Having gone twelve days without a Liverpool match, I was well looking forward for the duel with Aston Villa. With the last match being at Anfield against the European Champions Barcelona, Aston Villa at Villa Park will always have an anti-climax feeling, but I thought the twelve days of no action will make up for that. At the end, I almost felt that the match got in the way of a good weekend. Even ten minutes of highlights off the offical site felt stretching the word highlights too much. It really was that dire.


The irony of it all though is that after David Johnson's last minute winner at Goodison Park against Arsenal, Liverpool have reduced the gap with Arsenal to solely one point, albeit with one game in hand.

Robbie Fowler almost scored in the dying minutes after a perfect cross by Jermaine Pennant which was met by the former's head impeccably. That was probably the only one save of note that Thomas Sorensen had to make. The only other chance was in the first minutes of the match when a good cross by John Arne Riise found Dirk Kuyt in ample space but the latter's header lacked composure and direction, and in a way was the best indication of what had to follow.

After thirty matches, Liverpool have now gained fifty-four points. That is nowhere near last season's total of eighty-two points. The achievement of mixing up with the last eight of the European cream, make up for this downfall, but hopefully the prospect of Arsenal at Anfield in the Premiership spurs on the lads and justify the next fortnight of lack of action.

In the meantime hopefully the meeting between Rafael Benitez and the new custodians is set as soon as possible and gives the peace of mind needed by the boss.