Liverpool Vs Arsneal

Rafa Benitez predicted that Liverpools season would begin with this game and the forecast for the season;

A slog.

But then we've know that since August when the season actually started. The Liverpool managers prediction was a consequence to their elimination from the Champions League and a statement of concentration towards securing their place in the top four at the end of the season.

On the basis of the first half there were signs of encouragement for the Anfield faithful as they looked to take advantage of an Arsenal side implementing a suicidally high back line. With the full backs pushing up to support a stuttering attack, they left plenty of space for Steven Gerrad and Fernando Torres to prize open the Arsenal defense. Their ability to link up together was striking to watch particularly as injury has separated them over the last 18 months, undermining any hopes of them winning the league last season. Unfortunately it wasn't this telepathic understanding that gave them the lead instead it came from a goalkeeping error towards the end of the first half. Manuel Almunia was easily distracted as a cross came into the box, losing the ball in the air and slapping it rather pathetically towards Dirk Kuyt who stabbed the ball between the defense to open the scoring. Arsene Wenger would have been relatively pleased to get his team into the dressing room only a goal down and it could have been worse had the referee awarded a penalty against William Gallas. Instead he he came to the conclusion that Gerrad was not going to get to the ball and PERHAPS he played for it;

Rather predictably Arsenal started the second half quicker but they were also given the chance to be more productive, pushing Nasri and Walcott further forward to support an isolated Andrei Arshavin. In midfield Denilson and Fabregas took control of the midfield without much resistance as the ball began to stick further into Liverpools half. The manner of their equalizer was very fortuitous but the build up was good enough to find space in the Liverpool defense. Samir Nasri moved to the right hand side and where he was released and put the ball in between the goalkeeper and defender, the latter controlling the ball past a stranded Pepe Reina and the game was level.

Less than ten minutes later and Arsenal were in front in the most emphatic fashion. Andrei Arshavin collected a pass on the outside of the defender but turns inside with one touch and smashes the ball into the near corner courtesy of the post. For the second time the goal keeper was left a spectator as he could only watch the ball bounce into the net.

After a positive opening period Liverpool were unable to mount a serious threat and Arsenal coasted to the three points. Even when Alberto Aquilani was introduced, if only to get the crowd going he was only able to show brief touches of quality. Certainly not an indication that he will conduct the rhythm and pace of the midfield in a similar fashion to Alonso. They are obviously different players and this disruption to last years system appears one of the reasons why Liverpool have not found consistency this year. It would appear best to play him next to a receded Steven Gerrad playing in front of the holding midfielder.

Another important point to this ongoing debate is the impact Alonso had over a five year period because while he consistently showed amazingly accurate passing he was to often on the periphery of games. It wasn't until last season where he was able to play alongside Javier Mascherano consistently that he had his most productive season and was sold at the three times the amount he was bought for in 2004. Impressively last seasons form came after being courted by Juventus for what seemed months as they stalled on a price tag of 18 million Pounds, practically a bargain to the amount paid by Real Madrid.

Final Score - Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal