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DEEP IN MY HEART
Liverpool vs. Middlesbrough, 23rd February 2008, Anfield, Premier League
James Keen
Is it just me, or was Liverpool's victory against Inter Milan remarkably underwhelming?
In the days since the 2-0 win the press have heralded it as an amazing performance and a sign that the Scousers can win the competition again, with most papers predicting another Champions League final appearance.
Am I the only person to realise that Liverpool played against ten men for an hour?
In the last six weeks Liverpool have faltered. They have stuttered past Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup before succumbing to the mighty Barnsley in round five. They have also dropped to sixth in the Premiership.
And so the result against Inter was a great one. And I have to stress that I do mean RESULT.
Liverpool didn't look like they could break down their depleted opponents and got lucky with a deflected Dirk Kuyt effort and a Gerrard blockbuster.
It was not a classic performance but credit where it's due - nobody else has beaten them since September so I cock my hat to them.
But this is a Liverpool team not to be feared. They are in turmoil, one swallow doesn't make a summer and so Boro should be able to play with a hint of confidence, and a little hope that they can come away with at least a point.
Boro have some difficult fixtures coming up. We still have an away day at Chelsea, a home game with United, Arsenal away, as well as this game at Anfield. And so if there is even the slightest sniff of blood, then we must go for Liverpool.
Chances are few and far between at Anfield but with pressure for places amongst our strikers at a good level now, we should see them taking more chances and actually trying to unlock defences.
We've already seen that upturn in Aliadiere, and with Tuncay and Alves knocking on the door this week, I can see Mido and Jezza having to be on the top of their game.
In our recent run of eight games unbeaten, we have managed to become quite stingy in defence. We have conceded just four goals in that time, those being scored by Newcastle, Liverpool, Blackburn and Bristol City.
We have also kept clean sheets, which is something we weren't doing earlier in the season. This is a vindication of Southgate's decision to allow Woodgate to leave the club. His lack of passion for the club - and lack of belief in where we were going - was apparent.
Since his departure, Wheater and Huth have become an unstoppable duo.
They are a gruesome pair and I can't imagine many players will enjoy a tussle with our Anglo-Saxon twosome.
This weekend they will have a task on their hands keeping Torres out, a man who rescued a point for the Merseysiders at the Riverside just a few weeks ago.
And, fingers crossed, Liverpool will pair him with 'Timmy' Crouch hoping that his aerial 'prowess' will help them get the better of our centre back pairing.
What a mistake that'd be.
It is possible that Huth won't be risked and saved for Wednesday night's FA Cup replay but if that happens then Pogatetz will step in once again.
And I wouldn't blame Mr Gareth for resting Huth. At the end of the day, we are almost safe in mid-table and shouldn't be involved in the relegation scrap. We won't be involved in the UEFA push so we have to prioritise the FA Cup above the Premiership.
We are just two games away from Wembley and these two games are against lower league opponents. What an achievement that would be.
Yes, it's not the final, and yes, it'll cost the fans a fortune, but how much of a lift will the town, team and club get from a trip to the 'Arch' of Wembley?
And then, if the unthinkable happens and we make it to the final, we will be in Europe again, either through a win or runners-up spot (if United or Chelsea get there)!
And so, the Liverpool game becomes the second most important game of our week. Yet I expect the Boro to go there to play hard and fair, looking for a tight 1-0. This may work out, and if not, we could squeeze the draw.
Boro are starting to do alright, quietly going about their business and getting a little credit along the way.
This weekend's game is a no lose situation - if we get points then it's a bonus, if we don't then it's not the end of the world. A win would keep us above our North East rivals though and I'm sure that would keep a smile on our faces going into Wednesday night.
I'm hoping for a good result but I have a feeling we'll have half an eye cast towards the steel city game.
We can do it though.
C'mon Boro!
The Outcome: It's going to be a tight game. My heart says that it's a 0-0 draw yet my head tells me we'll lose 2-0 like last year.
Last season: Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough, 18/4/07, (Gerrard 58, 65 pen)
Boro Form (most recent result first): DWDWWD
Liverpool Form: WLDWLW
Probable Teams:
Boro: Schwarzer, Young, Pogatetz, Wheater, Huth, O'Neil, Arca, Rochemback, Downing, Mido, Aliadiere
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Aurelio, Skrtel, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun, Babel, Torres, Kuyt
Man to Watch: Steven Gerrard
RETURN TO DEEP IN MY HEART INDEX HERE
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