6th place Liverpool FC versus top of the table Manchester United, at home. Two days after King Kenny’s birthday and 8 league matches into his second reign at Anfield, this match would prove to be the best measure of Dalglish’s faculties as Liverpool manager. Full squad, sell-out crowd, no excuses.
From kick-off, Liverpool looked the livelier team. With the meagre midfield duo of the dreary Michael Carrick and the aged Paul Scholes to compete with, Liverpool’s partnership of Steven Gerrard and Lucas proved too much for United to wrestle with in the midfield, affording Liverpool ample possession and space going forward. Though I take no greater pleasure in haranguing this player every time I write about Liverpool; astonishingly, much accreditation goes to Lucas. Throughout the full 90 minutes, Lucas was poised and composed, taking command of all goings on in the middle of the park. His growing tendency to play smart, simple football seems to mesh well with Dalglish’s new brand of passing football, while the previously injured Gerrard looked fitter than he did at West Ham and proved effective in his new holding midfield role, allowing Raul Miereles to make runs forward.
It was not long after a handful of decent chances and possession in United’s final third where Liverpool broke the deadlock. Coming from a deceitful bit of dribbling by Liverpool’s gifted Uruguayan, Suarez split Rafael and Chris Smalling with a cunning turn on the ball, effortlessly dummied the wretched Carrick and then again on a sluggish Wes Brown before sliding the ball through the legs of Van der sar, across the face of goal to give Dirk Kuyt the easy tap in.
For the entire match, United did not have an answer for Suarez. The forward, in just his second start in the Premier League, looked a league veteran as he continually caused problems for United’s back four, much weakened without the presence of Vidic and Ferdinand. Furthermore, the lively Miereles added another thorn in United’s side. Liverpool's Portuguese all-purpose midfielder repeatedly made intelligent runs forward to find himself in space, a role he is settling into studiously. Though Miereles’ crossing and shooting ability may be slightly inferior (but not by much) to that of Steven Gerrard, his clever runs forward into space add another dimension to Liverpool’s attacking force.
The second goal of the match came from one such run, but this time from (you guessed it) Suarez. Deviously alluding United’s back four, Suarez took possession on the bottom right corner of the box after chasing down a deflected ball from Maxi. Suarez crossed the ball into the box in the direction of Miereles. Tracking back diligently on defence. United’s Nani won the header, but dubiously sent it backward in the direction of the United goal where the hungry Kuyt gobbled up his chance, heading it passed the outstretched Van der sar into the ol’ onion bag.
A late Carragher challenge on Rafael, a late Rafael challenge on Lucas, four yellow cards and some pushing and shoving brought an end to the first half. Liverpool 2-0 Man United. Kuyt was the goal scorer of the afternoon with the easiest double one would ever see.
The second half brought more Liverpool control and domination. The performances that underscored Liverpool’s two goal lead (on both sides) were duplicated in the second half. Liverpool possessed, United looked like Wigan reserves. There was no change in methodology or workrate from United in the second half. No fire, no gusto. In my mind, they did not look like a team that should be sitting in 1st place. United were dangerously close to becoming outclassed.
Liverpool’s third goal came, once again, at the feet of Kuyt, and, once again, was an easy tap in and, once again, spawned from the quality play of Suarez. Taking a free kick five yards outside the United box, Suarez blasted the ball through the wall, aimed insistently on the bottom right hand corner. Van der sar dove to his bottom left, made the save, but only to see the ball squirm away from him out in front of goal, where the ever prowling Dutchman swiftly smashed it home, thus completing the most simple hat-trick the game of football will ever know.
Since his singing five years ago, Kuyt has become a mainstay in the Liverpool lineup since his purchase in 2006, and his treble against United caps his first ever for the club and a much cherished sight by Liverpool supporters. Capable of playing as a forward or as a winger, Kuyt has become known at Anfield for his incredible work rate and effort, rather than world class skill and finesse, but (as demonstrated against United) is always willing to chase after balls and run to get himself in the right place. For this, Kuyt has started most games that he has been fit to play and has even captained the club a couple times. It seems oddly symbolic that on this match against Man-U Kuyt was gifted with a hat-trick, for this match may well have signalled the end of the Dutchman’s seemingly permanent place in Liverpool’s first XI.
With Liverpool’s £22.8 million signing Suarez putting on an elite display of class, and with Liverpool’s £35 million signing Andy Carroll making his Liverpool debut as a substitute, it looks certain that the club has its mind made up on its top choice strike partnership. And more, with the NESV’s spending tendencies; it would be likely to see a big-money move this summer for a winger (Ashley Young, Juan Mata among the names linked). Kuyt’s scrappy, hardworking way of play looks likely to be surplus requirements for Liverpool in the near future. Perhaps Kuyt’s hat-trick was a going away present before he is rendered an antiquated fixture at Liverpool.
As chants of “Happy Birthday” were heard throughout the stadium by the King, beaming on the sidelines like a 5 year-old, Liverpool’s victory was locked up, despite a 92nd minute consolatory goal by Javier Hernandez. Liverpool were magnanimous and thoroughly outclassed the league leaders.
As Manchester United currently sit top and take steps toward a record 19th Premier League title, much fuss is made over the potential slip from the top that Liverpool may take, becoming, (for the first time in decades) the second most successful club in England. As I am accustomed to doing so when I write about football on this blog, here is, yet again, another boisterous, outlandish, yet discerning prediction: this season, Manchester United will not win the Premier League and will not being taking they’re Premier League title count to 19. And furthermore, I am backing Liverpool FC to win a 19th title before Manchester United. Whether that means a title next season or not is up for interpretation, but I’m sticking with it. As always, you heard it here first ... LW
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