Liverpool put the embarrassment of last week’s 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield that lifted Kenny Dalglish’s men up to 5th in the Premier League table.
Football Burp looks at three Reds who impressed this weekend and three Reds who need to up their game…
Three Good:
Jose Enrique – Looking so far like Liverpool’s best signing of the summer, Enrique was one of the few to emerge with any credit from last week’s hiding at White Hart Lane and he put in another excellent showing to keep Wolves’ right-hand side at bay. Teed up a goal for Luis Suarez and was unlucky not to stop Wolves’ goal when an attempt to block Karl Henry’s cross bounced unfavourably. A stylish performer and a snip at just £6 million.
Steven Gerrard – Blew fears about his long-term future out of the water by returning for the final ten minutes and looking encouragingly like his old self. Powerful shooting, bursting runs, long range passing – all were in evidence and, if he can be taken on his word that he feels better than he has in a good while, then Liverpool’s prospects for this season will be given a considerable boost.
Andy Carroll – Much better stuff from the £35 million man – looked comfortable in possession, provided real presence and menace alongside the sublime Luis Suarez and was unlucky not to score. One excellent cross which just evaded the Uruguayan hinted that he could become an important team player and he might just revel in the atmosphere of Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
Three Bad:
Jamie Carragher – Liverpool continue to concede midfield ground by sitting too deep at the back, much of which is being pinned on the continued presence of a man whose best days look to be behind him. Carragher lacks the pace and therefore the confidence to push up and the knock-on effect is a less compact side overall. Time to make way for the younger ‘uns.
Jordan Henderson – Shows promise with ability to get involved in some nice one-touch football but it’s hard to see what he’s doing to keep Dirk Kuyt out at right-midfield. Likely to drop to the bench on Saturday given the Dutchman’s outstanding record in Merseyside derbies, not to mention the return of Gerrard, and he’ll have to improve significantly on Saturday’s anonymous turn-out if he’s to force his way back in any time soon. Still, at 21, there’s all the reason in the world to be patient with him.
Charlie Adam – While not exactly having a poor game, Adam’s defensive deficiencies could have been badly exposed if he hadn’t had Lucas Leiva covering for him. No-one doubts his ability and he did well to force the own goal off Roger Johnson but he did little to suggest that he will be any more than a squad player in the fullness of time. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind.
Do you agree with our selections? Have your say in the comments section below…