Saturday 18 January 2014

Gerrard Rescues Reds In Villa Draw

After the eight goal thriller against Stoke last week, Liverpool looked to continue their fine home form but had to settle for a points after a  fightback against Aston Villa.



Sturridge made his first start since returning from injury in place of Lucas but it was the visitors that made the best start as after only 45 seconds, Agbonlahor latched on to a header and faced Mignolet one-on-one but hit past the wrong side of the post. 

Villa looked to be the better side as they attacked menacingly again as Weimann picked out Westwood with a cross but the resulting shot drew a comfortable save from Mignolet. Sturridge responded for the hosts as he hit a curler that narrowly went over but Villa went even closer as Westwood swung in a corner and Clark connected to head against the post.

Liverpool's setup meant the counter attack was theit main tactics and but it served a cost as Agbonalhor raced down the left and past Toure to sweep a cross to the far post and saw Weimann convert after ghosting in front of Gerrard.

Sterling tested Guzan after being found by Suarez but it was Villa scored next and Agbonlahor was again the creator as he hit a threatening cross which was achingly missed by Mignolet and headed into the open net by Benteke as thoughts cast to Villa's 3-1 win at Anfield last year in which the scorers were replicated.

 As the half-time interval neared Liverpool got themselves back in the game as the Sturridge made it two in two after being expertly setup by Henderson from the edge of the area and the striker hit past Guzan to a raucous cheer from the home fans.

Rodgers made a change and Lucas came on in place of Coutinho as the formation reshuffled and eight minutes later, Liverpool were level as Guzan conceded a penalty after looking to have fouled Suarez and Gerrard coverted from the spot to rescue Liverpool yet again with his 22nd successful  Premier League penalty.

Villa had to push to regain the lead and came very close as Delph hit a powerful effort which narrowly missed the target and Guzan was soon forced to deny Liverpool twice in a couple of minutes as Johnson picked out Suarez who tested the American and then he denied Henderson after the SAS combined.

Suarez looked to put Liverpool in front with one of his trademark set-pieces but sadly he hit it wide and as both teams pushed for a winner it was to no avail as they had to settle for a point apiece.








Tuesday 14 January 2014

SAS Triumph In Stoke Thriller

Liverpool returned to the top four after coming out on top in an eight goal thriller away to Stoke.

The return to the starting eleven of captain Steven Gerrard was buoyed by the news that Daniel Sturridge was named on the bench after a long injury layoff, Stoke started with heavy pressure forcing a number of corners but it was the visitors that struck first as Sterling lifted a cross in and found Cissokho who hit a powerful effort at goal but got lucky as it deflected in off the unfortunate Shawcross for a 1-0 lead.

Sterling was the creator again as he pulled the ball back to Coutinho who hit a curling shot that's narrowly went over the crossbar, Arnautovic hit a volleyed chance off target while Toure denied Crouch a shot at goal from a Stoke corner.

Liverpool countered and Suarez hit a free-kick wide with the visitors expecting a repeat of his recent heroics but within minutes, he showed why he is the league's top scorer as he capitalised on a defensive mistake to slot past Butland for a two goal lead.

Recent away trips have seen Liverpool lead and be pegged back and soon history repeated itself as former red Crocuh connected with an Arnautovic cross to head home past Mignolet to make it 2-1, Suarez clipped the ball into Coutinho at the other end and forced a superb save from Butland.

Stoke levelled just before the interval as the curse of the former reds struck again as Adam hit a long range shot that sailed past Mignolet to cancel out a Liverpool away lead yet again. Stoke began the second half the better but it was Liverpool that struck first after Gerrard converted from the spot after Wilson had fouled Sterling.

Sturridge made his comeback from injury in the 66th minute in place of Coutinho but Stoke had a brilliant chance to level when N'Zonzi hit a curling shot that looked to be going into the top corner but was denied by a well timed block.

After a long wait, the SAS were back in business as Sturridge picked out Suarez who hit a superb curler past Butland into the far corner to make it 4-2 and surely dampen Stoke's comeback. However, Walters connected to a Crouch delivery and was excellently denied by Mignolet.

Five minutes to go and Stoke hit a third as Walters broke through the defence and finished past Mignolet to ensure a frantic finish at 4-3 but the Liverpool nerves were ended by a stunning ending as Suarez found Sturridge who hit for goal only to see Butland deny him but a chip and headed skill saw him convert his second chance to make it an incredible score of 5-3.

