Liverpool/Burnley Recap

FT: Liverpool 4 Burnley 0

The above scoreline will be a wonderful sight to all Liverpool fans. Yossi scored three times and Dirk had one as Liverpool cruise to a comfortable victory. Benayoun was terrific throughout, as were Dirk, Riera, Gerrard and Lucas. Liverpool took some time getting into the game, but after about 20 minutes, completely controlled the game and never really looked in danger. For me, Yossi's first goal stands out as a great individual goal, as he megged a defender before slotting home far post. His second was a great team goal, Torres to Gerrard, who burst into the box as he is prone to do, and delivered a great square ball back across goal for Yossi to calmly tap in. Liverpool played with a creativity that was noticeably absent in their first few games. Perhaps, as last year the international breaks seemed to always break up our momentum, this first break seemed to come at a good time for us to regain our form.




Unfortunately, the seemingly unanswerable question as to where Gerrard is most effective will be reopened as he excelled in a central midfield role besides Lucas. For me, there can be no question that he is most effective in the Liverpool team just behind Torres, but in certain games Rafa might choose to deploy him a bit deeper, especially in the games where we might struggle to break an opposing side down, against small clubs who come only to defend. To their credit, Burnley appeared to come to Anfield and try to attack, albeit unsuccessfully. However, against these teams, Gerrard can be deployed in center midfield, as we don't need to be as defensive considering we will control most of the game and we don't really need Mascherano in the starting XI. However, when Aquilani is fully fit it appears this question will be redundent, Gerrard will be resorted to his second striker role, perhaps interchanging with the Aqualani at times. For me, Lucas has done a very good job in the middle, but perhaps is not a player who we want in the center of midfield week in week out, not yet at least. Aqualani will provide us with more options and will give either Lucas, Mascherano, and even Gerrard a rest at times.

The only worrying factor to take away from today's game was Torres' performance. I watched him midweek with Spain and he just didn't look up for it, he missed three sitters. Today he looked lethargic at times and he will be disappointed to not be amongst the goals, even if he never really had a chance to put away. He was still involved with two goals today though, providing the pass for Gerrard to burst into the box and square for Benayoun. He also played to pass to Benayoun on Dirk's goal. He clearly has not hit top form just yet, and he still looked dangerous which is encouraging, but I cannot remember a time for Liverpool where he has looked so average . Anyway, roll on the champions league for Liverpool now that our title challenge will be deemed to be back on track.