Let’s admit it: they ran faster, ran harder and wanted it more. And they had the support of top flight unexperienced referee Andre Marriner who blatantly helped the Dippers.

Last but not least… Ngog scored.

How to overcome all this?

Of course there’s today’s Carling Cup 4th round game away at Barnsley to forget to sorrows, but I think we have to look at ourselves to understand what went wrong on Sunday. Let’s face the harsh reality. Were Liverpool better? Nope. Did they want it more? Yes.

The red Devils started with what might have been called a surprise with Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes in the centre of the midfield. Although i can understand the choice for Carrick, it was a surprise to say the least: the gaffer certainly had hoped that the midfielder, who is struggling to win a place in the England 11, could deliver some of his lauded long passes over 50 to 60 yards in an attempt to work round the Agger – Carragher tandem. But it has been too long now since we have seen those passes. And Carrick hasn’t been the same since he missed his spot kick against Burnley. There is no doubt that for a midfielder his work rate was at a very high standard again but that just isn’t good enough when playing the Dippers. The choice also was strange because on the left wing was the rejuvenated Ryan Giggs, not the optimal or fastest choice when hoping for those long passes.

Another problem we had to deal with once more was our lack of creating chances. As usual we saw moments of fast and fluid one-touch football but there was no sharp edge. Berbatov really has upped the ante this season, always playing more and more in the role of the smart provider for the strikers but where are the strikers?

At the risk of offending many I am going to say it: Rooney is NOT the player to rely on up front. The talent is a player who can and will make the difference in many games but not the sole striker always there. His conversion rate in recent years has proven this, so has his low number of last 10 minutes goals. Rooney is best with someone next to him, preferably someone who plays even deeper than he does. Rooney’s great when on the counter or from second line. As can be seen in the tribute video, his speed is mortal. Not his work in the box though. And when playing a duo like Carragher and Agger, he will always struggle to make the difference.

What Needs To Happen?

It is hard to say, we have played some great football at time already this season. Our back four is returning to previous strength and form. valencia is improving on a weekly basis and found the crossbar a second time in less than a week. Both times were goal worthy, not accidental crossbar hits. Nani has shown at times what he can bring: pace, dribbles and good crosses, just as great shots from outside the box. Anderson has shown that he is ready to fight for a place in the squad. Hargo is hopefully close to his return.

Everything seems fine, still we fail at creating chances. That’s not something new. Ever since RVN found his place on the bench, and later left for some minor team abroad, we have struggled at scoring against teams who play defensively. Most of our goals have come whether from fast outbreaks or from second line. It is not just our problem, it seems to become a standard in modern football that goals are based on very fast gameplay with lots of space. It’s pretty much the style the Spanish League is based on. Leagues known for their organised play, like the Bundesliga and Serie A often have less goals. But it makes for a dull experience for the fan and team like our Devils struggle to score when playing the likes of Bolton, Wigan or Sunderland. Who is that tall, deadly guy in the box who can stand up and make a difference?

The Waiter Looks for Excuses Why Liverpool Might Not Win The League, AKA Rafa’s Epic Rant.

Long before Christmas Rafa Benitez launched an epic rant against Ferguson last season. After the rant Liverpool’s results started to get worse and worse. Once more it has been proven that the Achilles heel of Liverpool one Spaniard is. Fact.

Neville Celebrates Victory

After the final whistle in January 2006, a game won 1-0 after an injury time goal of Rio Ferdinand, our skipper Gary Neville ran the whole length of the pitch to celebrate the victory and kiss the ManUtd badge… in front of the Liverpool fans. Rooney also joined in on the fun. Neville would later be fined £5000 by the FA.

Ferdinand’s Injury Time Goal – January 2006

An injury time header from Ferdinand decided the game at Old Trafford.

Rio at Old Trafford – October 2006.

Some months later Rio Ferdinand again would score against Liverpool. This probably is one of his best goals ever and gave ManUtd a deserved 2-0 victory after Paul Scholes’ goal in the first half.

John O’Shea at Anfield – March 2007

The moment John O’Shea became a Legend: an injury time winning header at Anfield.

Their is no doubt about the impact of the Welsh star this season and one can easily say ‘Who needs Cristiano Ronaldo? Mark Hughes does!’, but at the same time it is a rather disappointing and scary situation we are living right at the moment. One which could cost us the title if we don’t watch out.

Time for Youngsters to Step Up and Claim The Midfield Theirs

Already last season we have had several players trying to dominate the midfield. Of course there is Michael Carrick, who has delivered some splicing passes and is a hard worker in our midfield, regularly tracking back and even tackling, but Carrick really under performs when he has to push the team forward in difficult times. He does not seem to be able to carry the weight of the team when the going gets rough.

Personally I can not wait for Owen Hargreaves to join our 11 again because I believe that he the person is who can carry the weight of the squad when needed. He think he has this great mix of being a bonkers rough tackler who is aggressive enough to push the squad forward. And contrarily to Nani, or the Portuguese #7 who used to run over the pitch at Old Trafford, he certainly has the eye to deliver a pass. He isn’t scared either to try his luck from far, with a better conversion than Anderson.

Darren Fletcher has performed remarkably over the last months and became a pilar of our midfield, but right at the moment I still tend to consider him a squattie and not the player who reigns over the midfield.

Instead we still have to really on our two legends, Scholes and Giggs. I am not complaining but I really think someone needs to step up NOW and claim that midfield his.

Or could their be another option? I think so, but that would require a rather big shuffle in our forward line. Before I post my thoughts on this option tomorrow, what do you guys think? How can we improve the midfield and who has shoulders large enough to take over in the midfield?