LIVERPOOL FC have provided the ultimate answer to the Bolton Wanderers fiasco with their form over the last week.
Kenny Dalglish had been at the players again on the Monday morning, telling them they cannot afford to perform like that again.
And what a response from his squad.
The Carling Cup tie against Manchester City was a special night. It felt like a European scalp job, the atmosphere was tremendous inside Anfield.
Then last Saturday against Manchester United in the FA Cup, Dalglish’s use of substitutes ultimately won Liverpool the game.
In both games, there has been an improvement in form from Andy Carroll. When Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt came on against United, it brought more out of the big man, but he had done well before then.
His touch and confidence is now back, as shown by his goal at Wolves on Tuesday. But with Luis Suarez now available, Dalglish has some big calls to make for Monday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur. That, though, is what he gets paid for.
At Molineux, quite a few of the substitutes from Saturday started the game. And that competition for places can only be good for Liverpool. The defence aside, most of the players won’t know if they will be playing against Tottenham. That keeps them on their toes, particularly with Steven Gerrard also expected to return.
Dirk Kuyt’s goals have been a long time coming, but it’s a bit like the old London bus syndrome. He’s waited a while for one, then two come along in quick succession.
Kuyt hasn’t started many games – indeed, he was a sub against United – but you never doubt the Dutchman for what he gives you. He can be accused of lacking quality at times but he never, ever shirks. And you need players like that.
LIVERPOOL owner John Henry was at Anfield for both cup games against the Manchester clubs.
And I don’t care what sport you are involved in – you couldn’t help but be affected by the atmosphere in those two matches. But it sets a poser for the club’s owners. If Liverpool are to build a new ground, you need to keep that noise inside the stadium, something that has proved difficult at grounds such as the DW Stadium and the old one at Juventus.
To be fair, the two jokers who owned the club beforehand were aware of that and drew it into plans for their new stadium.
Something for Henry and co to ponder.
