3 more Cup Finals.
3 more Cup Finals that these lads have shown again of late, Palace aside, they're gona' scrap tooth and nail to win. Watford, to their credit considering they've nottin' to play for, came out and gave it everything. They scrapped for every ball and made it a competitive battle all over the pitch. And L'pool stood tall and matched them blow for blow. Just as they did the Derby. Just as they did Stoke. Just as they did West Brom. These lads want this. We want this. 3 Cup Finals to ensure going to Munich next year over going Kazhikstain or some other far-flung outpost in our European playground. We NEED this. And these lads are up for the fight!
I actually didn't think that was a bad game. It was just a tension-filled, end of season contest with SO much on the line. The first half hour was pretty non-descript, then Can forces a real good save out Gomez, L'pool slowly start to find more space, Lallana twats the bar with a stunning strike, and then the goal of the PL season wins the game in first half injury time out of nowhere. After another terrific assist from Lucas. Absolute Worldie from Can who's really started to show the all-round ability he has the last month or so. Second half L'pool come out and really start to play, running Watford ragged for a good 25 minutes before Watford sent on the Giants and started pummelling it into the box. Only for Big Si to then come into his own and make one great take after another. Sturridge forces another top draw save out of Gomez that seemed to take an age to roll past the post. And some lad in yellow gives us a heart in mouth moment by smacking our bar in injury time. Which would have been a complete injustice. But would have been SO Liverpool. But it stayed out and these battling Reds got what they deserved.
A few players worth an extra mention tonight:
Adam Lallana. For proving yet again not only how he's SO integral to the way we play. But that he's by far and away the fittest player in this league. To come in cold after 5 weeks out and put in a shift like that. Brilliant. Capped off by that stunning strike that thudded the bar. And that 70 odd minutes in his legs will serve him well the last three. Great to know Phil's sound with nottin' serious too.
Lucas Leiva. Man, I SERIOUSLY hope he's still here next year. Another superb performance sat protecting the backline (who were all great), winning most everything in the air. Standing firm against Deeney who's an absolute **** of a player. Always leaving the foot in. All arms and elbows. To not have the assured reliability if needed within the squad with the extra burden of Europe next year that Lucas brings would be a BIG void. And another assist! His third in 4 games. This time with a sumptuous ball for Can's Worldie. The dive the box though ..... If there's a new, novel way to get booked, Lucas will find it!
Big Si. Since he's come back into the side, he's barely put a foot wrong. His kickings still absolute ***** like. But that was never going to improve. But his decision making and all round presence has. He was dominating his box as Watford resorted to the aerial onslaught in desperation. And that looked a top drawer save the one he got his fingertips to, to turn over. Only for the ref. to give a G/K.
Emre Can. Palace aside, it's one fantastic performance after another. Totally starting to show the all round ability we've known he has but have frustratingly not seen. Capped off by THAT goal. Not many people questioning a big contract now. GET IT DONE! THAT goal alone deserves the extension.
Divock Origi. From the ridiculous to the sublime. First half, he was abysmal. No movement. Getting bullied off the ball. Nothing stuck to him. But then he cuts in from the left and forces a great save on 50/55, and suddenly his confidence is back and he's all over the final third looking a completely different player and a darn good striker. Feed off that Divock. BELIEVE you're the best on the pitch and you will be. Very positive second half from him. To be replaced be an equally good one the last mad 10 from Daniel. Man if that had gone in and not been saved .....
3 straight away wins for the first time under Jürgen. Back-to-back 1-0's at grounds we notoriously struggle at. And another MASSIVE step toward where this club so needs to be.
3 more Cup finals.
Up the Scrappy, Grown Up 1-0 Reds!
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