Liverpool VS Napoli: Match Review

If RH thinks that he made a great decision to bring
in Gerrard in the 2nd half of the match that leads
to him scoring a hat-trick and winning the game
single-handedly, then he must be either blinded
by the victory or oblivious to exactly what happened
during the match.

When the team sheet was out before the match,
I was quite amazed to see that Torres was not in
the squad at all, and Gerrard was in the reserves,
and the worst part is "Why is Poulsen in the starting
11 players?!" I am glad to see that Jovanovic was
in the team but a bad feeling suddenly pop-up in
my mind, "What if Ngog got injured during the match,
who can we bring on then?" Although I know that
Jovanovic can play as the centre-forward, which is
his position when he plays for Serbia, but I seriously
doubt RH will do that.

Except for the first 10-15 minutes when the Reds
started the game brightly, the remaining time in the
first half is clearly dominated by Napoli's midfielders
although the spiky hair Marek Hamsik was kept quiet
throughout the match by Konchesky. Poulsen and
Spearing simply cannot control the midfield, although
Shelvey and Jovanovic were hardworking in helping
out with the attack and defense as well.

I have been commenting about Poulsen, RH's so-called
protege, is fast becoming the flop of the season, and his
becoming a kitten after earning a reputation of being
a ferocious "beast" in Italy, and I was proven right again
when he "created" the goal, but it was gifted to the opposition.
He headed an un-challenged ball back to the defense and
it was picked up by Napoli's Cavani who cleverly
passed the ball to Lavezzi who scored a well-placed goal
despite Reina coming out and appearing big. I wasn't surprised
with Poulsen's performance as I have already labeled
him to be player not worthy to wear the Reds jersey but
RH thinks otherwise. Fortunately, Poulsen was finally
substituted in the 65th minutes and young Eccleston has
his taste of the match for 25th minutes.

Gerrard was expected by me to be featured in the 2nd half
as the midfield is simply not there and something got be done
and addressed asap. I was quite amused when I saw that
RH bring on Gerrard at the expenses of effectual Jovanovic.
It is quite obvious that Jovanovic was hardworking and
is running the left-wing well, and RH should have taken out
tumourous Poulsen. I am not being personal but I feel that
RH really don't like Jovanovic and is trying to keep him
out of the squad despite his obvious commendable performance.

Anyway, the whole atmosphere on and off the pitch changed
when Captain Marvel is on the field, and he was tirelessly staging
attacks after attacks with his runs and crosses. He was rewarded
in the 75th minutes when he bravely challenged a back-pass by
former Reds player, Dossena, and scored the equaliser  despite
protest and play-acting from Napoli's goalkeeper, De Sanctis.
I was sensing a victory is coming in the last 15 minutes as
it is looking to be a grand finale closing match. I am so
glad that my six-sense was proven right!!

The 2nd goal was a penalty won by Johnson when he was
brought down in the box and coolly put into the corner of
the net by Gerrard in the 88th minutes. My joy turned
into exuberant madness within a minute when Lucas,
coming in for injured Ngog in the 82th minutes, won
the ball and slot a through ball to Gerrard who calmly
chipped the ball past the goalie and completed his
4th hat trick for the Reds.

It was a wonderful performance by the Reds and
once again required the magic of Gerrard to win the
game, but the match was marred by an obvious red-card
challenge on Ngog which went unpunished. Ngog is
likely going to miss the Big match this Sunday, and one
wonder who will RH put in the reserves with Pacheco
the obvious choice.

The Reds really need to bring in quality players in the
January transfer window, hopefully matching the
standard of Gerrard and Torres. There has been
multiple reports about Henry going to provide about
25 millions for RH to beef up the squad. I know for sure
that Babel is leaving the team as RH must have
believe he has seen the best (worst) of Babel and
will seek to unload him in the transfer window.
Babel is valued about 8 millions and added to the
25 millions should be well enough to bring in some
quality players to move up the league positions
and winning the Europa League as a bonus.