Independent Regulatory Commission release written reasons for Luis Suarez case

Have just speed read through this document, my stance is that my club has been made to look fairly foolhardy in standing squarely behind Suarez before the report was published.  For his evidence to be condemn as "unreliable" and "inconsistent" is very damning and doesn't not just make him look bad, but the judgement within the club looks questionable unless they can repudiate Evra's claims as they have said all along.

Attached is the full report for you to peruse and respond too:

Independent Regulatory Commission release written reasons for Luis Suarez case

Gerrard and Bellamy A Class Apart

I was reading an article this morning which stated that Steven Gerrard has scored 64 goals and 41 assists for Liverpool from the beginning of the 2004/05 season. His importance over the last decade to Liverpool is immeasurable and yesterday proved no different as he didn't just dictate the game, but he changed the outlook and showed in his cameo just how to deliver the ball to Carroll with a stream of sublime crosses.

Both teams seemed to be feeling each other out in the first 20 minutes with Liverpool players seemingly playing with a nervous energy stemming from the criticism of their profligacy over the season so far. Strangely, once Newcastle went ahead we seemed to relax and Bellamy's goal, coming from a delightful piece of composure from Adam in beating the defender and cutting ball back, before Bellamy's rapier like thrust despatched the defensive prod out home with aplomb.

Carroll seemed to lack confidence and wasn't putting himself in harm's way in the first half, although the lack of quality balls from the flanks was not conducive to helping him get on the score sheet. I agree with dedlfc's assertion during the match that having Downing on the right was not working out, but more than effecting the balance of the teams as he says, the main problem is that with Carroll in need of quality supply, to have a left-footed winger on the right cutting back on to his left to deliver the ball or when he does cross the ball with his right, invariably the ball scuttles along the ground makes it difficult for any striker to time his run in the box. Carroll was often seen to be implying that the ball needed to come over a lot quicker from Downing and Glen Johnson and maybe that they have to get used to moving away from the quick ball to Luis Suarez feet.

Dalglish must wish that Bellamy knee problem didn't preclude him playing more than one full game a week, because when he is not playing Liverpool miss his undoubted class and incisiveness. To have Bellamy, a fit Gerrard and Suarez on the park regularly is something one can only dream about at the moment, but tonight two of those three provided the quality that eventually sunk Newcastle with Bellamy's second coming from a free-kick and Gerrard's Boy's own trademark finish when he drove through at pace making Tiote look leaden footed after collecting Henderson pass and sliding home under the onrushing goalkeeper.

Gerrard celebrates the winner (Image from Supersport)

The great thing about Gerrard in full-flight is that he takes the team with him. To Liverpool fan's I don't need to explain because we've seen in so many times over the years, but tonight it was as if the game was set up for him to remind the doubters that he remains a vital cog in the wheel and what Liverpool midfielders must aspire too if they are to eventually take over the mantle so proudly worn by Gerrard and many a predecessor over the years. The cross which Andy Carroll headed against the bar showed how dangerous the 'big man' can be and as Gerrard said at the end of the game it is for the team to supply him with quality ball.

Newcastle showed that are comfortable in possession, but from the own goal, they had basically one real chance which Martin Skrtel hooked marvellously away, anticipating Ba's predatory instincts in flicking the ball passed Reina. The Liverpool back four are looking and playing as a unit with Skrtel looking like the defensive leader of the pack.

Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard - to even think about making him Man of the Match ahead of Craig Bellamy says it all really. A quality performance by a great footballer.

LFC News 29 November 2011

Newcastle
Crunch game tomorrow with Andy Carroll, even more under the spotlight following King Kenny's attack on the press in which is basically accused them of causing problems for the young Liverpool striker through their vilification of his alleged out of control private life. Let's home the 'Big Man' can ram the words down the critics throats. It would be nice if Stewart Downing et al could also come to the party because as understandable as is to blame the £35 million striker, we need match winners starting with from the frontmen, but going right back to the defence. Tony Evans of the Times provided much needed support from the media ranks stating that Liverpool were going along the right light since the return of King Kenny. Good luck to the lads!

Rafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez showed his love for the city knows no bounds as he gave a further £2,800 to add to the £96,000 he initially donated to the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) through the Montse Benitez Foundation which helped pay for the administration of the group. To see the full quotes from Rafa and from HFSG see the story on Rafa's own website.

January sales
With the January transfer window about to be thrown open, Liverpool have been linked with a plethora of players such as the following: Darren Bent, Porto's Jorge Fucile (a full-back I hasten to add) and their midfield duo Fernando Reges and Beram Kayal, and strikers Athletico Bilbao's Fernando Llorente and Edinson Cavani.

Most of these links are just pie in the sky, but if push came to shove, for me it would be either Llorente or Cavani because the need is greater for a quality striker and possibly a holding midfield player to bolster the squad.

In the future we can address the need for another winger and a creative midfielder, but right now creating chances is not the problem.

LFC - Creativity and Chances
dedlfc sent through the following on the problems behind our lack of goals taken from anfieldindex.com  and at times makes facinating reading.

Liverpool 1 Blackburn 1

If at the end of this season we fail to capture a Champions League position the excuses may fall on deaf ears. This season started as a reconnaissance mission with the hope of handing out a few bloody noses on the way. Eighteen games in and the realisation is that Chelsea and Arsenal are in transition and that Liverpool are not capitalising on the opportunities which should have taken us into the top four.

I received a text from dedlfc saying "working on the theory that if Liverpool had taken wins from the 12 points they had dropped at Anfield, they would be sat eight points clear in third place. But guess what? The reality is we didn't so we now sit in 6^th place with Newcastle right behind us!"

This is what makes our current plight so galling because it should so easily have been different if we had grabbed our chances. Yesterday, Suarez and Carroll were culpable, missing chances galore and with Liverpool having 64.7% possession and completing 83% of our 550 pass attempts it was another bad day at the office. That Suarez has had 15% of the 244 chances Liverpool have created this season and is Liverpool's top scorer says a lot about our problems, but he is still the top creator in the team which shows how valuable he is in a side which goals are not easy to come by.

Liverpool scored one goal from 27 attempts against Blackburn which is poor to say the least, but unfortunately this is nothing new this season with just 21 goals.

Carroll needs a run in the side rather than the staccato run which Dalglish seems to have plotted for him so far because with Suarez probably about to go on a long-term ban we have got to get him not just scoring, but to actually be the physical specimen we saw terrorise defences at Newcastle for a time.

In a 30 minute cameo Gerrard showed just how he prompts the team like a conductor, going forward and taking the midfield with him and fashioning out a chance for Downing and whipping a glorious chance for Maxi with his first touch of the ball from a free-kick wide on the right. He is patently not fit as he lost the ball a few times in defensive areas, but the cut and thrust he gives the team also shows how the loss of Lucas has diminished Adam's role. He is sitting back and not being the creative force he has been and it was not surprising to see him make way for Gerrard.

With Liverpool so lacking in the goal department playing players in form would seem to be the way forward. Bellamy and Maxi are the goal scoring threats outside the Suarez and Carroll and hopefully if Gerrard can stay fit we can only hope that we can turn the corner soon with the premise of buying a striker early in the transfer window (which won't be easy) to ease the burden.

It would be a surprise if John W Henry doesn't release the purse strings for a striker given his post season comments "It's too early for us to talk about winning the league," said Henry.... "[But] our main goal is to qualify for the Champions League. If we don't, it would be a major disappointment."

Kop Post Man of The Match: Martin Skrtel – another commanding performance in the centre of defence.

* Figures from eplindex.com

Careless Reds Spurn Opportunities To Stay In Touch

After what had been a traumatic 24 hours the Liverpool team took the contentious decision to show that unity is strength when they all, including manager Kenny Dalglish, wore t-shirts in the pre-match warm-up adorning the picture of their comrade in arms Luis Suarez.

Dalglish chose, surprisingly, to leave out the impressive Jonjo Shlevey and with Bellamy also on the bench , Maxi and Dirk Kuyt returned to the starting camp.

We need a striker preferably of the poaching variety is the cry from all and sundry. Missed opportunities are threatening to cut us a drift in sixth place if we are not careful on an evening where Arsenal and both Manchester clubs won, we failed to close the gap with Chelsea. After too many games we've heard from players, fans and even commentators alike that someone is going is going to be on the end of a serious shellacking from Liverpool, but as tight as our defence has become at one end, we have become as extravagantly wasteful at the other.

Once again we made a fine start and could have had the game sown up in the first twenty minutes had we been able to fashion out some clear chances given the amount of pressure we were putting Wigan under. The two best chances of the half fell to first Glen Johnson running through as he did so memorably against Chelsea, hitting his shot straight to the keeper and Dirk Kuyt who swivelled on Downing's excellent cut-back, but could only hit his shot straight to the keeper.

This was the match where Lucas's lost was felt for the first time. Adam and Henderson after Liverpool's initially dominance found it increasingly difficult to handle a Wigan midfield led by the impressive James McCarthy and the silky and elusive Moses who was a thorn in our side throughout. But in saying that, Liverpool should have won comfortably, but in scoring only three goals in our last four games and one penalty in the five offered to us shows again the lack of cutting edge. With chances not being taken we have a striker on the bench who was ignored until the 87 minute which sends out the signal that the manager has no confidence in him, but at the moment we need him to get back on track with the team struggling in the scoring stakes. While the need is great for another striker, in a notoriously difficult transfer window will Liverpool be able to sign a top-class striker at the beginning of January let alone in the month itself?

Without Bellamy, Liverpool's set pieces lack inventiveness apart from one delightful chip over the defence which Dirk Kuyt in a crisis of confidence from his barren spell of 17 games without a goal, failed to supply the technique required to dispatch a hooked volley. Downing also seems to be down on confidence with his crossing, inability to beat the defender on the outside and just as importantly for a winger lacking goal attempts. Adam missed his second penalty of the season going for power rather placement and with the miss went Liverpool's chance of winning as Wigan, as with many of our opponents this season gained confidence by recognising that are still within a shout of winning a game which should have been dead and buried.

I could quite easily have rehashed a blog on a previous match this season as the same deficiencies persist and are hindering our drive to break back into the top four. Maybe, now is the time to give Carroll his head and back him for a run of games because he can't to any worse than some of his goal-shy colleagues who are racking up minutes on the pitch.

Kop Post Man of The Match: Dirk Kuyt – never gave up trying to break his duck for the season by getting into crucial positions and on another day may just have succeeded.

LUIS SUAREZ: CONDEMNATION OR EDUCATION?

Luis Suarez banned for 8 matches.  Massive ban and a dagger to the heart of Liverpool’s Champions League ambitions just as momentum was building nicely.  We do not know the reasoning behind why he was given such a lengthy ban, but one thing is certain, with the Football Association’s (PFA) support of the Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football they have decided to make a stand.

Supporters will voice and are voicing opinions on the length and the ferocity of the band and that from the outside looking in it looks as if the decision was guilt by admission.  There is the fact that the FA waited a further five days to make the decision which to Liverpool seems to suggest reasonable doubt, just as it would do in a court of law involving defamation or slander .  On the flipside the FA could say in such an important case it was important to get to the truth and what they consider the right decision.

As much as I love watching Luis Suarez, his uttering of the word Negro, although said to be readily acceptable in South America, is abhorred in this country and while we can use that as an excuse it is should be stated that by the club that we do not condone it.  One thing which should be said in Suarez favour is that he could have easily denied it and thus left it as his word against Evra’s which suggest in his defence that hadn’t he recognised the gravity of the situation.  But as the say ignorance of the law is no defence and as I remarked to a friend yesterday many companies have Working with People courses to help workers recognise that individual differences are part of society and perhaps Suarez should be enrolled on one which would fit into Liverpool’s support of Kick It Out and long term policy against racism in the game.

We cannot walk away from this situation. But on the footballing side we must prepare for life without Suarez for a while and as we proved against Chelsea in the Carling Cup, we are capable of winning without Suarez at least in the short-term.

Bellamy The Instigator Supreme

Craig Bellamy's match winning performance propelled Liverpool on the way to our fifth away victory of the season, as many as we won last season, in what was probably the easiest win of the season. Liverpool started with Jonjo Shelvey playing tucked in behind Luis Suarez and it was he provided the opening from the corner, flicking the ball on which Bellamy prodded home.

Spearing looked promising in the role linking up with Adam, Henderson and Suarez with lung bursting runs to provide the supporting cast in attack. But it was Bellamy who ignited the Liverpool attack, each time he touched the ball there was a razor-like edge to his play in its directness. With Liverpool very fluent and only a missed Emile Heskey chance early on to cause any discomfort, the surprise was that both Liverpool goals came from corners. But it was good to see a defender getting on the score sheet and Skrtel as he has done this season rose like the proverbial salmon to guide a Bellamy corner into the top corner of the net.

With the ease of the victory it seems almost churlish to witter on yet again about the lack of a killer instinct in our finishing, but once again our nemesis was the woodwork. First, Suarez struck the bar when tenaciously winning back the fall from a glorious long ball from Downing, with more care he could and should have wrapped up the game. Secondly, he hit the post from a delicious chip which left the Villa Keeper flapping in mid-air. That he could have put Bellamy in is a moot point because that is the Suarez we have come to know, but if Lionel Messi can play the occasional through ball and lift his head up so can the brilliant Uruguayan.

Charlie Adam had a good game filling the boots of Lucas and moving the game on with his short passing, but not for the first time this season when driving through the middle he failed to pass the ball to a colleague (Shelvey) unmarked in a better position in the area. We had enough chances to have put the game to bed the hour mark and rest Suarez, Bellamy and Co.

Fortunately, with the profligacy continuing from game to game, Liverpool's strong recent run of only one defeat in thirteen is built on having the best defensive record in the Premiership with Skrtel and Agger looking impregnable, conceding 13 goals this season and keeping the LFC legend Jamie Carragher out of the side.

While we may not have as comparable attack as those competing with us for Champions League places the spine of the team is improving and if we can start to share the goals around and take our chances the sky's the limit.

Kop Post Man of The Match: Craig Bellamy – A clever footballer who guided Liverpool with his clever touches, his ability to open defences and bring others into the game. Quite simply a world class talent.

El Pistolero At The Ready

On a bitterly cold day, Luis Suarez warmed the Anfield masses with another virtuoso performance.  That he showed touches of brilliance is a given, but what is easy to overlook because we've come to expect so much already from the 'Little Maestro' is a prodigious work ethic not unlike Gerrard which he inspires those around him to raise their game to greater heights and like Gerrard he leaves the shouting to others, only shouting at himself in disappointment if a chance or pass goes askew.  He laid on two assists which his team mates failed to anticipate and capitalise on which could so easily have been far posts tap ins.

