Are Liverpool Football Club’s Fortunes Finally on The Turn

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Last night, Liverpool Football Club began, yet another fight to try and reclaim fourth place and entrance into the Champions League. The game was against Portsmouth, who had earlier in the season beaten us at Fratton Park. There was of course the usual speculation in the press as to whether or not it would happen again, as the Liverpool team of late had been totally substandard. Portsmouth though as a club has their own problems at the moment, having been pushed into administration and this would in all probably affect the players, who knew that they could be sold if and when the administrator felt it necessary.

Anfield appeared to be rather empty as the television coverage started and it was noted that the Kop was extremely quiet. I guess, and any loyal supporter will tell you that Liverpool Football Club and players in many people’s lives have become in a way like a mother worrying about a sick child. We have watched it lurch from one disaster to another as our league and European form has faulted. At this point in the evening it was anyone’s guess as to which way things would turn out.

Kick off arrived and as the team come out as usual captained by Stevie G, the first mutterings of noise came from the Kop, but there was definitely something missing. Rafa Benitez had for some reason finally decided to throw caution to the wind and played an attacking team which included another rare start for Aquilani. Liverpool appeared to be very nervous as they started with high balls going everywhere and at one point it appeared that Reina was having problems. He seemed very jittery for a short time. The match continued with Portsmouth giving away several free kicks but the lads seemed to be unable to finish them and score that much needed opening goal.

Suddenly though I don’t know whose fairy godmother decided to shine down on the team, but their passing became better and they began to outrun Portsmouth, who were playing quite well at this point and had several chances of taking the ball into their own half, but thankfully our defense was also having one its better days and the ball was being allowed to go anywhere near the goalmouth. You could see the confidence growing in the Liverpool team and it was evident that they were not going to give up easy. Then it happened after several good passes, Torres found a way through and the score was 1-0. The Kop exploded and Anfield had become like Anfield should be, a temple where football is worshipped.

The next six minutes, are six minutes that will be one of the things people remember about this season. The first goal was quickly followed by one from Ryan Babel, again another player who these days appear to be a sub rather than a starter. I think by then everyone, the supporters at Anfield and people like myself who were watching on the television could not believe what they were seeing in front of them – where was the team that acted as though they really did not care?

It did not stop there though and after a couple of very clever moves, Aquilani scored his first goal for club and the relief on his face said it all. Portsmouth at this point in the game appeared to give up, enabling any Liverpool player that could, get near to the goalmouth. It even looked as though at this point. Jamie Carragher would net yet another of his rare goals.

The team went in at half time, looking more like the team that we love and worship. There was none of that telling body language, just smiles and a jolt in their step as they walked towards the tunnel.

For once the half time break seemed to be over extremely quickly and the teams were quickly back on the pitch with Portsmouth kicking off and almost immediately handing Liverpool their first free kick of the half. This was picked up by Daniel Agger but unfortunately went straight through the middle to nowhere. Again the passing between the players was exceptionally good and very few of the balls went astray. Portsmouth though, very quickly looked as though they had the troubles of the world on their shoulders, making silly mistakes and not really taking any notice of where the ball was going. They were the team that was giving the impression that they were only there because the manager said they had to be. Free kicks were being given like sweets but still the fourth goal was not forthcoming and it did look as though Liverpool would just keep the game flowing until the final whistle was blown. Reina who had, had a really quiet game was at this point given some rare action when he saved a shot by Michael Brown.

The clock was now ticking towards the magic 60 minute mark and I wonder if Rafa would make a substitution but it was Avrum Grant who opted to this first when he replaced Diop with Mokoena. Eight minutes later though, Rafa acted and replaced Glen John with young Martin Kelly, who immediately became part of the action and showed that he too, can be good in defense.

It was shortly after this that Stevie G did something that is totally uncharacteristic for him, he shoved a Portsmouth player with his arm and caused him to fall. Stevie was very lucky at this point not to have been sent off for the offence, but Rafa Benitez at this point substituted him with Benayoun. He had barely sat down when Torres found another way through and Liverpool were now 4-0 up.

Portsmouth I guess were now beginning to panic and received 2 yellow cards very quickly, but after the final couple of substitutions had been made by both teams Portsmouth found a way through and were rewarded with a consolation goal.
The match finished with a score line of 4-1 and hopefully yet again signaled that Liverpool Football Club are on their way back. I sincerely hope that this time, it is true and they can keep the run going, we have Lille on Thursday and the big one at the weekend, when we are away at Old Trafford.

Fourth place on last night’s form is possible and I sincerely hope that we make it.

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