Torres terrorises Toon
Monday, 10 March 08, 11:42 AM
Another 3 points and another 3 goals. Ever since the Barnsley result, we've been flying in the league. That's 16 points out of a possible 18 in our last six matches which makes us the most in form team in the league. We're now just 2 points behind Chelsea, having played two games more. I would be very surprised to see us catch them for third unless they colapse, but it would be good to see us close the gap and finish a good bit ahead of Everton or Villa.
The opening half hour of the match was poor enough with both teams struggling to impose themselves on the game. We got a very lucky break for Pennants opener. He hasn't scored many for us, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I don't know if he fits into this 4-2-3-1 system very well. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised or disappointed to see him leave in the summer. He's not a bad player but we can do better. Time to trade up and get a top quality right sided player. Kuyt does a good job there but we need somebody who will be as dangerous on the right as Babel is on the left.
Gerrard and Torres combined wonderfully for our next two goals. First Gerrard played a wonderfully weighted through ball for El Nino to run onto. He dummied Harper and went around him to slot into an empty net despite the efforts on the Toon defence. His 19th league goal of the season. Then Torres returned the favour by setting Stevie free. He lobed a delicate chip over the on rushing Harper to claim his tenth league goal. Great stuff. These two look to have developed a superb understanding with Gerrard pushing on from midfield to support Torres. Coupled with the threat from Babel on the left and supplied by some crossing from Kuyt on the right, our attacking play has come on hugely in the past month. I hope that we can keep this from up for the remainder of the season.
The captain gives us his thoughts from the uefa site ahead of the Inter match this Tue. Mascherano is in the squad that travelled so I'm hoping he's fit enough to start. We'll need him at his best. Inter are going to put on the pressure and we'll need to withstand it. I can see us trying to hit them on the break with the pace of Torres, Gerrard and Babel. It's vital that we don't make it harder for ourselves by conceding an early goal.
Somebody has gone and given our squad the simpsons treatment. Want some more? Well then check out this great interview with Torres from Spanish tv. Michael Robinson, the host, played for Liverpool back in the day. He got Torres, Reina an Arbeloa to have dinner with Sammy Lee, King Kenny and Souness. Great viewing.
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I think that ManU would be in a better place than Liverpool if Ronaldo, or Tevez or Rooney were not in the line up. I really think that Torres is more valuable to Liverpool than Ronaldo or Rooney are to ManU. ManU has three guys that are absolute quality up front so if one of them misses a match the other two can pick it up. But if Liverpool does not have Torres I don't think that Kuyt or Crouch can replace Mr. Torres.
I take your point about Utd having three match winners compared to Liverpool's two in Torres and Gerrard. Hopefully Babel will make it 3 for Liverpool if he continues to improve next season. But statistically Ronaldo has been more important to Utd by scoring 36% of their 58 league goals than Torres has by scoring 35% of our 53 goals.
I like Babel a lot more than Kuyt. Kuyt just does not belong in a team like Liverpool. And Torres just keeps on scoring. I think he's truly one of the best in the world right now.
It was indeed a superb strike SM. I hope he can repeat it against your crew when we visit the emirates in a few weeks time.
Kuyt does a job for us. He's a decent crosser and has good movement. He was poor v Inter but has been playing well in the past 6 or 7 games. But he's not a world beater and I would imagine that he'll be replaced in the summer.
8 Comments
Where do you think Liverpool would be without Torres? I don't think Dirk Kuyt would be scoring hat tricks every other match.
I don't think he would either but I don't know how relevant it is to ask where we would be without Torres. It's like asking where Utd would be without Ronaldo, Arsenal without Adebayor etc.