We've often spoken on this blog about the level of Suarez performances, but today he was everything.  Sitting on the upper tier at the Anfield Road end behind the goal was a great vantige point to watch him at work.  He ran down balls which he had no devine right to reach, either putting QPR on the back foot or pinching the ball for his team and for a man of his size he is for ever looking to claim the ball from Reina's goal-kicks down field. In fact he should've open the scoring early on when heading a measured Adam crossed straight at the keeper and he also a number of chances and half chances which weren't taken.  Maxi also missed a one on one, but once again with chances a plenty and over sixty per cent possession Liverpool failed to be clinical enough in the final third to kill the match off by half-time.

It's to their credit that Maxi's link up play with Saurez makes it look as though they've playing together for time and memorial as there is a feel of telepathy and enjoyment in their interplay, slucing through defenders at will.  With Suarez dropping deep and being involved in all facets of Liverpool's attacking play, one wonders just how much more potent Liverpool would be with a quick dynamic striker operating ahead of him on the last man.  The struggles of Andy Carroll and the profligacy in front of goal has shown the need for another striker of a different nature alongside Carroll and Saurez in the squad.  Funnily enough Liverpool's goal scoring struggles are bourne out by the fact that we have only scored 10 goals in the first half this season as opposed to 16 in the second half.

With over 67 per cent possession in the first-half as in recent home games Liverpool's total dominance dissipated and allowed QPR back into a game, in the final quarter, where they should have been dead and buried. Although not looking likely to score in open play with Barton on the tiller there was always a chance from deadball situations. 

There were plenty of positives with Suarez winning strike (his eighth this season and fifth in the Premiership) getting him back among the scoring charts with a not to dissimilar header to the one he missed in the first-half as Charlie Adam delivered a collector's item peach of cross with his right foot, his fourth assist this season, moving him one ahead of Dirk Kuyt. In recent weeks Adam has begun to live up Alex Ferguson's tag of his corners been worth £10 million alone. Today he corners may not have lived up to those lofty expectations but his crossing from open play was a delight. In addition, Henderson delivered a strong performance anchoring the midfield alongside Adam and ahead of a defensive quartet, that a part from the blip at Fulham has remained tightly focused, keeping another clean sheet and finally winning a home game against the type of team we've recently been falling down against.

Bellamy showed with a flashing run at the end in where he hit the crossbar, just what potency his undoubted class brings to the party, especially in a line-up where match winners are so difficult to find.

Man of The Match: Luis Suarez – has a built-in team ethic alongside his other obvious qualities. He was light years ahead any other player on the park.

Big thanks to Chris Smith, LFC season ticket holder, who I met on the train home to London and kindly provided me with the possession percentage from the first half. 

Torres, Would You Have Him Back?

In Chelsea's last five games, which included two loses against Liverpool, Fernando Torres played a role as extra, coming on in either the last quarter or last third of matches.  With AVB seemingly stuck on Drogba leading the line Torres seems to a bit part player at the moment suffering from a touch of stage fright in the playing theatre.

He is too good a player for this to persist for much longer, but if body language is anything to go by, he looks distinctly unhappy with the situation. And I guess as a World Class striker if Solomon Kalou being called up off the bench before you, something must be in the manager's mind.

If hyperthetically, the chance arises to re-sign him should we knowing that we don't have depth in that department?

New Season, Age Old Problems

No matter how good a squad, most teams, apart from Man City, have a first eleven and in the last few weeks Liverpool seemed to have found theirs whether by design or accident with Bellamy's pace and understanding with Suarez and the experience and movement of Kuyt and Maxi we seem to fallen on a winning formula.

So for King Kenny to leave out Maxi after he had bagged two in three and against opposition which he'd scored a hat-trick on our previous appearance at Craven Cottage was disappointing, especially when up against aside with only two victories all season.

Andy Carroll will come good with a side built around him to accentuate his attributes, but among this team and formation we are prone to play longer balls and the lack of width seemed to make no sense with the 'big man' in the box. With his back often to the goal the play seemed to grind to a holt once the ball was passed into his feet. Right now he is a not a first eleven player/starter and is beginning to hinder Liverpool’s progress as seems one step forward tow steps back when he starts.

To say this was a disappointing result, even after Jay Spearing's unlucky sending-off, is saying it mildly.  We had enough possession and chances to have won the game conclusively and I don't buy the fact that we've been unlucky with hitting the post more than any other team, we have just not good enough in front of goal. We now languish five points off a Champions League place and not to want to sound negative with only one defeat in fourteen, but it just shows the damage the home draws have caused.

The goal itself was disappointed to say the least.  If Glen Johnson had been left on the ground by Dembele then one can only say fair enough, because I am sure that he’ll do that to many better defenders in the future, but for Danny Murphy to cut inside and leave him stranded and get off a shot was not what you expect when he should be showing him the outside at the very least.  But in say that Pepe is a top class keeper and they all make mistakes and he saved us many an occasion, but he made a similar mistake against Spurs and last season against Arsenal which cost us a win.

The QPR game must be used a state of intention.  There is no point beating the Chelsea’s of this world and competing on an even keel with the Manchester clubs and then fallen back to our weaknesses of the past few seasons and losing or drawing against sides we should by all intents and purposes be beating if we have any intentions of a top four place.

Kop-Post Man of Match: ?

Nothing But Respect For Lucas Pezzini-Leiva

Jamie Carragher comments on Lucas says it all, not just about the kind of player he has become, not just about how respected he is by his fellow players, but mentally just how strong he is, which is what has most impressed me, as someone who doubted his ability to come on as strongly as he has.

Carragher said, "For the last 18 months, in my opinion, he has been our best player," Carragher said. "Luis Suarez has come in and done great things for the club but Lucas has been his equal in many ways. He has been as good as anyone in the team this season and there is no question he will be a big miss."

"I have been there in terms of receiving criticism," Carragher said. "High standards are expected when you play for one of the big clubs and there are plenty examples of players who have gone missing after realising the demands on them.
 
"But you can tell Lucas is a top player as he never lets that bother him. He has just got on with it and plays in nearly every game. If he has a little knock, he will always try and carry on, doing his best for us. There are lots of different characters but you can't fault Lucas."

Saying all of that, what we are seeing in Lucas is the culmination after four years (183 appearances) and the foresight and belief that Rafa Benitez showed in him and that Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish continued to believe in.

That's why the mantle appears to be a chasm for either of the supporting candidates Jordan Henderson or Jay Spearing to fill.  Funnily enough these two players opened up the play for Bellamy to create the opening goal for Maxi in the Carling Cup game.  Henderson, has done a fair job in looking after the Liverpool right, especially because he is central midfielder.  His style of play suggest that he is more suited to exploding from midfield as a box to box type, but he has proved at under-21 level an ability to guide a midfield and being a holding midfielder doesn't mean staying back for the full ninety minutes and like Spearing he may well have the game intelligence to play in that role.

If Jay Spearing is the player chosen and one hopes he is, it may well be his time in the sun because at 23 year old, his character suggest he is not the kind of player who will sit on the bench or play in the reserves for the foreseeable future.  His play and natural aggression suggests he will be suited and I agree with the statements above that he will have to grab the opportunity to help the team continue its upward curve.  Others may point to the way Maxi has grabbed his opportunity, already scoring three goals the season, but he is a seasoned campaigner used to the rigours and ins and outs of football.  For a player with relatively few injuries, his lack of appearances must be a disappointment to him, but on the other hand it might just be that which ignites the blue (or our case, red) touch paper.

Lucas Ruled Out For Season

It shows just how far Lucas has come with the confirmed news that the injury he picked up in against Chelsea in the Carling Cup Quarter-Final, anterior cruciate ligament damage, has hit home so strongly.

With that it mind, should Liverpool be looking at blooding Jordan Henderson in his favoured central position, albeit in a more sudued role or should Jay Spearing be given the responsibility to finally strive to cement a place in the First XI. It's easy to think the Spearing at the age of 23 has has enough chances, but he has only appeared 31 times in a Liverpool shirt, so he hasn't really hasn't a chance to stake a claim.  Given his age and the fact that he came up through the ranks, one would hope that this is his time.

The other possibility is does Dalglish try to work his way around Lucas absence and buy a replacement in the January transfer window.

Bellamy Leads Liverpool Through To Carling Semi-Final

Andres Villas-Boas post-match comments said it all, "I thought Liverpool were superior all the way through. They had a strong desire to kill the game off and we couldn't match it." The gloss was taken of the victory with sight of Lucas having to be stretchered off with a knee injury.

Craig Bellamy's quality shone through like a beacon in the night sky on both goals. He held his run to stay on side and presented Henderson with the angle to gloriously pass inside the full-back to which Bellamy sped forward providing a deliciously inviting cross for the stealth bomber Maxi to guide home. For the second goal, from the free kick which came from his own work on the left, he sent over a whipped cross with pace which Kelly nodded home. Bellamy has game intelligence in abundance in addition to the cut and thrust he provides which is why he is such an enabler, able to bring others in the game and sense when to deliver the killer pass/cross.

As Kop-Post blogger Livi so rightly says, Dalglish needs to take some of the plaudits for this run and the way he has set up the team. For Liverpool to go to Chelsea and beat them for the second time in nine days deservedly and up against a team containing a plethora of internationals was top class, especially starting without Suarez, Adam, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson and Downing. They managed not to miss a beat which says a lot in terms of the confidence throughout the squad and the belief Dalglish has instilled.

Hopefully, Lucas's injury is not as bad as first feared as he was playing at the peak of his powers especially within this formation. At the moment, he is the top Liverpool player in terms of pass completions and allied to his tackling and covering his importance to the team is inestimable. For a player who runs and covers as much as he, to play two games back to back says a lot about his character and appetite for the game.

If it is to be a long layoff, then Jordan Henderson and especially Jay Spearing may just see it as their time in the sun.

Kop-Post Man of the Match: Craig Bellamy, pure quality.

Liverpool Miss Bellamy’s Class As Old Problems Persist

By Kop-Post blogger dedlfc


We went into this game looking to continue our recent impressive form versus the top teams. Our preparation for the game at 4pm was marred by the tragic news of the death of the Wales manager Gary Speed early this morning. This sad news particularly affected our pacey striker Craig Bellamy who saw Speed as a mentor to his career, in addition to being a close friend - the decision whether to play or not was therefore taken out of his hands by our manager.

With Bellamy out we matched up City's five man midfield by including Henderson and Downing on the left with Kuyt dropping back when required and Adam and Lucas playing in the centre with Suarez working alone tirelessly up front.

With City coming off a demoralising Champions League defeat to Napoli in midweek this was seen as the perfect time to play them but for the first 25 mins they controlled the game by out-numbering us in midfield with only Suarez giving Fortune headaches to encourage us.

 The first goal of the game after 31 mins unfortunately went to City from a corner which was caused by Kuyt losing the player he was supposed to be marking Kompany who flicked the ball with his shoulder into the roof of our net. Going a goal down was a major test of character which our team passed with flying colours two minutes later due to a stroke of luck with Kuyt laying the ball on the edge of the City box back to Charlie Adam who drove the ball towards goal this inadvertently hit Lescott and beat a stranded Hart. 
The impetus now with us we pushed forward for a second and the excellent Adam nearly placed a fantastic shot which City keeper Hart diverted wide with his feet. Halftime came with us in the ascendancy but still level it was hoped the team talk would inspire the team onto a vital win.

In the second half with us having the majority of the possession and play in midfield due to the tenacity of Lucas- City decided to bring on loose cannon Ballotelli with his new blonde hairstyle he immediately set his stall out by pulling at Glen Johnson's shirt then 10 mins later was sent off for fouling Skrtel- with City down to 10 men with 7 mins left we brought on last season's hero 35m Andy Carroll who nearly won the game late on with a fantastic header which Hart tipped away acrobatically then quickly stood up to push away Suarez's rebound shot- Hart had a couple of minutes earlier pushed away another Suarez shot!

With us not getting the rub of the green again with chances being missed we had to settle for another home draw and see it as another opportunity to make a massive statement lost. On such a sad and sombre day we can again feel hard done by but also be proud of the performance against such a strong side.

KOP Post Man of the Match: Lucas – provided the defensive backbone to the midfield which enabled Charlie Adam to drive the team forward with vigour. The most improved player in the squad is now highly appreciated by the fans and is now one of the first names on the team sheet – Fantastic performance by our Brazilian dynamo.

Dalglish Giving Liverpool A Blueprint For The Future

The absence of Craig Bellamy was reminder us all that although football is a part of life, it not as important as life in the grand scheme of things. The sudden and untimely passing of Gary Speed was a shock to all football fans as he not just an excellent footballer, he was a great ambassador for the game, but more importantly as many have testified he was a good man who was well respected throughout the game and beyond. He will be sadly missed which could be gauged by the heart felt minutes silence for both he and Brad Jones's son Luca.

The quality of Manchester City was apparent from the kick-off controlling possession with the power and pace they exuded from front to back. But it was Liverpool that could have gone in at half-time 2-1 up having shown character to come back from a goal down. The hard work of the magnificent Lucas able assisted by Kuyt, Downing and Henderson allowed Adam once again to probe and control the tempo of the game in the second-half. Midfield maestro David Silva struggled to stamp his usual authority on the game with the increasing authority of the Liverpool midfield.

The back four are looking assured and unless injury intervenes Skrtel and the Rolls Royce like Agger may keep out the likes of Carragher and Coates for a while yet.

The second-half showed a level of increasing maturity by a Liverpool team who dominated a Manchester City side, by far and away the best we have played this season, with confidence and by the end a brand of the famous pass and move. But, the same old failings let us down at home once again, even if we take into account the brilliant performance of Joe Hart¸ chance upon chance went a begging and right now instead of being sixth and three points outside the top four, we could and should be comfortably sitting among the top four, but unlike Spurs and Man City the Liverpool goals are not shared around prolifically and it is that which is hindering our home form.

Henderson helped stem the flow to the creative elements of the Man City midfield, but in attack he was woeful and one wonders why Maxi who was dropped. After a promising start, Downing's confidence seems to have whittled way and the creative aspect of his game has fallen by the wayside. Dirk Kuyt has missed a few glorious chances in the last three games and is another who seems short on confidence in the final third, thus yesterday although we controlled and dominated the last third of the game Suarez seemed the only player capable of unlocking the door, until Carroll belatedly entered the fray.

We have to become more clinical in front of goal as games are being squandered. No coincidence that Bellamy and Maxi are already off the mark with very little playing time in comparison to many of their colleagues. That said if points were given for moral victories we would be among the leaders, but its real points we are aiming for.

