Liverpool escaped Europa League exit at Anfield as Dirk Kuyt finally found the net with only minutes to spare against Sparta Prague. The approach and attitude from Liverpool was good, pass, move, go forward, attack the opposition at all times and the defence was comfortable with everything the Spartans had to throw them.
We looked fluid and lively from the off playing high-tempo attacking football without ever really threatening The Czech outfit. Sloppy play in midfield by Christian Poulson where he simply wasn’t up to the pace of the game, losing possession several times, he played poorly and was replaqced by young Red Jay Spearing in the 2nd half.
But it was the poor performance of David Ngog that disturbed me most. The young Frenchman looked clueless throughout the match, failing to control the ball everythime he received it, failing to link up with team-mates and taking the ball of Joe Cole when he looked certain to score. A very average display by the young man.
However, Dirk Kuyt capped a hard-working performance by winning the match with a header on 83 mins to earn Liverpool a passage through to the last 16 of the Europa League. It is clear that we need a quality defensive midefielder and a replacement for Poulsen and Ngog in the Summer if we want to progress as a club.
Submitted by Friends of Liverpool
