Comment: Liverpool FC need to go for jugular

Liverpool need to go for jugularTHEY say fortune favours the brave and at Old Trafford yesterday Liverpool simply weren't brave enough.It was easy to point an accusing finger at referee Howard Webb for his part in a painful defeat which delivered a shattering blow to the Reds' hopes of Champions League qualification.The erratic official got just about everything wrong, including, crucially, the penalty he awarded when Javier Mascherano fouled Antonio Valencia just outside the box.It enabled Manchester United to grab a foothold in the game they scarcely merited following Fernando Torres' early header.Webb gave so many decisions United's way that it was something of a surprise that he gave Liverpool the kick-off after Ji-Sung Park scored what ultimately turned out to be the winner.Chuck in the fact that Gary Neville got away with a stray boot in Maxi Rodriguez's head and Darren Fletcher escaped with a talking to after lashing out at Dirk Kuyt, then it was no shock that England's World Cup whistle-blower was the target of Rafa Benitez's post-match ire.But the key reasons for this defeat lie much closer to home.A year ago Liverpool went to Old Trafford and played United off the park en route to their biggest victory on enemy territory for 73 years.This time they were overly cautious - more concerned with stifling the title contenders than bossing the game.The selection of Rodriguez in place of the resurgent Ryan Babel underlined Benitez's defensive mindset.At the heart of it was surely his desire to ensure there was some protection on the left for vulnerable full-back Emiliano Insua. It didn't pay off.Rodriguez was on the periphery throughout and ageing United right-back Gary Neville's glaring lack of pace was never exposed.

Source: Liverpool_Echo