To say we dominated the first 25 minutes was an understatement, as apart from an Edwards half chance, Liverpool didn’t just enjoy possession but created enough chances to have gone comfortably ahead with chances to spare and a possible penalty claim when Glen Johnson was brought down by Frimpong when sluicing through.
Henderson enjoying the freedom with a Wolves side struggling in the absence of Henry, played a sumptuous through ball which Bellamy glided on too but this time Liverpool’s man of the moment could only slide the ball past the upright. Daniel Agger almost added to Saturday’s goal in similar fashion from a corner, but had his header was brilliantly saved by Hennesy with the resultant shot blocked. Bellamy enjoying yet another vibrant showing saw his 25 yard free-kick expertly saved.
Early in the first-half Carroll gesticulated violently to Glen Johnson that he required the ball whipped in quickly from the flanks after he made his run only for the full-back to cut inside and cross behind him. The point was well made. After a scratchy opening to the second-half, Adam found himself out on the left and produced the type of cross that Carroll had been hankering for all season, fast, curling away from the keeper and giving him him time to attack. He did so with vigour, beating off the defender to prod the ball in the back off the net.
Within minutes it was two with Bellamy being allowed to run for ever before his soft placed shot ran through the wafer like hands of Hennessy. His sixth goal in the Premiership from only seven starts.
Hennessy showed that to be an abberration with excellents saves from a point blank header from Agger and a another from Kuyt’s drive from 20 yards from which he tipped over. But Liverpool were no mood to be charitable with the Wolves Chairman, the ex-Liverpool director Steve Morgan, looking on abjectly.
Enrique, back to solid mode turned defensive in attack with a raking cross-field ball, which Bellamy passed inside to Adam, who having seemingly over elaborated, put a slide-rule pass through which Kuyt tucked away with aplomb from the acutest of angles.
A word for the returning Jay Spearing. He showed the discipline in a defensive midfield position to allow Adam and Henderson the time and space to be the creative and driving force, respectively. He played in around the edge of his own area and the half-way line for the whole match.
Carroll watch – 2nd half: Continuing to put himself about and put in some nice passes, one of which almost put Kuyt through had he the legs.
Kop-Post Man of The Match: Led the line like an old fashioned number 9, but combined his strength in the challenge with some subtle touches and showed he is capable of leading the line and his confidence looks to be returning.
Transfer window: Kenny and Camolli may have felt that with Suarez returning and Kuyt back on track and showing faith in Carroll might be enough with the dazzling Craig Bellamy in tandem. While that might be a controversial stance to many fans, the fact that we spent nearly £60 million on Suarez and Carroll could be weighing heavily on their decision making with UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules being implemented in the not to distant future and the effects already being felt with clubs now watching their balance sheets.
Very pleased that we performed well at Wolves with our new £35m signing Andy Carroll leading the line effectively - I think the potential swap deal with Tevez has sparked something in Carroll to prove he can play for a club at this level - his performance yesterday all-round was what we expected from him when he signed last season - but the slate is wiped clean and he can still make it as an LFC player with that desire and determination showed last night.
ReplyDeleteAlso a special mention for Jay Spearing who isn't rated highly by many but he is a very tidy player and kept things moving smoothly in midfield and provided the required stability in the defensive midfield role last night. He is a vital member of the squad whilst Lucas is out injured as he is the only guy that can play the defensive midfield role effectively to free up Gerrard and Adam to dictate a game.
It was pleasing to win without Gerrard again as we have relied on him and Bells too much in the last 5-6 games.
We almost had a perfect night until Chelski got a late equaliser at Swansea to steal a point - all we can do is win our games and see where it takes us at the end of the season.
Well done lads on the win - bring on Spurs on Monday.
You can only beat what's in front of you and it was great to see 3 of our fowards score, plus create other opportunities.
DeleteChris
Glad that we picked up three points, I do hope we can beat Tottenham at home seeing that playing at home has been our achilles heel this campaign
ReplyDeleteGlad for the result. Carroll must now be given a chance and continous run in the side. He's been playing well for 3 or 4 games now. I notice that he has not been shy in telling players where he wants the ball. Good to see that he told Charlie where to play the ball to him for the goal.
