The Game of Two Halves

The team for this afternoon appeared to be very strong and was Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard and Torres. Substitutes: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Insua, Ngog, Degen, Skrtel and Dossena. The referee for the afternoon was Howard Webb.

The game started with Arsenal kicking off and attacking the Kop end. Liverpool always seems to prefer to do this in the second half. Maybe it is one of those things that they hope will unsettle the opposition. It did not take Liverpool very long to take command of the game although there was a small defensive problem with Jamie giving Daniel Agger a mouthful for making a small mistake. That's good I thought, the older home grown lads are leading from the front. The side quickly recovered although Lucas was bought down, which became the first of many incidents that Howard Webb ignored. Play continued with plenty of high balls and good passing. It was reminiscent of the Manchester United game. Every player appeared for once to understand the importance of it and they were pushing the ball forward all the time. The passes were fast and furious with many of them being high. Liverpool at this point got a free kick which resulted in Torres and Kuyt getting a little mixed up but thankfully Lucas picked up the ball and shot at goal. It was saved but at least the team appeared to have some goals in them, both Benayoun and Torres were moving forward all the time and hopefully the back of the net would be found.

By now it was beginning to get a little heated on the pitch and Mascherano was getting himself into situations which could quite easily have resulted cards being produced. Then it happened again, Mascherano was fouled by Denilson but Howard Webb completely ignored the incident. It certainly was beginning to turn into one of those days yet again. Torres and Gerrard who were now beginning to link up and had a wonderful effort saved.

We had now reached the point in the game where Arsenal had a free run of the ball for while but miraculously our defence seemed to be having one of its better days and were guarding the goalmouth as though it was a fortress. It was like watching a different team (those words would return to haunt me very quickly), they were up for the game and there was no way Arsenal were going to get through. Our lads, led by Stevie, Kuyt and Torres were all over them and the look on Arsene Wengers face said it all. He was in no doubt absolutely fuming. His team, although depleted had some big names on the pitch and should have had more of a fight in them. Then as is always in an Arsenal game it became a little rough and the first yellow card of the afternoon was it given to Deneilson for a foul on Mascherano. Play quickly started again with Glen Johnson appearing to have one of his better spells during the game. He went for a shot at goal but it was dreadfully wide. I then gasped as the commentator showed Mascherano down on the floor. This was it appeared a result of the earlier foul, but everyone was unsure as to what the injury was. I wondered if at that point they would show Aquilani stripping off ready for action, but no, the poor lad was sitting languishing on the bench and looking totally forlorn and lost in his thoughts. At this point William Gallas was also off with a possible injury and did look as though he was unable to continue. Play restarted very quickly and both players somehow found the energy to continue. Liverpool was still very much in command of the game with plenty of passing play and continued possession. Carragher as I said earlier was playing his heart out and the defence still seemed solid. It was also wonderful to see the Torres and Gerrard partnership back in full swing although at this point in the game it had not resulted in a goal. Torres was pulled down and another yellow card was issued but he was not awarded a penalty.

Pepe Reina, who to be honest was having a pretty quiet game, saved a shot and the kop breathed a sigh of relief. The game then switched back to the other end where Liverpool was awarded a free kick which was picked up by Lucas, who was having a good game. He passed it to Dirk Kuyt and the score was 1-0. We went in at half time a happy club and very happy supporters. It looked as though we were on our way.

I don't know what happened during the half time talks, but the two teams that came out were not the two that went in. Arsenal must have been read the riot act because they came out the stronger and Liverpool, well to be honest I don't know what to say but whatever Rafa said , certainly was not the right thing to say. It was obvious from the moment that Stevie kicked the first ball towards the kop end that something was dreadfully wrong. Although they appeared to come out with all guns blazing with the defence still doing well especially Jamie and apart from Torres , Gerrard and Kuyt , the rest of the team seemed totally devoid of the fact that they were still playing the same game. Openings were beginning to appear and Arsenal surged forward, knowing in their hearts, I guess that they could and would score a goal.

Unfortunately the first one was gifted to them. For the first time in the game our defence decided to call it a day and there was a dreadful mix up in the goal mouth which led to Glen Johnson scoring an own goal. This was the point in the game of no return. The team just went to pieces and whatever rhythm had been built up in their play was lost. Arsenal immediately sensed the shift in confidence, and were very quickly all over them which resulted in a yellow card being issued to Fabregas for a tackle on Mascherano. Then the Arsenal wonder boy Arshavin, who incidentally had been very quiet, struck, the score was now 2-1. It was happening yet again, the Liverpool team had lost the will to win a game.

We were now approaching the magic 63rd minute and I wondered if Rafa Benitez would change things. It happened and Aquilani replaced Mascherano. He quickly settled into the game but could not help to get the ball into the goal mouth. The game continued and it really was a sorry sight to see. Liverpool were doing their best to push forward but nothing was happening. At this point Rafa made another substitution bringing on Ngog for Benayoun who had in fact had a good game. There was another substitution but to be honest by that time not only was I absolutely fuming, I was trying to get my mum to get off the phone, which incidentally is why the report of the second half is not as good as should have been.

The final whistle came and yet again Liverpool had lost a match. This time though, the Kop had appeared to have lost patience and you could see them leaving the ground extremely quickly.

I switched over to watch the This is Anfield special, and every caller and every email received said the same thing. They were absolutely disgusted about how the team had played in the second half and were again calling for the manager's head. To be honest I also sent an email in but it was returned to me. In my temper I had addressed it wrong, tomorrow night I won't, and I hope Claire read's it out because I am also absolutely disgusted by what is happening to my beloved club and I think enough is enough. One of the caller's actually said that he had watched the end chat with Ian St John and he was beside himself with worry about the team and could not understand Rafa's tactics. Here we have a player from the Shankly era who was taught the winning mentality, watching as the team yet again shows what a mess it has become.

Then they switched to the post match press conference. Same excuses and no blame heaped at all on the manager. It was the player's fault apparently, they lost their confidence. Whatever happened in the dressing room at half time had nothing to do with it. Yes it does and I just wish people would realise that in reality the team are only doing what they are told by the powers that be. They are not alone in taking the blame for the demise of our great club.

We have Wigan at home on Wednesday, yet another game that marks the start of our season apparently, the rest appear to not matter. Will we win that one, not on today's abysmal second half performance?

The only thing I have left to say is Bill Shankly, Where are you. Your beloved club and supporters need you badly. (We can all dream I suppose).