Liverpool fightback proves they mean business this time
Liverpool’s 2-3 win over Manchester City yesterday was without doubt one of the finest games in Premier League history. The Reds pulled off the sort of comeback they had previously reserved for 1990s clashes with Newcastle United and Champions League finals! Granted Liverpool’s revival was given added impetus when City had Pablo Zabaleta dismissed, but it was a terrific performance nonetheless.
The performance showed the kind of resolve that Liverpool will have to display if they are intent on launching a bid for the domestic title once again. This was the first time that the Reds’ excellent start to the season had been put under genuine pressure, and they responded excellently to continue to match Chelsea in the Premier League table.
The off-field problems that dogged the club last season are suddenly not quite as pressing. Confident performances against Manchester United and Everton seem to have instilled a confidence in the team that they are capable of mounting a title challenge. Even Dirk Kuyt should have some confidence now after bagging a well-deserved Premier League goal after 29 games without one.
Dig a little deeper than that and the answer might lie in a bit of consistency from Rotating Rafa. The starting line-up against Manchester City contained only one summer signing (although two more arrived from the bench to assist the comeback) in the shape of Albert Riera. That summer signing is another reason for Liverpool’s improved fortunes. You cannot praise Benitez too much for spotting that he needed a left-winger – any pundit worth his salt and most of the Kop have been telling him that for a while now – but now that he has balance in the side Liverpool are a vastly improved outfit.
For once Liverpool’s transfer activity has looked like Benitez’s attempts to tweak the team he has been building over the seasons rather than a scattergun search for the Premier League title. Of the comeback against City, the manager said: “We have some experience after Istanbul (when we beat AC Milan after being 3-0 down) and other games. The main thing for me was the belief of the players until the end.”
Perhaps he is not just talking about yesterday’s match when he talks of having belief until the end. The club is on the up and Benitez will be eager to maintain the confidence among his players for as long as possible to test just how far they can go this season.
Topics: English Premier League, Liverpool, Manchester City, Rafael Benitez, Site News
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they didn’t need any ‘help’ from the referee either unlike another ‘red’ team **runs & hides**
October 6th, 2008 @ 15:58Our performances are full of heart and passion this season, Fernando Torres is the only player in the world who can play only 10% of his ability and still be top scorer (joined) in his league. We still need full backs and a proper right winger to get the balance right. Valencia and Bale in January would be fantastic but im definitely starting to believe in my team again.
October 6th, 2008 @ 20:24“Proves” ? Isn’t it a little early for a sentence this strong ?
October 6th, 2008 @ 20:27I’ve read lots of similar statements to this today. “This is their year” is being said, again, and I’m wondering if I’m the only one who just doesn’t get it.
City lost to Wigan last weekend, yet for a time, were 2-0 up against Liverpool. With 11 men on the park, they were winning. They got a man sent off, and they lost. Whilst I’m not in the habit of championing City or Liverpool, I honestly don’t think a result either of these clubs managed against each other would ‘prove’ anything in relation to the title race. I think Liverpool drawing 1-1 with Chelsea last season, after a dodgy penalty going against them, was a far, FAR more impressive result than getting one over on the 10 men of City. But what did that ‘prove’?
In a few years time, maybe this kindof come back will mean a lot, but for now, this is still City, the team that got knocked out of the 2nd Round of Carling Cup and struggled to beat Midgetland in the UEFA Cup.
October 6th, 2008 @ 21:24I cant believe the dippers and their fans!!every year its the same old tale of now is the time.Talk to me in december when the fixture is congested and your lack of depth is exposed,then we know if you are the real deal or not!!!
October 7th, 2008 @ 00:56To be fair I think a lot of Liverpool fans are being cautious and not getting carried away. For my money the summer signings will make little difference….not quality enough.
Liverpool were a good team last season and remain a good team.
Everyone predicted Utd V Chelsea again this year. Why? A simple review of their depth and quality shows that they have far more than Liverpool OR Arsenal, both of whom had a gap to bridge from last year and neither of whom brought in what was required to even begin to bridge that gap.
On the way to the title there will be plenty of twists and turns, controversy and talking points, optimism and despair.
When we get to April/May though I have no doubt that it will be Chelsea and Utd battling it our for the title again.
October 7th, 2008 @ 05:39You dont get it? What’s to get? Man City was never going to be a test of quality but coming back from 2 nil down to take 3 points from the game shows our believe and character. I agree 100% with the article about additions to the squad instead of a brand new squad.
I still think Chelsea have a far too strong a squad to be contested against for this years title but we do play at the Bridge in 3 weeks and who knows. It only takes one lucky deflection, defence error.
October 7th, 2008 @ 08:19The thing is, Liverpool still have a long way to go (remember Arsenal last season), but at the very least they’re off to a good start, which is more than what could be said about Rafa’s men in recent seasons.
October 7th, 2008 @ 09:19Liverpool fan – I can honestly can’t remember a time when coming back from 2-0 down to beat a team playing with 10 men for 25 minutes was hailed as the stuff of Champions.
I’m not saying Liverpool are dreadful, course not, I just don’t think this result proves anything, and the best they can hope for is 3rd place.
October 7th, 2008 @ 18:53I said coming back from 2nil down would give us great believe regardless of the side and we only scored 1 goal against City when it was 11 against 10 so its not like we went and completely ripped them apart taking advantage of the extra man.
There are a lot of clubs in the EPL who wont be as hard a test as Robinho and co
October 7th, 2008 @ 20:13I agree Liverpool’s performances have been impressive no doubt. But they lack the depth in their squad to win the league. Maybe a FA cup or Carling Cup would be a possibility but nothing more.
October 8th, 2008 @ 06:12