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Posted by Kevin Brodie on 11/23/2011

Well that was very sweet was it not? I'm not sure which picture of the match was the most enjoyable. The sight of Glenn Johnson looking back at his team-mates after the goal, the sight of big John Terry sliding on his bum as the ball rolled into the side netting or perhaps the sight of Torres smiling to his ex-Liverpool team-mates after the game, which must have incensed the Chelsea faithful.

I have to say I was really pleased to see both Maxi and Bells put into the starting 11 at the expense of Downing and Carroll. It seemed Downing knew the chop was coming as he was in the papers a great deal this week talking about how his time had come. Of course, I still think he will be playing more than not, but it was nice to see Kenny go with the players who been playing well when given a chance.

Liverpool were buzzing around the place in the first half, led by the Man of the Match in Lucas. He was all around the pitch, making great tackles and doing the simple things with the ball. However he was not the only one. Charlie Adam was much better and played a big part in all three goals. He made a great tackle on Mikel for the first, totally switched off for Chelsea's goal, which is something he desperately needs to improve on, and gave a fantastic ball to Johnson for our winner. His corner kicks and free kicks were also poor, but in general his all round play was quite good.

As with many of Liverpool's games this season, it was a game of two half's. We bossed the first half completely, although Chelsea did come quite close to scoring from a well struck Drogba free kick. Our goal was very well worked with Bells doing the right thing by playing in Maxi. Suarez and Bells were a thorn in the side of Chelsea and both of those two small men must be horribly annoying to play again. It's about time we had a few of those types of players.

I thought we finally started to deal with Chelsea in the second half when Henderson was introduced. I might have opted to take off Suarez instead of Bells, however, it must be almost impossible to take of little Luis. Downing came on for the impressive Maxi and it's great to see that we have two and three players at many positions. Kenny had a big decision to make with Jamie being fit and he made it by only putting him on the bench. I believe Kenny got this right.

When Chelsea's manager put on our ex-players I have to admit I feared the worst. I will be like that as long as Torres is playing for them, which made it even sweeter that they were on the pitch and Johnson scored the winner. My kids nearly lost their breakfast when that ball hit the back of the net the screaming was so loud in my house. A very enjoyable Sunday morning!

Finally a note about the traveling Kop, what a fantastic job those supporters did of showing the TV audience what it's like to sing and shout non stop for 90 minutes. Well done lads.


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Comments

Posted by John Toher on 11/23/2011

Yes a great Liverpool win, but slightly repetative article, not to worry though, you are a Liverpool fan so go for it mate.

Posted by WainuiRed on 11/23/2011

Nice post Kevin. Like you there were whoops of joy at my place when Johnson stroked home the winner.

Charlie Adam is turning into a bit of an enigma. His set piece delivery against Chelski was dreadful.

It frustrates me hugely when Centre backs come up from the back for a set piece and the ball doesn't clear the front defender. its always a risk of being caught on a break away from a set piece and the ball needs to be played where our big men can get challenge for the ball and create problems for the opposition keeper and defenders.

Still 2-1 at the bridge, 3 wins in the league over Chelski on the bounce - i'll take that any day of the week.

Keep up the good work with the blog

YNWA from New Zealand

Posted by Dunstain Mwaungulu on 11/23/2011

I for one think that the game changed not specifically because of the two but for the two. In all previous games, Liverpool has had a slow midfield and upfront, more especially if the strike force is Luis and either Kuyt or Caroll. Caroll is very slow in controlling and passding the ball. So he temnds to slow the game, and that becomes more apparent when we are playing teams with younger and faster players. The physio should work on exercises that improve his speed and dexterity. Adding pace to his height may change hsi professional career. Kuyt is getting slower and plays his balls more often in one direction, backwards and passes immediately less often.

Now Bellamy and Rodrigues just added pace to our game and Kelly should have noted this long ago!

Posted by Collins on 11/23/2011

All hail the REDS!!!!!

Posted by DJ on 11/23/2011

It was Monday morning in NZ when we were watching the game and when Glen Johnston scored I did actually spilled my breakfast! Great job boys keep up the continued improvement and remember to fight to the end. It is not over until the fat lady is singing in the showers after stoppage time. Regards life long LFC fan from NZ.

Posted by Nabeel on 11/23/2011

AVB intelligently played the physiological card by introducing two dangerous ex-Liverpool players into the game at 1-1 and I felt the tension on my couch in Australia at 3am. Seeing our ex-Chelsea player make Ashley Cole, Malouda and Terry look like an hockey team defending without their sticks was fantastic. And when the commentator said “the only highlights Fernando Torres has are in his hair” I almost fell off the couch laughing.

Posted by Mike on 11/23/2011

I agree with your analysis 100%. I was happy to see Maxi and Bellamy in, I really like Maxi and think he should start the next game too, at least to put some heat on Downing. Suarez was having a stinker but is hard to take off, like Torres, because he can randomly score a game winner at any time even though they're having a terrible game (think Torres vs Villa late game winner). Adam was 100% at fault for the goal, he didn't even challenge Malouda, that needs to be fixed, but he was solid overall. I'm not really into them using him in the Pirlo role though, I'd like to see him in a safer spot since he's a liability on defense. I also feel Kuyt has been poor this season too, which surprises me, because at the end of last season I was begging for Suarez/Kuyt/Maxi because of their interchanging play. I've been waiting a year and a half for Glen Johnson to do that, that is why he was bought, obviously not for his defense...

Posted by godwin elunwa on 11/24/2011

that was nice for my club liverpool
am a liverpool die fans for nigeria

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About
Kevin Brodie Kevin Brodie has been fortunate enough to see some of Liverpool’s greatest teams and players in action over the last 35 years. Reds fans are spoiled for choice in trying to pick their favourite memory. The best early memory I have of watching Liverpool in person was our 7-0 thrashing of Spurs, with the 7th goal being a thing of beauty. Watching us in 89 lift the FA Cup after the terrible disaster at Hillsborough was also very special. My favourite Liverpool moment on the TV has to be the Champions League final in 2005. It was a day I will never forget.

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