Sheff Utd 11 Liverpool 360

True! I don't think I have ever seen a less motivated side for a big game than Pool's start in the Euro final, and not the soundest team choice yesterday. I sometimes think the side are too quick to believe their own publicity. They were simply outworked by Shef U yesterday and got back into the game only after that side started to defend deeper. 2 points dropped if we are thinking of championships. It puts into perspective the performance against Chelsea in that non event last week and the euphoria the win suggested. It is all a bit different in real competitions.

There will be tougher away games than yesterdays, even discounting the bigger clubs. and it's going to take a big improvement to avoid getting done by some of those determined mid table sides if they don't change quickly.

What is it about Gerrard? Seems to need extra motivation before he plays to his best. First game for a new England boss and something to prove worked well, and a typical upsurge in performance yesterday once the side went behind. Saw nothing of that "leading by example" his side needed when being outplayed in the first half, and this was the case too often last season. For a player of his quality he is not at his best often enough in the dour struggle to dominate early on. This is often hidden if Pool get an early lead. Playing wide might not be ideal of course.

It was the first league game and Arsenal dropped a home point yesterday and Man U and Chelsea might drop some today? Better hope, because on this showing Pool will need all the help they can get unless the title winning targets are a lot less than in the past 2 seasons. Could be?

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