(1) 2 - 0 (0) ArsenalAnfield, Saturday 28th August 1999FA Carling PremiershipPreview
(1) 2 - 0 (0) ArsenalAnfield, Saturday 28th August 1999FA Carling Premiership
Scorers: Fowler 8
Berger
Arsenal:
Manninger
Dixon Adams (c) Keown Winterburn
Parlour (Silvinho) Vieira Ljungberg Overmars (Suker)
Bergkamp Henry
It can never be that surprising to lose at Anfield, but
it was pretty disappointing to be beaten so comprehensively.
For the first time for some time, we were convincingly beaten
in midfield. But it was Robbie Fowler, who with his consistently
match-winning performances against Arsenal has made himself one
of the fans' most favoured transfer targets, who once again
made the difference. In fact he probably should have had yet
another hat-trick against us.
On 8 minutes Redkanpp played the ball over the half-way line to Berger, who slipped it cross-field to Fowler. He was 30 yards out, and as he moved forward Adams backed off looking hesitant. Fowler just whacked it over Manninger for one-nil. Sad to say, it should have been more soon after. Redknapp sliced a shot from just inside the area as he ran onto a Berger set pass from the goal-line. Then Fowler set himself up by flicking the ball over Adams on the edge of the area, but having made space hit the shot wide. Then Fowler again dribbled round Keown to get into the box, but Manninger came out to make a good save at his near post. Adams did well to intercept as Fowler played the ball across the box for himself. Tone was dropping to the ground but managed to scuffle it away with his knee (while the home fans' screams of "handball" might have appeared optimistic, later events showed that the ref wasn't averse to strange penalty decisions). And Adams, who overall looked rather below his usual standard, did well again after Fowler had looked about to create a chance for himself. Tone's back-pass was desparate though, and fortunately Manninger was able to clear out of a crowded area. Dixon was slow to the ball, allowing Berger to steal it on our right wing. He put Fowler in again but this time Koewn made a block. And in the last minute of the first half a Berger shot clipped the outside of the post from 25 yards, with Manninger beaten. The second half started with a shot from Ljungberg, a poor contact and wide of the goal. Then Fowler was back in action, finding loads of space between the penalty spot and the edge of the box but firing wide from a Berger cross. Vieira was booked for what I thought looked a minor foul, and Manninger saved the powerful Redknapp free-kick, punching it straight out for a throw. Fowler hit the post trying to curl the ball past Manninger. It looked just offside but wasn't given, and to be fair if the defence could have been quicker, and then the offside would have been clear. Ljungberg conceded a foul 25 or so yards out, pulling Gerrard's shirt. Berger tried to steer a low shot into Manninger's left-hand corner, but it hit Ljungberg in the 2-man wall and Manninger couldn't change direction in time to save it. In the dying seconds, Henry passed forward to Bergkamp, who slotted it diagonally into the path of Ljungberg as he pwered into their box on the right hand side. Rigobert Song got in an excellent sliding tackle, but brought his legs up perhaps a bit unnecessarily to bring Ljungberg down (it wasn't a foul in my eyes, but perhaps this is what made the ref think that it was). In all truth a 2-1 scoreline would have flattering to this Arsenal performance. But it wasn't to be, as Suker stepped forward to take the penalty for his first Arsenal goal... but didn't get hold of the low shot and so having guessed the right way it wasn't a hard save for the Liverpool keeper. I hate to think what the people who were ciritical of the win over Bradford have written about this one. All I can say is, it's a shame we couldn't tempt Fowler down south. Rupe.
Result : Liverpool (1) 2 Arsenal (0) 0
Scorers: Fowler 8, Berger 76
Arsenal: Manninger, Dixon, Winterburn, Keown, Adams; Vieira, Parlour,
Ljungberg, Overmars; Bergkamp, Henry
Subs: Suker (Overmars 64), Silvinho (Parlour 75),
Upson, Vivas, Lukic
Booked: Ljungberg, Keown, Henry, Vieira
Liverpool: Westerveld, Song, Hyypia, Carragher, Matteo, Thompson,
Gerrard, Redknapp, Berger, Camara, Fowler
Subs: Heggem (Thompson 70), Owen (Camara 87),
Staunton, Meijer, Friedel
Booked: Berger
Att: 44886
Ref: Dermot Gallagher (Banbury)
As I'm late with this, just a few comments rather than a full report. It
was as badly as I've seen Arsenal play under Wenger, though perhaps that
is not giving enough credit to Liverpool who seemed much more up for the
match and played very well.
Arsenal actually started off quite well, and had the better possession in the opening few minutes. However, the fatalistic would have known that Fowler would score sooner or later, and that Arsenal wouldn't win. So it came to pass, with the striker's goal literally out of nothing. Arsenal should have had a free kick for a foul, but the ref allowed play to continue. Even when the ball reached Fowler about 35 yards out there seemed little danger, but Adams perhaps stood too far off him and the shot flew in from 30 yards giving Manninger no chance. Thereafter the Arsenal midfield was overrun, particularly in the first half. Wenger did change the formation in the 2nd half which improved matters marginally. In the first he had Parlour wide right with Ljungberg in the middle and Henry partnering Bergkamp up front. After the break Parlour seemed to move further inside with Henry & Overmars playing wide either side of Bergkamp, and Ljungberg supporting from the middle. Sort of a 4-3-3, or 4-5-1 even. Didn't really get Arsenal back into the match though, and they reverted to a more orthodox 4-4-2 when Suker came on. The match was put beyond the Gunners a few minutes later by Berger's lucky goal. Wenger's post match comments referring to tiredness seemed a little strange, particularly as only half the team had started all three games. Part of the problem was the lack of cohesion in defence, which perhaps wasn't surprising given Adams and Winterburn weren't match sharp. Wenger's decision to bring them both back was understandable, but the way they played, and given Upson and Silvinho's good form, perhaps not the right one. Liverpool's tactics also seemed to cause some confusion with only Fowler as a striker. Berger's runs were generally from deep and he wasn't being picked up.
Manninger 8.0 A couple of fantastic saves, little he could do about
the goals.
Winterbrun 6.5 Tried hard as ever, but not up to speed.
Dixon 6.0 Pretty poor game overall, though he did keep trying
to get forward.
Adams 6.5 Somewhat rusty, frequently turned by Fowler.
Keown 7.0 Was also embarassed by Fowler on occasion, but pulled
off some great blocks.
Vieira 7.5 Did his best to stem the midfield tide. Again picked
up another booking for a silly trip.
Ljungberg 7.0 Don't think he's the answer in midfield but he did at
least keep trying and getting forward.
Parlour 6.5 Still off form.
Overmars 6.0 Pretty anonymous for much of the game.
Henry 6.0 Looked out of depth and lacking in confidence.
Bergkamp 6.5 Disappointing game, not much came off for him.
Suker Didn't see a great deal of the ball, but looked like he
hasn't yet come to terms with the Premiership. With the
penalty I had the impression he tried to send the
keeper the wrong way.
Silvinho Did pretty well on the left of midfield, and showed the
right sort of attitude at least.
Derek
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