After David N’Gog’s winning goal versus Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni on Thursday evening, the French striker was absent from the squad and his place upfront was taken by Dirk Kuyt. Ryan Babel and Maxi Rodriguez took up their positions on the wings on the left and right wings.
You might think that the 0-0 score line suggests that the game was boring and without many scoring opportunities. And you would be right. The only real scoring opportunities of the first half fell to Steven Gerrard who took an ambitious shot from outside the box on his left foot, the result of which whilst not being too far away, was never going to challenge Manchester City Goalkeeper Shay Given. The other chance falling to Slovakian Martin Skrtel from a well delivered corner from Steven Gerrard. Martin Skrtel’s who’s only ever Liverpool goal came against Manchester City, may have expected to take his season goal tally to two. On another day he might have done just that.
In the second half, things picked up a little. Liverpool were guilty of some very lackadaisical passing in defence, especially coming from Dane Daniel Agger. Agger definitely experienced one of his worst performances in a Liverpool shirt. The best chance of the second half definitely fell to Manchester Cities Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor who produced the shot which forced the only real save out of Pepe Reina all game. A half volley into the left corner, a great shot and save to with it.
Liverpool will perhaps feel aggrieved that a late penalty decision did not go their way, with Yossi Benayoun taking a stumble after being clipped by a Manchester City defender in the box. Benayoun showing much sportsmanship didn’t go down, even though to do so would likely have earned a penalty.
Of course however this was not Liverpool’s only grievance with referee Peter Walton whom dished out seven yellow cards over the course of the match, six of which were to Liverpool players. The players seem to be frustrated with the team’s lack of form and success this season, Liverpool by no means will be winning any fair-play awards this season having been on the receiving end of five red cards and forty-three yellow cards.
Indeed, the only upside to a very disappointing match for Liverpool were the substitute appearances of Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, both of which have been absent with injuries since the FA Cup defeat to Reading over a month ago.
In a game void of any real excitement at all, Liverpool took a point away from Eastlands, which comes as another mini-blow to the clubs Top Four aspirations.
