Aldridge: Loss At Old Trafford Appaling

THERE is no other ground where
defeat hurts more than Old
Trafford and Liverpool's latest
setback on enemy territory was
particularly galling. Having shown
great character in the second
half to get it back to 2-2, Dimitar
Berbatov made sure that a day
which had begun with more
worrying headlines about our
absent landlords ended in the
worst possible fashion. But,
when you look back now, there
were some positives. Joe Cole
and Raul Meireles used the ball
well and both look as if they can
be quality players going forward
in the coming months; Meireles,
in particular, caught the eye. It is
early days where he is concerned
but he definitely has talent and I
can see him forming a good
partnership with Steven Gerrard
but, saying that, it has to be
acknowledged that Christian
Poulsen had his best game since
arriving from Juventus. You also
have to applaud the fact that the
team never caved in when they
went two goals down, as many
would have expected the Reds to
get beaten by three or four
following Berbatov's overhead
kick - he deserves great credit for
that exceptional strike. The same
could not be said, however,
about his other goals; the first
header was a shambles from a
corner - Paul Konchesky came off
the post and Fernando Torres
was the wrong side - while the
third was also wholly avoidable.
It means that, once again, a
number of issues emerged, ones
which need addressing in
January; the main one is the fact
we are crying out for a genuine
left-winger; I know I highlighted
the matter in last week's column
but our need for someone who
can play that role was again
exposed. Ryan Giggs is coming to
the end of his career but he
makes such a difference for
United with his pace and trickery,
giving the side a natural balance.
You could see on Sunday that
Cole is more suited to a central
position. Had Liverpool shown
some adventure, I am convinced
United were there to be got at;
they looked vulnerable when we
raised our game - why it took us
until we were two behind to do
that I will never know. We might
have been toasting a victory had
Howard Webb not bottled the
decision to send John O'Shea off
but the damage has been done
and Liverpool have got to move
on and build up some
momentum. Two home dates
with Sunderland and Blackpool
offer an opportunity to make the
table look much better. Liverpool
must find some momentum to
change the picture; much is
being made of this being our
worst start since 1992 but
providing we stay focused, this
opening sequence can be left
behind.