26/11/05 - City 0 Liverpool 1Updated: October 3rd, 2007
So, just one shot on target in the last two games.
Not good, though it does have to be put in the context of Liverpool’s record of six consecutive clean sheets and Blackburn’s continuing crimes against football.
In his MOTD interview Pearce claimed the performance would have been good enough to beat at least 60 to 70% of the Premiership but admitted that keeping possession in midfield and supplying Cole again proved the main problem. We lack “just that little bit of know-how”, Pearce said.
The full interview can be found at BBC Sport.
match reports
City 0 Liverpool 1 (MEN)
Shot-shy City managed to get a single chance on target in a miserable contest against Liverpool at the City of Manchester Stadium. Player ratings
Riise wins it for reds (Sky Sports)
With opta stats and player ratings
Riise rocket sees Liverpool gain pace (Observer)
It was all thoroughly disappointing stuff and testimony not only to the fact that both teams are well-coached and well-organised units, but that neither possesses an individual capable of breaking down teams playing in such a manner.
Riise and shine for improving Liverpool (Independent)
Both managers praised the majority who observed the silence rather than condemned the minority, but at least no one could say the gracelessness was out of keeping with a first half that was worlds away from Best in his prime. There was little skill and the referee’s attempt to keep the game flowing was just about the only example of finesse, too.
Crouch bores as Riise scores (Telegraph)
The “I Saw Peter Crouch score” T-shirts have been packed away for another week and it is now touch and go whether any Liverpool youngster will find one under his Christmas tree. Still, they could yet make a welcome change from Easter eggs, though, on this evidence, the wording may by then have been changed to “I Saw Peter Crouch Shoot”.
Benitez finally feeling at home (Times)
The match was no spectacle, thanks in part to the way that Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher snuffed out the threat of Andrew Cole and Darius Vassell as City’s youngsters ran out of ideas after a lively start.
match stats
