Suarez Treble Downs Baggies

After coming back to draw at Newcastle, Liverpool played host to a West Brom side who had been victorious in the last three meetings between the sides and needed to continue that run to move up the table.

Lucas returned in place of Victor Moses as Liverpool looked to get back to winning ways and Suarez had an early chance after strike partner Sturridge set him up but his shot narrowly went past the post. Suarez turned provider for Gerrard but saw the play maker's chance go the same way as his previous one but within minutes there were appeals for a penalty after McAuley looked to have fouled Suarez but nothing given.

Suarez was rewarded for his early exploits with the opening goal in the 11th minute as he swept past three defenders to slide the ball past Myhill to the joy of the home fans, Suarez added a second withing six minutes with a lucky cross from Cissokho finding him perfectly to hit a stunning header into the top corner from 17 yards out. 

Two could have been three for Liverpool as Skrtel connected to a Gerrard set-piece but mishit with the goal at his mercy while Suarez hit a clever free-kick which went past the post from 25 yards and Henderson was achingly close with a sweeping shot from the edge of the box.

Former Red Nicolas Anelka could have pulled a goal back right on half time after evading Mignolet but Skrtel ruined his hopes with a clearance before the line to ensure a first half clean sheet with the score at 2-0.

Both sides came out looking to score and Sturridge hit a free-kick narrowly past the post while Yacob hit a curler which failed to test Mignolet, Liverpool all but secured the win in the 55th minute as Suarez completed his hat-trick after latching onto Gerrard's free-kick and heading past Myhill.

West Brom were handed a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty which Morrison swept home past the diving Mignolet for 3-1 and minutes later Brunt hit an effort across goal and a snap-shot but neither resulted in a second Baggies goal.

Brunt's failure to convert proved costly as soon after, Sturridge stunned the crowd with a spectacular deft chip from 20 yards which flew over Myhill and into the corner for a 4-1 lead. Suarez could have finished with a stylish fourth as he hit an overhead kick which forced Myhill to tip the ball onto the bar and at the other end, Mignolet stopped Morrison as Liverpool secured a comfortable win.

SAS Salvage Draw at Newcastle

Going into the international break, Liverpool were sitting joint top after a win over Crystal Palace and hoped that their good form would continue away to Newcastle. The past meeting between the sides are famous for being goal fests and in the early kick off on Saturday it was no different.

Newcastle sought revenge for the 6-0 crushing they suffered in April and they started with clear intent of shutting Liverpool down but it took a stunning strike from Cabaye to confirm their pressure as he let go from distance with a powerful shot which spun past the shielding Cissokho which hindered Mignolet's view and saw the ball fly into the net to send the home fans into hysterics.

The Frenchman could have had a second soon after as he hit an effort which came close to the cross bar and his fellow attacker Sissoko could have scored as he tested Mignolet with a strong shot which forced the Belgian to save acrobatically.


Newcastle's dominance suffered a crucial blow three minutes from half time as Suarez who had been fairly quiet so far in the game collected a pass from Sturridge and swooped into the box only to be shoved by Yanga-Mbiwa who saw himself sent off for the offence leaving the Magpies playing with ten for the rest of the game, Gerrard stepped up and successfully scored from the spot for his 100th league goal for Liverpool and ensured the sides were level into the interval.

Liverpool now needed to take advantage and could have taken the lead when Johnson forced Krul to turn the ball past the post early in the half while Skrtel's deft touch prevented Remy from beating Mignolet from close range.

Liverpool's failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage saw Newcastle take a 2-1 lead with a goal from Dummett who latched on to a looping cross to hit past Mignolet and write a new name into Newcastle folklore. Rodgers saw that changes needed to be made to comeback and brought Alberto on in place of Sakho and the change paid dividends as Liverpool were soon back on level terms.

Suarez broke clear and waited for his strike partner Sturridge to race into the area who then connected to the Uruguayan's cross to head home with a diving header as the 'SAS' struck again in devastating style. 

Liverpool pushed forward for a winner and came achingly close as Suarez skimmed the crossbar with a stinging volley but the miss meant the sides shared the points but saw Liverpool return to the top of the table if only for a few hours. 

Liverpool Top As SAS Down Palace

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League after a 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace which saw a repeat performance from the new 'SAS'.

Lucas' suspension meant he was replaced by Sterling in an otherwise unchanged Liverpool side who started the better with Suarez finding space to setup Gerrard who hit a swooping shot which was denied a chance at goal by Delaney.

Palace responded when Puncheon picked out Jerome only for the striker to head wide of the goal, but the deadlock could have broken in the 11th minute as an unmarked Moses attempted a flick which didn't come off as he had hoped.

Liverpool opened the scoring in style as Suarez linked up with Enrique to sway through the Palace defence and drive the ball past Speroni for his third goal in two games and the lead was increased to two within four minutes as Sturridge shimmied past the challenging defenders to hit into the far corner and send the home fans into celebration.

 

Palace needed a quick response and were unlucky not to comeback to 2-2 as Kebe raced passed the home defence and hit goalwards beating Mignolet but denied by Toure's clearance off the line and the rebound from Kebe was saved by Mignolet. Jerome swept in a cross which deflected off Toure but luckily for Liverpool was cleared by Sakho.

Their failure to convert from previous chances cost Palace as their hopes of a comeback were dealt a big blow as they conceded a penalty in the 37th minute after Sterling was tripped and Gerrard converted past Speroni for a 3-0 lead. 

Three could have become four as Moses after connecting to a Suarez pass hit the crossbar while Suarez himself tested Speroni with a drive to the left but was denied as the Reds went in 3-0 up at the break.

The second half was devoid of any real action until a chance from Sterling tested Speroni, Puncheon was denied by Mignolet after his shot deflected off a Liverpool defender and Gayle swept a powerful strike over the bar.

Agger came on for Sakho as Palace threatened to damaged Liverpool's clean sheet and were soon successful as after Sterling was penalised for a foul,Campana swept in a dangerous free-kick which Gayle latched onto to glance the ball into the corner past Mignolet and give Palace hope at 3-1.

It was consolation if anything for Palace who could have gone three behind again as Sturridge hit a shot from the edge of the box which struck the post but Liverpool claimed a 3-1 win which sent them top of the league until this afternoon when Arsenal's draw put them top on goals scored but to be joint top into the international break is great considering where we were a year ago.