Middlesbrough vs. Liverpool - How They Rated

Stuttering and staggering, fluttering and floundering… Liverpool trundled into the top four after a rare 3 O’clock Saturday Matchday kick-off, with an uninspired performance to notch up their 9th draw of the campaign.

The result which propelled them into the acclaimed position harboured a subdued sense of elation, amidst undeniable disappointment. Such is the disillusioned state amongst the Merseyside club’s fans, attaining the fourth place ahead of their sullen, vitriolic and ever-bitter rivals Everton preludes any former ambitions of contending for the Premier League title.

As events unfolded - confidence dwindling through the window with every ball kicked - their was at least a tale to nurture fondly in the hearts of Liverpudlians (the red kind, at least): Liverpool belatedly grind to an undeserved draw against lowly Middlesborough, whilst Everton earn a rousing victory over fellow high-flyers Manchester City, yet the Liverbird-clad Reds remain superior in position and with a game in hand to boot. If anything, it should serve as an apt anecdote to merely remind the Liverpool ‘Reserves’ that no matter how unremittingly they try, their city counterparts will not be toppled.

Triumphs in securing sentimental ‘bragging-rights’ - which prove relatively enigmatic - aside, the pinnacle of the debate resides in yet another lacklustre Liverpool display. If ever there was a sliver of hope that the illusive 19th crown loomed as a possibility, this performance endeavoured to force only the fatuously optimistic to remain with, well, optimism.

How They Rated…

Pepe Reina: The ex-Barcelona trainee did not enjoy the most forgiving of afternoons, as a succession of wayward clearances and awkwardly-timed run-outs ran riot over his possible rating. He flapped at the goal, and - again, a lack of judgement made the situation all too easy for the Teeside club. However, Reina kept Liverpool in the match with a brilliant full-lengthened finger-tipping save to brush Stuart Downing’s fortuitous (owing to the build-up opportunity) strike onto the post. In actuality - given the context of the match - this anomaly just about made up for his prior contributions. 5

Steve Finnan: Knighted ‘Sir Reliability’ amongst the Liverpool faithful, it’s disconcerting at how eloquently ‘liability’ can slide into place. Something remained ever-present in the running theme of the Ireland internationals form this season, as his disjointed performances continued… it was indeed his flank from whence the ball came, resulting in Boro’s opening goal. Finnan was not the worst player on the pitch, mind, and did - relatively speaking - come close to scoring, as his deflected long-range attempt forced Schwarzer to scramble. 5

Jamie Carragher: Ironically, the man to conjure the broadest array of cock-ups this season, was the single player to avoid a sizeable mistake as an error-prone Liverpool back six (including ‘keeper Reina and Argentine midfield colossal Javier Mascherano) capitulated in-front of the Riverside. Like a rabbit caught in the headlights, for the goal Carra could but watch as he stood fixated, the ball swinging back-and-forth across the face of the baiting goal. In fact, it was perhaps the resolve of Jamie that endeared us to refrain from casting this match into the fire, instead looting a point amidst apparent despondency. 6

Sami Hyypia: Deputising for the injured Daniel Agger, the veteran Finn has took to the side almost with as much dexterity as beheld him when partnering his veteran partner, Stefan Henchoz, who completed the mesmerising duo those years ago. Sadly this was not one of those occasions; defensively, anyway. His positional sense - usually impeccable - left a lot to be desired, as he absentmindedly remained rooted to his spot, leaving an awe-struck George Boeteng to sift through onto the better side of Sami and gift Boro a dream lead. Attacking-wise, he was comparatively the opposite, coming close with header’s on a couple of instances. Most notably in the dying moments as he forced an excellent near-post reactionary save from Mark Schwarzer. 5.5

Alvaro Arbeloa: Perhaps the less said about Alvaro the better. Often, in spite of commanding unfamiliar territory, he has proven very astute and reliable in his left-back duties. A half riddled with calamity was halted at just that - a half. During the 45 minutes he was on the field, if there was one profitable conclusion to draw from his display, it was that the £6.5million spent on Martin Skrtel was money that needed to spent. Concerns mounting from the Man City and Wigan Athletic games being cemented here, as his general ineptitude in the centre of defence was epitomised through the goal. Leaping – in front of Jérémie Aliadière - was an aerial battle he should have won, and his stagnated afternoon commenced with the loss eventually being turned into the net. 3

Yossi Benayoun: I feel tempted to bypass Yossi’s rating, in the same manner as he bypassed the Premier League game. There was a relentless lack of existence in our entire attack force, granted, yet the Israeli was particularly flawed in his impressions. Doing little wrong materialises to very little that is commendable, when in fact you do nothing at all. 4

