First Look

Filed in archive Premiership 2006/7 on August 14, 2006

Liverpool's 2-1 win over Chelsea in the Charity (not Community) Shield was my first look at some big name signings for the two sides. Here's what I saw.

Liverpool:

• Jermaine Pennant - Didn't set the right flank alight, but definitely added width to Liverpool's game. Will come good.


• Craig Bellamy - Came on late and provided the cross for Crouch's winner. Even seemed happy about his from-the-bench-role when interviewed post match.


• Mark González - Looked the business on Liverpool's left, and probably the fastest of three very fast players.

Chelsea:

• Andriy Shevchenko - Took his goal well, and could have had another with a bit of luck. Looked dangerous every time he got the ball. Only downside was that his assured first touch made strike partner Didier Drogba look like a rich man's Ade Akinbiyi.


• Michael Ballack - Injured early, and quite badly. Knew how to handle that ice-pack though.


• Salomon Kalou - Definitely got the skills, and will beat many a full-back this season. But also lost the ball a few times, trying tricks when he should have played it easy. Soccer-Weblog foresees a cristiano ronaldo-esque learning experience.

One (or two) final words re: this result. Liverpool shouldn't get carried away. It doesn't make them favourites for the Premiership. It will do their confidence a world of good though. Chelsea looked short of match fitness, which would have been OK a couple of weeks ago, but the league starts this coming weekend. Maybe they should have spent more time playing matches in America, instead of poncing about in Los Angeles.