Player Review: TNS 0 - Liverpool 3

Liverpool won early this morning. 3-0 the final score. I am though, slightly dissapointed that we needed our captain marvel to come on and finish of the tie with 2 superb goals. We were utterly wasteful infront of goal.

La Tallec was guilty of a few. He played in a slightly withdrawn " free-role" position, and on more than 1 occasion picked some very good passes, as well as very bad ones. Deffinately needs more polishing

Cisse was a thorn in the first half, but grew predictable, was roaming all over the place in the second half. Took his goal well, but needs more work on the ball. Pushing the ball and running wont work with international class defenders.

Zenden had a solid game as a left winger, not so solid in the second half when he switched places with riise to play left back. Sent in more than a few crosses, which one suspects would be easy pie for the likes of Morientes and Crouch (he must be licking his fingers at the prospect of playing for Liverpool).

Darren Potter didnt do any magical wonders like Harry usually does, but showed good determination and willingness to run at defenders. Didnt lose the ball very often and defended well. Needs a to put on a few more pounds though, as does La Tallec.

Hamann. Excellent. Rarely gives the ball away. Precise passing. Solid tackling.

Alonso. Excellent. Rarely gives the ball away. Didnt show off his wonderful array of passes as he usually does. Thats probably down to the way TNS defended, which was very deep. There were a few scares as some TNS players got a wee bit too hard in their tackles. We dont need to loose Alonso to another injury again.

Riise was a very adventurous left back. Was defensively sound. Had one of his trademark thundershot freekicks as well. If he continues to add more defensive qualities to his game, i see no reason why he cant challenge the throne for best left back in the world with Ashley Cole.

Finnan tried to keep the right sided attacks going as much as he could, seeing as how he had to shepherd a fledgling youngster. Did well. Nearly gave away a goal with a missed header, but was others steady

Carragher. outstanding. Was sometimes seen in two places at once.

Hyypia. Steady, but needed cover from carragher on one or two occasions. Was otherwise untroubled and became more imposing in the second half.

SUBSTITUTES

Garcia was a straight swap for La Tallec, playing in that withdrawn role behind the striker. Immediately you saw those little flicks and turns that we've come to love from the little Spanish player. We've needed a player of his creativity for a long time.

Gerrard. After he came on, all the players on the field found an extra gear, or were rather trying to keep up with his gear. Scored 2 superb trademark goals. The goals effectively ended the tie. What more can i say about our Captain Marvel?

Whitbread, a young american defender, did ok. Didnt really catch my eye. Needs to work on his heading and getting closer to his man. The left side of the defence (Whitbread + Zenden) was very shaky. TNS hit the post from an attack coming from that side.