Good Game Bad Game [vs Bolton Wanderers]

After the ineptitude of midweek came a game where Liverpool showed the kind of conviction and determination that is to be expected from them every time they play. Bolton did occasionally cause some problems - none more so than when Lee waltzed through the defence - but overall they were no match for Liverpool in every aspect of the game. True, both goals were quite lucky, but no one could deny that Liverpool deserved to win. It was not only the ideal result but also the best possible performance ahead of three very tough games that have to be won.

Good Game
Didn't really have much to do but Pepe Reina handled Bolton's crosses with relative ease and rarely did they overly trouble him. This was largely due to another excellent performance by the central defensive pairing of Martin Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos. His distribution still seems to be haphazard when he is pressurized but Skrtel is nearing last season's level of performance and this was probably his best game all season.

AS for Kyrgiakos, he was simply immense, providing Liverpool with the physical presence to repel Bolton's approach. Every time the ball came near him, he gobbled it up in his third consecutive impressive performance, one where the highlight was that ball cleared off the line. My man of the match.

Another player who, like Skrtel, seemed to have suffered a massive crisis of confidence was Emiliano Insua. But he too bounced back on this occasion as he linked up well with Albert Riera and provided the kind of crosses that had been missing from him throughout the season.

On the right, Jamie Carragher looked as uncomfortable as ever in that position but at least he did push forward more than he had done at Wolves in mid-week and took a significantly more positive approach.

Javier Mascherano did his usual mopping up service with extreme efficiency but he was also more confident with the ball at his feet and always seemed to know what to do with it. Something that hasn't been too apparent this season.

Having been so ineffective in midweek, this was much better from Steven Gerrard who seemed to be back to his old self without this having any negative impact on the rest of the team in the form of over dependence on him. That said, he must stop taking every corner and free-kick that Liverpool get.

There were those who thought that Albert Riera was terrible against Bolton but, personally, I though that he had a good game where, despite clearly not being fully match sharp. His crossing and skills provide Liverpool with a creative bite that is missing elsewhere.

Lucky to see his goal go in, Dirk Kuyt provided the graft that the side needs. Not an exceptional game from him, but he did his job well.

THAT miss in the second half will probably what most will take away from David N’Gog’s game which is quite unfair on him considering how much he ran. Every time there was a loose ball you could bet that he would be going down to chase and pressurize the Bolton’s defenders. Not only that but his link up play was often very good: what he lacks is the experience and coolness to put away any chance that comes his way.

Bad Game
There was little surprise when Alberto Aquilani was taken off after sixty five minutes because the Italian's game had only been marked by a series of sloppy passes and gifted posession. The only positive that can be taken from this game is that he seems to be willing to get stuck into tackles, a clear sign that his injury has left no psychological scar.

Substitutes
Had anyone else other than Lucas delivered the pinpoint cross-field pass that he did minutes after coming on, then everyone would be talking about it. With the Brazilian, however, it is a completely different story where most refuse to admit that he has improved dramatically. Given a slightly freer role than usual, it was nice to see his attacking drive and runs into the box that could easily have resulted in a goal.

Maxi Rodriguez doesn’t really look comfortable out left but at least he is starting to get to grips with the physical nature of the English game. Seeing that it now looks certain that he’s going to stay at Liverpool till the end of the season, it was only apt that Ryan Babel should be given a chance even though the few minutes that he was on the pitch were in reality too little for him to make a mark

Related Posts :