Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth

Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Mascherano
Maxi Aquilani Gerrard Babel
Torres

Goals:
Torres 26’ 77’
Babel 28’
Aquilani 32’
Belhadj 88’

Catharsis. Sweet, sweet relief. Someone was due a hammering; obviously, we just wish it came sooner.

Just as you can’t overreact after an out-of-character abysmal spell (even if it’s lasted for months), you can’t get carried away after hammering a relegation-bound team in administration. Pompey’s late consolation, with Liverpool basically at walking speed, certainly annoys, but it’s a slight, and pretty much the only, complaint. For once.

Despite what looked to be a clear penalty when Rocha handled in the 4th minute, Pompey defended well early on and posed half a threat when Piquionne or Dindane countered with Liverpool sending as many forward as possible. But a fortunate goal, brought about by hard work and a team effort, broke down the brick wall with a sledgehammer. Liverpool had two on the board two minutes later and three within six.

Finally full of confidence running rampant against a clearly disheartened side, they should have had a fourth by the 35th with the game already out of sight. It took more than 40 minutes to get that fourth, unsurprisingly through Torres with the foot long taken off the gas. Sadly, the consolation was also unsurprising with Liverpool clearly ready to go home after scoring the fourth. I am surprised it wasn’t more than 4-1, but you can’t be greedy. We only have to look back to the run of form after beating Hull 6-1 for evidence of that.

It was an attacking line-up, exactly as hoped. I’ve drawn it up as 4-1-4-1, but it was just as often 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1. What mattered was Liverpool almost always had seven men in the final third: the front five and the fullbacks. Both Aquilani and Babel started and both Aquilani and Babel scored. The signs were there from the start with that penalty shout and some really nice interplay between Rodriguez, Gerrard, Aquilani, and Torres.

And it was Liverpool determination, with three of the four aforementioned players involved, which opened the scoring. Gerrard closed down Ashdown after a soft back pass, blocking the clearance. Maxi picked up the loose ball and looked up, finding Torres on the spot for a tap in.

It was the epitome of opening the floodgates. Liverpool kept pouring forward, and Johnson – a constant threat down the right in a game tailor-made for him (not only was the opposition pegged back from the start, it was his former club) – sent in a cross that was flicked on to Torres. Dancing in the box looking for an opening, the striker eventually cut back for Babel, shifting onto his right and slotting past Ashdown. Four minutes later, Liverpool scored the pick of the three, and not only because it was Aquilani’s first for the club. Gerrard to Torres, who back-heeled towards the spot, dummied by the captain and finished by Aqua. Six crazy minutes, indeed.

Torres cutting into the box and pinging a wonderful curler off the inside of the far post, followed by Johnson reclaiming and finding Maxi, who cutback for Gerrard from the byline only to see the captain shoot wide, should have brought the fourth, but by that point it was moot. And despite nearly constant Liverpool possession in Pompey’s half, the team mostly attacked like it was moot.

A stretch five minutes after the restart nearly saw another goal, with Gerrard’s narrow shot blocked by Ashdown, Babel’s stinging drive tipped onto the crossbar, and Gerrard's curler high and wide. But right after that spell, Pompey could have scored their consolation half an hour earlier if not for Reina, shooting up a strong right hand to keep out Michael Brown’s close-range effort, again on the counter.

Had Gerrard displayed his customary finishing touch, he could have bagged three or four and we’d really be talking about a rout, but again, can’t complain. What you can complain about is Gerrard’s petulant forearm on Brown in the 72nd (to be fair, everyone wants to elbow Michael Brown, who went unpunished for smashing Alonso’s face in a couple of seasons back), which luckily only led to a free kick, followed by Gerrard soon substituted for Benayoun (he probably would have gone off anyway with the game secure and three matches in six days). Soon after came Liverpool’s fourth, Torres’ second (and his fifth in five games against Pompey), when Aquilani’s wonderful throughball after a quick free kick put the striker one-on-one with the unfortunate Rocha.

Ngog soon replaced the star striker, with Kelly having earlier come on for Johnson, both substitutions also with an eye on Lille and United, as Liverpool coasted to the win. The cost of coasting was losing what would have been Reina’s joint-league-leading 13th clean sheet, a record kept despite Liverpool’s form. Pepe deserves better, but again, small peanuts in a 4-1 win.

Maybe it’s my inherent pessimism, but I still expect criticism after this victory. And it’ll probably center on scapegoating Kuyt and Lucas when rightfully praising Aquilani, Maxi, and Babel. Those three were the key players along with Torres, the four attackers with the most to prove. But Liverpool won’t be able to attack with such impunity against most opponents, even if Benitez does need to loosen the shackles during the run-in. However, Aquilani definitely stood out – man of the match just over Torres and Maxi – and I’d be surprised if he was left out on Thursday. But it’s almost certainly Lucas/Mascherano, as well as Kuyt, against the Mancs.

Just as Liverpool’s struggles have been a perfect storm of woes, today was an example of everything clicking and playing the “right” opposition. Portsmouth in the league isn’t Portsmouth in the FA Cup, where they’re rightfully backs-against-the-wall. And this isn’t a line-up or formation that’ll work against every club in the league. But it’s definitely nice that it worked today.

It’s still an uphill struggle for fourth, dependent upon winning every game possible and hoping others stutter. But it at least looks a bit brighter than it did last week.

Liverpool v Portsmouth 03.15.10

4pm, live in the US on espn2

Last 4 head-to-head:
0-2 Pompey (a) 12.19.09
3-2 Liverpool (a) 02.07.09
1-0 Liverpool (h) 10.29.08
4-1 Liverpool (h) 12.22.07

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Lille (a); 0-1 Wigan (a); 2-1 Blackburn (h)
Pompey: 1-2 Brum (h); 2-0 Brum (h); 2-1 Burnley (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 13; Kuyt 9; Gerrard 6; Benayoun 5; Ngog 4; Babel, Johnson 2; Kyrgiakos, Skrtel 1
Pompey: Dindane, Piquionne 5; Boateng 3; Belhadj, Yebda 2; Hreidarsson, Kanu, O’Hara, Webber 1

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Three months younger than I am and he’s never refereed a Liverpool match. However, he was the fourth official Sammy Lee screamed at in the first game of the season when Voronin didn’t get a penalty. This should be fun.

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Mascherano
Maxi Gerrard Aquilani Babel
Torres

This is the game where I’d like some changes rung, since it certainly wasn’t happening on Thursday.

I can’t see any other back four, the same as the one against Lille: Johnson’s back, Agger will be preferred to Kyrgiakos, and there’s no one to spell Insua. Torres, Gerrard, Reina, and Mascherano are the other nailed-on starters. Everything else is up in the air, and I’m hopeful that Benitez will spring a surprise or two.

Everyone knows my soft spot for Kuyt, but there’s no way he should keep his place on current form, even considering he’s one of Liverpool’s few target men and Benayoun’s probably out of this match due to injury. Babel linked up well with Torres on Thursday (at least a couple of times), while Maxi’s a different option, getting better with each game.

I’m much warier of suggesting a start for Aquilani knowing what a powder keg that is. Despite seven starts where we’ve seen little and few chances otherwise, many seemingly expect Alberto to be some sort of savior. Well, there’s a reason he hasn’t been playing, even if Benitez hasn’t clued us in on it (and it’s not that Lucas has naked pictures of the manager). But the team clearly needs some sort of change and Aquilani’s one of the few possibilities. That the match is at Anfield at least removes one of the excuses for Aqua not featuring.

Liverpool should certainly have motivation going into this match. Not only does the team dearly need a win, they’ve an abortion of a two-nil loss to avenge from December. That win was one of three Pompey home league wins, and it was the most recent. Yes, Liverpool was the last side Portsmouth beat at Fratton Park in the Prem and it happened almost three months ago.

Those last three months haven’t been kind to Pompey. Bottom of the table, multiple delinquent owners, forced player sales, and finally administration. And yet they’ve a better chance of winning a trophy than Liverpool. Piquionne, who scored in the last meeting, has been impressive of late, while Spurs loanee Jamie O’Hara will be the other main threat.

There are only nine games left in this awful campaign. Almost all hope’s been lost. Please, just give us a ray of optimism as we close out this catastrophe.

Liverpool 0-2 Portsmouth

Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Insua
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Dossena
Torres

Goals:
Belhadj 33’
Piquionne 82’

Merry Christmas.

