Liverpool 1-3 Aston Villa
Our second home game of the season was against a team who we thrashed 5-0 at Anfield last season. Goals from Albert Riera, Dirk Kuyt and a Stevie G hat trick secured victory for the reds that day. However, the bench was the best Riera could achieve this time round with Benayoun continuing to hold down the left wing starting position. Impressive in the opening two games and already with a goal to his name, Glen Johnson continues as Liverpool’s right back and young Brazilian Lucas Leiva still being given the task of replacing Xabi Alonso.
So to the first half and Liverpool created a multitude of chances within a 30 second period when Torres, Benayoun and Gerrard failed to slide the ball past Brad Friedel in a frantic goal mouth scramble. Now anyone who read any of my articles last season will know that I am not the biggest fan of Lucas Leiva despite his obvious success amongst the Brazilian national youth side. However the youngster has had a tough time attempting to fill the big boots of Alonso – who wouldn’t though? Lucas’ season only got worse when his attempted clearance of Ashley Young’s free kick went past Reina and in for an own goal. So 1-0 down and the reds clearly not playing well. 46 minutes gone and the whistle should go any second right? Wrong. Reina receives a booking for dissent after referee Martin Atkinson gives a corner. Way past the 46 minute mark now and Rafa is very unhappy on the touchline and rightly so as Curtis Davis heads home off the corner to make the half time score Liverpool 0-2 Aston Villa.
The second half saw a change of fortunes for Liverpool although it was short lived. The play was better, we were in their half a lot more and all we seemed to be lacking was the final ball to get a goal back. 66 minutes gone and the unfortunate Lucas is taken off and a man who we all thought we had seen the back of, Andriy Voronin entered the fray. 5 minutes later reds fans had something to celebrate when Fernando Torres converted Insua’s cross. Just as we all thought we were on our way back but just 3 minutes later Gerrard brings Nigel Reo Coker down in the area and Martin Atkinson awards a penalty, Ashley Young converts to make the score 3-1 to Villa.
Not a great game for the reds especially since we hadn’t been beaten at Anfield for close to two years in the league. In my personal opinion I think Rafa should go and buy another striker before the end of the transfer market. Maybe not a £40 Million man but someone good but affordable. Personally I’m a big fan of Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. This may not be possible as our ‘beloved’ owners are releasing close to no funds but if possible I would target the Trinidad and Tobago hitman.
There was no luck about it I was impressed by Villa, not gonna make any excuses. Altho we had plenty of shots, how many were actually really good efforts testing the keeper? We looked fairly toothless I have to say but lets not get carried away, 2 games in!! I do fear tho Alonso is a massive loss and unless we get in a replacement of real quality we may struggle 2 win the title again! Come on Rafa!!!
Nice article but…
‘Way past the 46 minute mark now and Rafa is very unhappy on the touchline and rightly so as Curtis Davis heads home off the corner to make the half time score Liverpool 0-2 Aston Villa.’
Have to disagree with the ‘rightly so’ bit. If Reina hadnt had such a hissy fit and hoofed the ball away the ref probably would have blown up and called for half time.
As it happenned the rather ill disciplined behaviour of our keeper forced him to keep playing.
Reina needs a rocket put up him after that display and I trust the management will have done just that.
When you say the play was better in the second half – You are right. Villa looked far more composed and Sidwell, Reo-Coker and Petrov looked at ease. We on the other hand looked lethargic and frustrated (hence penalty). To say it was a fluke is a tad harsh on Villa (lets exclude the first goal) who were simply more determined and hungry than us on the night. Yes we had plenty of chances, but they count for nothing.
Don’t you inderstand the 4th official board shows the minimum addtional time not a fixed time. The extra tiem granted to the Villa after the one minute was was for Pepe’s time wasting.
Not bad, although I thought you were building up to a conclusion of some sort rather than just saying we need a striker. I conclude it was a fluke result – Villa were nothing more than organised and offered little attack – they got lucky. We had 12/13 shots on – and Friedel played a blinder.
And as for the striker – wheres the money going to come from? Thanks to the two American idiots! We don’t have any.