Shoot when you see the white of the halfway line
Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso ties up a 2-0 win against Newcastle with a goal from beyond the halfway line - his second goal from artillery range this year. That in itself would be reason for the Spaniard to be the most self-satisfied soccerista on the planet. But his recent effort makes January’s FA Cup goal against Luton look like a scuff from inside the six yard box.
The midfielder created this goal out of nothing, dispossessing Charles N’Zogbia in the centre of Liverpool’s own half. Had the referee not been in the way, the shot may have come sooner. When it did arrive - quite unlike the goal against Luton - the keeper was still in front of the ball, with a fighting chance of making a save. Unfortunately for Steve Harper, a fighting chance still gives you plenty of opportunity to look stupid.
Is it possible to score from a greater distance? Unusually, I know what I’m about to write next and I can tell you that it is. Bear with me and I’ll cobble something together…