Have I said that you can’t make this shit up recently? What a fucking nightmare.

A slick, frozen pitch paved the way for a disjointed game, hampering both teams at the start. Liverpool’s early ball retention was far better than Wednesday, let alone in recent losses, but opportunities on goal blossomed far too infrequently as passing broke down in the final third. Pompey grew into the game by the 25th minute, and it didn’t take long for the home side to make Liverpool pay. It rarely has this season. Being the “better team” counts for absolutely nothing without something to show for it.

The good opening spell – as is usually the case with Liverpool – only resulted in two half-chances: Kuyt unable to make close-range contact with Gerrard’s knockdown in the 16th and Torres’ curler inches over four minutes later. From there, Pompey found their way, with a smattering of dangerous free kicks from O’Hara and a break at speed which Agger did well to clear for a corner. But in the 33rd, Yebda beat Insua down the flank and Liverpool couldn’t clear his cross. Reina parried the resulting shot back in, but Johnson’s attempted clearance only found Belhadj at the near post. Lord knows how he smashed the impossibly-angled volley past Pepe.

The unsurprising subsequent confusion and frustration, in which Liverpool still nearly leveled against the run of play (only to see Agger spurn a free header from Gerrard’s free kick for the second-straight game), soon saw Mascherano sent off for a bad one-footed tackle on Ben-Haim. The straight leg challenge deserved a card, but it’s yellow much more often than red. Which is a three-match ban. And to compound matters, Masch looked like he’d injured the same knee he’s had problems with. It was like the Fulham loss all over again, and it’d get a lot more like that game. Andy Kaufman isn’t writing this season’s script; Satan is.

10-man Liverpool, lining up 4-4-1, had to be content with containing a home side growing in confidence while trying to counter. And the team’s bewilderment and obvious irritation boiled over in the second half – three players (Lucas, Torres, and Johnson) picked up dubious yellows in the first fifteen minutes, adequately illustrating the team’s composure.

This is the most faith I’ve ever lost in Benitez. Ever. Bad breaks and decisions are only so much of an excuse. Despite the setbacks, Liverpool had a chance to regroup at halftime and utterly failed. No real chance in tactics other Benayoun replacing Dossena in the 53rd (which didn’t make that much of a difference) and Gerrard dropping deeper, no siege mentality, and little fight-back. Just petulance giving way to weary acceptance after Liverpool couldn’t convert two excellent chances in the 67th and 68th.

First, Liverpool finally broke at pace thanks to Lucas’ tackle in the middle of the pitch. Gerrard found Kuyt on the right, and although his tame cross was cleared, the captain still had a shot in space outside the box. Two deflections looked to wrong-foot Begovic, but the keeper somehow got a hand on the ball despite sprawling in the opposite direction. And when Boateng’s clearance of the subsequent corner just eluded the near post, it regressed to Liverpool on the back foot, hoping the ball would somehow bounce their way.

Torres almost danced his way through the box in the 77th, but he was blocked off and Begovic beat Kuyt to the loose ball. Five minutes later, Pompey put what little hope there was to bed. Agger failed to keep Boateng from crossing, Piquionne’s touch bounced perfectly to turn Carragher, and the striker scored from an acute angle akin to the first goal. The two chances Pompey converted, both aided by the bounce of the ball, were harder than at least five of Liverpool’s. But they were on target. Gerrard’s attempt at a consolation after lovely control in the 89th, which bobbled just wide of the far post, sums up today’s accuracy.

There are only so many times one can write ‘what else can go wrong?’ Liverpool’s dropped points to lower-placed opposition after every single league win since the end of September (all four of them). Damn little’s gone Liverpool’s way, but they’ve done damn little to right the ship themselves.

For the second time this season, I’ll write that Benitez would probably be gone if the owners could afford to buy him out. Last time, I was vehemently opposed. This time, I can’t be anything but less so. I’m just baffled by this team and this season’s results. I want to believe in Benitez so much – you’ve all seen my praise and defense of the manager, and the squad’s improved in every season but this one – but the comparisons to the end of Houllier are unavoidable.

Something is rotten at the core of this club. The morale is so far gone it’s unfathomable. I’m far more inclined to lay it at the feet of the owners, and at the end of the day, they’ve the most to do with it by not allowing squad investment. But results are at the feet of the players and manager. They’re the ones devising the tactics and out on the pitch. And outside of two or three games, Liverpool has been utterly insipid on the pitch for three months now.

Burn it down and start all over.

Liverpool at Portsmouth 12.19.09

7:45am, live in the US on espn2

Last 4 head-to-head:
3-2 Liverpool (a) 02.07.09
1-0 Liverpool (h) 10.29.08
4-1 Liverpool (h) 12.22.07
0-0 (a) 09.15.07

Last three matches:
Liverpool: 2-1 Wigan (h); 1-2 Arsenal (h); 1-2 Fiorentina (h)
Pompey: 1-2 Chelsea (a); 1-1 Sunderland (a); 2-0 Burnley (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 11; Kuyt 5; Benayoun, Gerrard, Ngog 4; Babel, Johnson 2; Skrtel 1
Pompey: Dindane 4; Boateng, Kaboul 3; Piquionne 2; Hreidarsson, O’Hara, Yebda 1

Referee: Lee Mason

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Aurelio
Lucas Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres

It’s almost the same line-up I guessed last time out, except no Aquilani, which I’m sure will be well received.

I’m far less convinced of Aqua starting than I was on Wednesday. But it’s not because Benitez hates him. It’s not because he’s a flop and can’t/won’t adapt. We all want Alberto to jump in feet first and make a difference, but he was always going to need time to settle after being declared fit. He came off the bench in the last two league games (25min against Arse and 10 against Wigan), and that’ll probably be the case tomorrow. And the much-awaited first league start will probably happen at home against Wolves next Saturday, three days before a crucial trip to Villa.

The other questions are over Torres, Johnson, Mascherano, and Aurelio. Torres should start, on the bench against Wigan so he’d be fit to for this game (and he still scored the crucial goal). Both Johnson and Babel are back in the squad, and I expect Gleninho to go right back into the team. Mascherano picked up a knock on Wednesday, already questionable for that match, but I doubt it’ll preclude him from taking part tomorrow. He’s vital away from Anfield, no matter the opposition. And that Aurelio was taken off with more than 30 minutes left in Wednesday’s game makes me think Benitez will want to use him tomorrow, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Insua start again either.

All this suggests that Wednesday’s 4-4-2 was a one-time affair. I’m interested to see Torres and Ngog paired up top – or even Torres and Kuyt (I think last game, paired with another striker, was Kuyt’s best outing in the past few months) – but 4-2-3-1 is still preferred. Especially since this’ll be away from Anfield, where Benitez teams often look to retain possession. And don’t be misled by Portsmouth’s league place.

Pompey may be propping up the table, but this is a deceptively difficult fixture, especially since it’s an early kickoff on the south coast. We all know the form Liverpool’s in. And Pompey’s looked decent in their last two outings: making Chelsea work for a 2-1 win at the Bridge on Wednesday after a last-minute draw at Sunderland last Saturday. Avram Grant’s seemingly steadied the ship since appointing himself manager three weeks ago.

Keeper David James (another former Red) should return from illness, while Kaboul will be back in central defense after a one-game suspension. No one in the side’s scoring for fun, but both Piquionne and Dindane have looked useful at times. I’ve been most impressed with Spurs loanee Jamie O’Hara, a solid midfielder who can play centrally or on the left.

No more “must win game” noise. No planning for fourth. No looking past Pompey. Just keep winning, one game at a time.

Liverpool 3-2 Portsmouth

--------------Reina
----Skrtel Carragher Agger
Arbeloa------------------Dossena
----Mascherano---Aurelio
Benayoun---------------Babel
--------------Ngog

Goals:
Nugent 62’
Aurelio 69’
Hreiddarsson 78’
Kuyt 85’
Torres 90+1’

So are we going to let another late win – another late winner from that man Torres – gloss over the performance as a whole? Is Benitez still an idiot or a genius? The starting formation got nowhere, but the substitutions sure won the game.

We knew Gerrard and Lucas would be out, and that Torres, Alonso, and Kuyt were all fatigued. And we know the emphasis Benitez puts on fitness – and in my opinion, rightfully so. Despite what the pundits say, there’s a difference between being fit for the bench and being fit enough to start, and there are a lot of games left.

