Liverpool Regain A Little Pride

With four changes from the deflating FA Cup Final loss Liverpool went into tonight’s game knowing that regaining some pride against a Chelsea team with 9 changes, but still starting with 8 internationals had to be the prime motivating factor. The final match at Anfield of the 2011/12 season provided the platform for Liverpool to say goodbye to the supporters in a season which had seen just five home Premiership wins.

Following his superb cameo, Andy Carroll returned to the starting line-up with Jamie Carragher, Jonjo Shelvey and Maxi Rodriguez, with Enrique, Spearing and Bellamy giving way.

Liverpool started brightly with Shelvey following on from his impressive display at Blackburn prompting and controlling the tempo from the centre with his crisp passing. That being said, Chelsea should’ve taken the lead with Ivanovic hitting the post from a corner. Two minutes later, Suarez as he had on so many occasions picked the ball on the right before darting past Romeu and nutmeging John Terry and again escape Romeu despairing lunge before his cut-back went in off the retreating Essien.

Terry whose own personal nightmare on Elm Street began with Andy Carroll’s appearance at the cup final looked as if he had been suffering sleep deprivation. Carroll was beating Terry to every ball and his convidence seemingly seeping away as if he was an inexperience youngster. On 25 minutes, Terry resembling Bambie on ice, slipped allowing Henderson a loan run through on goal. Showing the courage of his convictions following his criticism on his cup final display, he capitalized with a cool measured finish past the on-rushing Turnbull.

Andy Carroll kept up the intensity and unlike many nights here previously this season they were tucking away chances with relish. Carroll rose magnificently from a corner to unselfishly head the ball back to the unmarked Agger who headed the ball high into the net.

Agger celebrates and Torres looks forlon (Image: The Guardian)

We were treated to Anfield old and new within minutes. Carroll with his new found confidence, nutmegged Terry leaving him the dead with kind of move which Torres once enthralled the Liverpool faithful, before being cynically brought down. Torres then controlled a pass brilliantly spinning away from defence, before unleashing a cannon-ball like shot crashing against the bar.

Liverpool were now dominant. Two minutes later Downing unleashed a superb dipping volley, from a Suarez knockdown, which clipped the bar leaving Turnbull all ends up. It wouldn’t be Liverpool this season if we hadn’t troubled the woodwork. Invanovic, who was lucky not to be set off in a match with underlying moody overtones remaining from Saturday, elbowed Carroll to the ground just before the interval. Downing, struck the post from the resultant penalty, with Carroll knocking the rebound wide.

The intensity dropped in the second-half understanderbly, which allowed Chelsea to get back in the match with a soft goal from a corner 4 minutes into the second-half from Ramirez. Chelsea’s fight-back was as good as over on the hour with Turnbull’s miskick to Shelvey who from 30 yards hit the ball on the half-volley into the back of the net.

Carroll’s excellence was almost rounded off following a cross of Gerrardesque proportions from Johnson, bending the ball round the defence from out on the right which Carroll met on the volley in full stride, but could only slice wide.

The applause which met Maxi as he moved to the substitutes bench and his returned applause suggested it was the last time this whole hearted player would grace this great stadium. That he was replaced by Kuyt who may also be leaving was poignant. Sterling who also entered the fray almost broke his duck when his sliced a left footed volley wide from a Suarez flick with his first touch.

Whether or not Chelsea hand their minds in between the cup final win and the impending Champions League Final is of no concern. Liverpool produced a thoroughly professional performance in a season which we have fallen short in so many areas.

Kop-Post Man of the Match: Andy Carroll – Dominated England’s premier centre-half for the second consecutive match delivering an all-round perfoamnce which was only missing a goal.

Critical Eye: Carroll and Suarez looked to be linking up nicely and it’s very noticable that his increased confidence has given him a licence to lead by example. His last two performances has shown an increased physical presence which caused havoc in among experience defenders such as Ivanovic and Terry and augurs well for the next season with the right support and encouragement.

Shelvey showed great touch on the ball and his passing helped Liverpool to keep the Chelsea midfield at bay in the first-half. His goal, while not heralded was technically an excellent finish. The much maligned Jordan Henderson showed his strength of character to produce a strong display and put his goal away with cool efficiency.