Sunday, March 9, 2008

MiM 5: Liverpool vs Newcastle United






Match in Mind 5, by Shadiq A-H. Free of Charge.
Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United
English Premier League
8/3/08
3.00pm
Anfield, Liverpool

Intro: I wanted to watch this match to see 2 former Liverpool favourites returning to Anfield. Those 2 are of course, Michael Owen as N'castle's captain and Kevin Keegan as N'castle's manager. Both of them, during their time at Liverpool, looked like they could beat anyone in England, could become the best player of their age, could make the heart of every Liverpool fan race. Both put their names onto the list of England’s best players when they were at Liverpool. So, watching them return to the club that made them what they are was something that I wanted.
Tactics: Both teams started with their usual 4-4-2. Liverpool used Gerrard as a striker who stayed just behind Torres to support him in attack. N’castle’s 4-4-2 was also a modified one, as they tried, as usual, to use Charles N’Zogbia as a left winger at times. For Liverpool, Alvaro Arbeloa, recovered from injury, played at RB.
My Man of the Match: Fernando Torres (Liverpool). I know, with e extraordinary form this guy is in, u might even ask “But he didn’t score 3 goals, what?” But he had yet another good match. He actually did score 1 and set up 2 goals. Every time he picked up e ball, Liverpool expected something to happen. e way he held up e ball before giving it to Jermaine Pennant with a through ball during the 1st goal was as though there was no defender pressuring him. e way he dummied N’castle’s Steve Harper during e 2nd goal was poetic. e way he refused to pass to Steven Gerrard until e perfect moment during e 3rd goal was clever. Torres was subbed out later, meaning he will surely start against Inter Milan on Wednesday.. cant wait.
“What the..?”: Only one “what the..?” moment in this match haha.. e 1st goal! José Enrique tried to clear e ball (through Pennant.. huh?) but ended up passing it straight to Pennant’s foot, which involuntarily deflected e ball into e goal. e way Enrique looked after e goal just showed his embarrassment, but though it was a shocking goal, I don’t think it was such a biiiiiiig blooper la.
Commentator’s memorable quotes: Rob Hawthorne was commentating. Not only caught e commentator’s name, but I also caught a few quotes. He didn’t make that many ‘funny’ comments, most were factual but I enjoyed e commentary, which was probly better than e commentary in e parade in sch on 1/3/08.. haha. “Keegan was e manager who gave Gerrard his England debut, but Gerrard inflicts more and more pain on Keegan today”, “Torres just can’t stop scoring at Anfield now and he leaves with a standing ovation”, “Owen, on his Anfield return, has not really showed up.. he’s been what u can call a lost figure” - Hawthorne.
Implications/Expectations: The two former Liverpool stars, Owen and Keegan, surely have more pressure on them now. Relegation jus won’t do for N’castle, a club that is so proud of its history. Torres continued his extraordinary form and should be expected to have a certain place in Spain’s starting 11 in e coming Euro 2008. Owen, however, will have to, like he did in e match jus now, watch Torres.
Enjoy ur March hols, classmates. Please get some rest, maybe forget studying for a few days.. it’ll be good for u. Enjoy ur hols!

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