There isn’t much else the manager could do with the team selection with those five players out. The 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1, whatever you want to call it, was pretty much the only formation possible with that many midfielders and the star striker missing. And given that Liverpool hadn’t used this shape all season, I thought it worked reasonably well, even considering the two goals conceded.

For about 25 minutes, the team played well and had Pompey off balance. In the 8th, Benayoun slipped when in space on the right, shooting into the side netting, before Aurelio put a free kick off the outside of the post and later shot wide after one of Liverpool’s best passing moves. In the 26th, Mascherano forced a great save from James on a shot from distance, but that was pretty much the last sniff of the half as Pompey settled.

The fact that the game passed over the midfield, with Mascherano and Aurelio unable to establish the sort of possession Liverpool’s had in the past, didn’t help matters, but Ngog was often isolated as Benayoun and Babel dropped back more often. The backline of Skrtel, Carragher, and Agger held firm, limiting the home side to a couple of shots from distance, the best from Crouch in the 38th.

The possession and tempo was better in the second half, even as Liverpool still failed to find the final ball to unlock another stingy defense. Ngog didn’t have the best of games, but at 19 and often battling both Campbell and Distin, it was understandable. He showed a bit of potential in holding up play and trying to turn, but wasn’t making much headway, with Kuyt coming on the 56th. And the substitute almost provided the opener three minutes later, putting a perfect centered pass across the box for Babel after Benayoun beat two defenders, but somehow Babel couldn’t make contact, summing up his day. Today was a big opportunity for the Dutchman, and although I doubt it’ll be his last, he didn’t have a game to remember.

It didn’t take long for Liverpool to pay the price. Crouch put Nugent (who looked offside) through in the 62nd, and he was able to slide a left-footer past Reina. Five minutes later, Liverpool made another game-changing substitution (but to the commentators’ dismay, it wasn’t Torres) in Alonso, and two minutes after that it was level. It was partly thanks to Crouch, whose back pass (which Kuyt smartly read) led to James’ handling. Alonso laid the indirect free kick off for Aurelio, and his venomous shot from 12 yards beat Kranjcar at the near post.

The goal, along with the subs, brought Liverpool back into the game, and it looked as if Kuyt put them ahead in the 76th, only to be ruled offside. If Nugent was onside, so was Kuyt, and it seemed like the decision would haunt Liverpool as Pompey went back ahead. Johnson won a free kick on Liverpool’s left, Belhadj sent in a dangerous ball, and Hreidarsson somehow got a free header, which bounced awkwardly in front of Reina. Another set piece goal, after Liverpool had one pulled back, and I was ready to slit my wrists. Little did I know what was to come.

In the 85th minute, a mistake from Distin, similar to Ashley Cole’s last week, let Torres (who came on for Babel in the 76th) in. At a narrow angle, the Spaniard cut back for Kuyt, who took a touch and looked to have lost the chance before smashing a point-blank rocket past James at the near post.

At this point, it was starting to feel like the comebacks against Boro and City, and we weren’t disappointed. And it was that man again. In the first minute of added time, Mascherano charged forward and fed Benayoun, who crossed perfectly for Torres to smash and grab at the near post, just like the winner against Chelsea. 2-1 down, 3-2 up. Who cares if United has two games in hand? For now, Liverpool’s top of the table.

I wrote it for a reason at the top of this post – the win can’t completely gloss over a shaky performance, where Liverpool had to produce another brilliant comeback against a team that’s taken two points from the previous eight matches. But, given the starting line-up (which again, Benitez is responsible for, but was understandable with fitness issues, upcoming games, and suspensions), it’s a great result. Substitutions and fortitude won the game, two things you love to see.

And at the end of the day, all that matters is the three points. But the morale boost from a win like this can’t hurt.

Liverpool at Portsmouth 02.07.09

12:30pm, live in the US on FSC

Last 4 head-to-head:
1-0 Liverpool (h) 10.29.08
4-1 Liverpool (h) 12.22.07
0-0 (a) 09.15.07
1-2 Pompey (a) 04.28.07

Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 0-1 Everton aet (a); 2-0 Chelsea (h); 1-1 Wigan (a)
Pompey: 1-3 Fulham (a); 0-1 Villa (h); 0-2 Swansea (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard 9; Torres 7; Kuyt 5; Alonso 3; Babel, Benayoun, Riera 2; Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia 1
Pompey: Crouch 8; Belhadj, Johnson, Nugent 2; Davis, Kranjcar 1

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Guess at a squad:
with Torres
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio
Alonso Mascherano
Kuyt Benayoun Riera
Torres

without Torres
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio
Benayoun Alonso Mascherano Riera
Kuyt Babel

That I rarely guess two different squads should show you that I’ve got absolutely no clue whether or not Torres will start.

The arguments against:
1) He looked dead tired by extra time on Wednesday, and has started five in a row since returning from injury
2) He’s essential to the rest of Liverpool’s season

The arguments for:
1) It’s Torres
2) There’s a weeklong international break coming up
3) If Liverpool doesn’t win pretty much every league match, the rest of the season isn’t going to count for much
4) It’s Torres

That said, I’m still leaning towards guessing he won’t start. Benitez is playing coy about both Torres and Alonso, although I’d be surprised if the midfielder missed out because it didn’t look a serious knock that he took and he’s suspended for the next match. But Torres’ fitness is a completely different bag of apples.

Otherwise, it’ll fall to Kuyt and Babel (and Ngog) to pick up the slack up front. I’d hope that if Torres is out, Liverpool play two up top for added firepower; with the goal return of late, I don’t truly trust Kuyt, Babel, or Ngog on their own.

Benayoun will assuredly play some role, either on the right or as a second striker in the hole, as he did for half of Wednesday derby, and as he did partnering Crouch in the league draw at Arsenal last season.

And the key to stopping Portsmouth will be stopping Crouch. With Defoe sold to Spurs, the Gangly Handful is the only Pompey player with more than two goals. And I’ll admit that I’m worried we could see a reprise of Liverpool’s match against Southampton in 04-05, where the lanky striker surprisingly punished a sloppy opposition. I’d be stunned if Hyypia didn’t start to mark the giant beanpole (who has “good touch for a big man”!).

Also, Pennant, as it was a loan, is ineligible for this match.

Just because Pompey’s on a poor run doesn’t mean Liverpool can look past them. The team’s made plenty of other struggling sides look like defensive world-beaters in previous draws this season.

At this stage of the campaign, hands become tied due to fitness levels and injuries. But Liverpool can have no excuses. The team knows how to win, and knows what they have to do to beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park, even without Gerrard and possibly Torres.

Liverpool 1-0 Portsmouth

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio
Lucas Alonso
Pennant Gerrard Babel
Kuyt

Goals:
Gerrard 75’ (pen)

Surprise, surprise, Liverpool leave it until the last 15 minutes to score the winner. And they have Papa Bouba Diop’s moment of madness – an attempt at a punched clearance from a corner – to thank for it. James guessed correctly on the subsequent spot kick, to his right, but Gerrard had hit it too hard into the bottom corner.

To be fair, Liverpool had upped the pressure before the penalty, with best two chances of the half coming in the minutes right before the goal. Benayoun should have slotted in Gerrard’s delicious throughball, but lingered just long enough to allow Distin the block before Aurelio’s wicked shot after a Pompey mistake led to the corner that Bouba Diop handled.

The first half was better fare, and once again, a team came to Anfield and put everybody but Crouch behind the ball. It didn’t help that another former Liverpool keeper was having an excellent match. James palmed Kuyt’s blast onto the post, smothered Carra’s shot from distance, and pushed out Gerrard’s effort from the right edge of the box, while Lucas headed over from a corner and Kuyt shot into the side-netting.

But Pompey, despite not offering a lot offensively, could have scored in the 26th when Bouba Diop got between Carra and Hyypia, but could only head directly at Reina.

Liverpool was on top throughout the second half with Pompey defending even deeper. But, the home side couldn't find the finishing touch (with Gerrard playing a couple of gorgeous crosses that Kuyt couldn’t get onto), it looked like it could be one of those days. Once again, it’s better to be lucky than good, no matter how good this team’s looked at times.

After the goal, Liverpool almost seemed content with what they had as Pompey started to press, with Defoe finally coming off the bench. Utaka should have made contact six yards out in the 83rd minute, but Liverpool, with 11 men behind the ball by the end, held on for the three points.