Steven Gerrard: Typically masquerading; scything through the centre of the pitch at will… his flamboyantly industrious style could be extracted in mere momentary flurries. It’s probably accurate to infer that of our 14 fielded players, over the 90 minutes, he had the most efforts in summoning an equaliser (or indeed, winner, as the match progressed). But for a sublime reflex save 13 minutes in, indeed the skipper could have opening the scoring - and how that would have changed the game. Restraining to dwell on that, he didn’t; and in the number of trademark long-range strikes he entertained, they only served to bolster Schwarzer’s confidence. The frustration on the face of the England man was revealed, as once again he and his team-mates failed to assuage his gravely immersive ambitions. 6

Javier Mascherano: The first-half for the £17million-rated palisade-like midfielder was, in keeping with the trend, a one that he would rather didn’t linger too long in the mind. He’s much sought after irrepressible style of tackling was largely absent and a particular explanation as to why the Boro side were able to exercise their extended leash and allowed to set up camp in their final third. The second-half provided an improved battle, with every player seemingly gaining a boost of confidence, but this was not Mascherano at his notorious best. 5

John Arne Riise: A campaign ravaged by substandard football has brought the 6-year Anfield resident down a pedestal in the expectations of Reds fans. The impression that transpired here was less of the errors that have tarnished him to date, but more of a performance stricken of impact. If he could retain his shooting accuracy of prior seasons, compounded by his power, pace and ability to cross, and the man would be a lethal threat. It’d do us well to not forget this, and back the man. That can’t elude is from the fact he was again below par against Middlesborough, though - albeit only had 45 minutes to unleash himself, before being reverted to a defensive role. 4.5

Andriy Voronin: The Ukrainian marking his 20th appearance in a Liverpool shirt, i knew instinctively that the knives would be out for Voro’s head, to bring it back on a platter. It seems many a fan have refused to resume their synopsis over his career, instead curtailing it with his departure - premature and unjustified in my opinion. Of all the outfield player’s, he probably harboured the most of the ball in decisive periods of the field; and he tried. Perhaps what we witnessed was the result of incrementum in pressure, and consequently Andriy seemed to be trying too hard and playing overly-intricately. Instead of doing the simple things. That said, he did work well on occasion and the amount he can imprint of the match is largely a basis of whether Gerrard, Torres, Benayoun and the like can get close to him and feed off of his touches. 4.5

Fernando Torres: The rasping shot was a sight to cherish, as if ever the players needed a living exemplar from which to foreground the necessity that others must more frequently take the game by the scruff of the neck, then this was it. Unfortunately, the gulf between him and the midfielder quartet was of such a substantial nature that meant he was endeavouring for a ball that would not come. He was stranded. And but for a couple of dribbling sequences - that were halted by the resolute Middlesbrough defence - he didn’t manage to make a mark on the match, but for, of course, the goal. 6

…Substitutes…

Ryan Babel (for Arbeloa; HT): Rafa’s assertion was clear that this was not a game we could lose, boldly accentuated by the introduction of the Dutch winger-cum-striker, Ryan Babel, in the place of deputy left-back Alvaro Arbeloa. Ascertaining his ’super sub’ vitae, the Dutchman’s vigour liberated the shackles of his team-mates and unleashed a resurgence of untold measures. A truly feral strike from an acute bodily position scythed through the air without restrictors; only spectators. Thankfully Schwarzer watched as the irresistible shot swerved out of his radar and wide. When 1-1 up (…), Babel had a mightily good chance to edge us into ecstasy, but for dragging the shot marginally wide as he ran at an agitated Boro defence. These two efforts were topped only by a Torres spectacular throughout, and conveyed his immeasurable impact. 7

Xabi Alonso (for Benayoun; 59mins): Xabi on the other hand conveyed symptoms of being injured for weeks on end, as his carelessness bellowed untold lengths of frustration, frantically seeking for a winner. His presence was a little to the aid of our attack, but there was a case to mull over whether he was of a help, or a hindrance. 4

Dirk Kuyt (for Voronin; 74mins): Introduced as Liverpool went for the jugular, but was forced to saunter the left touchline instead of the opponents penalty box. Fought for every ball near him, yet offered little of significance in the cause for a second goal. It’s difficult to certify this as a good performance, since - given the timing - he must have been brought on to push for a goal, which evidently didn’t happen. 4

Man Of The Match: Ryan Babel

To identify the MOTM, you have to assess players’ positives in the game, their flaws, and most importantly the overall impression they had upon the result. Whilst Fernando Torres scored the equaliser that dented a dreamscape of an afternoon on Teeside, i can’t fathom a way that we wouldn’t have consummated the fixture with a defeat had Ryan Babel not be introduced when he had. The 20-year-old offered us a new lease of life that had prior been stagnant and fruitless. The man is a potential star, and it disappointed me that he was unable to embrace the plaudits he deserved by scoring either the equaliser or the eventual winner. He is one for the future, though.