DeleteAdam deerves full credit for creating the goals for Carroll and Kuyt. Both were good passes, one with his weaker foot.
Unimpressed at our lack of activity in the transfer market at a time when Harry seems to revel, despite his woes in the courtroom
Sent from my iPhone
The game against Spurs is looming large in our Premiership season. We'll probably have Gerrard back and Suarez returning back from injury (probably on the bench), but never the less back. Carroll, hopefully off and running, Kuyt scoring again abd Bellamy playing some of the best stuff of his career. Charlie Adam, had you rightly adding two assists and getting himself in the final third of the pitch which has a lot to do with Jay Spearing coming back in holding midfield position.
DeleteIf we beat Spurs we stand a great chance from there on in, of riding on the impetus and coming on the inside rails to grab fourth with players running into the form at the key end of the pitch.
On the fact of John Terry's case being put back until after the Euros, it quite frankly makes it look as though the legal system has come to the conclusion that a football championship is more than the alleged incident. I hasten to add that Terry is like any citizen of the Kingdom, innocent until proven guilty, but why could the case be heard over the next few weeks, especially as the length of case should be around five days. Should he be found guilty this decision we will be reflected upon with fervour.
While the argument will be that Suarez was dealt with by the FA and independent committee, and Terry by the Judiciary it seems very unfair in the scheme of things that Terry seems able to set the pace of case judging the seriousness of the charges. With Jason Roberts' commenting as follows: 'I have seen the Ferdinand case has been put back. On this basis I do not believe that the England captain should go to the Euros.
'Innocent until proven guilty is not always the case. Also more importantly, believe me, the dressing room at the Euros could be toxic.'
The Sky News reporter Tim Marshall said something along the lines of the next time you or I goes to court, just state that can this take place later as have something important to do. Is that not a dangerous precedent to set?
With pressure coming from all sides and the FA rumoured to meet on February 23, the FA as leaders of game our doing us no favours with their silence and their lack of leaderships at a time when when it is sorely needed. While again reiterating what Suarez did was out of order, the way he was dealt in comparison seems on a different level compared to that of Terry.
http://www.eplindex.com/9280/importance-spearing-liverpool-fc-stats.html
ReplyDeleteVery under-rated player who is hopefullyfinally establishing himself as an important member of our squad. Keep it upJay.
Yeah, Jay’s never going to be the flashiest player on the pitch but he puts in a lot of effort. A good squad player and I agree that he should be our holding midfielder in Lucas’ absence. Kenny has some serious selection headaches coming up on Monday. Who do you drop? One of Carroll, Dirk and Bellers is going to have to make way for Suarez. Or could he bench Hendo and play all 4!!!!!!
DeleteReina
Kelly Skrtl Agger Enrique
Kuyt Spearing Gerrard Bellamy
Carroll Suarez
Too Attacking????? Spurs don’t like it up em. So offence might be the best tactic
or does he leave Suarez on the bench having not played for 8 games and bearing in mind the team is unbeaten in three...?
DeleteKenny will play Johnson against Bale eventhough I would play Kelly as he is a more accomplished defender – Suarez as KopPost says is also a gamble but he is too good a player to not bring straightback in – with the team on a winning run adding Suarez to the mix is anexciting possibility.
ReplyDeleteHe leaves him on the bench as we did with our captain when he returned from a long lay off.
ReplyDeleteDifference with our captain is that Suarez is ready to play whereas Gerrard was coming back from from a long-term injury.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I am being a little anti-Suarez, wanting him to know and appreciate the value of playing for a club such as ours. The team have just won 3 games on the trot – what Dalglish must not do, is drop Caroll just to make sure Suarez gets a game. For me he starts on the bench.
DeleteSuarez has served his time for his racialoffence unlike a famous Englandinternational/captain so is now available to play and we can finally see thereason why we bought both players 12 months ago – with the Carroll/Suarezpartnership finally firing in the goals with both players having confidence topush us forward !!!
DeleteThe only way we can improve the partnershipis by playing both players at the same time – so I agree Carroll shouldnot be dropped but room must be found for a player that can benefit from Carroll’sintelligent flicks and lay-offs.
