Liverpool’s New Signings Prove their Point

Forget about all the hoo-ha and hogwash going round that Luis Suarez uttered racist remarks towards Patrice Evra during the 1-1 draw between Liverpool and Manchester United over the weekend. It seems this incident, which is yet to be ascertained or otherwise, has shifted all attention from an otherwise controversy-laden encounter that failed just short of living up to its billing.

The game will never be remembered as a classic (many 1-1 draws barely are) but the performances of a few individuals during the clash deserved a little more praise than they have amassed.

Stevie Gerard, being the inspirational and fantastic captain that he is, put the Anfield red-men ahead in the 68^th minute through a well-taken but controversially-earned freekick. Javier Chicharito Hernandez leveled for the visitors nine minutes before the final whistle to ensure two of England’s most successful clubs shared the spoils.

Gerard might have gotten all the plaudits and the nod as Liverpool’s man of the match but this was barely a unanimous decision as new signings Jose Enrique, Charlie Adam and when introduced, Jordan Henderson, all sparkled in front of the KOP.

How good a player is is normally gauged by their ability to raise up their game when a tricky opponent of Man United’s stature comes knocking on your door. For 90 minutes plus, Jose Enrique manned his leftback position with such assuredness that makes you wonder when Luis Felipe Scolari will give the former Geordie a call to the Spanish national squad. His marauding runs down the left and crosses provided a key attacking outlet for Liverpool. He completely nullified the threat of United’s wingers led by Ashley Young who was hauled off in the 69^th minute without making any telling contribution as has been the case since his move from Aston Villa.

El Toro (The Bull) has been bullish to say the least and already looks like Liverpool’s best bit of business from the summer transfer window.

Did Charlie Adam go to the ground too easily under the challenge of Rio Ferdinand? ‘Inconclusive’ is the word here and your answer to this will depend on who of the two adversaries you support. But that incidence apart, Adam provided arguably one of his tidiest performances on the Red shirt. The No. 26 did not only win the freekick which was expertly dispatched by the captain but his left foot was always menacing when he had the ball.

His first half contribution wasn’t as sparkling but once he shrugged off the jittery, he grew more and more into the game.

Jordan Henderson has already received enough stick from everyone already in spite of the fact that he hasn’t been at the club even for half a season. The £16-20million signing came off the bench and had two chances which could have won the game for the Redmen. First, he headed just over the bar from a perfect Downing cross but it he was his cheeky lob that was tipped away by De Gea that must have won him a few more support.

If there was one game that was ever going to be used to measure how good the new signings could be, this was one such game. And I think they proved their point. Onwards and upwards as Norwich comes visiting at Anfield.

And That's thesteifmastertake!!