Steven Gerrard out for 6 weeks.. Oh dear, how will Lucas, Allen and Henderson cope against Tottenham's big robust midfield? Like many, I wondered the exact same thing before kick-off. Gerrard is such an influential figure in the middle, all our positive play goes through him.. But when he's out you look around our midfield and wonder who can step up? Well all three of them did today. Jordan Henderson absolutely ran the game, whether it be Gerrardesque long balls, one touch angled passing or sheer athleticism, the boy was absolutely immense today, and that was before the red card! Joe Allen and Lucas combined to make a very effective pairing. As we all know, this win will count for nothing if we don't go and beat Cardiff next week, so we have to keep our feet on the ground and not get complacent, but boy am I going to get drunk tonight. 2nd in the league, and with Chelsea playing Arsenal next week there is a very real possibility that we could be top at Christmas. Brendan Rodgers, the right man for the job
I thought our midfield looked dominant for the first time in a long time. We had energy; they all pressed, ran, tracked and kept the ball well. People (including I) doubted our creativity without Gerrard but tbh, I thought we looked better. Sakho played well, as did Sterling, Allen and Flanno but for me Henderson was outstanding. I'm a huge critic of Allen, but can't fault his performance today. Sterling played like he did when he first broke into the team under Kenny; full of confidence and pace. Hopefully he's back on the boil again. Naturally Suarez was his usual self.
I've doubted all of them. I'll continue to be ecstatic if they prove me wrong week in week out. The intensity of that performance is as close to what I thought Rogers envisioned us playing at some point in his time here.
I was doubtful before todays game. But it worked - it worked very well! But will it have the same effect in the rest of the games this year. To be honest I don't know but I hope so because we don't have an option. So before the anti-Gerrard mob go too mad I want the option even if we don't use it all the time!
I said spurs would get through on goal a few times and was completely wrong - whether it is to do with Gerrard being out I'm not so sure. There was just an intensity there today and a spirit to not let anyone down and it worked perfectly! We were first to everything, nipping in with tackles all over the pitch and everyone of us had the belief that we were going to get in their faces and smash them! Very well done
Rodgers saw through that high line and tol Suarez to come deep, draw those CB's out and told Hendo and Sterling to get in behind and it worked a treat. As many said these players combined might not have the quality of Gerrard but they have the legs and energy he can sometimes lack as he gets older. It worked a treat today and we suffocated them. If we beat Cardiff, man the confidence will be sky high going into the Chelsea game and they have looked a bit wobbly.
This feels like Rodgerisms. Brave pressure playingwith courage in a pressure with bravery leads to results under pressure. Ok.
The biggest compliment you could give Allen and Lucas tonight is that you didn't miss Gerrard at all, and was possibly the best performance under Brendan (see told you Allen would come good ) Going to be interesting to see how far you can go if you can keep ALL of your best players fit in the second half of the season. Surprised people still write you off, yet at one time or another during the season so far you've had key players either suspended or injured yet you are still only a couple of points off the top of the pile
For once Rodgers post match waffle actually reflected the game lol Amazing how much better we are than last year.
Especially loved this from Rodgers: "There was only one club who came in for him on loan, a League One club. No-one wanted to take him on loan," said the 40-year-old. "He is a terrific boy; he has played for the U21s side, he has played in practice games when there are about two people watching and he has played in pre-season with thousands of people watching - and he doesn't change. "I thought going back a few games, when he got into the team against Everton, that this was a kid who can handle it. Since he came in and played in the derby - and was man of the match against Everton - he has been fantastic. "His confidence is growing and growing all the time. His goal was a brilliant finish; I'm delighted for him. As a local boy, you could see how much it meant to him and the supporters." Flanagan has made me eat my words, he has been immense. And Sterling too, great response from many writing both off.
Even though I have wanted to experiment with a midfield without Gerrard for a long time, I was still sceptical. This was going to be a difficult game - but I'm so happy that they pulled it off. Fantastic performance - the energy, the pressing, the tackling. For the whole 90 mins! Brilliant.
