Carling Cup: Can't win trophies, eh, Stevie G?

Gerrard's gonna have a lot to answer for if he leaves Liverpool for Chelsea in the summer.

He certainly can't say he couldn't win trophies with Liverpool when he just bloody GIFTED one to Chelsea no, can he?

Granted, it was an honest mistake, and I blame the 'score early goal and sit back to defend ' tactics more than Gerrard himself, but seriously, he'll need a lot of cheek to leave with that 'more trophies' excuse now, won't he?

Anyway, the game, the game.

Chelsea were bloody lucky. They could find no way past the Liverpool defense until the own-goal; and after that, Liverpool just crumbled. Oh, and Mourinho deserved to be sent off. The arrogance of the man.

Liverpool's defense was magnificent. Carragher and Hyypia never put a foot wrong, Finnan did well to keep Duff out, and even Traore was great on the night. Riise and Traore doube-teaming Duff in the first half was a joy to see, and of course, Riise's goal was just class. Hamann did a good job protecting the defence and Dudek.... well, Dudek was brilliant. Nuff' said.

As for midfield, Lui Garcia was utter crap, losing the ball god knows how many times. HE should have been taken off and replaced with Baros instead of Morientes. Morientes was great while he was on, and even Kewell had a good game, considering he's been out injured for so long. Nunez was quiet all game, except for that last goal.

I say the main problem was the overly-defensive tactics, and Gerrard. Not because of the own goal, but because he controls the game too much. A few times, Liverpool had the chance to break fast, but the ball was pulled back to Gerrard instead.

Granted, he started some good moves, and he droved the team on as well, making lots of good tackles, but the point is, when he plays, we rely on him too much, and he dictates play too much, causing the team-play to breakdown sometimes.

Do we REALLY need Stevie G? Well, I'd say we do, but not as badly as we thought. I think Xabi Alonso should be able to fill in the gap SHOULD Stevie G leave.

And if he does, he better come clean and say it is because of the money, because he certainly can't say he can't win trophies with Liverpool when he just bloody lost one for us.