Suarez and Meireles Inspire Liverpool Win

 

Kop-Post

The surprising decision to start with Henderson with the lack of real width on the right side was tempered by the fact that both Henderson and Downing were given roaming roles and were helped with Liverpool having two marauding full-backs in Martin Kelly and Enriquè

Lucas started impressively defensively with some intricate interplay between Kuyt and Downing, creating and early chance from a whipped in cross from Downing on the left which Kuyt failed to control.  Downing also delivered an inch perfect cross for Carroll whose magnificent header was turned round the post.  Even taking into account an Arsenal side weakened by injury, this was still a team playing at home with van Persie, Walcott, Arshavin, Ramsay, Sagna and the magnificently impressive Varmarlen which we managed to dominate for most of the first half having most fashioned most of the clear cut chances.

As much as Liverpool controlled the game in terms of possession we lacked real inventiveness and with the impressive Frimpong beginning to make his presence felt in the middle of the park with his physicality and surging runs the key moment in the match was his rash tackle on Lucas getting him an early bath allowing Liverpool’s dynamic due to be unleashed on back four.

All of sudden with Suarez directness and Meireles as he does so well breaking into the area providing a different threat and dimension Liverpool suddenly looked chock full of ideas.  With Arsenal down to 10 men there was only ever going to be one winner.  With Adam seemingly brought in to re-enact the Xabi Alonso role, he rarely gets forward and as such support for Carroll was left mainly to Downing who has another impressive game.

Rumours of Meireles demise have been circulating all through this transfer window, which seems to this supporter anyway, to be heresy.  Next to Steven Gerrard he offers more than any other Liverpool midfielder and his understanding as shown in just twenty or so minutes and the second-half of last season seems almost telepathic with Luis Suarez.  The second goal in which he unselfishly rolled the ball to Suarez was reminiscent of the goal he created for Fernando Torres last season against Wolves and shows an intelligence which blends with his undoubted team ethic.  What he also offers to Dalglish is a different set-up in formation with Suarez playing as the main striker with Meireles supporting from behind as he has in his locker the magical gift for a midfielder of scoring goals from open play.

The match showed Liverpool look to be going the right way in terms of control the game and the manager was proved right in bringing on Suarez and Meireles to add the finishes touches in a game we never looked likely to loose.  Adam had more of an impact once Frimpong was set off and he had more room to operate and Henderson showed his road running abilities are up there while not really having a substantial impact on the game.  The Liverpool back four were not unduly tested, but a most noteworthy performance was that of Enriquè who kept Walcott quiet until he was eventually withdrawn. 

Martin Kelly seemed as if the six months or so he had been away was an aberration as there seemed no cobwebs to blow away, even finding time to join the attack and have one rasping drive flick the outside of the post.  What is apparent about Kelly is that he comfortable on the ball and always looks to play the sensible ball, but even more than that he possesses leadership qualities and is not afraid to bark out orders to senior colleagues.

Man of the Match: Downing impressive work-rate, everything that was good from Liverpool in the first half came from his boot and it wont be long before he gets off the scoring charts.