Liverpool 1
Torres 58.
Manchester City 0
The final home game. Goodbyes for many until next season or forever?
It was ironic that in a season where discontent about the owners has blighted us that our last home game should see, of all people, the visitors protesting in such a way. The game was played out against constant chants from the City end in support of Sven. For us it was a case of been there, done it, still got the manager!
Rafa picked a strongish side for the last home game. Torres made a miraculous recovery from his tight hamstring. Four changes from Wednesday’s starting line up were made, Insuua, Hyypia, Finnan, Lucas and Babel. The new kit replaced the old one!
Inevitably the game had a relaxed, “end of term” feel to it. With both sides taking it easy showing little urgency with us showing sings of not having fully recovered from Wednesday? Sure chances were made, Babel heading over from Kuyt’s cross and Gerrard firing wide but it was rather relaxed. Gerrard produced a brilliant save from Hart in the City goal with a long distance curler. Next it was Torres’ turn firing across the goal. You got the feeling that we needed to make these chances pay as inevitably City would have their own. So it was with Elano hitting the post from a free kick. However we eventually made our pressure tell.
Kuyt nodded on a poor clearance to Torres who advanced into the area with Dunne all over the place. Torres cruised past him, evaded his attempts to pull his shirt and struck a sweet shot across Hart and into the corner the net. His 32nd of the season equaling Roger Hunt’s record of scoring in eight home games in a row.
It was amazing that we only managed to score one as but now the chances were reigning in thick and fast. Lucas an attempted over head kick and Kuyt clattering the bar from Hyypia’s cross with Hart beaten all ends up. Babel skied horribly into The Kop from Torres’ cross. Then Maschernao powered through the centre and fizzed a low shot that Hart parried away.
A typical end of season event but plenty of action. We should have wrapped it up much earlier than we did but there you go. The team thanked the fans, bought their kids on and took in the applause. After the game Rafa talked about improvement and signing new players no different from any other manager but how many have had the experience he’s just gone through? Maybe Sven is about to?
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas (Alonso 74), Kuyt, Gerrard (Voronin 78), Babel (Benayoun 68), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Skrtel.
Man City: Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Ball, Jihai, Vassell (Garrido 81), Ireland, Johnson, Petrov (Castillo 67), Elano (Hamann 67), Mwaruwari.
Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Gelson.
Att: 43,074
2 responses so far ↓
Football Bets // May 6, 2008 at 8:00 pm |
Dislike Sven but don’t wish what Rafa has gone through on to him, or anyone. He seems like an honest, decent chap, and most importantly a good manager. Why they would want rid of him is beyond me. Nearly as crazy as the Yanks wanting rid of Benitez.
Anyway, that’s this season at Anfield over. Was a good year, with a good record (lost 1?) and some happy memories. My best was the Newcastle game.; the torres bounce made it’s first real impact . Obviosuly the Derby was up there too!!
Amir // May 7, 2008 at 8:37 am |
I’m just looking at the Prem table and wondered, out of the 13 draws, if 6 were won, we would be at 85 points. That Chelsea home game was one that we whould’ve won. Any suggestion for 5 others?
Birmingham, Wigan?
Ah..for what that could’ve been..