Kop-Post Man of the Match: Luis Enrique managed the potent threats Milner and Richards which assuredness and as the game went on became an attacking threat often picking up the ball in his own half driving forward and committing defenders with superb close control. Could easily have been Lucas, Agger or Luis Suarez who was all excellent.

R.I.P. Gary Speed

Glen Johnson Rides The Magical Mystery Tour

In the week preceding the game Dalglish commented on that fact that Suarez needed support in the goal scoring department, namely from midfield colleagues. With Maxi, Kuyt, Bellamy recalled to the started line-up in place of Henderson, Downing and Carroll Liverpool's attacking potential was instantaneously bolstered, especially with Suarez coming off the back of a spectacular four goal performance against Chile in Uruguay's most recent World Cup qualifier. Intriguingly, Dalglish also refrained from recalling a fit again Carragher to combat the physical threat of Drogba with the Agger and Skretel combination again to the fore.

Steve Clarke's coaching presence may have instigated Liverpool's high-typo pressing game. From front to back Liverpool pressed and squeezed Chelsea not allowing the pivotal player Obi Mikel any chance at the bottom of the midfield to control the tempo of their play. The threat going forward didn't just come from Suarez, but from the ultra-composed Bellamy and Glen Johnson's incisive running given Ashley Cole a torrid time down the Liverpool right. The compact Liverpool midfield allowed more freedom for Adam to pick the ball up on occasions drive through the heart of the Chelsea midfield.

A part from a Drogba free-kick and a Mata shot Chelsea didn't really threaten in the first-half. It was no surprise when Liverpool went ahead after Adam exerted pressure on Mikel allowing the triumphant of Bellamy, Suarez and Maxi to link up superbly for the last named to coolly slot home. Time and time again in the final games of last season Maxi, one of the most understated squad members, showed his value to the team, by doing what good attacking midfielders are adept at doing, supporting the attacks with timely runs by stealth. In the Swansea game support from the midfield was not existent, but with the movement provided by Bellamy and Suarez, Kuyt and Maxi found it easier to provide and offer support given Terry and Luiz a torrid afternoon.

That Chelsea came back into the game was obvious, that they scored was disappointing as up to that point their attack hadn't looked even remotely threatening with Lampard a peripheral figure throughout As Bellamy left the game, I cursed. Not because of the substitution because we had to stop Mata, but Maxi seemed to be a better candidate as he seemed to be running on fumes, but credit where credit is due the substitution allowed Liverpool to regain possession and lead to the devastating goal by Johnson from the glorious cross-field ball by Adam.

Glenn Johnson, if ever a game showed the contrast in his play it was this one. He was beaten outside or in the wrong place defensively time and again. But, when he comes forward and he is in this form, he is as good as any wide man in the country and it is one of the reasons why many believe this to be his best position with Kelly in behind.

Maybe, just maybe we ought to just take Glenn Johnson as he is and ride the magical mystery tour he presents us with.

Kop Post Man Of Match: Glen Johnson. Quite simply a stunning goal from time the ball left the boot of Adam arching its way to Johnson and he was composure personified in front of goal almost reminding one of Torres… in his Liverpool days…

Quite Simply Second Best And Second Class

 

It would be easy to come on here and say we lost because of missed chances. Yes Carroll missed a glorious chance in the opening few minutes which could have put us on our way and the fact we cannot score goals especially when we are top to close out games shows the deficiencies in our squad which we may come to rue at the end of the season. Three consecutive home draws has placed on the back foot and again as in his previous seasons we have failed to capitalise when teams around us have floundered and we already paying the price and with Chelsea and Man City on the horizon the season could unravel before the end of the year and Tottenham and Newcastle showing ominous form.

Liverpool as has become our signature, starting brightly and could have had the game wrapped up in the first twenty minutes, but failure after failure in front of goal only lead to increased confidence levels from Swansea.

While chances were missed, in great parts of the game we were handed a football lesson by Swansea in terms of ball retention and what was worse that both on the field and off we had nothing to remedy the situation. The central duo of Adam and Lucas could not compete with the swift interplay and pace of Swansea which left the defence under constant threat from Routledge and Dyer. In fact Enrique had his most difficult game of the season faced with pacey and tricky Dyer.

Adam plays the diagonal long ball as well as anybody in the country, but what he doesn't possess is the thrust from midfield or the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck and set the tempo. Alongside Lucas, who breaks up play, but tends to play the ball sideways Swansea dominated all, but the final ten or so minutes of the second half. After his miss Carroll knock down ball after ball, but with no onrushing midfielder the second phase ball fell to the defenders.The decision to select Henderson on the right side is beginning to look very negative and stubborn. He got in to some excellent positions but failed to supply one decent cross through his tenure on the pitch.

The bad decisions didn't end there. Having failed to create anything on the right Henderson was switched to the left where he offered next to nothing which was no surprise. The impotency on the field was matched by the decisions taken by Dalglish. The opportunity was there to either move Henderson or Spearing in to central midfield to bolster the yawning gap and competitive edge, or bring on the potency of Bellamy. Of the players left on the bench Maxi has a goal scoring record and yet wasn't used.

 If Liverpool qualify for the Champions League there will be many highlighting the fact that not being in the Europa League allowed Kenny Dalglish to concentrate on all the home competitions by fielding his strongest team. While that might be true, an equally strong argument can be made that young squad members have missed out on access to top class football because of our non-qualification to the much maligned European tournament. Thus to augment the current squad, players like Adam Morgan and even young Raheem Stirling may have gained crucial minutes with the first team. Funnily enough, a right winger and poacher are the type of players we don't have in the squad. In a perfect world it be great to bring a Hernadez or Wellbeck of the bench…

Without Suarez Liverpool appeared one-dimensional team and in a sign of things to come the lack of leadership without Gerrard and Carragher was there for all to see.
Man of the Match: Suarez, quite simply head and shoulders above and on this day the only Liverpool player with Enrique good enough to get into a joint team.

Liverpool Rocket Past West Bromwich Albion in Cruise Control

Having to sit in amongst the WBA fans made the victory all the more sweeter. To say we coasted to victory would be to underestimate our complete dominance from first minute to last. Once again we missed enough chances enough to have buried the game by half time, with Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique offering support and interchanging with Henderson and Downing respectively. Carroll had his best game since the home game against Man City last season and encouragingly looking stronger as the game went on.

Lucas on his returned bolstered the midfield defensively, nipping in and destroying attacks time and again. He engineered swift counter attacks allowing Adam the time and space to play a few range finder cross-field balls finding Suarez or Carroll. Suarez nimble feet drew the penalty which Adam dispatched with aplomb. As said, Downing linked well with Enrique, but his final ball was disappointing and he wasn't fully convincing in attacking the right back and was lucky to stay on as long he did.

It will be interesting to see if King Kenny decides to stick with the Skrtel and Agger combination as they handled the aerial threat of Somen Tchoyi and the pace of Odemwingie allowing Pepe Reina to have his first shut-out since beating Everton.

A final word on the performance of our Man of the Match Andy Carroll. His goal was well taken after a glorious build-up. He led the line well and held the ball up linking well with Suarez and the midfield. His work rate was prodigious and he was given massive ovation from the Liverpool fans when he continued defend from the front and put pressure on the defence.

Ps As an aside we met Lee, an AFC Wimbledon fan on the way back. He made this comment about Ryan Babel, "Babel, he couldn't beat an egg!" Funny man is Lee!

