Crouchie Double Sting Hornets

English Premiership

Watford 0 - 3 LIVERPOOL

Scorers:
LIV - Bellamy (34min), Crouch (40, 48min);

Match Highlights:

A good way to bounce back from the disappointments following Liverpool's two domestic cup exits within a week. It was a clinical and comfortable win for the visitors as Watford continue to struggle in the mire of relegation.

People might expect Liverpool to come out all guns blazing to show that they've bounced back from the previous two defeats but Liverpool take it really slowly and took their chances very well. Rafa Benitez once again set out a totally different side and this is the first time that he have put the trio of Kuyt, Crouch and Bellamy all on the field in the same eleven. It was a welcoming move as Liverpool showed the adventurous side of them.

But the first twenty minutes was scrappy at best. The pitch wasn't in the best condition and the ball was bobbling around which makes it difficult for teams to play on the ground. Passing was dreadful at times for both sides. But Liverpool managed to settle down quickly enough to snuff out any potential banana skin.

The game then opened up and Liverpool were quick to draw first blood. Steve Finnan's composed square ball for Craig Bellamy was perfect and all the Welshman need to do was to stick his foot in and the ball rolled into an empty net.


To be honest, his contribution to the match was immense. He worked very hard and made a lot of intelligent run behind the Watford defence. This sort of player is a real handful and I think he showed Rafa and the Liverpool fans what he's capable of. In the mold of Michael Owen, perhaps?

Crouch soon added a second with another fluid Liverpool move that involved all the 3 strikers. Kuyt's header fell into the path of the lightning quick Bellamy. His initial shot was brilliantly parried by Ben Foster but Crouch was on hand to head home the rebound.

Liverpool came back from the half time break with another clinical move that saw Crouch scoring his second of the day. The move involved Bellamy again and his cross was met well with Crouch, who hit the ball first time into Foster's right hand corner.

It certainly makes you wonder what went on at Liverpool earlier in the season when they couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo especially away from home and now suddenly, all the goals come flooding in. It's the second successive 3-0 victory and the Reds now cement their place at third.

It wasn't an all out display of attacking football but Liverpool showed great character to bounce back from disappointments and to finish the game off clinically. It was something we have been lacking in recent times but just perhaps, we've learned our lesson well and go on another roll as we try to displace Chelsea off the second place.

It'll be tough, but we all know what they can be capable of.


Drogballs: A good win and a much needed one. We have bounce back well and strikers learned to take their chances is a good sign. The 3-4-3 formation Rafa set out was a surprising one as he's known to be conservative but it helped and all the strikers were heavily involved with all the goals.

Gutted for Crouch not to stay on to score that hat-trick but in the end, he does his job well while Bellamy, he's such an asset. His pace, anticipation and his runs are vital to our team, who's notorious for being slow. He adds an extra dimension to our attack with Kuyt providing the hard work by dropping deep to make up the numbers in midfield and Crouch's holding up play.

I'm not sure whether Rafa would use this same tactics for the upcoming match against Chelsea but I guess we should revert back to 4-4-2. The formation we played today is prone to attacks down the flanks and if Chelsea decides to play their 4-3-3, we might get eaten alive.

Overall, a good performance all round from the team. Other than Bellamy and Kuyt, no one stood out too much but all did their job alright. Alonso's passing wasn't at his best while Gerrard seemed to left his shooting boots at home.

Now, bring on Chelsea next week. We must not show fear again and we must overcome them.