WE'RE BACK INTO THIS SEASONLiverpool (Kuyt 32th min, Crouch 38th min, Garcia 44th min) 3-1 Aston Villa (Abonglahor 52th min)
We defeated Villa comfortably after 3 goals in the first half ended Villa's unbeaten streak this season. Liverpool started well. The midfield was calm and managed to keep the ball even from all the pressure Villa gave Liverpool.
Villa changed from a free-frag team to a side that is hard to win, and with young and pacy players like Abonglahor, i cant see why they cannot achieve anything this season with the leadersip of Martin O' Neill.
We had many shots but failed to force any save from Thomas Sorensen. I counted myself, Aston Villa had the possesion in our half for less than 8 times. O.o The possesion was like uh, 70% to 30% or even worse for Villa.
The break came when Kuyt received a header from Hyypia and with a wonderful first touch, he volleyed the ball home beyond Sorensen's reach. We continued well, passing the ball well and were composed enough unlike other matches and we kept the ball for long periods.
Crouch scored the 2nd goal shortly after Kuyt's after Steve Finnan crossed a average ball into the box. Crouch adjusted his body and struck a wonderful half-volley that went in without anyone even coming close to it.
Garcia scored the third just before half time after Gerrard charging foward and laid the ball to Kuyt, who passed it to Crouch, who wasted no time and squared it for Garcia who finished it neatly. (How many 'who' was there o.O)
We looked to continued the rampage but Villa subbed in 2 new attacking players, taking away the toothless strikers, Angel and Baros who was on his 25th birthday.
Abonglahor changed from right mid to a foward, with Sutton assisting as well. Out of a sudden Liverpool's defence fell asleep and Sutton's reverse ball fell nicely to Abonglahor who finished it cleanly.
I was worried about Villa making a comeback just like Galatasary and Reading. Our defence is weak this year. Allowing teams to make come backs all out of a sudden and giving us pressure. Our players responded to the pressure from the Villans and Sissoko lead as an example, getting into every tackle he could but not making any fouls. Both teams played fairly, no one dived or whatsoever and the game was not flooded with free kicks etc and allowed the game to be played to its full extent.
RB made 3 late subsitutions in the last 20 minutes, bringing out Crouch for Pennant, Garcia for Zenden and Gerrard for Fowler.
Fowler had a chance in the dieing few minutes but he put the ball slightly wide with his outer foot.
Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Garcia, Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard (captain), Crouch, Kuyt. Subs - Martin, Agger, Fowler, Pennant, Zenden
Aston Villa: Sorensen, Bouma, Mellberg (captain), Osbourne, Hughes, Ridgewell, Barry, Petrov, Agbonlahor, Baros, Angel. Subs - Laursen, Davis, Taylor, Sutton, Agathe
Referee: Steve Bennett
Conditions: Mild
Attendance: 44,117
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Dirk Kuyt
Player ratings:
Reina 7.5/10
Made a great save after pushing Sutton's death header out of danger. He threw the ball quick enough a few times to give our attack an advantage.
Finnan 8/10
Did a great job dealing with Abonglahor in the later parts of the game.
Hyypia 7.5/10
Assisted Kuyt with a smart header but was slow as usual.
Carragher 8.5/10
Dealed with the small and pacy Abonglahor very well and went up to support many many times for the first time i've seen.
Riise 7.5/10
Exchanged nice passes with Garcia on the left flank but blasted a few shots as usual. Had a very nice worked out free kick but it went just wide.
Gerrard 8/10
He showed why he is the captain of Liverpool. He appeared almost anywhere, in attack, defence. He unselfishly set the ball for Kuyt instead for opting to shoot and it lead to Garcia's goal.
Alonso 8/10
I think he regained his form and made many cross field balls and it landed exactly where he wanted all the time.
Sissoko 8/10
Worked tirelessly around the pitch and covered every inch of the field. Went into every tackle whenever he could but he always came out with the ball.
Garcia 8.5/10
He toyed with Aaron Hughes with his trickery and scored the third goal with a good finish under the keeper.
Kuyt 8.5/10
Although he isnt fast, his quick thinking makes up for that and gets his away from defenders even before he has the ball. He plays soccer with both his brains and feet. He controled the ball well before scoring the first goal.
Crouch 8/10
His first touch is brilliant and he is part of the attack many times today. He unselfishly assisted Garcia for the third goal.
Subs:
Pennant 7.5/10
His quick feet got him away from players many times and crossed the ball whenever he could.
Zenden 7/10
Did not play as a flank player as he was brought in for. Stryed into the mid area and caused the game to be tight and squeezy.
Fowler 7/10
Did not see him when he came in but it was a booster for the team to see him coming into the game. He nearly scored in the dieing few minutes.
Labels: EPL, Liverpool