There could have been more as Crouch headed against the post and Mignolet luckily prevented Gerrard from hitting into his own net as Liverpool held on for a first league win at the Britannia.


Monday 6 January 2014

Aspas Prevents Double Exit To Oldham

Friday 3 January 2014

Reds Claim Hull Revenge


Liverpool bounced back from the double Christmas defeats to gain revenge on Hull for the 3-1 defeat in the previous meeting as they moved back into the top four.

Cissokho and a rare start for Aspas replaced the injured Allen and Sakho with the fit-again captain Gerrard on the bench as both sides made a mixed start at a wind swept Anfield, Hull had the first real chance as Sagbo hit a volley over the crossbar.

Suarez found space and hit a chancing lob across goal but it failed to test McGregor but the Uruguayan did have the ball in the net after connecting to Coutinho's free-kick but was pulled back for offside.

Coutinho and Sterling both had chances with Suarez picking out Sterling with a header but the winger's side-footed chance was blocked but Liverpool did take the lead in the 36th minute as Agger met Coutinho's corner to head past McGregor for his first goal of the season.

Henderson had a chance to make it two when Aspas deflected a Coutinho pass into his path but he hit the ball wide of the left post as Liverpool went into half-time with a slender 1-0 lead. The lead became two after five minutes of the second half as Suarez hit his 20th league goal of the season with a stunning free-kick from 25 yards that curled past McGregor to double the lead.

Hull rung the changes with a trio of substitutions but Liverpool made an important one of their own as Gerrard returned following a month out to boost the home fans confidence while Coutinho clipped an effort off target followed by a threatening shot which forced a good save from McGregor.

Huddlestone tested Mignolet to no avail and Elmohamady volleyed over as the seconds ticked down but there was time for one last piece of action as Suarez hit for goal from 40 yards from a set-piece but found the Kop as Liverpool returned to winning ways.

Next up is the FA Cup third round tie against last seasons giant-killers Oldham as Liverpool look to avenge their 2013 exit at the hands of the Latics.

Tuesday 31 December 2013

Skrtel Strike Not Enough In Chelsea Defeat

The return of vice-captain Daniel Agger shored up the Liverpool defence as they travelled to Chelsea looking to bounce back from the defeat to Man City on Boxing Day and there was a double surprise on the bench as Jordan Rossiter joined Brad Smith who was unused at City.

Liverpool made the perfect start by taking the lead after three minutes as Coutinho swept in a free-kick that Suarez flicked on and saw Skrtel convert from close range to send the travelling fans into delight. Chelsea could have levelled instantly as Hazard tested Mignolet and thought he had scored to be denied by a vital goalline clearance by Johnson with Cahill soon heading wide from a set-piece.

Chelsea pushed to level and came close in the 12th minute as Hazard struck again after nice play from Lampard but saw his Belgian teammate tip the chance over the bar but Mignolet could not prevent his fellow Belgian for a second time as minutes later the midfielder levelled after an Oscar run.

Allen, Suarez and Henderson combined to allow the Uruguayan to hit for goal but was denied by a block from Cahill, but the block proved vital for Chelsea as they soon took the lead with Oscar lifting in a cross for Eto'o who converted past Mignolet to the despair of the travelling fans.

Johnson teed up Sterling with a pinpoint pass and the young winger picked out Allen who hit a curling shot that forced a strong save from Cech as he ensured the Blues led at the break, Liverpool started the second half as they had done the first as they attacked and saw Sakho loop a header past Cech only to be denied as the ball struck the woodwork which saved Chelsea's lead.

Liverpool could have levelled in style as Henderson picked out Suarez who looked to copy his strike against Cardiff with a volley but unfortunately found the thankful Cech but there was a cause for celebration as Brad Smith came on to make his senior debut at the age of 19 coming on for the injured Allen.

Oscar came close to extending the lead when he hit past the post and Suarez picked out Johnson who forced Cech into a diving save to push the effort past the post with Hazard hitting off-target from a similar position but even though Liverpool continued to pressure in the final minutes, they were left to reflect on yet another strong display that saw them go away pointless for the second time this week.

Saturday 28 December 2013

Suarez Run Ends In City Loss

Liverpool looked to return to the top of the Premier League with a visit to the fortress that is the Etihad to face Man City.

