GUEST COLUMN : VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX
RAFA GOT IT RIGHT ON SUNDAY
Tony Cascarino, The Times 18 September 2006
The league table makes gloomy reading for Liverpool but they didn't get too much wrong yesterday.
They were beaten by a perfect goal, one that you just can't defend against. The only thing you can really pull them up for is the one that matters most - missing chances.
Tactically, I thought Rafael Benítez, the manager, got it right by sending Steven Gerrard down the left where he could test Khalid Boulahrouz, probably Chelsea's most vulnerable defender.
Chelsea's midfield is so formidable, but it lacked width yesterday - a consequence of not starting with any wingers. So playing Jermaine Pennant on the right, seeking to broaden the pitch, was a sensible move.
Yes, once Michael Ballack was sent off Liverpool had a man advantage, but remember who they were playing.
Liverpool were much more impressive than against PSV Eindhoven and Everton and hopefully Benítez use a settled side more often.
There are question marks about Dirk Kuyt's ability to score goals regularly at the highest level, but he did well enough yesterday and his style of play reminds me of Mark Hughes in his Manchester United heyday.
Still, Liverpool will rue this defeat because it was a good time to play the champions. They'll be stronger in a month's time, when Andriy Shevchenko and Ballack are integrated into the side.
Not since Barcelona came to Stamford Bridge last season do I remember seeing a team create so many chances against Chelsea on their own patch. They may not make the title race as close as some expected but Liverpool will win a lot of games this season.
Tony Cascarino is a columnist for The Times
always said he knows his stuff
honest
RAFA GOT IT RIGHT ON SUNDAY
Tony Cascarino, The Times 18 September 2006
The league table makes gloomy reading for Liverpool but they didn't get too much wrong yesterday.
They were beaten by a perfect goal, one that you just can't defend against. The only thing you can really pull them up for is the one that matters most - missing chances.
Tactically, I thought Rafael Benítez, the manager, got it right by sending Steven Gerrard down the left where he could test Khalid Boulahrouz, probably Chelsea's most vulnerable defender.
Chelsea's midfield is so formidable, but it lacked width yesterday - a consequence of not starting with any wingers. So playing Jermaine Pennant on the right, seeking to broaden the pitch, was a sensible move.
Yes, once Michael Ballack was sent off Liverpool had a man advantage, but remember who they were playing.
Liverpool were much more impressive than against PSV Eindhoven and Everton and hopefully Benítez use a settled side more often.
There are question marks about Dirk Kuyt's ability to score goals regularly at the highest level, but he did well enough yesterday and his style of play reminds me of Mark Hughes in his Manchester United heyday.
Still, Liverpool will rue this defeat because it was a good time to play the champions. They'll be stronger in a month's time, when Andriy Shevchenko and Ballack are integrated into the side.
Not since Barcelona came to Stamford Bridge last season do I remember seeing a team create so many chances against Chelsea on their own patch. They may not make the title race as close as some expected but Liverpool will win a lot of games this season.
Tony Cascarino is a columnist for The Times
always said he knows his stuff
honest
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