Bloggers RedAlert and Dedlfc outside The Hawthorns

Luis Suarez A Class Above

After twenty minutes it went through my mind and I'm sure all of you, that after yet another great start and a glut of missed chances, the possibility of throwing a way another winning opportunity was more than a possibility. Missed chances from our twin striking combo caused consternation as we all knew that Stoke would come back at some stage.
 
Coates made the mistake which led to the Stoke goal, but we saw enough of his ability on the ball to know that we may just have a rough diamond in our midst. We rode our luck with Stoke's disallowed goal and Pepe having a severe off night, but what was obvious from the moment Suarez pulled on the red number seven shirt for the first time, coincidentally against Stoke scoring on his debut in a 2-0 win, Liverpool possess a force of nature capable of deciding matches of his volition.

Stoke's luck may just have run out from our first meeting this season when a rear-guard action was just about all they had.  We showed character and strength to come back from 1-0 against a team who are among the most difficult to beat at home despite Dalglish making eight changes from the team he fielded against Norwich.
 
Suarez equalizer was pure and simple world class. He turned on a six pence, nut-megged Shotton and curled the ball inside the far post. The great thing about Suarez is his ability to not become inhibited by missed chances. He still offers himself and is becoming a go to man in the Gerrard vain. Apart from his all-round football ability, he also scores great goals and scruffy goals which is a talent in itself.
 
Carroll's showed signs of picking up the pace, but with service lacking from both sides of the pitch with Henderson and Maxi starting wide and the lack of creativity in the middle with Lucas and Spearing, he faded somewhat in the second-half as Stoke dominated for long periods. It wasn't until Dalglish brought on Bellamy that Liverpool upped their threat levels with Bellamy hitting the post with a drive just outside the box after an interchange with Carroll.

The decisive moment came when Henderson delivered sumptuous volleyed cross from a defensive header to leave the unmarked Suarez to plant a header into the back of the net.
 
Kop Post Man of the Match: Luis Suarez. A simply stunning performance and the level of his performances this season have to place him alongside David Silva as the early front runners for Player of the Season.

Opportunities Go A Begging Yet Again

That Liverpool missed enough chances to have won a number of games conclusively was disappointing. That Luis Suarez missed enough chances to pull himself well clear as the Premiership's top scorer was disappointing.

Not for the first time this season the Liverpool team that came out in the second-half at Anfield was unrecognisable from that of the first half and not for the first time this season the substitutions called into question the tactical decisions made from the side-line.

The dichotomy within Liverpool's performance was that the first twenty minutes was as good as anything seen at home and away in the last two seasons. The free-flowing football was superb with Gerrard playing within himself controlling the tempo of the game with Able Lieutenant Adam interchanging nicely with Liverpool were exerting pressure at will. But as we've found out time and time again football has a habit of kicking you in the teeth if chances are not taken from a position of dominance.

Bellamy's inclusion added to the number of match winners in Suarez, Gerrard, Adam, Downing and Kuyt which made all the more disappointed that we couldn't find a way to kill off a Norwich who deserved nothing more than a train ticket home. Suarez time and time again showed he is a class above, but these are the games, especially at home that we need win and the sub-standard nature of our finishing was made all the more galling, given how many of the chances were glaring opportunities inside the penalty area.

Having shown encouraging signs in his cameo from centre-midfield last week, it was disappointing to see Henderson come on to play on the right when it was patently apparent that Adam was flagging from the hour. Bellamy's substitution didn't seem to make any sense when he was offering quality in the final third and was tracking back when needed in addition to scoring the goal from his only decent opportunity.

Pepe was patently at fault for the goal, but two or free times Norwich got headers in beating Carragher and Skrtel comfortably in the air and twice early on in the second half Glen Johnson's personal satnav seem to go on the blink as he was palpably out of position.

All that being said, Gerrard and Adam were positives playing together, although Gerrard still looks someway short of match fitness. Pieces of skill from Suarez will live long in the memory, but players like Downing must stamp their own personality on the game and not be overawed by Suarez personality.

Downing on occasions will try to thread impossible balls through to Suarez instead of taking on the shot even when if he is better positioned. Recently, he has been unfairly chastised for not providing no assists this season, but as with yesterday is it his fault if those on the end of his crosses fail to hit the target?

Conclusion: The game should have been dead and buried after twenty minutes, but not for the first time this season we tailed off after a good start whether it's because of lack of concentration or disappointment or both, but it has to be stamped out. We closed positively with chances which on another day would have seen us home and hosed. It brings into question whether we are missing a clinical striker we can bring off the bench.

Instead of sitting quite comfortably among the elite we have thrown away an opportunity knowing that the race for fourth place will be as competitive as it has ever been we need to be winning matches we are expected to.

Man of The Match: Luis Suarez should have had a hat-trick and looked up occasionally to find better place teammates in the area, but that's all part of his make-up. Once again his all-round performance leading the line was at times sensational.

A Tale of Missed Chances

The disbelief we all felt was there for all to see upon leaving Anfield. We could and should have won a game in which Man Utd came for a draw and scored from a disappointing lapse in concentration where Skrtel was left gasping for air unable to cope with the movement of Hernandez.

In a disjointed first half Liverpool could conceivably have gone in one-up with Suarez, living on scraps, producing his usual flourish, to turn Evans inside and out unfortunately hit the ball straight at keeper when either side would have seen the net bulging. He also missed a close header from a glorious Gerrard cross to the near post.

I have commented previously on the blog that it is my belief that the combination of Lucas and Adam in the central areas doesn't lend itself to controlling the game. An impartial observation was difficult to make as Lucas produced an indeterminate performance in which he regularly lost possession and the vibrancy which his game is now all about was missing. Charlie Adam seemed ponderous on the ball, where Liverpool seemed to want him to dictate affairs in a more controlled way, rather than in the more destructive fashion of last season.

The injury to Lucas proved to be a pivotal moment as the addition of Henderson freed Adam of defensive responsibilities allowing Gerrard to move into a more central position and control the tempo of the game alongside Henderson who added drive from the centre which we don't see from Lucas and Adam.
Not to go overboard with Henderson's cameo role, who on another day could easily have won the game for Liverpool, but with the future in mind it was nice to see a centre-midfielder other than Steven Gerrard making tackles and driving forward to link up with Suarez.

Making Steve Gerrard Man of the Match is understandable given his goal and strong all round performance, but it could just have easily been Enrique who whether in defence or attack is extremely capable. In defence he is a great reader of the game intercepting and covering and often turning defence into attack, where he dovetails with Downing who enjoyed a fine last quarter to the match, recognising that the early cross was the order of the day, producing a peach of cross where by Dirk Kuyt almost won the game.

Gerrard's quality has been remarked upon a multitude of times over the last decade, but even with the promise of Liverpool's showing since Dalglish's return, he offers the team qualities which no other Liverpool player even comes close too, enabling him to lead by example rather than force of personality. Welcome back Stevie G.

Kop Post Man of the Match: Jose Enrique, yet another quality assured performance from a clever footballer.

Bellamy and Gerrard Help Suarez Extinguish The Everton Flame

A controversial decision by referee Martin Atkinson virtually killed the game as a contest, which up to that point had been too close to call. Harsh or not it helped and that's all that matters in a Derby match.

