A BLACK CLASSIC

Strangely, despite conceding four goals and drawing against an under-strength Arsenal team, I've only got admiration for the boys.
We've been waiing for this cavalier attacking play for months, and now that we've got it, it's time to savour it.
Of course, conceding four goals wasn't part of the bargain.
But, it's hard to castigate usually mistake-free, solid players and a spate of wonder finishing from a hugely gifted Russian.
It was just one of those crazy evenings when errors were capatalised on and punished to maximum effect.
Yes, Arbeloa dawdled on the ball for Arshavin's second, but the midfielder still had loads to do before piledriving one into the bottom corner.
Similarly, Mascherano is often the most sensible and professional of players, and the times he'll get caught in possession is rare.
Still, Arsenal had much to pick through before Arshavin plonked the ball into the roof of the net.
It's not really been highlighted, but the way Gooners manouevred the ball from Nasri to Fabregas, a cute round the corner ball to beat the offside trap, before squaring for the Russian was majestic, and would have defeated most defences.
Aurelio's gaffe, granted, was a poor one, but there was nodody to blame for Arsenal's fourth.
We were having to push up, and the devatating pace of Walcott and Arshavin's lung busting support run was too much.
Why has it got to be blame all the time, too? Sometimes, you've got to hold your hand up to fine attacking play.

For many, the question seems to be, why have we suddenly lost our defensive solidity even though we have suddenly learnt how to score goals?
But, other than four isolated moments, Reina hardly had a save to make. Sometimes, these kamikaze games just happen.
Ask Man Utd. Solid as a rock all season, we go to Old Trafford and wallop four past them, and in truth, it could have been six.
It was great to see Yossi coming to the fore. A great little player who deserves a couple more seasons at Liverpool, and more time off the bench.
He was a constant menace, with an appetite that would embarass the rapping, on the street, Ryan Babel.
The courage he showed for the second goal with flying boot to his face was commendable.
And he, Kuyt and Torres formed a potent front three.

A word for Kuyt here. As limited as the Dutchman sometimes is, he warms the cockles of your heart.
What a trier. A spot on dinked ball for Torres' header and a lovely curved delivery that Yossi bravely snapped up.
From week to week, my opinion on Dirk changes. At present, I want him to stay. Next week I'll be saing something different.

It's interesting that with Gerrard out the side, Liverpool have bagged 12 goals in three games.
A theory I have often put forward is that the absence of the great man makes other players come out of their shell.
Suddenly, Riera know he's got to get his finger our. Yossi probably benefits massively as the area behind Torres which Gerrard patrols is now his territory.
But most of all, Alonso is able to shine. The Spaniard has been exemplary in the last three games.
It's almost as if he steps up to the plate when the skipper is gone and everything is chanelled through his brain and wonderfully precise right passing boot.

As for Torres, his finishing and nose for a goal is just phenomenal. He just hunts down goals and is by a street the best striker in the Premiership.
As has been said, if we had him fit for more games, maybe some of those frustrating draws may have been turned into victories.

Onto the title, Tuesday's result is a big sucker-punch, and I can't really see United dropping a potential six points, but as Arsenal have shown, all games are tough and any result is possible.
Man Utd still have three tough home fixtures in Arsenal, Man City and Spurs at Old Trafford, so a couple of draws might let Liverpool back in.
Here's praying.