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.