And for vast stretches, there really was only one team that looked like winning. There was a fair bit of Arsenal-esque poking and prodding, while the team was often narrow (although Kuyt as a lone striker isn’t really the best option for crosses coming into the box). But Pompey, even with a worse goals-against average of late than in seasons past, was stingy and resolute in defense. I guess Tony Adams has stamped his likeness of the team quickly. In addition, I also thought Lassana Diarra played well in midfield.

The penalty helps, but Gerrard was probably man of the match regardless. I don’t think it’s coincidence that he’s had two good games in a row playing in a freer role further up the pitch, even if the 4-2-3-1 formation has been more malleable than in last season. Alonso also kept up his form, and I have to say, I think it’s the beard. Hope it continues. I also thought Arbeloa was good getting forward and in the tackle today.

With Kuyt plowing a lone furrow up top, Liverpool looked toothless at times, but Torres should be back soon, and that rest should do Keane’s groin good.

Benitez rotated players as expected, and yes, Liverpool were probably lucky to come away with all three points. But, and it’s become something of a cliché with this team, today’s was a game that would have finished all even in previous years. And with the team on a roll, any win’s a good result.

Tottenham, which scored in 89th minute and again in injury time to draw with Arsenal 4-4 today, on Saturday.

Liverpool v Portsmouth 10.29.08

4pm, live in the US on Setanta

Grad school and the time difference are going to make me miss proceedings tomorrow. If the game was at 3pm, I’d probably be okay. But since the match is on Setanta, chances are I’ll watch the full game archived on Broadband, but a review probably won’t be up until sometime Thursday.

Last 4 head-to-head:
4-1 Liverpool (h) 12.22.07
0-0 (a) 09.15.07
1-2 Pompey (a) 04.28.07
0-0 (h) 11.29.06

Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Chelsea (a); 1-1 Atletico (a); 3-2 Wigan (h)
Pompey: 1-1 Fulham (h); 0-3 Braga (a); 0-0 Villa (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 5; Kuyt 3; Alonso, Babel, Carragher, Gerrard, Riera 1
Pompey: Defoe 6; Crouch 3; Johnson 1

Referee: Steve Tanner

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Dossena
Benayoun Gerrard Lucas Riera
Kuyt Keane

With the games coming fast and think, Liverpool will make some changes, but who’s going to be rotated is the big question. I’ve guessed a fair few alterations, but I’m still hesitant do so because Liverpool needs to keep up the momentum they’ve built. However, if players aren’t rested, they’re more susceptible to injury, and it’s better that it's now instead of April. Even with changes, I still suspect Liverpool will play 4-4-2 at Anfield in the league.

Rafa says Torres will miss the match, but even if he were fit, I’d leave him out. To be honest, since he’s had hamstring problems in the past, I hope he stays out until Atletico next Tuesday at the earliest.

It’s hard to decide who to drop (sorry, sorry, “rest”) from the midfield, but something’s got to give. Alonso supposedly picked up a knock on Saturday, and rarely seems to play three matches in a row, while I don’t know if Mascherano’s defensive capabilities will be as needed at Anfield. Gerrard is an ever-present, while this seems like a game for Lucas. Both Alonso and Mascherano have been outstanding lately, but both could do with a break as well.

Benitez doesn’t like rotating defenders, but Agger hasn’t played a lot of games before the past few. Plus, Hyypia seemingly has to feature either tomorrow or Saturday since he’s not eligible for the Champions League. I worry about a striker like Defoe because of his pace with Agger out of the picture, but both Carra and Sami are outstanding defenders and Hyypia’s height will come in handy against Crouch.

Seeing as it’s Crouch’s first trip back to Anfield, I’m wary of the effect he can have. Both he and Defoe have been scoring of late, and they’ve gotten pretty much all of Pompey’s goals. But it'll be interesting to see how Crouchy responds to Redknapp's exit. He’s a big reason why the gangly handful went back to Portsmouth.

This will be Tony Adams’ first game on the sidelines, and there’s an excellent chance Pompey will look to shine for the new gaffer. Maybe they won’t have that boost because Redknapp leaving was a surprise, but I’m always suspicious of a team under a new boss.

After Liverpool’s big win against United, the team drew Stoke at Anfield. Anything less than three points tomorrow would render the Chelsea victory similarly meaningless.

Last time Liverpool were top of the table, for that brief period last September after beating Derby 6-0, this was the team that knocked them off after a 0-0 draw. But even with four changes, which is what I’m guessing, Liverpool should still have enough to see off Portsmouth.

Crouch to Portsmouth

It’s a shame that Peter Crouch’s departure seems imminent, but it’s not all that surprising. He hasn’t been happy on the bench, and that’s where he’s been relegated to since the arrival of Fernando Torres.

Admittedly, I was a bit surprised we didn’t get many chances to see a Crouch-Torres combination. The two started seven games together (5 wins, 2 losses) and weren’t a standard 4-4-2 pairing in two of those.

The duo was effective in wins over Bolton and Sunderland, but still had infuriating moments when they got in each other’s way even in the best of games, which wasn’t completely unexpected given both are used to playing in similar spaces despite having different styles.

Benitez seemed hesitant to pair the two from the beginning of the season, probably for the reason in the paragraph above, but Liverpool finding success with the 4-2-3-1 formation starting in February didn’t help either.

In the two games where Torres and Crouch played but weren’t a pairing up top, Liverpool lost to Reading 1-3 away and beat Arsenal 4-2 in the Champions League. The Reading match, where Crouch, Torres and Voronin were basically a three-man front line, was Liverpool’s first loss of the season and a deserved one, despite my belief that Torres should have earned two penalties.

I went more in-depth on Crouch and the 4-2-3-1 after the second leg of the CL quarters against Arsenal, so I’ll try not to repeat myself. In this match, Crouch started in Gerrard’s role with Stevie pushed out to the left. Even though Liverpool won, scoring four in the process, it wasn’t the most convincing of displays by the front four, and two of those goals – including the winner – came after Crouch was substituted for Babel.

The best thing about the 4-2-3-1 has been Gerrard and Torres’ partnership, and Crouch’s inclusion upset that balance. As I said in April, if it comes down to accommodating Gerrard, Torres or Crouch, I’m siding against Crouch.

If Benitez truly wants to stick with the 4-2-3-1, Crouch is always going to be Torres’ understudy if he stays at Liverpool. I think the Gangly Handful can be effective in this formation – his hat trick against Arsenal in March 2007 was proof of that – but he’s never going to get 33 goals in a season.

I wish this situation wasn’t the case, and that Crouch was willing to back Torres up, but he obviously isn’t happy in that role and wants to go elsewhere. I can’t begrudge him that.

Crouch has a year left on his contract, he hasn’t accepted the club’s offer of an extension, and he could leave for free in a year. The club certainly still remembers McManaman’s departure to Real Madrid in 1999. £11m, the rumored fee, is an excellent deal even if it’s £8m upfront and the rest in add-ons, especially when compared to £8m plus Nuñez for Michael Owen. And everyone knows Liverpool could use the money that would be generated by Crouch’s sale.

It goes without saying that Crouch will need to be replaced. I’m happy to see Liverpool announce Nikola Saric’s signing, as I’m always happy when Benitez is out buying “starlets,” but Saric’s not Crouch’s replacement.

I still don’t know if Nemeth’s ready for the step-up, or if Benitez is even ready to try him out. It seemed telling that Nemeth didn’t get any time with the first team this season when Plessis, Insua and El Zhar started games, and San Jose and Putterill at least made the bench. Obviously, after the season Nemeth had at reserve level, I think he has a future at Liverpool, but I don’t know how much experience he’ll get next season.

Which means that Torres, Kuyt, Voronin and possibly Babel are the only recognized first-team strikers. It was crucial that Torres stayed fit last season; if that's Liverpool’s strike-force in August, it’ll be even more so this time around.

Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Riise
Benayoun Gerrard Mascherano Kewell
Kuyt Torres

Goals:
Benayoun 13’
Distin (OG) 16’
Benjani 57’
Torres 67’ 85’

Just so we’re clear, and with all this talk of crisis, this is the 8th time in the 28 games this season (4th in the last 7) that Liverpool’s scored four goals or more.

To be honest, it was a professional performance, but one where the scoreline may flatter. It’s not as if Liverpool weren’t clearly the better side on the day, but, and surprisingly given Pompey’s form and league position, the team never truly hit top gear either.

