Liverpool 1 Anzhi Makhachkala 0

Recognising the importance of the Europa League to Liverpool’s season, the starting line-up contained nine players who could well start in the Merseyside Derby on Sunday.  Brad Jones in goal with the continued absence of Pepe Reina up against one of the truly great strikers of his generation in Anzhi Makhachkala’s Samuel Eto’o the former Champions League winning Barcelona striker.

A stunning Stewart Downing strike would see Liverpool over the line in what has become that very rare occurrence in 2012, a home win  and delivering Anzhi their first loss in 13 games.
Liverpool totally dominated the game not just as is their wont through possession, but clear cut chances against an expensively assembled squad with the world’s highest paid player.  They started well with Johnson playing a superb-ball inside the right full-back for Assaidi to play the ball back to Suarez whose tame shot was easily gathered by Gabulov.

The Assaidi and Johnson combination were huge positives for Rodgers and their link up play almost bore fruit when Assaidi got behind the full-back to feed the marauding Johnson whose first time shot was again straight at the keeper.  Liverpool were stronger in the tackle led by the captain Gerrard.  He produced a thunderous header in midfield to send Suarez on his way, who in turn rolled the ball across to Shelvey who showed a lack of composure in blazing his shot high, wide and handsome.

Assaidi and Johnson sliced through yet again only for Assaidi’s shot to barely concern the keeper.  Johnson, Liverpool’s attacking force on yet another foray, played a superb one-two with Suarez but the defender air kicked with only the keeper in front of him and the goal at his mercy.  The obvious lack of a cutting edge dampened down the crowd’s fervour and one could sense their apprehension in watching yet another half of football where chances went a begging.

Unlike the previous game against Udinese, Liverpool increased the tempo in the second-half, know doubt helped by the introduction of the excellent Sterling, who entered the fray at half-time for Johnson with Downing moving to left-back.  Skrtel’s drive and determination to out muscle Eto’o almost paid off with Gabulov having to get down smartly to turn away his shot.

Downing in his new found position knocked a long ball up front, with Sterling coming in off touchline showing remarkable spring to beat the former Blackburn centre-half Samba to flick the ball on for the breaking Shelvey to cross for Gerrard in full flow.  The Liverpool captain tried to guide the ball back into the near post, but sent his header wide.

Almost immediately, Liverpool’s new left back, brought to the club for £20 million pounds as one of the country’s top wingers showed a flash of the talent which Liverpool supporters had resigned themselves to being a thing of the past.  He picked up Shelvey’s pass deep in the Anzhi half, stepped inside the challenge and unleashed a glorious right footed drive to leave Gabulov floundering as the ball smoked into the corner of the net.

Suarez produced a left-footed drive of equal ferocity which flashed past the post.  Downing almost undid all his good work, when his pass across his own area was almost picked off by Eto’o.

Agger was booked for a cheeky bit of impedance as he headed the ball from Gabulov’s hand as the keeper was preparing to kick the ball out, and volleyed the ball into the net.

Man of The Match: Assaidi – Played like an old-fashioned winger getting paint on his boots and linking up well with his Johnson.  Was incisive with his final ball often lifting his head to see colleagues in better positions and delivering a telling final ball.  It was poignant that Downing who won the match with an exquisite finish has often been chastised for his final ball throughout his Liverpool career.  Special mentions should go out to Andre Wisdom who showed a maturity beyond his years making some crucial interceptions by using his pace to cover and also using the ball well to distribute well out of defence. Raheem Sterling was excellent in the second-half in creating space and keeping the Anzhi defenders honest.

Comment:  A fine finish by Stewart Downing cannot mask the fact that Liverpool once again missed enough chances to have won at least three games.  It was always going to take a goal of that magnitude to win the game because easier chances were being spurned and with the spectre of Samuel Eto’o on the park there was always the trepidation that one flash of genius could have undone all the good work and control.