Source: Liverpool_Echo
TV lucky to miss out on Liverpool FC shocker at Manchester City
PERHAPS those in charge of programme planning at the two satellite broadcasters really are blessed with the gift of being able to see into the future.[LNB]When the roster for this weekend's round of televised matches was published just after Christmas, eyebrows were raised that a potentially titanic clash between Manchester City and Liverpool was missed off the list.[LNB]Now we know why those tussles between Wigan and Tottenham, Blackburn and Bolton, not to mention that blockbuster between Aston Villa and Burnley, were all deemed fit for broadcasting ahead of this.[LNB]City against Liverpool should have been a contest that crackled with excitement, a collision when an established Champions League side had their credentials for fourth spot sternly examined by an up-and-coming ensemble.[LNB]With more than £250m of talent on the pitch, surely it was not beyond reason to expect someone, somewhere to conjure up a magic moment that would quicken the pulse and fire a message of intent in the battle for fourth place?[LNB]Apparently so. Having sat through what amounted to 96 minutes of utter boredom, both sets of supporters came away from the City of Manchester Stadium wondering what all the fuss was about after a game that provided more questions than answers.[LNB]Taking a point may have handed Roberto Mancini's side advantage in the race for that final Champions League spot - they are level on points with Tottenham with a game in hand - but it will be a miracle if, come May 9, they end the campaign there.[LNB]Laboured, lacking any kind of attacking verve and struggling to deal with the weight of expectation on their shoulders, City did absolutely nothing to convince they are ready to start rubbing shoulders with Europe's elite.[LNB]The problem, however, for Liverpudlians today is that neither did their team. As he headed for home last night, Rafa Benitez was visibly frustrated, as were the majority of his players, that two more points had been frittered away.[LNB]City were there to be torn apart.[LNB]Reports yesterday morning of problems in the dressing room appeared spot on, as the 11 men playing in laser blue failed to show any kind of spirit.[LNB]A team playing with elan would have had little difficulty ransacking their home, as the suspicion from the first whistle was that their tetchy home crowd - all groans, mumbles and howls of derision - was ready to turn at the first sign of trouble.[LNB]Liverpool, though, were desperate. Unable to string any kind of slick, stylish passing moves together, short of pace on the flanks and lacking speed of thought, they were pedestrian when circumstances demanded they be positive.[LNB]That Shay Given only had one save to make either side of half-time - and that a routine one from Steven Gerrard - tells you everything you need to know about what Liverpool were like as an attacking force.[LNB]Such a frustration. The longer the Reds continue to be so ham-fisted in the final third of the pitch, the more they pass the ball backwards and sideways or - worse still, keep finding the opposition - the harder it will be for them to reach their main objective.[LNB]After making a bright start, when they gave cause for optimism that this would be a first happy away day since December 29, they never moved forward at all; whenever they got within an ace of City's 18-yard box, inevitably their world would cave in.[LNB]Attempts at adroit flicks went out of play, subtle through balls clattered into the legs of defenders and, worst of all, the 'Hollywood passes' - those raking, cross field change of plays - ended up in the stands.