A sustained bit of pressure saw Liverpool go two goals up in the first 16 minutes, albeit a little fortunately. While Glen Johnson, who had made some excellent tackles in the first 10 minutes, was receiving treatment, Kewell’s cross found Benayoun open at the top of the box, and Yossi smashed an excellent volley into the net. 3 minutes later, Campbell did well to close down Torres in the box, only to see his tackle ricochet off Distin’s shin and into the net.

Once 2-0 up, Liverpool were content playing keep-ball for the majority of the time, and I don’t think Pompey had a real sniff at goal throughout the entire first half, with Liverpool dominating tempo and possession. Kanu’s introduction for Utaka at half-time gave Portsmouth more attacking prowess, and his cross plus excellent footwork from Benjani gave Portsmouth an opening. Duly, the next five to ten minutes were a bit nervy, but when given an opening, Torres soon put the game beyond doubt.

In the 67th minute, Mascherano’s long pass allowed Babel to put James under pressure, and Torres made no mistake when the ball fell to him at the top of the box. With 5 minutes remaining in normal time, Carragher found Gerrard in the box, Gerrard’s header found Torres, and Torres made no mistake on the volley. It's getting tiresome saying that's what a world class striker can do for a team, but it bears repeating again.

While Torres yet again proved how much better he makes Liverpool with his second half brace (8 goals so far in the league), the man of the match has to be Mascherano. He was outstanding in both defense and attack, and was the reason why Pompey barely had a shot on target through the first half.

I also thought both Kewell and Benayoun had good games, although both faded in the second half. Yossi gives Liverpool more goals from the flanks than they’ve had in previous seasons, while Kewell showed more willingness to take on a defender, was involved in much of the play in the first half, and delivered a cracking assist for Benayoun’s goal.

Babel also improved the team after coming on for Benayoun in the 63rd, not only in helping create the third goal and his obvious pace, but in his graft and work in tracking back as well. He was involved in the buildup of a lot of Liverpool’s counter-attacks, showing how deep he was when Pompey was in possession.

But Torres is going to be the talk of the day, and it’s understandable. He adds so much to the team. There are the goals and the havoc he causes in defense, but he’s unselfish, harries defenders on the ball at every opportunity, and chases down lost causes. He may have been out of it for periods, and Campbell and Distin did well in defense, but he still pops up with two crucial late game goals.

Before the match, Carragher was quoted saying Liverpool has to pick up all 12 points from the festive period. They can now cross one of the tougher games off the list. Pompey may not have done themselves justice today, but they’re still a top-six side that can challenge anyone on their day.

The game at Manchester City on Saturday will most likely be Liverpool’s toughest challenge over this period, but the team cannot look past the trip to Derby on Wednesday.

But for now, it’s time to enjoy the three points in the bag and the upcoming holidays.

Liverpool v Portsmouth 12.22.07

10am, live in the US on FSC

Last 4 head-to-head:
0-0 (a) 09.15.07
1-2 Pompey (a) 04.28.07
0-0 (h) 11.29.06
3-1 Liverpool (a) 05.07.06

Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 0-2 Chelsea (a); 0-1 United (h); 4-0 Marseille (a)
Pompey: 0-1 Spurs (h); 3-1 Villa (a); 0-0 Everton (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard, Torres 6; Babel, Kuyt, Voronin 3; Alonso 2; Benayoun, Hyypia, Sissoko 1
Pompey: Benjani 8; Muntari 4; Kanu, Kranjcar, Utaka 3; Hreidarsson 2; Johnson, Parmarot, Taylor 1

Referee: Mike Riley

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Riise
Gerrard Alonso Mascherano Kewell
Kuyt Torres

If and only if Xabi’s ready after starting on Wednesday should he be on from the off Saturday. He may not be fully fit, but after putting in just 60 minutes against Chelsea, Benitez may feel he’s ready to do it again 3 days later, and we know how much the inclusion of Alonso improves the team. Otherwise, it’ll probably be Benayoun on the right with Gerrard and Mascherano in the middle.

But then again, we’ve seen a bit of 4-2-3-1 recently, and something like Alonso-Mascherano; Benayoun-Gerrard-Kewell; Torres wouldn’t be completely out of the blue either.

Ah, possibilities.

With players returning to fitness, it’s a guess of a similar squad to that against both Marseille and United; the only change would be Alonso for Benayoun. The full squad will definitely come into use for the amount of games over the festive period, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we start to see more continuity in some of the line-ups either.

Aurelio for Riise could be another possible change, but with Fabio’s injury record and the fact he played the full 90 against Chelsea makes me skeptical. And as far as I know, Finnan’s still doubtful from the knock picked up against Marseille.

I may have seemed forgiving of losses to Reading, United, and Chelsea, but that won’t be the case here. If I don’t bandy around terms like “must win” against United at Anfield, I won’t be doing it for Pompey, but this is a game where Liverpool should get all three points.

Portsmouth is a tough team and has the best away record in the Premiership, having picked up 19 points from 9 games. They’re assuredly competing for a UEFA Cup spot, at worst probably the 8th best team in the league (and closer to sixth, honestly), and Benjani and Muntari, among others, are playing out of their skin this season.

There have been too many 0-0 results against Pompey of late, both home and away. Liverpool owes them one for the results last season and the one earlier this year at Fratton Park.

The next 4 games (Pompey, @ Derby, @ City, and Wigan) are exceptionally important for the rest of the Premier League campaign. Maximum points would go a long way towards making all the noises about the campaign not being over after the loss to United seem valid.

Liverpool 0-0 Portsmouth

Reina
Finnan Carragher Agger Arbeloa
Pennant Sissoko Alonso Benayoun
Crouch Voronin

The game against Derby raised hopes so high now it’s bound to be all doom and gloom after a draw at Portsmouth. I’m not thrilled by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s not the end of the world either.

The game saw Finnan and Carragher return from injury, but post-internationals, Gerrard and Torres started on the bench. Liverpool started the game brightly, but after keeping them out for the first 20 minutes of pressure Portsmouth grew into the game, and Liverpool missed the cutting edge those two bring.

30 minutes in, Pompey were awarded a penalty when Arbeloa pulled Kanu’s shirt in the box. If we’re being technical, shirt-pulling is a penalty, but I’ve seen them not called more often than called, especially when the defender’s going to make the clearance regardless. Not to mention that it looked like Kanu was offside and the actual shirt-pulling began outside the box. And that’s the second penalty Riley’s given against Liverpool in the two games he’s officiated.

Thankfully Reina came to the rescue. Kanu went for placement to his left, Reina guessed correctly, justice done. Third time lucky as saving penalties goes for Reina this season.

The second half saw both sides carve out chances, but neither side able to make the most of them. Voronin clipped the bar with a clever chip and Torres shot over when open on the left, but Pompey probably had the better opportunities; Utaka missed one-on-one with Reina and Muntari volleyed wide, among others.

Portsmouth had a fair bit more possession in the second half and Liverpool was willing to soak up the pressure and look to attack on the counter, and it showed in the chances. It didn’t help that Liverpool often resorted to the long ball and Campbell and Distin were imperious in defense for Portsmouth. Torres (63rd) and Gerrard (67th) came on in an attempt to get the elusive goal, with Babel on for Alonso ten minutes later, but nothing was coming.

Even though it didn't show as much as hoped after they came on, I think today’s result would have been different had Gerrard and Torres been on from the start. I understand having one eye on the future, especially with the internationals last week and a Champions League game on Tuesday, but this was always going to be a tough match, and those two players are a class apart. I’m a bit surprised that Crouch/Voronin started today and Torres/Kuyt probably will on Tuesday instead of vice versa, but Rafa obviously has his reasons.

And at the end of the day, Benitez’s gambit was understandable. Liverpool had enough quality on the field to win. Players did not play to their full potential; it’s happened before, and it’ll probably happen again.

Crouch did nothing to further his claim for a regular start, Voronin spurned too many opportunities, Pennant didn’t equal his previous performances, Benayoun went invisible in the second half, and Alonso looked out of sorts (and went off with a knock). Too often, Liverpool failed to take advantage of free kicks. They had 5 or 6 in dangerous positions in the first half alone, and at least 3 were sent into the wall. All this annoys me far more than the fact Liverpool only got a point.

