Never Mind The Quality, Feel The Width!

Gareth Roberts, November 12th 2008

Robbie Keane hit the headlines for, as he put it, ′getting the monkey off his back′ – a phrase that had Rafa Benitez scrambling for his book of football clich′s.

But while the Irishman′s first league goals for Liverpool were much appreciated, and long overdue, there was yet more compelling evidence against West Brom of something else that Reds fans have waited a long time for – decent full backs.

There′s been much talk of Keane being the ′final piece in the jigsaw′ (lend us that cliche book Rafa), but having a nice pair up front doesn′t guarantee success – ask Jodie Marsh.

But if you look at the top teams in the Premiership, they all have something in common – decent full backs. Full backs that can not only defend, but can contribute to attack too. Last weekend′s action was a case in point. Chelsea′s first goal at Blackburn came from Nicolas Anelka turning in a shot from right back Jose Bosingwa, who has impressed as an attacking force and backs up the much–maligned Ashley Cole on the opposite flank.

Man United′s consolation in the 2–1 defeat at Arsenal came from substitute Rafael da Silva, who had also made a telling contribution in the Champions League match at Celtic. On their left hand side they have Patrice Evra – another more than willing and able to attack and defend in equal measures. And so on to our full backs, who were just as effective against West Brom.

Left back Fabio Aurelio set up Robbie Keane′s second goal and, of c

ourse, right back Alvaro Arbeloa cooly turned in the third with a sublime curled finish. Arbeloa has made the right back slot his own, admittedly with not much opposition with Philipp Degen injured and Stephen Darby regarded as a rookie, and he′s racked up more first–team minutes than anyone at the club except Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina. So it′s too his credit that, after a game where he was up and down the pitch almost as much as Dirk Kuyt, he was on hand to finish off the Baggies.

The Spaniard has taken flak from some fans but he′s a decent crosser of the ball, can finish and is becoming more and more consistent.

On the other flank, Aurelio was equally impressive, whipping in some decent balls and playing in the early pass for Keane which tempted Scott Carson off his line and allowed the former Spurs man (who′s definitely not called Keano) the chance to grab his second league goal for the club.

With Andrea Dossena struggling to settle, the 29–year–old can make the role his own. And Benitez has already shown his faith in him by giving him the nod for the games against Manchester United and Chelsea. Given an injury–free run, the Brazilian can contribute a lot.

And, as with Arbeloa, that contribution could prove crucial – especially in tight games at Anfield when lesser teams ′park the bus in front of the goal′ (another clich′ Rafa, maybe we should write a book?!).

That willingness to get forward, coupled with an eye for goal (don′t forget Aurelio can finish, see Bolton away last season for more) and the ability to crack in a decent delivery could help to keep us at the top in a title race panning out to be tighter than David Dunn′s shorts.

Read more by Gareth at his blog, Well Red: http://robbohuyton.blogspot.com/

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