Date: 8/23/2008

Venue : Anfield

Result : 2-1

Best opposition player(s) : Tuncay.Mido, Huth

Best Liverpool player(s) : Carragher, Gerrard

Verdict : What a match!

This match was at 9 am my time. I woke up 10 minutes late and immediately switched on my computer to watch the game, not even bothering to wake up from my bed. Next time I should just sleep in my Liverpool jersey so that I don’t end up thinking that was the reason why Liverpool lost. But there was no need for all that today, Liverpool won from nowhere, a victory worthy of celebration.

As soon as I tuned in, the game was already going at good pace. For about 5 minutes the ball was seldom on the ground it was headed around the park by the boro and liverpool players. The game was very physical and very quick. Today was not Alonso or Benayoun’s day. Keane was showing quality. Initially both Keane and Torres were rusty. But then I can remember at least four occasions when there were signs of a blossoming partnership. The best move was probably when Keane sold a superb lane change to beat 2 boro defenders and found Torres, only for Torres to miss unbelievably from 6 yards. That was the best chance in the first half. However besides a few scares like that, boro’s defense was efficient at thwarting liverpool’s attacks. Their counters were well orchestrated by downing. Huth and Pogatetz were quite pacey and strong. I would rate them among the top premiership center halves. In the first half I was disappointed with Alonso and Benayoun. Alonso was poor with his corners. It seemed as if they were trying to work out something from the training ground with Gerrard waiting to pounce on anything falling kindly outside the box. However Alonso’s corners never went past the near post and were dealt with ease.

I was expecting a second half like in sunderland, when liverpool managed to up their tempo and passing in the second half. But it looked as if they had to start all over again. To be fair to Liverpool Middlesborough didn’t create many chances as well. But they played an open game, perhaps the right thing to do Vs Liverpool this early in the season. Carragher marshalled the Liverpool defense very well and took good care of Aliadiere and co. Boro’s best chance until then was that of Tuncay. He superbly turned Skrtel with a deft touch only to spoil it with a weak shot. It would have been a classic like the Bergkamp goal had it not been saved. However, the introduction of Mido was very crucial for Boro. I was never a fan of Mido and didn’t rate him when he was with spurs. But he showed good skill on the ball. He was also pacey and strong. Unlike Aliadiere he worked deep. This probably explains why Rafa chose to play Skrtel (or possibly Agger) instead of Hyypia, despite earlier suggestions that Hyypia might be given another start. At about 70 minutes, Mido shot a fantastic low drive past Reina to give Boro the lead and robbing me of fantasy points for Reina’s clean sheet. I was shocked and I felt desperate for possession just like Liverpool’s midfielders. Gerrard showed an increased determination. He stepped up for the corners and free kicks from then on as if to say “Alonso! no nonsense please!”. Rightly so, there were better chances once he stepped up a gear. Liverpool looked like they were going to equalize and no one could ever write off a Liverpool comeback. But there wasn’t much time left. I was praying for a draw, “ok may be arsenal and united will screw up too”, I thought. Even then I was sure Chelsea were going to thrash wigan. Carragher of all people made good use of a loose ball outside the box. His volley was on target and deflected on to goal by pogatetz. Equalizer!! Anfield was alive again. There were only 3-4 minutes plus added time left. I was quite happy with the draw and I even thought that was all liverpool deserved. But then a 93rd minute free kick from outside the box was deflected on to gerrard’s path 20 yards from goal. And when that happens there was only going to be one outcome. GOAL! TOP CORNER! The kind of moments Liverpool fans crave. I was yelling with delight and I immediately felt sorry for Boro. But then this is why Gerrard is a hero to many. This is why teams like spurs and boro dont make it big despite playing a good game. Benitez was quoted saying that he could have imagined many shooting over the bar at that moment, but Stevie would always be on target. It really made my day. And Arsenal did screw up, failing against Fulham, the relegation survivors. Elsewhere Sunderland conquered the Spurs and Stoke ousted villa in a thriller. I am really enjoying these underdog upsets. I just hope nothing of that sort happens against us. We’ve had our share of such things last season. I pray for more luck this season.

Oh! How can I forget? Mike Riley was nothing but SHIT! Do we have any more good refs left?