[lfc-news] Mark Lawrenson column - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 22 Mar 2005
Derby commitment there for all to see
By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

I WAS taken aback at Anfield on Sunday by seeing things I have never
seen before on a football pitch.

The first was three Liverpool players going off injured before
half-time, the second was Luis Garcia showing courage and determination
to finish the game and the third was Milan Baros displaying the
intelligence of a petulant five-year-old.

To begin with the injuries, it was just amazing. I mean, you expect the
odd knock as the game goes on, or players getting cramp and so on, but
not one after another.

I feel especially sorry for Stephen Warnock, who has made a breakthrough
in recent weeks. He may not be the best left-back in the world, but he
loves a tackle and that attitude endeared him to the Anfield faithful.

Garcia's effort in playing the second half on virtually one leg should
also be acknowledged, because he really put the team before himself.

I have criticised the Spaniard this season for flitting in and out of
games and not matching his undoubted talent with application. In too
many matches he thought a few flicks and olés were enough, but he also
has to contribute to the team when those skills are not coming off.

In recent weeks it looks as though the penny has dropped and on Sunday,
he certainly showed the type of commitment to the cause everyone has
wanted to see. Maybe some of the other players at the club will learn
from that.

It could be the turning point for the midfielder - if it is then
Liverpool have a player Rafael Benitez can rely on, instead of one who
blows hot and cold.

That is the key at this level. Everyone has the ability, but it is the
play-ers who can produce it week in, week out that are the exceptional
ones. Liverpool just haven't had enough of them so far under Benitez.

Talking of players you can rely on, do you think Baros will be in that
category now? I hope that Benitez read him the riot act after the match
because of the situation he left his team-mates in, and leaves them in
for the next few games.

First of all he misses two clear-cut chances - the second when the
goal-keeper was sitting down - and then he gets himself sent off for a
diabolical tackle.

I think if he had scored then the tackle on Alan Stubbs would never have
happened. As it was he must have been aware that Fernando Morientes was
injured and Garcia was on one leg, and yet he went ahead and got himself
sent off anyway.

That is just crazy behaviour - brainless really - because from cruising
to victory, Liverpool could have drawn the game. They were hanging on
and it is only due to sterling performances from the likes of Jamie
Carragher and Mauricio Pellegrino that they didn't.

Carragher was his usual self, but Pellegrino impressed me too. Obviously
he has plenty of experience, but I think his organisational skills came
to the fore against Everton. He is a good talker and was pushing and
pulling people all over the place to keep Liverpool tight at the back.

He may only be a stand-in player, but I think he is a good player to
have waiting in the wings. I also think he will play against Bolton
because their strength is, well, their strength. They load the box and
get the ball in there, which means you have to pick your tallest team
against them.

Of course, it is up front where the problem lies for Liverpool, because
of all the injuries and Baros's idiocy. I know Benitez has said they
don't have enough players in the right positions, but no-one could
legislate for four strikers being injured at once, three of them for the
season.

There are two weeks to go until the Bolton match, so you would hope that
Morientes can recover from his strain in time. It is not beyond the
realms of possibility because they usually take 10 days or so. If he
makes it, I would expect the Spanish striker to be supported by Steven
Gerrard or Vladimir Smicer against Bolton, in a match I'd be reasonably
confident of Liverpool winning.

If he doesn't then the task becomes harder because it would be Smicer as
the lone striker, unless Harry Kewell is fit again.

The thing about Bolton is that they don't score many goals, but they are
just difficult to play against so whoever takes to the field for
Liverpool, they must be strong when it counts. They were against
Everton, even with their team-mates dropping like flies around them. I
hope they will be again, injuries and inconsistency permitting.

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