Why it was good to see us WITHOUT Torres and Gerrard

If the Liverpool team that played Birmingham could be pitted against the eleven that played Steaua Bucharest, who would win? The obvious answer would be the team that had Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to come up with those sublime moments that they’ve produced in the past. We’ve contributed to the most exciting Champions League final and come very close to the Premier League title due largely to these two players creating something from the innocuous, something out of the ordinary. Other extremely good players have come and gone but there’s little doubt as to the prominence of Gerrard and Torres in this Liverpool squad.

In a strange way, however, those moments are what I want to see less of. Carrying the team has been a heavy creative burden that is perhaps starting to take too great a toll on Torres, a player with a recent history of injuries and that has started to look a little forlorn of late. Gerrard’s proficiency could have earned him a stellar reputation at any club in the world, and his work ethic for the Reds has earned him a talismanic status at Liverpool; but would he have had to work as hard at Chelsea or Real Madrid?

The performance on Thursday night alluded to a future of a more even distribution of incisive play, of a greater array of inventive talent, which could lighten the creative load. In actuality it could even release the shackles and give these two and the team the impetus and imposing quality that was lacking at St Andrew’s. Of course the opposition was different, certainly less resolute, and the Anfield atmosphere played some part. But in spite of this there was an urgency and a creativity on show when breaking down the Romanian defence that was deficient in the side that played Birmingham.

Much of the plaudits have gone to Joe Cole, and deservedly so. His control over the pace of the game is impressive; he is masterful at keeping possession in the middle of the park and unleashing the killer ball that Torres will set upon with relish. The pressure he applies to the opposition’s possession play was evident in his goal. In a similar way, Raul Meireles often emerged from tricky situations with the ball and demonstrated an eye for goal with a crisp half volley late on. As skilled and important as Mascherano and Alonso were, they were not renowned for the box-to-box play that Meireles and Cole have already exhibited; this could allow Gerrard to roam with more freedom and exert less energy on defensive duty whilst giving him more flair to feed on going forward.

Confidence and aggression was exuding from all the players for periods of the game on Thursday night. Babel exemplified quick, fluid interplay for much of the game and was encouragingly direct in the final third. The performance of Maxi, though less illustrious than Cole, did have some of the deft touches and craftsmanship that made his free transfer in January such an exciting prospect. Ngog’s goals belied a pretty average display without the strength and holding up needed to spearhead an attack, but he keeps on scoring and has promise. Another player with potential is Jay Spearing, who played an accomplished role as the main link between defence and midfield, and Martin Kelly also played with solidity and a maturity that exceeds his years.

Rather than Lucas and Poulsen we had energy and dynamism that stimulated our attacking play in Meireles and Cole. Rather than the industry of Jovanovic (who looks of a similar ilk as Dirk Kuyt) we had the directness and aggression of Babel, and Maxi’s skills could flourish in a more talented midfield . In regards to my initial question, I don’t know which team would win but I do know which team I’d rather watch. With Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in the mix as well, there could be some entertaining football ahead of us.

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