by Alex Kirkham
Saturday saw a familiar sight to Reds fans. Steven Gerrard saving his side, and Liverpool being frustrated again, by a team they were expected to beat.
For the fourth time this season, Liverpool were frustrated at home, as Hull followed in the footsteps of Stoke, Fulham and West Ham.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow, when you think had we won those four games, we would now find ourselves 9 points clear at the top of the league. This is no new problem for Liverpool, they’ve always seemed to have a problem with smaller clubs, but can beat a bigger side any day of the week.
Another familiar sight, was Reds fans being left bemused and bewildered by Rafa Benitez’ decisions. Firstly, playing Dirk Kuyt as a lone striker. Secondly, leaving Robbie Keane on the bench, and not giving him a chance on the pitch, and thirdly, when looking in the dying minutes for a decisive goal, swapping Mascherano for Lucas.
The Robbie Keane decision left fans wondering why leave a striker on the bench, when there’s only one up front and chasing a goal, especially after his second half display in midweek in Eindhoven.
As the final whistle blew, it was the signal for thousands of Reds to vent their anger on forums, radio phone ins and pubs around the country. Some labelled them bottlers, showing no pride in the shirt, whilst others was quick to remind them they came from two goals down to get a point. If you had have told most of them we’d still be top come Sunday at 6.30 pm, they wouldn’t have believed you, with Chelsea waiting in the wings to go back to the top as they faced West Ham at home the following day.
Old Red Craig Bellamy’s goal denied that though, and the Reds remain top, but only by the point.