Henderson is not quite ready for the first team as a regular starter –that’s what we have learnt about him this season – he is not at thelevel yet to make intelligent runs off the big man Carroll into the box toset-up goals or score goals whereas watching Stevie G do this will only improvehim long-term.
Serving his time... let's hope he's actually learnt something!
DeleteDon't think anyone's disputing his undoubted talent and ability to link up play, but quite frankly I don't think there's a Liverpool player this season that has played at Bellamy's level upfront or on either flank and that includes Suarez, who at times has been brilliant, but as a St Mirren fan has just said to me Carroll playing better in the last few games has a lot to with Bellamy's pace making the defence drop deeper and allowing Carroll to get into more potent areas rather than picking the ball up in 40 yards out. There is no substitute for pace at the top end of the pitch and that's why I'm still finding it hard to understand why we didn't grab someone in on loan.
Six goals in seven Premiership starts says a lot (from Bellamy) and if Suarez starts lets hope the woodwork doesn't start coming into play again. We're looking dangerous again because suddenly Kuyt and has got goal scoring boots on again and others are Kenny into goal scoring positions.
Ok, two games Carroll played well and scored and all of a sudden £35m worth of the asset with little or no return in the last 10 months has been paid off. I have no problem about him playing and I am sure he will play. If he scores on Monday, then I may just about have a change of heart towards him if he continues in the same vein to becoming a consistent performer for us. Long may the winning run continues.
DeleteWithout wanting to reopen the debate - I think it was right that suarez served a ban and share the hope that it has taught him an important lesson but I still think evra's accusations were exaggerated and the characterisation of suarez as a racist is extremely harsh. The fact evra himself and the fa report both said they do not think saurez is racist says a lot for me...
DeleteWith regards team selection - it's really tough. For me suarez and bellamy should definitely start. I would deliberate long and hard on carroll's inclusion because as improved as his last two performances have been for me they have not been sufficiently impressive to make him undroppable and we are playing one of best sides in the country and need to go with our strongest 11. I am conscioutious of need to build his confidence so would be tempted to go with Barry's suggested line up and hope that spearing, who I agree with David is still under-rated, and a disciplined stevie g could provide enough coverage for the defence....
I reckon he'll go with a 5 in mid though and think henderson will start, been impressed with him over last couple of months and think he offers a lucas/kuyt-esque energy that is vital in these big games against quality opposition....
Also, agree with whoever said they'd start kelly against bale but also thnk he'll plump for johnson....
p.s isn't it nice not to have to think about who should play centre-back for the first time in a long time.....
Like I said if Suarez plays let's hope are we keep on hitting the onion bag. On the other issue, his so called apology lacked depth and appeared as if he was apologising to know one in particular.
DeleteOn Carroll, striker's thrive on goals and what ever any of us thinks about him I don't think him scoring against Everton and being dropped for the next game did him any favours and the same goes if it happens now. Bellamy and Suarez would be the dream ticket, but as we didn't buy or loan any alternative we have to work with what we have not keep knocking him down.
Also hope that Stevie G is fit because he actually left the field against Man U with a tight hamstring. No problem with Barry's line-up, as I wouldn't want to see Adam up against any line-up with Modric in it with only two in the middle and against Tottenham it's all about pace.
Scott Parker always has a good game whenever he plays against us – it would be nice to get the upper hand on him and Spurs for a change on Monday – at this moment in time it doesn’t matter if its an own goal – we need to win by any means necessary preferably convincingly of course.
DeleteAs I think Barry said, we need to bring the game to them, not sit back without offering an offensive threat. Gareth Barry is on fire at the moment, but I feel that our full backs should be able to deal with him, its just when he cuts inside we’ll need to know how to handle that.
DeleteBellamy and Suarez will be a handful for all sides.
Gareth Barry must be on real fire to play for both Man City and Spurs at the same time !!! LOL
DeleteI think my good friend Karl meant Gareth Bale guys !!!! LOL
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ReplyDeleteFA have stripped John Terry of the England captaincy due to concerns over the racism court trial – the real reason is due to the public outcry!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood, now I’ll be able to enjoy the Euros. Again, the FA and Courts of Justice appear to have got it wrong initially. I wonder whether any heads will roll?