Suarez, undoubtedly the best player on the pitch, could and should have put Liverpool ahead after some glorious work from our very own 'Duracell Bunny' Kuyt controlling a mis-kick from Jagielka to produce a glorious lobbed cross to the ubiquitous Uruguayan, who from close range inexplicably headed straight into the arms Tim Johnson.Liverpool's failure to capitalise was not for the want of trying with Suarez intelligently turning Jagielka on the corner of the area coercing him into an impulsive tackle with Kuyt's resultant penalty saved. Charlie Adam, not having one of his most stellar games, unleashed a spectacular drive against the bar as the half came to a close.

Rodwell's sending off instead of giving Liverpool total dominance, the game became more stretched and brought Everton gaining more of a foothold. Lucas and Adam failed to influence the game from the middle and the question needs to be asked whether this pairing can develop into a formidable pairing in the future. Adam, I believe, is better suited to a role free of the defensive responsibility which so restricts his game at Liverpool compared to Blackpool. Some have suggested Adam needs to build-up his stamina levels, but playing him in a two in the centre highlights his lack of speed of the mark as he not the type of player who will surge past an opponent. Can we afford to give him a free role with two strikers and winger on the pitch? That is the question.

The answer to the question is for another time, as the removal of Adam and the ineffective Downing, led to game changing substitutes. Gerrard added an assemblance of control in the middle with short prompting passing, but it was the inclusion of Bellamy with his pace and incisive driving runs which led to our first goal, when he released the ever impressive Enrique overlapping down the left to cut back for Andy Carroll to dispatch impressively.

Carroll has been hammered unmercilessly, but as we have always stated on this blog he made his name scoring goals from great delivery in the right areas and we should judge him after he starts regularly and he has quality service. Yesterday he has could quite easily have scored a hat-trick and after a decent display Wolves he deserves some encouragement rather than the continuing knocks, after all his Liverpool career up to know has been stop start.The killer goal was all about the tenacity of Suarez and was well deserved for his selfless running and drive off the ball and his imposing play on it.

Going into the Man Utd game on the back of a win against Everton will help confidence. With Gerrard putting another twenty-five or so minutes into his legs there must be more than an even chance of him starting. Everyone knows Craig Bellamy's qualities which I mentioned in the Brighton blog and I believe any team starting with Gerrard, Bellamy, Suarez, Downing and an increasingly confident Andy Carroll will cause consternation in any opposition.

Let's hope that Fabio Capello see's sense and leaves Gerrard out of the next England squad.

Man of Match: Luis Suarez in danger of carrying the Liverpool team.

Suarez In Irrepressible Form As Liverpool Get Back To Winning Ways

While the £35 million Liverpool paid for Carroll is looking and must feel like a mill around the player's neck, the £22 million the club paid for Suarez is beginning to resemble a bargain and it will come as no surprise if Liverpool are fending of bids for the player in the January transfer window. Suarez is undoubtedly world class, leads by example, and like Steven Gerrard before him he hates to lose and it is these qualities which helped Liverpool finally dispose of a spirited Wolves.

After his man of the match performance against Brighton in midweek, Bellamy must have counted himself unlucky not to have got a start, but King Kenny's decision to back Carroll is not surprising given his support of the striker and a player needing to find his confidence. Carroll's performance was encouraging linking up well with Suarez and almost getting himself on the score sheet with a header against the post. But it was his striker partner, who with some outrageous touches (one back heel past a defender while spinning away to collect the ball was simply glorious) lit the Anfield touch paper. His goal when he twisted the defender inside out before smoking the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper's near post was delightful. Bill Shankly famous quote could almost have been tailored made for him "When he goes at them the way he does, you don't want to be a defender. He gives them twisted blood".

Worryingly again, Liverpool's profligacy in front goal warrants inspection. Three glorious chances inside the box in the second-half went a begging, with the Downing chance being the most glaring miss being one on one with the keeper and having the choice to roll to either Adam or Suarez. That it led to a nervous end was understandable coming on the back of two successive League defeats, but Liverpool's performance lends one to two areas of concern.

First, in eight first class games this term Liverpool have only kept a clean sheet in one game and that was against a ten man Arsenal. Jamie Carragher's performances have been placed under the microscope, any any fair minded person would have to say that his performances have been way below-par to say the least, in fact against Tottenham he was made to look decidedly uncomfortable with the movement and pace of Adebayo and Defoe. With the injury to Agger and the relative inexperience of Coates, Carragher's experience and leadership at the back is intrinsic to our success. He was never the quickest, but his game was based on his physicality and ability to read the game and with our two biggest games of the season in Everton and Man United approaching we need Carra to find that old level of performance of yesteryear.

The second area of concern is in the midfield. Charlie Adam passing ability is well documented, but is he capable of driving on and controlling the tempo of a game? At Blackpool, he invariably had two holding midfielders doing the donkey-work which enabled him to create a lot of damage in the last third of the pitch. In his present role alongside Lucas he has to decide when to empty the midfield, as such his doesn't get forward as much. But, when the Liverpool midfield are pressed the combination of Adam, Henderson and Lucas are not able to dominate. The ease in which Modric and specifically Parker bossed the midfield last week led to Adam's sending off as he cut a frustrated figure beaten time and time again in the tackle and pressed back in possession of the ball because of his lack of pace. With every game that goes by, Jordan Henderson is seemingly playing a more narrow game with Kelly the outlet down the right hand side.

Bellamy's performance in midweek shows what pace can do, but even more than that he is a quality footballer who would add to our goal threat and has great delivery which would help Andy Carroll know-end with quality service available not just from Downing. Also, is there a misnomer with the Liverpool coaching staff believing the team to be more open in defence with Bellamy on the pitch? Anyone, who has watched Craig Bellamy can testify to the amount of work he puts in defensively and if that is the thought then surely, Dirk Kuyt would offer more to the team in that position that having Henderson, a centre-midfield player by trade playing on the right side?

All in all, we are back on the winning trail with yet another awe-inspiring performance by Suarez. He was replaced by Gerrard, who in the remaining ten minutes or so showed his appetite remain undiminished flashing a volley past the post in inimitable Gerrard like fashion and showing that Liverpool as yet do not have a midfield player capable of taking on his mantle – but then again neither does the Premiership…

Man of the Match: Luis Suarez. Great appetite in everything he does and his hunger was shown in being substituted and kicking over a water bottle in frustration. A two footed-player which makes him so dangerous in the penalty box when allied to his brilliant close-control.

Bellamy Pulls Liverpool Through

This was a game where Liverpool weren't just bouncing back from two successive defeats, but questions were suddenly been asked about the manager and team by critics, who have suddenly come out of the woodwork, where before the Bolton result they were know where to be seen, but I guess that's the vagaries of football.

An early move which saw Spearing shoot from around 20 yards showed Liverpool's intent with a quicker sharper build-up involving Kuyt, Suarez and Bellamy. A few moments later that sharp, crisp movement ended with Suarez and Bellamy combining to put us ahead. Not for the first time this season this fluidity of movement is made all the more apparent without the starting presence of Andy Carroll. What Bellamy brings to the equation is incisiveness, class and the added ingredient of raw pace, something we lack throughout the first team.

But then just as in the Stoke game, we missed a plethora of chances which instilled confidence in a very good Brighton side. The sharp and incisive running disappeared and our first half confidence dissipated, to be replaced by heavy touches and passes and as the game wore on indiciveness affected all parts of our game, with Brighton dominating periods of possession.

