Source: Liverpool_Echo
David Prentice: What Liverpool FC have missed is a fully fit Gerrard and Torres
LIVERPOOL'S trials and tribulations throughout this seismic season have been put down to a missing X-Factor.[LNB]Sure, Xabi Alonso has been missed.[LNB]But in reality the biggest misses have been a fully fit and functioning Gerrard and Torres.[LNB]The driving force behind last season's title push have both been sorely missed at times this season.[LNB]But now the Reds have got their G and T tonic back.[LNB]And it was Lille who suffered the hangover.[LNB]Gerrard marked his 300th appearance as Liverpool skipper with a goal of captain's responsibility, slotting the seventh minute penalty kick that settled Anfield's nerves.[LNB]Then Torres went through his full striking repertoire.[LNB]Pacy, sinewy runs, dramatic changes of direction, shots, headers and intelligent running.[LNB]And that was before he scored the decisive second goal.[LNB]It was a performance predicted by his skipper.[LNB]In his programme notes Gerrard wrote: 'Another reason for being optimistic is Fernando Torres. Understandably he's needed time to regain his match sharpness and judging by Monday's evidence he's doing that. He scored two, was involved in two more and hit the post. When he's 100 per cent he's unstoppable, and he's very close to that now.'[LNB]Lille certainly couldn't stop him, although they invited the deft finish from the Spaniard with some daft defending in the build-up.[LNB]But there was no doubting Liverpool deserved their victory - despite an unnecessarily nervy final 15 minutes.[LNB]They started with a brisk tempo, passed the ball well and crucially got numbers in and around the Lille penalty area.[LNB]And at the heart of the attacking impetus was one Lucas Leiva.[LNB]The world's greatest footballer would not have approved.[LNB]Diego Armando Maradona turned up to watch a couple of Argentinians in action, causing quite a stir in the Anfield directors' box. Instead a Brazilian stole the first half show.
