Lucky Lucky Liverpool

If Liverpool are to win the league this season, they are going to have play much better against the likes of Portsmouth. The Pompey team gave them a right go, and if not for better finishing, would have comfortably won the game 3-0. Liverpool were also grateful for the 'penalty-saving-specialist', Jose Reina who expertly saved Kanu's penalty. The decision to give the penalty was a good one. Arbeloa was clearing tugging the jersey of the Nigerian in the penalty box.

Ref Mike Rileypoints to the spot (Courtesy: ESPN Soccernet)

Portsmouth have proved capable of nicking points of the BIG 4 time and time again. Though the commentators were ranting (as usual) that Benitez rang the changes yet again, i don't see what the big deal is. Benitez ALWAYS rotates his squad. Is it really such a big surprise that he does rotate them? Perhaps the bigger surprise is that Benitez made such a big surpise against a strong Pompey team. No doubt the Liverpool starting lineup would comfortably win against weaker opponents, but Pompey are not to be taken lightly, and perhaps Benitez should have played his big name players; Torres and Gerrard.

On paper, the Liverpool starting lineup was a pretty formidable one, and though they started well, Liverpool's play fizzled out after the 30th min mark. From then on Portsmouth gained ascendancy and were the much better team. Much of this was due to Papa Bouba Diop's excellent midfield play, that totally nullified any threat coming from Alonso and Sissoko.

Should the Liverpool Manage have started with Gerrard and Torres?

It was only when Torres, Gerrard and Babel were introduced, that Liverpool started to swing the game back in their favour. Arsenal has now leapfrogged them into top spot, and with Man Utd and Chelsea beginning to pick up the pace, Liverpool can ill afford to give away points like this.