November 4, 2010
European nights at Anfield form a central part of the folklore. Some are mundane, some underwhelming but, every now and again, one provides a glorious goal, a tremendous comeback and a final, concluding chorus of You'll Never Walk Alone that should live long in the memory of any newcomer.
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John W Henry headed to Anfield to see Steven Gerrard turn the game on its head
• Liverpool 3-1 Napoli
• Hodgson delighted with Gerrard
• Europa League gallery
To judge by John W Henry's reaction, Liverpool's new owner became as energised as any Scouser on his Anfield debut. Having resembled a self-conscious accountant, he then became a celebrating supporter.
By a simple dint of not being Tom Hicks or George Gillett, Liverpool's new owner may have contributed to the feelgood factor off the pitch, but it was their figurehead on it who played a greater part on this occasion. Steven Gerrard's role as the personification of Liverpool has transcended eras and, if Henry wondered why, his answer came in the form of a 15-minute hat-trick.
Sent on for a second-half salvage operation, he executed it to perfection, rousing others with his dynamism. Ezequiel Lavezzi's opening goal for Napoli meant Gerrard couldn't be spared for Sunday's visit of Chelsea. But it brought a benefit, his catalytic contribution putting Liverpool in command of Group K and extending their recent revival in thrilling fashion.
"We owe him a big debt of gratitude," Roy Hodgson said. "His entry on to the field was a catalyst, galvanised the crowd, galvanised the team. It took some Steven Gerrard magic and some Steven Gerrard courage."
It began unusually. Gerrard contrived to score with a tackle, challenging Napoli goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis for the under-hit backpass that represented Andrea Dossena's gift to his former team-mate. "It is not a pretty goal, but it is a captain's goal - the goal of a man who wanted to get his team back into the game," Hodgson added.
Then Gerrard converted a penalty after Salvatore Aronica tripped Glen Johnson before deftly chipping De Sanctis for the third. Almost six years since his heroics against Olympiakos, Gerrard retains an ability to make his mark on the continent. Only the fact it wasn't the Champions League may preclude a place among the great European occasions.
There was, though, a vibrant atmosphere. Lavezzi's strike brought long and lengthy celebrations from the ebullient Italians. Besides being prominent ports, a fervour for football and a fondness for nostalgia unite Liverpool and Naples. A banner was unravelled among the Napoli fans, wishing a belated happy birthday to Diego Maradona. A wish to turn the clock back to 1990 could be a common denominator: the year of the last title for both clubs, it also marked the final hurrah for their respective iconic figures, Maradona and Kenny Dalglish, on the pitch and in the dugout respectively.
The Argentine was part of Napoli's greatest attacking triumvirate. MaGiCa was an appropriate abbreviation for Maradona, Bruno Giordano and Careca. Their current counterparts lend themselves to no such obvious nickname but Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik comprise a fine trio in their own right.
Hamsik may be the greatest talent. However, Slovakia's captain, and the supposed Manchester United target, was rather overshadowed by his South American accomplices at Anfield. Quick-witted and sharp, Lavezzi, the head of the attacking triangle, and Cavani, the left-sided point, caused untold problems in the first half. A 3-4-2-1 formation has its merits, especially against English opposition who are unaccustomed to facing such a side. It certainly enabled the bright Cavani to remain an elusive figure, roaming with purpose and squat power.
There can be an explosive element to meetings of Argentines and Uruguayans. As Napoli's goal demonstrated, there was when they attacked. Cavani reacted sharply to Christian Poulsen's misdirected header. His sole touch was a header, flicked over the Liverpool defence for the accelerating Lavezzi to steer his shot past Jose Reina.
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Steven Gerrard sparked Liverpool back into life
At that stage, Hodgson was ranting on the bench, seemingly to no one in particular. But he took the obvious option and introduced Gerrard. His arrival brought an immediate improvement. De Sanctis blocked David Ngog's low shot. Raul Meireles shot narrowly wide and the captain curled a free-kick just past the post.
Then came the remarkable turnaround. Proof that, while Napoli had MaGiCa in their past, Liverpool possess a little magic of their own at the moment.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Steven Gerrard. A stunning third goal completed a wonderful comeback. The difference between the two halves was simple: Gerrard played in the second.
LIVERPOOL VERDICT: Those who were omitted, such as Fernando Torres, Maxi Rodriguez and Lucas, can rest assured that they will regain their places against Chelsea. Meireles was tried again in what tends to be Gerrard's usual position and, again, suggested he is better in a deeper role. Poulsen's role in the Napoli goal cemented an unimpressive start to life in England. It was telling that cheers greeted his replacement with Nathan Eccleston - the young forward doesn't have that big a fan club yet.
NAPOLI VERDICT: For 75 minutes, they looked a very good side, with the seven defenders and midfielders providing understated support for the three class acts further forward. Then Hurricane Gerrard blew them away. Dossena's fallibility brought back reminders of his failures at Anfield.