What’s also disappointing is both United and Arsenal scored winners after 80 minutes in their games, while Liverpool continued to play the long ball as if Crouch was still in. Long ball from Reina or a defender, Portsmouth wins possession, Liverpool invites them on, and eventually reclaims the ball. Then repeat. Much bypassed Gerrard and Babel, and it didn’t play to Torres’ strengths either, negating the substitutions Liverpool made.

But I have to reiterate, it’s not the end of the world.

It was the first game that Liverpool’s failed to score in this season. Fratton Park is always a tough place to go, with Pompey showing why they’re fancied for a European place this season, and it’s a point more than was gained there last season. Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin were outstanding. It’s the 4th straight clean sheet, and Liverpool’s yet to concede a goal from open play. And 7 points from 9 in three away games is a marked improvement over last season.

To be fair, this is a game that Liverpool probably would have lost last season. And they almost did today; Reina’s penalty save earned Liverpool a point, and Portsmouth did have the better opportunities.

Now, for all that was said about the league being the priority, a stronger line-up should play at Porto on Tuesday. Let’s hope for a hammering.

Liverpool at Portsmouth 09.15.07

7:45am EST, live in the US on Setanta Sports Xtra.

Being without DirecTV, if I can catch a stream, I will, but otherwise it’s replayed on Setanta at 4:30pm, and I’ll have a review up after that.

Last 4 head-to-head (league):
1-2 Portsmouth (a) 04.28.07
0-0 (h) 11.29.06
3-1 Liverpool (a) 05.07.06
3-0 Liverpool (h) 11.19.05

Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 6-0 Derby (h); 4-0 Toulouse (h); 2-0 Sunderland (a)
Portsmouth: 1-3 Arsenal (a); 3-0 Leeds (h); 0-1 Chelsea (a)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Torres 3; Alonso, Voronin 2; Babel, Gerrard, Sissoko 1
Portsmouth: Benjani, Kanu, Utaka 2; Taylor 1

Referee: Mike Riley

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Agger Riise
Pennant Sissoko Alonso Benayoun
Torres Kuyt

As much as it annoys me, the international games will play a role in the team selection. Rafa has used a lot of the same players in the league, despite all the talk of rotation, and has kept the shape of the team the same in all outings, but some changes will have to be made with so many players seeing time for their countries over the past week.

Alonso’s red card for Spain on Saturday was a blessing for Liverpool. He’ll be fresh for Saturday’s game having only played 45 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday (as a center back no less). Mascherano was unlikely to start anyway, thanks to jet lag returning from Australia after a meaningless friendly.

Whether or not it’s Gerrard or Sissoko paired with Alonso remains to be seen. It all depends on if Rafa’s willing to risk Gerrard for Portsmouth away. He looked good for England, and claims the toe hasn’t been an issue, but he’s not completely match-fit, and has played two tiring games in the past week. Benitez is hopeful that Gerrard will see some action, but with it so early in the season and his fitness still somewhat a doubt, I don’t know if it’s worth it. I always want Gerrard on the field, but it’s probably for the best if Stevie’s held back for at least one more match. The way Sissoko’s played recently doesn’t hurt matters either, especially in a tough away game like this will probably be.

With Babel playing more than expected for Holland, I reckon that Benayoun will make his first start in the league. I don’t know whether Pennant or Benayoun will line up on the right or the left, but I imagine if both start, they’ll end up switching flanks at some point anyway. Maybe a chance of a Leto sighting, as against Toulouse, but I doubt it.

No matter the internationals however, I’m still of the opinion that Torres needs to start every game possible. We’ve seen his potential to be one of the best strikers in the Premiership and a game-changer at that. And if that happens, I don’t think it’s very likely Crouch will start with him. It’s slightly worrying, as Crouch is probably the freshest of all the strikers, but we haven’t seen him paired with Torres at all this season, and I don’t know how effective the combination could be. Kuyt or Voronin will probably pair Torres, and with Torres/Kuyt appearing to be the preferred partnership, I imagine that’s who will start.

Finnan’s probably out injured, which means that Arbeloa should play on the right with Riise on the left (although Aurelio is back in training as well). However, from all I’ve read this week, it looks like Carragher’s going to make his return from a broken rib suffered only 3 weeks ago. The man’s a legend.

Portsmouth has turned into something of a bogey team for Liverpool. They took 4 points off the Reds last season, although a mountain of changes were made for the game in April. And Pompey won on penalties in the Asia Trophy at the end of July, although, yes, I’m aware that it was a preseason game. But it was quite closely contested and Liverpool had trouble breaking them down, which Benitez will definitely mindful of.

Fratton Park is never an easy place to play either, as Manchester United will attest to. I also look forward to hearing that bell clanging so early in the morning.

So far, Portsmouth’s gotten 5 points from 5. One game they’ll play out an ugly draw with Derby, the next, they’re holding Manchester United. And they should have done better against a 10-man Arsenal in their last game, letting in some poor goals. But make no mistake; Portsmouth is a better team than they were last year.

The addition of David Nugent and John Utaka has bolstered the frontline, while Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop (who looks likely to make his debut) add steel in midfield. Matty Taylor’s still an outstanding player who can create goals from nothing. David James always seems to have a blinder against his former team. And I can’t help but enjoy the antics of Harry Redknapp, who’s an excellent manager in his own right.

Still, Liverpool’s looked very good over the past few games. They’ve kept a clean sheet in the last 3, and are top of the league for the first time under Benitez (although that means next to nothing yet). I still can’t decide if I think that Villa or Pompey away is a tougher match, but nonetheless, these are the games that were singled out as games Liverpool needed to do better in. A tough away match, against a team likely to finish in the top half, and it’s an early kickoff following an international break to boot.

Should Liverpool keep up the pace tomorrow, it will be another step in the road, and another sign that this is a different team than in seasons past.

Let’s see it happen.

Liverpool 0-0 Portsmouth

Portsmouth wins 4-2 on penalties

Reina
Finnan Hyypia Agger Riise
Pennant Alonso Sissoko Kewell
Kuyt Babel

52’ – Torres for Kewell
65’ – Benayoun for Babel
74’ – Arbeloa for Riise
76’ – Carragher for Agger
82’ – Leiva for Sissoko
85’ – Gerrard for Pennant

Penalties
Utaka misses; Gerrard scores – 0-1
Taylor scores; Kuyt scores – 1-2
Lualua scores; Torres saved – 2-2
Hreidarsson scores; Benayoun saved – 3-2
Kranjcar scores – 4-2

Well, if Liverpool was going to lose its first game on penalties under Benitez, this was the right place to do it. And if I didn’t know any better, you could have convinced me I was watching a mid-season game between these two Premiership sides.

Admittedly, neither team played as well as they could have, the heat and humidity were obvious impediments, and there were signs that some of the players weren’t completely on the same page. However, in tempo and in the way the game played out, it looked a lot like previous Liverpool/Portsmouth meetings. Liverpool presses, is unable to break Pompey down despite the better chances and more of the possession, and Portsmouth always looks like they could nick an undeserved one, their best chance being on a Gary O’Neill one-on-one after the defense was split far too easily, but Reina was able to make himself big and block the shot at the top of the box. Kuyt was the main example of Liverpool’s wastefulness; he had four decent chances in the first half alone, twice putting it wide or high and twice bringing good saves from David James, but he wasn’t alone.

That full time ended 0-0 isn’t completely out of line with past matches, either. Nor is the fact that Pompey snuck away with a win. Maybe now is a good time to reiterate that yes, this is the preseason.

And since it is the preseason, I’m not too bothered about the result. I am a bit bothered about Liverpool’s inability to break a stubborn team down, which brings back some bad memories of seasons past, although it is the first time it’s happened this preseason. New players (and returning ones – hi Harry) weren’t always on the same page, Gerrard barely made a cameo, fitness levels and match practice weren’t completely up to par, and the conditions exacerbated these problems. But this game came perilously close to déjà vu; I’m sick of hearing about Liverpool's lack of ruthlessness. While writing, I can hear Jason McAteer in the background comparing Liverpool to Arsenal in profligacy and looking for the ‘perfect goal.’ Ugh. David James did have a great game, you know. Which, for some reason, he always seems to do against Liverpool.

Don’t get me wrong. I do think this season will be different, especially after players like Torres, Babel, Kewell, and Kuyt get on the same page. And I was a little surprised not to see Crouch or Voronin come on, but they’ve played the most minutes out of all the strikers in preseason. Plus, I’ve still seen a lot of positives in the past couple of weeks.

