Liverpool v. Reading Post-Match
Sorry for the delay in getting these post-match thoughts up. I was busy willing Portsmouth to victory over Manchester United. Title chase is officially on thanks to Rio Ferdinand's own goal. Bad time for Rio and Edwin Van der Sar to have a miscommunication. I can't say I feel the least bit bad though!
I thought the Liverpool match today highlighted what a genius Rafa Benitez is. He put out a weaker side but certainly one that looked capable of beating Reading. One thing Reading has shown the league this season though is that they don't ever quit and are one of the fittest teams in England. Crouch's beautiful touch to the latest Spanish import, Alvaro Arbeloa, resulted in Arbeloa's first EPL goal. Who is Alvaro Arbeloa you ask? He came to Liverpool from Deportivo La Coruna of the Spanish League. Like I said, Rafa is a genius.
Reading battled back and equalized and it was well deserved as for most of the match they were the more industrious of the two sides as Liverpool looked content to defend and hit them on the counter attack. Taking off an ineffective Craig Bellamy at the half, Rafa brought on Dirk Kuyt. He probably would have preferred to leave Kuyt on the bench to conserve his energy for the return leg against PSV. But I have to believe someone whispered in his ear that Arsenal were trailing West Ham, and Rafa knew establishing the Reds in third place was possible if he went for the win.
Rafa also brought on Jermaine Pennant in the 2nd half. In the 86th minute Pennant played a cross in to the box which Kuyt headed in for the goal and a 2-1 victory. Like I said twice already, Rafa is a genius. The match overall was not fantastic to watch. Reading are always an exciting team, but Liverpool never matched their intensity. That being said, Liverpool had just enough class on the day to overcome a flat effort and take the 3 points away.
Certainly, a different starting lineup will be on display next week against PSV, and the energy will be there as the Reds can march into the Champions League semi-finals.
Otherwise, all I can say right now is Pompey! Pompey! Pompey!
I thought the Liverpool match today highlighted what a genius Rafa Benitez is. He put out a weaker side but certainly one that looked capable of beating Reading. One thing Reading has shown the league this season though is that they don't ever quit and are one of the fittest teams in England. Crouch's beautiful touch to the latest Spanish import, Alvaro Arbeloa, resulted in Arbeloa's first EPL goal. Who is Alvaro Arbeloa you ask? He came to Liverpool from Deportivo La Coruna of the Spanish League. Like I said, Rafa is a genius.
Reading battled back and equalized and it was well deserved as for most of the match they were the more industrious of the two sides as Liverpool looked content to defend and hit them on the counter attack. Taking off an ineffective Craig Bellamy at the half, Rafa brought on Dirk Kuyt. He probably would have preferred to leave Kuyt on the bench to conserve his energy for the return leg against PSV. But I have to believe someone whispered in his ear that Arsenal were trailing West Ham, and Rafa knew establishing the Reds in third place was possible if he went for the win.
Rafa also brought on Jermaine Pennant in the 2nd half. In the 86th minute Pennant played a cross in to the box which Kuyt headed in for the goal and a 2-1 victory. Like I said twice already, Rafa is a genius. The match overall was not fantastic to watch. Reading are always an exciting team, but Liverpool never matched their intensity. That being said, Liverpool had just enough class on the day to overcome a flat effort and take the 3 points away.
Certainly, a different starting lineup will be on display next week against PSV, and the energy will be there as the Reds can march into the Champions League semi-finals.
Otherwise, all I can say right now is Pompey! Pompey! Pompey!
posted by Anonymous at 1:14 PM
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