One change was made from the previous win with Flanagan being replaced by Cissokho meaning 19-year-old Brad Smith was named among the substitutes but it was the hosts who had the better start as Navas looped a header that cannoned off the post and Kompany connected to a Nasri cross but failed to test Mignolet.

Liverpool had their first chance in the 14th minute when Suarez shot off target from Lucas' corner and the Uruguayan found Sterling and the winger rounded Hart to tap home only to be pulled back for offside even though it was clear he was onside so a massive error by the linesman could have proved costly.

However, Liverpool did take a valid lead in the 25th minute as Sterling picked out Coutinho and the Brazilian hit his first goal since his comeback from injury and City would have equalised instantly but Skrtel denied Toure with a fine challenge but Kompany rose highest to head past Mignolet and level the scoreline just after the half-hour. 


Liverpool came close to regaining the lead with half-time on the horizon with a clever move from the trio of Suarez, Sterling and Coutinho splitting the City defence who had Hart to thank for denying Coutinho but City took the lead themselves as Negredo attempted to chip Mignolet and the Belgian got a hand to it but could not stop it from going in and meant City lead 2-1 at the break.

 Henderson threatened to level early in the second half but hit narrowly over while Suarez evaded Zabaleta to force Hart to save impressively and the same duo were involved again as Sterling attempted to set up Henderson but the stray ball found Suarez who hit for goal but saw Henderson block the shot while offside.

Coutinho came off for Moses with 20 minutes to go as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser and could have had one had Johnson connected well to Henderson's cross and the midfielder went close himself but lacked the power to trouble Hart.

The visitors should have levelled in the 73rd minute when Suarez raced down the left and picked out Sterling but the winger could only hit over the bar after stretching to meet the cross and Liverpool pushed right until the final whistle but were unable to prevent City from continuing their unbeaten home record that saw Liverpool slip to fourth ahead of a trip to Chelsea.

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Liverbird Sits Top Of The Tree At Christmas

Liverpool could not have had a better preparation for the visit of Cardiff after Luis Suarez signed a new long-term contract to silence the doubters as he continued as captain to send the Reds back to the top of the league.

Liverpool started well as Sterling dashed past the Bluebirds defence and crossed only to see it cleared straight to Suarez who volleyed past the post, The Uruguayan had another effort blocked by Taylor after being put in by Sterling and the result was Coutinho hitting wide.
 
Mutch responded for the visitors with a low effort with Mignolet called into action to deny Noone's curler after 15 minutes, Mutch connected to the resulting corner to head past the post and minutes later, Suarez had another go but saw his shot deflected behind.
 
Suarez only had a further seven minutes to wait to continue his stunning scoring run as a combination of Coutinho and Henderson saw Suarez hit a superb volley across goal and into the bottom corner to the delight of the home fans.

A second could have come quickly as Coutinho tricked into the area and hit towards goal only to be denied as the ball smashed off the crossbar and Skrtel later headed over after collecting from Flanagan.

Cardiff looked to be still in the game as half-time approached but went further behind in the 42nd minute as Liverpool countered with Suarez in open space and as he advanced on goal he unselfishly squared for Sterling who tapped into the empty net for a 2-0 lead.
 
However that was soon three as Suarez latched on to Henderson's skillful backheel to finish expertly past Marshall and send his side 3-0 up at the break. The second half saw Liverpool continue to pressure as Suarez picked out Flanagan who teed up Allen who was denied by Turner.
 
Cardiff needed a goal quickly to have any chance of a comeback and got lucky just before the hour mark as Mutch was left unmarked at the back post and headed past Mignoley to give the travelling fans hope, Mignolet was called on to deny a second Cardiff strike as Turner headed at him but the Belgian kept it out.
 
Liverpool came close to a fourth as Sterling raced forward and lost control only for Suarez to recover the ball and hit past the post. Coutinho found Allen but saw the Welshman head over and the last action of the game saw Suarez attempted to secure his hat-trick but hit off target from the edge of the area as the Reds held on for the win.

As this is a delayed report, Arsenal and Chelsea's draw last night means that Liverpool top the table at Christmas but the omens are against them as they are the last team to be top on Christmas and not win the league with the previous four all being successful, their failure being famously blamed on the 'Rafa Rant' in 2009.