3 points today just as important as United and Everton wins
With the Atletico Madrid furor finally put to bed, and common sense having prevailed, Liverpool fans can once again concentrate on football and today's visit of Wigan Athletic. Three points today are every bit as important as the thrilling wins over Man Utd, Everton and Man City we've witnessed so far this season.
"What's the point of beating Man Utd if we can't beat Stoke a week later?" was a commonly heard phrase following our last home league game. The euphoria of Rafa's first league win over United was dampened somewhat by Tony Pulis dogged but limited side coming to Anfield and earning a point, although the subsequent derby win and the thrilling comeback at Eastlands two weeks ago have somewhat alleviated that disappointment.
Three big question marks have hung over Anfield in recent years as we seek that elusive title challenge; namely our inability to beat our main rivals, problems coming back once we go a goal behind, and the difficulty we have seeing off some of so-called lesser sides.
So far this season, two of those questions have been answered; Rafa finally got that must treasured first league win over Sir Stoppage Time, and we've gained nine points from losing positions so far in the league - including that barnstorming comeback against Manchester's nouveau riche two weeks ago - as well as coming from a goal down to see off Marseille in Europe.
A win today over Steve Bruce's Wigan will go some way to answering the third point. Rafa has never beaten Bruce in the league, but it's not unfair to say his side aren't exactly as intimidating a prospect as the last team whose unbeaten record against Rafa in the league went up in smoke a month ago. Of course, Wigan snatched an unlikely point here last season, and it was this result as well as home draws with the likes of Birmingham, Villa and Tottenham that ensured last year's title challenge was over before it had began.
Losing Torres is a big blow (those international breaks, eh?) but we still should have enough to see off Wigan. With the former Atletico Madrid man out of action, Robbie Keane will once again get the chance to step up to the plate. It's worth remembering that Peter Crouch memorably broke his duck against the Latics in December 2005, so what price the Irishman scoring his first league goal in a red shirt against the same opponents this afternoon? If the players can carry the confidence gained from their last league encounter at Man City a fortnight ago into today, there's no reason why we can't go into next weekend's showdown at Stamford Bridge at least level on points with Scolari's side.
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and 3 points it is Jimmy !
taking the full backs off for a yossi and el zhar ,,is that the clearest sign we've had from Rafa that we wants the prem title ? i think so ! and we have a mid week champions league game and are best players started today. It banishes the memories of Reading away when still with a chance of 3 points off came Torres, Gerrard and Carragher !..
poor defensive errors again this week..but im looking forward to seeing this side on form, we have the potential/squad to do big things this year.
I think the team is showing character in the league that's never previously been there under Benitez. Their 2 goals came from a mistake that you can't legislate for and an absolute piece of brilliance (even if some of the defending in the build-up was haphazard to say the least!) I've heard countless people say we were lucky today but as far as I'm concerned we threw the kitchen sink at them in that 2nd half and got exactly what we deserved!