Sunday, February 28, 2010
Liverpool Comment: Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres Remain The Difference Between Success And Failure
Posted by izzreen at 6:15 PM
If ever Rafael Benitez needed a reminder of 's trump cards in the race for a top-four finish, then a tape of today's win over a robust side should do the trick, as and served up the goals to keep the Reds in the hunt for a top-four finish.
Benitez has been denied the services of his premier pair far too often for his liking this season - indeed, today was just the 16th time in 40 games that both have started a game in this campaign - but knows that when Gerrard and Torres link-up, Liverpool invariably find their form. It is little wonder that the Spaniard has refused to panic, even during the Reds' stuttering start to the season.
Torres had not started a league match since December 29th, having suffered a knee injury in his side's FA Cup surrender to Reading. And just like in his last outing, he was to provide the winning goal - sliding in a low cross from the impressive Maxi Rodriguez three minutes before half time.
It was to prove decisive, as the Reds recorded a priceless victory on a weekend when both Tottenham and Manchester City enhanced their own credentials for a place in next seasons' Champions League.
It was little wonder that Rovers boss Sam Allardyce bemoaned his side's lack of "a goalscorer" in his post-match press conference. His side matched their hosts for possession, and efforts on goal. But whilst Liverpool could call on precise finishing from their star turns, Rovers were left with just a Keith Andrews penalty to show for their efforts, though Pepe Reina made a fine late save to keep out Jason Roberts' late header.
There is clearly no love lost between Benitez and Allardyce - the pair traded barely-masked insults after the match - but Liverpool's manager will admit that his side were given a tough game by a physical, direct Blackburn attack today.
Rovers' aerial bombardment caused problems, as did their robust tackling in midfield. Indeed both Pascal Chimbonda and Steven N'Zonzi could well have been sent-off for ugly incidents involving Maxi and Lucas.
Yet whilst Allardyce will soon receive an FA fine, after his side collected five yellow-cards, Liverpool remained disciplined, if still not quite fluent. But beggars cannot be choosers. This was the kind of game that could easily have tripped the Reds up, especially if they did not have the class of Torres to fall back on.
Benitez revealed after the game that his decision to deploy Torres from the start was an "easy one to make", following David Ngog's midweek excursions on a testing pitch in Bucharest, and the Spaniard rewarded his manager's faith with his his 13th goal of the season. Considering the games missed through injury - he has started just 15 times this season - it has become impossible to overstate his importance to Liverpool's ambitions.
And Torres' impact is not limited to scoring goals. The mere mention of his name was enough to draw the loudest cheer of the day pre-match, and the very sight of the tousle-haired number 9 visibly unnerved the Blackburn defence in the opening stages. Ngog, for all his improvements, does not pose such a psychological threat.
For Gerrard, Torres' presence has a more logical effect. Liverpool's captain has, by his own high standards, had a pretty poor season so far. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the 29-year-old, but arguably the greatest problem has been his inability to create any sort of momentum in his partnership with the man he describes as "the world's best striker".
The last time the pair scored in the same game was against Hull City in September, but today they were back on their favourite wavelength - each other's.
Gerrard was dropped back in to a more conventional midfield role, as Javier Mascherano was asked to fill in at right-back, and enjoyed a fine afternoon. His opening goal, a pass from Yossi Benayoun taken on the run and finished sublimely on his left foot, was the kind of dazzling contribution that has been lacking from the England star for too much of this campaign.
There were other notable performances from those in Red. Mascherano turned in a performance of discipline and energy that most natural full-backs would have been proud of, whilst Maxi Rodriguez bolstered his claims for the right-wing berth with a fine all-round display. Reina had a few tricky moments - notably when buffeted in the air by Nikola Kalinic and Christopher Samba - but his late contributions were as valuable as Gerrard's or Torres'.
Manchester City's win at Chelsea, and Tottenham's triumph at home to Everton meant Liverpool were unable to make up any ground in the four-way tussle for Champions League football next season, but the sight of Gerrard and Torres in full flow again will give Benitez heart for the final ten games of the season - especially considering the Reds' favourable run-in.
Tottenham and Manchester City will certainly have plenty to say, and there are sure to be a few more twists and turns between now and May, but if Liverpool can keep Gerrard and Torres fit and sharp, it would take a brave man to bet against Benitez's men.
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