Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal – 31/03/07 – (Premiership) 31 March, 2007
Posted by lasagnechef in Premiership.trackback
Meh. Haven’t had a proper beating in a while. With a 3-0, 3-1 and a 6-2 already against the scoucers this season I didn’t really expect this sort of score. Gilberto and Aliadiere are injured so it was Baptista and Adebayor paired up top and a midfield of Hleb, Fabregas, Denilson and Diaby. It was a poor performance really, we just didn’t have any cutting edge and a lot of our play was cut out. Also quite a few times we got into a decent position but the poor touch of Baptista lost the chance.
We started poorly and were 1-0 down to a Peter Crouch goal in the 3rd minute. There was some clever play out on the wing and Crouch outstretched Toure to tuck in a low cross past Lehmann. Not a good start at all but I still thought we could come back from it. However half an hour later Crouch made it 2-0. Between his goals Lehmann had saved an overhead kick from him and Baptista had a side footed shot spooned well wide. The second goal was a typical Crouch goal. Liverpool took a free kick quick midway in our half was put out wide to Fabio Aurelio who whipped in a perfect cross for Crouch who had an easy header on the penalty spot. Two down now, I thought it might be over but there was still hope. Half time came and we looked a little better into he second half but we were still not good enough.
Agger’s header made it 3-0 to Liverpool on the hour mark. The game was definitely over now, the thought of leaving the pub crossed my mind but I thought I might as well wait it out. We were getting closer to scoring in the second half, Adebayor hit the post twice but Liverpool still had their chances. Gerrard should’ve scored but he made it comfortable for Lehmann to make the save. So 3 down now with half an hour to go. Pretty dire viewing, it’s never pretty seeing your team getting beaten so convincingly.
I thought it’d be nice if we got a goal but it had to happen the only fucking time I went to the toilet. I couldn’t wait any longer, I could still hear the TV outside and it sounded like there was another goal. I rushed out and to be honest I was disappointed we’d scored in a way. Can’t believe I missed it. Anyway it was Fabregas’ corner, Toure headed it on at the near post and Gallas fumbled it in. By no means a pretty goal but we’d scored. However just to rub it in Liverpool went and scored again 8 minutes later. Crouch completed his hat trick with not long left to go and all we could do was wait for the whistle.
Fair play to the Gooners’. It’s a long old trip up there but they sang their hearts out, made me proud to be an Arsenal fan despite the score. We’ve had some better memories up there this season but oh well. Now we drop to 4th but with a game in hand. Next up its West Ham at home, not as easy as you may think. Thanks for reading.
I’m not going to get all negative, since it’s useless to pick apart such a sluggish performace. But I want to single out two people: Baptista and Hleb.
Baptista did nothing. literally. except lose the ball. I don’t get it. I used to watch him with real madrid and he was totally decent. he’s simply not an arsenal player. he gave us no speed at all, and the passing game is all about speed of movement into space. and did he have a single shot on goal?
And hleb just gave the ball away too damn much. I will concede that his passing requires someone to pass to, but holy fucking god. how many times did he give the ball away?
any upside? ummm…diaby continues to have great turns and dribbling. and we have a game in hand. considering how many injuries we’ve had most of the season it’s stunning we’re still in fourth. so I take that as a positive.
man, that game made my head hurt. onwards and upwards.
it was hleb’s corner, actually. it’s the first time i’ve seen hleb take a corner and we scored from it, so that was pretty insane.
Diaby was impressive again.
IM A CUNT WHO TALKS OUT OF HIS ARSE!!!!!
Right, we have a game in hand. But we’ve got Bolton and Chelsea at home, Newcastle, Spurs and Portsmouth away. Liverpool got some more “straightforward” fixtures. So honestly, we should be on alert, like Arsene warned, and not be too comfortable with that one tiny game in hand.
can we please please get a player who’s fast? with all these mid-field ball-handlers, there’s no-one who can just run. you know, like freddie in his glory days? pires used to pass the ball up the field. freddie used to knock it up and then run and beat his man. and everyone looked to release henry with a long pass. point is, we were quick on the break. not bogged down in the middle.
right now, we have zero sprinters on the team. teams can pack the midfield if they know that no-one will beat them down the sides.
I don’t know if the answer is ribery. or babel. or velas. but we NEED a winger.
WHERE IS HENRY? IS HE INJURED OR NOT?
I love Crouch’s long legs. They make me go ‘ooooohhhhhhhhh’
Some of you are polluting this great blog.
sanfrangoon, I agree with Baptista. He is so worthless that I’d rather have Ljunberg play as a forward than him. Hleb usually plays well but after his Champions League debacle, he seems out of it. We were just three steps too slow on everything until Ljunberg and Rosicky came in. That’s when we showed some signs of life and a little pace, but maybe that was Liverpool easing off because of their lead.
Ajmal, what kind of a dumb ass question is that?