Unlucky Reds Home Form Are Reminders Of Rafa's Title Chasing Season

Liverpool huffed and puffed once more but came up against another excellent goalkeeping display. A feat that Mark Bunn probably will and could not repeat even if he tried. The journeyman goalkeeper showed far better reflexes than Paul Robinson have had this season to deny Andy Carroll a confidence-boosting goal. As if to add insult to hurt, Blackburn defence only had Chris Samba as the experienced defender, the rest were youth team players elevated to emergency first team action!

SIX home draws have surely dampened Liverpool's hopes for a Champions League spot. Drawing against the Wigans, Fulhams and Blackburns of the Premiership are of course nothing new for the mighty Reds. We should remember that home draws against inferior opposition costed Liverpool the Premiership title. There is a strange Benitez resonance to this season's results and this problem to kill off the lesser Premier League teams at home is rearing its ugle head again.

The Reds need to be ruthless like Manchester United if they want that fourth Champions League spot.

Inferior teams will always come to Anfield and "park the bus". It is up to the home team to break down the opposition. Liverpool have the ability through Maxi, Adam and Suarez to open up defences, the return of Steven Gerrard will add more attacking instincts from midfield. Against Blackburn, Steven Gerrard's more incisive and direct passing helped Liverpool maintain attacking momentum. A fit and mobile Gerrard with his renowned finishing ability, is what's needed for Liverpool to overcome any team which will defend.

 

Andy Carroll will eventually come good....BUT it definitely won't be with Liverpool. Though the Kop faithful have been patiently encouraging him to make good on his promise, the fact remains that Liverpool plays more enterprising and fluent football without the big giant.

A move across the Mersey to Everton would be ideal for Carroll...the Toffees love big men, and Andy Carroll can be a cult hero in the same vein as Duncan Ferguson.

A loan deal perhaps with Jack Rodwell moving to the Reds? That's a win-win deal for both clubs!