Soccer - Team Sport, or not ?

After watching Liverpool slumped to another defeat, and thinking about the key moments of the match (in particular the 3 goals we conceded), I come to the conclusion that soccer might not really be a team sport after all.

Sure, you need all 11 guys to make up the numbers but when you look at the defining moments of the game, it really boils down to the one or 2 individual that made the killer blow. The first goal comes down to really one splitting pass, one insightful run into space and a simple tap in. The 2nd goal was again from a great defense splitting pass and a (lucky?) shot through the legs of Reina. The 3 goal was a case of poor marking (theoretically a team effort but probably boils down to either Gerrard or Risse who did not pick up the run of Gallas).

Like in real life, the final result of a team is often decided by individuals, whether it is a stroke of genius leading to a miracle or a lapse of concentration leading to disaster.

And Liverpool's fate is aptly summed up by the dejected look on Gerard's face at the end of the game.