Charlie Nicholas admits he is starting to enjoy watching Liverpool after their win over Wigan.
Nicholas feels Liverpool rode luck in absence of Torres
Liverpool 3-2 Wigan
Soccer Saturday analysis
Charlie Nicholas admits he is finally starting to enjoy watching Liverpool after their remarkable comeback against Wigan.
In a thrilling game at Anfield, Wigan led 2-1 up until the 80th minute thanks to a brace from Amr Zaki, but following Antonio Valencia's red card, Albert Riera levelled and Dirk Kuyt scored his second goal of the game to win it for the Reds.
Nicholas has been critical of Rafael Benitez in the past for being too negative in games, but says Saturday's match was a treat thanks to an attacking approach from both sides.
"I can't believe I'm going to say this but I'm actually starting to enjoy watching Liverpool games," Nicholas said on
Soccer Saturday.
"Thommo always turns away when I say this, but sometimes in the past it's almost been too cautious but now they're going for it.
"Wigan, to their credit, played a very open and expansive game and some of the goals had real class, some had sheer energy and there was a little bit of good luck thrown in there for the winner from Dirk Kuyt.
"We questioned Liverpool, they started with Kuyt and Robbie Keane up front today and I don't think it really clicked as a partnership, it didn't really help Liverpool's fluency as Steven Gerrard was playing maybe a bit deeper than he would prefer.
"But credit to Wigan, they played really well. They were 2-1 up at half-time and I think they deserved to be. They were fluent, they were very attack-minded and you have to see the second goal from Amr Zaki - it's an absolute stunner of a volley.
"It was an end to end game as soon as we got the first goal. It was a waste of a half-time because you just wanted this to keep coming.
"It didn't disappoint in the second half either. It was sheer action."
Lifeline
But while Nicholas enjoyed the game, he said Liverpool rode their luck and were fortunate to be thrown a lifeline when Antonio Valencia was correctly red carded for a foul on Xavi Alonso.
He also said they lacked strength in depth in the absence of injured talisman Fernando Torres and feels they need him back to help maintain the momentum they are building.
"It was two yellow cards but I thought it was a straight red," he continued.
"For the first, Alan Wiley was taking an eternity over letting Liverpool take a free-kick and he eventually yellow-carded Valencia.
"The second challenge on Alonso was definitely a yellow card, the referee got it right so well done Alan Wiley.
"But from that moment it was nothing but bad luck for Wigan. Liverpool got a lot of luck and they need Torres back. This is a big period of the season for them. Rafa has let momentum slide in the past because he's focused on the Champions League.
"Now momentum is growing because they're coming back in games, the character's there, the ability's there - but looking at that bench the squad ain't there.
"He's got a couple out today but there were no real star performers. Kuyt will get the headlines for his goals and Keane came off without a goal but still made a contribution.
"Riera played really well today but I think they need Torres in this team because there's only so often you can keep coming back and nicking it towards the end. But credit to them."
Value
Nicholas was full of praise for the losing side, particularly striker Zaki who he described as the buy of the season.
However, he feels Zaki's performances could prove to be a double-edged sword for Latics boss Steve Bruce as he is likely to attract the attentions of bigger clubs when the transfer window re-opens.
"His value's just going up and up and I tell you what, he puts in a shift and all.
"I think Andy Gray was highlighting him on a live game a couple of weeks ago, he puts in a shift and defenders don't get a rest.
"The first goal was cool as you like and the second was an absolute wonder goal and he was unlucky not to get a hat-trick.
"Then you've got the problem with Emile Heskey - is he going to stay at Wigan? Can they afford to lose both, never mind just Zaki on his own?
"They guy's turned out to be the buy of the season and the find of the season at this moment in time.
"Come January I think there'll be a few big guns coming in for him."
