Before I get to my ratings for yesterday's match, I want to share a couple of more thoughts about and concerning it. First off, does everybody share Paul Tomkins latest sentiment that the media for the most part is not giving our side the proper credit by rubbishing our recent opponents? I'm not so sure and I don't really care. Let the media disinform future opponents on our quality, it'll only end up helping us in the end. Of course, I'm not one to care what the media has to say anyhow.
As for the match, the more I think about it, the more I feel we were predominantly a lethargic side, going through the motions a lot, but applying the right amount of energy when needed. In other words, when Bolton looked as if they might score, our defense took it up a notch, and when we sensed weakness while on the attack, we went for the kill. That kind of intuition says that team chemistry is building and the squad appears to be coming together more as a unit in reading our opponents and getting in touch with the ebb and flow of the match energy. The downfall is a better side than Bolton would probably have taken advantage of our defensive lapses, but then again, I'm sure our boys will be more intense against a more formidable opponent. Anyhow, here are my grades:
Pepe Reina 4
Made a couple of conspicuous errors, especially the Carragher fiasco. I honestly think he was just bored though and he did make at least one decent save that I can recall.
John Arne Riise 6
Definitely a return to better form for the Norwegian as his passing improved from recent outings and seemed to be back to his old self on attack. Was probably robbed of a penalty when a trademark rocket headed for the upper right corner of the goalmouth hit off a Bolton player's arm in the box, but might have been the reason Crouch got the call later in the match.
Sami Hyppiä 6.5
Another solid effort from the Finn and a goal to boot.
Jamie Carragher 5
Not the best match I've ever seen Carra play. He seemed out of sorts at times, not really on the same page as the rest of the squad, and basically uninvolved. The week off should do him some good.
Jack Hobbs 6
His first appearance where he appeared to have a clue. It's funny, the younger players seemed to be more confident in one another than the older do them. For instance, Hobbs passed to and received the most passes from Lucas, most likely due to them playing together on the Reserves, but Reina was a bit timid in handing the ball over to the 19-year-old.
Alvaro Arbeloa 7.5
Simply a brilliant performance by the Spaniard. His passing and tackling were both dead-on and he also made a goal-saving clearance. I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, Arbeloa could probably play up front if we needed him too, but in my opinion and as his performances have shown, he's best suited at right back.
Harry Kewell 6
Carried his great form from the end of the Porto match into this one and was unlucky not to have a goal to show for his effort. His decisions on the ball could improve, but for the most, he's known as a risk-taker.
Ryan Babel 7
Another superb display from our supersub. He probably should have had a brace, but you can't really hold it against him. He was a threat nearly every second on the pitch and gave the Bolton defenders fits to no end, but he still needs to learn that he does have teammates and he doesn't need to try and take on the whole opposition by himself.
Steven Gerrard 7.5 Man of the Match
What can you say? His recent form has been nothing short of golden and I have no problem stating he's the best player in the world right now. A world-class assist to Torres and an unstoppable penalty to go along with another assist (to Hyppiä) and five tackles.
Lucas 6.5
Another inspiring effort from the young Brazilian, so much so that I'm beginning to think that it was what we should come to expect from him. In other words, imagine an above average performance. That's just scary. The amazing thing about Lucas, among other things of course, is his ball distribution. Where a lot of players are more comfortable passing the ball a certain direction or to certain players, Lucas appears to lack any discrimination in that regard and the ball usually finds its destination.
Yossi Benayoun 6
A relatively quiet outing from the Israeli, not that he didn't contribute to the effort. For the most part, as long as he steps up when others appear to be faltering, like the Wigan match for instance, I have no problems with such displays. He was far from a detriment to the side and it was probably best he didn't try and assert himself on the attack every time, sometimes a little space for the other players is what is needed.
Peter Crouch 5.5
A decent show from the lanky one, I think I only yelled at him once... maybe twice. He didn't exactly utilize his strengths, but our plan of attack didn't appear to include that this time.
Fernando Torres 6.5
His goal was class and he definitely improved from the Port match, but still, at moments he shows some glimpses of prowess that make me believe we haven't seen anything yet. I have little problem calling him 'World Class' and would love for someone to show me a striker in the world in better form.
Dirk Kuyt N/A
Though his effort was, as usual, tireless, I just don't feel he got the proper time on the pitch to get comfortable.
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