booking for a lunge on an Albion player but I thought it was a bit namby pamby to be honest – certainly wasn’t a booking.
Albion equalised through Dichio – virtually their only real effort in the entire game. Xavier was outfoxed on the right and Dichio put in a good header at the far post.
Liverpool came back through Diouf and Mellor though. Henchoz won the ball and Diouf raced down the right and crossed for Mellor who planted a superb header to put the reds back in front.
By now, the reds were well on top but just after the half hour mark Diouf picked up a second yellow for diving. Racing down the left, just outside the box, Diouf was tackled from behind but the African did make a meal of it (despite what others are saying).
The referee showed him a second yellow and that was it. I glanced at Houllier and he was far from happy but whether it was with the ref or Diouf is unclear. Diouf was playing well but he’s got to cut this out of his game because he’s building quite a reputation with refs now.
This didn’t affect Liverpool and they stretched their lead just before half time. Vignal drove a low fierce free kick, the keeper made a balls of it and Mellor was there to slot in the rebound. That was effectively game over.
The second half was pretty boring and the freezing cold wind blowing through the Deva was chilling me to the bone. Liverpool were less of an attacking threat but did have a few chances through Mellor who had a great game.
Le boss left early and looked a bit snazzy in a brown leather number, obviously he’d seen what he wanted to see to get ready for the two big games this week.
Albion were poor and managed one half shot towards the end of the game but they never gave Kirkland any chance to impress the manager and put Dudek under pressure.
Cheyrou misfired but again showed some sublime touches and had two stunning long range shots on goal. He does need to toughen up though and learn to get his foot in.
Of the young lads that played I was impressed by all of them. Most fans are getting to know Mellor and another brace furthers his impressive tally. John Welsh was composed in the middle of the park and would be a good acquisition for a lot of clubs right now. Darren Potter was neat and tidy, as was David Raven who played RB when Henchoz came off and moved to the middle.
Most impressive last night, for me at least, was Mark Smyth. Seemed to struggle first ten but grew into the game and was busy and showed some great flashes of skill. He was our best player second half and seemed the only one willing to get forward to help the tireless Mellor.
All in all an easy game for the reds. A good return for the Swiss master and encouraging for Xavier and Biscan who had strong games in front of a tanned but volatile Houllier.
As far as the young lads are concerned none of them looked a stones throw away from top flight action and I would think that Mellor is very close to that Premiership debut.
Team: Kirkland, Xavier, Vignal, Welsh, Biscan, Hnchoz (Raven 45), Potter, Diouf, Mellor, Cheyrou (Sjolund 75), Smyth (Foy 85).