Good Game Bad Game [vs Olympique Marseilles]

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 by Paul Grech

A draw would have been enough, so a win is quite and added bonus. Liverpool played well trying to exploit the gaps left as Marseilles pressed forward but the tiredness from last Saturday showed. Marseilles, on their part, were very good and had they scored an equalizer no one would have complained. Their attacking play was full of inventiveness and nice flicks but, fortunately for us, they were unable to get that final touch right.

Given Atletico’s trashing of PSV as well as Marseilles' potential, this could turn out to be a huge win for Liverpool.

Good Game

There might have been others around the pitch who had an equally good game but Pepe Reina gets the man of the match award from me for the number of excellent saves that he made – including that last gasp block on Niang – which were important as either one of Steven Gerrard’s goals.

The principal reason why Marseilles failed to score more than one was the form of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel. Carragher might have been caught out for the first goal but other than that neither one put a foot wrong. Alvaro Arbeloa wasn’t in their class but he too had a decent game, tackling high up the pitch to keep Marseilles back.

Earlier this week I spoke about Ryan Babel’s need to add continuity to his game. Well, if this was his answer then long may it continue. His attacking play added another dimension to Liverpool’s game and gave Marseilles an added worry.

It was Babel who won the penalty that Steven Gerrard scored twice. Doing so took calmness whereas his first goal was pure class. An excellent game throughout.

Bad Game

This was Andrea Dossena’s big opportunity to show his worth after Fabio Aurelio, yet again, picked up an injury.

Unfortunately, the Italian defender had a nightmare and he couldn’t get near any of the Marseilles players. Talk to people in Italy and they’ll swear that the talent is there but, as yet, he hasn’t shown much in a Liverpool shirt.

The post-match statistics showed Lucas Leiva as one of Liverpool’s top passers of the night. That might have been but neither he nor Javier Mascherano seemed to have much of an impact on the game where Benoit Cheyrou was allowed to dictate play with ease.

Fernando Torres might have played but he clearly wasn’t fully fit. He still troubled Marseilles but, given his high standards, was well below par. So too Dirk Kuyt who never really got going. Perhaps it was the effort put in last Saturday yet this was a rare off game for him.

Substitutes

A further fifteen minutes’ look at Albert Rieira and once again he looked good. Eager to take people on and with a good vision of the game, he almost created Liverpool’s third goal and, if he can build on this start, will turn out to be a very good buy.

Yossi Benayoun tried hard to fill Gerrard’s shoes but that is an impossible task. He still showed some good touches but needs to impose himself more when given an opportunity. Robbie Keane barely had a touch of the ball, coming on as a late substitute.

Have you read our analysis of the victory over Manchester United? Do so here.

Category Good game - bad game, Pepe Reina