Will & Kate

“THE last time Steven Gerrard played for Liverpool, Kate Middleton was yet to become a princess.”

Bill Leslie is one of the better commentators on Sky, but his choice of words when announcing the return to action of our captain on Wednesday night was strange to say the least.

There is no doubt Gerrard’s first appearance since the 3-1 demolition of Manchester United back in May was a sight for sore eyes – we have certainly missed him, as any team would miss a player of his ability and stature.

But was it a historic moment on a par with the Royal Wedding? It was a fourth round League Cup tie away at Championship Brighton, not a European Cup final. And did it need to be placed in context with one of the major news events of the year?

If so, personally I’d have preferred “the last time Steven Gerrard played for Liverpool, Osama bin Laden was still the world’s reigning Hide and Seek Champion.” Or maybe “the last time Steven Gerrard played for Liverpool, the best toilet paper on a Sunday was the News of the World.”

Nevertheless, the man they call Captain Marvel has returned, and after a 4-0 away drubbing at Tottenham, with both the derby at Goodison and the visit of Manchester United to Anfield on the horizon, it was a welcome boost.

More welcome was the victory, and the manner in which it was achieved. In the first half Liverpool were excellent, and but for wasteful finishing and the woodwork we could have gone in at half time at least four goals to the good.

It was great to see the free-flowing, attacking football we witnessed last year again under Kenny, with the key protagonists, Suarez, Maxi and Kuyt, reunited alongside Craig Bellamy, who was outstanding. Linking with Suarez he showed great movement for his goal, and a tidy finish. And of course, the last time he scored for Liverpool, Michael Jackson was still on good terms with Doctor Conrad Murray...

Highlights of the first half included a delicious through ball from Dirk to Suarez. Sadly our number seven was once again not wearing his shooting boots, having missed a golden chance against Bolton two week’s previously. Other than that however Luis was excellent, and it is surely a matter of time before he finds the net. Such are the standards he has set, three games without a goal seems like a crisis!

A stunning 35-yard free kick by Bellamy that crashed against the crossbar followed, along with a drive from Jay Spearing that clipped the post. But occasionally our recent defensive frailty was apparent, with Steven Gerrard’s favourite Scouse roofer, Craig Noone, denied by Reina and Martin Kelly making an important clearance.
 

In the second half Brighton upped their game, and Sebastián Coates, who was good overall considering he was making his first start, gifted them a chance with a slack pass. Fortunately, after a sustained spell of pressure, the arrival of Gerrard sparked Liverpool into life once more, and his movement and intelligence played its part in our second goal, Maxi playing in Dirk whose drilled shot bounced in off the inside of the post. Dirk gave the travelling Kop the expected baby-rocking celebration following the birth of his latest son, and the win looked to be secure.

Sadly that was not to be, as a poor error from Spearing, who appeared to try to keep the ball in play and slipped when he should have let it go out, again gifted Brighton a great scoring opportunity. Carragher, who was excellent until that point (having made a series of crucial blocks and interceptions) dived in to try and make amends, and conceded the penalty. He has come under some harsh and some justified criticism these past few weeks, but for me, this was one penalty that was not his fault.

While it was frustrating to see us concede late on, Brighton’s late goal did not take the shine off an impressive Liverpool performance. It was also a showing that threw up yet more questions ahead of today’s game at home against Wolves. Should Bellamy, Kuyt and Maxi retain their place in attack, and should Coates be selected again alongside Carragher despite Skrtel being back from suspension?

Personally I think Downing has been playing well, and should line up on the left ahead of Maxi. But if the squad operates along the lines of a meritocracy, Andy Carroll should really make way for Bellamy. It is a tough call, and I would be inclined as stated previously to play Andy into form and give Craig half an hour off the bench. On the right I think Kuyt should come in for Henderson, giving him another match before a crucial fortnight. As far as I am concerned Dirk with his mix of attributes, experience and ‘big game’ reliability should always be involved when we clash with Everton and United.

I’d like to see Coates given time to form a partnership with Carra, and with Kelly at right back and Enrique on the left, we really should keep a clean sheet today. Wolves are a decent, well-organised side, who started the season well, but successive, emphatic home defeats may have dented their confidence, and three points today is a must. Especially given their win here last year.

As for our captain, he may well have to settle for a place on the bench, and will hopefully take part in the second half with another cameo appearance. The last thing we want to do is rush him back and risk injury, as we cannot afford to have him endure another lengthy spell on the sidelines. 

After all, we’ve seen what happens when Gerrard gets injured. Celebrities marry, dictators fall, economies crash, and Currys and Dixons get ransacked. Who knows what political and cultural events could transpire during his next absence?