We used to say that a good ref is one that you don't really notice. Unfortunately that is another saying that football has lost. Referees now love to grab the limelight, and probably see themselves on par with the players plying their trade on the pitch. Graeme Poll has now retired, and it seems Rob Styles is very intent to take over his heirloom. I can take a bad decision, but today's penalty is beyond any comprehensibility. And don't give me the argument for video evidence either. You can never beat being present in the thick of the action, and Rob Styles was actually that - a couple of metres away from the accident. Rob Styles just wanted to be controversial. But he failed miserably there. He was just ridiculously absurd. He succeeded in taking the wind out of Liverpool sails though. I wouldn't say Liverpool were comfortably in command then but they were surely the better team out of the two. Rafael Benitez let him know what he thought of him in his post-match comments. Visibly fuming, he labelled the decision 'unbelievable' which has reduced his side's three points to one.
In the thick of this unjustice and anger at their first home match of the season, Rafael Benitez and his side have made a statement to both their fans and rivals. Liverpool are to be taken seriously,very seriously - there is an air of belief and Champions League qualification is not the realistic target. Liverpool want more. Again, the hunger was visible, the hard work felt and the belief tangible. Taking Riise off and putting Crouch on seven minutes from time with the tie level said it all. Chelsea for all their swagger were winding the clock down. Steven Gerrard was at his best again, covering every blade of the grass, pulling the midfield strings and putting it where it hurts without apologising. The nasty streak is there, the devil of a winner is inside him again and he is being feared.
Torres first goal at Anfield put a lot of weight out of his shoulders. In the process though he showed his class and has defenitely added more dimensions, possibilities and options for Liverpool. The Spaniard just accepted Gerrard's routine pass and rather than waiting for help he showed his heels to Haim, and perfectly placed the ball beyond Cech via the post. Haim was left for dead, and ridiculed as much as the unwritten law of common sense was by the man in black.
Psychologically, Liverpool has suffered a lot in the last season. The first away win was only grabbed in the first week of December. This year it arrived in the opening match. The ice has already been broken and with Sunderland awaiting, Liverpool should travel with a spring to their step.
No penalties conceded and am confident Reina will keep a clean sheet. At the other end of the field, Liverpool are capable of scoring and get the second set of three points to their name.