Pennant has probably had the best preseason of all Liverpool’s players. He’s continued his good form to close last season and continued to be a threat down Liverpool flanks. He was less effective on the left, where he played for the majority of the second half, but that’s not all that surprising, and it’s something that needs to be worked on (which is what preseason’s for). It’s become obvious that Rafa wants versatility out of his players, especially in attack. We’ve seen it in previous games with Rafa varying the players while keeping a fairly static formation and saw it today with Babel and Kewell switching positions in the first half. Based on what gone on so far, Babel, Kewell, Benayoun, and Pennant all look likely to play in different places throughout the season.

Alonso has also demonstrated why he’s so essential to the team, showing his range of passing and in dictating the flow of the game. While he didn’t continue his trend of scoring stunning free kicks, Riise’s also stood out, covering gaps in defense well while getting forward from left back as usual. The goals haven't hurt his cause, either. And Sissoko, who I fall in and out of love with multiple times in the same game, has put in some very energetic and typical ‘destroyer’ performances. I still think Momo is an offensive liability, and although he was more composed today, I don’t think Liverpool will get enough goals if he plays in every game. But I also don’t think he’ll play every game. There’s a time and place where Momo is very valuable; Barcelona last season is a perfect example of that. The aforementioned Voronin has also been a plus, as he’s been impressive every time he’s played.

I’m not going to jump on, say, Torres, who still hasn’t scored (yawn) and missed his penalty, as he showed his class and cleverness at times and because he’s behind in pre-season training with his ankle knock and lack of international clearance, or Babel, who showed that burst of speed which Liverpool will need, despite not quite linking up well with his teammates, or Kewell, who didn’t show the quality I know he still has or, like Babel, seem to be on the same page as everyone else. It’s preseason, and I’m not wavering in my belief they’ll come around.

Liverpool’s still demonstrated potential, is still to get the new signings fully settled, has picked up no injuries, and is working hard to improve fitness levels, evidenced by the fact that when players were subbed off you could see devices strapped to them that looked like heart rate monitors. Again, that’s what preseason is all about. And as said above, and in all the other reviews, some players have excited. Which is why I’m not that bothered by a loss in the Asia Trophy at the end of July.

Yes, at times, the defense has looked shaky, especially in holding a high line in the offside trap, and yes, for the first time in the preseason, Liverpool were unable to score (and at times were even wasteful), and it was in a game against Premiership opposition. But all the problems are rectifiable things, and I’m still pretty sure it’ll be a different story when we actually get to the season.

The last two preseason games are in the Rotterdam tournament, against Shanghai on August 3rd (12:30pm) and Feyenoord on August 5th (2pm).

Liverpool 1-2 Portsmouth

As a fan, I hate seeing any Liverpool loss, but Rafa Benitez is a very pragmatic man, and this result isn’t entirely unexpected, even if it is unwelcome.

Given the game on Tuesday, the squad wasn’t that much of a surprise, although a start for Emiliano Insua and Bellamy relegated to the right wing for the first hour was a bit shocking. However, for the first half an hour or so, the game went pretty much as expected. Liverpool had more possession and Fowler had the ball in the net after 12 minutes, but it was rightfully ruled offside, and for the most part, Liverpool was unable to maintain any fluency with all the changes in the side.

After 27 minutes though, the game was turned on its head. Benjani was released over the top thanks to Paletta out of line with the offside trap, he got between Paletta and Dudek, chipped the ball over the keeper, and slotted it in the net. Less than five minutes later, the offside trap was again blown (this time it looked to be Hyypia), and Kranjcar, who came on for an injured Matty Taylor, gave Dudek no chance. 32 minutes in, and the reserves looked to be in trouble. Right before the stroke of halftime, Zenden hit the bar with a beautiful dipping volley, but that was all of Liverpool’s first half response.

However, the team came out better in the second half, cemented more possession, and looked marginally more flowing. On 59 minutes, with the increased pressure starting to pay dividends, Liverpool pulled one back through a Hyypia header from a Fowler corner. After the goal, Bellamy, who had been fairly anonymous on the right, came through the middle, and Liverpool looked more threatening.

But Portsmouth held on. Pennant came on for Gonzalez, and played on the left to offer Liverpool a different option going forward, and Nabil El Zhar also saw his second Premier League game, coming on for Sissoko in the 80th minute, but Liverpool carved out very few chances in the last quarter of the game. Fowler had a weak shot on goal that was saved by James and Paletta put a header wide from a corner in the final minute of injury time, but that was about it, and by the end of the game, Pompey again looked the better side.

I will never forget Dudek for his heroics in Istanbul, he’ll forever be a legend for that, but I will also be happy to see the back of him. He made an excellent save to keep Pompey from getting a third before Liverpool’s first, but was almost completely at fault for the first goal, caught in no man’s land even more than Filan was for Wigan against Liverpool last week. He’s more a confidence keeper than Reina, but he’s not getting any real playing time (and rightfully so). The time for him to go has long passed. I’d rather Padelli, who’s never seen first team action before, gotten the start, and it’s essential Scott Carson returns as back up next year.

Yes, it was nice to see Paletta start today and given more time to adjust to English play, but he was poor today. He looked lost at times, and inspired fear every time Benjani, Kanu, or LuaLua was running at him. I’m always hesitant to criticize a young player, and given the situation, I’m glad he got playing time, but he hasn’t looked up for it in his appearances so far this season. In theory, I’d like to see him loaned out to get first-team time next season, but given his nationality and youth, I don’t know how well he’d cope.

I’d also like the body-snatching alien who has replaced Alonso to give us our Xabi back. I’ve never seen him look this disillusioned. Portsmouth should be given credit for keeping a man in front of him at all times, severely limiting his options, and crowding the midfield throughout, but he truly didn’t look the same player today, summed up by the complaining and petulance which earned him an unnecessary yellow near the end of the first half.

There was one main bright spot in my mind though. From now on, you will all have to deal with my gigantic man crush on Insua. It might end up being a problem, so I’m apologizing for it now. He’s only 18, made mistakes today and will almost certainly make more, but I am in love with the glimpses he showed of speed and a footballing brain, which was even more heartening because of his youth. He likes to get forward, but always seemed to have his head up and made smart runs, but still got back the majority of the time. I immensely look forward to seeing more of him.

I’ve done a fair bit of complaining, rightfully so in my opinion, and I could probably keep going on about things that irked me today. But credit to Portsmouth, who did what they had to, hassling Liverpool players immediately, packing the midfield, and creating opportunities over the top. And honestly, this is a game that could be lost (I know, heresy). I don’t want to be accused of downplaying a defeat or of being an apologist for the team, but I can’t help but think that Rafa’s not all that displeased. Champions League football is secured for next season. Young and reserve players got time today, and the staff got more on an idea of what they and the team in general is capable of. Plus, there’s the matter of the game on Tuesday, and key players were able to be rested today.

74 hours (or so) until Chelsea.

Liverpool at Portsmouth 04.28.07

10am, available live in the US on Setanta.

Liverpool: 3rd place; 67 points out of 35 games
Portsmouth: 8th place; 50 points out of 35 games

Last 3 meetings:
0-0 (h) 11.29.06
3-1 Liverpool (a) 05.07.06
2-1 Liverpool (a; FA Cup 4th round) 01.29.06
3-0 Liverpool (h) 11.19.05

Last 3 games:
Liverpool: 0-1 Chelsea (a); 2-0 Wigan (a); 2-0 Boro (h)
Portsmouth: 0-0 Villa (a); 2-1 Newcastle (h); 2-4 Watford (a)

Goalscorers (league; more than one goal):
Liverpool: Kuyt 12; Crouch 9; Bellamy, Gerrard 7; Alonso, Fowler, Garcia 3; Agger, Gonzalez 2
Portsmouth: Kanu 10; Taylor 8; Benjani 5; Cole 3; Lua Lua, Parmarot, Pedro Mendes, Primus, Todorov 2

Referee: Steve Bennett

Guess at a squad:
Dudek
Arbeloa Hyypia Paletta Riise
Pennant Sissoko Mascherano Gonzalez
Bellamy Fowler

I obviously expect to see changes prior to Tuesday’s match, and the BBC is reporting that Gerrard, Carra, Finnan and Reina haven’t even traveled, and Alonso and Agger are unlikely to feature. If that’s the case, it’s a little surprising to see so many ruled out from the start, but not all that surprising given Rafa’s love of rotation and the importance of the Chelsea match. It also gives us a few clues as to who’ll start against Chelsea, and I have to say, I’m pleased on that front.

