That was a different type of a European night at Anfield. This was no pole vault springing the name of Liverpool FC to unprecedented heights, and as the bar gets raised higher and higher, the higher the decibels of the Anfield roar springing the reds as much as the pole vault itself. And below the bar there was no cushion aired with pride to soften the blow of the fall that after all was more than we expected to be. This was a mere race for the thing. There were no odds to fight off. Liverpool were the odds-on favourites themselves.
At the end the pole vault got grabbed and a place in the Champions League group stages was assured. The usual guarantee of these last few years under Rafa’s reign looked hollow as a Gillett or Hick’s promise. It was apt though for such guarantee to be renewed by someone who promises you hard work and never lets you down even though sometimes his own touch does let him down. But when the odds were stacked against and the fear of failure was burning Anfield’s green grass brown he kept on grafting and broke a deadlock nearing closely to 3 ½ hours. Take a bow Dirk Kuyt. In such circumstances he was not exactly the hero but the resolute soldier who probably time will forget.
It all started from the back before though. Pepe Reina made sure the tie was kept in the balance and the adventure of Standard Liege was kept up to certain restrictions with no serious after-effects and never achieving legendary status on the Belgian shores. His alertness was impeccable as much as his agility, as twice he pulled out two great saves. This is definitely his best ever start to a season, he seems to be carrying the euphoria of Spain’s European triumph and after tasting success albeit from a dugout, he wants more and more of it now. The penalty save in Liege was no flash in the pan.
And the fourth match of the season is now over. Number five beckons on Sunday. Liverpool have got out of them what any red would have asked for, qualification and a six point start. It is not the destination but the journey that we are now debating. It is still well early and matches like yesterday leave you with more questions than answers. A probable fired up Villa side by a certain Mr O’Neill though should be the perfect tonic to continue Liverpool’s nailed on resilience. The fancy and sexy can wait for now.
At the end the pole vault got grabbed and a place in the Champions League group stages was assured. The usual guarantee of these last few years under Rafa’s reign looked hollow as a Gillett or Hick’s promise. It was apt though for such guarantee to be renewed by someone who promises you hard work and never lets you down even though sometimes his own touch does let him down. But when the odds were stacked against and the fear of failure was burning Anfield’s green grass brown he kept on grafting and broke a deadlock nearing closely to 3 ½ hours. Take a bow Dirk Kuyt. In such circumstances he was not exactly the hero but the resolute soldier who probably time will forget.
It all started from the back before though. Pepe Reina made sure the tie was kept in the balance and the adventure of Standard Liege was kept up to certain restrictions with no serious after-effects and never achieving legendary status on the Belgian shores. His alertness was impeccable as much as his agility, as twice he pulled out two great saves. This is definitely his best ever start to a season, he seems to be carrying the euphoria of Spain’s European triumph and after tasting success albeit from a dugout, he wants more and more of it now. The penalty save in Liege was no flash in the pan.
And the fourth match of the season is now over. Number five beckons on Sunday. Liverpool have got out of them what any red would have asked for, qualification and a six point start. It is not the destination but the journey that we are now debating. It is still well early and matches like yesterday leave you with more questions than answers. A probable fired up Villa side by a certain Mr O’Neill though should be the perfect tonic to continue Liverpool’s nailed on resilience. The fancy and sexy can wait for now.
posted by jean paul at 10:26 pm
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