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Post-Match Wash Up - Watford

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    Post-Match Wash Up - Watford

    Business like, job well done.

    Same line-up/system for the chavs next week then, were we trying to achieve a cohesion for the job ahead?

    Beeb match report:

    Liverpool ended a turbulent week with an emphatic Premiership win at Watford.

    After two cup exits at home to Arsenal, the under-pressure Reds responded with a fine display, Craig Bellamy scoring the first from Steve Finnan's cross.

    Peter Crouch got the next, nodding into an empty net after Ben Foster pulled off a stunning save to deny Bellamy.

    Crouch made it 3-0 by slotting home from 12 yards after more good work from Bellamy, while Jordan Stewart hit the bar from 30 yards for a poor Watford.

    The Hornets remain rooted to the bottom of the Premiership, still 10 points from safety.

    As for the visitors, the game provided exactly the sort of therapy they were after following two destructive defeats against Arsenal in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.

    Having been widely criticised for his team selection in their 6-3 drubbing on Tuesday, Rafa Benitez once again took a risk with the side he picked.

    Recalling seven players, the Spaniard chose to adopt a 3-4-3 formation with Bellamy, Crouch and Dirk Kuyt all playing together for the first time up front.

    It was Steven Gerrard who nearly struck first, whistling a crisp volley just past the post from 20 yards, before Crouch forced Foster to save at his near post.

    Watford's best hope of a goal looked like coming from a set-piece, with Malky Mackay glancing a header wide from a Stewart inswinger.

    But Liverpool were dominating possession and after Bellamy was foiled by some fabulous last-ditch defending from Jay DeMerit, they took the lead.

    Bellamy clipped the ball in to Crouch and after Foster foiled him the ball fell to Finnan, who found Bellamy six yards out to tap into an empty net.

    Five minutes before half-time Crouch doubled the lead. Kuyt headed the ball through to Bellamy and after Foster made a sensational one-handed save to deny him, Crouch nodded home.

    Desperate for a change in fortune, Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd took off Al Bangura and Anthony McNamee at half-time and sent on Darius Henderson and Will Hoskins, making his first appearance since signing from Rotherham.

    But straight after the restart it was all over. Bellamy found space down the left and he neatly picked out Crouch on the penalty spot, the giant striker coolly slotting into the corner.

    It then seemed a question of how many Liverpool would score, though Gerrard uncharacteristically lashed wildly wide from 15 yards.

    With Watford's hopes dead and buried they started playing better, Stewart crashing a vicious 30-yarder against Jose Reina's goal and Hameur Bouazza forcing the Spaniard to make a save.

    But Liverpool were never in any serious danger and easily held on to strengthen their hand in third place.
    http://www.retroreds.co.uk/

    #2
    Its good to have Reina back!

    Comment


      #3
      It was an efficient performance against a pretty woeful Watford side. Even our midweek side would have won at a canter.

      The big test of course comes next week. A victory gives us a chance of 2nd, a loss and its another defeat to one of the big 3. Its a very big game indeed.
      AKA Heighway No9

      Comment


        #4
        Should we play 3-4-3 against Chelsea ? I bet that could be a risk with Chelsea's counter attacking game if indeed Robben is playing.

        Comment


          #5
          I really hope Mourinho plays his narrow midfield next week, and Shevchenko up top.

          Comment


            #6
            I love Pepe, aggressive, commanding, not a puppy dog like the Dude.

            Bellamy had an excellent game IMO.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by fredo View Post
              Should we play 3-4-3 against Chelsea ? I bet that could be a risk with Chelsea's counter attacking game if indeed Robben is playing.
              In some ways I like 3-4-3 as it plays to our strengths. It allows us to play our 3 good CB's for a start. Also SG, Alonso & Sissoko (when fit) can also all play. It negates the need for quality width, amd lets face it we don't have any. Also we get the 3 forwards in the side, all of whom have good quality but none of whom have everything.

              Should we play it, next week, not sure but I don't see why not. With finnan and either JAR or Aurelio playing we still basically play 2 full backs to contain robben.

              To have any chance of 2nd we need to beat Chelsea & they are weak at the back at the moment so attack may be the best form of defence anyway.

              Having said all that i'd be pretty surprised if rafa went that way.
              AKA Heighway No9

              Comment


                #8
                Yeah.

                Job's done. 0 - 3. Good to have Reina back. Good to see Crouch scoring, good to see Bellers score a goal too. Gerrard could be a bit better, but take nothing from today's match. We never looked like conceding a goal. Job well done.
                Torres Fan Club Member #2, Lucas Leiva Fan Club Member #1

                going limp; HARRRRRRRRRRRR

                Comment


                  #9
                  Good win today. That said Watford are really terrible aren't they? Hopefully we can continue todays form in to next week though.
                  Babel fanclub member # 4!!!

                  **** OFF MOURINHO!!!!!!:whatever:

                  Comment


                    #10
                    with terry out next week
                    crouch will def. be playing
                    would expect us to revert back to 4 4 2 though at home
                    Parry is a clown. En Rafa que confiamos

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Is he definitely out?

                      How about Cech?

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by DJS View Post
                        Is he definitely out?

                        How about Cech?
                        and Makele is suspended
                        "The definition of insanity is not running into the same wall again and again; it's expecting a different result every time you do it."

                        Comment


                          #13
                          They said yesterday at least 2 weeks more for Terry.

                          We really need to take this chance next week and shut some of the ****in media up, even though it will probably win the Prem for the mancs.
                          08-09 Dirk monitor

                          5 goals (target 15)

                          3 assists also........

                          Comment


                            #14
                            they are going to sign someone before that...

                            theyll spend millions on quids just not to loose this game...
                            "I have decided to escape, to defy the shogun. Today I will begin walking the road to hell. But you will choose your own path. So, soon you may be seeing heaven. Choose the sword, and you will join me. Choose the ball and you join your mother, in death. You don’t understand my words, but you must choose. So… come boy, choose life or death."

                            "You would've been happier if you'd chosen to join your mother in her world. " - Ogami Itto

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Diego View Post
                              they are going to sign someone before that...

                              theyll spend millions on quids just not to loose this game...
                              Don't think so. Jose has said he is not being allowed to sign anyone and as such no one will leave. What you see is what you get for Chealsea at the moment. If Lampard got injured they really would be poor. As it is they are still an excellent side. Robben makes a difference.

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