ReplyDeleteThe only way I will support England again this summer will be if he has served a ban like Suarez during this season – this will not happen – he will go to the Euros and play in the side whilst not being punished in this season for a racial offence – so I will not be supporting England this summer.
ReplyDeleteI will be supporting Ireland and an FA which is not corrupt – the Irish FA.
Gonna get a shirt as well !!!!
I always support the Irish regardless. Make sure you circulate a copy of you wearing the Ireland shirt!
DeleteMost definitely gonna send you all a pic of me in the shirt!!! :)))
DeleteGood lads! I booked my flights to Poland the other day...not too confident of our chances in our group but think trap will set us up like stoke and we'll be hard to beat so might surprise a few people....
Deleteback to liverpool related issues - Big jan molby singing spearings praises....
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-columnists/jan-molby-column/2012/02/03/jan-molby-jay-spearing-is-becoming-a-key-man-for-liverpool-fc-100252-30257119/
David - are you off to Poland too?
DeleteI think that technically, Spearing is a decent footballer and passes the ball well, better than Lucas.
Just heard its -30 there at the moment!!! Too cold for me!!! LOL
DeleteI will be supporting the Irish team in an Irish pub if we can find one somewhere Livi! LOL
We'll find one, don't you worry...
DeletePepe Reina was on Soccer AM the other week doing the feature about team mates. He said that Jay Spearing worked the hardest in training out of the whole squad. The worst trainer …… one Andrew Carroll esquire. Youtube Pepe Reina Soccer AM if you want to check it out.
DeleteGlad that some of you’s will be supporting my native Ireland at the euros, I don’t think you’ll have a problem finding an Irish bar to watch it in they’re bloody everywhere.
Baz
Certain members of our LFC email club (no names mentioned LOL) do not think much of Spearing as a player but he has never let us down and will always have my support!!!!
ReplyDeleteOk David, I’ll take the bait.
DeleteI’ve been highly critical ofSpearing because I don’t think “trying hard” or having theability to make a simple 5 yard pass should be a prerequisite to make it intothe LFC midfield. Spearing’s rehabilitation seems to be based on a few games at the back end of last season when we were out of the competition for a CL spot and 10 games this season in a midfield that’s been minus Gerrard and Lucas. His competition this season for a central midfield berth has been Adam whose form has been up and down and Henderson who doesn’t seem tounderstand what his role is. The fact that Spearing still doesn’t command a first team place proves my point that he’s a championship player whohas won the lottery.
... I got him to take the bait!!! LOL
DeleteI hear what you’re saying about Spearing. My problem, which I’ve said before, is that is taken him until his 24th year to look capable of putting together a collection of games in the first team, which may say a lot more about the way Liverpool blood their youngsters than his ability.
DeleteIn the current squad, Spearing and Gerrard are the only two players capable of playing the holding role, in the continued absence of Lucas. Gerrard has so much to his game that you don't what to tie him down. Spearing is learning the role, but he has shown the patience to remain in the position and allow Adam and Henderson to play ahead of him. Unlike Adam he is fleet of foot and his passing can be quite crisp which keeps the play moving as he looks to pass forward rather than sideways which is something Lucas struggles with.
I’d always advocate having some home grown or players who have come through the ranks in the same way Man United have always had. Players who are not necessarily first XI players week in week out but are always capable of holding their own rather than having foreign players sitting in the reserves on the periphery not adding much. Fergusson’s always had the likes of Wes Brown, Phil Neville and John O’Shea (played well over 300 games) who over the years have come up with crucial performances. In a squad of 25, we can’t have 25 superstars and would love some of our youngsters like Sterling to fill those spots in the not too distant future.
But in saying that I would be surprised if Camolli didn’t go out and pick up a midfielder, striker and a winger in the summer, even if we don’t pick up the fourth spot.
Excellent result, just need keep going on now, and keep faith in Carroll, keep him playing...
ReplyDelete