After a long six months, the return of Steven Gerrard added some much needed composure, but in the end, as he had been from the start in was pure and simple the class of Craig Bellamy which dragged Bolton's brave response. As Kuyt's game clincher proved, there is no substitute for pace and Bellamy has it by the bucket load.

Granted it was Brighton, but Bellamy is class by anyone's standards and he must have made a pitch for a start against Wolves on Saturday. His performance with the return of the 'Great One' gives us something to look forward too after a turbulent start to the week.
Kop-post man of the match: Craig Bellamy

Passion and Quality In Short Supply

 

We were second best from the kick-off and worse still it seemed we left our intensity and verve back at the Brittania Stadium. 

That we were hindered by the manager having an off day in sending the midfield out to contain rather to create and trying to get away with playing Skrtel again at right-back up against Bale, the eventual sending off was like a car crash waiting to happen without the air bag protection of Dirk Kuyt in front of him. With Flanagan watching on from the sidelines, his exclusion just did not make any sense.

If ever an early change in either personnel or formation should have been made early on this was it.  The defence found it difficult to cope with the movement of Adebayor and Defoe, with Bale and Kyle Walker making hay down the flanks.  Jamie Carragher was virtually not existent and while he is a key member of the squad, his lack of pace has been there for all to see in the last two games.

Modric and Parker dominated Adam and Lucas in every way and it only added to Adam’s frustration with not having the time on the ball to build Liverpool’s forward momentum.

This blog has tried to give Andy Carroll the benefit of the doubt and while today’s result was not down to him as he was hindered by a lack of quality service with Downing seemingly playing in a supportive midfield role, his lack of menace was poor in the extreme. He was beaten to virtually every header and his biggest contribution was a defensive tackle.  The concern for most supporters is that when Carroll starts Liverpool’s play looses fluidity and becomes one dimensional with long balls knocked up to the ‘big man’.

In addition, Daniel Agger’s fragility is becoming a concern.  He seems susceptible to knocks against his hip and his injury record must be close to rivalling that of Aurelio’s.

What was really dispiriting as a supporter was that Suarez and Enrique apart, there appeared nothing we could do to change the result.  There was a stage in the first fifteen minutes of the second-half where Spurs seemed to be running out of ideas and Liverpool needed to inject some inspiration and pace with Kuyt (unlucky not to start) and Bellamy warming-up ‘King Kenny’ and Clarke seemed to have got the message.  Instead, for some reason they waited when we were offering nothing creatively, but still in the game and paid a heavy price with the sending off of Skrtel.

It is not the fact that we are already eight points behind Man United (although that’s no consolation), it’s the fact that we lost the game in such a tame fashion on the pitch and on the sidelines.

A Tale of Missed Opportunities

Twenty strikes on goal, a contentious penalty and an inflamed manager. Chances a plenty for Suarez and on another day he could quite easily have bagged a hat-trick. It was one of those days when we could quite easily have racked up a cricket score, but we were too profligate in front of goal.

In one move which resulted in Henderson being put through one on one with the keeper, he had three attempts on goal, with Adam himself having two attempts in an unbelievable segment of play. With late attempts on goal and a penalty attempt in could well have been so different and another day Liverpool would have had two goals before Stoke's penalty.

I would rather not waste space on here commenting on the referee, but talk-up the positives, that Liverpool proved that we can be inventive and creative, but we have to find a way to put away chances as the top teams do. If it's not going to be Suarez then others have to consistently come to the party, as they did against Bolton, especially against teams like Stoke whose style of play is well documented and as such comes as no surprise.

The fact that we missed so many chances only accentuates the pain of not winning a match which we so patently dominated and with all our rivals winning even at such an early stage in the season the five point gap seems a large one, especially when we have another tough game on the horizon against Spurs. But we'll go to White Hart Lane on the back of a strong committed performance which only bodes well for the future. Rome wasn't built in a day, but the foundations are now in place.

Lastly, 'King Kenny' refrained from choosing a purely combative side to play Stoke which has been the Liverpool way over the last few seasons and if anything proved that this side is capable of out battling and out playing very good sides.

Now the trick is to see how we bounce back from our first defeat of the season.

The Future

Aquilani to AC Milan, El Zhar to Levante, and possible moves for Joe Cole and Christian Poulsen on the horizon means the plethora of midfield players Liverppol supporters were quibbling about pre-season is thinning out nicely. Some supporters are questioning why Aquilani is being loaned out yet again, with an option to buy… haven’t we heard this before is the cry!?! What if Milan decide not buy him at the end of the loan period? I guess in hindsight it proves the folly of buying a consistently injured, though talented, player for £20 million and points directly at the club’s transfer policy at the time.

Players like Sterling and Silva must be blowing a sigh of relief with the movement out of the club – one often wonders if this negative transfer policy hindered the progress of Pacheco and stopped players such as Jay Spearing coming through earlier than they otherwise would have done.

The fallout from Aquilani’s transfer and the increased contracts handed out to fringe players El Zhar, Deggan, and Insua amongst others has moulded the transfer policy of John Henry and the Fenway Sports Group into buying players who will have a sell on value. Therefore, the recent strong rumour of Dalglish interests in Bellamy is not surprising as it seems more a strategic push by Liverpool to bring in a quality support striker who will hit the ground running and provide the team with experience, goals and at a push provide the option to play out wide with his pace (which we still lack in critical areas) and an ability to beat defenders in critical forward positions.

Craig Bellamy - rumours of a Liverpool return (Image: Daily Mail)

His potential signing maybe seen as a negative move by some, but the thinking is understandable and I for one advocated a move for Forlan before his recent move to Inter Milan for the knock down price of 5 million euros, especially with his understanding with Suarez and the fact that he has improved exponentially from his time at Man United. His understanding with Suarez and moves and the potential acquisition of Coates would have, I believe, placed Liverpool in a no lose situation.

Criticism that our transfer policy is misguided is unfounded. Liverpool like many clubs outside Champions League positions are and will find it difficult to pick up world class players. The simple fact is that top class players want to play in the Champions League and as such with the footballing world focusing on the annual tournament it makes complete sense to build for the future. Since January, Liverpool have spent over £100 million pounds (approximately £50 million net if we take into account the Torres and Babel transfers), but considering we finished three places behind Man City and they have spent a similar amount just in preseason with Man United spending over £50 million, we know that we cannot match the spending of the top three, thus it is incumbent on the club to spend wisely and to make sure that the club’s scouting system is unparalleled.

Andy Carroll is being pilloried as some supporter’s believe he doesn’t possess the prerequisite skills to fit into Liverpool’s free-flowing play which destroyed Bolton. His signing, alongside that of Suarez, was at a time when the club had only one recognised striker in Ngog, with Kuyt used more as a wideman. Carroll arrived injured and was patently unfit during the latter half of the season. His starring role against Man City shows just how dangerous he can be when given the right service and that he offer a different mode of attack to the pass and move which has been accentuated by the magnificent movement of Suarez. His still appears, disappointingly short of fitness and just as with most strikers short of goals, confidence is a considerable part of their make-up and is almost certainly why Dalglish appears to be going out of his why to publicly to be support the young striker.

If we do finish in the top four this to my mind would be ahead of schedule and no mean feat. It would have be done by re-introducing a sensible transfer structure and a move back to the ‘boot room’ values of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Reuben Bennett, Ronnie Moran and Joe Fagan, which Kenny was schooled under as a player and intertwined with the economic common sense and values of the Fenway Sports Group.