Race for Fourth Heats Up

The race for that all important fourth Champions League position intensified this weekend as all 3 teams in League action gained vital victories in tricky encounters. Manchester City claimed an historic 4-2 victory over Chelsea in the "Battle of the Bridge", becoming the first team to defeat Chelsea at their Stamford Bridge home this season. Meanwhile, Tottenham won 2-1 at home to the resurgent Evertonians to take all 3 points out of a difficult game.

Liverpool were at home to Blackburn Rovers as Aston Villa contestsed the Carling Cup Final. It was a difficult match for the Reds as Sam Alladyce's over physical side definitely let the home side knew that they were in for a fight. Also, the Reds had added pressure on them as both City and Tottenham had both taken maximum points out of their earlier weekend clashes. It was crucial that Liverpool did the same in order to keep up with their opponents in the race for fourth spot.

There was no urgency in Liverpool's early play as the visitors took the early intiative during the first 20 minutes, peppering Pepe Reina's goal with shots. After only 1 minute the Blackburn captain Christopher Samba tested Reina with a header from Diouf's corner, before a wicked shot from distance flew just over the top left hand corner of Reina's goal.

Blackburn definitely started the better, however Reina was more than a match for many of their efforts. He saved Pedersen's shot from 18 yards out with ease as it went straight at him. After only 15 minutes Croatian striker Kalinic had a great chance to give Rovers a fully deserved 1-0 lead, as Lucas was caught in possession in his own half. Liverpool now found themselves in a 2 against 2 position, and Kalinic had the ball. Fortunately for the Redmen his effort went just wide of the post without worrying the Reds keeper.

Blackburn's early dominance seemed to spark Liverpool into life as they responded to the visitor's attacking football. They responded in the best possible way on 19 minutes as they took the lead, following a wonderful move.

Lucas fed the ball to Gerrard, who then played a brilliant 1-2 with Dutch winger Dirk Kuyt. Gerrard then sprayed the ball out to Yossi Benayoun on the left, who cut into the box with a neat run. The Israeli playmaker returned the ball to Gerrard who moved into space before powering the ball past Robinson with his left foot. It was an excellent movement from the Reds, which gave them a critical one goal advantage, despite of the fact that they had started disappointingly.

Soon after, Pedersen forced Reina into a terrific double save, as his first effort was rebounded back out to him. He received a brilliant long pass from Samba, then fired in a fiery strike which Reina was equal to. The ball fell back to the feet of the Norwegian who shot at goal again, only to be denied by our dynamic Spanish keeper.

Kuyt had a gilt edged opportunity to double the Reds lead on the half hour, as he headed wide from 6 yards out after Gerrard's corner had searched him out. It was an excellent opportunity and one which Kuyt should have took full advantage of.

Blackburn found a way back into the game on 38 minutes as they were rightly awarded a penalty following a handball by Jamie Carragher. Kalinic tried to turn in the box, after he had received a pass, however he was crowded out by Liverpool players. Carragher had slid in and
he sneakily handled the ball in order to move it away from the feet of Kalinic and Alan Wiley, spotting the offence, rightly awarded the away side a penalty. It was one of few correct decisions from the ageing referre.

Andrews stepped up to take the spot kick, and slotted the ball underneath Reina's body and into the net. It was a poor penalty and one that Reina, especially considering the good form he displayed in the rest of the game, could have stopped.

Parity was restored, however it was shortlived as Fernando Torres returned to goalscoring form. Once again, some expert build up play from the Reds led to an opening which they took full advantage of. Lucas played a fantastic through ball to Torres, which reminded me of Xabi Alonso, but the Spanish superstar was halted by a superb sliding tackle from Samba. The ball fell to Maxi Rodriguez, who reacted swiftly and played a square pass to Torres, who tapped home from 3 yards out to earn the Reds a crucial lead going into the half time break.

Sam Alladyce always sets his sides out to be physical and challenge in the tackle, however some of his players crossed the line yesterday. 5 minutes into the second half N'zonzi was given a yellow card for grabbing Lucas round the neck while competiting for an aerial ball. In frustration at receiving a booking N'zonzi shoved Lucas away, pushing him in the face. It was the most blatant red card there has ever been, as the offence was commited right in front of him, yet, somehow, Wiley managed to miss the vile behaviour displayed by N'zonzi and failed to show him a second yellow.

Liverpool ignored the away side's antics and continued to display some wonderful attacking football. On 54 minutes Benayoun made a tricky run into the centre of the pitch, after receving the ball on the left wing. He then played a pass into Kuyt, but he stepped over the ball and allowed it to run into the path of Steven Gerrard. At high speed Gerrard nudged the ball back to Kuyt, before the Dutchman spread a pass out to Maxi on the right. The free signing, who performed well showing signs of his potential throughout, shot inches wide of the post as the Reds performed some sizzling attacking football.

After this, Mascherano, who started at right back due to Liverpool's injuries in defence, put a cross into the box. Kuyt controlled the ball using his knee before attempting an audacious overhead kick. It was an inventive effort which only just missed the target.

Another example of Blackburn's overly aggresive play came on 80 minutes when Pascal Chimbonda kicked Maxi in the chest following a foul challenge by the Spanish attacker. It was another red card offence that went ignored by the under performing Wiley.

Reina made an expert stop in the last few minutes of injury time as Blackburn threw men forward in an effort to score the equaliser and earn what would have been a tremendous point for the Rovers. A ball was pumped into the box from a free kick and Christopher Samba met it with his head, forcing Reina into a full stretch save to stop the ball sneaking into the bottom corner.

After a frustratingly slow start it was a good performance from the Reds, especially in attack, as the return of Benayoun and Torres added extra impetus and cutting edge. Also, Gerrard was moved into a deeper position alongside Lucas in midfield, which allowed him to pull the strings in the middle of the park. Furthermore, it ensured that he wasn't man marked by a holding midfielder. It's a tactic that Rafa should seriously consider using in future games as it brings the best out of the skipper.

A 2-1 victory keeps Liverpool in the race for 4th spot, and ensures that the battle for Champions League football will go all the way down to the wire. Liverpool must continue this attacking brand of football if they are to earn the right to dine at Europe's top table next season.

YNWA