Why I can’t be arsed to write about Bolton.
3 comments September 20th, 2004
Because, if I’m honest, there isn’t much to say.
We didn’t play very well.
We relied too much on the counter-attack, and didn’t have many periods of good, sustained possession.
Reyes, Pires, and Ljungberg had very average games.
Thierry scored a brilliant goal, but was largely peripheral.
Cygan had an excellent first half, and a dire second.
Bolton scored from two set-pieces. That’s no disaster. Disappointing, but not disastrous. The return of Sol Campbell will give us someone who can attack the ball and provide some organisation at the back.
Bolton are a decent side who most teams will struggle to beat.
And that’s about it.
That’s why yesterday, I only really wanted to talk about the bright future of Gael Clichy.
Today, I only want to talk about the bright future of Liverpool FC.
I hate those scouse bastards as much as anybody else, but having watched them play few times this season, I think they’re really going places.
In fact, I think that tonight’s game against Manchester United might be a showcase of just how far this Liverpool side can go. If I’m honest, they won’t win the title this year. But they could win something. And I think that under a very, very good manager in Rafa Benitez, they will continue to grow.
Their defence has been steadied by switching Jamie Carragher to centre-half and bringing in the excellent Josemi at full-back. In midfield, Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso are two superbly talented players, with their best years ahead of them. Harry Kewell is another extremely gifted individual, who is yet to fulfill his potential.
But it is upfront where there is the greatest difference. Liverpool have lost Owen and Heskey, perhaps the two most pivotal members of the “Hoofier” regime and tactics. They now play with two from the trio of Baros, Cissé, and Garcia.
In Baros and Cissé they have two electric goalscorers who are perfect for the Premiership: fast, direct, and unlike £24m Didier Drogba, capable of controlling a ball in less than three touches.
And in Luis Garcia, they have a real gem of a player. With Jose Reyes arguably set to become the most successful Spanish import in Premiership history, this none-too-dissimiliar fleet-footed forward could be close behind.
This array of attacking talent has forced Liverpool to change the way they play. No longer can Gerrard launch it at Heskey’s head or Owen’s spinning runs – the ball comes short into the feet of Garcia, or wide to the outstanding overlapping fullback, John Arne Riise.
I know I’ve talked far too long about a team that will probably flatter to decieve, but Liverpool have played the second best football I’ve seen this season.
Behind us, obviously.
Chelsea don’t play great stuff, but grind out results. Tottenham will do the same, as evidenced by their gritty draw yesterday.
Mourinho’s team have already played Man U and Tottenham. They’ve also gone to Villa Park. They’re difficult games, and they’ve come through unbeaten.
The title race has already started.
And Liverpool might be the surprise runner.
