Smith on United, Youth and Carroll

Manchester United might be top of the Barclays Premier League but Liverpool proved at Anfield last Sunday that Alex Ferguson's side aren't anything special, writes Tommy Smith in the Echo.

We put them under pressure and forced them into making mistakes.

The atmosphere was fantastic throughout the game and that really spurred the players on.

Luis Suarez was excellent and the piece of skill for the first goal was very special.

But there was only one real contender for man of the match and that was hat-trick hero Dirk Kuyt.

I know all his goals were from close range but he was in the right place at the right time.

Kuyt anticipates the game really well and that was highlighted by the third goal.

When the 'keeper spilled the ball, everyone else was just standing around but Kuyt was following up to score.

I was really surprised that United blanked the media after the game.

You've got a duty to communicate with the fans and it just smacked of being sore losers.

*****

Liverpool didn't play well against Braga on Thursday night but I still fancy us to get through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Losing 1-0 isn't a great problem and we should have too much for them at Anfield on Thursday night.

I was really disappointed with our first half performance.

We looked apprehensive about committing too many players forward in case we left too much space for them to capitalise on.

The first half was like a game of five-a-side with no real tempo it.

It was clear the team had been set up to contain Braga and we did that pretty well until Sotirios Kyrgiakos gave away a stupid penalty.

It was a challenge he didn't need to make.

I thought we should have had a penalty ourselves when Joe Cole was brought down in the box.

If Cole hadn't gone down so dramatically I think the referee might have given it.

Thankfully, there was an improvement in the second half and especially when Andy Carroll came on.

He was excellent in the air and caused Braga a lot of problems.

They looked scared of him and he turned the game Liverpool's way.

As far as I'm concerned Carroll should have started.

If you are fit enough to be on the bench then you are fit enough to start.

Carroll's performance at least gave the fans over there something to shout about.

He is going to be a major asset for Liverpool and has to start the second leg.

I'm sure it will be a very different game at Anfield.

For a start they will have to contend with a full house shouting for Liverpool.

We have to get at them from the start of the second leg.

Losing Steven Gerrard for a month is a big blow but I still think we can march on without him.

Carroll is the key as they will struggle to contain him. We've got to get plenty of balls into the penalty box.

*****

Liverpool's senior team may be without a game this weekend but there's still a match at Anfield well worth watching.

The youngsters face Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup on Sunday and I want to wish them the best of luck.

It's a great competition and hopefully our boys can go all the way this season.

I played in the final back in 1963 when we lost 6-5 on aggregate to West Ham. We were robbed by a controversial refereeing decision and it was tough to take.

I've heard great things about some of the kids coming through at Liverpool and hopefully they will show United what they are capable of.

Source: Liverpool Echo

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.