Hopefully Finnan is left out here just for the extra rest after this injury, and not because the neck injury is still bothering him. I’m not in the mood to rehash the bloody details, but suffice it to say, I truly hope he starts against Chelsea. Would have been nice to see him get some time tomorrow, whether starting or on the bench, to pick up some match fitness following his absence though.

With Pennant on the wing so important for Tuesday’s match, I’m up in the air over whether I think he’ll start here. Honestly, so much rotation has me a little confused, as usual. In theory, starting two games in 4 days shouldn’t be a big ask, but with Benitez, you never do know. But with Gerrard not traveling, I can’t see who else will play, although last year’s youth cup hot prospect Paul Anderson is in the squad.

There’s every chance in the world Zenden will start ahead of Mascherano, and I’m well aware of all the complaining I’ve done about the pairing of Momo and Masch, but after this week, I’m okay with not seeing Bolo for a while, even if the aforementioned pairing is more lacking offensively. Sorry.

Given all those left out of the traveling party and those unlikely to figure anyway, this will probably be one of Fowler’s last starts in a Liverpool shirt. With Gerrard and Carra out, chances are he’ll captain the side as well. Enjoy it. I reckon he’ll feature with Bellamy simply because Crouch and Kuyt are probably first choice versus Chelsea, and it’ll be interesting to see how the two will play together, especially if Bellamy is on his way out as well, as rumored.

You always want 3 points, every time out, but with Tuesday’s importance, a fair few players seemingly in need of a rest, and Champions League football for next season secure, I’m confident about and almost pleased with an under-strength. Portsmouth’s had a very good season by most people’s standards, let alone their performance over the past few seasons, and Fratton Park is never an easy place to play, especially with Pompey’s crowd. No disrespect meant, but Tuesday is clearly more important to the club, and additionally, I’m excited about possibly seeing players like Paletta and Anderson get first team football, as well as one of the last Fowler sightings.

Roll on Saturday

Liverpool v Pompey, the day after

• Official Site: Match Analysis
• Official Site: Rafa reaction
• Youtube “highlights”
• BBC write-up, with video from Benitez and David James
• Guardian: Match write-up
• The Times: Match write-up
• Daily Telegraph: Match write-up
• The Independent: Match write-up
• Eurosport stats and match commentary
• Sky Sports: Match write-up
• Sky Sports: Player Ratings
• RAWK: Post-match thread

Liverpool 0-0 Portsmouth

This game fits the definition of dropped points. I can toss around phrases like “lack of cutting intent” and “wasteful in front of goal,” but that doesn’t go far enough. How this game ended 0-0 is unexplainable. Liverpool dominated, with 16 shots (only 4 on target), 11 coming in the first half, compared to Portsmouth’s 4. The side netting and advertising boards took a battering today.

To make matters worse, Bolton, Villa, Everton, and Arsenal, the teams around Liverpool, all lost. With all 3 points, Liverpool could have moved up to 3rd, tied with Bolton on goal difference. Granted, they are only 2 points behind 3rd with less than half the season played, but the gap between 3rd and 13th is 6 points.

I understand the side is depleted through injuries, and Bellamy’s pace would have been helpful, but Liverpool should have won today. That’s been said far too often, and it’s even less acceptable at home. Like many other sides, Pompey played not to lose, but Liverpool must be able to overcome that.

The injuries forced a strange bench, and ignoring the result, it was nice to see Nabil El-Zhar get a run out for the last 20 minutes, even if it was an act of desperation. He’s gotten rave reviews in the reserve team, and I believe it’s the first time a youngster has played in the league this season. Guthrie joined him for the last 10 minutes, but neither of the kids was able to provide a dream debut.

A couple of other points. One, Pennant was off his game tonight. Less worrying is the lack of form, as I still think he has quality and the ability to spray in crosses from the wing, evident last season at Birmingham. But his lack of confidence and immaturity is not good; his rash tackle on Matty Taylor resulting in a yellow card and his subsequent substitution summed up his night. Two, I don’t understand why Crouch is frequently the first player substituted when Liverpool is chasing a game. He runs an awful lot, but I find it hard to believe he’s frequently spent by the 60th minute no matter how often he’s playing. Pretty much every team, if they’re fighting for the win in the last few minutes, will force the long ball into the box, which seems perfectly suited to Crouch. And it’s not as if he was taken off for pace, although Fowler is far and away a more natural goalscorer.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m rarely an optimist. When it comes to sports, it’s frequently a forced faith that supersedes my cynicism. And while there’s little evidence of it coming on, I’ve got a good feeling about the upcoming run of games. Granted, it’s an easier schedule than what Liverpool’s faced over the last month or two, but this is the time of year the team gets it together. In a month, it may look like false hope with egg on my face, but I really don’t want to succumb to the frustration voiced in the media and over the rest of the internet. There's far too many drastic, and patently false, things being said. I know this team has the talent to come good.

Roll on Wigan.

Liverpool v Portsmouth 11.29.06

3pm. Available in the US live on Setanta Xtra (DirecTV only). Replayed on Setanta Sports at 5 and 11pm.

Liverpool: 9th place; 21 points out of 14 games
Portsmouth: 4th place; 23 points out of 14 games

Last 4 meetings:
3-1 Liverpool (a) 05.07.06
2-1 Liverpool (a; FA Cup 4th round) 01.29.06
3-0 Liverpool (h) 11.19.05
2-1 Liverpool (a) 04.20.05

Last 3 games:
Liverpool: 1-0 Man City (h); 2-0 PSV (h); 0-0 Boro (a)
Portsmouth: 0-1 Newcastle (a); 2-1 Watford (h); 1-1 Fulham (h)

Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Kuyt 5; Crouch 2; Agger, Alonso, Bellamy, Fowler, Garcia, Gerrard, Gonzalez, Riise 1
Portsmouth: Kanu 8; Benjani 3; Cole, LuaLua, Todorov 2; Pedro Mendes 1

Referee: Alan Wiley

Probable squad:
Reina
Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Riise
Carragher
Pennant, Gerrard, Garcia
Kuyt, Crouch

In addition to Alonso out for another week, and Sissoko out into the New Year, Zenden’s now also out for around six weeks with a knee injury. Not the same knee injury that saw him miss the majority of last season, mind you. Meaning Gerrard’s the sole central midfielder (okay, let’s not open that can of worms again) in the first team fully fit. Hot gossip is that Liverpool will start Carra in the holding role, similar to what Sven Goran Eriksson (ugh) asked of him during the run up to the World Cup.

I would prefer to see either Agger or Danny Guthrie in midfield. Agger seems more suited to the role of a holding midfielder, with his ability to bring the ball out of defense, his distribution, and his wicked left foot shot. But Carra’s been in the position before, and has experience galore as a utility player, which is why I reckon he’ll be picked. Even more though, I would rather see Liverpool play its center backs as center backs, and bring in Guthrie, who is a natural central midfielder.

For those who don’t know, Guthrie’s a 19-year-old Academy graduate. Became a regular in the reserve team last season, now frequently captains them. He made his debut as a sub in the Carling Cup match against Reading, and also came on in the next round at Birmingham. It’s been awhile since an Academy player broke into the first team, especially when you consider the success in the 90s bringing through Fowler, Owen and Gerrard. I am still hoping to see Paul Anderson, Adam Hamill, and Guthrie get time in the first team this year. Seems as if an injury crisis such as this would be the perfect time to blood a youth player.

Portsmouth have injury problems of their own at present, with Dejan Stankovic, Matt Taylor, Glen Johnson all out, LuaLua and Sean Davis possibly out, and talk of Andy Griffin being recalled from his loan at Stoke. They are also somewhat of a paper tiger in regards to their league placement; their only win against a top 10 side is home against Reading.

Despite the injuries and lack of central midfielders (and a natural left winger), I still imagine Liverpool will come out looking to take the game to Portsmouth. As I mentioned in the Man City review, it is imperative for Liverpool to score the first goal, and hopefully score it sooner rather than later, as the first goal usually settles the team down well. Not to mention Portsmouth will have a difficult time pulling goals back at Anfield.